The debriefing had been lengthy at best whilst Ensign Markey and Lieutenant Dantuma reported on their experiences at being deposited in time a century earlier. The senior staff had various expressions that consisted of awe, envy, and amazement. At the same time they conveyed a respectful sadness for the loss of their Chief Engineer Kenneth Mumford. But the most awe inspiring feeling was to be present on the legendary starship, the Constitution Class U.S.S. Exeter. Granted, it didn’t have the vastness and comfort of vessels built a century later, but here they were conducting a meeting inside the historic starship. Although the crew had made history themselves, the Exeter and its previous Captain, Ronald Tracey, had made history too. Unfortunately its Captain had become infamous for losing focus and corrupting a society at war with each other. The two officers who had returned on the Exeter had been saddened to hear of the events that had befell the Phoenix, their friends, and their colleagues. Bizarrely, and unexpectedly, once all the crew had transported aboard the Exeter, the faux Phoenix had simply vanished as if it wasn’t there to begin with. The Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Kurt Coey, had mused that although space was filled with the unknown, the weird, and the downright strange, the vanishing of the faux Phoenix was just another of those odd events to add to their list of recent experiences. Yet he knew that being assigned to the away team to secure the Exodus meant that things were about to get even stranger. Lieutenant Reza Babai, Rez to his friends, had finally returned to duty with his first away mission assigned to the team sent over to the Exodus. As part of preparation for an away mission, he ran some preliminary scans of the vessel. There had been concerns voiced over what awaited them such as a suggested worst case scenario of an enraged psychotic Admiral William Ross leading his crew of Starfleet officers on a destructive rampage against the intruding officers. Starfleet against Starfleet. To his horror the sensors had registered that the Exodus had been flooded with Nestocine gas; a highly and instantaneously lethal toxin to most humanoids. The sensors also shown that there was only one life sign, which seemed to appear and disappear from readings. Ultimately, the intermittent life sign reading faded from the equipment readouts. Speaking through the communicator system embedded in the breathing mask, Kurt announced his prognosis; “Well, Bill Ross is either dead, but then i don’t believe he would let us take his prototype baby without a fight. This ship is years ahead of scheduled development. Watch your backs everyone, the morgue is low on room to rent.” The standard issue wrist torches illuminated the dark corridors and danced across the walls creating a myriad of shapes against the blackness. Even though it was against standard regulations for flag officers to go on away missions as a ship needed its Captain, Simon had argued with Commander Davenport that he had no ship that he was officially assigned to, to speak of, so the rule didn’t apply. Captain Hodgkinson led the team upfront, followed keenly by his first officer and the Doctor, with the Chief Of Security protecting the rear. During the normal day to day operation of a starship, the corridors the away team traversed would be well lit, bright, and airy, with flurries of activity as staff went about their daily duties. But the corridors of the Exodus were as welcoming as a hive of Denebian slime devils. Although it was part of the job description, Doctor Coey thanked whichever deity presided over them that they had masks on, in case of the worst case scenario of smells of decomposing flesh assaulted the senses. Situations like these were all too familiar to him to the point where he would expect the worst and hope for the best. He certainly hoped that the death count was less than zero, but expected that there would be some casualties. Nestocine gas was highly lethal and not only would cause asphyxiation to an unfortunate victim, but also would rot them from the inside out at an accelerated pace. Lighting on the walls and overhead flickered intermittingly as it appeared that an attempt to bring back online emergency power was being made. Although it seemed partial, unstable power fluctuations were present due to the flickering lights, and that gravity was barely present. Rez could swear he could feel the thudding of his heart against his ribcage, as his throat felt dry, his breath laboured, and his brow slightly perspired. Instinctively Kurt requested ceasing of movement as he checked the Chief Of Security. “Easy Rez, easy. Control your breathing before you hyperventilate.” As the Doctor started to breathe rhythmically at a steady pace, he encouraged the co-holder of the record for free climbing El Capitan to do the same. Simon knew that they weren’t far from one of the turboshafts that serviced the bridge. If it was out of action, like most of the vessel, it was either a jaunt up the many flights of stairs, or climbing the rungs of a turboshaft that would take them to the Admiral’s last known location. “We are near a turboshaft according to my scanner. It leads to the bridge a few decks up, which was the last scanned location of Ross. Rez, if you can manage it, we need to get moving. If not, the Doc can stay with you until we have full control of the vessel.” Q sighed at the thought of exhaustion he would feel thanks to his punishment of living out his days in a frail human vessel. He approached Rez and urged Kurt to step aside, as he placed his hands on each side of Rez’s face, whilst locking eyes. “You can do this. You’ve been through worse. This away mission is a walk in the park compared to some of your past one’s.” Rez managed to find the calm centre within the raging storm he felt inside, and just for a moment, he could have sworn he saw stars twinkle in the former gods’ eyes.
