USS Lotus: The game is afoot..
Posted on 03/02/2016 @ 8:56pm
Edited on on 04/04/2016 @ 3:53pm
Mission:
The Stars Be My Judges
Location: USS Lotus, Ready room
Felez didn't quite make it to the head before losing his guts.
The shock of Transwarp vertigo waved though him in an instant, his already weakened system didn't cope with it at all.
After cleaning himself off he took a dose from his Felicium inhaler and sat down, and sighed.
"Computer, I need a clean uniform." he said slightly out of breath. "And thank the gods for me for deciding to allow Rogers to launch the ship."
"Unable to comply; request does not relate to established parameters," the disembodied feminine voice stated.
Computers did not pray; which in truth would seem odd, considering that all computers, being causal by virtue of their mathematical nature, could not but accept as a basic axiom the principle of the First Cause: the divine in so many organic minds. The process must simply have been ignored in programming as irrelevant to actual functionality...
He rolled up his uniform top to place in the replicator to be recycled. "Still no sense of humor i see, cancel request."
He leaned back on his bed, allowing the queasiness to slowly pass.
Was this to be his life now? treatments, physical therapy and medications? bad enough he had to leave the rehab station..
He shook his head.
No, this wasn't his wife's fault.
She needed time and he was just a burden to her recovery from the Borg collective.
Not for the first time his mind turned dark as he thought about Admiral Redding, if this was anyone fault..
He signed again, he knew that it was pointless to rehash that point, the Admiral was dead now, and whatever was left in the new Redding didn't know anything about what the Admiral did to him.. to HER, that much he was sure of.
Felez slowly got up and got redressed.
Did Star Fleet erase those memories he wondered, or just decide not to download them into the new model? he had no doubt that if he asked they would have simply said 'Classified' and gave him an apologetic look.
He ordered ice water and drank it down quickly, then did it again.
Feeling better he moved out to the bridge.
"Status report Mr Rogers?"
Noting the captain's presence on the bridge with a nod, Rogers vacated the center seat and moved right past the console to stop at the leftmost chair. Glancing once at the chronometer David answered Felez' request.
"All systems nominal captain. No sign of stress from transwarp drive. ETA to Mars, thirty hours."
With a pause to await the captain to take his chair if he so chose to, David glanced at his PADD still in hand and filled Felez in on his investigation so far.
"With a subspace link to Lotus base, I have been collaborating with station security. The Emergency Security Holoprogram concurs that a single person may have been able to commandeer the Diamond Star; Estimating a probability, under ideal conditions, of eighty-six percent success."
David scrolled through his notes some more before continuing.
"Station Tac/Sec chief, Lieutenant-Commander Ssta'elia confirms that estimate sir, but with a caveat. She says 'Ideal Conditions' would mean an absolute minimum of Utopia Planitia security personnel at the time of the theft, and also minimal traffic within the Sol system entirely."
Glancing about the bridge at the various Beta crew at the stations, David thought briefly back to his borrowing the Diamond Star. It had been near the end of a weekend at Mars, and as he had known, staff were at a minimum during his foray. But now was not the time to appear nonchalant. Rogers continued.
"I have the Utopia Planitia logs downloaded to the main computer from the time frame of twenty four hours on either side of the ship's leaving McKinley Station."
Reaching down David activated the console screen between the CO and XO seats. The McKinley security logs showed that the Diamond Star had suddenly powered up, disengaged all umbilicals, then remotely beamed out all thirty seven Delta shift night crew. Then, under impulse had swept straight out of the station and then went to warp three minutes later. David continued with the description confirmed by Utopia Planitia and Lotus security.
"Last estimated direction of the ship was bearing one hundred ten, mark twelve. Stellar cartography has mapped a twenty degree arc on that heading. Estimates of possible destination's are listed on the report."
