Starbase 47 ◇ Thread Concluded SD: 2408.1129

[Carl Torek]

United Federation of Planets Headquarters. Earth
Stardate: 2406.04.0713 - 16:30 hrs

Federation Presidents Office

The Efrosian President, Ra-ghorennii, thanked the Council Members ..... It had been a long meeting, reviewing numerous issues, but thankfully everyone seemed satisfied with the decisions made. As the Delegates filed out, Captain Noaht Kep, the President's Risien Aide-de-Camp entered. He nodded to the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Section Admiral Efal Krist, who was stood at the cabinets pouring himself a large whiskey:

"Noah, let's make sure the Grazerite delegate leaves the surface without too much trouble shall we..." Krist said as he was handed a PADD, "... What's this?"

"We received it a few hours ago, it's data, fragmented, from a Ruwan Freighter... It had passed through Yattho Space in the Beta Quadrant, en-route to the Antede Star System when it's long-range sensors picked up a massive disturbance..." the Aide transferred the information to the large wall-mounted viewscreen and continued, "... They believe it was the remnants of a collapsing wormhole,"

"A wormhole collapse wouldn't cause this damage," Krist commented.

"Under normal circumstances, no Admiral, but the Ruwan Captain picked up emissions on a quantum level, or so he believes, gravitational flux has made it almost impossible to get any better information at present, but it certainly wasn't you're 'run of the mill' wormhole collapse, that's for sure,"

"It is close to the border with the Alpha Quadrant?"

"Yes, Mister President, close to the Yattho Star System which is on the furthermost reaches of the Klingon Empire," the Aide confirmed.

"Well, even the Klingon's don't bother with that region of space, the Yattho keep to themselves, so it normally wouldn't attract our attention. These images were taken from the Pascal Deep Range Array..." Kep said, changing the images, "... They are no better than the others, but they 'do' show something, here, and here....." he pointed to two distinct 'blurs' on the screen.

"..... and they are?" the Sector Admiral asked refilling his glass.

"Hard to tell, but one could be a moon or small planetary body, it looks to be comparable to Earths Moon, slightly larger possibly, but we can't confirm that at this point. The second could be something that sheered off the moon, it's possible that the body came through the wormhole, practically destroying itself in the process, or maybe it was here when the wormhole collapsed and was devastated by the resulting emissions?"

"Do we have any vessels in that area?" Ra-ghorennii asked. the Risian Aide checked Starship deployment then nodded:

"The Science Vessel, USS James Clark Maxwell is in the Antede Star System, approximately forty light-years away,"

"Have them contacted, ask them to divert and carry out scans of the region, but instil on them that they must not venture too close, the last thing we need is the Klingon's going em-masse into the region," the President ordered.

"The Yattho, didn't they petition for Federation membership independent of the Klingons?" Krist asked.

"Yes Sir, their application is still under review, apparently, the Klingon's are none too happy at one of their 'fold' wanting independence. They have objected to the petition every time it's come to the Council,"

"Very well..." Ra-ghorennii commented, rising from his seat behind the ornate desk, "Please keep me, informed Captain. Now, if there is nothing else, I do believe my wife is expecting me, we are having, guests," Krist and Noaht left the office, the President contacted his home to say he was on his way home ..........

[Carl Torek]

SD : 2406.04.0714 .. 21:30 hrs

Fleet Admiral Torek's Office ::[/font][/blockquote]
It had been six days since Starbase Forty-Seven successfully travelled through the αCen Star System Wormhole ..... He had just left a meeting, one of several being held throughout each day for progress reports. To help with repairs, Civilians were being asked to assist with tasks needing to be done in none-sensitive areas, this ensured the work was completed much quicker than first estimates.

The USS Raven, the only Starship not tethered within the Dome had suffered some damage: Having collided with the Main Docking Level, shattering the liquid aluminium observation windows before slamming into the Dock itself, the forward starboard quarter had been ruptured. Work was well underway on making repairs to the ship, and the Observation Level of the Dock was open once again.

A large section of the Dome, almost three hundred meters in length by one hundred meters, had been opened to space during the transit through the wormhole and all efforts were being made to make repairs. Command had also discovered that the subspace antenna's, located below and atop the starbase had disintegrated due to the enormous forces the Starbase was subjected to. Communications and use of a majority of the Base sensor array's were now almost impossible... Starbase Forty-Seven had finally come to a stop approximately fifteen million kilometres from the collapsed wormhole, emissions from the wormhole continued to bombard the four-kilometre tall structure forcing several sections to be closed off temporarily. The Moon, which they had taken such great lengths to avoid collision with, was now one million kilometres distant, with a newly acquired rotational spin, allowing it to generate approximately one-fifth of Earth's gravity. This, in turn, ensured that the remains of the duplicate Starbase, and the USS Dauntless, which had both traversed the wormhole before them, would remain in place. The Raven was now securely docked alongside the other Starships:

USS El Salvador
USS Enzio
USS El Alamein
USS Maracanda

At this point in time, they were effectively blind, short-range scans allowing them to ascertain their location and that of the Moon and the collapsed wormhole beyond.

On the Starbase, the three main Promenades had opened and Civilians were allowed to leave their quarters for the first time since they began preparations for the transit to commence... Businesses were booming for the tradesmen opening up their establishments... Carl had ventured down to the Alpha Promenade the previous day, tempted to call into O'Toole's Bar but resisted the urge 'at least for the time being' he silently promised himself. He was relieved to see people smiling, but some were less than content, demanding they be allowed to return home, this was impossible of course as they couldn't risk dispatching one of the Starships until they were confident of the safety of Starbase Forty-Seven and those living and working there. Command had been inundated with 'requests' to be on the first Starship Sol-bound and the task of coaxing the malcontents had been given to Civilian Affairs, who in turn requested more staff.

One of the more pleasant tasks he had performed today, along with numerous Commendation Awards, was the well-deserved promotions of two Officers: It was personally gratifying as he had assigned the crew of the USS Maracanda himself, expecting the assignments to be temporary, but it had been decided to keep the Maracanda on 'Active' status. Along with this, Commander Grant Manley was promoted to the rank of Captain, while his Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Frank Scober, would be promoted to Commander ..... He glanced at the clock above the viewscreen realising it was later than he had thought. Elise, Vanessa, and Bethan had left the Raven as soon as they were allowed and had moved into their quarters on the Starbase... With a sigh, he deactivated the PADD he was holding and dropped it onto the seemingly ever-growing pile on his desk. Stepping out of his office onto the Mezzanine Level overlooking the Command Floor, he could see the Intelligence Head speaking with her Adjutant, nodding he headed for the turbo-lift and hopefully a quiet night with his Family ..........

[Elena de Luca]

αCen Star System
Five minutes to wormhole transit ::

The USS El Alamein, like the other Starships, with the exception of the Raven, had been evacuated apart from the respective Chief Engineers and their Deputies. This was to ensure that should anything go awry with the now deactivated warp cores during the transit through the wormhole .....

