Distant Melody

Posted on Thu Dec 9th, 2021 @ 4:24am by Crewman Akaathaan Saarnosh & Galatea & Captain Ryan Walsh & Commander Nathan Hawkins & Commander Ash Randall & Lieutenant Commander Patricia Montgomery M.D. & Lieutenant Dylan Blake & Zoey Parker & Captain Nathan Bishop & Lieutenant Commander T'Lisha "Hawkeye" Bishara

2,065 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: 749148
Location: Starfleet One
Timeline: 2430-09-09, 08:30

Galatea stood at her workstation behind the First Officer's Chair, her fingers gently probing the control station she so frequently manned. The holographic representation of the will of the Enterprise herself, the hologram was one of the most advanced artificial intelligence networks ever created by the Federation. She was the ideal candidate to be in command of the Bridge during this mission for that very reason.

It was still odd for her to be the one in command, and she knew that it probably bothered the crew themselves. Checking the readouts on her workstation she confirmed that the away team had arrived safely on the surface, wondering to herself if anyone really cared other than her. She was doing automatic processes, but she was curious exactly what the rest of the crew was thinking.

An eerie silence had fallen upon the bridge as the crew continued to work as normal as possible considering the tension that hung in the air. Perhaps they were collectively holding their breathe waiting on tender hooks to hear from the Admiral and the away team. So far, according to the data he was receiving Commander Hawkins was relieved to note nothing ill had transpired to them. He glanced restless around the bridge disliking the situation greatly.

Zoey was still on the bridge, this was a little unusual for her. She was use to being on the lower decks. Typically she was not a bridge officer, but they needed help on the bridge, and she was more than happy to help out. Zoey noticed that Commander Hawkins was relentless with his eyes pacing back in forth to all the bridge officers, she debated about speaking up.

Ryan was filling in at security with O'Sullivan having gone on the away team. He glanced around for a moment and then returned his eyes to the station. It was quiet on the bridge, almost too quiet.

Immediately a loud, trilling alarm began to blare throughout the Bridge of Starfleet One. The lights shifted from their normal settings to the familiar red of tactical alert that had been called. Galatea looked up from her readouts for updates, "Report."

Zoey noticed from her station, that a large ship was approaching. She was trying to identify the ship, as it came in. It was her job as strategic operations officer, to know what ships were coming in. So far all she knew was it was large, but if she could determine what ship it was, she could identify it, and cross check it with the other ships in the surrounding areas.

Patricia felt the tension in her body raise as she looked around at the bridge crew. She'd come up to the bridge to use the opportunity to watch the crew at work without the Admiral's presence; she hadn't expected a flashback to a time before when the siren last rang out.

"I detect a large starship approaching us, Sir." Ryan called out. He started running diagnostic to see if he could identify who it was.

"On screen," she practically ordered herself as she approached the center of the Bridge.

Galatea watched as the alien vessel appeared on the viewscreen, a notification appearing on the display that the incoming vessel was unidentified. The ship was roughly the size of a Sovereign Class Starship, but the computers identified that they were heavily armed for a vessel their size. Sensors suggested that they had strong firepower and defensive abilities, but their maneuverability was below average. Scans detected disruptor and plasma weapons at the ready and their shields were online.

"Yellow alert," the avatar ordered as she sat in the Command Chair. "Begin efforts trying to hail the unidentified ship."

Hawkins tired from his station to follow the order: "There's no response," he shook his head with frustration.

"Ash," she looked over her shoulder, "standby to divert power to defensive systems if needed."

"Reroute of primary power, from non-essential systems, is on stand by as is reserve power." Ash responded and eyed the main view screen for a few seconds. "That is a vessel designed to shoot first and ask questions never." The chief engineer mused, quietly. "I suggest hitting it with everything we have if it comes down to it. It might not be a Borg cube but the design philosophy isn't much different." She added.

Galatea looked at Captain Bishop, "We need to notify the Admiral of what is going on. Can you see to that?'

"Yes." Bishop answered the AI, keeping his emotions in check as he tapped his combadge. "Bishop to Admiral Teagarden. "Admiral your presence is required on the bridge as we've detected an alien starship closing on our position."

Zoey's first reaction was a Romulan ship, based on the plasma based weapons signature they were detecting. She had no evidence as of yet to support that. She was waiting for the ship to be identified. She continued to try to get a registration identification on the unknown vessel.

"We're still on the surface of the Talosian planet. We've found the Keeper - the leader of the Talosian delegation and the source of the distress call heard throughout the galaxy. The Keeper is dead and the planet has been attacked. Get us out of here."

Bishop reacted instantly, "Bishop to transporter room beam the Admiral and the others from the surface of the planet. Have the Admiral transported to the bridge, the other to Sickbay to check for any injuries."

Crewman Saarnosh answered from the Transporter Room, "I'm having trouble locking on to them. There is a lot of interference."

Bishop frowned inwardly at the news. The Admiral and the others were needed onboard. "Draw power from cargo bay transporters to punch through the interference but get the away team up here!"

"I'll do my best, Sir, but I can't make any promises."

