Gama Force book 1

[Kaziarl]

Ok, Gama Force Book 1 is done. I've been working on this for some time, as many of you know, but now it's here. I feel it still needs some editing, but as the author I'll probably never feel it's done being edited. It's kind of long, but here goes.

​

Chapter 1: Encounters

The Chimera moved slowly around Miranda Station. It was ships night and everything seemed to be at a lull. Lt. Crane sat in the command chair, going over the logs from the previous shift. He couldn't help but admit that he was... well... bored. Nothing ever happened on delta shift, and Crane was starting to think nothing ever would.

"Helm, status report please?"

"Yes sir, we are currently holding a geosynchronous orbit above Miranda Prime. Shields are on standby, weapons are off-line."

"Thank you, carry on."

Cane let out a sigh of boredom "Same ol' tune, isn't it?"

"Sir!" Ensign Rosch called from the communications console, "We're receiving a distress signal."

"Let me hear it," Crane ordered as he turned to face her. "And while you’re at it, transfer the coordinates to the helm and tell Miranda Station what’s going on."

"Yes sir, signal coming over the speakers now."

[This is ITACS Buried Treasure. We are under attack by an unknown assailant. We are a trade ship with minimal weapons, and their first strike took out our bay doors to the only fighter ship we have. Please, if anyone can read us, please help.]

"Helm, do you have their position?"

"Yes sir, they are about 15 minutes away at warp 6, I'm already setting a course."

"Good, Rosch, open a channel to Miranda Station."

"Your on sir,"

"Miranda, this is the USS Chimera. We are responding to a distress signal, request permission to break orbit."

[Confirmed Chimera, permission granted. Gods speed, we'll keep an eye on you from here.]

"Thank you Miranda. Let the crew members that are on the station know we haven't forgotten them. Helm, break orbit and proceed at maximum allowed speed outside of the system, then accelerate to warp 7."

"Aye sir."

"Tactical, Shields and weapons to full,"

"Confirmed, weapons coming online now sir."

"Well," Crane said thoughtfully, "looks like Delta shift isn't so boring after all?"




The transformation of the Chimera from a ship resting in a safe heaven, and into a battle ship took only five of the fifteen minutes. Most of the Alpha and Beta shift crew was over on Miranda Station, so it was up to Delta shift crew to hold down the fort.

"Sir, we’re in visual range now." reported Kingsly, the helm officer.

"On screen,"

The screen shifted to show the trade ship. There were several bits of debris floating away from the ship, and it appeared that several compartments had lost pressure.

"Scans, any life signs?"

"Yes sir, but faint." replied Harper from the tactical station. "The weapons residue is not something I recognize either. Whoever it is that attacked them, they are new to the area."

"Any other ships?" Crane asked.

"One sir, again, nothing in the data banks."

"Open hailing frequencies, all channels."

"Yes sir, you're broadcasting." Rosch replied.

"This is... The commanding officer of the USS Chimera. Please identify yourselves."

There was a long pause before the speakers came to life. At first it was static, but it quickly cleared up.

[This is Tinal, of the Tryesharan Alliance. You are in violation of our territory. Any attempts to interfere with our disposal of these intruders will be seen as an act of war.]

"Comm lines are dead sir, I don't think they want to talk anymore."

"Yeah, he seems pretty blunt, doesn't he?”

"Sir," Harper called, getting Cranes attention. "They are moving in on the ship. I don't think it can take much more."

"Helm, move us in closer. The ITC is under Federation protection in this sector, and I'll be damned if I'm going to walk away from this."

"Aye sir."

"Harper, get ready to fire on that ship, but hold until I say so. Target weapons and shields."

"Understood sir."

Crane punched the intercom on the command chair. "Engineering, I need all the power you can get to shield, engines, and the tractor beam, reduce life support if you have to, just try not to asphyxiate the crew."

[Yes sir, we’ll do our best.]

"Rosch, open communications with that ship, use a blow horn if you have to."

"Aye sir, we're broadcasting." she replied. "No guarantee they are listening though."

"Alliance Vessel. This is the USS Chimera. That ship is under the protection of the United Federation of Planets. I will not allow you to harm her crew. Stand down now."

"No response sir."

"Of course not. Helm, how close are we?"

"1200 Kilometers sir, and closing."

