The Catalyst
Posted on Sun Jun 22nd, 2025 @ 1:58pm by Commodore Wilkan Targaryen & Lieutenant (J.G.) Rrawran & Petty Officer 2nd Class Akaathaan Saarnosh & Commander Zhora zh'Roothi & Lieutenant Commander Ash Randall & Lieutenant Commander Kuzos & Lieutenant Commander Sevek & Lieutenant Urvasi Elandorn & Lieutenant Rio Kholin MD & Lieutenant Amber Laurell & Lieutenant (J.G.) Dylan Blake & Director Aamis
4,152 words; about a 21 minute read
Mission:
Gaia
Location: U.S.S. Enterprise
Timeline: 2439-06-13, 19:00
Captain's Log, Stardate 116448.6:
Enterprise has cancelled its mission to the Iocarro System in the Yadera Sector and is on course to rendezvous with the Federation Department of Temporal Investigations vessel Nostradamus to pick up a passenger.
"I don't want to!"
Commodore Wilkan Targaryen crossed his arms and stared at his oldest child, Vezkun, as he sat on the corner of the bed pouting. When Wilkan agreed to let his children come aboard for this mission, before all the cloak and dagger with the Department of Temporal Investigations, the Enterprise was heading for a relatively minor mission to survey a planet. Now he wasn't certain what was happening, and he knew his kids could sense his unease. That was probably why they were pushing their boundaries.
"You love the arboretum," the Commodore reminded. "Petty Officer Mrabet was really looking forward to you coming to help her out today."
"Come on," Zaklim pleaded, "I really want to go!"
Vezkun countered, "Then you go help her! I want to stay here and play Toby the Targ."
Zaklim yelled "It won't be the same if you aren't there!"
"No," Vezkun replied.
"We need to honor our commitments. We said that we'd help Petty Officer Mrabet, so we need to help Petty Officer Mrabet," the Commodore explained.
Vezkun shook his head, "I didn't say I'd help in the Arboretum. You said that. I'm doing what I said I'd do and that's playing my game and wait for mom to come pick me up."
Wilkan sighed. His son made a good point. Wilkan had decided they would help in the Arboretum, not Zaklim and Vezkun. To be honest, even though he didn't get to see them all that much, he couldn't really wait for his wife to get back. Starbase 419 was hosting a diplomatic conference for a few days and Loatha was going to be highly preoccupied by it. Even though Enterprise was in the Gamma Quadrant and potentially in harms way, it was better for the kids to be out of their mother's hair. He crossed his arms, "Vez, you need to get out of this room and see the galaxy. This is a frontline explorer, and you don't get to see what we do every day."
"I get to see a frontline starbase every day," he retorted, "they're not much different."
"Can mom's starbase move?" Zaklim taunted.
Vezkun nodded, "Yep. It's got thrusters!"
"Bet it can't go to warp," Zaklim countered.
Vezkun answered, "It could if Defiant tractored it!"
"Bridge to Commodore Targaryen."
Not that he wasn't enjoying the repartee with his children, Wilkan was glad to have the interruption. "Excuse me," he said as he stepped out of his children's room. Tapping his communicator, "Targaryen here."
Rrawran's voice came from the small device, "the Nostradamus has signaled that they'll be rendezvousing with us in fifteen minutes, Sir."
"I thought that they weren't due until tomorrow morning?" The Enterprise's Captain was genuinely surprised by this new revelation.
"I'm not privy to that answer, Sir," the Rorworr explained.
Wilkan nodded, "Alright then. I'll be up. Targaryen out." He tapped his communicator and returned to his children. "I'm sorry but I've been called to the Bridge. We're going to have to postpone going to the Arboretum for now."
"NO!" Zaklim cried.
Vezkun cheered, "YAY!"
"I really am sorry, pal. Your grandmother is in the guest room if you need her. Try to have a good time at least," the Enterprise's Commander apologized as he hugged his upset child and the happy one smacked him away. "I'll be back soon," he explained before he headed off to the Bridge.
