When the testing a of a new drive system goes disastrously wrong, a telepathic warning has the Pathfinder team searching for an ancient device of untold power.
Act 1
Admiral’s Log Stardate 81293.48
The Pathfinder team is still piecing together what went wrong with the drive test on the Amargosa. While they do, I have science teams investigating the rupture that appeared after the drive failure, and medical teams tending to our telepathic crew members, who all seem to have received some kind of communication when the rupture appeared. To say the least, it’s been a busy morning.
Scene 1 Medical Bay
Scene Traits: (Starbase Interior, Medical Center)
Shilov stands beside the biobed as the station’s chief medical officer, Lt. Commander Conradin Kraus, completes a final cortical scan of Commander Ebesin. She slowly blinks as she regains consciousness, then smiles up at Shilov.
“Your concern is touching, Admiral, but I’m fine,” Ebesin says, rubbing her temples.
“Your psilosynine levels are still elevated. I’m going to administer an empathic inhibitor injection while you recover,” Dr. Kraus comments, signaling for a nurse to bring a hypospray. A moment later, the nurse returns and hands Kraus the device. He presses it against the base of Ebesin’s neck and administers the medicine. “You should take it easy for the next eight hours,” Kraus continues, offering a gentle smile before adding, “If the headaches return, come back to see me or someone on the team. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to tend to other patients.”
Ebesin nods as Dr. Kraus walks away, then turns back to Shilov.
“I’m still not sure what to make of the message,” Ebesin starts, rubbing her head again. “It felt accidental, like tapping into a comms stream mid-message.”
“Both crew members of the Amargosa were human, so it couldn’t have come from them,” Shilov muses.
“I didn’t feel it until after the rift appeared. I’d say that’s the likely source,” Ebesin offers.
“The rift concerns me,” Shilov says, expression serious. “According to preliminary reports from the science teams, it’s an opening into fluidic space. Our only records come from the logs of the USS Voyager, which encountered it in the Delta Quadrant a little more than a quarter century ago, and its main inhabitants are not overly friendly.”
“Species 8472, or as they’re now more commonly known, the Undine,” Ebesin says as she slowly sits up on the biobed. “According to Voyager’s logs, they’re telepathic, if I’m not mistaken. That could explain the message.”
Shilov nods. “Would that provide any more context for what you experienced?”
Ebesin tries to recall the message. (Ebesin: Insight + Science (14) - success (1+19)) She thinks for a moment before speaking.
“It’s hard to tell. Most of it was images, all jumbled together,” Ebesin says. “There was a star system, then some kind of facility, maybe underground. It ends with a bright, pulsing light. I didn’t recognize anything specific, but if I had to guess, it was trying to relay the location of something.”
“I’ll have Chief Mabrin get statements from the other affected crew members, and maybe we can piece it together,” Shilov says, looking around at the other crew members on nearby biobeds. He notes that Jhamel is not present. Shilov would have expected her here with the rest of the telepathic crew members.
“Computer, location of Captain Jhamel,” Shilov states.
The feminine voice of the computer promptly replies, “Captain Jhamel is currently located in Engineering Office 34J.”
Ebesin smiles again. “Can’t keep her away from work, I suppose,” Ebesin chuckles.
Shilov shakes his head and leaves the medbay.
Scene 2 Engineering Office 34J
Scene Traits: Starbase Interior, Engineering Lab
The doors part as Shilov enters the engineering lab. As he strides inside, he notices the modifications that have been made to the consoles and displays. The work is neat and organized, all leading to a central point where two crescent control panels sit on either side of a chair. A retractable arm descends from the ceiling, ending in a helmet. An Aenar individual occupies the chair, wearing the helmet. She taps at the consoles as her hands dance from one panel to the next and back.
”Admiral, it’s a pleasure to have you here.” Captain Jhamel says as she greets Shilov. “I have already forwarded my statement of the telepathic message to Chief Mabrin.”
”How are you feeling?” inquires Shilov.
”I am feeling much better since my visit with Dr. Kraus,” replies Jhamel, still working at her station. “Is there something I can do for you?”
