SIM LOG NARRATIVE - SD 201905.17
Bridge
The Penumbra had escaped from the battle at the planet Janidor by using its experimental Slipstream Drive. But, the system required an hour to reset before it could be used again. The crew was working feverishly to get it reset so they could return to Janidor to retrieve Lt. Cmdr. Spearhorse and to try to find a way to get the Kyrathian Swarm off the planet.
On the Bridge were Capt. Zak Taylor, pacing back and forth across the Bridge; Lt. Cmdr. Relok, reviewing the Aslan's database on Krigeth's beetle-like people; Lt. Jason Carter at the Helm, making an active attempt to get the Slipstream active from his own station; Ens. Tabeshk Tibris at the Operations Console trying to get the Slipstream back online; & MGny. Derek Hines.
Tabeshk took a moment to try to relax, propping his feet on the side of his console and muttering, "I wish I had my coffee."
The stoic Vulcan Science Officer eyed Tabeshk but said nothing, apparently feeling that Tabeshk's mannerism was preferable to the Captain's nervous pacing. Tabeshk cut Relok a glare and whispered, "MY station, I do what I wish." He paused a moment before adding, "As long as the Captain doesn't have a problem with it."
Carter said, "MAX, can we route power from auxiliary craft for the slipstream?"
MAX's disembodied voice came through the speakers, "Negative. The Slipstream requires a manual cooldown sequence, or it risks catastrophic failure. ETA... 8 minutes, 37 seconds."
The Captain's groan was audible in spite of himself, "Eight more minutes?"
Tabeshk began swaying his feet back and forth where they were propped on his console.
Relok cross-referenced his research on Krigeth's people in the Aslan database with notes Ambassador Android may have made.
Hines strolled away from the Tactical station and offered a flask to the Captain. "Coffee, sir? Colombian blend."
Tabeshk answered first, "Yup! Coffee here, please!" He grunted, adding, "Hines is the maid."
Zak eyed the big black Master Gunny before taking the flask. As he did he said, "You know, we have replicators over there." He gestured with the flask.
Hines grinned and shook his head, "Replicators don't get the flavor right. It's all in the grind, sir."
Zak sipped from the flask then made a face, "Ooh! You drink it black, Hines? Gotta have some sweetener!"
Hines chuckled, "Dilutes the potency of it, sir. Gotta keep it pure. Gives it the best kick."
Tabeshk strolled over to get himself an iced coffee from the replicator, with all the necessary add-ons. As he returned to his seat he sighed, "Ahh . coffee . now if only I had popcorn!" He licked his lips and continued, "Iced coffee and popcorn . my mother would kill me!"
Suddenly the ship's computer began playing an old song entitled "Popcorn" by a group known as "Hot Butter".
Tabeshk sighed, "MAAAX! The song wasn't exactly what I was talking about!" He muttered to himself, "Calm down, Tabeshk, calm down."
MAX reported, "Three minutes, 42 seconds .," then added, "You have me confused with the ship's primary Computer, Ensign." But the ship's computer discontinued the music.
Tabeshk responded, "MAX, you do realize you ARE a computer right what's the difference?" He sipped his coffee.
MAX replied, "Incorrect assumption, Ensign. I am a sophisticated, self-aware and sentient artificial lifeform. The fact that I do not have a physical existence is irrelevant."
Tabeshk sighed, "Whatever, MAX. What other systems do we need to reboot?"
MAX answered, "We have all essential systems online."
Tabeshk said, "I apologize to the computer! I had thought you and MAX were the same." With a sigh he said, "If you wish to play a song, Computer, play whatever the Captain likes."
After a moment Tabeshk asked, "Hey, MAX, have you always been an artificial lifeform?"
MAX answered, "Yes, Ensign." Then he reported, "Captain, Slipstream cooldown complete in 10 seconds. Preparing displacement algorithm ...."
A call came through the comm system from Lt. Col. Patterson on the Cerberus, "Cerberus to Penumbra. We're seeing a lot of civilian activity down here, but no signs of Spearhorse... we're gonna have to make contact."
The Captain responded, "Acknowledged, Colonel. Try to keep the impact to a minimum, but the PD is lifted. Do what you have to to find our man." He lifted his chin to speak to MAX. "MAX, how long until we can make the jump?"
The Artificial Intelligence responded, "Captain, Slipstream online. Algorithms uploaded to NAV."
Carter nodded, "I've got the adjustments. Confirming Slipstream on standby."
Hines signaled the "Blue Alert" the Penumbra used to indicate preparations for Slipstream. "All Hands, prepare for Slipstream!"
The Captain called, "All right, everyone strap down, we remember this can be a bumpy ride!"
