Discovering history
Posted on Sunday 24 October 2021 @ 15:45 by Captain Melody Jones & Commander Seklar
Mission:
First Contact
Location: Runabout Percival
Timeline: MD 3 1600
2719 words - 5.4 OF Standard Post Measure
ON:
Ensign Collins was quite nervous having been sent on a mission with two senior officers. She sat quietly at the helm, praying she wouldn't press the wrong button.
"We're approaching the innermost planet." She announced, bringing the runabout into a standard orbit so they could start scanning.
"Scanning now." Mathias was feeling a bit quiet, not really knowing why he was here. He knew that Seklar had been a chief of operations and now was Chief of Engineering. At the moment, Mathias was going to do the scans on a scientific level. Due to him having been Chief of Science officer at one time.
Seklar had taken one of the consoles to the side, opting not to take the co-pilot's seat. While qualified, he didn't consider himself to be a good enough pilot, preferring to leave that to people more qualified. "I am starting scans," he announced, "though I am at this point not certain what exactly I am looking for."
"I guess the Captain thinks we can get this star system covered in half the time... Sir" She added as she remembered she was addressing a senior officer. Something on her console caught her eye. "I'm picking up something between the orbits of the first and second planets. I can't get a clear reading at this range, the star is interfering with sensors but it reads as metallic."
The Vulcan's slender fingers danced across his console. "I am attempting to clear out interference and clean up the image for you," he announced, his eyes fixed on his data. "I can see that the object is somewhat large, possibly the same size as us... but I cannot make out anything else from my console."
"Shall I lay in an intercept course?" Colins asked.
"Please do. We need to get as close as possible to clear up our readings." Seklar nodded in approval. "Keep scanners running. The captain did order thorough scans."
"So, Commander Seklar, you are from SB50?" Mathias deciding broach the subject. "I was looking through the files of new transfers."
"That is correct," the Vulcan answered without looking up, "I was the first officer of Poseidon Station, as we called it. I was for the past three years, and prior to that I was first officer of Cheron Base, and the USS Nimitz prior to that." Finally, he turned his head to look at the man. "And now I am here."
Mathias nodded, "Definitely welcome to the crew of the USS Merlin." giving a bit of a smile. "Sounds to me like you have been having a variety of opportunities at different places. Much like me. " he looked out towards the object that was picked up, "I had been on the science team as well as operations on Starbase 308. Before was in Stellar Cartography, so this is definitely something I am enjoying, on the USS Broadsword, where I got to witness the birth of a star. That was amazing. Then onto to the USS Nimue where I became the Assistant Chief of Science. Now I am in Operations now, having transferred from science, and then to my surprise. I am also the 2nd Officer." giving a slight shrug.
"Okay so what are we looking at here again?" Mathias turned his attention back to the object.
"It appears to be our size," Seklar answered after what seemed like a long silence, "can you scan for any life signs?"
"Sensor resolution is clearing up" Collins reported as they closed in. "It's a Federation runabout!" She exclaimed when the readings were clear enough. "I Don't recognise the registry but if these readings are accurate... It's been out here almost 12 years.! I am picking up some very faint energy readings but that about it, main power and life support is off-line. We could establish an energy transfer to restore primary systems?" she suggested to Seklar.
"If there is no life support, then it is unlikely that after a decade anyone survived on that vessel," Seklar answered, almost logically. "I see no reason to restore systems, if there is no one there. Can you get us closer to it, so we can take more detailed scans without spacial interference?"
Mathias looked on as they neared that ship, definitely intrigued even more. A runabout that had been out there drifting? He wondered if there were someone still alive on there. Perhaps there was.
Collin's manoeuvred the Percival in closer. "I'm still picking up some low-level energy readings and... Wait a minute... Is that a heartbeat?" She said, scrutinizing the readout. "It's extremely slow, less than 1 beat every two minutes." She looked around "Could someone be in stasis over there?"
"Not impossible," Seklar answered, "can we transport it aboard?"
"I'd advise against beaming someone out of a stasis pod." Collins replied "I'm no doctor, but I don't think that a good idea. And if we interrupt the power to whatever keeping them alive, it may have the same results."
"I actually meant transport the entire pod over to our runabout. It must be running on an independent power source as the runabout has no power whatsoever." Seklar almost smiled, almost, at the very idea of just beaming someone out of stasis. He wasn't a first-year cadet to make that kind of mistake, was he?