Shilov straightens his uniform as he walks closer to Jhamel’s workstation.
”I just wanted to check that you were not overextending yourself after the recent incident,” offers Shilov.
”I can assure you, Admiral, that I am fine. What matters to me right now is identifying what caused the malfunction in the drive test and interpreting the telepathic message,” Jhamel replies, matter-of-factly.
”Have you made any progress in your investigations?” Shilov asks as he moves about the lab, looking at the different readouts.
”Only preliminary for the drive test. My data stream picked up a system error in the primary energy flow regulators just prior to the drive’s activation. I’ll need to examine it further to determine whether that was related to the cause,” Jhamel offers as she continues to interact with her console, spinning in her chair with the helmet still on her head. “As for the telepathic transmission, I’ve set up an algorithm that will take all the statements from the crew and compile them, looking for consistencies and extrapolating any data that can relate to Starfleet databases. So far I’ve had no notifications of any possible -”
Shilov notes Jhamel’s pause and turns to look back at her. “Have you got something?” he asks. (Jhamel: Insight + Science (12) - success (6+10))
”It would appear so,” Jhamel says, her voice trailing off as she taps a few more commands into the console. As Shilov moves over to join her at her workstation, Jhamel removes her helmet for the first time and faces in his direction. She looked like a paler version of Shilov, though one of her antennae had a long scar running down it and disappearing under her hair.
“I’ve forwarded you the information I just assembled,” Jhamel said as she tapped a quick command onto the console to bring up a holographic projection of the world on a nearby workstation. “There is one world which matches the description in everyone’s vision so far. It’s a class M moon orbiting the second planet in the Vabania system.”
”What makes you so certain?” inquires Shilov as he moves to get a better look at the holo-projection.
Even though Jhamel is blind by nature, she still squints as she focuses her thoughts to lay out her reasoning. ”The world is a 97.6% match based on the descriptions provided by the crew. Also, while not quantifiable, I feel an odd sensation of familiarity when I examine this world, which I shouldn’t, given the fact I have never known of its existence prior to my search. The system resides 12 light years from here.”
”That’s not too far from here. Care to take a little trip?” Shilov says with a smirk.
Jhamel ponders it for a moment, then nods. “As much as I want to continue my review and investigation of the drive test, I must confess I feel strongly compelled to seek out this world.”
Shilov nods. “Then report to the April and we’ll depart in the hour.”
”Aye, Admiral,” replies Jhamel. She grabs a nearby duffle and begins packing various engineering tools and gear. Shilov departs the lab.
Scene 3 Astrometrics
Scene Traits: Starbase interior, Astrometrics Lab
Commander Ebesin stands at the main console of the astrometrics lab as Shilov enters. A team of science officers works at stations along the outer wall of the facility.
”Perfect timing.” Ebesin says as Shilov comes to stand beside her at the main console.
”What have you got?” Shilov asks.
”I’ve got some good news and some bad news,” Ebesin replies with a playful grin.
”Give me the bad news first,” Shilov replies.
”The bad news is that this rupture into fluidic space is too unstable to close safely. Attempting to use a quantum singularity, as noted in Voyager’s logs, would result in an expulsion of energy that would severely damage the station and any other ships within a three-light-year radius,” Ebesin explains.
Shilov considers that for a moment before asking, “So what’s the good news?”
”The good news is that there don’t seem to be any harmful effects from leaving it open. No spiked radiation emissions, no spatial drift, and no blending of regular space and fluidic space,” Ebesin reports.
”Okay. Keep working the problem. My more immediate concern is whether an Undine bio-ship decides to pass through and isn’t friendly,” Shilov replies as he continues to examine the data on the holo screen. “What can you tell me about Jhamel’s M class moon in the Vabania system?” (Ebesin: Insight + Science (14) - success (9+13))
”It’s a rather unremarkable world from long-range scans,” Ebesin begins. “Similar to Vulcan in environmental and topographical features. It’s one of 32 satellites orbiting a class I gas giant.”
Ebesin pulls up a holographic model of the moon as she continues. “There have been no planetary surveys conducted by any Starfleet vessels. Most of what we have is from deep space telescopes and relays.”