In the Command Center, Elena leaned on the railing of the Mezzanine Level overlooking the main Command Floor. Massive panels, normally resting against the outer hull of the Starbase were slowly rising into position, once the action was completed, the panoramic windows encircling the Command Center would be covered. The same was happening throughout the Starbase as all viewports sealed themselves against a possible decompression... Commander Campbell, the base Chief Engineering Officer, informed the floor that they would enter the wormhole in fifteen seconds, everyone braced themselves against the inevitable turbulence expected.

Elena joined David and Iorte in one of the Intelligence offices, Tan had put a live feed of the Dome, and the free-floating USS Raven-C. They could see thrusters activating in a seemingly chaotic series of bursts as having no time to docked, they tried to maintain their position. The Starbase began to shudder:

"Passing event horizon!" Campbell shouted over the din.

Elena watched as the Raven began to drift, eventually slamming into the Dock, shattering a large section of the Observation Level transparent aluminium windows, the decompression pushed the massive Sovereign Class Starship away and they watched as it fought for position, moments earlier they had watched as a worker-bee shuttle, broken free from its mooring, had slammed into the saucer section of the Raven before careering away and out of sight. Lights flickered, finally failing to be replaced by the emergency lighting, dimmer, eerie, almost supernatural. She closed her eyes trying to shut out the chaos they were enduring .....

Yattho Star System
Fifteen million kilometers from collapsing wormhole
Beta Quadrant ::

Elena felt a hand on hers and tentatively opened her eyes... The room was in disarray, chairs overturned, the viewscreen, still showing the Raven, was hanging at a crazy angle having broken one of the fittings, she heard a groan and turned, Iorte Clancy was tentatively climbing to his feet, one arm cradled in the other:

"It's broke," he declared, clearly annoyed as a passing Medic, seeing his discomfort, entered the room and began urging him to sit down to be treated.

"We're through?" de Luca asked.

"Looks like it," David replied, "We lost a good section of the Dome during transit, had the screen not been active I would have guessed one of the cores had gone up,"

"The Raven?" she asked.

"Still there, a little battered but that bloody Gynoid did one hell of a job keeping it from smashing itself, and the Dome to pieces," Tan said as he stood and walked to the door. He could see people retaking their seats, some hurt, but some were battered and were being helped. Further along the Mezzanine the Section Admiral was stood with Nia Lemond, both had cuts and bruises, but nothing that looked too serious.

"We are being battered by the remnants of the wormhole but shields are holding, we're slowing, reorienting to vertical," someone informed the Command Floor, Elena felt momentary motion sickness as the inertial dampers lagged behind... Satisfied she wasn't going to vomit, she rose to her feet and joined David.

"Can we retract the Command Center shields?" Gheskori asked.

"I believe so Admiral," Commander Lek said from the Main Operations Station.

Slowly the solid shields began to retract, allowing them their first view of the stars in over an hour. The space surrounding them was a wash of blues, trees, yellows, and every conceivable wavelength in between as the emissions from the wormhole continued to wash over them. Someone called out, pointing:

Some five hundred thousand kilometres away, the Moon they had avoided, was a burning fireball, as burst after burst of energy slammed into the barren orb. Lek quickly confirmed that they had no communications or long-range sensors, but what they did have confirmed that the Moon was stationary in the Galactic sense, as was the Starbase, both approximately fifteen million kilometres from the exit point of the wormhole .....

For the next two days, Elena and others helped the Medical Staff as they treated both Starfleet personnel and Civilians. The Moon, forty-eight hours ago a burning maelstrom of fire, was beginning to cool, reds and orange being slowly replaced with blues, greys. Science Officers predicted it would be cold in eight days and would remain their close companion whilst in the Beta Quadrant. Finally able to get a few hours' to herself, she headed for the Promenade. It was good to see the Promenade so active, Starfleet Officers, Civilians, Families, each, in turn, taking a few moments to look out, now the shields had been lowered throughout the Starbase, into the darkness. She hadn't intended doing anything other than taking a stroll before returning to her quarters, but the gentle lilt of an Irish ballad drifted her way and she found herself entering O'Tooles ..........

[Andae Blakus]

Blakus was sat in his quarters on base having spent the morning reviewing ship's status from the bridge and engineering. While in engineering, he'd spoken with Milyanov and agreed that'd been an exultant if tumultuous six days since their return to something like familiar territory, so they made up their minds to invite the engineering officers to a dinner that night in their usual establishment just down the way from the O'Toole's bar.

Now in his quarters, he sat on the couch staring at the painting of 2nd century Rome mounted on the opposite wall near the door, he swirled his port and drank the rest before rising and donning comfortable but smart evening wear for the eatery. As he traversed the corridors, he thought back two day's previous to the memorial service held for the 32 missing Starfleet and civilian personnel - lost, as they all presumed, in the section that'd been carved away into null spacetime during the wormhole transit. A section of the Dock had been pressurised for the service and empty caskets were carried by relatives, before the Last Post was played and the coffins were sent off through small holes in the extensive forcefield vaguely in the direction of the Yattho sun some 2.4 parsecs distant.

The next day had been a celebration, and today (the day after that) Starbase life had finally begun to settle back to normal. Besides the missing section of the outer edge of the Dock, the damage done to the interior's observation windows in the collision with the Raven, and the loss of the comm and sensor vanes, the Starbase was undamaged, with its shields (though also the generators) having taken the worst of a fair battering inside the tunnel.

Blakus understood it'd been a rougher ride than expected - not as rough as the Raven's of course - but the powers that be wouldn't have taken the base in if they hadn't thought it would be largely safe, which made the loss of the outer segment of the Dock a greater tragedy.

He entered the eatery and found a group of a dozen officers, most wearing their gold division collar and thus making Blakus stand out, at a long table towards the front of the place. Those who'd ordered starter were already half way through it. "My apologies," he said, lowering himself into the one spare seat. They heckled, one even flicking a teaspoon full of coleslaw at him, before they all settled into the general hubbub of engaged conversation.

"It will be a short while before the Raven is allowed to return to the core worlds, or anywhere else," he said over rising objections, "By now the Federation will know we're here and will have a ship or ships on the way. But until then, until we know the current political situation, it's best we all stay put."

"That doesn't mean we can't send out a ship or two into the immediate vicinity," Tinsley said.

"That may be right," Blakus agreed, "Though I hear short range scans indicate the Yattho have already been sending transmissions into Federation space. Contacting the Yattho to let them know a Starbase has arrived in their stellar neighbourhood would probably be superfluous. Someone in Starfleet will now know we're here."

"The Raven should conduct recon," Milyanov said as the main course arrived. He jabbed at the rare beef with an irritated knife.

"Have you seen our starboard fore quarter?!"

They agreed the Raven was far from best suited at the moment and that it was best to let things settle down first before travelling too far. Andae nodded and wiped his mouth with his napkin, satisfied he'd put the matter to rest. He consumed some champagne and lasagne. Besides, the collapsed wormhole may be worth some attention; it was his understanding the USS El Salvador had still carried two prisoners (one Halanan, one Alarodian disguised as Scober, the real Scober had been found in a waste disposal unit in the depths of the Starbase a couple days ago), brought here from way across the galaxy - somehow and some day they'd need to be returned.