"Good, bring us within 300 Km. Engineering, once we are in position, lock a tractor beam on that ship and extend the shields. Kingsly, once we have them move us away, best possible speed."

"Aye sir."

[Yes sir.]

"Sir," called Harper, "they are powering weapons and targeting us."

"Well, looks like we have their attention. Harper, I assume you have your targets programmed and ready?"

"Yes sir, weapons charged and ready. We could shoot now if you'd like."

"Not quite, wait till just a moment before they fire. The drain on their power away from their shields will be highest at that point."

"Aye sir."

"Sir, we're in position," Kingsly reported. "Shields have been extended and the tractor is locked on. Engineering reports that once we get some distance between us and the Alliance ship, we should be able to proceed at warp 1."

"Good, make it happen."

"Firing weapons sir, direct hit to their weapon systems."

"Status,"

"Since we fired first their weapons output was reduced by a fair amount. Minimal effect on dorsal shields. Sensors indicate a power surge in their weapons system; I don't think they'll be able to fire any time soon."

"Good, Kingsly, get us out of here. Best speed back to Miranda Station."

"Aye sir, good log entry for our relief, wouldn't you say?"

"That’s for sure. But I'm concerned about this Tryesharan Alliance. I've never heard of them before. Make sure the crew has there individual reports ready, I don't think this is over yet."

"Aye sir, jumping to warp now."



Back in orbit of Miranda Prime, Captain Kaziarl Nanaki debriefed Lt Crane about the incident. Crane told him about receiving the distress signal, the alien ship, and the possible new threat.

"Then we locked the tractor beam, extended our shields around the trade vessel, and headed back here."

"Well, it was good thinking Lt," Kaziarl replied. "I'll make sure to put it in the log that you held yourself quite well in a heated situation. I think it's safe to say you'll be getting a commendation for your actions."

"Thank you sir," Crane replied, "But I was only doing my job."

"That’s what they all say Lt. But to be honest right now I'm more concerned about this Alliance, What do you make of them?"

"Me sir?" Crane asked, looking confused. "Surely a member of the senior staff would be better suited to discussing this with you."

"You were the first to encounter them Lt," Kaziarl responded. "And as such, you are for the time being the local expert."

"Yes sir, I understand." Crane said as he looked down at the PADD in his hand. "I actually did check with the computers on the trade ship. There is very little, and what is here seems to be almost like a legend. It's been over 350 years since the Tryesharan Alliance has had any strength in this area, and at the time several of the worlds in this sector were principalities of their government."

"Well, you are certainly full of surprises Lt. lets schedule a briefing with the senior staff so you can get everything together. Report to the war room at 1600."

"Yes sir, thank you sir."

"Good work Lt, keep it up. Dismissed."

Two hours later the senior staff, and department heads from Beta and Delta shift had assembled in the war room. Floating above the table was a holographic image of the ship that had attacked the trade ship. Its black form was sleek against the backdrop of the stars, and a dark purple hue was washed against the hull of the ship emitting from the engines. It reminded Setal of some of the legends of ancient creatures from her home world of Ch'Rihan, the Shanar Beast if she remembered correctly. She'd have to remember to look into that later.

Looking around the room it was obvious that Gamma shift was tired. Each of the crew had gone through extensive debriefs upon their return to Miranda Prime, and it looked as though they hadn't had a chance to rest yet. Captain Kaziarl Nanaki sat at the head of the table, Commander Veldan to his right, and Lt Commander ich'Shar to his left. Lt Crane was at the opposite end, facing the Captain, as the last couple of crewmen entered the room.

"Alright," said Kaziarl, getting everyones attention. "Lets get started. Since Lt Crane was in command during the incident, I'll let him lead this briefing."

"Thank you sir," Crane replied as he collected his notes. "Little is known about these Tryesharans, and most of what we do have is conjecture. It appears that they had a vast empire in this sector about 350 years ago that stood unchallenged for several hundred years prior." Crane pressed a couple of controls on the display and the view shifted to show a time line. "It appears that this empire comes and goes by increments of between 200 and 400 years in power, then vanishes for a set span of time of about 350 years. It would seem that they are possibly nomadic, since the historical records of this sector do not show a location of a home world. Unfortunately that’s all we have as far as real information, but stories passed down among local culture states that they are very territorial. There are many stories about the Tryesharans expelling the intruders of their ancestral home."