”Sounds like we’ll get to help expand Starfleet’s knowledge of this world,” Shilov says as he straightens his uniform. “Make sure the April is loaded up with extra geological survey gear. I want to make the most of this trip.”
”Aye, Admiral,” Ebesin replies as she starts to key up the requisition order on her console. Shilov turns and heads for the docking post to board the USS April.
Act 2
Captain’s Log Supplemental
I’m taking the USS April to the Vabania system to investigate the apparent destination conveyed by the telepathic message reported by members of my crew. The Vabania system is a little over four days away at warp 8. Meanwhile, I have the science teams aboard the Gauntlet working on a solution to close the opening into fluidic space. While it does not pose an immediate threat, the possibility of a hostile species emerging from it remains above zero percent.
Scene 1 Bridge (USS April)
Scene Traits: Starship interior, Command Center
The turbolift doors open as Shilov enters the bridge of the USS April. Commander Bennett rises from the captain’s chair and announces, “Admiral on the bridge.” Shilov nods in acknowledgement and moves to take his seat. Bennett takes the XO chair to his right.
“Helm, signal OPS that we’re ready for departure, then plot a course for the Vabania system, warp factor 8,” Bennett commands.
“Aye, Commander,” replies the helmsman as she carries out the orders. A moment later, she adds, “Gauntlet has signaled that we’re clear to depart. Docking clamps have been retracted. We’re maneuvering at quarter impulse until we’ve cleared the station.”
Shilov watches on the viewscreen as the April slowly turns and moves away from the starbase. After a moment, the helmsman reports, “We have cleared Starbase 88 and are ready for warp on your order.”
“Udnar,” Shilov commands. He always favored the Andorian word, meaning “to journey,” as it reminded him why he was out here.
On the viewscreen, the stars distort as the warp field envelops the ship, stretching into streaks of light as the ship accelerates to warp. The turbolift doors open again as Jhamel steps onto the bridge. She walks down the ramp and takes the seat to Shilov’s left.
“Welcome aboard, Captain,” Bennett says, greeting Jhamel.
“Thank you, Commander,” Jhamel replies. “It’s nice to be back on board. It’s been a while since I’ve left the station. It’ll be good to see how the new engine modifications perform in real time.”
“We’ll have a little over four days before we get there,” Shilov comments, then turns to Bennett. “Have astrometrics perform detailed long-range scans of the Vabania system. I’d like to know more about it by the time we arrive, and have survey teams ready. I want to conduct a complete planetary survey while we’re there.”
“Of course, Admiral,” Bennett replies.
“I’ve taken the liberty of setting up a lab on deck 31,” Jhamel says. “I’ll continue my work from there and pass along any updates as I find them.”
Shilov nods. “Understood.”
A beeping alert from the tactical station behind Shilov draws his attention as Lt. Commander Yesa quickly checks the console and reports.
“Admiral, long-range sensors are picking up an energy reading in the Vabania system similar to the Quantum Singularity at Starbase 88. It just appeared… and now it’s gone.”
“Probable cause?” asks Bennett, dreading the response. (Yesa: Control + Science (10) - success (2+4))
“One moment,” Yesa says as she waits for the computer to deliver the results. “Given the shared nature of the energy output, the computer suggests it’s likely a similar type of rupture that could lead to fluidic space.”
Shilov and Bennett exchange glances, then Bennett orders, “Yellow alert.”
Yesa’s console chirps as she activates the ship’s shields. The yellow alert lights activate around the bridge.
“Engineering, Lt. Couture. Is the April ready to use the Quantum Burst Drive?” asks Shilov.
“The drive is showing green. Quantum Burst is ready at your command, sir,” replies Couture.
“I’ll head down to engineering to observe and assist if needed,” Jhamel remarks as she rises from her seat and heads to the aft turbolift.
“Helm, prepare for Quantum Burst,” Shilov orders.
“Aye, Admiral,” responds the helmsman.
Bennett activates the ship-wide intercom. “Attention crew. Prepare for Quantum Burst. Secure all stations.” A moment later, Bennett reports to Shilov, “All decks have reported in. The ship is ready.”
