Pursuit

Posted on Tue May 11th, 2010 @ 9:28am by Captain Alexander Gunning & Commander Dietrich Reinhart & Captain Liarra Von & Lieutenant Commander Nilani Prax & Lieutenant Commander Melissa Daniels M.D. & Lieutenant JG Callaigh Roland & Senior Chief Petty Officer Gilbert Bones [PNPC]

Mission: Commissioned
Location: Main Bridge - USS Jackal
Timeline: MD04 2245
Tags: commissioned, bord, utica, dead in space

[ON]

Dietrich couldn't tear himself out of the EVA suit fast enough. After getting out of the recycled environment in his environment suit, which was starting to stink from his sweat, Reinhart decided it was a great idea to run to the bridge and find out what the illustrious Commander Gunning decided for them. He lead the officers out of the Transporter room at engineering, up the slow-lift (it was by no means a turbolift), and out to the bridge. "Back on duty, Commander," he announced as he walked around the CO's chair and to the front of the Jackal's bridge.

Moving over towards the science station, Nilani held onto the back of the chair as the relief officer vacated it, spinning it round slightly so that she could sit and turn to the console in one motion. "We have the ion trail of the Utica, Commander. Sending the details to helm."

The Commander stood up from his chair and looked out at the matt-green of the Bird Of Prey which filled the screen. The Federation had trusted the Empire to come here and carry out its research and the Empire had trusted their scientists would be protected in return. What was going on? Should he report this to Starfleet? He had read enough conspiracy theories to know that one Admiral with a turned head could declare them outlaws and have an Excalibur class hunting them down before they could get to Warp Eight.

"Okay then. We don't breathe a word of this to Starfleet until we know what the hell's going on." His shoulders slumped a little at the thought of having to run a Jolly Roger for the rest of his life. Hopefully I'm doing the right thing. "Let's get after them. Punch it."

Aviate, Navigate, Communicate, Execute, he thought as he first aligned the ship for her next warp jump. Aviate done, navigate was the part of his flight-planning where he actually figured out where he was going and how to get there. And in this case, it was a hands on control of the Jackal as they followed the warp trail of the Utica. "Commander, we're ready for FTL," he announced as he initiated the countdown and allowed engineering time to start up the engines. "Ready," he paused, "Now." A tap of the button, which is really subtle for the intricacies of faster than light travel, sent the Jackal off at speeds well beyond 299,792,458 meters per second.

Once the vessel had reached warp velocity, the Commanding Officer returned to his seat and, after further consideration of their position between a rock and a hard place, he addressed the senior staff who were now engaged in their various routine duties.

"What do we think? Did you manage to get anything from Doctor Bord?" He asked, first to the entire group and then, more specifically, to the medical staff.

Melissa spoke, "Not much Commander. All he knows is that they were attacked by a Federation Starship during a resupply operation. All of this, perfectly designed to implicate us."

"Which, obviously, it wasn't," Cal piped up. "He'd also made a comment about the way he perceived them." She wasn't sure if she should say more or not; at least not out among everyone who hadn't been in Sickbay with her, Melissa, and their current guest.

Melissa responded. "Perhaps this is what the evidence suggests. A Rogue Federation Starship." Melissa continued, "In that case, whoever is responsible must be stopped before any politicians learn of this."

Gilbert Bones sat quietly at the Engineering station. With Lieutenant Allein on the Bird of Prey, he was acting Chief Engineer and felt as if he should offer something to the discussion. "If only we knew what they were researching down there. It must have been something pretty impressive for a Starfleet ship to go rogue."

Cal shook her head. "You're assuming it's an active Starfleet ship, and that it's our officers who did this. Is it really that far fetched to think that with the ships that have gone missing or off the radar it couldn't be occupied by what would have to be unfriendly forces. It's not that hard to replicate our uniforms, especially if the intended target was to be abolished, who'd be around to notice the difference? And in that kind of mayhem, no one's looking for authenticity."

"It is difficult to take over a ship in the Federation with an active registry number that has recently reported to its superior officer," Dietrich added.

Bones nodded his approval of the Counselor's point. "It's definitely feasible that someone could have stolen a ship. Admittedly," he said, taking on board what the Lieutenant Commander had said, "It would be a bloody big job."

"Unfortunately not, Chief. The Utica is in active service with Captain Sutherland at the moment. There's got to be something we're missing." Alex examined the faces of his senior staff as he pondered the notion. "Was there anything else you got from the Klingon?"

