58807.15-2000 - "Arrival"

"Arrival"

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. Cerys Rowan, CSO
Lt. Cmdr. Shirik Lektar, Ops Chief

Stardate: 58807.15, 20h00
Location: Bridge, USS Vanguard

***

As the Vanguard came out of warp at the specified coordinates, Shirik powered up the viewscreen to have a look at the space around them. It looked empty and ordinary. "Nothing on sensors at the moment, Captain," she reported. "I'll continue scanning and increase the range." This could prove a good first test for the upgraded sensors, she thought.

As the hum of the warp drive cooled, Zaje watched his tactical monitor closely. He'd be **** sure nothing was going to sneak up on them. He sent a message to Lt. Bennett to ensure everyone knew their duties should the need arise. 

Zaje struggled to shake the unease he was feeling. The events leading up to his on field promotion on the USS Zeus burned into his mind. Zaje has since felt that this gave him an edge, not being caught off guard, but it also lead to a slight sense of anxiety when approaching the unknown.

"Nothing on tactical, Captain. Defensive systems primed and ready on your command."

As the the warp core wound down more power became available.

"I can boost power to the sensors if you need it Commander Shirik." Raikon called our from his station.

Shirik closed her eyes momentarily in annoyance. "Lektar." she muttered. "Any additional power would be welcome."

Raikon became aware of his mistake and felt embarrassed.

"My apologies Commander Lektar, I meant no offense."

He transferred her the power she needed to boost the sensors.

"I know," Shirik said, her expression relaxing a tad. "None taken."

Zaje raised an eyebrow at Achaea's mistake. Thankfully, the Commander let it go.

As the Commander adjusted the sensors, Zaje's console pinged an alert.

"Captain, sensors are picking up an ion trail. Heading away from our location.....bearing.......043 mark 5, towards the Bandari system. Looking at the dispersion of the trail, I'd estimate it was left no more than a week ago"

Léa, who had arrived on the bridge only a minute or so earlier, leaned forward in her starboard-offset seat, just adjacent to Commander Griffith’s on the port side. “Understood, Number Two,” she answered Commander Lektar, her decision to appoint the Drokari as second officer now apparent and all but finalized in the Vanguard’s command computer infrastructure a few hours before. Of course, Léa had delayed sending any reports to Starfleet on the matter until the last possible minute—not out of procrastination, but as a deliberate way of closing the window in which they might try to interfere.

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” she acknowledged Korn at tactical.

“I’d say we have our trail of cookie crumbs,” she said softly upon hearing Lieutenant Korn’s sensor analysis, one eyebrow rising higher than the other as she looked to Griffith on her left.

“What’s our distance to the Bandari system?” she asked, her attention shifting to the conn.

Shirik's confused look lasted only a moment as her eyebrow raised before she set about finding the requested information. "At previous speed of warp 7, approximately 36 hours, Captain." she said. 

Greggory stood on the bridge, looking at the expanse of void broken only by pinpoints of light and the amorphous swirl. "Captain, I believe Yellow Alert is warranted, since we don't know if there was an external threat to the Kepler.

"What is our distance from the nebula? I recommend sending a Class-4 or Class-8 probe, depending on distance. At best, we get some of the data the Kepler came here for. At worst, we trigger a response like what happened to the Kepler, while we maintain our distance." He turned to Lt. Zaje, knowing tactical would be responsible for launching the probes out the torpedo tubes if the captain agreed with his recommendation.

"Science: Let's get a full analysis of that trail.  Figure out how reasonably sure that's from the Kepler. Scan for debris or any fainter, older trails. Meanwhile, narrow down the list of habitable worlds between here and Bandari, using the trail as a filter." 

"We're two light years from the nebula," Shirik reported. 

At the science station, Lt. Jason Tanner looked up. "The trail matches the engine profile we have on file for an Oberth class vessel, sir, that's as close as I can get to an identification. I'm not picking up any debris. Long range scanners show no other systems between here and Bandari." 