Shilov nods. “Helm, engage the Quantum Burst Drive.”
Shilov hears the drive power up before it engages, and the streaking starfield on the viewscreen morphs into a turquoise-colored tunnel. (USS April: Engines + Conn (13) - success (10+18)) The April’s decks shudder slightly as it transitions from warp to quantum burst, then smooth out as the burst stabilizes. After several minutes, the ship drops out of quantum burst and emerges in normal space. The viewscreen shows the edge of the Vabania system.
“Report. Are there any craft in the area?” asks Shilov.
“I’m not picking up any contacts,” reports Sartori from the ops station.
“Confirmed,” responds Yesa. “Sensors are not showing any craft in the system.”
“No ion or warp trails?” adds Bennett.
“It’s likely the closing of the singularity disrupted any trails a ship might have left,” offers Sartori.
“Take us to our destination, but cautiously. I don’t want to be taken by surprise by a bioship. Rig us for silent running and notify me once we are in orbit,” Shilov commands.
The bridge crew responds with a series of “Aye, sirs!” as they set about their tasks. Shilov rises and heads for his ready room.
Scene 2 Bridge (USS April)
Scene Traits: Starship interior, Command Center
Shilov returns to the bridge after being signaled that the April has entered standard orbit around the M-class moon orbiting Vabania II.
”Report,” commands Shilov as he takes his seat.
”Now in orbit. No signs of any other craft in the area,” reports Yesa.
”What can you tell me about this moon?” asks Shilov.
”The moon has a diameter of 14,677 km,” begins Sartori. “Standard oxygen/nitrogen mix. Conditions on the moon are dry and arid, similar to Vulcan. Sensors are detecting life signs on the surface. Pre-industrial civilization of approximately 10,000 in population. There are also a host of other fauna species present.”
”So what’s so special about this place?” muses Shilov.
”I am detecting an intermittent signal from an artificial structure below the moon’s surface,” reports Yesa.
”Intermittent?” asks Bennett.
”Yes, Commander,” replies Yesa. “The mineral composition of the moon is interfering with our scans. I think it is also being further hampered by this structure’s security systems. The sensors only pick it up at slightly irregular intervals, suggesting that the defensive system may be losing power and struggling to maintain its cohesion.”
Shilov rubs his chin in contemplation. “Can we beam down an away team?” he asks.
”It might be possible if we can work out the timing of the shield fluctuation,” replies Sartori.
”Can you determine the timing?” asks Bennett. (Sartori: Control + Science (13) - success with a complication (4+20))
”Yes, Comman-,” replies Sartori, but they are cut off by a frantic intercom message to the bridge.
”Admiral!” comes the voice of Chief Engineer Couture. “Something has happened to Captain Jhamel!”
”What is it, Couture?” replies Shilov.
”I don’t know! One moment she was working with me to realign a power converter, and the next she turned hostile, as if something possessed her!” replies Couture with a note of panic in her voice.
An alarm starts beeping at Yesa’s station. Yesa furrows her brow as she examines her console, then looks up at the admiral with a concerned expression.
”Admiral, we have several reports of crew turning hostile on the ship. Initial reports indicate that it is exclusively affecting telepathic crew members.”
”Send security teams to contain our affected crew members,” orders Shilov.
Yesa taps the orders into her console to begin sending out teams, but then another chirp draws her attention.
”Admiral, someone has engaged the transporter. It seems the affected crew members have been beamed down to the subterranean facility,” reports Yesa.
”Commander, put together a team and head down there. We need to get our people back,” orders Shilov.
”Aye, Admiral!” responds Bennett. She looks to Yesa and nods. Yesa secures her station and moves to meet Bennett at the aft turbolift.
Shilov turns to look back at the viewscreen showing the desert moon of Vabania II. What the hell is going on here? he thinks to himself.
Scene 3 Subterranean Facility (North End)
Scene Traits: Ancient, Subterranean 2, Darkness
The chamber is briefly illuminated as the away team beams into the facility. As the transporter beam fades, darkness returns.
”Search lights on,” orders Commander Bennett. “Set phasers to stun. Our people may be hostile.”