Collins thought for a moment. "Sir I volunteer to go over in an EVA suit to see what the situation is and if we can transport the... stasis unit back safely. I can also retrieve any log entries to see what happened."
"Yes, please do," Seklar consented, "but you are to keep an open comm with us, and we will transport you back at the first sign of trouble. This is non-negotiable."
"You'll get no arguments from me," Collins replied as she stood and moved to the rear compartment to get her EVA suit on. Five minutes later, she was ready to go.
***Deralict Runabout***
Rose materialised in the cockpit. "Collins to Percival. I've arrived safely. I'm establishing a link to the main computer and transferring the logs to you." She said, working her tricorder.
"Acknowledged," Seklar answered, "have you found the source of our readings?"
"Standby." Rose replied as she made her way into the aft cabin. "we've got two stasis pods here but I'm only getting power reading from one of them and..... Dear God!"
She had to suppress the urge to vomit and she came face to face with the corpse of a Starfleet officer who was almost perfectly preserved.
"There's...." She took a breath to try and calm herself "There's a body over here. It looks like the power supply failed on one of the stasis units. It's a human, male, late 40's, looks like a doctor." Rose turned her attention to the other pod "This one is a Cardassian male, early twenties. The power supply on the unit is self contained, we can beam it over, then revive him I think we... we should beam over the other officer so we can identify him and give him a proper funeral."
"Acknowledged. Stand by for transport." Seklar turned to McPhee. "Please initiate transport. Prepare to revive the occupant, and transfer the deceased to the functioning pod for preservation." If there was anything to preserve at all. "What is the status of the vessel?" he then queried, "can you tell how long they have been there?"
Rose busied herself at a consol, trying to ignore the body. "I'm accessing the logs now... The last entry is dated 12 years ago! It was made by Doctor Arnold Pip and an Ensign Zirvell Khen. It says they encountered an Ion storm that disabled the craft and they were entering the stasis pods to wait for rescue." She turned to look back, adding in a quiet voice "Looks like we're a bit late."
"Not all is lost, if there is still power to one of the stasis pods we'll be able to help at least one. Transport initiating." Mathias responded, "And I suggest that we also tow that craft back to the Merlin in order to gain access to whatever is in the memory banks."
Seklar turned to watch the arrival of the pods, and Collins. "Can you revive the occupant?" he asked of her, giving McPhee a nod. "Prepare to tow the runabout back to the Merlin. I do believe we should return to the ship as soon as possible."
With her return to the Percival, Collins removed her helmet and then scanned the stairs pod again. "The power source is starting to fluctuate, probably because we moved it. I'd estimate it's going to fail in less than twenty minutes." She turned to McPhee "I think we better get him out of there." She added before heading back to the cockpit to activate the tractor beam and lay on a course back to the Merlin.
Mathias looked up once the pod was fully there, and he moved to get the lone occupant out from the stasis, monitoring the power fluctuations, then the process was definitely started to bring the man inside from unconsciousness.
It didn't take long for the young man inside to stir and open his eyes. Relief seemed to flood his face when he saw a Human male lean over the glass pane of the stasis pod. His breathing, a little fast now, probably because he was scared or concerned, the Cardassian waited for the lid to be removed so he could sit up. For a moment, he looked around then realized this runabout was more advanced than the one he'd travelled in. "Where is Doctor Pip?" he asked, his voice a little rough but still pleasant. "Who are you?"
"I am Lieutenant Mathias McPhee and I am sorry to inform you this, but Doctor Pip is no longer alive." Mathias decided to be forthright on this. "I am indeed sorry for your loss. What is your name?" his voice gentle and having a tone of comfort in it.
Tears welled up in the Cardassian's blue eyes at that news, and a look of grief crossed his features. "I am Ensign Zirvell Khen... can you tell me when or how Doctor Pip died? How long was I in stasis?" He bit his lower lip as he seemed to consider something, but he couldn't seem to think of what he wanted to ask. A confused and frustrated look crossed his features now. "What ship are you from?"
At this point, Collins re-entered from the cockpit. "Ok, we've got the other runabout in tow and I've laid in a course for the Merlin. It's going to take an hour or two at this speed I'm afraid." She stopped as she saw their new passenger. "He's awake."
"Merlin?" Zirvell's face was filled with questions as he regarded the two strange officers. Clearly, they were Starfleet but their uniforms were so different from his! "I've never heard of a Merlin..."