Through the main viewscreen, Léa saw the glowing haze of the Lilac Nebula in the distance. It was the same one she had seen nearly three nights earlier aboard the Hypatia, as she was being brought to Alpha Centauri to take command of a different vessel.

In another life, or another universe, perhaps she still had.

As Commander Lektar reported from her console that at warp seven the Bandari system was about thirty-six hours away, Léa knew intuitively that put them at roughly two and a half light-years. She let her crystal-blue eyes gaze into the gaseous anomaly ahead, marveling at how it looked like an amethyst held aloft in the heavens, lit from within with a promise of wonders. It was beautiful, and for a moment she envied the Kepler and its crew for having been chosen to map such a stunning celestial body.

At least, she might have, had the Kepler been able to complete its mission.

Snapping back from that private thought, Léa raised a curious eyebrow in appraisal as her Number One so suddenly called for the crew to be beaten to quarters. Then again, perhaps the situation warranted that immediate sense of precaution, given the uncertainties surrounding it. She knew as well as anyone that an executive officer’s instincts could prove invaluable, and that ignoring them was a mistake some captains made far too often.

“Very well. Take us to yellow alert, if you would, please.” She affirmed Griffith with a nod.

A moment later she listened as Lieutenant Tanner at the sciences station confirmed the source of the detected ion trail. It matched that of an Oberth-class vessel, which almost certainly meant it belonged to the missing Kepler.

“A good lead, but we should still cover all bases, as the Commander suggests. Lieutenant Tanner, please see that a Class-4 probe is launched in the local vicinity, and that a Class-8 probe is sent on a trajectory toward the nebula. You may need assistance from Engineering..." she paused, glancing to Commander Achaea. "...in order to ensure both are set to transmit their scans via subspace; I intend for us to get to warp as soon as possible, and we cannot wait for them to be completed. Caution is admirable, but too much caution could be fatal for the crew of the Kepler.” Her gaze shifted to the Vulcan at the conn. “Lieutenant T’lol, please set a course for the Bandari system. Warp seven.” She ordered, rising from her seat.

From there, Léa allowed herself a moment to weigh the information as it had been relayed, making certain her decisions were ones she would have stood behind even if she were not the one in command.

Once she felt sure, and after a brief beat of silence, she resumed. “Commander Lektar, please coordinate with Sciences to keep our lateral sensor arrays attuned and powered as we get underway. I want to be certain we do not pass the Kepler if it never made it all the way to the Bandari system, or if something else happened to it. If we detect any shift in the ion trail, or any debris, we will drop out of warp and investigate.” She glanced at Griffith once more before looking again to the viewport and the wonder beyond it.

“Lieutenant Korn.” She addressed him next, spinning on her heel. “Continue to drill your security and tactical staff. Commander Griffith, coordinate with Lieutenant Korn if necessary. I want this ship fully prepared to defend itself if need be. If the Kepler was forced off course, or from its mission, by aggressors, we may find ourselves similarly harassed.” She drew a breath, narrowed her eyes, and adopted an almost defiant look that spoke of her determination. “Just because we are small doesn’t mean we won’t bloody a bully’s nose if they come looking for a fight.”

"Yes, ma'am," Tanner nodded, and looked to Achaea. "Engineering has to do the conversion work before I can launch anything." He knew that since the Vanguard's photon torpedoes doubled as probe casings, unless there were already some set aside for probe duty a few conversions would need to take place first. "Ready to launch on your word, Commander," he nodded to Achaea.  

"Aye, Captain," Shirik acknowledged. The extra power Achaea had provided was now focused into the lateral sensor array, picking up any little speck of a clue in their immediate vicinity. 

Greggory turned in his seat to look at Shirik and Lt Tanner. "And make sure to watch for the absence of anything, too.  Gravitational lensing, disturbances in the Kepler's ion trail, even a drop in the CMBR. We don't know whether what caused the Kepler's distress was mundane or a more exotic phenomenon, so let's keep our minds open."