Tabeshk had a moment of panic and looked at the Helmsman beside him, "Carter, how do I lock myself in?"
Carter turned and tapped the button on the bottom-right of the Ops console as he said, "It's the one that looks like a flight harness." He looked up at the Captain and nodded, "Ready, sir."
Relok strapped himself in and then suddenly his eyes lit up and he cried out, "Pheremones! That's it!" But before he could say anything further the ship lurched into Slipstream, wriggling and skipping through the strange wormhole effect.
Carter was rapidly making minute adjustments based on the previous calculations of their first jump, and some fancy flight-work.
The Captain's voice came out, distorted by the wormhole effect, "Rr-ee-lok ... wwhat was th-that you s-said about ... pheremones?"
Carter called out, his own voice distorted, "Ssssslipstttream offfllline iiiiin 3 . 2 . 1 .." As he reached the end of his countdown the Penumbra dropped out of Slipstream only a few hundred kilometers from the scene of the orbital battle.
Hines lurched forward as the ship dropped out of the wormhole. The five Colony Ships that had been here before the Penumbra had escaped had been reduced to three, with debris representing the others. But one of the Aslan ships was also debris being ripped apart by Kyrathian Gatherers, leaving five of the large battlecruisers.
Hines scanned his Tactical console and called out, "Showtime, MAX! Captain, permission to go weapons free?"
MAX responded, "Point Defense Systems online. All defensive countermeasures functional. Weapon systems and shields at 100% efficiency."
The Captain answered, "Hines, get a good tactical scan and assist any Aslans in need."
Hines nodded, confirming his readings. "I've got 3 Colony Ships still fighting. The Aslans have lost a vessel in the fight as well. One of the Colony Ships has an exposed weak point, I believe. Onscreen now."
Dr. K'Trevala's voice came over the comm system from Sickbay, "Captain, Shadow here. Sickbay's ready for whoever needs us, and I have a triage team ready in case they are needed as well."
Zak replied, "Thanks, Doc. Stand by. We don't know what condition Dean is in, he might need your attention."
Shadow responded, "Understood, sir, we're ready."
Hines barked, "MAX, dispersion pattern 3-1-Foxtrot. Deploy antimatter spread. That'll disrupt any pods from locking onto us as an energy source for a few seconds." He fired a volley of quantum torpedoes at the damaged Kyrathian Colony Ship. "Over here, ya big dumb brute!"
Carter skillfully executed a starboard ventral roll that maximized the antimatter spread around them for the best concealment. He said, "If we didn't have their attention before, we certainly do now! I reckon 10 seconds before they start swarming us."
Tabeshk re-tied his ponytail after their passage through the Slipstream wormhole and still sat nonchalantly with his feet on his console sipping his coffee. Hines glared at the younger man and said, "Now may be a good time to get serious, Ensign. Transfer all auxiliary power to the phaser arrays."
The Ensign dropped his feet to the floor and sat up straighter, "Alrighty, then, Hines." He accessed his console, cracking his knuckles and saying "Come on, don't fail me now." In a few seconds he had transferred the power as requested.
Finally, Relok responded to the question about pheromones. "Captain, the Aslans recorded that Krigeth's people were ... they used the word 'repulsive' ... I think it might be some kind of pheromone that affected them."
The Captain looked confused. "Sorry, Relok, I'm still lost. Help me out here."
Relok explained, "Pheromones, sir. If Krigeth's people could repel the Aslans, maybe they can repel Kyrathians!"
Zak struggled to catch up with his Science Officer. "Krigeth's people can repel the Kyrathians? With their stench? Is that what you're saying, Commander?"
Relok answered, "I wouldn't have said it quite that way, Captain, but ... yes ... well, maybe, we need a sample for study, and maybe a Kyrathian or two to test it on."
Zak said, "Well, I don't know about getting you live Kyrathians, Relok, but we might could get some of Krigeth's stink juice." He smiled at the Vulcan and tapped his commbadge, "Counselor," he called Ariti, "have you made contact with Krigeth's people?"
While the Captain struggled with the biochemistry issue, Hines fired a volley of supercharged phased-plasma from the forward arrays at the weakened ship. He said, "Carter, give me 30 degrees starboard and let's play chicken with that Colony Ship. Get me as close as you can over top of them."
Carter spun his chair and gawked at the man, "You wanna get CLOSER?!"
Tabeshk spun his own chair, "Are you mad?!?"
Hines smirked at both of them, "We lit a fart on 'em once and saw how effective it was ...," he trailed off.
Carter blinked and then did a facepalm. "Why do I feel like I'm gonna regret this?" He turned back to his Helm console.