David glanced down at his PADD, which he switched over to mirror the console graphic displayed. The arc swept out toward both Klingon and Romulan space. Listed on the chart, in a probability of destination based on population density provided by the Lotus Base Security holoprogram were, in order outward, Wolf 359; p Eridani; Taugus; Alpha Caeli; ... the list dwindled out as the cone approached the neutral zones. Numerous systems were listed in descending probability. David interjected a humorous thought about the list.
"I think the security holoprogram was designed by a Vulcan sir. The list is almost endless."
"That seems likely.. so let's start narrowing it down." he looked over the list.
"Remove all locations outside standard warp drive range in the time allotted, it would have been impossible to use Transwarp without setting off any number of long range sensors even under cloak." The transwarp field 'bubble' would have shredded any cloaking field.
"But just to be on the safe side put out a standard request to receive all Federation ship's sensor data in range at the time of the Diamond Stars theft, we might still get lucky." he mused.
"Also remove heavily patrolled systems or systems in heavy occupied space. Placing an emphasis on areas that would make good hiding places, like dead systems, nebula's or heavy radiation. Anything that might blind or hamper ships looking for it.".
He handed a PaDD to Rogers. "Oh, here are the dilithium chamber specs from the Diamond Star, the decay rate should provide you with a reasonable range she traveled at standard warp."
And held up another PaDD. "And this ones for me, The Starfleet core of engineers found residual radiation in the Diamond's bussard collectors. Apparently it spent some time gaseous anomaly, perhaps a nebula."
"I'm going to see if I can match it to anything in the data base, if you can get back to me on a possible range it would make my search easier."
Twenty nine hours later David sat on the bridge again. His engineering department heads had been consulted, the ship reports signed off and readiness to enter Sol space confirmed. As Xo, he had numerous responsibilities aboard the Lotus, and handling the crew was a chore that, although paramount to safe ship operation, took considerable more tact than he had previously realised.
Also, the suggested parameters of captain Felez had been collated and a concise report ready for the captain, who would return to the bridge shortly, as they had entered sector zero-zero-one only moments before. Nearing Sol would require security checks and confirmations, not only from the automated platforms surrounding the system but also from manned security stations scattered throughout. With a glance at the tactical screen currently displayed on the forward viewer, David glanced toward the helmsman and ordered the ship to slow.
"Helm, bring us out of transwarp. Engage standard warp one until Saturn periphery and drop to full impulse."
Glancing back to his chair console he then addressed comms.
"Comm, when we engage impulse, send standard recognition ping to the Jupiter outpost and request inner system clearance, as per standard approach protocols. Once cleared, inform helm to head to Mars."
Having set approach orders, David returned his attention to the PADD clamped to the chair arm. It contained the revised report on the Diamons Star investigation so far. With a tentative touch on the PADD's rim, David recalled the findings so far, in order to verbalise the report to captain Felez, as well as to re-affirm it in his own mind.
The intelligence logs from Utopia Planitia held relative bearing of the Lotus class vessel when it went off scans there. With the maximum warp of nine point nine eight seven plotted on that course, and assuming an unmanned, straight line flight due to no manual steerage; And accounting for stellar object collision avoidance programmed into navigation as standard, David had plotted the possible destinations within twenty four hours of the Diamond Star leaving Mars.
First would be Wolf three-five-nine, the unpopulated memorial graveyard of the infamous battle with the Borg in twenty-three sixty-seven. It was seven point five light years from Sol, and arrival there would be in point one four days. Next out for uninhabited systems along the flight line was P. Eridani at twelve point three light years, reachable in about point two three days.. Many inhabited systems encroached further out until reaching the last possible two before encroaching on the Romulan and Klingon neutral zones. Chi Leonis was too close to the Romulan neutral zone outposts, and Rho Pupis was at the Paulson Nebula, so David had actually struck it from the list of destinations. It was merely there for a placeholder to depict the flight line from Mars outward. Besides, there were no reports at star base Lotus of activity during the time line near the nebula, from neither of star base's twenty three, one five seven or three four three. Then, with the dilithium decay rate factored in to these surmises, Rogers had eliminated the farther destinations, leaving the Wolf and P. Eridani.