"Any idea what they look like?" asked Lt ich'Shar. "Humanoid? Saurian? Anything?"

"None sir. It seems that they are very careful about that. It is said that to look upon the face of a Tryesharan is to endanger your very soul."

"What did your scans indicate about their technological level?" asked Lt Walch, the chief tactical officer.

"Highly advanced. We were lucky and caught them off guard." The screen shifted back to the ship as Crane pressed the controls again. "We managed to disable their weapon systems just before they fired. We figured that like most races, the shields would fluctuate slightly just before they were able to fire, and that’s when we struck. It worked, and as we towed the transport ship the hostile vessel took off."

"Setal," Kaziarl turned towards the Romulan who had remained quiet most of the time. "The Romulans were for a time a nomadic species, were they not?"

"Yes Captain," she replied, "After the exodus from Vulcan, it was some 150 years before we made planet fall on Ch'Rihan, and Ch'Havran; the two planets that you know as Romulus and Remus."

"Is there anything in your history about coming across a race like this? 350 years is a long time, it's possible they could have made it to the beta quadrant."

"There is one story sir," she replied. "But it's a children's story, much like your humans bogyman."

"Setal," Veldan interrupted, "That’s what the Klingons said about the Hur'q, and they turned out to be real as well."

"Yes commander, the story is about the Shanar Beast. The story says it's a beast with no home, and that wanders the stars in search of a new home. When it finds one, it grows and consumes that world, then leaves to search for a new one. It was told to children with the warning that if they didn't behave the Shanar Beast would find a world for them to be on."

"That’s similar to the legends I've found sir," replied Crane. "The Tryesharans would use all the valuable resources then move on. When they returned to this sector again, the worlds would have replenished themselves."

"What about our contacts in the Dominion?" Kaz asked. "The Founders have been around for a while, surely they no something?"

"Communication with the Dominion is still sketchy at best," Lt. Walch replied. "From what I gathered even the Founders would rather avoid this Alliance."

"Alright, I want everyone to keep their eyes and ears open." Kaziarl said. "This could cause problems in the future; I'd like us to be as prepared as we can. And Crane?"

"Yes sir,"

"You and your crew, go get some sleep."

"Aye sir," Crane responded. "Thank you sir."

On the bridge business was normal for Kaziarl and the senior staff. However, the captain couldn't shake an air of apprehension as he spoke to Fleet Admiral Julia Herra. He had thought it was appropriate on several occasions that he had once served on Admiral Herra's ship when she, herself, was captain, and that now he was a captain in her fleet. The Chimera and two other Chimera Class ships were charged with patrolling the gamma quadrant and keeping the peace, along with the Prometheus Class USS Andromeda, but now with the prospect of a new hostile race, four ships now seemed inadequate at best.

[Captain, what’s your take on the situation.] The admirals calm voice didn't do much to fool Kaziarl that she was worried. They had known each other for to long.

"Admiral, this is the first incident in dealing with this Alliance. Not exactly my favorite way to make first contact, but according to the logs there really was no other way."

[That’s what the stations long range sensors indicated as well,] replied the admiral. [I wish we hadn't had to send the night crew though, but with only four ships.]

"It's alright Admiral, Lt Crane is a fine officer."

[I don't doubt that Captain, but I still feel like we're understaffed.]

"Agreed." Kaziarl replied. He brought up some information on the screen and transmitted it to the admiral. "I've taken the liberty of speaking to several local cultures. They are not exactly as advanced as the Federation, but with their help we might be able to make our own little United Federation of Planets."

[Good idea, I'll pass this up the chain of command. I wouldn't expect a quick reply though, one of the downfalls to being this far out.]

"Yes admiral. We're out here on our own, but we still have to ask permission." Kaziarl had often mused over that fact. "The joy's of bureaucracy. Any word on the other ships?"

[The Andromeda is still two days away, the Bellarophone is escorting a supply ship from DS9, and the Cerberus should arrive in a couple hours.]

"Yes Admiral," he confirmed. "With your permission I would like to take the Chimera out and do some scouting. I'll start where we engaged the Tryesharan ship and see if I can pick up an Ion trail."

[Permission granted Captain, Keep me posted.]

