Reunification, Part 1

Posted on Sat Oct 17th, 2020 @ 4:52am by Commodore Wilkan Targaryen

1,600 words; about a 8 minute read

“What do we have, Science Officer?” Admiral William Teagarden asked from his chair on the Bridge of the Starship Enterprise.

Deltan Lieutenant Jakali’s fingers danced rhythmically over the science station’s keyboard. She looked carefully at the readouts that were appearing on her screen, carefully crafting her response for the Admiral. It had been six hours since she first started detecting the strange energy emissions from near Vulcan and this was the strongest pulse they’d detected so far. With Enterprise only here to oversee the removal of Federation citizens due to the reunification they had to be extremely careful not antagonize the Romulan warships that were lurking nearby. She only hoped that their temporary veering off the prescribed course wouldn’t cause too many heartaches amongst the Romulans.

“Lieutenant?” the Admiral asked impatiently.

“I’ve conducted a detailed scan of the region. The emissions are consistent with a quantum singularity,” the science officer explained as she kept moving through data files. “It’s not consistent with any natural phenomenon that I’m familiar with so I’m cross referencing now.”

Lieutenant Rrawran mechanized voice, mixed with the natural howls and growls of the Rorwoor race, interrupted, “Romulan vessels use an artificial quantum singularity for power.”

“Of course you’d know that,” the ebony skinned Deltan mumbled. Regaining her composure as quickly as she could, “I can’t rule out an artificial source, but I’m certain we’d all hope for the more natural one right now than this.”

“So far all of the energy emissions seem to be detected for only a few moments before they dissipate. This one has lasted far longer and has remained stationary here. I think that’s a matter of concern, Admiral,” Commander Guri zh’Aald commented.

William nodded at the Andorian, “For me too, Exec. We’re in Romulan space at this very moment – as hard as that is to say with all these familiar stars. I think that this being a Romulan ship is the most likely result. The question is what are they up to that they’re on this set of a pattern?”

“Maybe they want to play hide and seek with us?” Their Trill helmsman joked.

“A very deadly game,” the Admiral pointed out. “This is a very risky prospect but I want to know exactly what that is. Can we lock a tractor beam on it?”

“Not without provoking the Romulans,” the Weapons Officer replied. “We may be able to flood subspace with antiprotons. That may be enough to reset their cloaking device and force them to become visible.”

“Also provoking the Romulans,” Admiral Teagarden pointed out. He had known about using the antiprotons to force the cloaking device of the potential starship to reset. It was a dangerous prospect because they may not have taken too kindly to the intrusion on their otherwise peaceful Sunday drive. The President had tasked him with protecting this process, but he had to do what he could to ensure that Federation property was not being taken from the planet. “How long will it take to create a suitable antiproton field, Ops?”

The Operations Officer turned away from his forward facing workstation to look at the Admiral. “It all depends on the size of the ship we’re trying to force to decloak and the sophistication of their emitters. If the ship operates as a phase cloak we’ll probably never get it to decloak, a standard cloak we may be able to penetrate in a few moments,” the Human/Vulcan hybrid officer answered.

With everything that had been happening in the galaxy William had initially been opposed to a Vulcan – even a quarter Vulcan like Commander Vassen – serving aboard the Enterprise at a time like this. Briefly the Admiral had thought about forcing Commander zh’Aald to double in her old position until they could find a suitable replacement. Guri had vouched for him though and William had to trust his Operations Manager to do his duty. The Admiral had to also do his and respect Mister Vassen for essentially turning his back on his own people.

“Execute.”

While they worked on carrying out the Admiral’s orders the Bridge of the Enterprise became so quiet that a pin could be heard if it fell on the carpeted floor. The situation was tense, so much so that a laser scalpel would’ve been the only thing capable of cutting through it, and everyone was on the edge of their seats to find out what was hiding. It only took a few moments before they had their answer. The Helm, Operations, Science, Security, and Tactical stations erupted into near deafening rapid alert beeps.

Lieutenant Sorla, the Helmsman, was the one who broke through to report what was going on, “Romulan vessel decloaking.”