Turning to Lt. Korn, he nodded with the captain's suggestion. "You've done good work putting your people through combat drills the last 36 hours. Make sure everyone who isn't on shift puts in some mandatory rest. We might need them fresh and sharp."

Greggory turned in his seat to look at Shirik and Lt Tanner. "And make sure to watch for the *absence* of anything, too.  Gravitational lensing, disturbances in the Kepler's ion trail, even a drop in the CMBR. We don't know whether what caused the Kepler's distress was mundane or a more exotic phenomenon, so let's keep our minds open."

Turning to Lt. Korn, he nodded with the captain's suggestion. "You've done good work putting your people through combat drills the last 36 hours. Make sure everyone who isn't on shift puts in some mandatory rest. We might need them fresh and sharp."

Shirik nodded, paying more attention to the actual readings now in case Tanner missed anything.  

"Aye Aye Captain, setting course Bandari system, Warp Seven." T'lol replied automatically, as her hands danced across her console with its characteristic chimes and beeps as she input the flight profile, when she was finished the console chirped. "Helm Standing By to Engage." 

Raikon turned towards Tanner.

“Due to the size of the Vanguard, our capacity to carry probes is limited. Our torpedoes can double as probes when modified. We've got a few of Types 1 through 4. We'll have to convert one to a Class Eight.”

Standing up from his console, he faced Commander Griffith.

“Permission to leave the bridge, sir.”

"Permission granted. Don't need to rush it. The type 8 will be able to cover whatever backtracking it needs to do, but let's get that type 4 out now."

Raikon nodded and walked towards the turbolift. As the doors opened, he stepped inside, tapping his comm badge.

“Wryn, Leblanc. Meet me on Deck 3, torpedo magazine.”
The doors closed in front of him. He summoned Wryn as well. Although she wasn't experienced, it would be a good lesson for her to shadow Leblanc.

A few minutes after Raikon left the bridge, a Japanese man stepped out of the lift and took up the Engineering station. The Assistant Chief Engineer, Taro Kimura. He looked over the current status of the Engineering console and prepared for anything he might need to see to in Raikon's absence.

Zaje looked up from his console and met the Captain's eyes. "Yes Captain. The team will be ready and alert should the need arise"

Zaje punched commands into his tactical console, messaging the security personal to carry out battle station drills. It'd been all his team had done for several days, but he knew they were keen to impress the new Captain

Zaje looked towards Commander Griffth "Yes sir. We'll also run battle simulations as an extra precaution. We might need to 'bloody some noses' as the Captain mentioned and I want to be sure we're ready"

Léa regarded Lieutenant Tanner with a simple nod as he confirmed her orders, and offered the same to Commander Lektar at the Ops station. The addendum from Commander Griffith a moment later seemed only to complete her orders and the steps necessary for the mission ahead. Lieutenant Korn’s account of the work he and his teams had done over the previous two days was a reassurance. Léa knew that while a Nova-class could hold its own against some opponents, it was not exactly a Sovereign among the stars, and they would need to be prepared—and crafty—should things go awry.

“I expect your best, Lieutenant Korn,” she told the Bajoran chief of security.

“Lieutenant T’lol, once Engineering has completed modifications of the two probes and they have been set underway, you may take us to warp.” Léa ordered the Vulcan at the conn.

She then retook her seat and, retrieving a PADD, began reviewing reports.

"Understood Captain, awaiting Engineering's go-ahead for Warp." T'lol replied smoothly, and continued monitoring their position for any navigational anomalies, they still didn't know what had actually happened to the other ship after all.
 She also took a moment to prepare in case engineering needed them to reposition before launching the modified probes. While she worked, her console chimed obediently in its usual cheerfulness, somewhat in contrast to the businesslike and formal Vulcan, despite the green hair. 

