58807.17-0800 - "The Kepler"

Kepler. · Vanguard

   "The Kepler"

Capt. Lea Chevalier, CO
Lt. Cmdr. Greggory Griffith, XO
Lt. T'Lol, Chief FCO
Lt. Zaje Korn, Chief of Security
Lt. Cmdr. Raikon Achaea, Chief Engineer
Lt. Jason Tanner, acting CSO (NPC)
Lt. Cmdr. Shirik Lektar, Ops Chief

Stardate: 58807.17, 08h00
Location: Bridge, USS Vanguard

***

The Vanguard dropped out of warp at the Bandari system.

"Seven planets, 2 moons. The 7th planet is broken into two pieces locked in orbit around each other," reported Lt. Tanner. 

"The trail ends at the fourth planet, captain," Shirik said. 

The view screen lit up with an image of the planet as they approached. It looked like a grey ball of cotton candy.

All sensors were aimed at the planet. "Class L," reported Tanner. "The atmosphere is composed of high concentrations of water vapor, mixed with carbon dioxide and trace amounts of other gases. It's breathable, but sensors are bouncing off the thick clouds, I can't tell you what the surface is like."

"I'm detecting a ship in orbit on the far side of the planet," said Shirik. "It could be the Kepler. Sensors aren't able to penetrate the planet's atmosphere, and it seems to be interfering with scans of the ship. We'll need to get closer to the ship to get a good scan."

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Shirik Lektar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Ops Chief Joined: February/24/2011 Location: Jacobsburg, OH Online Status: Offline Posts: 220	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shirik Lektar Report Post Quote Reply Topic: 58807.17-0800 - "The Kepler" Posted: October/09/2026 at 9:53am
	"The Kepler" Capt. Lea Chevalier, CO Lt. Cmdr. Greggory Griffith, XO Lt. T'Lol, Chief FCO Lt. Zaje Korn, Chief of Security Lt. Cmdr. Raikon Achaea, Chief Engineer Lt. Jason Tanner, acting CSO (NPC) Lt. Cmdr. Shirik Lektar, Ops Chief Stardate: 58807.17, 08h00 Location: Bridge, USS Vanguard *** The Vanguard dropped out of warp at the Bandari system. "Seven planets, 2 moons. The 7th planet is broken into two pieces locked in orbit around each other," reported Lt. Tanner. "The trail ends at the fourth planet, captain," Shirik said. The view screen lit up with an image of the planet as they approached. It looked like a grey ball of cotton candy. All sensors were aimed at the planet. "Class L," reported Tanner. "The atmosphere is composed of high concentrations of water vapor, mixed with carbon dioxide and trace amounts of other gases. It's breathable, but sensors are bouncing off the thick clouds, I can't tell you what the surface is like." "I'm detecting a ship in orbit on the far side of the planet," said Shirik. "It could be the Kepler. Sensors aren't able to penetrate the planet's atmosphere, and it seems to be interfering with scans of the ship. We'll need to get closer to the ship to get a good scan."

Greggory Griffith Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Simmer First Officer Joined: June/27/2026 Location: Orangevale, CA, USA Online Status: Offline Posts: 84	Post Options Post Reply Quote Greggory Griffith Report Post Quote Reply Posted: October/09/2026 at 11:51am
	Greggory leaned forward in his chair, looking from the viewscreen to the system display on his chair's console. "If the planet is putting off enough energy to interfere with sensors, I wouldn't recommend getting close until we've got a better idea of the situation. A quick warp pulse could put us on the other side of the system, so we could approach with the orbiting ship between us and the planet. If nothing else, getting a visual could tell us if that ship is the Kepler."
	Lt. Cmdr Greggory Griffith - XO Lt. JG "Scruffy" LeBlanc - Engineer

raikon achaea Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Simmer Chief Engineer Joined: June/28/2026 Location: barnton Online Status: Offline Posts: 52	Post Options Post Reply Quote raikon achaea Report Post Quote Reply Posted: October/09/2026 at 5:51pm
	Since dropping out of warp, the ship had enough extra auxiliary power available to redistribute. Raikon glanced over the readings on the console, thinking about what they could do with what they had available. “We could boost power to the sensors. The percentage increase might give us a better picture,” Raikon offered, looking towards the others.
	Lt. Cmdr. Raikon Achaea, Chief Engineer

