Mission 9: Secrets of Mars

[Andrew Kirk]

Kirk had spent the better part of the night packing his own bag for the mission ahead of him. He had been instructed by Agent Harris to depart far earlier than his staff members. He was also told that Admiral Gardner would be proving them with all the vital information they would need to succeed as well as all the tools, uniforms, and flight arrangements since Challenger would be staying in dry dock.

Kirk's monitor beeped and before he could check the message himself it opened on its own and began reading line by line, with each precious line being deleted just as the new one was forming. One of the first instructions was, don't write this down, so he didn't.

Without another word or a single glance to anybody the Captain of the NX class starship known as Challenger was gone without a trace on a secret mission that now resided only in his own head. His shuttle departed without anybody knowing as was Harris' orders. He then piloted the shuttle in sublight speeds, knowing full well that it would take him a little time to get all the way out to Mars at his present speed. Despite the long distance and the slower than normal speeds he would still arrive far sooner than the rest of the Challenger crew members.

Find the evidence, eliminate the threat. Those words kept recycling over and over inside of his mind. He didn't want to forget and he wouldn't. His mission was simple and it was brutal, but it was also to protect Starfleet.

<Tag ALL>

[Deleted]

Jack had been instructed by Captain Kirk to perform a full system shut down at 0800 hours. The order meant that he would be the last member of the senior staff to depart for Mars. Word had come down that they were all to report to Mars by 2000 hours where they would be debriefed by Admiral Gardner. Jack was hoping to go with Andy, a notorious early riser, but that was not going to happen.

"Commander Logan to all departments, begin complete shutdown on my command," Jack said over the comm," initiate shutdown now."

As soon as his command was given reports began to come in. Weapons, navigation, communications, and transporters were shut down first. It would take a few minutes to completely shut down the engine. It would be necessary to shut down every major system aboard the ship. The Challenger would be undergoing a major refit of its systems. If everything went as expected they would be able to sustain Warp 6 at any given time.

"Commander engines have been completely shut down," the comms officer reported," all major systems are down and ready for the dock crew."

"Good, just need to check the entire ship before I can get going," Jack said as he walked into the lift and headed towards navigational control. Jack ordered the lift to halt once he noticed a small package addressed to him.

~Read and then destroy~

[dukemccalister]

[Crew Quarters]

[white]"Commander Logan to all departments, begin complete shutdown on my command,"[/white]

It came to his attention that the ship was now on the verge of shutting down and beginning its refits of shipwide systems. Duke found this to be very interesting and the whole process of a ship shutting down on a planet, known to him as mars, was just close to his home planet of earth. So he had to find out what exactly was going on. After he had eaten dinner in the cafeteria aboard the challenger, he made his way back to his quarters to get some rest and then to meet up with the command staff as well as his commanding officer. To better orientate himself with the job.

After getting his stuff together, the science officer had made the plans and schedules ready, and made his way towards the landing bay. From there he would hope to find the whole staff waiting and watching as all the groups gathered.

Along the way, he found that many lights were going out and some of the systems were shutting down all at the same time, he needed to get there fast, with this in mind, he was running with his gear in hand and made for it.

Arriving he found the captain and crew staff waiting anxiously as they saw duke struggling, but breathing for more air "Man that was quite a run, i need to do more running and in the exercise lounge when i get more time. So whats the plan of action?"

[yellow]<tag all>[/yellow]

[Deleted]

Saryn sat cross-legged in the middle of his quarters, his hands lying palm open on his legs, his eyes closed. His breathing was slow and even, while his entire body was relaxed. He finally had time to properly meditate and he was quite in need of meditation, especially after the last few trying months, which had taxed his emotional control to his limits, and beyond.

Numike had gone for a walk, exploring the ship. She needed to learn control as well, Saryn had decided that much, but she wasn't ready to go live with T'Vin and his sons yet. During their shoreleave, he had introduced her to them and Sodon had been particularly taken with the palefaced, fanged girl. He had insisted she bite him, contrary to his father's wishes and his persistence had finally had the girl bite him in annoyance. It had gotten them both a few days of house-arrest.

Saryn had said good-bye to his wife and son only a few hours ago, and Numike had cried the better part of an hour, not wanting to part with her new family. The Vulcan needed some peace and quiet, something he hadn't been able to enjoy for several months, so he now had suggested the girl take a stroll around the ship and get to know the crew, allow them to get used to her. As she went, Saryn sat and allowed himself to slide into a meditive state.

"Commander Logan to all departments, begin complete shutdown on my command."

Startled, Saryn opened his eyes, then smoothly rose to his feet. It seemed, to him anyway, that he wasn't entitled to his off-duty time and certainly wasn't meant to ever meditate. "Sickbay, this is Saryn. Has sickbay been shut down?"