Callaigh shifted her weight between her feet as she hesitated before speaking. "He," she gave a small sigh of frustration, "said something about their eyes being ... dead, Sir." The idea of that made her extremely uncomfortable. Malice, passion, righteousness ... any emotion assosicated with strong feelings or convictions in an act definitely showed in the individual commiting it. She pinched the bridge of her nose and gave a small shake of her head. Either whoever had done this was completely devoid of emotion, or ... well the alternative that immediately came to Cal wasn't one she was eager to explore. Cliche as it was, it made her think of an old voodoo belief on Earth, which in turn gave her a shudder. "Which is either completely ridiculous or an indication that there may be some mental manipulation involved."

Melissa spoke, "I've read several articles about captured mind manipulation devices that were retrieved from Romulan Warbirds after the Dominion War. Some are so sophisticated, they could plant a subconscious suggestion into the minds of the victim that could remain dormant for years, but to do it to an entire crew?"

With a nod, Cal acknowledged that Melissa was right in her disbelief. The problem was, if they knew everything there was to know about all of the potential technologies in the universe, Starfleet would have a lot less members. She wondered ... "Doctor, what are the chances that it could be something biological? Viral? A nerve gas pumped through life support?"

Melissa spoke, "There are many types of gases and viruses that causes psychological anomalies in those effected. But it's difficult to get the desired effect from gas or viruses. Perhaps a gas that inhibits the super-ego. In such a case, the victims would be incapable of moralization. In that case, one would just perform an action with no observance of the consequences."

"Do you think that's likely, Doctor? Is there any kind of cure for that kind of intoxication?" Asked the Commander.

Melissa spoke, "I don't know Commander. I'll have to isolate the virus or chemical in order to develop a treatment."

"Hmm, well I suppose we're going to find out one way or the other when we catch up." He paused for a moment. "If we catch up. Doctor; take Lieutenant Prax and make whatever preparations you can. Counselor, apply some pressure to our Klingon friend. We need to know exactly what they were working on."

"Yessir," Callaigh took a breath. Strong arming wasn't unfamiliar to her, but it wasn't something she found pleasant all the same. "Permission to exit the bridge?"

"Granted, Lieutenant."

Melissa spoke, "Commander, Dr. Bord's told us everything he knows. I doubt we'll accomplish more than frustrating him if we were to ask more questions."

"With all due respect, Doctor," the Commander responded, "I would imagine that a scientist at a research station has at least some idea what he was working on. If he won't tell you, then fair enough but I think it would make your job easier."

Melissa nodded, "Understood."

"Aye aye, skippah," Nilani said, throwing in an irish brogue before standing up and leaving her station for the relief officer to re-claim.

"All right then. We'd better step to it." The Commander ordered. "Commander Reinhart, do we have anything on sensors?"

The course was shaky, the trail erratic. It was so eratic that if they were to rely on their scoop sensors, they'd never be able to travel at warp. Something was wrong here, their helmsmen must have been drunk. "We are," he said, "we are following them. I don't know how long until we will be there, of course. But I'd venture to say another ten minutes. It might be a good idea to look at our long range scanners to try and pick out either 1) a debris trail, or 2) a ship."

"Okay. Lieutenant Von; bring us to Red Alert. Commander Reinhart, prepare to take evasive action if they've detected us. No-one fire unless we're fired upon first."

"Aye, Captain," the Trill replied as the bridge lit up with red warning lights. Throughout the ship, warning klaxons told the crew to get to their ready stations. From the her station on the bridge, Liarra brought up her defensive systems, and readied the targeting scanners. "Shields and weapons are online, Captain. Let's hope we don't have to use them."

"Quite so, Lieutenant." The Commander replied quietly. "Quite so."

[OFF]

Commander Alex Gunning
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Commander Dietrich Reinhart
Executive Officer / Chief Flight Control Officer

Lieutenant Liarra Von
Chief Tactical & Security Officer

Lieutenant (JG) Nilani Prax
Chief Science Officer

Lieutenant (JG) Callaigh Roland
Chief Counselor

Lieutenant (JG) Melissa Daniels M.D.
Chief Medical Officer

Staff Warrant Officer Gilbert Bones
Assistant Chief Engineering Officer
[NPC - Played by Cmdr Gunning]