An unusual homecoming

Posted on Tuesday 14 July 2020 @ 21:22 by Major Richard "Wolf" Johnson, Psy.D. & Captain Melody Jones

Mission: Race against the machine - Joint Mission with USS Andromeda
Location: =/\= USS Merlin, Bridge =/\=
Timeline: MD 5 1700
1010 words - 2 OF Standard Post Measure

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Wolf had left his bag on the shuttle and had hurried through the ship towards the bridge. He knew things couldn't be good after seeing the three starships chasing the planet killer. The Marine Commander paced in the small lift space until the doors opened. He took a breath and stepped off, looking around the bridge before moving to the command deck, "Captain Jones, ma'am," he greeted as he came to a stop near the centre seat.

Melody smiled at the new arrival. "Major! Welcome back on board. It's good to see you back safely. I heard you were called away on an urgent mission. I trust it was successful?"

She rose from her chair. "Come we have much to discuss. You have the bridge Number one" He told the XO before gesturing to her ready room. "Shall we?"

Wolf nodded with a smile and followed the CO into the ready room, "I would say that's an understatement, Captain. A planet killer and lots of light shows, you know how to welcome a Marine back," he said with a chuckle as he came to a stop in front of her desk, remaining standing, "and my mission was, we tracked down my son and pulled him plus a few others out of a Breen POW camp, he's back with his squadron now," Johnson added with a little pride showing on his face, "what have I missed here?"

Melody took a seat and gestured to the one opposite. "I'm glad you found him and he's ok." She poured a cup of coffee from a pot on her desk and took a deep breath. "Oh yes, we certainly know how to roll out the red carpet here. We initially responded to a distress call from a planet that was being devoured and subsequently has joined the Andromeda and the Europa in attempting to disable this planet killer. The chief engineer on the Andromeda came up with three possible solutions with dealing with it. Unfortunately, our first attempt was less than successful, hence the repairs that are ongoing. And I haven't even got to the Dark ones or an appearance by the mirror universe counterpart of the Andromeda's first officer...." she added on the end nonchalantly as she took a sip from her cup.

"Coffee?" she asked innocently, seeing if she had piqued his interest.


Richard moved to sit in the offered seat and nodded, "aye, please," he replied before shaking his head, "sounds like I keep missing the fun...who are the Dark Ones?" he asked, deciding to start with the name he hadn't heard before.

Melody poured him a cup and slid it across the desk. "That's the one we know the least about. We tried hailing the Planet Killer, to attempt to communicate with it. We figured it was worth a shot and the response we got back was from, let's say someone who wasn't exactly open to negotiation. It mentioned 'The Dark Ones' and that they would rule over us before cutting off all communication. Beyond that, we know nothing about them. Are they a race of beings? Where are they from? What exactly is their plan, besides ruling over us? How does the Cetea fit into all this? So many unanswered questions." She mused as she took another sip of coffee.

Wolf picked up the coffee and raised an eyebrow, "interesting....." he said and took a drink from the cup, "what do the mirrors have to do with all this, attempting to secure the planet killer for themselves?" he asked.

"As far as we know, there was only one mirror universe counterpart here. She had set herself up as one of the local 'Dons'. A group who run the local slave and weapons trade. She sold a large number of weapons including the Planet Killer to the Cetea. They're a group of Son'a terrorists who were not repatriated to Ba'Ku. The plan was for the Cetea to get the Planet Killer Working and then describe how they had done so in order for her to overthrow the Alliance in her own universe. She also kidnapped the first officer of the Andromeda and assumed her place for a short while."

Richard nodded, "so, just another Monday then," he joked with a smile and set the empty coffee cup down before sitting forward, "so, how can I help?" he asked.

She thought for a moment. "I suppose what we need is some insight into these Dark Ones. A clue on their psychology. What's making them tick? Do you think you could work with Counselor Miller and do a physiological profile? I know we don't have much to go on but anything would be helpful."

Johnson nodded, "I can do that," he replied, "have you tried sending a recon flight back along the planet killers course to see if there are any planets intact that might give a clue to the dark ones?" he asked.

"The Planet Killer seems to be heading straight for Ba'Ku. It seems to be only stopping to ingest planets to keep it going to its final target. Small moons and such. As far as we can tell, the only inhabited planet on its current trajectory is Ba'Ku. Now if the Dark One's are doing this, they're doing it for the Cetea but why? Have they formed some kind of alliance? Starfleet has been notified so we can assume they are trying to warn the Ba'Ku. It might be an idea to send out a squad to keep others out of its way."

Wolf nodded and quirked an eyebrow, "well now, that's interesting," he said thoughtfully, "alright, I'll get my people on alert should we be needed to run recon and then I'll get with the Counselor," he said and stood up.

Melody smiled. "It's good to have you back Major."

"It's good to be back, Captain," the Marine replied with a smile and gave Melody a brief nod before walking out onto the bridge, taking the comment as a dismissed as much as a welcome.

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