"Yes doctor," Carla Linguini answered. She was one of the new nurses aboard, replacing his former chief nurse. "We're all powered down and patients have been transferred. Are you all right doctor? You sound...funny."

"I am...fine Miss Linguini, thank you for enquiring." He touched the companel again. "Mr Logan, sickbay reports being shut down. May I request a hold on comsignals to my quarters? I am attempting to meditate, unless my services are required?"

[dukemccalister]

[Landing Bay]

"What was i originally supposed to do before seeing the captain?" Duke thought intently, then remembered, "Oh yeah thats right I gotta go meet up with Saryn, i need to begin my mind meld sessions." Grabbing his gear, Duke walked out of the landing bay, and back onto the ship, most of the light fixtures still on, he walked his way through the ship, walking as quickly as he could, not knowing if the ship was going to shut down completely or not.

Wondering more into it, he thought about the sessions themselves, what was going to happen when he met up with saryn again, and how was the vulcan going to react when they delved more into the thoughts of a future human. That would be more up in the air, as he thought, but it was going to be interesting more or less, with him finding out what things were going to either be erased or kept in his mind for good.

[Saryn's Quarters]

Arriving near saryn's quarters, and breathing heavily after carrying an excessive load in his hands. Duke put the bags down on the ground then pushed the button waiting for the doctor to open up.

As soon as the door swung open, he put his bags to the side in saryn's quarters then replied "Hope you dont mind, me putting those here, now onto the session, i almost forgot about, what can you tell me about it, and how can we start."

[yellow]<tag saryn>[/yellow]

[Deleted]

Saryn was once again sat in the middle of his quarters when someone rang the chime. "Come," he called, quietly shaking his limbs after sitting comepletely still for a while. A brief look of annoyance flickered across his face when the ever emotional new science officer dumped his bags into a corner and continued to babble on.

"Hope you dont mind, me putting those here, now onto the session, i almost forgot about, what can you tell me about it, and how can we start."

The Vulcan gracefully rose to his feet and beckoned the human to follow. "A mind meld is not something to engage in lightly," he explained, "among Vulcans it is even frowned upon, viewed as though one is diseased. My people are not aware of my capability of performing a mind meld so I would appreciate it if you did not discuss your sessions with me with anyone other than the captain. Is that clear?"

He waited for McCallister to take his seat, then proceeded. "It may feel uncomfortable, and you must not resist the urge to close off your mind. Performing a mind meld is highly dangerous, for both of us." He closed his eyes for a second. "Relax and open your mind," he suggested, then reached forward, his cool hands touching McCallister's skin. "My mind to your mind.." he intoned.

He felt himself being pulled into the human's uncontrolled mind and he had to concentrate hard not to lose himself in it. He had a job to do, but he had to allow McCallister to lead him to them. ~where do I go~ he asked ~show me~

[dukemccalister]

[limegreen]The Vulcan gracefully rose to his feet and beckoned the human to follow. "A mind meld is not something to engage in lightly," he explained, "among Vulcans it is even frowned upon, viewed as though one is diseased. My people are not aware of my capability of performing a mind meld so I would appreciate it if you did not discuss your sessions with me with anyone other than the captain. Is that clear?"[/limegreen]

"Understood, Saryn, im fully aware whats going to take place in this situation, and what you have explained before to me, I just wanna make sure, we are both capable of doing this with each other, without any mishaps." Duke replied and willingly suggested himself and his mind to the vulcan.

[limegreen]He waited for McCallister to take his seat, then proceeded. "It may feel uncomfortable, and you must not resist the urge to close off your mind. Performing a mind meld is highly dangerous, for both of us." He closed his eyes for a second. "Relax and open your mind," he suggested, then reached forward, his cool hands touching McCallister's skin. "My mind to your mind.." he intoned.

He felt himself being pulled into the human's uncontrolled mind and he had to concentrate hard not to lose himself in it. He had a job to do, but he had to allow McCallister to lead him to them. ~where do I go~ he asked ~show me~[/limegreen]

[Duke's Mind]

"Where am I?" Duke thought, then thinking more into the situation, he found himself on the bridge of the USS Excalibur, and a hundred years ahead of there own, recapping the history, he relised where he was then immediately saw he was in his old uniform "Ah nice cup of coffee, while i prepare for science duty on the excalibur, i wonder whats up for the agenda for today." Duke thought

Walking around his quarters he found a panel, that could be engaged by pressing the motivators and buttons, which they were in there position, there was something already displayed "Starfleet orders, Klingon presence in sector zeta alpha 3, excalibur is needed in that area, and all security teams, are to prepare if there are any boarding parties."