The NX Delta transwarp test flight preparations were going ahead as planned as the countdown neared the jump point. Gulliver monitored the engines whilst Ken concentrated on piloting and navigating the small craft. An ominous beep and red light flashed up on Gulliver’s console as he registered an imbalance in the power matrix of the transwarp core, which seemed to stabilize as soon as it had started. But the energy that had been created by the momentary instability had caused a power surge, which started to crackle through internal circuitry. Ken noticed the surge but was too late to warn Gulliver as the crackle shot out of his console, and surrounded him in a plasma charge. As he jumped out of his seat, everything seemed to slow down as he grabbed a medkit and tended to Gulliver’s burns, and stabilised him enough so he could be treated further at a hospital. The flight was aborted, and Ken piloted the ship back to the shuttlebay of the Enterprise.
Sodak’s recently acquired stoic Vulcan demeanour and reserve crumbled away in an instant as he stood before the immense Preserver obelisk. Around it tendrils of electrical energy crackled and cascaded downwards and upwards on the behemoth. As he rested his hands on the metal guard rail over the circular platform surrounding the ancient super structure, he whistled. He mused that if those who had kidnapped Delix discovered this, it wouldn’t bode well for the quadrants. He surveyed the complex and noted drones working frantically at console banks, preparing for whatever Manyx had instructed and informed them of what was to come. Sodak felt like his arms were about to be torn from his torso as Manyx displayed a surprising strength, gripped him, and pivoted him to face him. “Preserver. Did you say Preserver?! Our fathers. Our mothers. Our creators. Our gods.” Puzzled by the excitement and animation displayed by the Primaxian, Sodak continued to listen, and to try and make sense of the babbling. “I haven’t heard the mention of their names for as long as i can remember.” Manyx went on to explain in a way as if he were telling a story from the viewpoint of someone who had lived through and experienced the events. The Preservers, as far as Manyx was aware with the knowledge given to him, were the first sentient race of the Milky Way Galaxy. They were all powerful and intelligent in nature, yet alone and not satisfied with living their lives in paradise. As the galaxy took shape, and star systems with planetoids formed throughout the quadrants, the Preservers watched in awe and wonder. Their biggest concern being that would the many races leaping from their cradles of single celled basic structures of amino acids, treat their planet and galaxy the same way the Preservers did. The Preservers most cherished belief was in the sanctuary of life and the wonder of creation. To them, it was a gift bestowed upon the blessed and the fortunate that as quickly offered, could so easily be taken away. As the Preservers revelled in their paradise and lived as one with their birthplace, they watched, waited and listened. The Betans on the third planet of their solar system gradually evolved to a humanoid form, much in the same configuration as the Preservers. The Betans lived in a similar idyllic society, although not at the same technological level as the more advanced Preservers. In the system home to the star christened 40 Eridani A, proto-Vulcanoids rapidly evolved physically, and although similar to most evolving humanoids, the only visible traits that differentiated them were their pronounced forehead, emphasised eyebrows, and pointed ears. However, there were many physiological traits that set them apart from other emerging races due to the harsh climate on their planet caused by their sun. On Andor, as the Andorians and Aenar arose from the viscous maw of multi celled amoebas, the Preservers focused on the Vulcanoids. Although their homeworld was not a paradise as such, it had been a miracle that out of such inhospitable conditions, and sulphur filled skies, that a race could be born. It was just one of many examples of how life would, could and always find a way. Against all odds, the Vulcanoids strove to survive and the Preservers started