The admiral closed the transmission and the view screen switched to show the station in front of the ship. The station was one of the newer Alexandria class outposts, and had the spacedock and construction yards integrated into the hull of the outpost itself. The new design was believed to be a more tactical approach to deep space operations, especially in potentially hostile sectors of space. And what would be more hostile then the Gamma Quadrant.

In the years following the Dominion War, things calmed down quite a bit. The war took an extensive toll on everyone involved, with over five hundred incursions into Federation territory by the Dominion-Cardassian alliance, and the near destruction of Cardasia Prime. Now, as clean up began in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, Starfleet was becoming concerned about the security risk of the Bajoran Wormhole. There were many advantages to having claim to a wormhole, as it made it possible to travel from one end of the galaxy to the other; however, that went both ways. As they found out during the war, it also made it possible for massive enemy fleets to appear right on the doorstep of a major federation outpost. Plans were made; agreements with other governments, and even the Romulans assisted in moving the materials through the wormhole, under cloak, and began construction of Starbase 814, now known as Miranda Outpost.

As the ship pulled away from the station and proceeded to the location of the incident with the Tryesharans, Kaziarl started thinking about what might have been coming. Although the outpost had the capacity to build more ships, and enough personnel to crew them, the though of an entire race wanting to claim the sector by force if necessary was unsettling at best. For the moment there were only four Chimera-Class ships, including the Chimera herself, and although Kaziarl thought very highly of his little ship, he still felt like David looking at Goliath.

"Veldan, anything on sensors yet?" he asked, turning to his First Officer.

"Negative," Replied the 7ft tall Klingon female. "We're still about 18 minutes from the coordinates. All we are detecting is a few pieces of debris, but no Ion trail yet."

"Alright, keep scanning." Kaziarl ordered as he stood from the command chair and walked over to the science station. "Shar, have you looked into the modifications to the sensor array?"

"Yes sir, according to my calculations it will increase sensor range by 28%" Shar replied as he brought up a schematic. "It will take one hour to make the appropriate adjustments."

"Good, take your findings to Setal, and see if she's made progress on the shield modifications."

"Aye sir," Shar walked over to the turbolift and started looking over his PADD as the doors shut. It had been three years since he and the captain went on the scouting mission that nearly cost him his career, but ever since then he had been apprehensive about meeting new races. Even now, as he made his way to Engineering, he started to feel like he was setting in the small scoutship that he and Kaziarl were piloting.

 

[Kaziarl]

"Shar, anything on sensors?" Kaziarl asked.

"Negative sir, still no sign of the unknown vessel." he replied, focusing intently on the readout. "It would help if we had a more definite idea as to what we were looking for."

"I agree, unfortunately the USS Greyhawk didn't get much of a signal out before Starfleet lost contact."

Shar looked up at the captain and smiled, a typical day in Starfleet. As he looked back at the readout, he thought he saw something, but in the same instant it was gone. He didn't know what to make of it, and then a moment later it was back again, only much to close. Proximity alarms started blaring as the ship rocked from an impact. It wasn't a large one, more like something brushing against the hull, but nothing should have gotten this close without sensors picking it up.

"Sir, something has attached itself to the hull." he reported. "It makes no sense, there was nothing on sensors, and it was just... there."

"See if you can throw it off by fluctuating the integrity field, I'll take evasive action." Kaziarl ordered, his fingers flying over the console.

"Aye sir," Shar replied.

As the ship bucked and rolled, it became apparent that the object was not going to move, and then Shar's mind exploded. He could see everything around him, and from the object. Kaziarl looked over at him as he collapsed to the floor, and saw something had attached itself to the Andorians neck, some kind of creature presumably from the object now attached to the outside of the ship.

"Shar!" he yelled, trying to get his attention. Out of the corner of his eye he saw another one, making it's way towards him. In the instant it took to react he grabbed the nearest thing he could find, a PADD sitting on the console next to him, and swung at the creature, knocking it to the floor.

"Computer," Kaziarl called, hearing the acknowledging beep. "Reverse polarity of the hull and jet some of the warp core plasma out the nearest vent to the object."

"Affirmative" the computer replied in the familiar female voice.

As the computer executed its orders, Kaziarl rolled the ship once more to make sure the object was hit with the plasma. Shar screamed in pain as the object broke loose and retreated from the ship, almost as though he could feel the plasma on his own skin.

