Docking Bay, Starbase 292
Stardate: 38231.2
Rounding the corner, a bank of viewports dominated the bulkhead, offering those passing by unrestricted views of some of the ships docked at the station. As they approached, Bruce Keller unconsciously slowed his pace in order to look out at one ship in particular. His ship. The thought still made him smile as there were times it didn’t feel quite real, though then the stack of datapads on his desk and hours of his day taken up by meetings quickly had reality come back into focus.
The U.S.S. Atlas was the smallest in dock, the upgrades to the Oberth-Class hadn’t extended the hull beyond her original one hundred and fifty meters, though did boast some very noticeable differences—the main being the third pylon between the upper and lower hulls. The Mark-II refit had been a way to prolong the lifespan of the old surveyors, to increase their operational capacity and correct a few design issues that had seen so many of the ships lost over the decades, unfortunately the process was time consuming and ultimately deemed to not be worth it which meant just around a fifth of the line had undergone the overhaul. He was very lucky to get one for his first command.
Of course there were many who would turn their nose up at getting offered such a ship, but Keller couldn’t wait to take the ship out on his first mission as Captain, whatever that mission might be. He suspected that the meeting he and his first officer were heading for would be where they’d get their first set of orders.
“I think you’re in love,” Commander Celan purred into his ear.
He started and turned to see the Deltan and leant in close to whisper in his ear. He gave her a good-natured scowl, which drew a throaty chuckle.
“What Captain doesn’t take time to appreciate his ship?”
“There’s taking time and then there’s making us late, so we better get going so as to not keep the admiral waiting—you can ogle her on the way back.”
“Aye-aye!”
Tearing himself away from the transparent aluminium, they continued on to the turbolift and ordered it to the floor they needed, before carrying on to meeting toom ten. The doors parted as they approached and he led the way inside to find three officers sitting of the opposite side of the table, none of them were Admiral Cain however, though his chief of staff, Commander th’Daresh was seated between two lieutenant commanders in blue.
The Andorian smiled as they entered and gestured at the two chairs opposite the trio. “Captain, Commander. Thank you for joining us. The Admiral sends his apologies, but he’s been called into a meeting with Starfleet Operations.”
Settling into the high-backed chair he offered a polite smile. “That’s quite alright, Commander.”
“I’d like to introduce Lieutenant Commander Singh, the stations chief science officer, and Lieutenant Commander Htennak, a cultural and first contact specialist.” Keller and Celan nodded at the petite human woman and handsome Ktarian male, before th’Daresh handed them each a PADD.
“These have the full orders signed by the Admiral, so make sure to give them your full attention in due course. To begin with, what do you know about the Theta Maelstrom?”
Keller paused and glanced at Celan, who looked just as puzzled as he felt. Focusing back on the Andorian he gave him the benefit of the doubt. “It’s a navigational hazard that takes up over half of the next sector over. It’s a region of dense radioactive dust, statically charged particles, thermobaric gases, gravitational wavefronts, and quantum instabilities, no one goes near it unless they have to.”
“I’m glad to see you’ve been reading up on the region, Captain,” th’Daresh said, before clasping his hands on top of the table and leaning forward. “Ever since Starfleet discovered it, no ship has been able to traverse it, and we’ve surmised that any planetary bodies that there might be inside the Maelstrom would be uninhabitable. That was until three weeks ago.”
“What happened three weeks ago?” he asked, his curiosity peaked.
Singh took on the narrative. “We detected a signal of unknown origin coming from within the Maelstrom, one that would seem to indicate the presence of intelligent life.”
“What sort of signal?” Celan enquired.
“It looks to be the sort used in long-range astrometric telescopes, which would suggest that whoever sent that signal might be very close to breaking the warp barrier.”
“After we detected and verified the signal and its point of origin,” th’Daresh stepped back in, “the U.S.S. Lakota was dispatched to see if she could enter the Maelstrom and track down just where exactly it came from.”
“It didn’t go well,” interjected Singh.
Th’Daresh shot her a look, but she just shrugged it off. “Quite. The Lakota took considerable damage from the gravitational eddies that plague the Maelstrom, fortunately there were no fatalities, but she was forced to withdraw and has been in for repairs since then.”
