The Lonely prt 1 :- A signal from the dark.

Posted on Monday February 6th, 2023 @ 1:33pm by Lieutenant Steven Edgeware & Lieutenant Commander Niali Deval Dr & Lieutenant Commander Alaina Trywhitt-Duffy & Lieutenant Lisa Creed
Edited on on Monday February 6th, 2023 @ 1:34pm

Mission: The Lonely
Location: Shackleton Exspanse
Timeline: Current

‘ Space is cold and lonely. When you have no one to share it with ‘

[ ON ]

The Oberon moved slowly through space. With the crew back on aboard. It was time to restart her patrol of the Shackleton Expanse.

A rather nervous Edgeware sat in the center seat. As Second Officer it was his turn to be in command of the Bridge. He hoped the other officers did not notice how much his hands shook. At least Ensign McTaggard had prepared the Science labs. Plus she had finally trained that small bug-eyed monster of hers. Not to go around biting people.

His hands were just about to stop shaking. When the comms officer announced an urgent call was coming through from Starbase 364.

“ Put it through.” He said.

=/\= Greetings Oberon.=/\= said Admiral Green.

Steven recognized her immediately. She was the head of the unit searching for DS3.

=/\= Admiral Green. Long time no see…=/\=

=/\= Sorry to be rude. But I need to speak with Captain Trensu, Commander Deval, and yourself. In private.ASAP.=/\=

=/\= Would the Captains ready room be ok?=/\= He asked.

=/\= Yes.=/\ She said

Steven tapped a switch.

=/\= Captain Trensu and Commander Deval could you meet me in the Captains Ready Room. We have an urgent message from Admiral Green from Operation DS3.=/\=

-Captains Ready Room-

Niali was currently playing chess with Alina and was winning hands down. “Duty calls,” Alaina said laughing. Niali looked at her as she jumped up. “Don’t even think about putting that board away” she said as she left sickbay at a run. She jogged to the turbolift and from there ran to the bridge. She grinned at the bridge crew and entered the Captain’s ready room. “What’s going on Lieutenant?” She asked before she sat down.

“ Admiral Green from Operation DS3 wants to speak with us,” Steven said

-Ten Forward-

Trensu was in 10 forward relaxing knowing he should have been in his quarters sleeping but he felt restless. He was thinking of the planet they were on and the other ship that was assigned to go and take over the research. The Oberon had discovered quite a bit but that was not Oberon's mission anymore He heard his comm badge chirp and heard the request to go to the Captain's ready room. He tapped his badge "On my way, Trensu out."

-Captains Ready Room-

Trensu was the last one in the Captain's ready room with a coffee cup in his hand the smell of coffee filled the room. He looked at everyone there, he placed a Padd on the table and his Coffee. He turned to the viewer. "Admiral Green, as always a pleasure, Admiral," said the Captian.


--Lt Elliot's office--

Jason had planned on starting the day early, but that was interrupted by breakfast with Gen who hadn't left his side since he returned from the camping trip, after she had left for her shift he was sitting in his office, He was wrapped up in a report about a Romulan convoy that had been hijacked by an alert from one of the bridge staff that some admiral was contacting the captain about Deep space three. Jason froze slightly, his memories of that forty-Eight hours were still sketchy and he had tried to put it in the past,

-Captains Ready Room-

With the three officers assembled. Admiral green nodded. She cleared her throat and began.

=/\= Greetings Captain Trensu. Commander Deval and Lieutenant Edgeware. I am sorry Ahkhsu but there is no time for small talk I am afraid. As you know Project DS3 was set up to search for your lost station. Recently we have become very concerned over the Klingon's total denial of having anyone stationed on DS3. Starfleet security has obtained information, that they have been suspicious about Romulan activity near the Expanse. For quite a while and a rumor that the Klingon's secret observations on DS3, may have led to the disappearance of the station. This forced us to intensify our search for DS3. A number of probes were sent into the Shackleton Expanse. We recently found one floating in space. Completely drained of power. Before it’s battery finally died. It picked up an SOS signal from DS3. We want you to go into the Shackleton Expanse and investigate=/\= Green reported.