Urvasi, Lt. Elandorn, was in the 'Navigation/Helm' seat on the Bridge. Normally, she would have been in the 'Strategic Course Planning Station' in Stellar Cartography upper level on Deck 7, but with a special envoy ship meeting up with the Enterprise, she decided to be at hand for whatever the Captain may need. She checked the automated systems for station keeping and saw them executing flawlessly, so she performed a reckoning check against the nearest way-points to verify on course and rendezvous. She decided to discreetly request from sciences a deep scan using the special deep space sensors just to make sure the way early incoming vessel, due in 15 minutes, wasn't a ruse and that the actual one was still at the correct incoming time. Her tail was moving in a clipped, determined way that flowed with her current thought processes.
Sitting in the center chair, currently in command of the ship, the Vulcan saw the request come in. It was curious to him why the Lieutenant hadn't come over and request it from him. Moving to the science station, he opened up the screen, he ran the scan of the designated area. The scan was going to take a few minutes, so Sevek continued his other tasks that he had continued. The pop up on one of the screens drew his attention and saw the results. Transferring the results to a PADD, he rose from his seat and moved towards helm station. Approaching the station, "Lieutenant." He said in a low tone, "I have the scan that you requested." Sevek's voice was in his usual emotionless tone.
Urvasi glanced up at the Science officer, grateful he came discreetly to her with the scans. She replied, "Thank you, Commander Sevek, for this information. I was worried about a ruse, but these scans show the vessel is actually early. We can trust the incoming vessels IFF with its presentation of itself. I look forward to further interaction with Sciences for other unusual circumstances. May our interactions always support the mission and its people," she completed. Then, she realized, she never said why. Her whiskers, tail, and ears all focused upon Sevek, then returned to their seemingly lazy motions. She continued, "My first assignment was on an Akira Class Battlecruiser, and so any unusual time anomaly means subterfuge by the enemy. I was just making sure that the incoming was true, which you provided. Thank you."
Sevek nodded as he returned to the center chair, where he was currently stationed.
Standing at the Tactical console, Lieutenant Rrawran was pretending not to be listening to the others around him on the Bridge of the Enterprise, while he was fully engaged with them. It wasn't that he was bored at the Tactical console, rather he knew that anything that happened on the Bridge could quickly descend into a situation that threatened the Enterprise and her crew. He wasn't the Chief of Security or the Chief Tactical Officer, but he knew they relied on his judgement and he wasn't about to let them down. Still, he hoped for a mission without conflict. So far they had done relatively well without having to use their phasers on a mission and he hoped that luck held.
In her office Amber was updating the personnel files of her latest patients, it was all very well taking notes on counselling sessions it was the time it took to transfer all those notes to each file later on. Wrapping up the last of the updates she smiled as she looked at the picture of herself and Josh, behind which stood a vase of flowers he’d given her. They’d been seeing each other for a couple of months now, and she was happier than she had been in some time. They’d had plans for the end of shift so she just hoped nothing cropped up to spoil those plans.
Storing away her pile of PaDDs she checked her appointment schedule with a gap it gave her time to head to the bridge, that was one of the plus points of being a member of the Senior Staff and she wasn’t one to waste the opportunity.
Kuzos was in his quarters when the call came in for him to report to the bridge. He sighed and wondered what was so important that his presence was required. Knowing he would not get any answers here in his quarters, he looked over his uniform and was satisficed it past what was the human term? Oh yes! He remembered, past mustard. With that thought he headed for the bridge, hoping to get answers and knowing his presence would be a source of annoyance to Commander zh'Roothi.
Ash stood amidst the cobbles of her, Big Sur November Break, simulation and contemplated why she enjoyed this surf simulation so much. It was cold, windy, raining and the surf was like paddling into a front loader clothes washer of 20th century Earth. It was, utterly, utterly, miserable and, most times, the engineer, never even paddled out, because conditions were so terrible. Ash rarely scheduled more than an hour and, in the real world, it was possible to sit, watch and wait all day without ever catching a ride so, the one in ten times she did manage to catch a wave in the simulation was about right and, each time, it was one oof the most challenging rides anyone could possibly ask for. On this day a ride was not to be and Ash knew it but was still hanging in there for the last few minutes of her time, just in case. Ever the optimist, that was Ash. An audio queue, that only Ash and, perhaps, two others on board could hope to hear, informed the Engineering Chief that she was being summoned to the bridge. The felinoid shrugged and regarded the, churning, slate gray water and matching clouds and overcast and smiled. "Next time." She said, turned to leave and called out 'Arch' to exit.