[Gheskori]

Ops, Starbase 47

Gheskori mused on the outjutting platform over the command level. Starfleet were so close yet so far. The nearest Starfleet installation would be Starbase 234, thus starships relatively near Starbase 47 would exist; the lack of long range sensors however meant they were unidentifiable.

"Sir, short range sensors are picking up a lifesign, I believe it's just one, on the surface of the asteroid moon."

"What? How is that possible?" Ghes protested.

The controller began to respond before Lemond stepped forward from her vigil near the entrance to her office, "Of course, the alternate Starbase, there was one occupant of whom we were aware, after the 'Negotiator' had been beamed back here."

Yes, of course, Ghes thought, Anna Lindqvist, the Starbase's lead Starfleet scientist, so she survived the transit on the phantom. He asked about any other lifesigns amongst the shades of people who'd inhabited the alternate base - who Lindqvist and the Negotiator had found, and who had presumably still been alive during the base's transit. But as the relevant console operators reminded him, they hadn't been able to detect those wispy inhabitants' lifesigns days before when the phantom base was still in their vicinity, so they wouldn't detect them now - they may still be alive though, down there in their grounded, partially destroyed base.

"She may have found a section shielded from the radiation from the wormhole collapse, sir."

"Try to make conta- ... Ah yes," he finished - comms were currently down until they could manufacture a temporary replacement (for use on EM and subspace frequencies) and replicate a new set of permanent vanes (which would take a while). "Get a lock on her lifesign and try to transport her back, take as long you need, just do it safely please. If we can't get a good lock, send out a runabout for the recovery and perhaps to survey the damage to the alternate base and whatever may remain of the Dauntless hulk."

"Aye, sir. And as for long range sensors and comms, we could use the package on one of the starships. The El Sal's comms are still offline and the Raven is being repaired, but the other ships' are operational."

Ghes nodded, indeed that was an option. He retired to his office, checking the fact of the comm signal from the pre-warp, fairly antique but actually quite powerful - due to their telekinetic and prophetic abilities - Yattho species. The Yattho system was about eight lightyears away but they could see the telekines had tried contacting the Starbase, with no active transceiver on the base though it wasn't possible to open a channel. After that, it appeared the Yattho had contacted Starfleet, though any attempt to intercept and learn what the comm said of course met with the same problems.

=/\=Section Admiral, this is command centre. We have a short range sensor reading on a Starfleet signal. A starship, sir, it'd been on its way to us. The transponder signal is giving a reading, the USS James Clark Maxwell.=/\=

Ghes returned to Ops, Torek and Lemond leaving their offices and joining him. "How far out are they?" he asked, "And what did you mean, they 'had been' on their way?"

"10 parsecs away, sir. I believe they were making their way here but came to all stop, perhaps worried about the wormhole's radiation."

Commander Lek shook his head, "The radiation won't have that sort of range. Perhaps the James Clark Maxwell is respecting the Yattho's privacy before she trespasses on their territory - she may not have confirmed it's us yet."

"Let's hope she continues to close. Otherwise, let's comm them from the Enzio, open the space doors to give the ship maximum comm range before or if the Maxwell moves away." Ghes hoped they could also finish constructing the Starbase's basic, temporary transceiver soon.

[Carl Torek]

SD: 2406.04.0721
Weekly Briefing
Command Center ::

".... We're still having problems with Dome repairs," Admiral Reynolds continued, "I've ensured all but essential Security are assisting but it's materials rather than manpower,"

"How much was salvageable from the wreck?" Nia asked.

"More than first thought, to be honest. The Starship impacted at full velocity after exiting the wormhole, it was miraculous that so much remained embedded on the surface, let alone allowed someone to survive,"

"How is she?" Gheskori asked."

"She's still in a deep coma..." the Chief Medical Officer confirmed, shaking his head, "... She shouldn't have survived, having lost both legs in the impact she should have bled to death in minutes, luckily, the stanchion crushing her lower torso stemmed the blood loss, either way, it's beyond me how she is still alive. I'll let you know when she's conscious Admiral," the Section Admiral nodded and added:

".... and the James Clark Maxwell?"

"She began a second approach but came to a halt after a Yattho vessel approached. The Enzio is monitoring from her location above the Starbase," Commander Campbell confirmed. Carl imagined the Prometheus Class Starship, having left the Dome the Exec' had positioned the ship five hundred meters above the slowly rotating Starbase, essentially acting as eyes and ears for the still ailing parent. Several communication arrays, twisted, mangled, but serviceable, had been salvaged from the wreckage strewn across their new Moons' surface, as had hull plating and other materials being used to repair their home. It was going to take time, but at least they had material to work with after practically cannibalising most of the sealed-off Levels. One issue was room ..... Despite the enormous size of the Dome, worker-bee shuttles were having to navigate around the docked vessels to ferry materials to the area being repaired.

"Admiral, the Dock-master and Chief of the Engineering Corps have voiced concern about space within the Dome..." he nodded at both Officers in turn then returned his gaze to the Section Admiral, "... Given we're in no immediate danger, they have asked if we could remove the operational Starships?"

"Where, may I ask, would you situate them?" Gheskori asked, eyebrows raised.

"Only one of the four sets of space doors are still out of commission, the one damaged during passage... We could move, El Salvador, Raven, El Alamein, and the Maracanda outside, position one ship outside each of the space doors, effectively equidistant around the Starbase, they can remain in position, one thousand meters relative to the 'doors and rotating with the Starbase. That should give the Engineers plenty of room,"

"That would be adequate Admiral," Captain Stephenson, Chief of the Engineering Corps replied with a nod.

"OK, let's get cre ....." Matt Reynolds began, but the Dock-master interrupted:

"My Staff can see to relocating the Starships Admiral, after all, it comes under Docking procedures, albeit unconventional," Commander 'Jock' Reekie said.

"Fine, all the ships have crew aboard anyway..." Carl said, grinning at the Scottish Dock-master, "... See to it, Commander," along the table Jock tapped his Comm badge and began giving instructions.

"Anything more Ladies, Gentlemen?" the Section Admiral asked, no-one in the meeting had anything to add, "Very well, dismissed," the Denobulan said, rising to his feet, the others doing likewise before filing out of the conference room.

"I am still a little concerned about the activities, or lack thereof, of the USS James Clark Maxwell," Matt Reynolds commented as he and Torek left the room.

"What would you suggest?" Carl asked.

"We 'could' send a ship out to meet her?"

"It's a consideration, but we have no way of knowing their status, they haven't attempted to contact us, which is unusual in itself, let's keep the option open for now."

"No problem... Dinner?"

"Family," Carl said by way of reply. On the Mezzanine Level, the two Flag Officers watched the activity below before going their separate ways ..........