Glancing up around the bridge David noted the comings and goings of routine ship functions and grunted satisfaction. The ship was now approaching Jupiter and the subdued flight clearances were also routinely being handled. David noted the tactical view showed course laid in for Utopia Planitia at standard full impulse; the required speed in system. He returned his attention to the report.
The sensor data information suggested by Felez from all Federation logs during the time frame had come up with a few ... suspect? ... findings. Suspect at least to be mentioned by the ships' captains when they had submitted their reports at the request. One had crossed a strange impulse trail at Verex Three. That place was always in traffic though, as the suspected holdings of the Orion Syndicate were always under Star Fleet Security observance. This captain had noted the trail because it had come in, and left, by highly oblique angles to the system.
Another captain, the Star Base Twelve commander no less, mentioned an unidentified ship had shown up suddenly on sensors at Epsilon Ceti B II, or Risa. The ship had then left sensors before identification could be established. They suspected cloaking technology and thus attributed the unknown to either Romulan or Klingon faction's.
The only other significant trace was the return of the Diamond Star some four weeks after it's theft. The Utopia and Mars scan logs showed it's incoming vector as from above the plane of the galactic ecliptic and from the opposite direction from her initial flight vector. Mars security surmised that, given the timeline and the fact the Lotus Class was Transwarp capable, up to Transwarp Five for about twelve hours, the Diamond Star could have gone almost anywhere in the fifteen day half-time frame. Even the Andromeda galaxy was within the reach in that approximate time frame.
David shook his head at these musings from the intelligence reports. Although some of them were bang on, and he had to include them for the report, David knew that some of the facts were misleading and some were accurate. But as the thief, he also wouldn't elaborate on these facts unless pressed. One thing to be found out and charged; He had no qualms in that regard. The time his sister needed to recover and get out of Risa was what he was solely pushing for. Granted, her mysterious beam in to the hospital on Risa would naturally arrouse curiosity there, but the pleasure planet was used to unusual guests. The woman could have transported from anywhere on the planet, for all they knew. Hospitals had no need for active intelligence gathering, especially on Risa.
Looking up again, David noted the final approach was being vectored toward the Utopia Planitia fleet yards orbiting Mars. Flight control there ordered them to the dock next to the Diamond Star, as they were expected; and only a minute behind schedule. Noting this, Rogers stood and, with a tap on his comm badge summoned Felez to the bridge.
"Bridge to Captain, Sir, on final approach to Utopia Planitia."
A second or two passed without a reply and Felez entered the bridge from his ready room.
"Thank you number one, you may resume your post."
He still did not sit in the Captain chair, as Rogers had noted earlier.
"Do to the added security around the Diamond Star, no transporters are allowed, You, the good Doctor and myself will shuttle over to the Star." H
He headed over to the lift.
"Get what ever you need and meet me at the shuttlebay. We will exchange notes on the trip there. Helm, take us into mooring position but have the ship ready to cast off as soon as we return, no one is to leave the ship."
He waited for any questions or objections before entering the lift.
"Captain to sickbay; Doctor Nasaro-Myth, we are debarking by shuttle, I would like for you to join us as soon as possible."
"Horse and buggy... so great to live in the twenty-fifth century," came the grumbling reply of the Deltan. "I'll wait for you in the main barn, Sir."
If anyone overhearing the exchange didn't know of the good doctor's aversion to shuttles, that ignorance was now a thing of the past.
-Shuttlebay-
"...Well, that would be Lieutenant Mitchell, Captain." the deck commander said, looking over his PaDD. "But, Sir, he's off rotation now and..."
"I understand, but nonetheless, get him up here to be our pilot ASAP, unless you think he is incapable of performing his duties at this time?"
There wasn't even a hint of emotion in his language.
"No that I know of, Sir. Aye, Captain, I'll put in the call."
He gave a nod and headed off.
Elliago listened to the exchange and waited for the officer to move away before addressing him with a soft tone of voice.