While the Commodore's children had been forced to cancel their time with Petty Officer Mrabet in the arboretum Commander zh'Roothi had been working alongside the young woman, aiding her in collecting samples and accessing the habitat as the ship continued on its journey through the Gamma Quadrant.
The Petty Officer headed towards the tropical house on the far side of the arboretum to continue her research leaving the XO behind in the dappled shade, aware the heat of the glasshouse would be uncomfortable for her. Beside, the Andorian appeared rather content complete with mud stains and data pads galore in the quietness of the open space.
Indeed she was, or at least had been before the automated signal came in to report to the bridge.
Entering the Bridge through the aft turbolift, Commodore Wilkan Targaryen let the view wash over him for a moment before stepping into the room. The Bridge of the Enterprise had always felt alive to him and this was no exception. Taking a deep breath, he exited the turbolift and walked down the small ramp toward the center seat, seeing Commander Sevek sitting in the chair.
"I have the Bridge, Commander," Wilkan greeted the Chief Science Officer.
Standing from the chair the Vulcan nodded at the CO. "Yes sir." Sevek then moved to his usual station at the science station. Taking a seat he signed in and opened up the most recent information that he deducted would be needed.
Standing next to his chair, Wilkan looked at the Tactical Station, "Do we have a visual on the Nostradamus, Lieutenant?"
"They're dropping out of warp now, Sir," the furry alien answered as he typed on the console.
"On screen," Targaryen ordered as he turned back toward the viewer. On the screen the T'Kumbra Class Light Cruiser Nostradamus slowed from its top speed before their very eyes, entering into position not too far off of the Enterprise's forward bow. Designed at Vulcan, many called the T'Kumbra a "pocket nebula" because it shared many of the same design features as the older Nebula Class, only half its size. Wilkan could see it, having been in Starfleet long enough that he saw the rise and fall of the Nebula Class first hand. A handful were still in service, but they were largely supplanted by the Sutherland Class and now the T'Kumbra.
Stepping out of the turbolift Amber paused long enough to get a look at the ship onscreen before walking across to her seat and sitting down.
Taking his Captain's Chair, "Please open a channel, Mister Blake."
"Yes," Blake glanced over this shoulder having not heard the Commodore arrive on the Bridge having been fascinated by the approaching vessel. "Yes, sir. Channel open."
"Starship Nostradamus this is the Starship Enterprise calling, Commodore Wilkan Targaryen in command," the Commanding Officer called from his chair. "Do you read?"
A moment later the image switched from the Nostradamus to a Trill woman with long blonde hair awkwardly hanging over a fine, lived-in face. Her wide, green eyes were set deep within their sockets as she watched the monitor built into her chair. A long scar ran from the top of her left cheek towards the right side of her lips and ending within the constellation of spots running along the sides of her body left behind a story for another time.
"Enterprise," her voice was soft and lyrical, "I am Captain Jeenhu Pohl of the Nostradamus, on loan to the Federation's Department of Temporal Investigations. I hope that we didn't catch you too off guard arriving so early."
The Commodore hid his irritation at that as best he could "Not a problem, Captain," he lied. He told the truth, "My crew are excited for this mission and learning more about this temporal anomaly, so the sooner we get there the happier they will be."
"I regret I can't take this one on myself, Sir. The Nostradamus is pretty advanced and has strong engines, but Enterprise is probably the only ship that can successfully navigate the barrier around the planet," she paused before saying more. It looked like she was checking something on her screen, but quickly gathered herself, "We've just cleared Director Aamis to transport aboard your ship and we're sending coordinates over for your destination."
Wilkan nodded, but inwardly he was using his advanced El-Aurian senses to analyze the conversation. The pause that the Captain had done was innocent enough, on the surface, and was made to look like she was checking reports. Wilkan, however, wondered if there were more to the story. There was a small level of tension as Captain Pohl spoke of the barrier. It may've just been nerves about giving more details on the mission than she should've on an open channel, or she may have been genuinely worried about some aspect of the mission that she couldn't divulge. Commodore Targaryen hoped it was innocent.
"We'll make arrangements for her stay."
At his forward station Blake nodded at the Commodore's words as arrangements had already been made for their quest, they simply needed to be bought forward slightly as the Nostradamus arrived prematurely.
Behind, Commander zh'Roothi arrived on the bridge and remained at the rear as the two Captains continued to converse.
