Recalled

Captain's Log

Stardate: 88723.1

Barely a week out, the Horizon has been recalled from support duty of the new colony to Starbase Lotus, Priority Code 1. This means some disaster has befallen... or is about to. Although it is pointless to speculate at this juncture, we are nevertheless on red alert as we are about to go through the Azimuth Horizon wormhole and back to Federation Space... and whatever is happening out there.

''Emerging from anomaly in sixty seconds... mark!''

''Antennae up, people.''

After the echoes of Captain Kheren's deep bass voice faded, the tension on the bridge of the USS Horizon could almost be cut with a phaser as, just as announced by helmsman Aguk Snow, the bewildering gold, orange and white swirls of the Azimuth Horizon anomaly faded to show beyond armed Federation watch stations the twinkling vista of jewel-like stars on a dark velvel immensity.

'' Recognition signal given and acknowledged by perimeter control, Sir, '' announced Counselor Lyrya from the diplomatic medical command chair at the left of the center seat, her blind eyes following her antennae towards the tall muscular Andorian sitting tense in it. ''We are free and clear to proceed.''

Kheren waited a few seconds more, expecting Aron'Son behind him to shout a warning. But the Jem'Hadar tactical chief remained silent.

Kheren didn't know if he should feel releived or worried.

''Course plotted to Starbase Lotus, Captain.''

''As you were, Mister Snow. Counselor; open a channel to the starbase.''

A few clicks and chimes told him he was in contact.

''Starbase Lotus, this is the Horizon. Requesting situation assessment and orders please.''

There was a moment of unexpected silence, then the brown, bearded face of Fleet Captain Allen Samji showed on the viewscreen, somber as if attending a funeral. His voice was clipped and hard on the speakers.

''Horizon; proceed home with all due haste. Upon arrival, you Captain and you alone will report at once to my office. Samji out.''

Everyone on the bridge looked at their commanding officer who himself barely had time to stand up to face the screen, his first question dying on his parted lips. Antennae swinging on his thick white mane like dark-blue snakes trapped in ice, he sat back slowly, not even looking at Redding, his XO on his right. It took another moment before he spoke without even moving his head.

''Head for Starbase Lotus, Maximum warp.''

''Aye Sir; ETA eight point seven hours, mark.''

As the stars stretched, flashed then streaked by peacefully on the main viewer, the tension felt before the  jump from one universe to the other did not abate in the slightest. Lyrya put her graceful alabaster hand on her commanding officer and husband's thick forearm.

''What do you think this means?''

''Nothing good.''

''Priority 1 means galactic disaster. You think this is war, or the prelude to it?''

''You read my mind.''

She blinked at him with her sightless, pupiless eyes and would have smiled if her Aenar face, like all Andorians, had the muscles to do so. The curving of her antennae did it for her.

''You know I can't; not since you have been turned into an Undine. And I wouldn't even if I could.''

He turned his face towards her, he too finally calming his cranial appendages long enough to curve them inward as his silvery eyes winked at her.

''Regardless of your sacred oath of mental privacy, you know I would not mind. It can be pretty lonely at the top sometimes... even in Starfleet.''

She turned her head towards the main viewer as if she could see it and still look at the human's face that had so briefly appeared there.

''Why did the Fleet Captain order your presence so urgently and alone? Wouldn't a war briefing mandate also to bring your XO and chief tactical officer at least?''

''It must be about something even more dire than a war or the danger of one coming.''

She jerked her delicate white face right back at him, antennae straight.

'' What could be more dire than war?''

''Not many things I can think of... and some I can not even discuss with you... or anyone else.''

He sighed, sat back in his chair and crossed his muscular arms on his wide chest, frowning so much the scar on his forehead deepened.

''But I will find out soon enough; and I do not think I am going to like it.''

Redding leaned back propping his left hand up on the armrest. "Hmm.. my money's on temporal anomaly" What with all the problems we've had of late. But if it makes you both feel any better I haven't noticed any changes." Reminding his captain then he was considered temporarily locked due to his condition.

''You might just be right about that, Number One. Although that being said, if I was Command, I would definitely want you of all people on the briefing roster.''

No one moved from his post until they saw Starbase Lotus appear on their screen several hours later. They all eyed with frowns or wide stares the huge saucer-shaped Capitol Class starbase they called home away from home; a three-miles wide disc with four huge space doors, surrounded by a thick ring doted with lights that looked delicate despite it's size compared to the bulk of the main structure. But what drew their eyes was not the starbase itself but all the ships surrounding it. Cheonghi, the six-limbed Edoan chief of ops, voiced their puzzlement with his shrill voice as they neared each vessel while on approach.

''The Phoenix, the Alsea, the McKenzie, The Spectre... even the Republic, the Pittsburg, the Wisconsin and the Aurora... and look, even the Lotus! Every ship in the fleet, active or not, has been put on standby!''

They didn't have much time to ponder what all this meant. As soon as flight control answered their hail and confirmed their approach and docking pylon, the voice of Samji was again heard on the speakers but this time with no visual transmission.

''Captain Kheren; prepare for immediate transport from your present location. Order all ship sensors and scanners to deactivate for sixty seconds. Confirm.''

The Andorian shared a frown with all his officers before nodding to science, tactical and navigation to comply, finishing with Lyrya at the bioscanners and comm station of her counselor command chair. He gave his final, deepest frown to Redding at his right as he stood up, callused hands behind his back.

''Secure from general quarters. Maintain yellow alert until further notice. You have the bridge Number One.''

Redding nodded.

"Aye Sir, good luck."

Kheren sighed.

''To all of us.''

Then he tapped his combadge.

''Starbase Lotus; energize.''

The familiar musical swirl of blue light envelopped and wisked him from the bridge of the flagship. But he did not reappear in Samji's office. Although Samji indeed was there, this was a locale he had been in only twice so far; Starbase Lotus high-security war room. It was a small amphitheater with one vault-like door, one secured hatch, one emergency transporter and an immense screen in front and many smaller ones on the side. All were silent, all were somber, like all the people in the room. None had less than four pips on his or her collar.

Of the many things he dreaded all this secretive, urgent meeting could be about, his list then shrunk and became very small indeed.

Redding activated the ship-wide com system.

"All hands, this is Commander Redding, we will be maintaining alert status until further notice, all sections report in any, I repeat, ANYTHING out of the ordinary, Bridge out."

He looked around the bridge.

"And now we wait.."