Haze Gray And Underway

Posted on Sun Aug 16, 2020 @ 7:37pm by Captain Larisna Koralova
Edited on on Tue Aug 25, 2020 @ 1:57am

Mission: Mission 1 - Angstrom Operation
Location: USS Hornet, Near Federation-Romulan Border

It was the Hornet’s third day underway. The crew was settling in nicely, but they were not able to go too far yet as they lacked orders from Starfleet Command. And so, it was just a quiet time of running practice drills and simulations. There was room for improvement but performance was still satisfactory.

Larisna had a habit of waking up well before her duty shift, giving herself a couple of hours to get herself centered and ready for the day. Today, she was on Holodeck 1, inside a passive simulation of her Old West program. She sat on a log in front of a campfire as the sun rose over the region where the forest and the desert met. Automation had not yet fully hit this part of North America in this era, so the only sounds around her were that of the wildlife, and the occasional horse or horse drawn wagon in the distance. The passive mode let her just observe and enjoy the quiet without being intruded upon by the characters or environments. It also meant she didn’t need to wear period attire.

=A= Bridge to Commander Koralova =A= Her commbadge chirped. Larisna tapped it.

=A= Go ahead. =A= Larisna replied.

=A= Captain, we have an incoming transmission from Captain Nkosi, Starfleet Command Science Division. =A= The officer reported.

=A= Understood. Patch it to Holodeck 1. I’m getting my desk. =A= Larisna said. “Computer, ambiance mode only. Show my desk and terminal.”

The computer chirped and her desk, chair and terminal appeared at the campfire. She refilled the blue enamel cup with black coffee from the campfire and then sat down at the desk.

“Authorization Koralova Nu Juliet Nine Four.” Larisna said to the console. The screen flashed to an older dark skinned Human male in the teal uniform associated with Science and Medical personnel, but wore Captains pips.

“Commander Koralova. I am Captain Nkosi, chief of operations for Science Division’s research outposts in the area you are currently operating in.” The man said.

“Captain. How can I help you?” Larisna replied with a smile and a nod.

“It is my understanding that the Hornet is currently awaiting a mission, is that still correct?” Nkosi asked.

“Yes, sir.” Larisna replied. Information began to appear in holographic form floating over her desk. Schematics of a station, coordinates, and a personnel roster.

“You are seeing information in regards to the Angstrom Research Facility in the Dar’Akoa System. It is not a well known system, all five planets and associated moons uninhabitable, brown dwarf star. We are conducting research on methods of extracting valuable minerals and materials from stars at Angstrom.” Nkosi explained as Larisna looked at the information available.

“According to the location, Dar’Akoa is sitting right on the edge of what’s left of the Romulan Neutral Zone.” Larisna said.

“Indeed. Part of why I would like you to go is because the Romulans have been claiming that it is actually theirs and have been harassing the facility. We had to add a security complement after this became a frequent issue. Occasionally, a patrol has to be sent that way as well.” Nkosi explained.

“I take it that this is more than just the Romulans doing a little saber rattling?” Larisna asked.

“Also correct. We stopped receiving regular reports from the facility a week ago. The last transmission we got was, well...here.” Nkosi said and a heavily garbled transmission came through. Most of it was unintelligible, but for one part.

““...the mutiny failed. They’re everywhere now.” said in a woman’s voice. The message was further garbled before cutting out.

“That was Researcher Amelia Adams, one of the senior staff. The facility is headed by Doctor V’Tol, of the Vulcan Science Academy. We’ve conducted a sweep with Starfleet Security of the personnel records and cannot come to a reason why there would be a mutiny. The scientists are well respected in their fields, the security and support personnel have average but acceptable records.” Nkosi sighed, “We fear something may have happened to them and the Romulans may have a hand in it.”

“Must be more here than meets the eye. So, what would you like us to do?” Larisna asked.

“Please investigate the situation. If there is a disaster, save the staff and the facility if you can. Otherwise, the staff and the databanks will be sufficient. We can rebuild the facility elsewhere, but the people are not as easily replaced, and we would like to preserve as much of their work as possible.” Nkosi said.