Walking out of his quarters, the Lt, walked on, towards the turbolift then arriving on the bridge finding himself with the captain, and the present crew. "I read the orders, looks like Im going to train for a bit, before this klingon incursion, if you dont mind captain ill be in science department for the time being."

[Saryn's Mind]

Thinking more relative to the situation, duke began to think about something else and found himself reacting into another mind "What is this?" Duke motioned and found himself in a vulcan complex, delving further, he found that this species had been through alot of history, and more past relations. "Looks like you have been busy, this vulcan sure has enjoyed themself on the challenger"

Saryn had only been on his 3rd mind meld, and this was to be interesting. As was anything, he was not that experienced in the field of mind melding as it wasnt that well looked upon. Even though Duke agreed upon it, with Saryn, both of them would encounter a new experience in the mind and body.

[Duke's Mind]

Back on the Excalibur, the science officer, was waiting axiously in his office, as the excalibur made its steady approach into open space, and he was busy fiddling with many instruments dealing with analysis and information.

[Andrew Kirk]

Kirk stepped his first steps onto the rusty surface of Mars and the only thing the Starfleet Captain had going through his mind his twelfth birthday. He remembered vividly his first telescope and the first target he tried to find, Mars. Now here he was years later actually on the surface of the planet that fascinated him so much as a child.

“Captain.” A voice called through the directional COMS.

Kirk turned his back and saw himself standing before another mysterious man, but he was different, his was wearing a completely black space suit, black visor, and a phase pistol hung from his belt. Upon seeing the weapon Kirk felt naked and foolish as he had kept his weapon in the satchel bag that was swung around to his backside.

“We have precious few hours before your crew arrives,” The agent said before pushing a slide button on the side of the helmet to reveal his face, “We must get going.”

Kirk and the mysterious agent walked for the better part of an hour before coming to a discreet looking cave opening. The opening was a tight fit, as it only gave enough clearance for each man to make it through by crawling on the file powder that was this part of the Martian surface.

Inside the cave it was a different story. Before Kirk stood a large what appeared to be high quality plastic that sealed off workers from the harsh un-breathable Martian atmosphere. On the other side of this barrier miners, geologists, and MACO soldiers worked in their space suits, helmets hung by their sides in case of an emergency.

“This way Captain.” The agent said as he motioned with his arm for Kirk to follow him into a chamber fit for only two men. Kirk stepped in only moments after the agent and a blue green scanning device swept the cramped space once the outer door sealed itself shut.

“Bio-hazard scan.” The agent said as if trying to calm Kirk’s nerves.

“I figured as much.” Kirk said as he eyed a flashing red light. Once the blue green scanning was done the seal leading to the work chamber cracked open and the flashing red light was replaced by a solid green light. With the emergence of the green light the agent pulled his helmet off and Kirk was quick to follow his lead.

The two walked down the long cave entrance and Kirk did his best to simply observe all that was going on while at the same time trying to look as if he was just simply passing by, as any old ham would do. The agent must have picked up on his discreet glances, “Take good notes Captain, you’ll be expected to fully brief a committee on what you’ve seen here.”

The agents comments caught Kirk off guard and it begged the question, “Brief the committee on what?”

“You’ll see.” The agent said with a smirk on his face.

[Deleted]

Their minds were one, each sharing what the other thought or felt. Saryn certainly wasn't comfortable with being told to perform the mind meld therapy, it was dangerous and very personal. As he saw into McCallister's mind, he caught a glimpse here and there of the future, before "sealing" McCallister's access to the memories.

He tried to control wat the younger man saw in his own mind, but he was too caught up in his tasks and McCallister was able to see some of his most private thoughts and memories.

Saryn probed deeper into his memories and thoughts, easily finding his way past the automatic blockages McCallister put up, unconsciously. He felt the officer's discomfort, then quietly reassured him.

Neither knew how long the meld lasted, but when Saryn finally returned to his own personal being, he feld physically drained. "How do you feel?" Saryn asked, sitting back as he dropped his hands into his lap. "We may need to do this again, preferably as soon as possible now that the memories are still fresh. The deeper I have to probe, the more uncomfortable and painful it will be for you, and we both know I have orders to block these memories from the future. Once you feel up to it, we should proceed."

[dukemccalister]

It was after the mind meld, that Duke felt, wierd and uneasy, he didnt know how to respond, because he didnt experience a mind meld before, this was a feeling like no other, something completely new and something only tested multiple times, With duke being one of those testers. McCalister was feeling a bit weesy for the time after the mind meld, then withdrew to washing facilities. Cleaning himself off, he felt like he was about to "utterly puke himself out" and while in the facilities, his forehead was sweating from the sides, and he needed some rest as well as saryn.

