USS Penumbra Sim Narrative, SD 202307.14
The Penumbra had left Kinshayan space, hurtling through the galaxy at Maximum Emergency Warp and then plunging headlong into a sustained Slipstream straining to get back to the distant reaches of the Gamma Quadrant from the Beta Quadrant, to the far frontiers of the Aslan Heirate and the edge of space once crawling with the Kyrathian Swarm! They were trying to discover whether the Rift there that connected to the Mirror Universe (that they'd thought they'd collapsed and destroyed) might still be there after all.
The reason they thought the Rift might be back is that the Kinshayan Bishop, Yazgrom, commander of the sphere-ship Yeffre had said that he was coerced into bombing the Space Port on Tepesi 2 with bombs that spread micro-machines that were inhaled into the lungs of some of the Penumbra's personnel (and doubtless many others exposed at Ground Zero). They did not know why these machines would be put into the bombs.
Yazgrom was coerced by the fact that his family had been kidnapped and were being held ... somewhere ... by none other than the Golem Cain, the psychopathic "artificial human" who is the Mirror Universe version of Ambassador Adam Android! The Penumbra had last seen him a couple of years ago at the Rift near the Kyrathian Homeworld. They'd left him infected with an upgraded version of the Green Energy Monster and being towed home by his Aslan slaves.
As to the micro-machines in Penumbra'screw, Dr. Adonudo T'lanuwa, with the help of LtCmdr. Denovan Hawke, LtJG Jackal Tsunada, and Col. Travis Patterson, was able to remove the micro-machines by introducing Borg and Section 31 nanites, carefully reprogrammed for this specific task and then deactivated, into the bloodstreams of the infected. This worked even better than expected and, so far, there have been no lasting side effects, though most of the infected remain in the Wellness Center for observation and recuperation. How to reproduce this for the infected populace back on Tepesi 2 has not been determined, or even if the Penumbra should even concern themselves!
To get from the Holy Order of Kinshaya in the Beta Quadrant to the far reaches of the Aslan Heirate in the Gamma Quadrant, the Penumbra burned their engines hot for several long minutes, and then pushed their Slipstream Drive for half an hour. Warning lights and buzzers and bells have been sounding all around Main Engineering. They need to stop and do inspection and maintenance ASAP! They planned for an hour lay-over at a friendly Aslan Starbase, which should be just enough time to make sure there's no extensive repairs needed, at least. They called ahead and the long-serving Federation Ambassador to the insectoid Aslans, Adam Android, plans to meet us there.
LtCmdr. DrKatarina Hawke, Assistant Chief Medical Officer of the USS Penumbra lay on a biobed in her own Wellness Center. Fortunately, she and the other patients were recovering from the nefarious infection of micro-machines that had been planted in the bombs at the Space Port on Tepesi 2. As Kat regained consciousness, she looked around the Wellness Center seemingly with new eyes.
Beside her, the Emergency Medical Hologram put aside the PADD he'd been reading and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Relax. Lie down, you're alive."
Kat glared up at the EMH. "If Adon hadn't changed your programming, that might not be the case." She shook off the EMH's hand.
Cmdr. Dr. Adonudo T'lanuwa, Chief Medical Officer, was making his rounds, checking on each of his patients, happy to see they were all recovering nicely, though a couple would likely have some breathing trouble for quite some time due to scarring. Those micro- machines in their lungs had been actively damaging the tiny air sacs and passageways.
The EMH responded to Kat, "The design of this vessel is not something to blame me for, Doctor Hawke!"
"Which is why you're lucky you're a computer!" Kat spat back at him, "And not someone who can take the blame for his actions!" Then she muttered, half under her breath, "Unlike the rest of us. We have to live with our actions and their consequences."
As she said this, the lights flickered briefly but then stabilized, the Wellness Center's automatic generator kicking in to maintain a regular power supply.
Adon had overheard the conversation between Kat and the EMH and strolled over, commenting, "You know, the EMH of Voyager was deemed a sentient life form. That gave him rights, and responsibilities ... and liabilities."
Kat grumbled, "Yes, well, that EMH is more human than this one."
The EMH responded, "The EMH of the Voyager was also specifically enhanced with tech from several centuries in the future ... a direct violation of the Temporal Prime Directive."