Shar continued to writhe in pain as he lay on the floor, mumbling incoherently. Kaziarl grabbed a phaser and moved over to his friend, making sure the phaser was on its lowest setting.

"Shar, this is probably going to hurt, and I'm sorry," he said as he pointed the phaser at the creature and fired. Shar screamed louder then Kaziarl thought would be possible, but he felt he had no choice. After a few moments the creature released itself from Shars neck and laid motionless on the floor, but Shar still didn't recover from the pain. Kaziarl set a course back to the Starbase, and locked the creatures in a containment field, he only hoped he hadn't lost his friend.




As Shar remembered, Starfleet Medical stated that the incident caused such a severe shock to his system that he was comatose for several months. They weren't even sure he'd come out of it. Since then he had doubted his abilities, and had thought of resigning if it hadn't been for the captain. The memories sent a chill down his spine as he stepped off the turbolift, and turned towards engineering.
Setal looked over the shield schematics. She missed the more familiar Rihhansu systems of her old life, but now that life was over and she had a new one. Being the chief of engineering had its advantages as well, even if it was more of a title then an actual position. She knew she wasn't trusted yet, and was more of a liaison to Chief Brik'nal, but her views of Mehien'Shan meant she would still do her best even with the chief looking over her shoulder. The captain, even against his upbringing had shown her much kindness, even after she had tried to steal his ship under orders of the Tal'Shiar. If not for him, her and her team would either have been in a Federation jail, or dead. As she worked she heard the doors to engineering open, and heard the familiar footsteps of Shar approaching her. With a ship that small, it was not hard to learn how to tell who was who, even without looking.

"What can I do for you Shar?" she asked.

"Setal," he replied in an official tone. "Although I do not mind personally, you are still ranked as a Crewman 2nd Class. It would be proper to address me as Lt, or Sir."

"Yes sir," she replied. In the years she and her team were stuck on the disabled Chimera, she gained more of an informal attitude. "What can I do for you Lt."

"The captain asked me to bring these sensor modifications to you, to get your opinion," he replied as he handed her the PADD in his hand. "And to see if you've made progress on the shields."

"Yes sir," she pointed to the screen. "According to this, the new design will help hide the ship."

"Like a cloak?"

"Not quite," she corrected. "As you know cloaking technology is still restricted to use on the Defiant only, as per regulations listed in the Treaty of Algernon. The ship will still be visible, but it makes it much more difficult for sensors to detect us. We'll seem more like a rock floating in space."

"So more like stealth technology Humans used centuries ago."

"Yes sir, it’d take about a day to install the emitters."

"Can’t you make modifications to the current emitters?"

"No sir," she replied, frustrated that she couldn't get that part of the design to work. "Unfortunately the design doesn't do much too actually protect the ship. The new shields need to run in tandem with the old ones. Luckily the new design takes very little energy, so it won't be too much of a drain."

"That’s good, how about these sensors?" he asked as he handed her the PADD.

"I'll get right on it sir," she replied, scrolling through the data on the PADD's screen. "The theory looks sound, using gravity lens to focus the sensors. How have you corrected for dilation?"

"I was thinking of using the lens for that. Positioning it at different distances from the sensor array. There is one other problem with it I was hoping you could help with."

"What’s that sir?"

"Keeping the gravity field stable." he replied, leaning against the bulkhead. "I was hoping you could use your knowledge of Romulan systems to help with that. Romulans have been using an artificial singularity for decades, and keeping it stable."

"Yes sir, I'll get right on-" she was interrupted as the yellow alert klaxon's started blearing.

[This is the Captain speaking, all hands, go to yellow alert, and prepare for Red Alert. The USS Cerberus is under attack, and we are on course to intercept. ETA 20 minutes, I want everyone ready to switch to Red Alert in 15.]

"Well, guess I better get back to the bridge." Shar said, heading towards the door. "You make sure you keep those engines running."

"Aye sir," Setal replied, never a dull moment she though.



On the bridge people were running about getting things ready. Not a frantic run, but more of a finely honed task. Personal phasers were being handed out, and consoles were being reconfigured for tactical readiness.

"Dur, ETA?"

"12 minutes Sir," replied the Bajoran.

"Tactical?" Kaziarl asked, turning towards Lt Walch.