”Understood, Commander,” replies Yesa.
”Break into teams of two and report in every five minutes,” Bennett continues. “Yesa, you’re with me.”
The rest of the security detail splits into three other pairs while Bennett and Yesa move together, examining their surroundings. Bennett pulls out her tricorder and begins to scan as readings scroll across the screen.
”The metallurgical readings on these walls are far more advanced than anything the surface population is capable of developing,” notes Bennett. “I’d say it even rivals Starfleet construction.”
Yesa moves to what appears to be a console. “Commander, come examine this.”
Bennett steps over and scans the console. (Bennett: Insight + Science (12) - success (2+5)) She double-checks the readings.
”What is it, Commander?” asks Yesa.
”I think I know why this facility matters,” replies Bennett as she taps her comm badge.
”Shilov here. Report, Commander,” comes the admiral’s voice over the comm badge.
”Sir, this is an Iconian facility,” replies Bennett, a hint of excitement in her voice.
There is a pause as Shilov absorbs the revelation. “Iconian? Are you sure?”
”There is no doubt,” Bennett confirms. “The symbols on the console match previously discovered Iconian ruins.”
”Okay. Retrieve our people, then we’ll do a proper examination of this facility,” orders Shilov.
”Understood, Admiral. Bennett out,” replies the commander as she turns to scan the room with her wrist-mounted search light.
Yesa has moved toward the entrance at the north end of the chamber, where a closed door bars their progress.
”I’m going to try to open the door,” Yesa says as she approaches the panel beside it. (Yesa: Daring + Security (14) - success (12+18))
It takes some work, but eventually Yesa figures out the sequence on the panel. The old door hisses as it parts horizontally from the middle. As Yesa shines her light down the corridor, something darts out of sight like a shadow. Yesa looks back to Bennett and says in a hushed voice, “I have movement down here.”
Bennett nods and moves to cover Yesa’s advance. The two quietly approach the corner where Yesa saw the movement and peek around it. There’s nothing visible beyond a few more doors lining the corridor, leading into what are presumably other rooms.
Bennett murmurs, “I’m reading a life sign nearby, but I can’t determine the exact location.”
Yesa nods. “Then we’ll sweep the rooms one at a time.”
Bennett nods in agreement and motions to the closest door on the left. Yesa heads over and activates it from the wall panel. Like the first door, it hisses open, revealing a small office-like room. The two scan the space with their wrist lights but see no movement.
They proceed to the next door on the right. Bennett opens it while Yesa trains her phaser, ready to stun anything that moves. With another hiss, the door opens on a storage room filled with dusty boxes and barrels. Yesa spots a ventilation hatch at the back and motions for Bennett to cover the approach. While Bennett keeps the search light and phaser trained, Yesa advances to get a better look.
Up close, the vent cover shows obvious signs of having been moved. Organic goop trickles down its side. Yesa signals Bennett to join her, then nods toward the cover.
”Scan this,” Yesa whispers.
Bennett holsters her phaser and pulls out her tricorder. She scans the organic matter. After a moment, the tricorder returns a result: a genetic match to Species 8472.
Bennett taps her comm badge. “Admiral, we have confirmation of an Undine presence in the facility.”
”We’ve discovered trace evidence while pursuing a lifeform in the northern end of the facility,” adds Yesa.
”Acknowledged,” replies Shilov over the comms. “Let’s get our people and get out of there.”
Bennett’s comm badge chirps with an incoming message. She taps it to accept.
”Commander, this is Ensign Kerev,” says the young-sounding Trill security officer.
”Go ahead, Ensign,” replies Bennett.
”We’ve found the missing crew, but you’re going to want to come see this,” reports Kerev.
”Understood. Hold your position, and we’ll come to you,” orders Bennett.
Bennett and Yesa begin to head to Kerev’s position.
Scene 4 Subterranean Facility (South End)
Scene Traits: Ancient, Subterranean 2, Darkness
Bennett and Yesa come jogging around a corner and enter a large chamber. Smooth metallic walls arch higher here than in other parts of the facility. A few workstations dot the outer walls, and a large open space in the center suggests something once stood there, judging by the portable equipment carts that look like they once connected to it.