"Doctor, for now, i think it would be in the best interest we conclude our mind meld for another time, im not feeling to good, and i just had to use your facilities, if you could excuse me, i will be heading to my quarters to relax, then see about talking with the captain. It was a good experience and all, and i appreciate you doing that for me, for now, i must depart, and get on with my duties, you look like you would need some rest as well."

Both Saryn and Duke were mentally exhausted from the meld, and Duke just could not handle another one, frankly his stomach couldnt, he felt like he was going on a roller coaster that they had back on earth. So he headed back to his quarters for a quick rest.

Arriving, Duke dropped his gear, and plunged to his bed, resting for a while, until notice from the captain. Upon awaking he found himself, with his clothes drapped around the bed, and him cuddled up, pushing the blanket back, he got out, then went into a shower. Washing himself off, he awoke from his slumber, getting a bite to eat at the cafeteria, then made his way back to see the doctor once again.

Entering in he found Doctor Saryn in heavy Meditation. Staying very quiet, he watched and listened closely.

[Andrew Kirk]

The agent’s vague description of what Kirk was about to see didn’t seem to faze the Challenger’s Captain. During the last few weeks he had become accustom to the dark and secret world this agent, and now he, was living in. Each time he posed a question for a more specific answer the agent would counter with an equally cryptic response, keeping Kirk on his toes until they finally arrived at their destination.

“Now I need to remind you one more time, this is as top secret as Starfleet gets. This information cannot leave this room. If it does I don’t think I need to remind you of the consequences.”

“I understand.” Kirk replied coolly.

The agent turned his back and pressed a large black keypad device up against a darkened slot on the door. To Kirk’s engineering eye he could tell that the slot was designed for a portable keypad which helped control who and what could go in and leave the room. After a few keystrokes the door opened with a slight gust of wind due to the chance in the two pressure zones.

“Follow me.”

Again Kirk was walking behind the agent at a almost stealthy pace. It was almost as if the agent was trying to sneak up on the doctors and geologists that were working in the sterile environment. The room was covered in clear plastics, which still gave an out of focus view of the rocky cave in which they were working. Technical stations were set about with cords for power running under heavy metal plates which prevented people from tripping over the mass collection of cables.

“Here it is.” The agent said stopping in front of a container.

Kirk’s eyes shot open wide as he was looking into the eye sockets of human remains. Kirk’s gut reaction was, this is it? This is what the big secret is all about? His internal questions were soon answered by the agent.

“I see the confusion on your face Captain and I shared that same confusion when I first arrived. This isn’t what you think it is, it’s much more complicated than that.”

“Go on.”

“This skull belongs to the remains of an ancient Martian.”

“Come again?” Kirk said in disbelief.

“We are standing in a large burial tomb; there are literally hundreds if not thousands of bones here.”

“What are you saying?” Kirk’s mind was trying to piece everything together but it wasn’t fitting just yet.

“Life didn’t start on Earth as we are all meant to believe. Just started here, on Mars. Our ancient ancestors left their dying planet and moved to Earth to make it their new home.”

“Wait a second. Are you trying to say that we are all Martians?”

“Yes.” The agents answer was so cold that Kirk knew right away that he was being serious.

“Tell me more…”

[Deleted]

The Vulcan felt weary and unstable the moment McCallister left his quarters. Many memories that weren't his own were floathing through his own mind and he had to will them away, which took every ounce of concentration on his part.

"Dad, are you all right?"

Saryn opened his eyes to see Numike sitting on the floor in front of him. "Yes," he answered, "I will be." The girl looked frightened, her eyes wide as she reached for her adoptive parent. He allowed her to hug him, before he released himself from her grip. "Please, I need to meditate. Will you be able to continue your lessons on your own this evening?"

"Yes father," Numike replied, rising smoothly to her feet. "You will call if you are unwell?"

The Vulcan allowed himself a small smile, the girl had taken an interest in medicine and he was going to encourage that interest. "You may take a scan of me if you feel I am not," he promised, "but you must not disturb me."

"I won't," she promised, before retreating to her own room.

Saryn closed his eyes again, concentrating on the peace and quiet of his controlled and trained mind. He never heard McCallister enter his quarters, and never saw him until he opened his eyes again. It was then that he realised he must have been meditating for hours.

"Are you ready for the next session?" the Vulcan asked, inviting the human to sit down in front of him. Without awaiting an answer, he reached out and placed both hand's on the younger man's face. "My mind to your mind..." he whispered, allowing himself to be drawn into the human's mind, deeper and deeper this time, blocking off memories of the future where he encountered them. It was a dangerous task, for both of them and he mustn't let his concentration slip.