Tabeshk turned his chair back forward and muttered, "You're not the only one Carter. Damn, Hines, you're just like my dad in some ways, just as crazy as him."
Carter glanced towards the Captain, but seeing that he was indisposed, he decided he was the ranking officer at the moment so he made a "command decision". He said, "All right, Hines. Captain, going to Ramming Speed, opening the nacelle exhaust .."
Away Team - on the Cerberus
The Cerberus flew with Lt. Col. Patterson, Dr. Desiree Thibodeaux, Counselor Charis Ariti, and a small group of Marines to go and retrieve their lost man, Lt. Cmdr. Dean Spearhorse, who had been accidentally transported with the group of a thousand civilians to an island deemed the "Safe Zone" about 200 miles from the main continent where the Kyrathian invasion was occurring.
The Cerberus was equipped with its own experimental Slipstream Drive, and dropped out of Slipstream on the opposite side of the planet Janidor from where the Aslans and the Kyrathians were engaged in battle. Using its advanced cloaking device, it descended through the atmosphere unnoticed.
Patterson had assigned the Klingon Warrior named Khalgon, a Marine in the Pathfinder Unit, as Ariti's security escort for her mission to Krigeth's people. He was sharpening his Bat'leth as it rested across his lap. Next to him was propped a Type 3 Phase Rifle.
Ariti glanced at the Klingon and mumbled, "Khalgon, take me away!" Desi rolled her eyes at the archaic reference.
Khalgon looked up from his blade and grunted, "You go where you wish, Ariti. I will follow." He didn't get the joke, seeing that it was based on old Earth history.
Patterson sighed, "Alright, let's get down into the clouds so we can try and find a good spot to drop you two on your mock honeymoon, Counselor."
Khalgon lifted his head and gave Patterson an icy stare before returning to honing his blade.
Ariti smiled and joked, "He's just my type, the strong and silent sort." She pointed over Patterson's shoulder. "If you can get us close to that big mountain, it might be close to their people. Just not ON the mountain, it's sacred to them."
Patterson smirked as they quickly descended, then said, "We're in transporter range. Just give me the say so."
Ariti answered, "Ready when the Klingon is."
Khalgon stood, placing his bat'leth into its harness on his back and picking up the rifle. "Qapla', Travis."
Patterson nodded in reply, "Qapla', Khalgon," and engaged the transporter. The Counselor and her escort dematerialized from the Cerberus and rematerialized on the mountainous jungle island of Krigeth's beetle-like people.
Patterson quickly turned the Cerberus and flew on towards the Safe Zone to find their missing Security Chief. As they flew over the ocean he turned to Desi, "You know, there's no telling what we're gonna find down there."
She answered, "Yes, I'm well aware. I'm hoping Dean is OK."
In a few moments Patterson reported, "We're approaching the Safe Zone, 30 seconds out." When they'd reached the large island, he flew over it at high altitude, still cloaked, and scanned it. There were signs that the civilians were being very active, but . no sign of Spearhorse. He shook his head and reported, "Lotta activity down there, Doc ... but I don't see any signs of Dean."
Desi used her own console to scan as well and frowned as she too could not find their man.
Patterson opened a comm link, "Cerberus to Penumbra. We're seeing a lot of civilian activity down here, but no signs of Spearhorse. We're gonna have to make contact."
The Captain's voice came back, "Acknowledged, Colonel. Try to keep the impact to a minimum, but the PD is lifted. Do what you have to to find our man."
Patterson gave out a deep breath as he closed the comm. "All right, Doc. We're setting down here. It's gonna be smack in the middle of all of them, but at this point, it's our best chance of finding Dean."
Desi gave a curt nod, "I'm ready."
Patterson then addressed the Artificial Intelligence in the Cerberus's computer system, "AEGIS, take us down slow."
As the Cerberus descended out of the clouds, Patterson decloaked and turned on its spotlights as the landing gear deployed. It settled to the ground amongst the civilians in the Safe Zone and the rear hatch opened.
Away Team - In the "Safe Zone"
Lt. Cmdr. Dean Spearhorse had been accidentally transported along with 1000 of the native inhabitants to an island some 200 miles from their home city on the main continent. After the natives woke up from the CS gas that had knocked them unconscious, their Elder had summoned Guards to take Dean into "protective custody".
As they sat near a fire Dean spoke to the Elder, "Do you know what kind of force your planet is trying to defend itself from?"
The Elder eyed the stranger and answered, "From what I understand, they came from the Beyond, like you."
A Guard spoke up, "But I saw them attack your forces! You brought them down on us like a plague!"