to muse that although there seemed to be a generic design across the galaxy emerging, it was laced with ironies and chaos. They watched over time as the green blood of Vulcans stained the Plains Of Gol, in conflict after bloody conflict. It was then postulated that the road to harmony wouldn’t be as easy for all species as it was for the Preservers, with their monitoring of the emerging Human species giving cause for concern. It was decided that several measures needed to be put in place. Because of detritus and debris left over from the violent formation of planets, it was only a matter of time before rocks would fall from the sky on the many worlds in their path. A deflector was constructed out of Kalmacite, and formed into the shape of a gigantic triangular like obelisk, and placed quietly on as many worlds as possible. Kalmacite was the perfect choice of material that would harmonically amplify a beam to deflect meteorites, and also create a protective shield strong enough to protect a world and its inhabitants. Also, from an aesthetic point of view, the device was placed where it would blend in with a planet’s surroundings like some ancient artefact from some bygone time. A successful test meant that the prototype obelisk would be replicated and placed across the galaxy where it was deemed necessary. As a backup plan, duplicate planets were created in secret locations across the galaxy. “We, the Primaxians, were one race of many, as the Preservers own backup plan. Our mandate was and still is to observe, to guide, and to preserve.” Some of our own lost their way, just as some of the other races were being groomed as part of the backup plan across the galaxy.” Sodak marvelled at the machines revelations and truly felt that he had sought out a new life and new civilisation, whilst discovering the missing pieces of the Preserver puzzle. Ever since the discovery of the first obelisk on Amerind during an away mission under Captain James T. Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise, more were discovered over the course of the subsequent decades and well into the 24th century. It had been rumoured that as in Kirk’s day, Earth like planets that were almost carbon copies of the home of humankind, had been discovered by deep space exploratory missions. The rumours hadn’t stopped there as discoveries were made of planets similar to Andor, Tellar, Qonos, Alpha Centauri, Vulcan, Denobula Triaxia, Betazed, and other Federation worlds. The utmost measures of secrecy had been put into place, and if anyone asked any questions, just like the sensitivity during the Genesis crisis, Federation security would issue warnings to those that the topic of discussion was taboo and not for frivolous conversation. Sodak mused though that although there were probably starships patrolling such areas where the cloned planets fell into Federation space, absolute power corrupted absolutely, and that rumours always came from a source that was closer to the truth. Manyx gripped Sodak again with his metallic hands. “You speak of the Preservers as if you know them, and are familiar with them. If that is the case, then upon the culmination of my mission and the return of my people, you must show them. You must take me to them. I have to tell them our work is done. My subterranean vessel is also capable of atmospheric flight and space travel.” Sodak relayed the evidence he knew of and the rumours he was aware of that seemed to tally with Manyx’s story. “A man of flesh and blood, not of this world, will descend from the sky, and chance upon the Guardians, whom has been touched by the gods.” Manyx seemed to be in a hypnotic trance as he seemed to stare off into the distance, whilst reciting the passage that Sodak understood was clearly something that had been spoken of throughout the ages. The drones skittered away from their workstations and disappeared behind doors that seemed to appear out of nowhere in the walls, that to Sodak clearly weren’t there before. The obelisk crackled with energy that pulsated with urgency, and was alive with more power than when Sodak had initially laid his eyes on it. Manyx looked in the direction of the looming leviathan. “The moment is upon us my Vulcan friend.”