Keller’s eyebrows shot up on his forehead. He’d seen the Excelsior-Class ship in dock, swarmed by dozens of workbees as hull plates were removed and replaced, though everyone he’d spoken with about what had happened didn’t know anything. Starfleet Command were keeping a very tight lid on this discovery, which only made him nervous—if the mission had that sort of security around it, what were the chances they’d let a rookie captain lead it?
“She did gather some very useful data from the brief time she was inside the Maelstrom, however,” Singh added excitedly. “They were also able to adjust their shield nutation to screen out the radiation. If it wasn’t for the wavefronts, they might’ve been able to make it.”
“But since the Atlas is designed to travel through gravitational wavefronts that hazard should be minimised,” Celan finished for the science officer.
“Exactly!”
Keller took a moment to process all he’d heard. This was not the sort of assignment he’d expected to be handed on his first time taking the Atlas out, he’d have thought a planetary survey or charting mission would be the order of the day, a milk run for him to cut his teeth on. Venturing into the Theta Maelstrom was dangerous and unpredictable, searching for a needle in a haystack that might indicate the presence of intelligent life. It was a big ask of any captain and crew.
“I know this might seem daunting, Captain,” a new voice said. Keller looked at the Ktarian who’d remained quiet until now. He spoke with a softness that made his deep tone gentle and warm. “However, your record speaks for itself, you know how to handle risky situations and make tough calls in order to do your duty—not many make Captain the week before their thirty-fourth birthday.”
“Were you reading up on me?”
“The Admiral asked Commander Htennak too,” said th’Daresh. “Admiral Cain has faith in your ability to command the Atlas, Captain, however neither yourself or Commander Celan have a lot of experience in diplomacy or first contact.”
Keller couldn’t argue with him there, he was from an operations background and Celan was previously a security chief, though they’d both had classes on xenology and negotiations at the Academy (not to mention additional training after he’d become a first officer) he’d only ever had to use them twice. He would gain in experience and confidence with time, but going in cold for this sort of mission wouldn’t be his first choice.
“Which is why Commander Htennak is being attached to the Atlas as a mission specialist.”
“I see.”
“I’m sorry to just spring this on you, Captain, especially since you’re due to depart in three days but there was a lot of options we needed to consider. Commander Htennak is one of the best, he’ll be there to advise and guide you, offering you the benefit of his knowledge and experience.”
Keller forced a polite smile. “I’d be happy to accept whatever expertise the Commander has to offer.”
“Splendid. Along with your orders you’ll also find the telemetry that the Lakota gathered from inside the Maelstrom, as well as all we have on the signal. After you depart the station you’ll rendezvous with the starship Harriman, which is holding position just outside the Maelstrom. They will be there to provide support should it be needed and act as your tether, providing a fixed nav-point. We’re also arranging to have a trio of modified probes transferred aboard, which will be deployed as communications and navigational relays.”
“Understood, Commander.”
“This mission isn’t classified, however a high degree of operational security has been put in place for the time being, so until you’re underway you will need to restrict knowledge of these orders to your senior staff and then keep all communications to a minimum.”
Keller gave him a nod. “I understand, Commander.”
Though he didn’t like the idea of keeping the details of their first mission from the majority of his crew, unintentional information leaks could come from anywhere. Once they were at warp he could brief the crew, so they would find out just what it was they were heading into soon enough—he would just need to have a few different emergency drills run over the next few days before they departed, try to get them ready for whatever they might face.
“Well then, Mr Htennak, I hope you’re packed and ready to go.”
“I’ll be aboard by eighteen hundred hours, sir.”
“Good. We’ll see what quarters we have available and I’ll schedule a briefing of the senior staff for twenty-one hundred.” He paused and looked at Celan, silently asking if he’d forgotten anything obvious that they needed to do.
“Commander Singh,” she began, “should our science officer have any further questions about the data you’ve included—”
“Just have them comm me and I’ll happily answer any questions or queries. I just wish I was getting to go with you as well.”
Keller gave a polite laugh before asking. “Is there anything else we need to be aware of at present?”
“That’s all for now. If you need anything else, you can contact my office.”
“Thank you, Commanders,” he said then pushed his chair back and stood, wanting to get out of there before he found himself with another surprise new addition to his crew. “I’m sure we’ll be in touch.”