Dean responded, "We didn't lead them here. We saw they were attacking and were trying to render assistance without being seen." There was an awkward silence on the beach as that sank in. Dean continued, "So, the question becomes, how do we organize your people?"
The Elder contemplated a moment and then answered, "I could send out riders, if I were on the mainland, but," he glanced around, "this looks like the isle of Xinot."
Dean shrugged, "You would know better than me."
The Elder leaned forward, "What do I tell my people?"
Dean thought a moment and then answered, "Do not engage them. Have your people get their cannons to the harbors to protect the evacuation. Get your people to the island, they can better defend the smaller land mass."
The Elder nodded in approval.
Dean continued, "Anyone that can use a bow and arrow will be trained to help in the protection of your people. The military and the navy will handle the firearms and cannons. Half of your fishing fleet will make forays back and forth to these islands while the other half will have to redouble their efforts to feed your population on the islands. I will see if we can arrange for some food to be sent down initially to help you while you are building the island infrastructure you will need to hold these islands."
The Guard grunted. "How can you do that if you are our prisoner?"
Dean smiled. "You do realize my people will pick me up." He paused then said, "And by the way," he patted the phaser still on his side (the natives had no idea it might have been a weapon since it resembled nothing they'd ever seen before), "they will be well armed, considering this is still a hostile planet." He paused again before adding, "With just one shot from my phaser I could immobilize 30 to 40 of your best knights . if I was forced to . or worse, they wouldn't exist at all afterward."
The Elder gasped, "Only a god can wield such power!"
Dean quickly corrected the man, "Oh no, I am no god! I am just as flawed as any of your people. I do not wield this power lightly. Normally I try to talk my way out of a problem first. But . there is no talking with the Gatherers or the Soldiers of the Karathians. First, we don't know their language, and second, they are cannibalistic, eating their prisoners, once they are too infirm to be used as a work detail of some sort."
Dean watched the faces of the natives as they absorbed this information, then continued, "We need to deploy riders in a way that they can get a new beast of burden each time the first wears out. Food and water for the animal must be available at each stop. It was a process my forefathers used to deliver mail over long distances without having to wait 12 hours for the horse to recover each night."
Suddenly, above them a small ship descended from the clouds, its spotlight sweeping the beach as landing struts unfolded beneath it. Dean gestured, "Looks like my ride is here." He stood and said, "By your leave, sir."
The Elder waved off the Guard who'd stood with Dean as if to stop him from leaving. The Elder spoke, "You are free to go . and we will put into practice what you ask."
The Cerberus landed and the hatch opened. Patterson emerged, one hand gripping his rifle and another holding a small sonic grenade - just in case. He spoke to Dr. Thibodeaux who was descending the ramp behind him, "Doctor... try to stay close to me," he turned and gave her a wink, "though I understand that's easy for most women."
Desi was trying to overcome her sense of fear and didn't react to the joke, merely nodding solemnly as they stepped off the ramp.
Patterson called, "Spearhorse?"
Dean strolled over, gesturing behind him, "The Jonosians will redeploy their personnel to the islands. It will take some time, but it will give them a more defensible position."
Patterson lowered his rifle, relieved to find Dean in good condition. Dr. Thibodueax also let out a sigh of relief to find their Chief of Security unharmed, but she scanned him with her tricorder just to be sure.
Patterson spoke, "Dean . the Prime Directive is lifted for this matter. Let's get these men properly armed and defended. I'm deploying the entire Marine Contingent here." He glanced around then asked, "Who's their senior?"
Dean responded, "Colonel, these people do not have much. They are noble warriors, though, and will do their best to reach the safety of the islands." He smiled at Desi, "Dr. T . let's go home. All this diplomacy has given me a heck of a headache!"
Away Team - Krigeth's Island
Krigeth, a member of a beetle-like insectoid people that inhabited the small tropical islands on the opposite side of the planet of Janidor from the continent being overrun by the Kyrathian Swarm, used the mysterious power of "sliding Nishara" to instantly appear at the edge of the beach, where he immediately busied himself with harvesting a coconut like fruit from the trees.
Counselor Charis Ariti and the Klingon Pathfinder Khalgon materialized some 50 yards away from where Krigeth worked, not far from their village. Remembering how stealthy Krigeth had been, she decided to use the voder device to make a few noises.
Khalgon looked around suspiciously then mutters, "This place is oddly quiet."
Ariti called through the voder, the device making sounds like buzzes and clicks and thunks, resembling the language of the Aslans. What it meant was, "Hello? Anyone here?"
Krigeth heard the noises that resembled a voice, but not quite. He raised his antennae to search the area then buzz-clicked, "Strange One Ariti! You have returned!" He rushed over to where Ariti stood.
