Ready Player One

 The message flashed on the screen as Riker sat staring at the display. He had been acting Captain of the McKenzie for several years now and had long given up on either being officially transferred to the command or turning it back over to Captain Crist. The message staring him back in the face reminded him of why he had given up.

Captain Crist is being retained for a classified Starfleet mission. All other information is unavailable. Riker, J to remain acting captain until such time as he is relieved by clearance from Federation command.

“Unbelievable” Riker shouted.

Typing at the display Riker attempted to find any more information about Crist, his delays, or even long term future plans. Every inquiry was met with the same deep red capital letters.

ACCESS DENIED

Riker pounded his fist on the table and then after taking a moment to compose himself walked to the replicator.

“Bajoran sweet tea.” Riker’s fondness for the tea had grown through the years after, of all people, an old Cardassian friend of his introduced him to it.

Drink in hand Riker returned to his seat and began reading through the daily briefings and updates Starfleet sends out to all Captains. He did not read all of them every day, but this batch caught his eye quickly. Most of the reports were dry and standard reporting, but several read more like holofiction than a standard report.

Riker sat up as the words flashed across the screen. Stories of a Cadet cruise going sideways, reports of alleged planet killing devices, and then a series of criminal complaints about rogue officers who had stolen several starships. Riker thumbed through quickly before a series of names caught his eye.

Sorripto and Rogers. Both had reputations, and Sorripto’s trial for treason and his actions were high profile news, but Riker hardly thought of either as criminals. But then other names flashed across his screen. Kheren, Snytron… these were not the names of criminals. There were stories of mass resignations before ships and technology were taken from spacedock.

Riker continued to read through the reports before something in his stomach sank.

Riker raised one eyebrow and flipped between reports quickly. Numerous accounts of events, numerous different eye witnesses, yet still there appeared to be a pattern.

“Computer. Run a scan of the lexicon and verbiage of all reports related to the theft of Starfleet vessels.”

A few seconds later the computer beeped and highlights of every report was in front of him.

“Computer. Run a comparison of the present data for any direct similarities.”

“Similarities detected.” The computer responded.

“Computer. Identify all common links of language structure and lexicon.”

“There are one hundred and twenty seven identifiable overlaps and connections between displayed reports.” The computer responded after a few seconds.

“Computer. Can you identify the probability that the displayed reports were written by the same person?” Riker asked, hoping to himself he was wrong.

“There is a ninety-six percent chance the displayed reports were written by the same individual.”

Riker sank back into his chair as the realization set in. The gaps in the story and narrative elements which did not make sense now suddenly did.

“Those guys would not have gone against Federation leadership unless they had a damn good reason.” Riker thought to himself.

Whatever the reason was, Riker had now discovered that someone was trying to keep it to themselves.

“Computer bring up all available data on the missing ships and their last known and suspected locations”.

Riker watched intently as the various maps scrolled across his screen. Several of these areas corresponded to massive power and subspace fluctuations which had been seen in earlier reports. If these men were anywhere, it would be in that sector.

Riker entered a few coordinates into the console and then stood up and walked out heading towards the bridge.

The doors to the bridge opened with a woosh and Riker entered looking around at the bridge crew. Despite being a warship, the McKenzie had been on routine patrols for months and only returned to spacedock a few days ago. All work was completed and Riker and crew were now awaiting orders. The shuttle carrying Captain Crist was not going to arrive. Hurry up and wait has been much of the McKenzie’s orders for the past few years.

Riker walked over to the helm and entered the coordinates from his earlier studies.

“Helm, take us to these coordinates on my mark.”

Riker turned to head towards the Captain’s chair when the young man seated in front of him turned for inquiry. A nod from Riker told the story that all will be answered shortly.

As Riker sat in his chair he activated the communications console next to him.

“Attention all hands. This is Captain Riker. An urgent matter has been brought to my attention and I feel compelled to investigate. I know we have been in limbo these past years, but I hope I have earned enough faith for you trust me when I say what we are going to undertake is important. Understand that doing this is most likely a violation of several orders, so if you object do so now and I will note it in my logs.”

Riker paused momentarily and looked around the bridge. No one spoke up and no communications came in. Riker smiled and nodded. As he turned to sit in the captain’s chair the doors to the bridge opened and several Starfleet security personnel entered. These men were not assigned to the McKenzie, and Riker had never seen them before.

“Captain Riker, I have orders to escort you and the McKenzie back to starbase one.” Barked out the largest of the three security officers.

Stepping back slightly Riker glanced over at the helm display and noted the blinking comms tab. Whatever was at those coordinates Riker put in, something in the computer was telling Starfleet about anyone who tried to go there.

“Who am I to argue with Starfleet command” Riker said with a smile.

He walked over to the Captain’s chair and instead leaped forward and activated the site to site transporter. As he was materializing Riker saw the orange glow of a phaser. Those security officers had fired at him.

The hum of the transporter faded as Riker materialized in the shuttlepod bay. The McKenzie was a small ship, so it was not going to take anyone long to figure out where he went. Riker ran to the open bay door of the Gibbs, a type 18 shuttlepod, and activated the emergency controls. Riker could see through the window the security personnel entering the podbay just as his shuttle cleared the exit.

The sensors blared as Riker quickly entered the coordinates and warped away. Thankfully Riker and his crew spent much of their forced downtime upgrading the shuttlepods, and those extra capabilities were about to get their forced field testing.