The task of climbing the service ladders of the turboshaft was an arduous one. But as Starfleet officers, and part of training drills in a ship wide power failure, hijack, or similar event, where maintenance access routes and service ways had to be used, they were more than experienced to handle it. Commander Davenport fared a little less well than the others due to his continual respiratory problems that plagued him such as asthma. However, with years of medicinal and self control, as well as getting used to the affliction, he knew its limitations and how he could overcome them. The irony of living in a future where weather grids were created to control the elements, yet some problems that had plagues humankind for centuries had yet to be solved. There was one member of the away team who ascended the sporadically illuminated shaft that had no Starfleet training or related experience. With each grasp of a rung, Q felt his weight increase exponentially, whilst he gasped as his lungs burned with the increase in required oxygen. His arms felt like lead, but he knew he had to continue on as the alternative wasn’t even worth considering. He had failed in his existence as a god, and even though the punishment given to him by his former superiors for his continual misdeeds was to live out his life in human form, he started to think that in some twisted way, he had been given a second chance. Therefore, he couldn’t even give consideration to letting go of the rungs, and continued to ascend, although at a slower pace than the others. Q couldn’t help but wonder if the second chance he had been given was also a test.
Panels were stacked haphazardly exposing the circuitry behind the service point hatches on the bridge, as Admiral Ross worked frantically to restore emergency power. During normal ship operations, it would be considered a health and safety risk to have so many panels open and said panels scattered and stacked all over the bridge. But this was far from the normal day to day operations, and an emergency situation. Bill’s top priority was to get emergency power back online. Briefly, after being hit by the shockwave from the subspace tear, the Exodus barely survived on emergency power. Then the crew mutinied against the Admiral’s plans, which was something he had anticipated for and created a contingency plan in the unfortunate, and what he thought would be a very unlikely event. Releasing the toxic gas throughout the ship used up the last bit of power left and blew some relays in the process. As bodies lay rotting all over the dark bridge, the Exodus was officially a ghost ship. As soon as some semblance of power was restored, he vowed to open all the airlocks to vent the gas, the bodies, and anyone who had dared board the vessel. As he surmised that it was highly likely that there would be an away team aboard, his concentration slipped as a mild shock sparked onto his hand. As he rubbed the sore area, the two relays he had attached by bypassing a lot of circuit breakers and fail safes started to emit a hum, as emergency lighting restored itself on the bridge. As he slowly attempted to maneuveur from out of the access panel to stand up and survey the illuminated bridge, he was greeted by his visitors. “Admiral William Ross. Stand down and surrender the vessel.”
The NX Delta transwarp test flight preparations were going ahead as planned as the countdown neared the jump point. Gulliver monitored the engines whilst Ken concentrated on piloting and navigating the small craft. An ominous beep and red light flashed up on Gulliver’s console as he registered an imbalance in the power matrix of the transwarp core, which seemed to stabilize as soon as it had started. But the energy that had been created by the momentary instability had caused a power surge, which started to crackle through internal circuitry. Ken noticed the surge but was too late to warn Gulliver as the crackle shot out of his console, and surrounded him in a plasma charge. As he jumped out of his seat, everything seemed to slow down as he grabbed a medkit and tended to Gulliver’s burns, and stabilised him enough so he could be treated further at a hospital. The flight was aborted, and Ken piloted the ship back to the shuttlebay of the Enterprise.