Ariti saw the beetle skittering through the forest. She spoke through the voder and the Universal Translator that she and Khalgon both wore gave the translation, "Krigeth! I would know your shell anywhere!" Khalgon turned to look at the beetle-like creature but remained silent. Ariti continued, "I come to ask your people for help."
Krigeth raised up on just four of his six legs and gestured with the upper two "hands" towards Khalgon. He click-buzzed and the Universal Translator gave his words as "You've brought a different friend this time."
Ariti indicated the Klingon and said, "Yes, this is Khalgon."
Krigeth struggled to reproduce the sounds with his shell and reed. It came out sounding like "Kkk-ali-ggon."
Khalgon nodded, "Close enough."
Ariti smiled, "Excellent! You are a quick learner!"
Then Krigeth said through the UT, "We are aware of the plight of the soft-skins across the water. A plague has descended on them."
Ariti replied, "Yes, that is why I came back. To ask if it's possible to help the others of this world."
Krigheth bobbed slightly and said, "Our elders discussed it. We sent a few scouts, but ... there are demons among them. We withdrew immediately."
Ariti nodded, "Yes, those demons are called Kyrathians. They seek to destroy all life on this planet." She paused, then said, "I was hoping that your people could teach them how to slide Nishara. Our abilities to help are not strong enough."
And then Khalgon sniffed, scrunching up his nose, "What is that odor?"
Ariti sniffed and shrugged, not smelling anything out of the ordinary.
Khalgon lifted an arm and sniffed his armpit. He shook his head, "No, it's definitely not me."
Krigeth glanced at the Klingon, "You can detect my scent? That is unusual for one of ... your kind."
Ariti said, "I don't, but . he is a different type of my kind."
Khalgon lifted his head and raised an eyebrow. "I am a Klingon."
Krigeth's antennae jiggled a moment, apparently in confusion. He buzz-clicked and the UT said, "But ... your kind can't smell our scent. It's only for us. It protects us from predators and signals intent to ... well, mate or fight or ... other things."
Ariti answered, "We have a word for that. Pheromones. Humans have them but in a different way."
Khalgon crossed his arms. "I am well trained to detect what should not be noticed."
Ariti's commbadge chirped and a call from the Captain came through, "Counselor, have you made contact with Krigeth's people?"
She ignored the call and instead pleaded with Krigeth, "Can you help the people with this?"
Krigeth's antennae jiggled again and the UT said, "Help them how? They do not have the scent glands ...," he trailed off.
Ariti asked, "Can sliding Nishara be taught to others?"
Khalgon took a different tack, producing a vial from a pouch at his hip and handing it to the Counselor, "We can replicate a sample."
Sickbay & Engineering
With Dr. Thibodeaux on an Away Mission, Dr. Shadow K'Trevala was in charge of Sickbay, taking care of the few crew members that were injured in the running firefight with the Kyrathians when the Observation Post on the planet was compromised.
With his advanced empathic awareness, Shadow detected a need for a relaxing beverage for the folks on the Bridge and had one of the orderlies bring a tray bearing mugs of coffee up to them, complete with creamer and sweetener and all the other accessories.
Meanwhile, down in Main Engineering, the Penumbra's Chief Engineer, Lt. Cmdr. Bevin MacArdry, was doing her best to scrounge every erg of energy out of every non-essential system she could find to keep the shields and engines at full power.
Finally, the voice of Master Gunny Hines came through the PA system, "All Hands, Prepare for Slipstream." The lights took on a blue tinge as the ship slipped into the mysterious (and dangerous) wormhole that was Quantum Slipstream.
The ship lurched and wriggled for ten seconds and dropped out of Slipstream back in the orbital battle at the planet Janidor. Shadow knew the possibility of injuries of that battle and so continued preparing Sickbay in case they were needed, either in the orbital battle, or down on the planet.
Shadow tapped his commbadge, calling the Chief Engineer, "Bevin, Shadow, I still have Sickbay on our backup power grid in case you were needing what we'd usually pull."
The heavy Brogue of the Engineer responded, "Thainks Shaddaw, I'll kaip tha ain mind."
Then Shadow tapped his commbadge again, calling the Bridge, "Captain, Shadow here, Sickbay's ready for whoever needs us and I have a triage team ready in case they are needed as well."
The Captain's voice responded, "Thanks, Doc. Stand by. We don't know what condition Dean is in, he might need your attention."
Shadow frowned slightly as he answered, "Understood, sir, we're ready."
A few minutes later, down in Engineering, Bevin noticed that the phasers were charging. She collected as much power from every system she could to help super-charge them. She knew it could be critical.