"All stations report ready to switch to Red Alert," she replied as Shar stepped out of the turbolift. The calm looking Andorian walked to his console without saying a word.

"Nice of you to join us Lt." Kaziarl said, jokingly.

"No problem sir," he replied with a grin. "Wouldn’t miss this for the world."

"Sir," Dur Tyran called from the helm console. "We're within viewing range."

"On screen," he ordered.

On the view screen, the USS Cerberus seemed to be hanging by a thread. The attacking ship moving around it with ease.

"Sensors?"

"Cerberus shields down 12%," Shar reported. "She's having trouble maneuvering to retaliate."

"Hail the Cerberus."

"Aye Sir, channel open."

"Cerberus, this is Chimera, do you read?"

[Yes Chimera, loud and clear,] Captain Grinshaw appeared on the view screen, smoke filling the air around him. [Care to give us a hand Captain?]

"We're on our way Frank, about 10 minutes out. Might be sooner if you can lead them this way a bit."

[No problem, their leaving our engines alone,] he replied in a thick Scottish accent. [See you in a few.]

The channel closed and the view returned to the Cerberus. The ship started to move towards them, with the aggressor in her wake.

"Shar, is there a match from that ship to the one Delta shift encountered?"

"Yes sir," he replied looking at his screen. "I'd almost say it was the same ship."

"Alright, lets get ready. All hands, switch to Red Alert."

Almost instantly the lights dimmed and the bridge was washed with a red glow from the emergency lighting. The computers locks on the personal phasers were lifted as they began to charge. The ablative hull armor that had been installed earlier that day deployed as the ship took on a solid, gun metal gray look. With the shape of the ship, and the blank look of the armor, the ship looked like a large gray hockey puck. As the crew finished preparations the two Chimera class vessels moved into range of each other, and strafed along side each other to give the Chimera crew a shot at the enemy.

"Fire phasers, focus on shields and weapons." Kaziarl ordered. Orange-red beams of energy reached out hungrily for the enemies’ shields. The ship veered off and backed away, as though trying to decide what to do about this second ship. The Chimera and the Cerberus swung around for another pass, focusing their fire on the dorsal shields.

"Enemy shields down 16% sir," Walch reported.

"Launch the fighter wing, tell Captain Grinshaw to do the same."

As the too ships pulled away from their target to ready for another pass, four fighters from each ship launched from their lower decks and took up position around their mother ships.

[Chimera, this is Alpha Squad, we're in position and ready to rock.]

"Confirmed Lt." Kaziarl replied, "Link your targeting computers in with ours. We're going to need to focus our fire."

[Affirmative Chimera, linking now.]

The Chimera was the first to swing back around and make a pass on the ship. The fighters moved to the ventral side of the ship as they passed over the top of the enemy ship, firing their phaser. As the Chimera pulled away again, they launched a torpedo from their aft launcher. It streaked into the shields and punched through to the hull.

"Dorsal shields down sir, that torpedo damaged their emitters,"

"Fighter wing, get in there and target shields and weapons." Kaziarl ordered, wanting to take advantage of this momentary break. "Helm, bring us about and target their engines. Have the Cerberus do the same."

"Aye sir, coming about." Dur replied.

[Target confirmed. Moving in.]

The fighters from both ships swarmed the enemy vessel as the Chimera and Cerberus focused on their engines. As the rest of the shields began to fail, and the engines started to show signs of stress, it seemed like this skirmish was going to be over.

"All ships hold fire. Lock a tractor beam on that ship."

"Aye sir, tractor beam online."

"Hail them."

"Channel open sir," replied Lt Walch.

"Hostile Vessel, identify yourself."

There was no response.

"Sir," Shar called from his station. "Sensors indicate an overload in their engine core."

"What?" he asked surprised. "I didn’t realize we had damaged them that much."

"We didn't, this reads as an internal issue," he replied. "Their doing it themselves."

"See if you can lock onto one of them and beam them to the brig." Kaziarl ordered.

"Aye sir. Transporting now."

"Helm, get us out of here. Release the tractor beams and order the fighters to return to their berths."

"Aye sir," Dur's fingers flew over the console as he executed commands. The two ships picked up their fighters and moved away from the enemy. As they reached a safe distance the ship exploded, hitting the two sisters with a massive shock wave nearly sending Kaziarl to the bulk head.

