Doesn't Rain, But it Pours

Posted on Sat Oct 15th, 2022 @ 6:36pm by Captain Temperance Harding
Edited on on Sat Oct 15th, 2022 @ 6:37pm

Mission: Mission 2: Chasing Shadows
Location: USS Endurance

ON

The Mobile Tactical Analysis Centre - MTAC - was a curious space on board the Endurance. In normal, peaceful oprerating times it was used as a means of tracking, and plotting the courses of shuttle, and fighter activity around the vessel. These were decidedly not normal times, however.

The team arrayed around the large display screen was a combination of Operations, Tactical, and Science personnel. The circular table in the middle of the room was approximately five feet across, the flat plexiglass surface covered the display screen. In the centre of the display, the USS Endurance, the Lambetta Nebula, and the Renavi system. Around them was the Klingon border, with Galdonterre, and Korinar as the closest Klingon worlds.

One of the officers adjusted the display, and the scale decreased. The nebula now almost filled the screen, with the Endurance just off to one side. The team had been given a job, and they were conducting it seriously.

A course track showed the probe's course around the Nebula, and at the termination of the course, sensor data had been processed, and the sporadic results were shown.

"Nothing." One of the scientists announced. "Np micro asteroids, no stellar debris, no... nothing. The probe wasn't smashed by a rock."

A general murmur of agreement followed.

"What's this?" One of the Operations people - a Petty Officer - pointed to some dashed lines at the edge of the nebular.

"Ghost data." A scientist said, almost dismissing the point. "The refractive nature of the gases inside the Nebular are scattering the sensors bacvk. Probably a reflection of the probe. See?" The screen zoomed in again. The dashed lines were almost parralel. "It's reflecting back, and the probe sent back the data as something else."

One of the Tactical Officer stared at the screen. "You sure?" Some commands were put in. There was just enough, barely, of the supposed ghost signatures to plot them. The computer extrapolated the line of the twin signatures, and drew them out from the Nebula. The pair of lines intersected almost perfectly with the last reported location of the Probe.

A few around the table whistled. "That ain't no ghost signature. That's a pair of ion trails. Impulse engines. Two ships." One of the team commented. "They ran right into the probe, and blew it away before it could report back."

One of them activated the comm panel. "MTAC to Bridge. Captain, can you come down here? We got something."

"On my way, MTAC. One minute."

Almost right on cue, the doors to MTAC opened, and Harding walked in. "Talk to me." She said to the team, not wasting time with preamble.

The summation lasted barely two minutes, and when it was done, Harding stared at the display, trying to find another interpretation. Not that she didn't believe her people, but a Captain was meant to consider everything. Finally, she had to admit they were right. "So they bugged out?"

"Based on the time of the probe's destruction, I'd say they evac'd about the time we launched the Away Team."

"Bloody hell." Harding whispered under her breath. It was just bloody typical. "No chance to track them?"

A Tactical NCO handled that question. "Ma'am, with so little hard data on their course track, the built-in error of any plot would be exponential in scale, after even a few thousand kilometers. Never mind an entire sector."

"So they could have gone anywhere?"

The NCO offered a pained expression. "Yes, ma'am."

Harding refused the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose. "Well, thank you everyone. At least we have some answers."

"Bridge to Captain Harding."

Harding tapped her commbadge, holding in the sigh. "Captain here, go ahead Lieutenant." 'What now?' she managed not to say.

"A text comminique from Starfleet Command is coming in. Encrypted Eyes-Only to Captain."

With one last look at the table display, Harding headed back for the door. "Thank you all, dismissed."

==========

XSD, WNV VXS.
NEG, IBG. KJH CVG.
JBU NHR FTN. YVD.

The computer decrypted the Eyes-Only communication, each three letter grouping corresponding to a particular word, or phrase. The entire code was changed and updated on a monthly basis, with the new cypher systems being transmitted to the ship's computer automatically, and unpacked within the memory banks, after authentication of the receiving computer's identity. The decryption took mere moments, and soon, Harding was reading the clear text.

From Fleet Command, to Starfleet Vessel USS Endurance.
Remain at Station, Await Operational Orders. Prepare for Personnel Change.
Executive Officer ordered to report to Renavi System. Best possible speed.

Harding's eyebrow raised in curiosity. What could be so damned important that her XO would be ordered to report to the Renavi system, while the Endurance remained at Lambetta? She let out a sigh, and ordered a tea from the Replicator. The small window in her Ready Room looked out at the Nebula, and Harding looked out at the gas cloud, this whole mission was taking a severe turn for the strange.

OFF