The rest of the security detail has rendezvoused in the chamber. Bennett notes that several are tending to the missing crew, who appear to have collapsed in different spots around the room. Ensign Kerev approaches Bennett.
”Commander! Can you come over here?” Kerev asks, motioning toward a door that leads to what appears to be a small office area.
Bennett nods and follows the ensign, with Yesa in tow. As they reach the doorway, Kerev stops them. Bennett can hear noise from the small room. It sounds like someone muttering. Kerev tilts her head toward the sound, and Bennett steps forward into the doorway to get a better look at its source.
Hunched in the far corner of the office space is Jhamel. She appears to be trying to write something with her fingers, but only pushes dust across the floor.
”We found her like this,” Kerev says. “When we tried to approach, she started yelling at us, but she went back to this when we backed off.”
”And the others?” asks Yesa.
”They were already unconscious when we entered the chamber,” replies Kerev. “But all the missing crew are accounted for.”
”Thank you, Ensign,” says Yesa, then instructs Kerev to help the rest of the security team tend to the unconscious crew.
Bennett looks toward Jhamel as she continues to scribble on the ground. Bennett tries to listen closely, but the muttering sounds like gibberish. After a moment, Yesa gets Bennett’s attention.
”Commander. What are your orders?” Yesa asks.
”I’m going to try to talk to her. Keep your phaser on stun and be ready,” orders Bennett.
Yesa nods in understanding. Bennett takes a few cautious steps into the office space while Yesa draws her phaser and trains it on Jhamel.
”Captain, it’s Commander Bennett of the USS April. Are you ok?”
Jhamel continues to scribble and mutter, ignoring Bennett’s approach. The commander takes a few more steps toward Jhamel, hands up in a defensive, nonthreatening stance.
”Jhamel. We need to get you back to the ship,” Bennett says as she continues her approach.
As Bennett gets within a few meters of Jhamel, she suddenly stops muttering and snaps her head up to stare at the commander with milky white eyes. A sinister grin creeps across her face.
”Time to go!” Jhamel says.
Bennett only has a moment to look puzzled before the whole facility begins to rumble and shake violently. She braces herself against a nearby desk as she struggles to stay on her feet. (Bennett: Fitness + Security (13) - success (4+19)) Jhamel suddenly leaps up and tries to tackle Bennett, but a phaser beam from Yesa strikes her. Yesa is similarly bracing against the door frame to keep her footing. Jhamel collapses to the ground, unconscious. Before Bennett can contact the ship, Shilov’s voice comes over her comm badge.
”Commander, come in. We’re detecting seismic activity in your vicinity and something large emerging from the ground.”
Bennett taps her comm badge. “Bennett here. I read you, Admiral. I think it might be a bioship taking off. We’ve recovered the missing crew and need an immediate beam-out to the ship. Have medical on stand-by.”
”Understood, Commander,” replies Shilov.
The shaking continues. A moment later, Bennett feels the familiar tingle of a transporter lock as her view of the chamber disappears.
Act 3
Captain’s Log Supplemental
We have recovered our lost crew members after they beamed themselves down to what we now know is a subterranean Iconian facility. It seems the Undine have found whatever they were here for, as one of their ships is taking off from the planet’s surface. Our scans show something artificial in tow. We need to stop them from escaping with this unknown item, in case it could harm the Federation or others.
Scene 1 Bridge (USS April)
Scene Traits: Starship interior, Command Center
Bennett and Yesa exit the turbolift and take their stations on the bridge. Shilov looks to Bennett as the main viewscreen shows the Undine bioship departing the moon’s upper atmosphere. The ship is at red alert.
”What have you got, Commander?” Shilov asks.
”If I had to guess, our affected crew were used to retrieve whatever that thing is,” Bennett reports. “Jhamel was an incoherent mess until just before it took off.”
Shilov nods.
”All right, people,” Shilov says to the bridge crew, “I need options for keeping that ship from opening a quantum singularity to fluidic space.”