"Thank you, Commodore. When you're ready signal us and we'll come pick up the Director to take her back to the Alpha Quadrant," the Trill said enthusiastically.
"You're not finished here?" Targaryen questioned.
"Just a few loose ends to tie up," Pohl answered. "We don't want to pull you from your primary mission too long either. Just let us know when you're ready so you can transfer the Director on your way out. Pohl out."
Urvasi quirked her head lightly to the left side as the conversation had seemed, irksome. Her tail halted, shifted, halted, and then went back to its normal lazy side to side. It was as though Captain Pohl was trying to parlay down the dangers or not mention that something at their destination was not as it seemed, while making plans for plans in case all did not go the way as 'expected'. Urvasi said out loud to herself, "Her patterns did not seem to follow an easy flow of knowledge. Weird. Still, truths not spoken are still dangers that need assessed."
Amber was taking in the conversation, her Betazoid senses picking up on the fact that there was definitely something that wasn’t being said. Though quite what that something was, was another thing. She turned to Targaryen. “I don’t know what it is Sir, but there’s definitely something Captain Pohl is holding back. She’s not giving you the whole story.”
"Given the sensitive nature of cases handled by Temporal Investigations I'm sure there's a logical reason Counselor," zh'Roothi replied with folded arms.
“Most likely” Amber nodded as she looked towards zh’Roothi. “They no doubt have a lot of secrets. It could be I’m just picking up on something that’s not meant for us. I thought I’d mention it anyway.”
Urvasi overhead the exchange and so kept to herself. She checked over the reckoning heading to make sure nothing nearby was pulling them away from their current station keeping course so that the incoming VIP could easily beam over when ready. She was not feeling any warp/hyperspacial interactions with space nearby and thus her tail continued its gentle movements behind her.
"I appreciate the insights, Counselor," Wilkan answered as he looked at Counselor then to the Nostradamus on the viewscreen. Retreating inward a bit, "It's late and we've all had a fairly long day. Exec, would you and Commander Ash please go greet our passenger and escort her to her cabin? I think that you'll be the best candidates to greet her."
"Aye, Captain." Ash responded, with a glance the direction of zh'Roothi. "Shall we?" She asked, letting the XO lead the way.
"Of course," the XO nodded at the instruction and fell into the step with Ash as she drew closer.
Looking at the forward consoles, "Let's get going to the coordinates that the Nostradamus forwarded, all ahead Warp 8."
Urvasi called back, "Transporter signaled guest on board. Laying in course, engaging warp, heading to warp 8 sir."
Wilkan looked at Blake, "I know that this shift's about to be over, but let's conduct scans of the course ahead at regular intervals. Look for any Tactical and Temporal concerns." He looked at Sevek, "I need to go see if Doctor Kholin has anything to help me prepare for the Af-Kelt. You have the Bridge, Commander, if there's nothing else?"
Kuzos entered the bridge and saw the tactical station already manned. "If tactical is already manned why is my presence required?" He asked.
The Commodore decided to take it, "It's customary, Commander, in Starfleet protocols for the Senior Officers to be called to the Bridge when we encounter another vessel, even if it's one of our own." He looked at Rrawran, "Since the situation is already resolved you're free to return to your quarters," he looked at the Chief Science Officer, "You have the Bridge, Commander."
"Ah." Kuzos replied filing the information away in case it was needed later. For a moment he thought he could return to his quarters but then realized the Commodore was talking to Rrawran. Much to Kuzo's dismay.
Standing from his chair, "Aye sir." Sevek was a man of few words. He only spoke when absolutely needed. A science officer came to take the empty chair, "Keep scanning at regular intervals. Use temporal frequencies, notify me of anything out of the ordinary." He moved to stand by the center chair, clasping his hands behind his back waiting for the commodore to leave the bridge.
Tugging on his uniform, the Commodore left the Bridge.
Urvasi called out, "Warp 8 attained. Course corrections for known gravity fluctuations entered. Direct Tie Ins to Sciences enabled. Anything out of the ordinary will be called out by Helm/Navigation or by Sciences." Urvasi checked on her relief. While she had been on watch for Alpha Watch from 07:00 - 13:00, with the approach of the Nostradamus, she had taken over Gamma Watch. She would be relieved at 1:00 am for Delta watch, in which she could get enough sleep in to man her watch at 0700 hours. She settled into her role, keeping an eye out for anything affecting the course of the ship.