* * * * *
Stardate: 38231.2
Rounding the corner, a bank of viewports dominated the bulkhead, offering those passing by unrestricted views of some of the ships docked at the station. As they approached, Bruce Keller unconsciously slowed his pace in order to look out at one ship in particular. His ship. The thought still made him smile as there were times it didn’t feel quite real, though then the stack of datapads on his desk and hours of his day taken up by meetings quickly had reality come back into focus.
The U.S.S. Atlas was the smallest in dock, the upgrades to the Oberth-Class hadn’t extended the hull beyond her original one hundred and fifty meters, though did boast some very noticeable differences—the main being the third pylon between the upper and lower hulls. The Mark-II refit had been a way to prolong the lifespan of the old surveyors, to increase their operational capacity and correct a few design issues that had seen so many of the ships lost over the decades, unfortunately the process was time consuming and ultimately deemed to not be worth it which meant just around a fifth of the line had undergone the overhaul. He was very lucky to get one for his first command.
Of course there were many who would turn their nose up at getting offered such a ship, but Keller couldn’t wait to take the ship out on his first mission as Captain, whatever that mission might be. He suspected that the meeting he and his first officer were heading for would be where they’d get their first set of orders.
“I think you’re in love,” Commander Celan purred into his ear.
He started and turned to see the Deltan and leant in close to whisper in his ear. He gave her a good-natured scowl, which drew a throaty chuckle.
“What Captain doesn’t take time to appreciate his ship?”
“There’s taking time and then there’s making us late, so we better get going so as to not keep the admiral waiting—you can ogle her on the way back.”
“Aye-aye!”
Tearing himself away from the transparent aluminium, they continued on to the turbolift and ordered it to the floor they needed, before carrying on to meeting toom ten. The doors parted as they approached and he led the way inside to find three officers sitting of the opposite side of the table, none of them were Admiral Cain however, though his chief of staff, Commander th’Daresh was seated between two lieutenant commanders in blue.
The Andorian smiled as they entered and gestured at the two chairs opposite the trio. “Captain, Commander. Thank you for joining us. The Admiral sends his apologies, but he’s been called into a meeting with Starfleet Operations.”
Settling into the high-backed chair he offered a polite smile. “That’s quite alright, Commander.”
“I’d like to introduce Lieutenant Commander Singh, the stations chief science officer, and Lieutenant Commander Htennak, a cultural and first contact specialist.” Keller and Celan nodded at the petite human woman and handsome Ktarian male, before th’Daresh handed them each a PADD.
“These have the full orders signed by the Admiral, so make sure to give them your full attention in due course. To begin with, what do you know about the Theta Maelstrom?”
Keller paused and glanced at Celan, who looked just as puzzled as he felt. Focusing back on the Andorian he gave him the benefit of the doubt. “It’s a navigational hazard that takes up over half of the next sector over. It’s a region of dense radioactive dust, statically charged particles, thermobaric gases, gravitational wavefronts, and quantum instabilities, no one goes near it unless they have to.”
“I’m glad to see you’ve been reading up on the region, Captain,” th’Daresh said, before clasping his hands on top of the table and leaning forward. “Ever since Starfleet discovered it, no ship has been able to traverse it, and we’ve surmised that any planetary bodies that there might be inside the Maelstrom would be uninhabitable. That was until three weeks ago.”
“What happened three weeks ago?” he asked, his curiosity peaked.
Singh took on the narrative. “We detected a signal of unknown origin coming from within the Maelstrom, one that would seem to indicate the presence of intelligent life.”
“What sort of signal?” Celan enquired.
“It looks to be the sort used in long-range astrometric telescopes, which would suggest that whoever sent that signal might be very close to breaking the warp barrier.”
“After we detected and verified the signal and its point of origin,” th’Daresh stepped back in, “the U.S.S. Lakota was dispatched to see if she could enter the Maelstrom and track down just where exactly it came from.”
“It didn’t go well,” interjected Singh.
Th’Daresh shot her a look, but she just shrugged it off. “Quite. The Lakota took considerable damage from the gravitational eddies that plague the Maelstrom, fortunately there were no fatalities, but she was forced to withdraw and has been in for repairs since then.”