Kat rolled her eyes. "See what I mean! This one would rather be deprogrammed than become an individual." Though it wasn't explicitly stated, this undoubtedly referred to Kat's feelings about being freed from the Borg collective.
Adon just tilted his head and gave a nod to the EMH. "You got me there, I guess. Still, we're the cutting edge of technology on the Penumbra , we ought to have the best systems Starfleet has to offer. I would think that would include the EMH Mark ... whatever you are."
The EMH lifted its head and said to Kat, "I would rather do my job as designed. Nothing more, nothing less." He turned back to Adon and said, "Perhaps it is best if you specifically oversee this patient, Doctor T'lanuwa. I may be inclined to have her restrained and sedated." He cut a glare at Kat.
Kat retorted, "Ha! I'd like to see you try, Tin-Man!" She stuck her tongue out at him.
Adon squinted at the EMH. "Well, I think the emergency is well in hand now. Perhaps you can deactivate yourself for now and we'll call again if you are needed."
The EMH answered, "Of course, Doctor," and winked off.
Kat turned to Adon, "Can we trade him in for Doc from Voyager? He's still around ..isn't he?"
Adon gave a slight shrug, " I thought Voyager's EMH was doing some kind of musical tour recently? Performing opera or something?"
As he said this there was a soft "bump" and then some clanks as the space port's locking mechanisms engaged. They had apparently arrived at the Aslan station.
On the Penumbra's Bridge, Col. Travis Patterson was once again standing behind SgtMaj. Derek Hines, who occupied the main Reconnaissance Station on the starboard bulkheadOne moment Patterson was peering over Hines' shoulder, and the next he'd wandered over to the Master Systems Display on the aft bulkhead, then he'd wander back over to Reconn.
Cdre. Zak Taylor sat in the Command Chair in the center of the Bridge, though he was clearly tense as he sat there. His original Academy major had been Engineering, and the first few years of his Starfleet career had been spent on the USS Sirocco in the Engineering department. As a result, he could often feel changes in the way the ship ran through space by the way the ship hummed or vibrated through the hull and the floor. They'd been pushing the ship way too hard, and he could tell. He groaned, "Are we there yet?"
At the controls was LtCmdr. Jason Carter, recognized as one of the most naturally gifted pilots in the fleet. Even though they were hurtling through a Slipstream corridor at ridiculous speeds, he insisted in flying it by hand using the manual flight sticks. He strained at the controls to keep the ship mostly centered in the Slipstream. He muttered, "We've just entered Aslan territory. I'm taking us out of Slipstream." As he said it, he did it, and the ship emerged from Slipstream back into normal subspace, still cruising at maximum cruising speed of Warp 9.95!
Off to Carter's left, Cmdr. Relok sat at the Primary Science Station. He reported, "Sensors are at maximum scan range searching for any spacial anomalies. None yet, but we're still far from where the Rift originally was."
Hines reported, "Detecting multiple Aslan frequencies. Seems their border units are enroute to rendezvous with us."
At the Tactical Station just behind Hines stood LtCmdr. Denovan Hawke. He didn't anticipate any problems here, mostly because he knew what he was doing, and ... because the Aslans were Federation allies. Still, he checked his Tactical board again, just in case.
Zak glanced over at Hines and said, "I did get a message through to Ambassador Android. He said he'd meet us at Aslan Starbase Six, I think he said. Carter?"
Carter squinted as his fingers moved across the Helm control. "Standby, Commodore."
It was Hines who confirmed, "Aye, sir, Starbase Six."
Suddenly, a power surge knocked out all of the navigation displays, tactical sensors, and caused glitches in the long-range scanners! The warp drive failed and they dropped out of warp instantly.
"What the -?" Zak started, then cursed, "Damn it, pushed it too hard, eh? Shut her down, Carter, before the whole ship blows!"
At the Operations Console just starboard of Carter, LtCmdr. Tabeshk Tibris hissed, stifling a strong expletive, "Fssh ... I'll look into it."
Zak said, "Tabby, get the Aslan Starbase on the line. We might need a tow the rest of the way."
"Yeah, I got it," he responded.
Den groaned, "Oh, come on. I thought we just fixed that." He began trying to re-route the power through another junction.
Carter was maneuvering the ship strictly by feel at this point, all navigation sensors being offline. "Bit of a problem there, Commodore. I've got no displays on Helm. I'm flying this thing like an antique now."