Greggory nodded to the Captain's orders. "Lt. Korn, go ahead and launch the type-4. Commander Achaea is already on his way to produce the type-8, so Lt. T'lol, take us to warp as soon as the first probe is away. Remember that when they report in that the type-8 is ready for launch, we'll need to accelerate to an appropriate speed so the probe will reach the nebula just as it's warp field collapses.  If you need any help with the calculations, I'm sure Lt. Commander Lektar can tell you what speed we need, based on whenever Engineering finishes."

He walked over to the Science station. "You'll be responsible for making sure the connection with the probes is solid and getting that telemetry to the labs. While your priority should be the Kepler's ion trail, tell them to have fun with the up close scans of the nebula." He put a reassuring hand on the younger officer's shoulder and nodded at him.

"Lt. Korn, make sure you or another tactical officer are observing the readings from the type-4 we're leaving behind. Report any disturbances you can't immediately identify to Science for detailed analysis. If something's following US as we follow the Kepler, I want to know about it." 

Tanner nodded. "Yes, sir." He called down to the Astrometrics lab. "Tanner to Kestal. Prepare for incoming probe data, class 4 and class 8."
"Kestal here, all ready." was the reply.

Shirik was already running the calculations as soon as Greggory spoke. 

Zaje nodded at the Commander "Aye Sir. Type-4 probe launched".

Zaje watched as the console as the probes readouts filled the screen "Probe data should be coming through now Commander. I'll keep an eye on the data. I'll also assign a security officer to attend Astrometrics as a back-up. Should anything want to surprise us, we'll be ready"

Zaje tapped his comm badge "Korn to Lt Sheva, please make your way to Astrometrics. Keep an eye on the telemetry data from the probe as a second set of eye"

After a second, Lt Sheva responded "Aye Sir, on my way" 

"Telemetry is coming in now," reported Tanner. "The probe is picking up the ion trail clearly, as well as our own. Nothing out of the ordinary showing, the standard amount of particles and radiation."

Léa listened without interrupting as the bridge settled into the work she had set in motion. T’lol’s quiet confirmation at the conn, Griffith’s clean division of labor, the Type-4 leaving the ship at last, Astrometrics standing by, Korn putting a second pair of eyes on the telemetry—it all landed as it should. When Tanner reported that the probe had the ion trail clearly, and nothing else of note beyond the ordinary scatter of particles and radiation, she allowed herself a small, private measure of relief. No surprise in their wake. Not yet. She set the PADD against her thigh and looked toward Griffith.

“The ion trail still looks like our best chance at the Kepler, Number One. We stay on it.” Her gaze shifted to the Ops station. “Commander Lektar, continue to monitor whatever Sciences sends up from the Type-4. If the trail changes—or if that probe sees anything that is not ordinary—I want it at once.”

"Aye, Captain," Shirik nodded, her eyes on the data pouring in from the probe.

"Aye Aye Commander." T'lol replied, running the numbers herself to get an idea of any course changes they would need to make on the fly for the class-8 probe's launch. Her console chimed again shortly after engineering confirmed the first probe's launch. "Helm confirming type-4 probe launch, engaging warp engines." She announced and after a moment, the characteristic hum of the warp engines coming online could be heard, before the star scape stretched out as the Vanguard leapt forward at a leisurely pace while the type 8 probe was prepared. T'lol continued to run updates on their projected route for when the next probe was ready to launch, and also took a moment to absorb the data from navigational sensors, before announcing "Navigation reports nothing unusual in range, helm standing by for type-8 probe launch." the Vulcan concluded.

The brief silence of the bridge was broken when a message came of the intercom.
"Lieutenant Tanner, This is Chief Raikon. Probe type 8 is loaded into the tube ready on your command."
The channel was closed after that.

"Acknowledged," Tanner said, looking over to Tyzur. "Type 8 probe ready for launch, sir."
"Still receiving telemetry from the Type 4. All data normal."