Sodak’s recently acquired stoic Vulcan demeanour and reserve crumbled away in an instant as he stood before the immense Preserver obelisk. Around it tendrils of electrical energy crackled and cascaded downwards and upwards on the behemoth. As he rested his hands on the metal guard rail over the circular platform surrounding the ancient super structure, he whistled. He mused that if those who had kidnapped Delix discovered this, it wouldn’t bode well for the quadrants. He surveyed the complex and noted drones working frantically at console banks, preparing for whatever Manyx had instructed and informed them of what was to come. Sodak felt like his arms were about to be torn from his torso as Manyx displayed a surprising strength, gripped him, and pivoted him to face him. “Preserver. Did you say Preserver?! Our fathers. Our mothers. Our creators. Our gods.” Puzzled by the excitement and animation displayed by the Primaxian, Sodak continued to listen, and to try and make sense of the babbling. “I haven’t heard the mention of their names for as long as i can remember.” Manyx went on to explain in a way as if he were telling a story from the viewpoint of someone who had lived through and experienced the events. The Preservers, as far as Manyx was aware with the knowledge given to him, were the first sentient race of the Milky Way Galaxy. They were all powerful and intelligent in nature, yet alone and not satisfied with living their lives in paradise. As the galaxy took shape, and star systems with planetoids formed throughout the quadrants, the Preservers watched in awe and wonder. Their biggest concern being that would the many races leaping from their cradles of single celled basic structures of amino acids, treat their planet and galaxy the same way the Preservers did. The Preservers most cherished belief was in the sanctuary of life and the wonder of creation. To them, it was a gift bestowed upon the blessed and the fortunate that as quickly offered, could so easily be taken away. As the Preservers revelled in their paradise and lived as one with their birthplace, they watched, waited and listened. The Betans on the third planet of their solar system gradually evolved to a humanoid form, much in the same configuration as the Preservers. The Betans lived in a similar idyllic society, although not at the same technological level as the more advanced Preservers. In the system home to the star christened 40 Eridani A, proto-Vulcanoids rapidly evolved physically, and although similar to most evolving humanoids, the only visible traits that differentiated them were their pronounced forehead, emphasised eyebrows, and pointed ears. However, there were many physiological traits that set them apart from other emerging races due to the harsh climate on their planet caused by their sun. On Andor, as the Andorians and Aenar arose from the viscous maw of multi celled amoebas, the Preservers focused on the Vulcanoids. Although their homeworld was not a paradise as such, it had been a miracle that out of such inhospitable conditions, and sulphur filled skies, that a race could be born. It was just one of many examples of how life would, could and always find a way. Against all odds, the Vulcanoids strove to survive and the Preservers started to muse that although there seemed to be a generic design across the galaxy emerging, it was laced with ironies and chaos. They watched over time as the green blood of Vulcans stained the Plains Of Gol, in conflict after bloody conflict. It was then postulated that the road to harmony wouldn’t be as easy for all species as it was for the Preservers, with their monitoring of the emerging Human species giving cause for concern. It was decided that several measures needed to be put in place. Because of detritus and debris left over from the violent formation of planets, it was only a matter of time before rocks would fall from the sky on the many worlds in their path. A deflector was constructed out of Kalmacite, and formed into the shape of a gigantic triangular like obelisk, and placed quietly on as many worlds as possible. Kalmacite was the perfect choice of material that would harmonically amplify a beam to deflect meteorites, and also create a protective shield strong enough to protect a world and its inhabitants. Also, from an aesthetic point of view, the device was placed where it would blend in with a planet’s surroundings like some ancient artefact from some bygone time. A successful test meant that the prototype obelisk would be replicated and placed across the galaxy where it was deemed necessary. As a backup plan, duplicate planets were created in secret locations across the galaxy. “We, the Primaxians, were one race of many, as the Preservers own backup plan. Our mandate was and still is to observe, to guide, and to preserve.” Some of our own lost their way, just as some of the other races were being groomed as part of the backup plan across the galaxy.” Sodak marvelled at the machines revelations and truly felt that he had sought out a new life and new civilisation, whilst discovering the missing pieces of the Preserver puzzle. Ever since the discovery of the first obelisk on Amerind during an away mission under Captain James T. Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise, more were discovered over the course of the subsequent decades and well into the 24th century. It had been rumoured that as in Kirk’s day, Earth like planets that were almost carbon copies of the home of humankind, had been discovered by deep space exploratory missions. The rumours hadn’t stopped there as discoveries were made of planets similar to Andor, Tellar, Qonos, Alpha Centauri, Vulcan, Denobula Triaxia, Betazed, and other Federation worlds. The utmost measures of secrecy had been put into place, and if anyone asked any questions, just like the sensitivity during the Genesis crisis, Federation security would issue warnings to those that the topic of discussion was taboo and not for frivolous conversation. Sodak mused though that although there were probably starships patrolling such areas where the cloned planets fell into Federation space, absolute power corrupted absolutely, and that rumours always came from a source that was closer to the truth. Manyx gripped Sodak again with his metallic hands. “You speak of the Preservers as if you know them, and are familiar with them. If that is the case, then upon the culmination of my mission and the return of my people, you must show them. You must take me to them. I have to tell them our work is done. My subterranean vessel is also capable of atmospheric flight and space travel.” Sodak relayed the evidence he knew of and the rumours he was aware of that seemed to tally with Manyx’s story. “A man of flesh and blood, not of this world, will descend from the sky, and chance upon the Guardians, whom has been touched by the gods.” Manyx seemed to be in a hypnotic trance as he seemed to stare off into the distance, whilst reciting the passage that Sodak understood was clearly something that had been spoken of throughout the ages. The drones skittered away from their workstations and disappeared behind doors that seemed to appear out of nowhere in the walls, that to Sodak clearly weren’t there before. The obelisk crackled with energy that pulsated with urgency, and was alive with more power than when Sodak had initially laid his eyes on it. Manyx looked in the direction of the looming leviathan. “The moment is upon us my Vulcan friend.”
The task of climbing the service ladders of the turboshaft was an arduous one. But as Starfleet officers, and part of training drills in a ship wide power failure, hijack, or similar event, where maintenance access routes and service ways had to be used, they were more than experienced to handle it. Commander Davenport fared a little less well than the others due to his continual respiratory problems that plagued him such as asthma. However, with years of medicinal and self control, as well as getting used to the affliction, he knew its limitations and how he could overcome them. The irony of living in a future where weather grids were created to control the elements, yet some problems that had plagues humankind for centuries had yet to be solved. There was one member of the away team who ascended the sporadically illuminated shaft that had no Starfleet training or related experience. With each grasp of a rung, Q felt his weight increase exponentially, whilst he gasped as his lungs burned with the increase in required oxygen. His arms felt like lead, but he knew he had to continue on as the alternative wasn’t even worth considering. He had failed in his existence as a god, and even though the punishment given to him by his former superiors for his continual misdeeds was to live out his life in human form, he started to think that in some twisted way, he had been given a second chance. Therefore, he couldn’t even give consideration to letting go of the rungs, and continued to ascend, although at a slower pace than the others. Q couldn’t help but wonder if the second chance he had been given was also a test.
Panels were stacked haphazardly exposing the circuitry behind the service point hatches on the bridge, as Admiral Ross worked frantically to restore emergency power. During normal ship operations, it would be considered a health and safety risk to have so many panels open and said panels scattered and stacked all over the bridge. But this was far from the normal day to day operations, and an emergency situation. Bill’s top priority was to get emergency power back online. Briefly, after being hit by the shockwave from the subspace tear, the Exodus barely survived on emergency power. Then the crew mutinied against the Admiral’s plans, which was something he had anticipated for and created a contingency plan in the unfortunate, and what he thought would be a very unlikely event. Releasing the toxic gas throughout the ship used up the last bit of power left and blew some relays in the process. As bodies lay rotting all over the dark bridge, the Exodus was officially a ghost ship. As soon as some semblance of power was restored, he vowed to open all the airlocks to vent the gas, the bodies, and anyone who had dared board the vessel. As he surmised that it was highly likely that there would be an away team aboard, his concentration slipped as a mild shock sparked onto his hand. As he rubbed the sore area, the two relays he had attached by bypassing a lot of circuit breakers and fail safes started to emit a hum, as emergency lighting restored itself on the bridge. As he slowly attempted to maneuveur from out of the access panel to stand up and survey the illuminated bridge, he was greeted by his visitors. “Admiral William Ross. Stand down and surrender the vessel.”