However, at some point he found McCallister in his own mind, plunging deeper into memories Saryn had no wish of sharing with anyone as they were shameful and dangerous.

[dukemccalister]

[limegreen]"Are you ready for the next session?" the Vulcan asked, inviting the human to sit down in front of him. Without awaiting an answer, he reached out and placed both hand's on the younger man's face. "My mind to your mind..." he whispered, allowing himself to be drawn into the human's mind, deeper and deeper this time, blocking off memories of the future where he encountered them. It was a dangerous task, for both of them and he mustn't let his concentration slip.

However, at some point he found McCallister in his own mind, plunging deeper into memories Saryn had no wish of sharing with anyone as they were shameful and dangerous. [/limegreen]

[white] [Saryn's Mind] [/white]

Inside the mind of a Vulcan, Duke found Saryn's thoughts to be interesting as well as the memories. Continuing further, Saryn’s memories were something rather precious to him, but Duke wanted to find out what this vulcan had done in his previous years, as well as what it was like being a vulcan. McCalister although he was a Science Officer and a Human, he liked to find out about different races, and was curious all the same.

“Saryn, im not feeling at the slightest levels right now, anything you can do, could possibly kill me, I wouldnt want you to go doing something to harm yourself as well as me." Voran said to Saryn.

Thinking harshly about it, and about the differences the two had between each other. "Voran, i will begin the meld, My mind to your mind" cautiously the vulcan approached CO with the melding technique but failed in the attempt.

The vulcan looked down at voran as he had died from the futile meld, even though every hope he had, there wasnt a chance at saving him.

[white] [Duke’s Mind] [/white]

Reverting Back, Duke found himself, on earth, before a committee. It seemed he was being tried on something very important “Cadet Duke McCalister, we of the Starfleet Academy, see that you have pushed yourself beyond all limits, even though you have had medical problems, and caused ruckus with some cadets while at this institution we find it of this committee to send you on your way, to better avenues. You are hearby granted transfer to the USS Excalibur, where you will be serving as its Science Officer, for now, congratulations, and make sure you do not cause any more problems with cadets again, we mention the problem about getting into fights, if one were to tempt you, just walk away, or seek advisement with a Official. Is that clear” Nodding the Cadet now Ensign, smiled and replied “Understood, this will not happen again, and with my medical problems, I will seek help when needed.”

He reverted back to the Excalibur once again as the science officer “The detailed analysis of those gorn I wanted, on the double, Lt Junior Grade McCalister, what have you come to find” the commanding officer replied before Duke.

“I found them to have a reptilian skin and slithery like complexion, they are lizards sir, and we have one of there sample in the lab for analysis.” Duke replied.

[Deleted]

~Lizards?~ Saryn wondered as he looked on in McCalister's mind. Apart from the Xindi, he wasn't aware of any lizard-like species. There were so many marvels in this young officer's mind, marvels that Saryn was forced not to take any further notice of. It was tempting of course, just to look where he wasn't supposed or authorised to go.

The Vulcan mananged to keep tight control of his curiosity, but he knew the damage was done where his own thoughts were concerned. Duke had seen into them, especially one that he had wanted to remain private. Not even his current fellow officers knew of this, never knew he had melded with Voran. He let Duke guide him around in his mind, showing him which memories needed to be blocked from further access.

Saryn hoped it would not damage the young man in any way, because blocking these memories might leave him feeling incomplete. It would be as though someone would somehow 'delete' his experiences on Miranda from his memory."

The Vulcan shuddered as he pulled back from the exhausting mindmeld, still feeling where the vampire-like Mirandans had fed on him. Absentmindedly, he rubbed his wrists. It had been weeks ago now, and the marks were already fading, but the memory remained.

He opened his eyes and looked at the human officer. "How do you feel?" he asked, "I do not believe many more sessions will be required. It is exhausting and I do not wish to intrude any more on your privacy than is absolutely necessary. Too many mind-melds may also compromise me, as I learn of your future, which I should not."

[Andrew Kirk]

Kirk wasn’t exactly sure he was properly prepared for what he had just been told. He had grown up with the long held belief that man had evolved and taken its place at the top of the food chain some millions of years ago. Now, it all seemed was not true. Here on Mars was evidence that contradicted the beliefs of millions of humans back on Earth. Could they swallow this new evidence? Kirk thought.

“This information cannot get back to Earth.” It was as if the agent was reading Kirk’s mind.

“Why?”

“Think about it Captain,” The agent’s sermon had just started, “Our people as a whole have long believed that we humans have been placed here, in the image of their God. What would happen to society, to humanity if this was to be presented to the public? Earth would fall into chaos, lawlessness would reign over logic and morality. We would see the fall of our entire civilization as we know it.”