“We’ll do what we can, but the staff will be our top priority. And if the Romulans come knocking?” Larisna asked.

“Your standard rules of engagement apply, Commander. Do not initiate hostilities, but you may take appropriate measures to defend yourself and the facility. Ideally, I would prefer if you avoided any bloodshed, but we do not live in an ideal world.” Nkosi said.

“Too true, sir.” Larisna replied, “Very well. If there’s nothing else, I believe I need to get my crew up to speed and get us to Dar’Akoa as soon as possible.”

“Good luck, Commander. Nkosi, out.” The transmission was cut out.

“Computer, transfer all relevant files to the Angstrom Research Facility from Starfleet Command to the Briefing Lounge.” Larisna said, standing up and finishing off her coffee, “And inform the senior staff that there is a briefing in 20 minutes. Briefing lounge.”

The computer chirped in acknowledgement.

=A= Koralova to Bridge. Set course to the Dar’Akoa system, maximum warp. Set Yellow Alert upon our arrival to Dar’Akoa. More details will follow later. =A= Larisna said.

=A= Yes, Commander. =A= The bridge officer who had informed her of the message replied.

“Computer, end program.” Larisna said, and the Old West returned to history as Larisna headed for the door. From there, she would be heading straight to the briefing lounge and meet the senior staff there.

As she boarded the turbolift, she had a slight smile. Yes, there was some danger and lives were at risk, but there was a mystery to be solved. And the thrill that this mission would be the first for the crew of the USS Hornet. It would be remembered, it would set the standard by which they would likely continue to evaluate themselves against for months or even years to come.

And after all, when the Enterprise-D went to Farpoint, they thought it a routine mission as well, only for it to become something far greater. While Larisna had no desire to be hauled into an omnipotent prankster’s court, there was still the excitement of what was to come.

The smile faded as the turbolift doors opened and Larisna walked into the briefing room and sat down at the head of the table. No sense in giving the wrong impression when there was very real danger faced ahead, but internally, she was still smiling. This was the day they’d waited for.

E'Lor had just finished recalibrating the magnetic coupling when she got the notification of the meeting. "Fek'lar, blasted base engineers can't get the calibration right!" she huffed wiping her hands. Grabbing her raktijno, she headed for the briefing lounge. Arriving some 6 minutes later, she entered taking her customary seat. "Captain, new orders I gather?" she said.

LCMD Reazat was doing some checking on things in Engineering when the call came in to report to Briefing Room. She was overseeing some repairs that needed to be done. "Ensign take care of all the repairs that are recommended and then file your report. She hit her communications badge. "On my way Captain", as she went to the turbo lift. "Bridge" Once on the deck she went to the ready room for the briefing. Got a hot drink and took her seat next to the Captains seat.


It took a few minutes for Amu to reach the briefing room. She waddled in and managed to grab herself a cup of coffee before lowering herself into a chair next to the engineer. "Morning" she said softly.

Ensign Jae was exiting one of the Hornet's science labs when with a PaDD in hand when they received something. The young ensign stopped in the corridor to give it a quick read through. Odd they thought as they were perplexed about the message, a summoning of sorts that was going out. Jae was still getting used to life after the academy and was excited for the prospects of serving aboard the Century class hornet.

Lt Malloy was at the ops station on the bridge, she was training one of her staff on starship operations and had just finished a level three diagnostic on the LCARS system, routine maintenance really. She instructed her ensign to take over at ops and she simply rose and walked into the briefing room with the Captain and took her place across from the XO.

Jedre was on regular rounds making sure the ship was safe and no hooligans starting trouble. She heard that she was needed to the Briefing so she looked for the nearest turbo-lift
and hoping she don't miss anything. =A= On my way =A= Jedre said.

"Thank you all for being prompt in reporting in. We'll start now, then." Larisna said as she took her place at the head of the table. She tapped in a command to the console and brought up a holographic projection of the Angstrom Facility in the Dar'Akoa system. Some information was also being added as they went, and a reference of where the system was in the Federation also came up.

Jedre walked in before the meeting started, so she can get a good seat and be part of the meeting on what's going on.

