Stardate: 80503:0000
Title: Decisive Action
Author: Captain Abigail Winters
Time: Current
Scene: Starbase 9 / USS Relentless
The hum of the bridge was soothing as Abby sat in her chair looking out at the
endless dark. She knew the crew were unhappy that they had not spent more time
on the starbase, but after liaising with Admiral Foster she was not willing to
hang around; many things had occurred whilst they had been in the other
universes and none of them good.
=/\= Starbase 9 - Some time earlier=/\=
The recent attacks, labelled as ‘border skirmishes’ in the news, were actually
much more. Admiral Elizabeth Foster had voiced concerns at the unknown origin of
some of the ships that had perpetrated sophisticated and strategic incursions to
planets and ships containing highly prized resources and, in some cases,
potentially fatal secrets.
The Federation was trying to prevent widespread alarm, but some unscrupulous
raiders had taken advantage of the distraction and disarray, making further
attacks on the weak and vulnerable. The media, obviously sensing trouble, had
everyone acting cautiously, stockpiling food and other resources, the result of
which was the crippling of the usual day to day trading.
Meanwhile, behind closed doors, crisis meetings and summits were being held. In
a time when the Federation was on shaky ground with all of its allies and
aligned parties, the outside threat was not having a uniting effect; in fact, it
was making strained relations worse.
As the Admiral had read the Captain’s report on the Life Command Alliance she
gave what can only be described as a heartfelt sigh.
"Abigail, at this very moment in time there is a Federation research facility
tinkering in experiments testing reproduction and fertility. It would give me
great pleasure to say that they will take on your invaluable experience from
another universe, but…" Elizabeth gave a weary shrug. She was not a woman easily
affected by adversity, but her current demeanour suggested the demons on her
back were dragging her down.
The tales of the Observers seemed surreal as the Captain relayed the duels
fought and won. Abby light-heartedly quipped about wanting her retirement age to
be altered on file to reflect all the years the Observers had tested her!
"I imagine our orders are going to be to stay in this universe and help out. If
you want us to patrol a specific sector of space my crew should be ready within
the next few hours."
"Abigail, there is something I have not told you about the attacks. Previously
when the Relentless has jumped in and out of the universe there has been a
detectable energy signature. After the third ship of unknown origin attacked so
stealthy and then disappeared without a trace one of the scientific teams swept
the area using those parameters. They found a signature very similar to that
which the Progenitor jump drive makes."
"You think someone is visiting our universe with malicious intentions?"
"I do, and that is why it is more important than ever for the Relentless to jump
again - we need an edge, we need technology, we need information and from now on
you are to seek out other life forms that can jump from universe to universe and
take decisive action."
A long uncomfortable discussion followed on what ‘decisive action’ could entail
and as the finer points were argued a decision was made to remove all personnel
with families off the ship. The Relentless was now to be the home to the young,
gifted and single and the older, wiser and less encumbered.
=/\= Relentless =/\=
The Defiant ships having escorted them to the jump point sat ever alert either
side of the Relentless as they made their preparations to jump.
"Captain, we are picking up a Federation distress call," the Chief Conn officer
alerted her.
"Set a course, maximum warp."
The three Starfleet vessels quickly bore down upon the distress signal and as
visual range became possible they were able to witness the destruction of the
USS Atlantis; the Defiant ships quickly engaged the enemy but their weapons
seemed to have no effect.
"Captain, that ship is of unknown design and the Defiants’ weapons don’t
appearing to be causing any significant damage." Andrew said from the position
he had taken up at the helm.
Abby did not reply. She could not reply. The ship was not unknown to her - she
had seen it once before, and then many more times in her nightmares. Before
their eyes, as if by some kind of magic, the ship shimmered and disappeared.
"Captain, I am picking up a jump signature. It is not radiating from us," Maxine
reported.
"Engage drive," the Captain ordered.
"Captain, we should stay and offer assistance," Jessop said as he looked in
horror at the debris from the USS Atlantis. Even so, they all knew that the
destruction of the Sovereign-class vessel was absolute...
"Engage the drive. Now."
==================
Captain Abigail Winters
Commanding Officer
USS Relentless
NCC-11966
==================
