A cry in the darkness - Part 2
Posted on 27 Apr 2020 @ 12:09pm by Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Commander Amelia Fox & Lieutenant Mitchell Graham & Lieutenant Commander Aidan Datari & Lieutenant Commander True Keading & Lieutenant JG Lilura Karakalakss & Lieutenant JG Rosaline Belikov & Ensign Gwen Leighton
Mission:
Mission 4 - Race against the machine
Location: Main Bridge
Timeline: MD1 0500
1196 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure
Previously on a cry in the darkness Part 1:
“Sir, we don’t have the capability to deal with those planet killers. If they get activated, star systems for light years would be in danger” Rose commented.
And now the continuation ……
"Thank you Lieutenant," Jon said, he was pretty aware of that fact. "Fox the bridge is yours. I have some more subspace calls to make."
Three hours later the Andromeda entered into the system where the distress call had been picked up from.
At her panel, Lilura breathed a sigh of relief as the ship arrived at its destination and slowed down. Now out of extreme high warp speed, she had the crew starting on diagnostics to make sure the warp engines were not harmed, or if anything amiss was found, get damage control right on it. They were going to need full power and high warp maneuvers again shortly if there truly was an active planet killer in the vicinity.
"Report," Jon said returning back in from the ready room where he had been in communication with his CO.
Amelia looked at the viewscreen with dismay as she rose again from the Captain’s chair and moved to her own. She swiveled her monitor toward her. “It looks like every planet in this system has been reduced to rubble.”
Jon nodded. He looked toward tactical and science.. "Can we locate what's caused this?" he asked.
"Running diagnostics now sir," Aidan reported, "it may take a few minutes to compile results.
Michael looked out towards the devastation of the system, feeling his stomach turn, and then tightening. He had talked with Amelia, about the planet killers. He had read the reports of the encounters with previous planet killers. He examined the area, enhancing the images. He stopped, focusing on something that seemed familiar... possibly it was the monster that ate this system.
"Captain, I think I found something." directing attention to the conical object floating there.
From the helm position Mitchell overlaid the Andromeda's predicted flight path into the main viewer. "Plotting safest recommended route, Captain."
"And the safest distance," Jon nodded.
Amelia studied the viewscreen. "Tha's a planet killer alright but it looks to be powered down, can we get any reading?"
Aidan shook his head. "Not much beyond what sensors are telling me now. Not without actually going near it," he said, somewhat apologetically. "I'm not getting any power readings, but there's some odd device there..." He transferred one of his readings to the main screen then walked over to point at it. "Look here... I can't quite place it but it's not something that belongs there."
Rose’s face turned white with shock. She’d hoped that the planet killers had not been activated, but to see one in a decimated system chilled her to the core.
"Does it look anything similar to any alien tech we have come across? Like perhaps Cetea? Number one your evil twin said she sold one to the Cetea could this be it?" Jon asked.
Amelia frowned. "Hopefully this is the one she sold to them. God forbid there could be another one out there." Looking at the device attached to it." It could be Ceta technology. If they managed to get it working it would explain what happened to this star system but then why would it be powered down now? And where are the Ceta who are working on it?"
"The only reference I can find is a kind of device the USS Enterprise encountered.. Kirk's enterprise I mean," Aidan reported, "it was a Doomsday machine, and it killed everyone on the Intrepid..." He paused. "But this thing, for now it's just floating there. If you want me to find anything else I think we should get closer. Send a shuttle perhaps? Or a probe?"
"are you insane? it's currently inactive and you want to poke it?" Rose said, looking first to Aidan than to Jon, "Captain, I recommend giving the Planet Killer a wide birth and searching the rest of the system.”
“Well it seems to be inactive at the moment so we should take this opportunity to study it. But safely and maintain yellow alert at least. Lieutenant Graham, ensure we are ready to move at any sign of activity. If it so much as twitches and offset us from the opening so there no direct line of fire,” Jon ordered.
"We'll be gone before you finish giving the order, sir," the helmsman promised. His eyes were glued to the main viewer.
"I recommend sending a shuttle sir," Aidan repeated, "a smaller craft may be considered less of a threat, if it is noticed at all."
Amelia looked doubtful "If that thing powers up, I don't think it too picky about what it destroys. According to the historical reports, it had very basic AI which attacked anything within a certain range."
"Might be a good idea to review how exactly they destroyed the last one," Graham suggested. "Before we decide what to do next."
Meanwhile on Villanueva an unholy bargain was being struck ...
"You wish to obliterate it. The planet. That is in my power. Then you will help me and the magnificent ones?"
"Yes, by your command. I will do greatness in your name." the zealous fire burning within her eyes.
"As you wish," he stated. He resumed the planet killer her species had got working and he had previously made inactive again. It was a lot of energy on his part. He would need a solid rest again to recharge.
"Get your people off this planet child. Spread the word of our return. The glorious future that awaits. Show them your miracle. Get them to watch the fruits of their labour for it is on route to destroy what you wished.
When I return, it will no longer be required. I will send coordinates where your people need to go meet me."
Once again, Uldrag is on bended knees in front of her deity. " I will spread the word, they will follow! We will leave this planet." rising up once more to her feet.
“Then it shall consume the planet Baku,” the dark one nodded. “The process has begun.”
In front of the Andromeda suddenly started to glow like the fire of hell and slowly it began to move.
TBC
●●●● Captain Jonathan Reynolds
Captain
USS Andromeda
●● Lieutenant True Keading
Chief Counselor
USS Andromeda
●● Lieutenant Aidan Datari
Chief Science Officer/2nd Officer
USS Andromeda
●○ Lieutenant JG Lilura Siana Karakalakss
Assistant Chief Engineering Officer
USS Andromeda
●● Lieutenant Amelia Fox
Executive Officer
USS Andromeda
● “ Ensign Michael Hawkins“
Chief Operations Officer
USS Andromeda
●○ Lieutenant JG Rosaline Belikov
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Andromeda
● Ensign Gwen Leighton
Apprentice Chief Security / Tactical Officer
USS Andromeda
●● Lieutenant Mitchell Graham
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Andromeda