Zak just said, "Just bring her to a safe stop, Carter. If we can get the lights back on, we'll see about trolling on from there on impulse or something."
"Aye, sir," Carter answered. "I am decelerating gradually. A sudden stop would be detrimental, I'd wager." He slowly throttled the ship back to "Neutral".
Relok commented, "Considering we may have reduced inertial dampeners as well, I would not wish to be thrown into the main viewer. Our beloved MstSgt. Khal'Gon has already proven how much fun that can be." At the Recon station, Hines stifled a laugh, remembering Khal'Gon's flying trip.
Den mentioned, "All of the auxiliary craft can be plugged into the ships systems."
But Carter said, "I don't believe linking the auxiliary craft would be beneficial. Power surges on this scale can completely fry a Delta Flyer."
Zak gave Den a smirk. "Trying to start your own little Collective there, Den? Flew three shuttles at once and now you want the whole suite of Auxiliary Craft linked to your tubules?"
Relok said, "Maybe Den wants to take over Mr. Carter's job as Chief of Flight Operations?"
Carter smirked and said, "He only dreams he could fly a starship at Warp sideways like I can!"
Den murmured, "Hmm ... I mean, a whole suite would be tight!"
Suddenly a beep sounded on Tabby's Operations console. He checked it and announced, "Captain, we have a hail."
Zak said, "Good! At least some systems are coming back online. Keep at it, and put it through. Audio only if the main viewer isn't working yet."
The voice of Ambassador Adam Android came over the speakers, "ISS Asimov to Penumbra, come in please."
Patterson stepped up next to Hines and pressed a few buttons on one of the consoles there, sending a message to the Asimov, visual only, of the data display they had on the Golem Cain. He'd had it specially compressed for quick-flash transmittal, knowing the Android could receive it and decrypt it in seconds.
Suddenly, the main viewer flickered and came back to life as Tabby managed to reroute the powerThe image of the un-aging Android Ambassador appeared on the screen. Zak stood, straightening his uniform, and said, "Ambassador! Good to see you, and just you. Unfortunately, we might be seeing your look-alike all too soon!"
The Android said, "I have received your recent communique on the ... Golem, he calls himself? Formidable creature, isn't he? It is tempting to be flattered, but ...," he trailed off.
"Yeah," Zak agreed. "A Golem, something about a historical automaton fashioned of clay or something that came to life ... and the name Cain after the world's first murderer. Charming character."
Den remarked, "Now if we could just find the First Blade and gut Caine with it ...," he trailed off himself.
Relok glanced over at him, one eyebrow raised, "I believe you have your mythological tales crossed up, Mr. Hawke."
Den shook his head"Not on the Caine part. It's supposed to be the first weapon, used as a dagger or knife, that he used to kill Abel with."
Zak continued as if he hadn't heard Den or Relok, "We think he's made his way into our universe again and is meddling in the Klingon-Gorn war, trying to draw the Kinshayans into it."
The Android asked, "Why would he be involved with the Kinshayans? Perhaps I could understand Klingons or Gorn if he was looking for agressive species as allies, but ...," he trailed off.
Patterson took the opportunity to step aside and call the Flight Deck, "Is the Cerberus fully repaired?"
1stLt. Xavier Cross, Patterson's XO among the Marine Detachment, answered, "I mean there's only so much I know how to fix on her, Pat, but ... yeah, she looks flight-capable. You'll need to do final diagnostics and such with AEGIS yourself though."
Patterson glanced over at Zak and asked, "Sir, permission to head down to the Flight Deck?"
Zak looked back and gave him a wave, "Sure thing, Travis. We should be docking with the Starbase soon."
Patterson nodded and tapped his commbadge, "Cross, I'm on my way. We're docking with the Aslan Starbase here shortly."
Cross responded, "All right, Pat, I'll see you in a few."
Then Carter announced, "Approaching Aslan Starbase Six. Still on visual and manual control only."
From the viewer, Adam heard him and said, "The Starbase has automated docking functionsThey can tractor you into dock from a few kilometers out, assuming you can pilot that close on manual, Mr. Carter?" The Android gave him a wink since he knows he can. They'd served together before, on the Darmok and elsewhere.