William crossed his arms and grinned as the medium sized Romulan vessel became visible beneath the massive Starship Enterprise, the shadow of the Federation ship encompassing the entire Romulan ship. “Hail them.”

Commander Vassen pressed the control, “Channel is open. We’re receiving an automated response.”

“This is the Romulan Colony Vessel Gevius responding to call of the Federation Starship Enterprise. You are currently in violation of treaty by detaining this vessel. I ask that you release this ship immediately or face the risk of causing an interstellar incident for this act of piracy,” the robotic feminine voice informed.

“A robot ship?” William asked incredulous. “Tactical analysis.”

Beshtan was already on it, “It’s a Romulan Cenian Class passenger transport. Sensors are having trouble penetrating the ship.”

“Science officer?” Teagarden instinctively asked.

“They’re operating with a sensor reflective hull,” she answered. “Every sensor beam is being reflected back toward us. We can’t get any concrete readings.”

The Admiral looked at his Tactical Officer, “Are they armed?”

“There’s no way to tell,” the Orion answered.

His Executive Officer stepped up, “Sir, we’re in dangerous waters here and the Romulans aren’t going to take too kindly to what we’re doing.”

“You’re right,” Teagarden answered. “But we have another mandate to also ensure the safety of the Federation.” He looked at the Ops Officer, “Jam their communications.”

The hybrid officer paused a moment as he contemplated the request. The Enterprise’s Captain wondered if maybe he paused a moment too long, but he then nodded. “Emitting anti-lepton radiation.”

“The only problem is we can’t ask for help either,” said the Andorian Commander. She looked at the Strategic Operations Officer, “Where are the Bozeman and the Paris?”

“Not far,” the Tellarite reported. “They were ordered to maintain orbit of Vulcan to guard the President while we investigated this. They may not come looking for us.”

“They won’t,” Teagarden informed. “The President is their priority, not the Enterprise. Can we beam over there?”

Mikhail shook his head, “Not safely. The sensor reflective hull would scatter our transporter beam.”

“Are you sure of that?” The Admiral queried further

Most of the Bridge crew were surprised that the Admiral would ask such a brazen question and it was a little quieter than usual as the Ops Officer answered, “I am.”

“Then we do this the old fashioned way,” the Commanding Officer responded. “Helm, initiate docking maneuvers.”

“Aye Sir,” Lieutenant Sorla answered with a smile. The transport was a lot smaller than the Enterprise and it could make things a little difficult, but he liked a good challenge. He may not have been a Joined Trill, but he lived like he’d live forever with one of the slugs.

Returning to his Chair, William leaned forward as he issued orders. “I want an away team to go over then and investigate. Commander zh’Aald will lead the team and will consist of Mister Rrawran, Doctor Fula, Lieutenant Jakali, and,” he looked at Commander Vassen for a moment before continuing, “and Commander Krimik. I want three more security officers to go with you and I want to know what the hell is going on over there.”

“Sir,” Guri interrupted, “I request that Commander Vassen go with us instead of Commander Krimik. He is more familiar with computer systems and…”

“Which is why I need him here,” Teagarden concluded her sentence. “Carry out my orders and go find out what is going on over there.”

The Commander’s antennae didn’t hide her irritation at the rebuke, “And if we come under attack for our act of piracy?”

“You uphold Starfleet and the Federation’s ideals,” Teagarden ordered, “but you don’t let the Federation or its technology fall into enemy hands. Dismissed.”

As the away team boarded the turbolift William looked back at the viewscreen knowing full well that he was in murky water. Not only had he detained a Romulan Starship operating in what was now Romulan Space, he also had openly questioned the integrity of one of his own officers on the Bridge of the Enterprise no less. There was a lot riding on what happened within the next few moments, the entire Galaxy potentially, and he had to be right. The feelings of his officers, those he led, were important but not as important as maintaining the safety of the entire Federation.

“Maintain scans for Romulan ships,” Teagarden ordered as he rose from his chair. “I’ll be in my Ready Room.” He walked across the bridge toward the door to his private office. He looked back at the Bridge, his eyes flowing between the choices. He tugged on his uniform jacket and hoped he was right with his choice.

“Commander Vassen has the Bridge.”

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