"May I inquire why you are so insistent on this particular pilot? Not that I complain if you bring us the best, of course... But then again, this is a mere ship to ship travel we could even do in a thruster suit... Are we expecting something... difficult?"
Despite the casualness he affected, the tension at the end of the Deltan's sentence was most perceptible to one as sensitive to nuances as an Efrozian.
"Lt. Mitchell has the least reason to be joining us on this trip, as we will be discussing sensitive information in his presence I thought it best to use him to as our pilot."
He allowed his eyes to look questioning.
"Or do I seem to be taking the conspiracy possibility to seriously?"
"At this point, even I could be a suspect," the Deltan answered with a smile. "I must say you are quite thorough in this endeavor, Captain. Now i understand why you were chosen for this investigation. If anyone can find the answer to this mystery, I believe it will be you."
His sparkling purple eyes looked askance at the shuttle and he sighed.
"I just wish we could do this the easy way."
Walking back from main engineering Rogers passed through the doorway leading to the main shuttlebay, went along the short hallway and through the next doorway to emerge in the bay. Looking left then right he noted the ready lights blinking on a type 6 personnel shuttle and made his way towards it, pocketing his PADD into its holster. His hand brushed the other holster as he did so and David realized he had taken his disruptor with him. The unconscious maneuver hadn't even registered with him. On the Phoenix, he had always worn it, and it was his go-to weapon of choice when leaving the ship. But this was the Lotus, with a new captain. He hadn't even thought to check on Felez' preferences of his ship parameters concerning personal weapons choices.
Walking to the lowered rear ramp, David took a position near the Lotus' doctor, who stood beside captain Felez. Taking his PADD from its holster, he activated it and began checking the contents to make sure he had gotten all the relevant data from the Lotus and Lotus base investigation so far. The intelligence team at the Diamond Star would no doubt have additional information that they may not have shared so far outside of themselves. It was normal practice to withhold pertinent bits of information during an investigation. It allowed for cross-checking of witness statements or other data checks.
Looking up at Commander Nasaro-Myth then, David noted the apparent unease of the Deltan standing nearby. Knowing from the Phoenix of the doctor's aversion to shuttle travel, David tried unsuccessfully to repress a grin. If he himself had to undergo multiple fitness exams every time he reported to a new ship, then the good Deltan could damn well learn to trust a proven shuttle design for the short hop over to the Star. However, David could not pass up the opportunity the doctor presented to him just now.
"Can I get you a stimulant Doc?
Elliago looked at him with a sigh.
"Would you like me to check the engines first?" he shot back.
Felez made himself smile slightly before noticing Rogers sidearm.
"Lieutenant Rogers, one does not enter a secure Starfleet facility armed, especially with a non-regulation weapon."
Not being a weapon buff or a security officer, he couldn't place the weapon at a glance as it was still in it's holster.
"What is that anyway?"
David deftly smiled at the retort from his blue tinted friend and, perhaps wisely, cut off a possible banter concerning their respective fields of expertise. This two-way sparring duel had started when Rogers had first reported to Lotus Fleet and had been required; No, eventually ordered, to report for physicals. Ever since joining Star Fleet, David had been poked,prodded, scanned and even pinched. It was tedious and, in his Ferengi raised mind, non-essential after the first one. Instead, he directed his attention to captain Felez' inquirey.
"Ah ... yes, about that captain. Sorry. It is my personal sidearm. A Romulan disruptor, modified with a forced plasma beam like the Ferengi sidearms. As such, the plasma beam is traceable with standard tricorders. A ... restriction star fleet wanted, i must add."
Drawing the weapon from his holster, David reversed it and offered it to Felez.
"I prefer the pistol grip style weapon over the star fleet issue thumbs-up style weapons. It fits my hand better, draws faster, and only has two settings; Stun and kill. I should have cleared it with you first. I guess I forgot. She's been with me since I left the academy."
With only a second's hesitation, he received the weapon and looked it over before handing it back, mostly looking it over just to be polite.