"Damage report?"

"Minimal damage to shields sir," Walch reported. "A few bumps, but no casualties. Cerberus was hit a little harder; bet she's reporting all green."

"Did we get one of them in the brig?"

"Yes sir, security reports she's not too happy either."

"Helm, set course to Miranda Outpost, best speed." Kaziarl ordered as he stood up from his chair. "Just make sure you don't leave the Cerberus behind. I'll be in the brig talking to our guest."

"Aye sir, course laid in."

Kaziarl stepped into the turbolift, not sure what to think about this new adversary.


Ensign Rochelle Stephenson watched the creature on the other side of the forcefield. It looked about 3 meters tall, if it had room to stand fully upright and wasn’t crammed in a tiny brig cell. The creature reminded her of an insect, with dark purple and reds shinning from the exoskeleton. The exoskeleton of the creature had a certain iridescent quality that she found a little mesmerizing.

The creature shifted its weight as the doors to the brig opened. Stephenson looked over to see the captain, and snapped to attention.

“Ensign?” Kaziarl asked. “How is our guest?”

“Upset sir,” she replied. “I don’t think it wants to be here.”

“Yes, well,” he said calmly. “I have a few questions for it.”

Kaziarl stepped up to the forcefield, and made himself look as tall as he could. He was used to being small; as a Human raised by Klingons, he didn’t have much choice. But now, in front of this new adversary, he couldn’t help but feel extra small.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“You will all die,” replied the creature.

“You underestimate us,” Kaziarl stated confidently. “Now I ask again, who are you?”

“You will all die.”

“Not much of a conversationalist are you?” Kaziarl stepped over to the control console and pressed a few keys. In the cell the creature started to quiver.

“Now normally we don’t do this, but we’re a long way from the Federation.”

“Cold,” the creature’s voice sounded weak now. “To cold.”

“Will you cooperate?” he asked, moving to press another key.

“Yes, need warmth.”

Kaziarl pressed the console, returning the temperature to normal.

“Now tell me who you are, where are you’re people?”

“We are of the Tryesharan Alliance, we are of the hive.”

“The hive? So you have a collective consciousness?”

“No, I see your mind; we are not of the Borg.”

“Where are your people from?” he asked.

“Here.”

“There is no record of a Tryesharan Alliance in this sector, where are you from?”

“Here.”

“Explain.”

“The hive travels the great sea, and then returns home.”

“Where is your home?”

“If you value your existence, you and the other flesh creatures will leave our world.” With that, the creature turned its back on the captain.

“Ensign, let me know if anything changes,” he ordered as he walked out of the brig.

Chapter 2: Encroachment

After returning to Miranda Outpost, Kaziarl called a meeting of the senior staff, and arranged for Admiral Hera to attend.

“What are we dealing with Captain?” asked the Admiral.

“Tactically I can tell you we were lucky.” He replied. “From what I’ve gathered after talking to our guest, they have a hive mind.”

“Like the Borg?” she asked, somewhat startled.

“No,” he responded calmly. “Although it appears they have the capability to think as one unit, they prefer to share the thoughts of many in much the same way you and I share ideas through speech, just on a deeper level.”

“I see, and they’re strategies?”

“We caught them with their pants down. I got the impression that the alien was surprised we could work that closely together without the benefit of a hive.”

“What about physiology?” she asked as she turned to Doctor T’Amara.

T’Amara pressed a control on the PADD in front of her, and stood from her seat as the screen came to life.

“They are insectoids Admiral, which explains the hive.” She replied. “According to my readings they have the ability to communicate telepathically over several dozen lightyears distance.”

“Is that a security risk doctor?”

“Not at this time. The creature seems to be dormant at the moment, and is showing no signs of receiving or sending telepathic impulses.”

“Thank you, continue.”

“Like most insects on our various home worlds, this being is susceptible to cold temperatures. It seems to trigger a hibernation cycle. I’ve concluded that 10 degree’s lower in ambient temperature will cause the creature to hibernate, but not harm it.”

“Doctor, is there any way of telling where they come from?”

“Yes and no,” she replied. “There are certain DNA markers common between all species of a given home world. Humans for example share them with the dinosaurs of Earth. However, to find where this race is from without something to compare their DNA with would prove difficult.”

