The Requiem
Posted on Mon Aug 25th, 2025 @ 1:45am by Commodore Wilkan Targaryen & Lieutenant (J.G.) Anzai Sulu & Commander Zhora zh'Roothi & Lieutenant Commander Ash Randall & Lieutenant Commander Kuzos & Lieutenant Commander Sevek & Lieutenant Urvasi Elandorn & Lieutenant Rio Kholin MD & Lieutenant Amber Laurell
1,290 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Gaia
Location: Bridge, U.S.S. Enterprise
Timeline: 2439-06-14, 18:15
Captain's Log, Supplemental Entry:
The Enterprise is returning to Gaia to learn the fate of the Defiant.
Commodore Wilkan Targaryen sat in the center seat on the Bridge of the Starship Enterprise wondering if he'd made the right call. Director Aamis of the Federation's Department of Temporal Investigations had warned him and Commander zh'Roothi of the weight of their decision. If the Defiant completed the temporal incursion, if they went back in time to create the Gaia Colony, Aamis had warned that one day the Federation itself would come and destroy the colony and its inhabitants.
He questioned how the Federation could condone such an act, but he knew enough from his long life that things weren't always as they seemed. Governments changed but, more often than nought, the lies stayed the same. If Gaia was responsible for a threat to the Federation or its security, actions would be taken to ensure the safety of the many over the needs of the few. No matter what they thought of that choice.
Wilkan had held off on ordering the Enterprise to return out of fear of what it meant for the potential citizens, but knew he had no choice but to go back and take a look. Now, the question was, what would they find?
Glancing at the navigational reports on the armrest of his chair, Wilkan sighed. They were out of time, "Slow to one third Impulse power, please, Helm." He looked at Kuzos immediately afterward, "Start scanning for the Defiant, Commander, let's see if we can track them down or any evidence of their having been around. Mister Sevek," he looked at the Science Officer next, "full scan of the planet. Let me know if there's anybody down there."
Kuzos gave a curt nod and bent over the tactical board as he scanned for the Defiant. After a few seconds he straightened and spoke. "No sign of the Defiant in the immediate area. There is however a warp signature that matches Defiant's engine's output."
"It seems likely that, assuming the Defiant survived its passage through the barrier and remained, relatively, intact..." Ash began and paused for a few seconds before continuing. "...Defiant, the ship is most likely, Defiant the power plant." the Chief Engineer mused. "A warp core of the design Defiant was equipped with, if it is not called upon to generate a warp field, could power a small settlement for centuries, with the standard complement of Dilithium and anti-matter stores she would have aboard." She mused.
The Commodore listened closely as the Chief Engineer and the Chief Tactical Officer spoke. Shifting slightly in his chair, Wilkan added, "It's certainly a possibility, Commander, that the Defiant did complete the temporal incursion and return to the past. Then again, knowing Chief O'Brien and his predilection to figure out ways to save the day on the fly, it's also possible that the Defiant was able to escape and is out exploring the galaxy even as we speak." He tapped his fingers on the side of the chair, "With their cloak we'd never know they were out here."
"Take us as close to the planet as you can, Lieutenant, so that we can get as detailed scans as possible."
At the Helm, Lieutenant 1001 entered a sequence on the control panel, "Entering orbit, Sir."
"Chief O'Brien performed magic just keeping Defiant, half-way, operational while stuck in the barrier but that ship was on the verge of total systems failure. If they did not complete the temporal incursion we would. very likely, be making a rescue right now." Ash observed.
Commander zh'Roothi chewed her inner cheek with thought as the Enterprise came into orbit and began scans of the surface. Pushing the Defiant into and presumed through the barrier sat heavy with her, a feeling of guilt and betrayal twisted her gut into knots. The threat of the Federation would at a later date decimate the colony felt equally unsettling even if the logic behind the move was sound.
Data scrolling across her station monitor drew the Andorian back into the present. "Confirmation of a Dilithium power source on the southern continent and populated settlements."
“They made it?” Amber smiled as she walked onto the bridge, that’s good news, isn’t it?”
Wilkan sat quietly in his Captain's Chair looking at the sensor details on the display as they scrolled over the console. It was good news, very good news, but there were repercussions from what they'd found. If Director Aamis were correct with what she said it was entirely possible that they'd already condemned these people to death just by saving them. It was a pain to even consider.
"Commander Sevek, begin scanning the barrier to ensure that it is stable enough to continue hiding the colony," Wilkan directed, "and if not, I want options to strengthen that barrier that sensors will be unable to penetrate it."
The Commodore paused, understanding how insane his order sounded. He decided to tell the crew the truth, "I spoke with Director Aamis shortly after we encountered the Defiant. She relayed to me that DTI had potential knowledge of the duplicate Defiant before she arrived here. While she, Commander zh'Roothi, and I discussed the repercussions of such a discovery, the Commander and I were informed that the Federation would eventually return and destroy the Gaia Colony should it be restored." Looking around the Bridge, he continued, "I know how far-fetched that sounds, that Starfleet would destroy a world, but who knows what our future truly holds." He looked at the Counselor, "Part of why I ordered her off the Bridge was the protect the status of the colony, should it be down there, and to give her plausible deniability."
"Interesting timing for the solar flares, wasn't it? We don't, typically, miss a Class X-plus on an inbound system scan let alone multiples." Ash mused.
"Perhaps it was divine intervention, Commander," Wilkan commented with a smile.
Amber nodded. “I understand your reasoning Sir, let’s just hope we can help this colony stay hidden now.”
"I hope so too," the Commodore answered. "They deserve an opportunity to grow and become what they were meant to be." He tapped his fingers on the side of his chair again, "No references to the colony are to be placed in official logs. Commander, disable to Bridge surveillance monitors for now, only until we know for certain that the colony isn't detectable."
Kuzos listened as the Commodore gave orders, his attention was on the tactical board before him. "Surveillance monitors have been been deactivated and a note on the colony. If it is on the planet, the barrier prevents any scans from getting through."
Lieutenant Anzai Sulu turned from the Sciences station toward the others on the Bridge, "I've been monitoring the stellar phenomenon, Sir, and my analysis has revealed that this system will have an increase in space weather for at least a decade. If I may, I'd like to recommend that we deploy a series of warning buoys recommending that this system be quarantined for the safety of those traveling through the region."
Wilkan glanced at Sevek before giving a slight nod, "Please load the appropriate coordinates for placement of the warning buoys as Lieutenant Sulu has proposed and deploy."
Sevek nodded as he pulled up the buoy controls and loaded in the coordinates that Lieutenant Sulu had suggested. Within minutes the buoys showed status as green. "Commodore, buoys are loaded and being deployed now." He watched as one by one the buoys were slowly launched into the space, and slowly made their way to their designated coordinates.
"As soon as the buoys are deployed, please set course to intercept the Nostradamus, all ahead Warp 6."
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