[Carl Torek]

Carl was stood on the Mezzanine Level of the Command Center... From his vantage point, he could see the Raven, and further around the circumference of the Dome, El Salvador was likewise holding station, the Maracanda and the El Alamein were out of sight further around the Dome: Worker-bee shuttles and 'EVA' suited engineers were working on the Raven, repairing the damage to the saucer section and the Port nacelle. They were also replacing the majority of the hull plating damaged in their last outing. El Salvador was also having new hull plating, as was the Maracanda.

A holding area, approximately one hundred kilometres from the Starbase had been set up to retain all the materials salvaged from the Moon, here it was sorted, checked and moved closer to area's it could be utilised... The communication arrays were a priority and as such were the first items salvaged, unusable or too damaged material was used to supply the engineering replicators, helping to fabricate new pylons, stanchions and hull plate for the still fractured Dome section. To Carl, it almost looked like choreographed chaos as segments were towed by shuttle close to where they were needed then manoeuvred into place as delicately as someone placing decorative icing on a wedding cake.

He was still watching when someone approached from behind him:

"Admiral,"

"... Ambassador," he replied formally, seeing the Klingon Ambassador eyeing the view.

"The work is going well," Ch'Lor commented, motioning towards the Sovereign Class Starship beyond the liquid aluminium windows.

"A lot faster than expected... It's helped that we have the other Starbase to cannibalise. It would take us months to fabricate what we need otherwise," Torek said.

"We still haven't heard anything from the newly arrived Starship..." the Ambassador commented casually, Carl remained silent, the Klingon hadn't asked a question, it was more of a statement, a topic he changed a little too quickly, "... I was enquiring below on when long-range communications would be reestablished, but it appears your Officers are, shall we say, reluctant to divulge any information,"

"They can't tell you what they don't know Ambassador," Carl replied with a resigned shrug.

"Indeed... Indeed..." Ch'Lon replied, trying to appear deep in thought, "... I heard that the USS James Clark Maxwell has been intercepted?"

"Oh?"

"Rumors, backroom gossip... I pay it no heed you understand, but it is always better to get the 'correct' information from 'those in the know' as you Humans say, do you not agree?"

"I do Ambassador, but as I stated, there's nothing to tell, the work is progressing as fast as can be expected. Our main priority is the damage to the Dome and our Starships, obviously, but communications repairs are also ongoing... Would you like me to arrange for the repair schedules to be sent to your quarters, you may have opinions on how we might expedite repairs?"

"No, I don't believe that will be necessary Admiral, I am an old Ambassador nothing more, my engineering knowledge is far too limited to be able to add anything productive," Ch'Lon said with a smile.

"If memory serves, you were a Warbird Commander before being appointed Imperial Fleet Commander, a long industrious career, before you entered the Diplomatic Corps,"

"I had that privilege, yes,"

"Then I'm sure your grasp of engineering isn't as 'limited' as you would have me believe," Carl said, returning the smile. Both men knew that Ch'Lor was suspected in numerous information leaks over the last few years, all of which had benefited both himself and the Klingon Empire. No proof had ever been found to substantiate the suspicions, but the Ambassador was watched more closely than others. Ch'Lor, realising he wasn't gaining anything from the conversation suddenly remembered an appointment and nodding curtly he turned to leave, Carl watched the man go with a slight shake of his head.

"You two seemed deep in conversation," Nia Lemond commented secretively as she approached.

"He was fishing, as usual..." Carl said as he watched the Klingon peer over one shoulder after another on the Command Floor, "Is there 'any' way he could communicate outside the Starbase?"

"Not a chance, regardless of whatever spy equipment he managed to smuggle aboard, he would still need to utilise one of the sub-space arrays, unless he's managed to construct one of his own of course," Nia finished with a chuckle.

"Don't underestimate the man Nia, several have done in the past, with 'unfortunate' consequences,"

"Want me to increase surveillance?" the Director asked.

"No... He's no doubt aware we're keeping a wary eye on him, let's not try to bolster his paranoia..." Torek said as Ch'Lon stepped into a turbo-lift and vanished from sight.

"Any word on when the Raven will be ready?" Nia asked.

"Ten days, if we can replicate the necessary elements,"

"Right, the reports on my desk are not going to read themselves,"

I know what you mean," Carl said with a wry grin as both headed for their respective offices. On his way, Carl tried to dismiss Ch'Lon's queries from his thoughts ..........

[Gheskori]

Gheskori was in his office receiving a report from V'Maz who was on the Enzio bridge - the ship had still frustratingly been unable to raise the James Clark Maxwell that'd closed to 7 parsecs distance. Ghes spoke into his console, "What's the reason for this, Commander?"

"We think incident radiation from the locus of the collapsed wormhole may be interfering with our attempted subspace transmissions," the XO replied, "They themselves seem not to wish to contact us, or they may not know we are here." Ghes asked him to elaborate, V'Maz steepling his fingers, "Command may have detected something in the vicinity of the wormhole, indeed they may have registered the opening and subsequent collapse of the wormhole itself. The James Clark Maxwell, a science vessel, may simply be here to investigate what they think is a natural phenomenon."

"And they haven't yet realised what they are seeing is a Starbase," Ghes nodded in understanding. It stood to reason they wouldn't expect a Starbase, let alone Starbase 47 (considering the base would probably have been considered lost, after the Betreka event had sent it hurtling away before any starship still present in Federation space could register what was happening), to suddenly appear near Yattho space not far from the Klingon Empire. "Keep trying to raise them, Commander."

"Aye, sir. V'Maz out." The XO closed the channel and sighed imperceptibly, settling back and looking round the Enzio bridge. Thomas Tagert's replacement sat at the helm, while Senior Marine Tavik was just returning to the bridge for her duty shift.

V'Maz turned and nodded to her, rising from his seat to give way to the officer, when Miak's shore leave stand-in alerted them from tactical, "Sir, I believe the Maxwell is contacting us..." V'Maz waited patiently, "... That is, they're trying to - their subspace carrier wave is being scattered, refracted off the wormhole radiation. The same result for them as for us then, sir."

"If we cannot find a gap in the radiation density, we will contact Starbase and ask to move closer to the Maxwell - that way her communique will reach us," V'Maz stated. It would appear they'd been discovered, or at least that the Maxwell had discerned some sort of ship or station out here. "Contact the Starbase and inform them the Maxwell has attempted contact with us," he ordered.

Before long, the Enzio was also requesting to move closer to the James Clark Maxwell so the ship's comm could get through; whether the Enzio made contact itself or the Maxwell continued its comm, the Prometheus class had to move.

---

The prison officer let himself into the main detention cells, the door lights changing hue and blinking rapidly as each section was opened in sequence; as he stepped through into each new chamber, the lighting activated sequentially, eventually filling the emerging telescopic tunnel with coursing lights. "Just this way, sir," the guard signalled with a hand and walked on, the Denobulan following in his wake.

They eventually arrived at a small chamber with two detention cells opposite sides. The forcefields crackled as they deactivated - Ghes stood side-on between the cells in acute awareness of the status of these two individuals, Burr and Adams occupying the cells.

