The Road appears

Posted on Monday 28 September 2020 @ 21:40 by Captain Melody Jones

Mission: A Whale of a problem (We're going to need a bigger boat)
Location: Runabout Pericival
Timeline: MD 4 1000
1146 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

The runabout smoothly entered into the main bay, settling down without much of a jarring sensation. "My compliments to your skill in flying, sir." Mathias said with a smile. "The landing was as gentle as a monarch butterfly, alighting upon the petal of a milkweed." He moved to retrieve his two large duffle bags, and stepped out of the runabout, with them slung over his shoulders.

"Ah... the sense of a door opening, beyond its frame a beckoning for me to step through, leading to who knows what." taking a look about his surroundings. "I am up for the challenge." his voice slightly echoing through the shuttle bay, its acoustics just perfect for this to happen.

"We'll have to see if we can find one for you," Melody called out. She had just entered the shuttle bay. She tapped her comm badge "Jones to bridge. The runabout is secure, resume previous course and speed." she walked over to him and held out her hand. "Welcome aboard the Merlin Lieutenant. I'm Commander Melody Jones, The CO."


Mathias warmly chuckled. "Greetings Commander Jones." taking her offered hand giving a firm shake. "I'm sure you already know, I am Lieutenant Mathias Keane McPhee, your new Chief of Science." he released her hand, though he gave a slight tilt of his head, as if to get a sense of her, then he smiled.

For in his mind, the image of King Arthur had come to mind, another incarnation of him in female form, perhaps she was a descendant of King Arthur. One could only wonder for so long then investigate.

"A challenge you say, Commander? Perhaps you could tell me about it?" he offered.

Melody gestured for him to follow as she headed for the door."What do you know of the probe that was sent to Earth to make contact with Humpback whales?"

They entered a turbolift and Melody spoke to the computer. "Main Bridge."

"Due to the extinction of the humpback whales, the probe was causing havoc with the Earth almost leading to its extinction. There wasn't anyone to answer the probe's enquiring song. There hadn't been any mention as to where the probe came from, as that back then and still remains, a mystery. I also remember from my reading that the probe was draining the energy from the Earth the sun being blocked from shining down upon the surface. This was due to the song the probe was singing, causing a great deal of turmoil in the ocean and creating a thick cloud cover, causing devastating storms, on a cataclysmic level." he gave a slight shudder as if seeing it in his mind's eye. "If it hadn't been for those who went back in time to retrieve the humpback whales, you and I possibly wouldn't be speaking now." Following her into the turbolift.

"Indeed Lieutenant." Melody agreed with him. "Shortly after the incident, the Constitution Class starship, USS Darwin was sent out to determine the origin of the probe and make contact with whoever created it. They disappeared without a trace. That was over 100 years ago." She paused for dramatic effect before continuing.

"3 days ago, we encountered an identical probe. This one, however, was transmitting a set of coordinates on an old Starfleet frequency. We shall arrive at those coordinates in about 2 days."

Mathias arched an eyebrow at the news of the USS Darwin, he'd not heard of the ship going out on an investigation of where the probe had come from.

"Could those coordinates be from that ship?" he queried, "If so, wonder what sort of data has been gathered, and what happened to the crew? Whatever happened, would be good, at the very least, to bring them home."

"The coordinates seemed to correspond to the trajectory of the probe, indicating its point of origin. Our mission is to make contact with whoever created these probes and also determine the fate of the Darwin and its crew. We took detailed sensor reading of the probe and also left a class 1 probe to monitor it. I'd like you to go over those readings, see if we can make any deductions from them."

The turbolift came to a stop and the doors opened. "Welcome to the bridge Lieutenant. If you'll follow me." Mellody stepped onto the bridge and headed for the ready room.

"Thank you" he remarked, Mathias followed after Melody, "I would be glad to look at the readings. And you found the place where it came from? That is indeed rather fascinating." almost rubbing his hands together in anticipation. Giving a quick glance at the bridge, mentally noting who was there, then back to the task at hand.

When they arrived in the ready room, Mathias set his duffle bags down away from the door, against a wall, in order for him to read the data Melody had for him to peruse.

Melody gestured to a seat and sat down herself behind her desk, sliding a PADD over to him. "This is everything we have so far. Something else important to note, our chief flight officer is a Mephetian. She seems to be... shall we say more sensitive to Whalesong. You may want to coordinate with her. It could be invaluable in communicating."

Sitting down in the indicated chair, Mathias pulled over the PADD and started looking at the details.

"Mephetian you say? I've not had the chance to work with one before." Looking up from the PADD for the moment. "When that can be arranged I would love to coordinate with her." a bit of a smile. "Sensitive to the Whalesong, there are those who can feel it to the very depth of their souls." turning back to the PADD to get more information.

"Commander Tillatix will be available when you're ready. I've been moved to tears by music but this.... It seemed to be deeper than that. It really affected her, the response was almost overwhelming. I'd like you to make this a priority after you've got settled in. It might be an idea to have Counsellor Miller present to keep an eye on her psychological response. I'd like you to make it a priority. We could use all the information we can get. Have a look over the information and I'd like a report first thing tomorrow morning. Your quarters are also on the PADD.

Melody stood and offered her hand once again. "I hope you find your quarters satisfactory and I look forward to hearing your thoughts Lieutenant."

Taking her hand giving it a firm shake, Mathias smiled, "I will certainly look at the information, and I will be glad to meet with her and Counselor Miller." he released her hand, picked up the PADD and shouldered his two duffle bags." I will see you in the morning." with a slight bow, he turned and left the ready room.


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