Lea Chevalier Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Simmer Commanding Officer Joined: August/25/2026 Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA Online Status: Offline Posts: 42	Post Options Post Reply Quote Lea Chevalier Report Post Quote Reply Posted: October/12/2026 at 2:35am
	Léa had returned to the bridge just prior to the Vanguard’s drop from warp, retaking her place to the right of Commander Griffith on the bench that connected their two seats, a console between them acting as a buffer. She gazed ahead at the viewer as the ghostly remnants of the seventh planet appeared, and she wondered what could have wrought such devastation. The image put her on edge—more so than she had already been. In the many hours since they had set out for the Bandari system, there had been no reply to her message, and no further relevant data from the probes. The mystery of the Kepler, and whatever malady had befallen her, had proven confounding. She took a steeling breath as Lieutenant Tanner, then Commander Lektar, reported what the sensors were showing. At the mention of a ship on the far side of the planet, a silent exhale escaped her. At Griffith’s recommendation of caution, she nodded and cast him a glance for an instant—wary, but stalwart. In more than twenty years as a Starfleet officer she had met plenty of unnerving mysteries like this one, and she knew better than to let the nerves get the better of her. A brief warp pulse to reset their position seemed prudent. It would give them a better vantage from which to scan, and if things went awry the other ship would have a fractured, dead planet at its back while the Vanguard had open space behind her, and far more options. When Raikon’s suggestion followed—just as shrewd, given how little they knew—she nodded. “Very good, Commander.” Her gaze went to Shirik, to the left of the conn. “Increase power to our sensors.” A beat. “Lieutenant T’lol, set a closing course and reposition the Vanguard with a brief warp pulse. I want the detected ship just as Commander Griffith described: between the planet and us.” She glanced over her shoulder at Lieutenant Korn, a look that carried a quiet warning. There could well be a threat ahead, and if there was, the order for red alert would follow. For now, condition yellow would hold. “Take us in, Lieutenant,” she ordered T’lol at the helm. - (OOC Notes: Specifically mentioned @Greggory Griffith, @Shirik Lektar, @Raikon Achaea, @T'lol, @Zaje Korn.)
	Original character created and written by SWIFT.

Shirik Lektar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Ops Chief Joined: February/24/2011 Location: Jacobsburg, OH Online Status: Offline Posts: 220	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shirik Lektar Report Post Quote Reply Posted: October/12/2026 at 8:50am
	Shirik nodded affirmation, giving as much power as possible to the sensors. "Aye, Captain."

T'lol Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Chief Flight Controller Joined: July/19/2026 Location: UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote T'lol Report Post Quote Reply Posted: October/12/2026 at 2:04pm
	"Aye aye captain." T'lol said, before she paused for a moment, only a fraction of a hesitation before her fingers were dancing across her console again. "Going to warp within a gravity sphere poses some risks, Captain." The Vulcan stated "I will need a few moments for the calculations." The manoeuvrer itself wasn't especially difficult, a quick jump to warp speed was already an established tactical move after all, but the Picard Manoeuvrer was in a straight line, and preferably not in solar system's gravity. Not only were they going to be doing exactly that, but they would in fact be getting closer to the source of all that gravimetric disturbance. There were several variables to take into account. Rebalance the warp field... Micro adjustments to the nacelles power balance... Rotate... The helm chimed as it accepted T'lol's commands. "Engineering? Please monitor the Structural Integrity Field for hull stress as we go in... 3... 2... 1... Executing." It only lasted a few seconds. The ship thrummed as the warp engine briefly lit up, the vessel rattling with gravity's indignation as the Vanguard launched ahead, deeper into the Bandari system. T'lol's hands danced across her console with confidence as she adjusted and carefully manipulated the Warp field. These manipulations allowed the Vanguard to turn, or more accurately to crab sideways, which was a decidedly unusual feeling, however it might have been overlooked as one of the system planets grew concerningly larger in the view screen and the warp engine cut out, leaving the warp field in place. This was intentional however, as T'lol used the fading warp field to slingshot gently around the planet. When the warp field did collapse, spitting the Vanguard back out of sub-space in a flash, T'lol bled the residue momentum into a curving turn, bringing them up sharply so the gray, cotton ball looking planet of Bandari Four was directly ahead of them and somewhere in the intervening space between the USS Vanguard and the planet, was whatever had pinged the sensors. "Maneuver complete." T'lol announced in that same calm, measured and soft voice with a chime from her console.