Later on in the detention centre main office Ghes was briefed by the Deputy Starbase Security Chief. After admitting his mistakes, Ghes's aide Burr was to go free. The deputy placed a small piece of machinery on the room's table, "We found an unusual device, apparently Shon'ni technology, which the Raven inadvertently returned from its contact with that species. It fell into Adams' hands, and he planted it, we believe, in Burr's quarters."

"What is it?" Ghes asked as he picked the device up and turned it over in his hands.

"It's some kind of suggestion mechanism. Used by your aide Adams on Burr. While Burr slept, it would activate, warping his delta waves. His mind was altered on the level at which deep sleep is manifest."

Ghes put the machine down and pursed his lips. Later in his office he was speaking to Barton, "Commander Burr will be returning to duty. After another round of admitting his mistakes, he has been cleared, and will serve as your back-up and primary assistant. Adams who had influenced him will be brought to trial and likely incarcerated on the Vehtir IV penal colony."

His desk alert sounded, he tapped the button, =/\=This is Gheskori.=/\=

=/\=Admiral, this is Lieutenant Dirner, Commander V'Maz reports he has begun receiving the James Clark Maxwell's comm now that the Enzio has changed position. However, the channel is currently severely broken up and the Maxwell's captain unreadable.=/\=

[Carl Torek]

SD: 2406.04.0726 ::

"Carl, the Maxwell has been trying to communicate with us, =^= the Section Admiral stated as he suddenly appeared in the doorway to Torek's office. Carl got up and followed Gheskori onto the Mezzanine Level.

"Their signal is still breaking up, but they're definitely trying to get our attention," Commander Lek, Chief of Operations informed the two Flag Officers from the Command Floor.

"Send the Enzio," Carl commented.

"It is an option," Gheskori replied. Carl headed down the curved ramp onto the main floor and approached Lek:

"Contact the Raven, have her focus all sensors on the USS James Clark Maxwell..." he ordered, frustratingly watching the large screens around the Command Center for any snippet of useful information, "... Where are we on communications repairs?"

"We have mid-range sensors and communications, no sub-space at present but they're doing everything they can Admiral..." the Operations Chief answered as he was handed a PADD, "... Sensors on both Enzio and Raven have picked up the Maxwell, the vessel it was with has moved away at high warp, the Maxwell is closing the distance to us slowly."

"Keep a close eye on her," Carl ordered, glancing up at Gheskori, still at the railing overlooking the Main Floor.

Ninety Six Minutes Later ::

"Sir, James Clark Maxwell has slowed... Now stopped, she appears to be holding station one light-year, zero point three one parsecs from us, "..... Sir, we're receiving a Comm!"

"On screen Commander," Gheskori said from the Mezzanine Level. All but one screen chanced from the tactical view it had been showing, to the interference-plagued Bridge of the Miranda Class Starship.

=^= This is the Federa .. ip USS Jame .. ark Maxwell .. Captain Niro Ogawa in Comma .. .. .. =^=

=^= Captain .. You are breaking up .. Is there anything you can do to boost your signal? =^= the Duty Comms Officer asked, working her own panel feverishly.

=^= .. .. entified structure .. By order of Starfle .. mand .. You are to hold posit .. .. Do not .. I repea .. 'DO NOT' attempt to venture beyond the ONE LIGHT YEAR exclusion area establis .. ound you or you will be consi .. .. hostile intent and wi .. =^=

=^= USS James Clark Maxwell .. We are Strabase Forty-Seven .. Do you read us .. .. STARBASE FORTY-SEVEN .. .. We traversed a wormhole originating in the Omega Centari Cluster approximately fifteen thousand light-years from our present location .. We sustained serious damage and have lost long-range sensors and sub-space communications .. .. .. USS James Clark Maxwell are you reding me? .. .. Maxwell .. Are you receiving? .. .. .. =^=

"We lost the link Admiral," the Comms Officer stated somewhat needlessly.

"Keep trying to reestablish, replay that Communication and get me a transcript. FAST!" Carl ordered, almost sprinting around the ramp to the Mezzanine Level.

"Hold position, what do they think we're about to do, reappear in Earth orbit!..." Torek said, his frustration clear, "... The Captain instructed us to remain within the one Light Year cordon... They are clearly wary of us and no doubt our location on the edge of the Klingon Empire, but the Maxwell 'MUST' be able to identify our profile and materials used, not to mention the gleaming 'STARSHIPS' floating around us!"

"Indeed," the Section Admiral replied, deep in thought.

"We 'could' send a ship out to their location, maybe a face-to-face would alleviate some of their concerns?"

"Have all Starships transmit identification. Continue trying to reestablish communications for the time being," Gheskori said, turning away before heading into his office. Carl leaned on the glass railing watching the organised turmoil below, wondering how long it would take to speak to the Science Vessel once again ..........

[Gheskori]

USS Enzio

Those on the Starbase had agreed that the Enzio should move yet closer to the Maxwell in an effort to reestablish the uncertain communications. It seemed that as the Maxwell continued to close the opportunity for their comm signal to lose coherence was reduced, the wormhole's residual radiation unable to interfere with the comms for long enough to cause the channel to break off.

"If we can use the ship as a relay," XO V'Maz was saying to Tavik on the bridge, "We should be able to establish a serviceable line to the Starbase."

"We're now at 5000 km from the Maxwell, and they're transmitting again, sir," the stand-in tactical officer reported, "The coherence of the beam is not being lost substantially at this range." It also appeared they could relay the comm in a tight enough beam to the Starbase to return usable image and audio, though it would likely be chopped up and inaudible in places. "The Maxwell seems to know what we're doing and is directing its transmission at us."

V'Maz nodded, "Prepare to relay to Starbase. We won't participate in it ourselves but will observe and try to clear the channel up as the comm progresses."

Starbase 47

"The Enzio is using itself as a relay for the James Clark Maxwell's communique," a controller reported over the Ops-wide intercom, Ghes acknowledging along with Torek and Commander Lek. "On screen, Admiral."

"This is Starbase 47, Admiral Gheskori speaking," he said to the fuzzy image on screen - much better than before. "I repeat, this is Starbase 47, Admiral Gheskori speaking - we are friendlies, do not take any hostile action."

"Admiral... Admiral Gheskori?" the intermittently heard voice of Ogawa ringed out with a crackle throughout Ops, this time well and truly decipherable. "We'd thought... This is extraordinary, we'd thought you lost..."

"As did we, in a manner of speaking," Ghes replied with a smile, half-contented, half-grim. "We have used a nearby wormhole which you may be detecting as an apparently irrevocably closed remnant, having been stranded in the Omega Centauri cluster after being propelled there by the Betreka nebula explosion. We'll be transmitting our data, collected over the last three years four months, as soon as we have the necessary capability - our transceiver was destroyed in transit."

"Admiral, we're still evaluating, but... congratulations. We are now sending a transmission into the Federation with a suggestion - assuming you check out, we hope you understand, we're somewhat surprised at your reappearance - to send an official welcoming party. Tell me, sir, is Admiral Tetsutaro present? I knew Sato in my younger days and was a visitor at his home numerous times. I'm sure he will be as glad to hear from me as I from him."