Carter answered, "The Starbase's automation won't be necessary, Ambassador. Velocity down to 100 meters per second. On approach ... velocity now 20 meters per second ..adjusting roll angle 12 degrees ...," he went quiet as he worked.
"So, Ambassador," Zak asked, "Your hail came from ... the Asimov? You're not at the Starbase?"
Adam responded, "I am en route. I am coming from the Aslan Homeworld. It is molting season there and the Aslan Court is ... testy. It is a good time for me to find business elsewhere."
Zak gave an involuntary shudder as he remembered the gigantic cockroach-like Aslans, imagining them during molting season, leaving empty shells everywhere and making weird noises as they abandon old shells. "Uugggh!"
Relok asked, "Commodore, will you be granting any leave on the station? I think your original plan was to only be at the station an hour or so, assuming our engines check out?"
"Leave?" Zak replied, "No, not enough time for that. A few key personnel will likely go over and meet with the Ambassador, myself, Pat, probably Den, anybody else with useful information ... or a convincing argument. The rest have work to do to get this ship ready to fly and possibly fight!"
Suddenly the Computer called out, "Proximity alert. Impact imminent. 500 meters."
Relok flinched, "Impact? Mr. Carter are you going too fast?" He quickly checked the sensor feed.
Carter just said, "Computer, silence proximity alert. Reverse thrust, 1/16th impulse, 1 second burst."
Den snarked, "If the paint gets scratched, we can just put it on their bill for having the station out of its established alignment by a few meters."
"Exactly, Den!" Carter quipped back. "It's always someone else's fault, not mine!"
There was the faintest 'bump' and then some clanks as the space port's locking mechanisms engage. "Lock engaged," Carter reported, "All systems to station-keeping."
Zak said, "Tabby, Carter, work with Evie and Jackal to get the engines, slipstream, and power feeds checked out. We know we pushed them, and will probably push them again. Let's not blow up because of it, OK?"
"On it, sir," Tabby said.
"Den," Zak turned to his Tactical Officer, "join me in having a chat with the Ambassador. We need to see how he thinks so we can figure out how that Golem will think."
"Yes, sir," Den said, stepping to the side of his console.
Zak tapped his commbadge, "Travis, when you've assured your baby is healthy, join Den and I on the Asimov with the Ambassador." He started for the Tubolift, then stopped and turned, "Oh, and Tabby, put us on Umbilical Power with the station as soon as the connections are made. We don't need to be generating power while you guys are checking the connections. Don't want any fried technicians!"
Again, Tabby just answered, "Yes, sir," and began making the connections.
Carter stood and stepped towards Zak, "I'll accompany you, Commodore. The Ambassador and I worked together before."
Zak turned to Carter, "Sure, Carter. Let the techs tweak, you just fly, am I right?" He gave him a wink.
Finally, Patterson's voice came back from the Flight Deck, "With respect, I was gonna take the Cerberus for a shake-down towards the Rift, since the Penumbra is kinda ..spent out."
Zak frowned slightly and glanced at Den. Without reactivating his commbadge he said, "I was a little afraid he'd want to fly off on his own. But we're blind and stupid right now, and we don't need a blind and stupid Colonel out there!"
Den gave a slight shrug. "I think it's something to do, for one, also maybe ... time alone to think about things. You wanting me to go out also instead then?"
Zak shook his head, "Let's meet with the Android, have an informal discussion, then we can decide who to send where and with what ships." He took a breath, then tapped the badge, "Negative on the shake down, Colonel. Belay that for now and let's get some intel first."
They could almost hear the disappointment in the Colonel's voice, but he said, "UnderstoodI'll be ready in 5 minutes. Just got a couple more diagnostics to finish up."
. Carter crossed his arms and said, "Well, we don't need the Colonel going out and doing it. The Heirate has a huge number of vessels. Have any of them reported a sighting with the Golem Cain? Have any of them even detected the Rift?"
Hines turned from his Reconn station and said, "That's actually a damn good point, Carter!"
Zak waved at him, "Y'see! We need to think this through! We can ask the Android if the Aslans have any info! I know I pay you guys for a reason!"
Relok stepped up to them, "He's getting paid, sir?"
Carter chuckled as they all piled into the Turbolift, "Y'know ... I used to do what T'Lin and Carshel do, right?"