Topic: Star Trek: The Scales of Eternity
Subject: a new mission...
Stardate 2365.05.14
USS Peregrine, Observation Lounge - 06:15
Commander Drake stood alone, gazing out of the viewport, his hand absently resting on the corner of the large bronze plaque that had been installed there just prior to the new launch of the Peregrine. He glanced down, reading the inscription for what had to be at least the thirtieth time since he had stepped foot back on the ship after quarantine.
For the price of security is high, and the cost of safety is paid in blood. We honor the fallen who gave their lives in the line of duty. Twenty-seven personnel from the USS Peregrine fell during February 25th and 26th of the year 2365 in the course of a rescue mission for the USS Serapis. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Crewman Oerrik Akig
Petty Officer 1st Class Isma Bahar
Petty Officer 3rd Class Bryan Brady
Petty Officer 1st Class Darasterlee Brok
Ensign Larb Groven Forb
Ensign Bradley Garner
Petty Officer 2nd Class Chefel Hann
Ensign Paula Jenneric
Petty Officer 1st Class Alysa Kampakis
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Senior Chief Petty Officer Martti Kekkonen
Senior Chief Petty Officer Llaxia
Lieutenant Haemis McTavish
Crewman Clint Myers
Crewman Merida Peers
Petty Officer 2nd Class Kelsie Ann Prudnikov
Crewman Sandra Ann Reynolds
Petty Officer 3rd Class Salia Rotet
Petty Officer 1st Class Poe Saril
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Crewman Pierce Lena Scheuermann
Lieutenant (jg) Asovil Sh'iralonas
Crewman Tam Suder
Petty Officer 1st Class Diah Suharto
Lieutentant Kara Tal
Lieutenant Commander Eric Thorson
Master Chief Petty Officer V'lur
Crewman Amy Wren
Petty Officer 2nd Class Rachel Wu
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Twenty-seven souls, Drake mused as he traced a finger along the raised type of each name. Nearly half of his command had died during that ill-fated mission, as the crew dealt with what had come to be known as the Chimera Nanites. The microscopic artificial life forms self replicated like a virus, infecting both electronics and carbon-based life, exerting control over virtually anything that made use of electrical impulses. This caused equipment to malfunction, caused sentients to go mad.
To this day, he could not shake the nightmares, could not leave behind the guilt. So many of his people had died in accidents or explosions... or by the hand of those driven insane by the infection. If not for the heroism of Lieutenant Asovil Sh'iralonas, the Chief Science Officer, every member of both ships would have died. Asovil had designed a "vaccine" that acted something like a computer virus of its own, infecting the nanites and causing their overload. But the initial reaction to the vaccine had been violent, deadly - as she had known it would be. The Andorian had knowingly injected herself with the cure, fully realizing that she would not survive the process, but unwilling to allow anyone else to bear the terrible price in her stead.
There were other tales to be told from the incident, Drake knew that. A petty officer had taken over flight control after the deaths or incapacitation of almost everyone in her department, managed to save lives in the face of unthinkable challenges. Likewise, a young engineer had basically saved the ship in the face of similar circumstances, performing critical repairs that kept the vessel spaceworthy and allowing it to limp home. There were other unsung heroes, people who had risen to face unbelievable challenges to save their comrades and come out stronger. The Captain felt immense pride for each of these.
Truth be told, that pride was the lion's share of what kept him going each day. That and the fact that it felt like utter cowardice, like spitting on the graves of such good people who died while he yet lived, for Silas to simply crawl into a bottle and never return. But how he longed for the comfortable numbness of not knowing, not feeling this pain of loss and failure! What he would not give to forget those who had died doing the duty that he had led them into.
No, they were gone, and he was still here, a walking mockery of the uniform that he wore. All he could do was to struggle on, hope to improve, hope to be more worthy of their sacrifices - and know that such a task was impossible.
Silently, alone - just as he had done every single day since the Peregrine had returned to duty - the Captain wept in front of the memorial.
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Stardate 2365.05.14
USS Peregrine, Bridge - 10:20
Petty Officer Warren glanced up from his terminal. "Captain Drake," he spoke. "I have an incoming transmission from Starfleet Command."
Drake nodded from the command chair. "Onscreen, please, Mister Warren."
"Aye, Captain," the gold-shirted man replied. Momentarily, the viewscreen sprang to life.
The female admiral with the graying brown hair was all too familiar. Drake made an effort to exhale before speaking.
"Admiral Harding. What can we do for you?" the Captain spoke evenly as he took his feet.
The Admiral kept a neutral, business like tone, her expression pinched. "Commander Drake. Reports indicate that navigation beacon Gamma Four Seven Alpha has malfunctioned. That beacon lies just inside of the Calican system, which is rather near your location. Your orders are to proceed to the Calican system and repair this beacon if at all possible."
Drake nodded. That feels like busywork for a warship, he mused. "Aye, Admiral. That should be a simple enough task."
Harding frowned slightly. "I expect that you are correct concerning the repair itself. Do be advised, Commander, that the Calican system is home to a pre-warp humanoid civilization. They have developed rudimentary spaceflight within the past two decades, have begun placing satellites around their homeworld, have recently made a successful flight to and from their moon. Your orders are to complete these repairs, but to do so with the utmost of discretion - the Prime Directive is of course in full force here; the Calican sentients are to be lieft entirely alone. In no case are you to have any sort of contact with this society, do you understand?"
Silas did his best to unclench his teeth and speak calmly. "Certainly, Admiral. I am fully aware of the scope of the Prime Directive."
Harding nodded. "Very good, Commander Drake. Harding out." With that, the feed cut, and the viewscreen returned to normal.
Drake sighed as he retook his seat. "You heard the Admiral, Tochi. Lay in a course for the Calican system, engage warp factor six."
OOC: assuming an affirmative
"It looks like we have something to do, at least," Silas mused. It did irk the Captain to no end that Admiral Harding *always* seemed to know more than she chose to share. He silently wondered how much that the woman had elected to not share this time.
Posted on 2021-02-08 at 18:12:14.
Edited on 2021-02-08 at 18:17:46 by t_catt11
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