Kirk raised his eyes brow in a very Vulcan like manner as he listened to the last of the agents speech, “That’s very dramatic,” Kirk couldn’t help but crack a small joke. The problem with his small joke was that it hide his own fears. He could see the logic in keep this information secret, the public couldn’t know for it would lead to a chaotic situation, “So what do we do from here?”

“Now that you fully understand what we are up against here we must take swift action and destroy this evidence and all the information stored on the computers of the scientists.”

“What about the scientists?” Kirk asked in the most naive tone he had ever mustered in his life.

“That situation has already been solved.” The agent replied coldly, “We brought you here to help crack the computer system these scientists have used to protect their work.”

“Why not simply destroy the machine?” Kirk simply asked. It seemed like a simply solution to a simple problem.

“Their machines are tied into every single Martian outpost. If we were to destroy that machine it would cripple the entire system we have set into place. Besides Captain, we work in the shadows. Follow me.”

[dukemccalister]

[limegreen] He opened his eyes and looked at the human officer. "How do you feel?" he asked, "I do not believe many more sessions will be required. It is exhausting and I do not wish to intrude any more on your privacy than is absolutely necessary. Too many mind-melds may also compromise me, as I learn of your future, which I should not." [/limegreen]

“I feel like I have another headache, but better than last time, I was able to find more about you, in this mind meld, than I have in the last one, its interesting how these work and how you do them.” Duke commented.

“Also regarding safety, you are absolutely correct on all levels, we should both be hesistant of performing them, as it can cause problems in the future. As like you said,
“Too many mind-melds may also compromise me, as I learn of your future, which I should not.” “Learning of my future can be a danger but at the same time, learn about me, but if otherwise that digging into my future isn’t the correct way of going about it, then we should not perform any more melds period, just for the safety of both of us.” Duke replied.

“If you decide you want to go forward with another mind meld, it is simply because it is under the supervision of yourself, and me. If you don’t want to, that is because you are looking out for me and others.” Duke noted then waited.

[Deleted]

"I do not need to learn about you," Saryn answered, colder than he had intended, "anything I need to know is in your psychological and medical profile. Anything else is irrelevant." He rose to his feet and tugged at his tunic. "I do not wish to perform any further mind melds, unless Starfleet Command orders me to proceed with them. They are intrusive, and a severe violation of privacy. You were not meant to see into my memories, and I trust you to keep anything you did see to yourself. Discussion of them with anyone is a violation of my privacy, do you understand?"

The duress of the mind meld had the Vulcan doctor irritated and angry. He still needed to conclude his meditations, which had been disrupted by this officer from the future. "Please leave, I have duties to attend to," Saryn continued, "I have a night shift and I prefer to be alone."

Once McCalister had left, Saryn picked up his labcoat and departed for sickbay. But not before trying to check in with the captain. "Captain Kirk, please respond," he called a third time, when there was no response.

Grabbing his medkit and fearing the worst, the Vulcan literally ran through the corridors of Challenger, knocking over several junior and senior ranked officers. Never once did he look back or apologise, he merely kept running until he reached the captain's quarters. "Computer override, medical authorisation Saryn phi-zero zero four."

The doors slid open and revealed tidy quarters, but no body of any sort. After thorough investigation, including computer use, he grabbed his communicator. "Saryn to anyone on the senior staff. I fear we have a situation, Captain Kirk is missing. Please advise."

[Deleted]

Sharon had been off duty, and took time to rest, eat and read one of her favorite novels, the ship had docked and would again leave soon, she was just going to get up when the comm went off.

"Saryn to anyone on the senior staff. I fear we have a situation, Captain Kirk is missing. Please advise."

Sharon tapped the comm unit. "Doctor, this is Ensign Wolf I'm on my way." Sharon said.

Sharon left her quarters, headed to the lift and took it to the Captains quarters deck, got off and headed to his quarters and met the doctor there.

[Deleted]

Jack had intended all along to go with the rest of the senior staff to Mars, but his handler had other ideas. He was to take a shuttle and head to cooridnates that had been preprogrammed into his PDA. Jack immeidately had questions, but they fell on deaf ears.

"Computer forge human lifesigns in my personal quarters until 1800 hours," Jack said as he locked shut down the remaining of Challenger's working systems. Not likeing the cloak and danger routine, Jack walked towards the shuttle bay like everything was normal.

"Jackson, I will be taking a shuttle to Mars by myself," Jack said," it has already been approved, but you are not to tell Commander Wallace."

"Sir?" Jackson asked with a worried look.