Sartori is the first to respond. “We could ionize the bioship’s hull with a modified pulse from the deflector dish. If we saturate the hull enough, it should create a localized effect that prevents a stable singularity from forming, keeping them here in normal space.”
”Make it happen,” Shilov orders.
Sartori punches the commands into the console and executes the routine. (Sartori: Daring + Science (10) - success (8+10)) The April’s deflector dish lights up as a bright beam shoots out and strikes the bioship. Several more beams follow in rapid succession, hitting the target again and again. As the bioship leaves the moon’s orbit, the three prongs on the back of the ship glow as it tries to form a quantum singularity, but the attempt fizzles out. It tries again, with the same result. After a third failed attempt, the ship comes about on an intercept course for the April.
”Admiral, they’re charging weapons,” Yesa reports.
A moment later, a beam strikes the April’s shields. Everyone braces as the ship rocks under the attack.
”Shields holding at 90%,” Yesa reports.
”I don’t think they liked being trapped here,” Shilov remarks.
”Sir, I’m reading an energy buildup from the device the bioship has in tow,” Sartori reports from their station.
”Is it a weapon?” Shilov asks.
”Unknown, but the energy seems to be concentrating to a point on the object,” Sartori replies.
”Helm, evasive!” Shilov orders.
The helmsman starts to roll the ship out of the device’s trajectory. As the April rolls to port, it narrowly dodges an energy beam that erupts from the device. The beam lances toward one of the smaller moons orbiting Vabania II, and the moon explodes violently. In its wake, an anomaly forms: a tear in space, a rip in the fabric of reality. The bioship quickly flies past the April and makes for the tear. Before the Federation vessel can come about, the Undine ship passes through the event horizon and disappears, the tear sealing behind it.
”By the frost! What was that?” Shilov demands.
”Sensor readings indicate they opened some kind of subspace tunnel,” Sartori reports. They punch a few more commands into the console before adding, “The bioship is on a trajectory for Starbase 88. I think they may be trying to use the fluidic space rupture to get home.”
”Lay in a course for the Gauntlet. We’ll use a quantum burst jump to get ahead of them,” Shilov orders, then adds, “Notify the Gauntlet to be on alert. They may try the same trick with the station as they did with us, using telepathic control.”
”Aye, sir,” Yesa replies.
”All decks report ready for jump,” Bennett reports.
”Udnar!” Shilov commands.
The April comes about and then flashes into a quantum burst.
Scene 2 OPS (Starbase 88)
Scene Traits: Starbase interior, Command Center
Commander Ebesin rubs the back of her neck. Despite being in the operations center of the starbase, she feels disconnected and alone. Dr. Kraus has just given her a telepathic suppressant after receiving the warning from the USS April about the Species 8472 bioship. As she continues monitoring the Gauntlet’s sensors, she receives the signal of the April arriving from their quantum jump. Another alert on her console indicates an incoming hail from the ship. Ebesin taps the controls to activate the main viewer.
”Admiral, good to see you back so soon,” Ebesin says as she greets Shilov.
Shilov nods to Ebesin. “It’s good to be back. Any sign of our Undine friend?”
”Not yet. Sensors haven’t detected anything coming out of subspace. Looks like you beat them here,” Ebesin replies.
”Good,” Shilov says. “We’ll need some way of retrieving that device from their ship, ideally without damaging it in the process.”
”I’ve got some ideas about that,” Ebesin says. “We could disrupt the Undine tractor beam with an inverted gravimetric pulse. If the April can get a transporter lock on it once it’s been freed, you could beam it away before they reestablish the lock.”
”Then we have to hope our Undine friend hasn’t called for help,” Shilov adds.
”I’ve already got a team working on our emitters to rig them to produce the pulse,” Ebesin reports.
”Excellent. Then we just need to figure out how to close this rupture,” Shilov muses.
Ebesin shakes her head. ”Our teams are still stumped. It would be handy if we could get Jhamel back on board to help. Her understanding of subspace has been sorely missed.”
”Dr. Pend is patching her up, but she’s in rough shape after whatever happened on that moon,” Shilov says.