"This is the Angstrom Research Facility in Dar'Akoa. Unremarkable and uninhabitable by and large, the system's only point of interest is that it sits in a disputed area between Federation and Romulan territory. Obviously, you can guess who has claims on it." Larisna explained, "Starfleet Command is sending us to investigate the facility. It appears that it went dark, but the last message was this."

She brought up the transmission file and played it. Something she didn't realize was that in the static, she could swear there was signs of screaming. Then the researcher's voice came on.

“...the mutiny failed. They’re everywhere now.” A woman's voice, pained by the sounds of it. Then more garbled static before it cut out.

"Starfleet Security already pulled the base's roster. No one there fits the profile. It's a small staff, mainly involved in solar dynamic research of some field or another, plus a small Security detachment after the Romulans tried to be more assertive about their claims. No contact has been established in over a week now. We're going to find out why." Larsina said.

"Ensign Luzon, I know this is a little unusual, but I'd like you involved in this." Larisna said first to the non senior staff officer.

"I don't know what we're getting into past this, but our priorities are the people, the data and the facility. In that order." Larisna explained, "It's time to see what we can do. Once we reach Dar'Akoa and establish the particulars, we'll determine a plan, but let's plan on an Away Team. Commander Reazat, you'll be leading it. We should also plan to have repair and security personnel on the mission as well. Lieutenant Hinamori, given your situation, you'll remain on the Bridge with me."

"We don't have much yet to go on, but if anyone has any input or questions, let's cover them now. As soon as we hit Dar'Akoa, we go to Yellow Alert and start scanning." Larisna said, looking at the officers before her.

Reazat responded, "Captain in the past the Romulans have sent out fake messages near the Neutral zone to draw other Federation ships into a trap. Is there any indications that this could in fact be a trap setup by the Romulans?"

Amu sat forward slightly. "May I suggest that you uplink your tricorders into the environmental science station on the bridge. I can monitor the surrounding environment and the team from there" she asked. "Plus if there's anything in the atmosphere, the ships computer will detect it faster than a tricorder".

"Unfortunately, exec, that possibility is quite real but we have no choice but to respond. The Angstrom Research Facility staff have every right to expect rescue if they are being held hostage. And if the worst has come to pass, then their families deserve answers." Larisna said to Veele.

"Malloy, would you be able to work with the good Doctor on that?" She then said next to Amanda.

"Aye Captain. We should be able to tinker that up. If I may ask, what do we know about the station itself and how many crew were stationed there?" Amanda asked. What could possibly make the crew commit mutiny she thought hard.

"I should also point out, the facility is on a tidally locked world, one side faces the star, the other is in perpetual night. The support side of the facility is on the night side, according to schematics, the side doing the research is on the day side. They have excellent solar shielding, but going outside the facility isn't something we'll be aiming for. Can't imagine even our EVA suits will offer much protection if you have to step outside." Larisna added, bringing up the facility in better detail.

The night side of the facility showed a shuttle bay, cargo bays, modest living accommodations for around 70 people, the power generators, and operations control center. The dayside, connected by tram lines, appeared to be just a control center.

"Thank you Ma'am". Amanda replied.

"I can have a damage control teams ready to go to the facility when needed. If there are Romulans out there, I should be able to sense them depending on how close they are to us. It is not impossible for me to sense them," E'Lor said.

"I'd like you to go in with them, Lieutenant." Larisna said to E'Lor, "If it's been compromised in some way or another, we're going to need to move quickly. A dead ball of rock in orbit of a brown dwarf isn't the safest environment to find you have a hole somewhere." She concluded with a little bit of humor.

"Also, Lieutenant Deelan, I'd like you to go too. If there's a threat of a mutiny, it may need to be defused quickly."

"Aside from that, Commander Reazat, the Away Team is yours to compose. We can wait until we get in system to determine what's going to be needed." Larisna said, "Does anyone else have any suggestions, input or questions before we get there so we're better prepared? I know we're dealing in speculation at the moment, but better we at least have some ideas to run with."

"Understood Captain" replied Reazat. "I will need security, and engineering will notify other Departments before we get there."

=A= Bridge to Commander Koralova. =A= The comms interrupted any further discussion.