"Jackson, we've known eachother for years," Jack said," trust me."

"Yes sir," Jackson said as he left the shuttle bay and allowed Jack to prepare his shuttle. Ten minutes into preflight Jack's PDA came alive with images of thousands of human remains.

"Commander Logan, behind your PDA is attached a neural receptor. Place it behind your left ear. You will feel a slight pinch."

Jack did as he was told and immediately images appeared in front of him. The images were innocent enough. Scientest conducting experiments on some bones and asking each other questions. All of a sudden Jack understood what was happening and he couldn't believe it. The human race originated from Mars and not Earth.

"Commander Logan, your mission is simple. If our primary agents fails. You are to destroy the machine, no matter the cost."

[Andrew Kirk]

Besides Captain, we work in the shadows.

We implies that I'm one of you, Kirk thought as they walked through the dimly lit parts of the cavern. The reality of the situation was that he was in fact one of them. He had sworn to protect Starfleet at any cost, no matter how high the price. The statements were intintionally vague but still specific enough for almost anybody to fully understand the underlined meaning. No ones life with in Starfleet is more valuable than the protection of Starfleet; not his, and not any of his crew. It was a sobering feeling knowing that ones life was completely expendable by the bean counters at the top who only move plastic starships around from grid to grid.

"What's the matter Captain, you've been very quiet recently." The agent said as they continued to walk.

"It's just that it's a bit hard to swallow. We've been taught from when we were kids that life began on Earth, but what you've shown me says other wise."

"I was told you were a man of science."

"I am." Kirk replied while adjusting his environmental suit.

"That's why you were chosen for this mission. We understood that your morality wouldn't effect what needs to be done."

"It wont." Kirk said despite the second guessing that was already starting in the back of his head. He had been tested in battle before and he had been tested while facing harm on a foreign planet but now this was a different type of test. This test was dealing with humans, his fellow race, and the idea that he might have to take extreme measures to protect Starfleet was something he was going to have to get used to.

"We're almost there."

[dukemccalister]

[limegreen] The doors slid open and revealed tidy quarters, but no body of any sort. After thorough investigation, including computer use, he grabbed his communicator. "Saryn to anyone on the senior staff. I fear we have a situation, Captain Kirk is missing. Please advise." [/limegreen]

=/\= I just received your communique Saryn, I’m on my way there, so you say the captains missing, Ill make a steady approach, and we will get to the bottom of this.=/\= Duke after touching pulling out his communicator then closing it.

Making his way through the deck, he was anxious on finding saryn again, and if so maybe even the captain. A missing captain this was something interesting all on its own, Duke not only began to start running, but pushed himself literally trying to get through the deck and onto the turbo lift that way it would jump right to the deck with the captain’s quarters.

Arriving, Duke sprawled out, hitting his face on the ground, getting up from running to fast and not pacing himself to much, he continued on his way, looking to find saryn next to Ensign Wolf.

“So you got the message as well, we have found ourselves in quite of a predicament havent we, shall we start gathering information on the captains whereabouts or make our way through the ship and hope we find him.” Duke mentioned.

[yellow]<tag Saryn or Wolf>[/yellow]

[Andrew Kirk]

“These are the computers.” The agent stated as they walked into a large cavern filled with consoles and computers, “This entire room runs all of the outposts on Mars so do be careful while you try and crack the scientists’ codes.” The agent turned to walk out when Kirk asked yet another simply question.

“Why don’t you just bring in one of the scientists to…” Kirk started to say but was quickly interrupted by the agent.

“Shadows, Captain. We work in the shadows.” With those words the agent left Kirk up to his own devices. Kirk then turned his attention to trying to crack the scientists encrypted entrance codes for the system. He knew there was a reason for all this trouble he couldn’t, at least not at this time, understand why the scientists were unwilling to help.

Sitting in front of the massive monitor, Kirk began to get to work just as the agent slipped out the backdoor. When he was outside he was greeted by another mysterious man in black, “What is it?”

“Sensors picked up two more shuttle craft heading our way.”

“One of them must be Commander Logan, the other must be the rest of the Challenger crew.” The agent thought for a moment about what to do and suddenly as if out of nowhere the answer came to him, “Go, get into your uniform and prepare to greet the Challenger staff. We’ll get them to do our ground work for us.”

“Aye sir.”

[dukemccalister]

Duke was anxious in finding out what exactly happened to the captain in this situation. Apparently he had disappeared and it was up to the challenger crew to find him. With Saryn, Wolf and Duke available at the scene near the captains quarters, Duke was thinking of something logical in finding the captain.

“Saryn its possible, the captain may have made his way off toward the surface of the planet of mars, I am not the commanding officer, nor the executive officer, nor have command. But would like to suggest that we start looking off the ship, and not on it.” Duke replied.