The news from the surface sent a shiver down Hawkins' spine, could this unknown vessel be the culprit of the Keeper's demise and assault on the surface?

Galatea approached the center of Starfleet One's Bridge, her synthetic eyes searching the data that was scrolling over the viewscreen detailing their approaching friend. She crossed her arms as she watched, calculating their next move. Whatever the approaching vessel was it was heavily armed for a ship its size. She had to face reality: if they did not act quickly they could potentially be facing their own destruction. The unidentified ship's weapons and shields were online, her tactical array was screaming at her as artificial intelligences processed what they were being told.

"Red alert," she reset as the lights shifted to blood red throughout the command center of the ship. "Bring shields and weapons to full readiness. Begin actively scanning the approaching enemy ship looking for tactical advantages. Implement evasive maneuvers."

"Beginning active scanning," Hawkins announced increasing the strength of their scope hoping they could find out more about this floating fortress. His brow twitched with a mixture of surprise and alarm: this beast was heavily armed, more so than he'd first anticipated and worryingly did not appear to have anything obvious they could exploit. "It has some very impressive teeth ma'am, if we went toe to toe I wouldn't want to put down a wager."

Patricia's hands tighted on the arms of her chair as the dim red lights flashed around her. She tried to follow voices as the sierns blared, trying to read responces and how people were coping with the situation.

Zoey noticed that Ryan was a little silent, she decided to step in and help out. "Aye sir, charging weapons and fortifying the hull. Shields are raised sir." Zoey called out, as she knew the shields were already going up. She was a little surprised that Captain Walsh was a little silent. She wondered what he was thinking. Was he being affected by the Talosions or was he distracted?

Ryan had been sidetracked, trying to identify the ship and glanced over at Parker and nodded at her backing him up. He almost second guessed himself but this was why there was a team assigned to the bridge.

Galatea watched as the alien vessel approached them, knowing full well that their chance of success in a tactical maneuver against it was less and less certain. When it was built the Enterprise was originally meant to be a fighter, to essentially serve as a Task Force on its own, but she was at significant risk this time. Galatea always wanted a fight, but this time she wanted anything but. If the enemy ship was able to take out the Talosians as the Admiral's team was reporting they were incredibly advanced technologically. She was responsible for everyone aboard the ship. The needs of the many clearly outweighed the needs of the few.

The hologram sighed in defeat, knowing what she had to do next. "We're in over our heads this time. We can't risk the ship for the away team. Helm," she walked toward the Flight Controller, "alter course away from the alien vessel and engage at Warp 5."

Ryan was keeping his eyes on his station, listening while he did so. He wasn't going to lax a second time.

Hawkins lifted his gaze from his station at Galatea's command with surprise. He hadn't expected the AI to retreat and leave the others stranded upon the surface. However, given the heavy armaments held by the approaching vessel he was inwardly relieved she'd accessed the situation tactically. They'd be no use in helping the Admiral or anyone if the Enterprise was destroyed or disabled - a bitter truth he could recall from the ambush on the Spock.

T'Lisha didnot need to be told as she already had the coordinates laid in and was just warping out. "Course laid in and warp 5 engaged"

"Notify the Admiral that we will return for him," the hologram confirmed as she retreated to the center seat. "As soon as we can that is."

Bishop wasn't pleased with Galatea's decision but he understood it from a tactical stand point. Plus he wasn't in charge the AI was. Repressing a sigh he tapped his combadge. "Admiral, we're withdrawing from the area. We will return for you and the rest of the away team. When we can." With that he closed the channel. "Message sent." He said simply to Galatea.

Zoey was furious. Starfleet did not abandon their people. Clearly though, they were going too. This did not settle well with her. "Orders, Commander?" Zoey tried to say in a calm voice, however her frustrations were slightly reflected in her tone towards the commander. She was still professional, but very displeased. They needed a plan beyond running away.

"Maintain course for New Vulcan while actively scanning for the unidentified vessel," The Acting Commander of Starfleet One directed after a visual survey of the Bridge. She stood firm, "We will return for the Away Team; however, I must first notify Starfleet Command regarding the vessel that we encountered beforehand to request instruction. While I care for every member of that team just as you, I will not sacrifice the many for the few. Captain, you have the Bridge until I return."

Bishop kept quiet as Galatea spoke about her current decision in regards to the Admiral and the away team. His face was a mask as she finished going to confer with Command. "Yes sir." He replied automatically as he slid into the center seat as the ship headed to New Vulcan leaving the Admiral and others behind. He hoped they would return soon and when they did that the away team was still alive.

Zoey wondered 'what in the hell', was the AI a mind reader? How did it know how she felt, and knew to respond to her fears and concerns. Or was this AI able to formulate its own feelings and emotional responses, she wondered. She continued to work her station, but deep down she was puzzled by its response.

Ryan kept track of the other Bessel. He hoped that they simply left the area so they could return to their away team but he knew that was highly unlikely. He glanced around the room, no one seemed happy. Ryan wondered how Bishop felt about their leaving the area. He would keep his thoughts to himself…for now.

T'Lisha thought to herself, 'heads are gonna roll on this one'.

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