Stardate: 80713:1420
Title: "The Breadcrumb Trail"
Author: Lt. Andrew Keller
Time: Current
Scene: USS Relentless


It had been quiet – perhaps too quiet – since the departure of the Theran trader vessel several days previously. In the relative calm of the ongoing situation, Andrew had taken the opportunity to drill some of the Relentless' young shuttle-pilots in battle and rescue situations.

The mood on the Relentless was one of unease, and to keep the crew on their toes Andrew had also overseen, at the Captain's behest, several battle drills in the event that they should run into anything untoward. Now back at his post, he continued the routine task of watching over the helm while the clock counted down to the recharge of the Progenitor device and their jump back to their own universe.


=/\= Sickbay =/\=

There had been reports of some people coming down with a strange fever. The ship's MO had likened it to old Earth influenza, although influenza had long since been eradicated; the fever was characterised by a high temperature, aching limbs, sore throat and pounding headache. Given its symptoms it should easily have been treatable, but so far none of Sickbay's treatments had had any effect on those inflicted. Proctor was deeply puzzled by this and had even gone as far back as to try old earth cures: aspirins, lots of fluids and bed-rests as opposed to hypo-sprays. More to the point, he was exhibiting symptoms himself, and had to find a cure not only for himself, but also for the ever-increasing influx of crew-members complaining of feeling unwell.


=/\= Medical Lab =/\=

Lin had also been involved in the research into the illness, taking DNA and blood samples, skin cultures and monitoring those in Sickbay who occupied beds. Whatever it was, she thought, it was fast reaching epidemic proportions unless they could find a cure quickly. It was bad enough having a ship full of sick crew members, but when that ship was in an alternate universe, it became a whole other matter.

Taking a short pause from the microscope she had spent the past 10 minutes peering into, she crossed to the replicator for a drink, ordering chilled lemon tea. Draining the container in a single gulp, she proceeded to order and drain a further two glasses of liquid before she returned to her work.

As she peered into the microscope once more, she became aware that the palms of her hands felt clammy. Her neck and shoulders were also feeling a little stiff. Tension, she thought, caused by continued hunching over the microscope. She returned to the replicator, and ordered another drink, draining the glass dry.


=/\= Bridge =/\=

The clock had counted down and the Relentless was ready to jump. Andrew manoeuvred the Relentless into position and waited for the signal from the Captain to begin the jump. Beside the Captain, Commander Portnoy Jessop absent-mindedly rubbed the back of his neck to relieve the tension he had felt there moments before. As he moved his hand back towards the arm-rest of his chair, he became aware that his palms were clammy and glistened with sweat. He had felt it a little hot on the bridge, but had paid it no mind. He stood up to cross to tactical and for a few seconds the room swam. Jessop let out a quiet 'Whoa!' as he slowly regained kilter.

“Everything alright, Commander?” Asked the Captain.

“Yes Ma'am.” Jessop replied. “Guess I stood up a little too quickly. I'll be fine in a second.”

“Good,” replied the Captain. “Don't want you succumbing to this fever that's going around. Or any of you for that matter,” she addressed the bridge crew.

“Jump drive is reset.” Andrew said. “Ready to jump on your mark, Captain.”

“Begin powering up the device,” the Captain said. “All hands, prepare for inter-universal jump.”

Andrew watched intently as the power of the progenitor device increased. It was nearing full load when a light on Andrew's panel lit up.

“Captain, I'm picking up an ion trail,” he said. “It's very weak, but it wasn't there before.”

“Belay the jump, Mister Keller,” said the Captain. “Maxine, what are you picking up?”

“Perhaps the energy from the jump drive has acted like some sort of amplifier, showing us the trail?” Surmised Maxine who had returned to the bridge for the jump. “I'm attempting to trace it.”

“Do we really want to follow this up?” He looked towards Andrew.

“Sixty seconds to maximum power,” Andrew said.

"Just wait, Gretel, until the moon rises, and then we shall see the crumbs of bread which I have strewn about," whispered the Captain, quoting a sentence from 'Hansel And Gretel' as she peered at the viewscreen before turning to face the Chief Science Officer.

Maxine was frantically poring over readings Andrew was relaying to her station. After a moment, she looked up and met Abby's gaze full on.

“It's them,” she said. “It's those who destroyed the Atlantis.”


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Lieutenant Andrew Keller
Chief Conn Officer
USS Relentless
NCC-11966
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