Niali stood, “where was the probe found? We will need somewhere to begin looking. Perhaps we can triangulate from the distress call and the probe's battery life? The Expanse is too large to begin to explore every inch.”

=/\= The probe was discovered floating just outside the Shackleton Expanse. Thankfully before its energy was drained. It recorded not only the SOS but also its coordinates. All the information we have is now being sent to you. However, there is one thing. As you know the Klingons have denied any knowledge of having been on DS3 when it vanished. However, we have intel that they have been covertly monitoring the Romulans. Who they believe may be up to no good in the Shackleton Expanse. We don’t believe they interfered with the probe. But could have had a hand in DS3 disappearance. So be careful. Good luck. Admiral Green out.=/\= She said cutting the link before any questions could be asked.

Steven looked at the others.

“ Typical Admiral Green. Aren’t we supposed to ask questions before she vanishes?” He asked.

Niali interrupted. “I don’t know the Admiral but we’ve been given a job, I suggest we do it. Captain, permission to input the coordinates and go to warp? I also suggest shields up With long-range sensors set for Klingon ships?” Niali felt strong, something she had not felt for a very long time.

Trensu lifted a hand in a stop motion. "Niali, lets get us underway to the coordinates. No shields needed and the scanners on passive mode. for now. We don't need to tell the whole sector where we are going." Explained Captain. Trinsu was impressed with "Niali's initiative. Trensu had a feeling about this going in blind for this mission. He knew that his crew and ship would always be ready they have proven that. But he still had an unsettling feeling.

Niali nodded, “yes Sir.”

Knowing the ship had sensors that could reach out farther than most ships in Starfleet. Trensu did not want the whole galaxy to know what we are up to.


They had found DS3. Steven could not believe it. After all this time! In his mind, He remembered standing on the Bridge of the USS Pathfinder. Staring at an empty space where the station should have been. He heard Captain Bishops' voice…

“ Where’s my station?”

Edgeware blinked and shook his head. He expected to see his old CO standing in the room. Instead, he saw Captain Trensu and Commander Duval.

“ It might also be prudent to keep an eye out for the Romulans as well. If the Tal Shiar is up to something in there. I would not like them to surprise us.” Steven said

"Lieutenant, is there something wrong you looked like you lost concentration?" asked Trensu

Steven shook his head.

“ Sorry Captain Bishop…….Trensu… I had a strange feeling. Bad memories sir, Bad memories. I’ll be ok. Might be a good idea to look over this probe data sir. If that’s ok?” Steven asked.

Trensu looked at the Lieutenant. Trensu was a little worried about the Lieutenant maybe all of this was too much. "If this persis go to sickbay or talk to the XO I need you at 100% right now. and yes study the data on the bridge at your station and let me know what you think." replied

For some reason Steven could not clear his head.

“ I think it would be best Captain……I’ll contact McTaggard.” He said tapping his comm badge.

=/\= Edgeware to McTaggard could you take over from me on the bridge please.=/\=

Steven did not even wait for her reply. He felt odd and needed to head to sickbay.

-Bridge-

Niali left the ready room and entered the bridge. She tapped her PaDD. “ Nav please input these coordinates and take us to them warp seven, sensors currently on continuous passive mode but keep a lookout. Inform me of any unexplained ships or activity in the area.”

She sat in the XO’s chair as she knew Captain Trensu would be joining her.

“Yes Sir,” said Lieutenant Benchat. Her fingers flew over the console and at once jumped seamlessly to warp.

“Keep sharp everyone,” said Niali smiling. “How long to the coordinates?” She asked.

“Three days Sir at this speed, we could cut it down to two if we increased our speed?”

“No remain at warp seven for the moment.” Niali remained in her seat watching the warping starfield part around the Oberon.

"Commander do you know what we are looking for, is it a signal or is it an object," Asked Ensign Jo Grant at Ops. I ask because at warp Seven we could run over a communications satellite and not even know it was there." Jo added.