Gheskori paused and felt a moment of trouble, looking gravely over to Torek and others close by; the Denobulan let Carl speak, "Captain Ogawa, this is Fleet Admiral Torek, Section Executive Officer, I am sorry to say that Sato Tetsutaro... has passed away."

The picture on the viewscreen cleared up substantially for several seconds and Ghes could see Captain Ogawa properly for the first time, it may have been unfortunate timing, though it gave Ghes a chance to empathise with the Maxwell CO. The pain on Ogawa's face was notable as the officer's head shook slightly and the eyes lowered before looking back up, and then the comm regained its fuzzy aspect. "I'm saddened to hear that, Admiral. Know our transmission to Command about your presence has been sent. We will approach the Starbase and will be glad to render assistance as well as share data. Anything you may have on the wormhole may be of interest to our scientists, and we look forward to hearing about your impromptu mission!"

"Thank you, Captain."

"On Sato, tell me how?"

Gheskori let Torek take the lead with the comm as the Denobulan moved back up to the upper level and to the section of railing outside his office. He prepared for an inspection of his own ship, which he'd not stepped aboard since well before (or so it seemed) the wormhole transit. After a period of a few hours, the Enzio escorted the James Clark Maxwell into the near vicinity of the Starbase.

[David Tan]

Starfleet Intelligence
Command Center
Interview Room 3 ::

David rubbed his eyes in frustration ..... He had been speaking to the two men before him for over three hours with nothing more to show for it than his ever-intensifying headache:

"I still don't see why Intelligence is involved, we're doing nothing wrong," the first man commented with a shrug.

"We are 'involved' because you two have been arrested by Security no less than three times since we arrived here," Tan said, for seemingly the thousandth time.

"Having our say isn't against the law, any law!" the second commented.

"You're not having your say, you are inciting unrest, discontent, we have reports from Security about numerous 'get-togethers' as you call them. Each of which has resulted in Starfleet personnel being challenged, accosted, and in one case put into the Medical Center for treatment for injuries received... So pardon us if we're a little concerned,"

"It's common knowledge that you are stopping people getting home, stopping communications..." the first man said, beginning to stand but changing his mind when the Intelligence Officer behind him placed a hand on his shoulder, "... We have been back here almost two 'WEEKS' and yet no-one has had a word from home," David walked around his desk, again, and sat down, again, fighting the urge to hold his head in his hands as the man continued, "... We know there's a Starship out there, one you are not allowing here, what's the matter, is our 'Leader' frightened about what might happen if we were allowed home, or is it you, Intelligence, concocting imaginary issues to ensure you stay at the top of the proverbial food chain?"

David couldn't help but laugh out loud, the man's ideas were ludicrous at best, and 'extremely' dangerous if allowed to progress to something more!

"Tell me, out of pure curiosity, do you all get together to vote on the most idiotic conspiracy theory then go out and begin spreading the word?"

"We 'KNOW' it was Starfleet's fault we were sent away," the second man said, in a second of fearlessness as Tan pondered how difficult it would be to reattach the tongue he was about to bite off.

"Then you are more 'STUPID' than I first thought," he said, rising before asking the computer to display the images from the day the Betreka Nebula exploded. On-screen they could see a tactical view showing the Starbase, the nebula, the one hundred seventy-six vessels that were on long-range scans at the time. The explosion destroyed almost two-thirds of the nebula gasses before finally burning itself out, fifty-four light-years of nebula disappeared in minutes. Starbase Assailant was hit, and the effects felt over three quadrants.

"Speculation, trickery!" the first man said defiantly.

"This is all the data we have from the records following the explosion before our sensors were burned out... As far as Starfleet was concerned, we were destroyed instantly, along with all the ships in the area ..... Just out of curiosity, how do you and your friends explain our travelling almost SIXTEEN THOUSAND LIGHT YEARS! ..... Maybe a new secret stardrive, magic ..... HOW?!"

"How do we know we 'did' travel so far?" the second man asked.

"Excuse me?" David said, dumbfounded.

"Well, for all we know we, well, didn't..." the man stated, suddenly sure of himself, "... Even the Klingon's are beginning to question the federation's sincerity," the man knew he had said too much the second the comment left his lips, Tan's eyes narrowed and he leaned forward focusing on the speaker:

"Klingon's, who mentio ....." he asked quietly. But the man had resumed his tight-lipped attitude and refused to say anything further as his companion interrupted.

"It's not only the Klingon's... Others are worried, speculating that this may all have been a catastrophe of the Federations own making, some experiment that went spectacularly wrong," the first man commented.

"..... and we sacrificed almost three hundred men, women, and 'CHILDREN' in our efforts to succeed?" David asked dangerously.

"It would certainly be an incentive not to return home," the man retorted with a grin. Tan had come to the end of his patience:

"Take these two to the Brig, they are not to have visitors,"

"You can't do that... We have RIGHTS!"

"You are clearly the ringleaders of a group intent on causing disruption and possibly mutiny aboard the Starbase, and as such will be held until further notice. Take them out of here before I find an airlock to throw them out of!"

"WHA ...." the first man began in shock.

"But... But... Wait, I'm a shop owner on Beta Promenade, I sell 'CAKES', I'm not a mutin ....." the second spluttered as the two were led away. David dropped into his chair exhausted.

~~~~~

"Wow... Mutineers no less, I'd better have Engineering construct a stuns'l to hang em from," Nia Lemond said from the doorway.

"I could have put them against the wall and ....."

"Shot them?" the Intelligence Director finished for him with a wry grin, "... Serve em right too," she said, sitting opposite him before placing two glasses on his desk. She poured out ample measures of an amber liquid then handed a glass to Tan. He held the cold glass to his forehead for a second before draining the glass, Nia refilled it while commenting on how rare and expensive the Brandy was that he was downing like fresh orange juice.

"We need to get on top of these little disruptive gatherings before they escalate. We don't need another 'Serova' on our hands," Tan said, grateful for the refill.

"I've asked Admiral Reynolds to put some of his personnel into civilian clothing and tasked them with keeping their ears open, I think it's just rumour, anticipation, people rightly want to know what's happening, and some are less than happy with the daily public announcements we're sending out. Alas, that's their problem ..... Go home, get some sleep, you've been here too long, and please try not to have the mutineers thrown out of an airlock on the way to your quarters," she reached over, he downed the liquid quickly then surrendered the glass. Nia left his office checking the chronometer, wondering where another day had gone, it was already late evening and the Command Center had changed the lighting to night shift protocol ..........

[Carl Torek]

Carl was stood with the Section Admiral and the Chief of Operation listening to the communication from the USS James Clark Maxwell .....

"..... clearly the ringleaders of a group intent on causing disruption and possibly mutiny aboard the Starbase, and as such will be held until further notice. Take them out of here before I find an airlock to throw them out of!"

"WHA ...." the first man began in shock.

"But... But... Wait, I'm a shop owner on Beta Promenade, I sell 'CAKES', I'm not a mutin ....."

Carl looked around waving a hand to urge the Intelligence Officers to expedite the removal of their charges. He noticed David Tan walking towards the turbo-lift and stepped away from his colleagues:

"What was that about?"

"Oh, a couple of people making things difficult, I've ordered them locked up... Going off their reactions I'm sure they will see the error of their ways in the morning,"

"I'm sure," Carl said with a smile before returning to the others.

=^= I am saddened to hear that Admiral .. Know our transmission to Command about your presence has been sent .. We will approach the Starbase and will be glad to render assistance as well as share data .. Anything you may have on the wormhole may be of interest to our scientists and we look forward to hearing about your impromptu mission =^=

=^= Thank you .. Captain =^=

=^= On Sato .. Tell me how? =^= Ogawa asked. Gheskori asked Carl to explain the circumstances behind Tetsutaro's passing, Torek had the Comm transferred to one of the empty offices and spoke privately to the Maxwell Captain .....