Rose stepped forward and spoke to him in a soft voice, hoping she wasn't overstepping her authority in the presence of two senior officers. "I'm Ensign Rose Collins. There's no easy way to say this so I'll just say it. The year is 2397. According to our readings, you've been out here almost 12 years. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. Do... Do you have any family we can contact?"
The Cardassian's face turned several shades paler grey, and he seemed to go faint at that news. "97? Twelve years?" he breathed, his hands tightening around the edge of the pod he was still sitting up in. "My father...oh he must've been so worried..." His expression turned fearful. "Captain Lukas Fredriks... he was the captain of the Britannic when I went on my assignment. Is... is he still alive? And Adele and Oliver Fredriks? My brother and sister..."
Rose offered a supportive smile. "I don't know about your siblings but, I've heard of Captain Fredriks. Yes, he's still alive. When we get back to the Merlin, I'm sure our Captain will be able to contact him. Maybe you'd like something to eat? The replicators have improved slightly in the last 12 years." She turned to Seklar "I'll stay with him if you like Commander so he's not alone. I can fill him in on anything he's missed."
Seklar nodded. "Yes ensign, please do. And please assist the poor man out of his confinement, if you would." He nodded towards the Cardassian. "Ensign Khen, welcome to the Percival. I am certain you have questions but for now your health is our priority. Please go with Ensign Collins and get yourself freshened up and something to eat."
He turned towards McPhee. "Lieutenant, please inform the Merlin that we are returning, and we are bringing a guest."
Mathias gave a nod, heading back to his seat and sent a call. "USS Merlin we have found something, someone and are headed back. Lieutenant McPhee out."
Rose assisted the young Cardassian man out of the stasis chamber, letting him put as much weight as he need to on her, leading him towards the rear compartment. She sat him down at the table before going to the replicator "What can I get you?"
Zirvell almost gagged at the very idea of solid food. "Perhaps something drinkable but nutritional," he suggested, "something light? After all, I haven't properly eaten in twelve years..." He felt very unsteady on his feet and was grateful for the assistance as he was moved aft. "How did you find us... when in twelve years apparently no-one did?"
"This star system is one of several unexplored systems that the Merlin has been ordered to chart. We're the first Starfleet vessel to do so. You must have drifted here sometime after you were put into that stasis pod." Rose replied.
She turned to the replicator and through for a moment before speaking to the computer "Two bowls of chicken soup please." She turned to him "When I was feeling down or ill, my mum always gave me chicken soup." She took the bowls out of the replicator and set one down in front of him and sat down on the seat next to him.
"Thank you." He sipped from the bowl and relished at the taste. "My father used to give us chicken soup too, whenever we were sick. My adopted father, that is... my own father had no interest in me at all. All he ever did was try to have me killed." Zirvell shrugged. "You must be surprised, to find a Cardassian in a Starfleet uniform?"
Rose shook her head "There are a few more Cardassians who have joined Starfleet since the end of the war." She then did a double-take as what he had said previously registered with her. She looked at him shocked "Your own Father tried to have you killed? What was it that you could have possibly done to warrant that?"
"My parents were both soldiers, my sisters were soldiers and I... refused to be a soldier. I never wanted to fight, I've always wanted to help people and my father wouldn't accept that. When I was about eight, my mother and sisters were killed and I was left with a father who pretty much pretended I didn't exist. When I was fifteen, he abandoned me on Lamenda III. A few months later, he tried to reclaim me, and then have me killed... I guess having a child who wants to heal is something shameful?" He shrugged. "I found an excellent role model in Captain Fredriks, my adoptive father. He encouraged me to proceed with what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a counsellor, but ultimately I found more satisfaction in being a nurse."
Mathias took over piloting the runabout, after engaging the tractor beam to tow the older runabout behind to the Merlin. "We are on our way, sir." looking over towards Seklar.
Seklar nodded in approval. "Once we return I will inform sickbay that we have a body, and a patient for her to process."
Rose offered him a supportive smile "There's nothing shameful about helping people. Nothing."
OFF:
Commander Seklar
Chief Engineer
Ensign Zirvell Khen
time-lost Nurse
pnpc Seklar
Ensign Rose Collins
Helm officer
npc Jones
●● Lieutenant Mathias McPhee
Chief Operations Officer
USS Merlin