Shirik Lektar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Ops Chief Joined: February/24/2011 Location: Jacobsburg, OH Online Status: Offline Posts: 220	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shirik Lektar Report Post Quote Reply Posted: October/12/2026 at 2:51pm
	Shirik's hands gripped the edge of her console for a moment as the unusual maneuver was executed. The view on the screen shifted with them, and there before them, between the planet Bandari and themselves, as an Oberth class vessel. Shirik's gaze was now glued to her readings. "Confirmed, Captain. That is the Kepler. I'm reading main power offline." "No power at all," chimed in Tanner, his expression turning grim. "No life support, no gravity. Internal temperature is minus one hundred degrees C... no life signs."

raikon achaea Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Simmer Chief Engineer Joined: June/28/2026 Location: barnton Online Status: Offline Posts: 52	Post Options Post Reply Quote raikon achaea Report Post Quote Reply Posted: October/12/2026 at 4:23pm
	Not the usual way of using a warp field, but the Vanguard had held together. Raikon glanced over his console, checking the readings for any signs of hull damage from the stresses the ship had been subjected to just moments ago. Satisfied that everything was holding, he listened in on the conversation between Lektar and Tanner before offering his own suggestion. "If we want to be cautious, we can always use the Kepler's prefix code to have a look around before getting any closer."
	Lt. Cmdr. Raikon Achaea, Chief Engineer

Shirik Lektar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Ops Chief Joined: February/24/2011 Location: Jacobsburg, OH Online Status: Offline Posts: 220	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shirik Lektar Report Post Quote Reply Posted: October/12/2026 at 4:31pm
	"The prefix code won't do us any good without power," Shirik pointed out. "There's nothing functioning over there at the moment."

Greggory Griffith Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Simmer First Officer Joined: June/27/2026 Location: Orangevale, CA, USA Online Status: Offline Posts: 84	Post Options Post Reply Quote Greggory Griffith Report Post Quote Reply Posted: October/12/2026 at 4:55pm
	Greggory braced for the maneuver, then watched the viewscreen as the Kepler came into clear view, lights dark and drifting in a low orbit. He pulled up the specs on Oberth-class on his personal PADD. "An Oberth is not a big ship. We have a couple options if you wanted to restore power," he began, sending his analysis to Raikon for confirmation. "We could send a small engineering team in full environmental suits to investigate and restore main power, figure out if the systems are intact or damaged beyond the crew's ability to repair before they were forced to evacuate. Alternatively, we could use the Waverider. If it were to dock directly with the Kepler, it could provide enough power to restart the fusion reactor and get the backup batteries online. Wouldn't have to risk sending anyone on board until the environmental situation was resolved." He took another look at the screen. "That being said, with no lifeforms aboard, I'd recommend holding recovery operations until we have a better idea of why they were forced to evacuate, and where they went." He looked over at Shirik and Tanner. "Any clarification from the scans of either the ship or the planet?"
	Lt. Cmdr Greggory Griffith - XO Lt. JG "Scruffy" LeBlanc - Engineer

Shirik Lektar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Ops Chief Joined: February/24/2011 Location: Jacobsburg, OH Online Status: Offline Posts: 220	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shirik Lektar Report Post Quote Reply Posted: October/12/2026 at 5:10pm
	"Nothing further from the planet," Tanner said. "There's something in the atmosphere that blocks our sensors. The atmosphere is very active, lots of motion in the clouds. Sometimes there's a break for a few seconds and I can almost get fuzzy readings from the surface, but no indications of life there, either, so far. I'll keep trying." "There is nothing alive on the Kepler," Shirik said slowly. "That doesn't necessarily mean the crew evacuated."