Niali noted Ensign Grant at Ops, she smiled. “ We have a signal only, what that signal is we do not know. We have intel that it may be our missing DS3, but I understand what you are saying. Reduce speed to warp 2 and keep on keeping me smart Ensign.” The Bridge seemed on edge Niali noted. She stood and walked around encouraging the officers.

"Aye Commander, slowing to warp two." Jo said.

Trensu walked onto the Bridge. Seeing that the ship was underway already he was impressed "Full sensors on passive mode let's not tell the galaxy where we are going," Trensu ordered. Trensu knew the ship had long-range sensors the passive mode was long-range sensors for most ships.

"I want operations to record our electoral signature, I need three one-minute recordings." Then keep them ready," said Trensu sitting in the captains chair.

"Aye Captain, setting recording for three one-minute intervals. Jo said her fingers, dancing over the console.

Trensu turned to Niali and gave a reassuring smile. "Thank you for getting us underway Niali, So what do you think? go in guns blazing or more cautious approach?" asked the Captain

Niali stood and walked to the viewscreen, pursed her lips and looked out at the warping starfield around the sleek bulk of the Oberon. She turned and walked back. “As Ensign Grant has reminded me there is a sagacity in stealth.” She looked back and winked at JoAnne. “We need to use caution Captain. We do not really know what we are going to, the probe says DS3 but until we view it with our own eyes!” She stopped and sat down. “Caution Captain. That is what I advise.” She suddenly shivered as though someone had, as the old saying had it, someone had walked over her grave. She pushed the feeling away and looked at Trensu.

Ternsu Looked at Niali "I agree, and that was the right answer Niali." replied Trensu looking a little worried. Trensu could feel something coming. His mind was trying to play tricks on him it felt like. he has had some dealing with Races like Betazoids. It felt like someone was knocking at the door but not inside yet.

"Excuse me, Captain, I have something to report, I am feeling fatigued, it started about a day and a half ago, but I've noticed the closer we get to the expanse the more drained I feel, I thought you should know. I was planning on going down to sickbay after my shift and getting checked out." Jo said.

Trensu "That has been going around Ensign Grant with a few other things as well I have medical looking into it." Trensu replied. he looked up at the viewer. "Ensign Grant, run some spectral scans of the area. For this to affect the crew something has to be causing this." Trensu requested.

"Aye Captain" Jo responded.

Jo began running the spectral scan, she could scan pockets of positive radiation, pockets of negative radiation, some deckyon particles, high and low energy plasma, and swirling gasses. She could detect no life forms or any patterns of life that she knew of.

Trensu looked at the floor concentrating then smiled. "Niali you have the bridge I will be in my office'" said Trensu getting up and walking into his ready room.

“Aye Captain.” Niali replied.

Arriving on the bridge, Lisa knew that something big was happening, and having the engines tested like they were after the refit had held up quite well, but for some reason, her gut was telling her that this was not going to go well.

Niali saw the young Chief Engineer enter the bridge. “Lieutenant we don’t often see you here. How are the engines performing?”

"Well, I did have to do a complete overhaul thanks due to the last CEO," replied Lisa looking back at the XO " and only having 3 days R&R" as the team knew how complex the overhaul had been for her liking.

NiLi smiled. “We know how much work you have been doing and when this is over you need to have complete R&R.”

Ensign Grant switched to the shipwide intercom. "Senior staff report to the bridge."

Jason emerged from the turbo-lift, he felt some fatigue for some reason, so he politely smiled and went to one of the back stations on the bridge, he called up his usual selection of sensor feeds and scan preferences.

Aliana appeared on the bridge, nodded and smiled at Niali. She could see at once as she looked around the stress on the faces of the bridge crew. The tension was palpable. “Is he..” she pointed to the ready room. Niali nodded. Alaina walked over and pressed the attention chime.

The door slid open as Aliana heard "Enter" the Captain was sitting at his desk looking at her, there were some Padds on his desk.

Alina stood to attention, she had only met him a few times but had heard a lot about him. Stern but fair. She noted he was certainly handsome.”Captain, I am sorry to bother you at this time but.