Keller’s eyebrows shot up on his forehead. He’d seen the Excelsior-Class ship in dock, swarmed by dozens of workbees as hull plates were removed and replaced, though everyone he’d spoken with about what had happened didn’t know anything. Starfleet Command were keeping a very tight lid on this discovery, which only made him nervous—if the mission had that sort of security around it, what were the chances they’d let a rookie captain lead it?
“She did gather some very useful data from the brief time she was inside the Maelstrom, however,” Singh added excitedly. “They were also able to adjust their shield nutation to screen out the radiation. If it wasn’t for the wavefronts, they might’ve been able to make it.”
“But since the Atlas is designed to travel through gravitational wavefronts that hazard should be minimised,” Celan finished for the science officer.
“Exactly!”
Keller took a moment to process all he’d heard. This was not the sort of assignment he’d expected to be handed on his first time taking the Atlas out, he’d have thought a planetary survey or charting mission would be the order of the day, a milk run for him to cut his teeth on. Venturing into the Theta Maelstrom was dangerous and unpredictable, searching for a needle in a haystack that might indicate the presence of intelligent life. It was a big ask of any captain and crew.
“I know this might seem daunting, Captain,” a new voice said. Keller looked at the Ktarian who’d remained quiet until now. He spoke with a softness that made his deep tone gentle and warm. “However, your record speaks for itself, you know how to handle risky situations and make tough calls in order to do your duty—not many make Captain the week before their thirty-fourth birthday.”
“Were you reading up on me?”
“The Admiral asked Commander Htennak too,” said th’Daresh. “Admiral Cain has faith in your ability to command the Atlas, Captain, however neither yourself or Commander Celan have a lot of experience in diplomacy or first contact.”
Keller couldn’t argue with him there, he was from an operations background and Celan was previously a security chief, though they’d both had classes on xenology and negotiations at the Academy (not to mention additional training after he’d become a first officer) he’d only ever had to use them twice. He would gain in experience and confidence with time, but going in cold for this sort of mission wouldn’t be his first choice.
“Which is why Commander Htennak is being attached to the Atlas as a mission specialist.”
“I see.”
“I’m sorry to just spring this on you, Captain, especially since you’re due to depart in three days but there was a lot of options we needed to consider. Commander Htennak is one of the best, he’ll be there to advise and guide you, offering you the benefit of his knowledge and experience.”
Keller forced a polite smile. “I’d be happy to accept whatever expertise the Commander has to offer.”
“Splendid. Along with your orders you’ll also find the telemetry that the Lakota gathered from inside the Maelstrom, as well as all we have on the signal. After you depart the station you’ll rendezvous with the starship Harriman, which is holding position just outside the Maelstrom. They will be there to provide support should it be needed and act as your tether, providing a fixed nav-point. We’re also arranging to have a trio of modified probes transferred aboard, which will be deployed as communications and navigational relays.”
“Understood, Commander.”
“This mission isn’t classified, however a high degree of operational security has been put in place for the time being, so until you’re underway you will need to restrict knowledge of these orders to your senior staff and then keep all communications to a minimum.”
Keller gave him a nod. “I understand, Commander.”
Though he didn’t like the idea of keeping the details of their first mission from the majority of his crew, unintentional information leaks could come from anywhere. Once they were at warp he could brief the crew, so they would find out just what it was they were heading into soon enough—he would just need to have a few different emergency drills run over the next few days before they departed, try to get them ready for whatever they might face.
“Well then, Mr Htennak, I hope you’re packed and ready to go.”
“I’ll be aboard by eighteen hundred hours, sir.”
“Good. We’ll see what quarters we have available and I’ll schedule a briefing of the senior staff for twenty-one hundred.” He paused and looked at Celan, silently asking if he’d forgotten anything obvious that they needed to do.
“Commander Singh,” she began, “should our science officer have any further questions about the data you’ve included—”
“Just have them comm me and I’ll happily answer any questions or queries. I just wish I was getting to go with you as well.”
Keller gave a polite laugh before asking. “Is there anything else we need to be aware of at present?”
“That’s all for now. If you need anything else, you can contact my office.”
“Thank you, Commanders,” he said then pushed his chair back and stood, wanting to get out of there before he found himself with another surprise new addition to his crew. “I’m sure we’ll be in touch.”
* * * * *