Greggory Griffith Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Simmer First Officer Joined: June/27/2026 Location: Orangevale, CA, USA Online Status: Offline Posts: 84	Post Options Post Reply Quote Greggory Griffith Report Post Quote Reply Posted: October/12/2026 at 5:52pm
	Greggory smiled over at Shirik. "An absence of evidence isn't evidence of absence. Until we can further identify where they're not, let's work under the assumption this is still a rescue operation. Without putting ourselves into unnecessary risk, of course. All we know is that there's no life on the ship, and an unknown state of the planet below." He turned to the Captain, "Getting emergency power online would allow us to access the internal sensors and cameras, as well. Still recommend caution until we've secured the space in orbit against any threats, but that's my recommendation once we're sure the Vanguard is safe."
	Lt. Cmdr Greggory Griffith - XO Lt. JG "Scruffy" LeBlanc - Engineer

Lea Chevalier Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Simmer Commanding Officer Joined: August/25/2026 Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA Online Status: Offline Posts: 42	Post Options Post Reply Quote Lea Chevalier Report Post Quote Reply Posted: October/13/2026 at 1:43am
	Like Shirik at Ops, Léa let one hand find a grip on the edge of her seat as Lieutenant T'lol carried out her commands and brought the ship skillfully, if abruptly, to a new position in the system with a carefully executed warp pulse. “Well done, Lieutenant,” she said, and exhaled softly after. The Vanguard was now at a halt, the viewer showing the unmistakable outline of an Oberth-class vessel against the vastness of the 4th planet. Léa felt a quickening in her pulse. The Kepler. There it was. Intact, even. But as Lektar began to confirm from the sensors, it was every bit as dead as the 7th planet they'd just seen that had left her unnerved. The revelation was a deflating one. The crew, if they were still aboard, were almost surely lost. In place of that hope, a thinner one rose: that they might have abandoned ship before the cold of space took them. As Griffith outlined a few options—some of which had already run through her own mind—she appreciated the outlook that clung to his narrative. The crew had evacuated, which meant they were alive. A narrative she adopted. “Commander Lektar, is the orbit of the Kepler stable? I do not want to risk an away team if the ship is in danger of slipping further away without a chance of recovery.” She glanced at Griffith, aware of the dangers and very much in sync with his preference to secure the space in orbit first. “I am of a mind to authorize your mission with the Maverick. If we can recover the Kepler intact, we should. But as you outlined, not before we are at least confident in the relative safety of any away team, and of the Vanguard herself.” She turned on her heel toward Lieutenant Korn and gave him a nod. “Lieutenant Korn, take us to red alert.” The threat was not immediately existential, but the shape of the situation necessitated it. If things did become dire, a Nova-class like the Vanguard would need every second it could gather in order to survive—seconds she could bank now by getting the crew to their stations and the weapons and emergency systems prepared. She turned back to Ops to hear what Lektar would report next, her hands clenched loosely into fists at her sides to steady her nerves and keep the confidence of a captain. The mission was not going to be easy, but Léa was determined to overcome it. - (OOC Notes: Specifically mentioned @Shirik Lektar, @T'lol, @Greggory Griffith, @Korn Zaje.)
	Original character created and written by SWIFT.

Shirik Lektar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Ops Chief Joined: February/24/2011 Location: Jacobsburg, OH Online Status: Offline Posts: 220	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shirik Lektar Report Post Quote Reply Posted: October/13/2026 at 10:01am
	Shirik studied the sensor data still pouring in, and did some calculations. "No, Captain. The Kepler's orbit is decaying, and calculations show it's been in decay for several days. In 6 hours it will begin to burn up in the atmosphere unless its orbit is adjusted."

Zaje Korn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Simmer Chief of Security Joined: June/30/2026 Location: York, UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 30	Post Options Post Reply Quote Zaje Korn Report Post Quote Reply Posted: October/13/2026 at 10:16am
	Zaje, nodded to the Captain "Aye Captain, Red Alert". He punched a few buttons on his console and a familiar klaxon sounded throughout the ship. "Shields and weapons systems at the ready Captain. All stations report at battle stations"
	Korn Zaje