"I'm sure it's an impressive weapon and I will grant you it's use for away missions or personal use. But for any function of official nature, I will require you to carry a standard sidearm."
Felez personally disliked firearms and so far has never used one in the field, but understood that men like Rogers placed great importance on personal weapons and this was proven to increase their effectiveness.
"One of my prior Captains, Neil Redding, also carried a slightly modified assault phaser on his hip, and they were taken out of circulation more than eighty years ago.. terribly inefficient."
Felez started walking to the shuttle.
"It will take a few more minutes for our pilot to join us, seeing as I likely woke him up, but we should get started."
"Oh, joy," Elliago grumbled.
He waited until the pilot arrived to board the shuttlecraft, as if wanting to be sure Felez would not change his mind... or to allow him the opportunity to do so. Or maybe it was just to diminish as much as possible the time he would spend in what he viewed as nothing less than a flying coffin. Nevertheless, he took the seat inside... nearest to the main hatch.
Following captain Felez, David took a seat nearest the front of the shuttle on the port side. Mindful of Felez' admonishment, David opened the locker under the panel between his position and the pilots seat and placed his disruptor inside, then re-sealed the compartment. With a quick glance at Lieutenant Mitchell seating himself into the left seat up front, David then looked aft and watched the rear ramp door swing up and close with a soft hiss of the cabin pressure equalizing. He politely ignored doctor Nasaro-Mtyh's seeming uneasyness as the hatch sealed them in.
With an efficient and practiced calm, Mitchell cleared the shuttle for launch and cut in the hover field antigravs, lifting the six meter vehicle off the deck. Microfusion thrusters pivoted the craft on its horizontal axis and the shuttle seemingly drifted toward the launch bay door. At that moment, the warning lights began to pulse and a level ten forcefield dropped in front of the doors. Then, with a reverberation felt slightly even inside the shuttle, the large aft bay door delatched and withdrew rapidly upward, revealing the open landing threshold behind the shuttle bay. Mitchell received final clearance from the ship and brought the microfusion thrusters to one half, and the shuttle penetrated the forcefield and entered open space for the short flight to the Planitia shipyards.
By Connora'tu Felez on 03/07/2016 @ 4:27pm
Nice post Belbuz
By Connora'tu Felez on 03/07/2016 @ 4:37pm
Great, now I can't get the 'color' function to work either.
Wont even left me click on it.
By Kheren on 03/07/2016 @ 10:36pm
I have this problem too from time to time.
By David Rogers on 03/19/2016 @ 12:42pm
sorry for taking so long. I spent most of last week studying between work and sleep and throwing this post together ... but I re-certified in Emergency First Aid, CPR Level C and AED last thursday night before work. :)
By Kheren on 03/19/2016 @ 2:49pm
well done. Your next character might be a medical officer then :P
By Connora'tu Felez on 03/21/2016 @ 4:10pm
Finally got my internet back up.. again.. sorry about that.
By Connora'tu Felez on 03/24/2016 @ 4:15pm
Internet again, Comcast business class is really starting to annoy me.
I've ordered a booster pack to increase signal range, lets hope that does it.
By Kheren on 03/28/2016 @ 1:21am
Where did you get the idea that Deltans were blue?
Illya in STTMP wasn't...
Thinking of Bolians perhaps? Or did you mean blue-collared (Science) maybe?
By David Rogers on 03/29/2016 @ 11:39pm
I was intending the Science blue. Not sure why I posted it that way. lol
Felez/Nasaro-Myth, should we start a new post for boarding the Diamond Star?
By Kheren on 04/03/2016 @ 3:01pm
yes please
By Kheren on 04/03/2016 @ 3:01pm
yes please
By David Rogers on 04/04/2016 @ 3:56pm
I've reformatted most of the post to regular font for ease of reading now. Also, I edited some of my earlier posts to better reflect the placing of us 3 outside the shuttle. I hadn't realized Lt. Mitchell was not in the shuttle earlier.
This should round out the post here, and we'll continue arrival in the next posting. :)