“Thank you doctor,” Kaziarl replied. “Shar, sensor analysis.”​

“Yes Captain, according to my records the ship has been exposed to several types of weapon residue that we were unfamiliar with until after the USS Voyager returned to the Alpha Quadrant. Some include the Hirogen, Voth, and the Vaadwaur.”

“That’s quite a trip,” stated the Admiral.

“Yes Admiral,” Shar replied, pressing another key. The screen changed to a map of the galaxy, with a purple line darting from star to star. “We’ve extrapolated their probable course; as you can see, they pass through several known systems in the Alpha and Beta quadrant, move through to the Delta quadrant, and make their way back here. Total travel time is estimated at slightly over 500 years, allowing for stops to rest and resupply.”

“Alright,” the Admiral interrupted. “I think that’s about all we know so far. Captain, I want you and the Cerberus to go out on patrol again once repairs are completed on both ships. Also, Bella and the Andromeda are on their way back from the cargo detail, and we’ve been assigned a ship from Starfighter Command. This meeting is adjourned.”

 

[Kaziarl]

In the three hours since leaving Miranda Station, the USS Bellarophon, Cerberus, and Chimera had been chasing sensor echoes, or at least that’s how Kaziarl felt about it. It seemed that aside from the two incidents that the Chimera was involved with, that the Tryesharan Alliance was no where to be found. Along with looking for Tryesharan ships, they were also trying to find out more about them from local cultures. So far, it had been arduous. Myths, legends, folktale, nothing seemed to be very conclusive. One museum curator had discovered a mural that depicted a cloud of locust blocking out the sun. All the stories seemed to match this idea, but it was afterwards that Kaziarl was concerned about.

“Report,” he ordered.

“Ships systems are green,” Walch replied. “Shields are active, weapons at ready.”

“Sickbay is on alert status Captain,” T’Amara responded next.

“Helm functioning within normal parameters,” Dur said quickly. “Engines running at peak efficiency.

“Anything on long range scans?” he asked.

“Nothing sir,” Veldan returned. “Just normal trade traffic.”

“Get me Miranda Station, I’ll take it in my ready room.” Kaziarl ordered as he stood up from the captains’ chair.



[What have you got Captain?] asked Admiral Hera.

“Nothing ma’am,” he replied. “There is no sign of the Alliance. It’s like they just vanished and that ship we destroyed was the only one.”

[Well, I want you to head to sector 459. The Andromeda is setting up a long range listening post with some new sensor equipment. Once it’s online I want you to tie in and see if you can find anyone outside what we can normally see.]

“Yes Admiral,” he said as he cut the comm line. “Bridge, alter course to sector 459, best possible speed, and let me know when we arrive.”

[Yes Captain]





“Captain on the bridge,” Veldan announced as Kaziarl stepped out of his ready room.

“Status?”

“We are coming up on the Andromeda now sir,” she replied.

“Hail them,” he ordered as he took his chair. “On screen please.”

[Ah, Captain Kaziarl, good to see you again.]

“You too Captain Garret,” he replied. “How’s the listening post coming along?”

[Wonderful, we should have it up and running in just a few minutes.]

“Excellent work, you’re grandmother would be proud I’m sure.”

“Sir,” interrupted Lt. Walch. “Power is coming online on the listening post. We are receiving telemetry.”

“Split screen please.”

The view screen split in two, one half showing Captain Garret, while the other showed something that made Kaziarl stand and stare for a moment.

“In the name of Khaless,” he muttered under his breath.

The others saw it to, and by the look on Garret’s face, so did she. A massive fleet, larger then any they had seen before, was holding at the extreme edge of the listening posts range. As they watched, a group seemed to break off and speed towards them. The subspace wake alone was larger then the combined Alpha Quadrant Alliance fleet that battled the Dominion.

“Get the Admiral on the horn,” he ordered. “She’s going to want to know about this.

 

[hellsgate]

Can't wait to have "Star Trek: Gamma Force" as a ".pdf" or ".doc" file & uploaded to the FILES area of "Star Trek: New Worlds".

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stnewworlds

 

[Kaziarl]

Can't wait to have "Star Trek: Gamma Force" as a ".pdf" or ".doc" file & uploaded to the FILES area of "Star Trek: New Worlds".

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stnewworlds

Not sure if it's quite ready for that yet, but I'll think about it.