Petty Officer, Second Class, Akaathaan Saarnosh stood at the Transporter controls watching the details coming in carefully. The Nostradamus had forwarded on the coordinates for their new passenger, who appeared to be a Vulcan woman from the looks of the readouts. She typed on the small control interface, noting that she was traveling rather light even.
Hearing the doors open, the Selay Transporter Chief looked over at the arrivals, "Receiving the coordinates, Commander... Commanders."
"Very good, proceed when ready," zh'Roothi instructed after a quick sideways glance at Ash intrigued to discover what was next.
"We're not the reception the Director will be expecting." Ash noted, quietly, with just a hint of a smirk.
"Possibly not, but it will have to do considering the change in time frame," the XO replied.
The silvery blue energy of the Enterprise's Transporter took over the forward pad, quickly materializing into a middle-aged Vulcan woman. Silver, coily hair hung over a strong, tense face with dead gray eyes, set handsomely within their sockets, slowly studying her new surroundings. Her fair skin gorgeously complimented her hair and left a compelling memory of her fortunate looks, leaving behind an enticing, if not enigmatic, memory.
"Permission to come aboard?" She asked evenly.
"Permission granted Director Aamis," zh'Roothi replied moving closer to greet the Vulcan woman. "Welcome to the Enterprise. I'm Commander Zhora zh'Roothi, the First Officer and this is Lieutenant Commander Ash Randall, Chief Engineer."
Ash nodded in greeting. "Director. Welcome aboard." The Felinoid stated.
Director Aamis looked at the two Starfleet Officers gathered. "I come to serve," she greeted flatly. "I admit I had expected your Captain to greet me."
The XO tilted her head slightly at the comment: "I hope not to have disappointed you Director. The Captain is temporally indisposed, however will meet with you shortly."
"I am Vulcan, Commander, and while I can experience disappointment, I actively strive to control such feelings," the Director explained as she stepped off of the platform. "If I were disappointed it would not be directed at you, but rather at your Captain; nonetheless, as a former Starfleet officer and Captain of the Zheng He, I do understand that there are responsibilities that you sometimes cannot avoid."
"Indeed." zh'Roothi nodded slowly. "If you'd like to follow us Director we shall escort you to your quarters for your assignment."
The Director of Temporal Investigations interrupted, "I would prefer to meet with your Captain prior. Please escort me to him."
"I'm sorry Director. As I said the Commodore is indisposed currently but will meet with you shortly." zh'Roothi repeated giving Targaryen privacy during his visit to Sickbay.
"Very well," the Vulcan answered, suppressing the desire to sigh. From a pocket on the side of her tunic, Aamis gathered a computer chip that she showed to the Commanders. "This chip incorporates details of our mission orders, including the coordinates we are to travel to. Please ask your Navigator to set course for the identified planet and engage at Warp 8. Despite the late hour and your Captain being unavailable, do such limitations extend to the rest of this vessel's staff as well?"
The First Officer exchanged a glance to Ash as the Director produced a chip and further questions. "We were expecting your arrival tomorrow," she explained. "However, we're able to execute whatever is required."
Ash remained silent, for the moment, while zh'Roothi went back and forth with the director.
"It is late aboard your vessel," Aamis noted the time. "As Warp 8 we will arrive at Gaia late tomorrow morning. We would still have time to take any necessary actions to ensure mission success. I will wait until tomorrow to meet with your crew," she relented. "I take that there are no objections to this?"
"No," zh'Roothi cut another glance to Ash. "None at all."
Aamis looked at Ash, "Commander, I will be requiring your assistance during this mission. There are modifications that will be needed for the Enterprise to successfully navigate at Gaia. I would be willing to discuss with you, or you can review the chip and ask questions of me later? Your preference?"
"A discussion of modifications at this time would be agreeable, Director." The engineer responded, quietly.
"Very good then," the Vulcan Director answered as she looked at the two. "If you have the time, Commander, we could get a late meal at one of your vessel's eating establishments and discuss. You are welcome to join us, Commander zh'Roothi."
"I believe the Forecastle tavern would be suitable for the purpose." Ash suggested, with a glance to Commander zh'Roothi.
"A good choice Ash," the First Officer nodded in agreement.
The Vulcan Director nodded, "As I am uncertain of the options and location of said establishments, please lead the way."
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