Trensu looked up and said "come in" He waited until the door slid shut. "Take a seat Lieutenant Commander Alaina Trywhitt-Duffy isn't it?" Trensu ask. "I am sorry I have not really got to meet you until now" Trensu explained. He had heard she was tall and her blue eyes were like the sky back on earth Alaina is very attractive. Trensu shook his head. "Yes, I have seen some odd things do you have a reason why this is happing?" Trensu asked.

“Sickbay is full sir, I have had to sedate some that have become violent, crew members are seeing things, recalling memories and these memories are becoming real to them. You see Memories aren’t stored in just one part of the brain. Different types are stored across different, interconnected brain regions. For explicit memories – which are about events that happened to you as well as general facts and information. There are three important areas of the brain: the hippocampus, the neocortex, and the amygdala. Implicit memories, such as motor memories, rely on the basal ganglia and cerebellum. Short-term working memory relies most heavily on the prefrontal cortex. My scans show that this part of the brain is being hyper-stimulated in the crew.

Trensu thought for a moment even his mind seemed to be in a fog. "Do you know what is causing this in the crew Doctor?" asked Trensu questing his own mind. "and can you counter it?" Asked Trensu hoping for a solution to the problem. The Captain stood up and walk to the other side of the desk next to Alaina. "Thank you for the information Commander, I will have to tell the crew what is happening. or should I keep it quiet for now?" tasked Trensu.

“I think the crew should know that something is going on but as yet we do not know what. I do not think it is an infection of any kind of medical problem. For the moment I can keep it at bay in most people with neural suppression injections. Have you noticed anything going on with yourself Sir?” She asked opening her small pack containing several hypos.



-Further inside Expanse-

Years of sorrow. Years of loneliness. Years of cold. Years of silence. Now….. hope.

-Bridge-

Penny had arrived on the Bridge about the same time as Creed. Everyone around her seemed nervous. To be honest she had been feeling a bit tired. She had slept well except for a couple of rather odd dreams. Edgeware had left her some probe data to go through. But before she could look it over. Something on the scanner caught her eye. She intensified the scanning beam. As McTaggard looked at the screen she felt a wave of nausea.

“ Penny this science project is exceptionally good. Well done.”

She looked around expecting to see her old science teacher standing behind her. But how could it be? Old Mrs. McDonnell died the next day in a ground car accident. They say her head was completely ripped off.

Shaking her head Penny was about to speak up. But she gave a shudder as if someone or thing had walked over her grave.

" Do not fear my child " Said a voice in her head. Penny patted the side of her head.

Tresnu walked out of the ready room he walked to his seat and sat next to Niali. "Things I am afraid are going to get worse with the Crew and the symptoms they are feeling. We need to watch the crew numbers and make sure we have enough crew members to keep the mission going," said Trensu to Niali.

Niali nodded, Sir when do you want the Senior Staff meeting, we are all here, I think.

Trensu closed his eyes thinking "Yes this would be a good time to call them for the staff room." He said opening his eyes. " Thank you Niali " he said sounding a little tired.

" Captain. The scanners are picking up a strange signal. I have nay.....not seen this configuration before." Penny said

Jason stood up, he head was pounding from something, he quietly excused himself from the bridge and stepped into a turbo-lift ~It wasn't your fault Jason.~ Jason snapped back. "Deck seven," he called out.

"Drop out of warp one-quarter impulse speed. Full scans, Direction of strange signal?" ordered The Captian.

TBC in The Lonely prt2: Joy and fear.

[OFF]

Lieutenant Commander Ahkhsu Trensu
Commanding Officer
USS Oberon

&

Lieutenant Steven Edgeware
Second Officer/Chief Science Officer
USS Oberon

&

Lieutenant Commander Niali Deval
Executive Officer/Chief Counsellor
USS Oberon.

&

Lieutenant Commander AlainaTrywhitt-Duffy
Chief Medical Officer.
USS Oberon.

&

Lieutenant Jason Elliot
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Oberon

&

LT Lisa Creed
CEO
USS Oberon

&

Ensign Penny McTaggard
Science Officer
USS Oberon

&

Ensign JoAnn Grant
Chief Operations Officer
USS Oberon