"Go ahead." Larisna replied.

=A= We are approaching Dar'Akoa. =A=

"Acknowledged." Larisna looked to her officers, "Let's see what we're heading into. Take your stations, dismissed."

With that Larisna led the way back out and onto the Bridge, taking her seat in the center chair.

"We are at Yellow Alert per your orders, Commander. Shields are raised, weapons on standby." The relief Tactical officer reported.

"Very good, Ensign. Malloy, get some scans of the system, I want to know what we're dealing with here. Deelan, try to raise the Angstrom Research Facility on comms. Helm, bring us in on the Angstrom Research Facility, full impulse."

Aye Captain scanning.. "There are no other starships in the area. The solar shielding is up but showing signs of wear.The facility itself is damaged but sealed. Mostly damage from explosive decompression. The star in this region is fairly unstable, its throwing off larger amounts of radiation than normal, Our shields are holding. I'm afraid the radiation will greatly attenuate transporter efficiency. We'll have to use shuttles. The planet itself is 7200 KM in diameter, tidally locked, the temperature of the daylight side is that of molten lead, the temperature of the night side is -157 degrees. There is no atmosphere. Outside gravity is 2.4 G's. Personnel will need to be in extreme environmental suits to survive outside of the facility. I am detecting 75 lifeforms some strong others a bit weaker like they are fluctuating. I am also detecting intense phaser fire in several locations. Those with phasers are being pushed back it seems. I don't know what they are fighting. I cant seem to get a lock on it, Captain." Lt. Malloy reported.

Veele came out on the Bridge and assumed a position where she could move to help anyone that needed it. She took a position at the Bridge medical station and used the long range scanners to scan the research station. As she was scanning the station she was also looking for signs of ships as well. "Captain my scans show the normal scans for humanoid personnel expected. There is no abnormal species showing on the station. Shields are holding and will protect everyone on the ship from the radiation of the star.

"...those scans sound awfully conflicting. Malloy, please forward the findings to the Science station. Lieutenant Syll, Ensign Luzon, would you please look them over, see what you can determine in regards to why they are conflicting." Larisna said, "Malloy, once you've done that, let's get some more scans of the star. Helm, bring us in orbit of the planet, keep us close to the Angstrom Facility. Lieutenant Deelan, modulate the shields accordingly. I want to know if we've got a literal ticking time bomb in front of us here. Lieutenant Yeserina, see what you can do to firm up the shields as well. I'd rather we don't catch extra rads if we can help it."

"Switching over to science one, Captain." Malloy replied.

Veele replied, "Captain the scans from medical will show what life forms are there. But are not set to look for specialized things the way that science stations do. I will forward my medical scans to the science section so they can compare the scans and see what is going on."

"It's equally possible that we're looking at interference from the star, Exec. Time is of the essence but I don't want us beaming down without further information. Malloy, go ahead and start your work with the Doctor in setting up the tricorders for the Away Team. XO, Deelan, Yeserina, please start looking over the data regarding the station, start determining a course of action for getting in and getting out. Do a full assessment of the station and see what we need to do. Lieutenant Syll, Ensign Luzon, go over the data we have, anything we can do to maximize our efforts will be critical. I want all findings done in an hour, we can't delay for too long." Larisna said.

Lt Deelan heard what the Captain had said. as she heard about a meeting and should get there before anyone else got there so she had a young Ensign take over Tactical while she got ready for the meeting.

Veele responded "Aye Captain, Science let me know as much as possible about what we are dealing with. I don't like surprises.

Looking at the XO, "I hate surprises as well commander," E'Lor said gathering her information for the pow wow.

Deelan went to the meeting with the others as she walked faster not to miss it.

Larisna turned to look back at the view screen for a moment before looking back at the crew, "Time is crucial. Let's get to it. If you need me to help out, don't hesitate to ask."

Understood Captain when needed I am ready to go with the Away mission to see what is going on over there.

Deelan, Malloy, Marlag, Syll All of you grab your gear and meet me in Shuttle Bay 1 in 15 minutes. Also we need 4 enlisted security personnel on this mission too. Lets go people.

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