[yellow]<tag Saryn>[/yellow]

“So you agree with me in that we should start looking off the ship, as we have been with each other, you seem to be more agreeable in my actions, seems the fondness and my prompt thinking has made you think about me being part of the crew. Other than that, I say we start looking for the captain off the ship.” Duke mentioned then followed the doctor.

It seemed both Duke and the rest of them were now on there way, to the challengers ship bay, in order to retrieve the captain. This ship bay was filled with two ships, one commanded by commander logan and the other was to be used for them. Arriving, Duke looked at this unusual ship and pondered a minute at its technology. But then phased back to his normal thinking. “Im alright Doctor Saryn just had a mental lapse, with the future. I don’t think it will happen again but when It does ill inform you. For now shall we pilot this vessel and see about flying over mars in search for captain kirk.” McCalister anxious and waiting.

[yellow]<tag Saryn>[/yellow]

“Good I shall take co-pilot’s seat or pilots seat, whichever you deem necessary, for now, we better get going.” As duke walked into the shuttle and sat in the seat ready for take off. Making the final adjustments and putting his science gear to the side, he took a deep breath then watched and looked at the doctor. “Preparations ready Saryn.”

[yellow]<tag Saryn>[/yellow]

[Deleted]

“Saryn its possible, the captain may have made his way off toward the surface of the planet of mars, I am not the commanding officer, nor the executive officer, nor have command. But would like to suggest that we start looking off the ship, and not on it.” Duke replied.

The Vulcan nodded in agreement. “That seems to be the most logical course of action. Especially since I have been unable to get hold of Commander Wallace, who is both first officer and chief engineer. It seems that, apart from the three of us, the entire command staff seems to be missing. Therefor, it is logical for us to start looking for them instead of wasting time by waiting to hear from them. I understand Humans are always keen in starting to look for people, especially in the event of having been told otherwise.”

He held up his hand to silence both officers. “However,” he continued, “as we have not been told to wait, we should hurry.”

“So you agree with me in that we should start looking off the ship, as we have been with each other, you seem to be more agreeable in my actions, seems the fondness and my prompt thinking has made you think about me being part of the crew. Other than that, I say we start looking for the captain off the ship.” Duke mentioned then followed the doctor.

“I believe I just said that, did I not?” The Vulcan raised an eyebrow to indicate annoyance, but his expression didn’t change. He glanced at both Human officers and sighed to himself. Two Humans, of all species he was stuck with two, soon to be three Humans for there was still Ensign Lethmir Dawson to consider. “Ensign Dawson, please report to shuttlebay. We are going on an landing mission and we could use your expertise.”

As they entered the bay, the Vulcan doctor didn’t fail to notice that the man from the future seemed to phase out for a moment at the sight of technology either ancient or unfamiliar to him. “Lieutenant, are you all right?”

“Im alright Doctor Saryn just had a mental lapse, with the future. I don’t think it will happen again but when It does ill inform you. For now shall we pilot this vessel and see about flying over mars in search for captain kirk.”

Saryn nodded. “Ensign Wolf, please start the pre-flight checks. Be prepared to depart in under five minutes.” As the woman climbed into the pod, the Vulcan listened to McCalister’s continued ramble. Understandably, the man was nervous, but the constant babbling was annoying, especially to a Vulcan. It was simply a waste of breath and energy.

“Good I shall take co-pilot’s seat or pilots seat, whichever you deem necessary, for now, we better get going.” As duke walked into the shuttle and sat in the seat ready for take off. Making the final adjustments and putting his science gear to the side, he took a deep breath then watched and looked at the doctor. “Preparations ready Saryn.”

“Ensign Wolf?” Saryn queried, needing her to confirm. “Ensign Dawson, be prepared to start scanning as soon as we approach Mars. Keep an eye out for hostiles and be prepared to fire on them.” It was against his code of violence, but at this moment his tactical training had the upper hand. “Lieutenant McCalister, as ranking officer, I believe you are in command of this mission. I am but a civilian doctor.”

[Deleted]

Sharon looked between the two and listened to what they had to say. They left and headed to the shuttle bay and soon Sharon boarded the pod and took the pilots seat in the front. Sharon started the preflight startup routine. She knew the routine from some of the training she already had had and soon just as the others boarded the pod was ready to go.

'We are all set, pods powered up and ready to go." Sharon said.

Sharon had a feeling this was going to be like finding a needle in a haystack but they had to try and do their best to find the Captain. The bay doors opened and they left the launch bay and headed out. Sharon had to keep an eye on traffic since they were at Mars, traffic would be high here.