Greggory shifted in his chair. "T'lol, adjust speed for the type-8 delivery and launch when ready, then resume search speed."

"Should we try signaling the Kepler," he asked Lea. "On the one hand, maybe their long-range communication is disabled, but they'll still be able to respond if we're within the same system. On the other hand, if something intercepted them, our hail may draw it to us."

Zaje nodded at Tanner and pushed the launch key for the probe on his console.

"Probe away. We should receive data imminently"

Zaje looked towards Griffith. He struggled to combat his cautiousness, worried about giving any potential adversary the jump on the ship

"If I may sir, I'd suggest keeping a low profile until we can get a visual on the Kepler. I don't want to give anyone any advantage. Should there be anyone that is."

Old habits died hard for Léa as she instinctively braced for the jump to warp. Of course there was no perceptible shift in momentum as the Vanguard accelerated—the inertial dampers saw to that—but some reactions won out anyway. When the viewscreen settled into a steady stream of stars, she let the muscles in her thighs and back ease. A slight exhale escaped her as she breathed more comfortably, her eyes moving across the bridge while reports continued to come in.

Her attention shifted overhead when Commander Achaea reported that the Type-8 probe was ready for launch. The order was given promptly by her executive officer, with the addendum that they compensate for speed.

Then came Griffith’s suggestion that they attempt communication, and Zaje’s caution against it.

Léa nodded to both of them, weighing the recommendations against one another and finding that they complemented as much as they contrasted. There was room to check whether the Kepler had been disabled and was simply in need of a call—but given the uncertainty, caution was warranted. Both officers were playing their parts well, and for a moment it settled her. She felt a little more at ease in the chair. After a beat of consideration, she had a compromise.

“Caution is indeed warranted, Lieutenant Korn. But we also want to be sure that whatever has befallen the Kepler and her crew is not missed simply because we never even attempted contact.” She glanced at Griffith, then back to the forward viewer. “We can send a message on official Starfleet frequencies only, which should limit our exposure. No broadband emissions. If you would be so kind as to open a channel, Lieutenant Korn.” She stood, offering him a glance that made clear she appreciated the prudence.

Risk is sometimes part of the job if you want to wear the uniform, she thought.

When the channel opened, she began. “To the officers and crew of the USS Kepler, this is Captain Léa Chevalier of the USS Vanguard. We have been dispatched to locate and retrieve you. Please respond if you are able. Standard Starfleet security verification is requested. Code Delta.” She nodded to Zaje to end the transmission and close the channel.

The precautions were twofold. Starfleet frequencies reduced the chance of interception, and a security verification would tell them if the reply was genuine—unless those frequencies or codes had already been compromised.

At her console, Shirik studied the probe telemetry as well as kept a lookout for any response to their communication. The moments ticked by. "No response, Captain," she said. 

Léa allowed a moment of quiet to settle over the bridge after Commander Lektar reported no response to the transmission. “Understood, Commander,” she answered. “Please retransmit my message every quarter-hour until further notice.”

She glanced at Commander Griffith for an instant, then back to Lieutenant Korn.

“Just because we did not receive an immediate answer does not mean they are not out there listening.” She knew there might be reasons the Kepler and her crew could not reply so quickly. They could have been disabled. Their communications could have been damaged, or left inoperable. Or they might not have heard the first transmission at all. With the message set to repeat, that window would stay open as long as possible. Internally, though, she imagined they would not find the wayward ship—or learn what had happened to it—until they had finished homing in on the ion trail.

With an exhale, she stood. “Number One, you have the bridge. Please inform me of any new information, or if the Kepler responds to our transmission. I’ll be in my ready room.” She nodded to Griffith, then made for the port-side doors and the corridor beyond. Once inside, she crossed to the replicator. “Green tea with honey. Hot.” As the cup materialized, she looked to the viewport and the stars streaming past, and wondered for a moment.

Cup and saucer in hand, she went behind her desk and sat.