~~~~~~~~~~

The Maxwell was holding position one light-year from Starbase Forty-Seven, on the limit of the exclusion area set up to isolate the new arrival. Two other Starships had been dispatched to ensure the cordon but neither would have contact with the Starbase until told otherwise. The Enzio had been allowed to remain on station five thousand kilometres from the Maxwell to relay comms until the Starbase could begin to use the repaired antenna ..... They had recently been informed that repairs on the damage to the Dome was all but complete, as was the repairs and replacement of hull plating on the Raven, the new Port nacelle having been replaced and tested earlier that day. The required hull plating replacement El Salvador needed had also been finished, ensuring that there were now four Starships available to Starbase Command should the need arise.

Closing the comm with Captain Ogawa, Carl left the office and walked up the ramp to the Mezzanine Level.

"So at least it looks like Starfleet believe we're who we say we are..." Commander John Burr commented. Carl turned, he hadn't noticed the man stood in the doorway and was admittedly surprised to see who had spoken, "... I was cleared of complicity in recent events Admiral, and hope it can be put behind us all. I just want to do my job to the best of my ability,"

Carl looked at the man for a long moment before replying:

I read the report Commander... Given the circumstances, we couldn't see any reason not to return you to duty immediately, and yes, I believe it would be wise to put the issue to rest... Carry on, Commander..." Carl ordered, walking into his own office before the man could engage him in further conversation, instantly regretting his coarseness he turned to the door as Burr past, "... Mister Burr, I'm sure the Section Admiral will benefit from your return,"

"Thank you, Admiral," the Aide said, seemingly genuinely grateful for the comment. Torek returned to his office and sat down:

"Computer, display tactical view of exclusion zone surrounding Starbase,"

He looked at the schematic shaking his head, in a sphere, an area of approximately four point two cubic light-years, there were in total:

1 Starbase
1 Moon
1 Semi-collapsed wormhole
6 Federation Starships

Two more Starships were en-route to take up position equidistant around the circumference of the exclusion zone to aid the Maxwell in its efforts to prevent any unauthorised incursion. He could only imagine the ruckus ensuing at Starfleet Headquarters, or in the Office of the President himself, as numerous races requested or 'demanded' access to the region of space previously all-but ignored as empty ..........

[Savot]

[El Salvador: During Wormhole Transit]


Savot's brow furrowed slightly as he observed incoming sensor reports showing the collision danger faced by the Raven as well as the failing shield sectors along the Starbase itself. The vulcan wanted to render aid, utilize the El Salvador's tractor beams to bring the drifting shuttle to a stop, transfer some of their considerable energy surplus, which was one of the Excalibur class vessel's strongpoints, to the Starbase to help maintain shield output. However, with the El Sal's computer systems still potentially compromised and subject to further malfunction he had to measure the potential benefit of their aid if nothing went wrong, versus the potential negatives of their involvement if something did go wrong. If they successfully stopped the drifting shuttle, they'd spare the Raven some notable but non-crippling damage. But if some malfunction caused the tractor beams to exert repulsive force instead of retracting force they'd propel the shuttle at the Raven at even greater speed which could be potentially disastrous.


Establishing a power transfer with the Starbase to share their surplus to reinforce the base's shields could help avoid some damage along with system overloads, but if linking their systems with SB 47 rendered the starbase susceptible to similar system failures the El Sal had experienced... they'd risk the entire shield grid being shut down exposing the entire starbase to the stresses of the transit through a swiftly collapsing wormhole, to say nothing of the thrust systems being compromised resulting in the starbase failing to escape to the exit point prior to said collapse. Thus, Savot was forced to concede to the logic of withholding moderate aid in order to avoid risking catastrophic harm, and focused his efforts on taking as many ongoing scans of the starbase and their sister vessels as possible so that when they arrived on the other side of the wormhole they could send out assistive repair and medical teams if needed.


******************************************************************************************
[Starbase 47: Operations, Time of Beta Quadrant Arrival]


Tamarov nodded in a friendly manner at Gheskori's reception of his offered datapad, "Thank you, Section Admiral. Was a pleasure getting your bird back where she belonged." He then accepted the SA's excusing of him to return to his post. Things hadn't progressed the way the being presently inhabiting newly promoted Lieutenant Commander Alexi Tamarov would've chosen, but what's done is done and bemoaning the matter would do little to help his cause. He thought to himself with some irony that given his comparative eons of sequesterment from the universe's passage of time he was not entirely sure at present what direction or form his cause should even assume. Therefore, for the meantime he would simply make the best of his situation, attempting to better it when and where he could. He'd had a rare opportunity to interact with these people's highest ranking officer, the Section Admiral, so perhaps with time he could insinuate himself closer to the man and have his finger more tightly pressed to the pulse of this organization's goings-on. Time would tell...


******************************************************************************************
[El Salvador: Present Time]


Fortunately, very little critical damage was sustained by either lifeform or equipment, excepting the shearing of the starbase dome of course, so Savot's burden regarding the El Salvador's inability to assist their fellows had been blissfully exempt of any additional weight by way of tragedy. The first priorities upon SB47 finally coming to rest were to ensure life support remained active in all locations, and to make sure their 2 prisoners were still secure. By the end of that day, Commander Delbridge had traced the source of their system failures...