Lea Chevalier Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Simmer Commanding Officer Joined: August/25/2026 Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA Online Status: Offline Posts: 42	Post Options Post Reply Quote Lea Chevalier Report Post Quote Reply Posted: October/13/2026 at 11:21pm
	After Shirik finished reporting on the decaying orbit of the Kepler, Léa took a breath and glanced back at the viewer. “Solutions?” she asked aloud. She had a few in mind of her own, but she wanted to give her officers the chance to make their thoughts known. She knew well that the best options sometimes came from voices other than her own. She also knew that a new captain had to make room early—to empower the people around her, and to ensure they had as much confidence in themselves as they did in her. Simultaneously, the bridge lights dimmed, a hint of crimson joining the ambience as an all-too-familiar klaxon whined. Red alert. “Thank you, Lieutenant. Please keep a keen eye on our sensors,” she advised Korn. - (OOC Notes: Specifically Mentioned @Shirk Lektar, @Zaje Korn.)
	Original character created and written by SWIFT.

raikon achaea Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Simmer Chief Engineer Joined: June/28/2026 Location: barnton Online Status: Offline Posts: 52	Post Options Post Reply Quote raikon achaea Report Post Quote Reply Posted: October/14/2026 at 3:01am
	"Until we can get a closer look, I wouldn't recommend sending personnel over just yet. I'd suggest using a tractor beam to stabilise the Kepler's orbit." Turning to face the captain, Raikon continued. "As far as we know, there's nothing on long or short-range sensors. If we're dealing with an ambush, we'll hopefully see it coming and have time to either fight or flee, unless we're dealing with a cloaked vessel." He glanced briefly at one of the nearby displays. "With shields raised, we've already bought ourselves some time to respond. Stabilize the orbit first, then gather as much information as we can before committing an away team."
	Lt. Cmdr. Raikon Achaea, Chief Engineer

Greggory Griffith Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Simmer First Officer Joined: June/27/2026 Location: Orangevale, CA, USA Online Status: Offline Posts: 84	Post Options Post Reply Quote Greggory Griffith Report Post Quote Reply Posted: October/14/2026 at 9:15am
	Greggory turned to give each member of the bridge his attention as they contributed their analysis. As Raikon finished his input, he turned to the captain. "Unless whatever the threat is came from the planet's surface. With the interference in the atmosphere, we can't eliminate the possibility." He turned to Shirik. "What's the physical state of the Kepler? Any external damage?" "if not, then there's few threats that the Vanguard would be better prepared to immediately respond to than the Maverick, but keeping us in a higher orbit could give us time to react. The Maverick should be able to use it's tractor beam to stabilize the Kepler's orbit before trying to dock." He nodded at Tanner as he continued. "Also, we can have sensors analyzing everything that happens to the Maverick. Rather than trying to piece the mystery together after the fact, we'll have real-time information on what we're dealing with."
	Lt. Cmdr Greggory Griffith - XO Lt. JG "Scruffy" LeBlanc - Engineer

Shirik Lektar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Ops Chief Joined: February/24/2011 Location: Jacobsburg, OH Online Status: Offline Posts: 220	Post Options Post Reply Quote Shirik Lektar Report Post Quote Reply Posted: October/14/2026 at 10:00am
	Shirik shook her head. "The ships seems intact, no damage to the hull anywhere. No evidence of weapons fire or decompression."

Lea Chevalier Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Simmer Commanding Officer Joined: August/25/2026 Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA Online Status: Offline Posts: 42	Post Options Post Reply Quote Lea Chevalier Report Post Quote Reply Posted: October/15/2026 at 2:31am
	Léa glanced at Commander Achaea, the first to answer her call for solutions, and gave him her full attention as he offered his analysis. When Griffith’s voice came next with an addendum, seeming to piece a strategy together, she liked what she was hearing. “Very well, then,” she said simply, having reached a decision. “Number One, assemble your team and take the Maverick.” Her eyes went back to the image of the derelict Kepler in orbit, the fourth planet behind it. “Attempt to stabilize the ship’s orbit, and then proceed to dock. The Vanguard will remain in close proximity, ready to intervene if any other ships appear, or if the situation otherwise demands it.” If the Kepler had been left as bait, even a Nova-class would fare better than its Waverider in any sort of altercation. Her XO’s instincts on the matter seemed well attuned, and she could find no immediate fault or lingering doubt in them. “Something is off here,” she said softly, more to herself than to anyone in particular. Her gaze went to Commander Griffith, the look meant to convey the caution she expected of him. “Be vigilant,” she offered last. - (OOC Notes: Specifically mentioned @Raikon Achaea, @Greggory Griffith)
	Original character created and written by SWIFT.