Suddenly, Ebesin feels something trying to claw its way into her mind. Despite the suppressant Kraus gave her, she can still feel the assault. The force is intense, and she has to close her eyes. Ebesin focuses on keeping her mental barriers strong to prevent whatever it is from breaching them. Shilov can see she is in pain. (Ebesin: Presence + Medicine (11) - success (8+16))
Ebesin is able to keep the other consciousness out of her mind. Steadying herself, she signals the engineering teams that it is time to activate the emitters.
Scene 3 Bridge (USS April)
Scene Traits: Starship interior, Command Center
“Helm, put us in a defensive posture near the rupture,” ordered Shilov. “I want us blocking their way out.”
The helmsman’s fingers danced across the console, and the April drifted, then rotated, into position near the aperture. The Ross-class vessel was only large enough to block about 65% of the opening, but Shilov hoped it would be enough to prevent the bioship from making a run into fluidic space.
”A subspace tear is forming,” reported Yesa. “Bearing zero, zero, mark two.”
The viewscreen shifted focus. A flash of light appeared out of nowhere, followed by the familiar look of the subspace tear. A moment later, the bioship emerged, the Iconian device in tow.
”Signal the Gauntlet to engage the emitters,” ordered Shilov. “Have the transporters on standby to grab the device.”
Yesa sent the signal to the starbase. (Gauntlet: Sensors + Science (16) - success (6+8)). A moment later, several beams shot out from various points on the starbase and struck the bioship. The bioship’s tractor beam flickered, then dissipated.
”Beam the device on board!” commanded Shilov. (Yesa: Control + Engineering (12) - success (9+19)). The device glowed on the screen as the transporter beam engulfed it before it dematerialized.
“Device is secured in Cargo Bay 1,” reported Yesa.
On the viewscreen, the bioship’s main weapon began to glow as it powered up.
”Helm, evasive pattern delta!” ordered Shilov.
The April began to move, but before it could fully settle into its maneuver, the bioship struck the ship’s shields. Everyone on the bridge braced as the ship shuddered under the hit.
”Return fire. Disable their weapons only,” commanded Shilov. (April: Weapons + Security (13) - success (5+10))
The April fired a series of phaser beams from its phaser array. Many struck true and caused significant damage. The bioship’s weapons array flickered. A warning shot from Starbase 88 forced the bioship to veer away as it began to make its way to the rupture.
”Let it go,” ordered Shilov. “I’d rather they leave without causing any more damage.”
The bioship passed through the rupture. The rupture did not close as the bioship receded further into fluidic space.
Shilov’s comm badge chirped, and he tapped it.
”Admiral, it’s Dr. Pend.”
”Go ahead, Doctor,” replied Shilov.
”Captain Jhamel is awake. She insists that I let you know she knows how to close the rupture, and she’d like your permission to begin,” reported Pend.
”I’m impressed she hasn’t already gotten out of sickbay to start,” chuckled Shilov.
”No one leaves my sickbay until I clear them, Admiral,” retorted Pend.
”Well, if you clear her for duty, she can begin implementing her solution.”
Conclusion
After Jhamel was released from sickbay, she grabbed an engineering detail and headed for cargo bay 1. She explained in her report to Shilov, that after the Undine had co-opted her mind, she had been able to protect herself with her mental defenses and used the connection that had been forced on her to extract information from the Undine. It turned out that what she was able to retrieve was mostly about the device. It was some sort of subspace tunneling device. It was able to create temporary stable paths which could connect two points. While using these tunnels would be faster than warp travel, it was not as fast as what they were developing with the Slipstream drive. However, the Iconian device would be beneficial in helping the Pathfinder team work on stabilizing the slipstream drives for prolonged use, instead of the short hops they could perform now with the Quantum Burst Drives.
The other added benefit Jhamel deduced was that with the appropriate amount of power, such as from Starbase 88’s EPS grid, she could rig the device to emit a pulse to safely close the rupture. After getting the device over to the Gauntlet, Jhamel had her team work around the clock to compete the necessary modifications. After two days, everything was ready to go and the rupture was safely sealed. After that, the device was brought down into the Pathfinder lab to be disassembled and examined thoroughly.