=^=The shutdowns definitely resulted from the data-centers that are storing everything we were able to download from that abandoned research station in the minefield's temporal pocket. I still can't figure out whether it was something triggered intentionally or if it was an especially poorly-timed coincidence though given my chipper demeanor I'm naturally leaning toward the former. And assuming it was intentionally triggered, I can't find they triggered whatever the heck it was=^=, Delbridge explained to Savot over the fully-restored internal communications, =^=Needless to say I'm getting all of that data transferred to external data drives completely unconnected to any of our systems; heck to play it safe they won't even be accessible remotely, you'll have to plug a device in to access the data. Then I'll spend a mind-numbingly long amount of time filtering all our other data to ensure theirs didn't embed any micro-packets that could give us the same trouble again down the road. Long story shorter; after we get outside the starbase, gimme 36 hours to achieve minimum system restoration, but I'd love a solid week to finish the computer purge as well as get the replacement hull plating segments secured.=^=


Savot replied, =^=Whatever time circumstances allot us shall be yours to utilize, Mr. Delbridge.  Inform me if you require assistance, Bridge out.=^=  The vulcan then looked to his First Officer, "Commander Irae; I want to transfer our 2 prisoners to the Section Admiral's care in the Starbase's brig facilities as soon as possible so he may decide what ratio of diplomatic envoy versus potential terrorist he wishes to assign to them.  Please hail Section Admiral Gheskori and request clearance to transfer the prisoners; it is my recommendation that we do so via shuttlecraft rather than transporter so as to avoid the risk of any system failure resulting in the harm or outright loss of the prisoners during beam-over.  If he agrees, have the Mini-Sal prepped and as large a security detachment as you wish to accompany you to the Starbase.  You may wish to inform them of our current presence in Beta Quadrant space following the collapse of the only immediate path back to their home space.  It may make them more agreeable for the immediate if they know they have nowhere to flee to for the present time."


Tag: Irae

[Carl Torek]

IRW Gecius - Romulan Valdore Class Warbird
Ten Thousand Meters off Starbase Forty-Seven ...

CLOAKED ::

"We 'MUST' board the Starbase, it is our duty," Sub-Commander Kavik was saying.

"Duty... Probably, but have you given thought to the repercussions should a Romulan be found and detained, we have a treaty, however fragile, with the mighty Federation, do we not?" Commander M'Sak retorted.

"Treaty!" Kavik spat the word as if it burned his mouth.

"We have violated their exclusion zone, thus disregarding any treaty. We are Romulans, not sheep to be led by the ever-present Federation," one of the others in the room commented.

"We must find out what the Federation brought back through the wormhole, our sensors had not time to scan beyond the collapsing event horizon before they destroyed it," a second man said, slamming his fist on the table in frustration,"

"Commander, the Senate will have discussed our discovery and have no doubt sent another vessel to take over, one which I guarantee, will hold one or more Tal Shiar..." the Ships' First Officer stressed, "... We could board and have vital information before they have the chance to brush us aside for their own benefit,"

"Commander..." another asked, "... Do you believe that the Starbase is the very same which had been believed destroyed in the Betreka Nebula explosion?"

"All our scans so far indicate such, or do you doubt your own equipment Siror?"

"We need to know if the Federation is working on technology to send structures vast distances!" the First Officer stressed.

"You worry too much Kavik... We informed Command the moment the structure was thrust forth from the wormhole, do you not think that if they wanted the Tal Shiar here they would indeed already 'be' here?" the Commander asked with an outward calmness he wasn't feeling inside, given anyone around the table could 'be' one of the feared Intelligence Operatives, "... No, we shall carry out our instructions, monitor the newly arrived Starbase, and send our reports like the good, loyal Officers of the Romulan Star Empire that we are," M'Sak said, rising from his seat, the meeting over.

"What of the second structure Commander?" one of those still seated asked quickly.

"It appears to be just what we suspected, a second of their Ournal Class Starbase, this one clearly did not survive the passage..." the Commander said as he halted in the doorway turning to reply, "... It is somewhat curious that the crashed Starbase was unpopulated, they still continue to salvage materials from the structure on the Moon, something I myself would do given the damage they have sustained... Hmm ... No, I believe we shall hold position and continue to scan the Starbase... Should a means of placing one or two Officers aboard present itself, then who are we to ignore it," M'Sak left the others to their contemplations ..........

[Gheskori]

Gheskori's quarters, Starbase 47

Gheskori was sat in the private study area of his quarters on the Starbase, behind his desk with his personal console open. A matter of extreme importance occupied his mind, the lights were dimmed and he wasn't to be disturbed by anyone returning from the holodecks or promenades. On the screen was a virtual draughts board, as well as Captain Ogawa in a smaller picture in the top right, their secure subspace comm being relayed by the Enzio from a lightyear distant.

"You should keep yourself wary, Admiral," Ogawa warned with an amused smile as he jumped a piece over three of Ghes's sequentially.

"I'll bear it in mind for tomorrow," Ghes smiled back, "What time is it?" he asked rhetorically and glanced at the chronometer above the portal to his left.

"It's getting late, I know the time lapse must be difficult since the station had to resynchronise its chrono back to Federation standard time," Ogawa conceded, "Before it's too early in the morning, Admiral, I should tell you that a ship carrying the deputy C-in-C has departed the core worlds and is on its way here. It has two places to visit en route, however, so will take some time."

"Very good," Ghes nodded.

"Also, Starbase 234 has been poring over the data from the Betreka event, searching for clues in the telemetry along the trajectory you stated Starbase 47 had been sent - if they can find a sign that you were propelled that way, some sign of the Starbase, then we can begin to lift the exclusion zone."

Because they still have to take precautions, Ghes explained to himself wanly. Until Command was entirely certain the newcomer was Starbase 47 and what remained of the Section it was the paramount operational centre of, the exclusion zone was necessary. It was true, however, the sphere of 1 lightyear radius was as much to protect the Starbase, to control access to it from the multitude of peoples inside and outside the Federation that would wish to flock to it. The Maxwell had been joined by the Schrodinger and Vicksburg starships to patrol the zone's outer surface area.

The game drew to a close, Ghes victorious by a narrow margin, and he retired to his couch and took up a prose version of a Klingon opera, when the door chimed. It was Burr. "Sorry to disturb you, Admiral."

Their conversation was slow and occasionally tedious, falling into pitfalls at times when the matter of Burr's (and Adams') criminal actions came up inopportunely. After a while though Burr seemed happy, in fact eager to discuss the recent events linked to him and his former fellow aide. Ghes obliged and questioned him on the Shon'ni device.

"I hear it affected me in deep sleep, that makes sense, as I would go to bed with a vague sense of disorientation, the beginnings of a sharp questioning of my actions; I sometimes planned for the next morning to rebuke Adams for what we were doing and to threaten to go to the authorities, but I would wake up again with no such qualms, and through the day would find myself more zealous than him, chiding him for lagging behind in our treachery. The only disturbances then were the frightful dreams close to waking - an influential academy professor would appear and rage at me for betraying our shared ideals, I would be manipulated and destroyed by forces beyond my control, flung into vacuum from an airlock and recovered by a Borg cube."

"You've done well, Commander. Remember there was nothing you could've done, it was admirable enough in the circumstances to be able to question your actions."

"Thank you, sir. I think I'll say goodnight," Burr rose from his seat and took his leave, Ghes acknowledging. He turned to the portal in the direction he thought the Maxwell and Enzio to be.

---

USS El Salvador brig

"Are you going to keep pacing like that, Alarodian, or are you going to find a way to get us out of here?" the Negotiator intoned.

The Scober impostor growled and headbutted the forcefield, five seconds passing as he attempted to drill his forehead through the field, as impossible as he knew it to be. The field crackled until he was flung back onto the rear wall and the utilitarian benching, "I've told you before, my inhabited form is command division, not an engineer or operations officer. He doesn't have the expertise and so neither do I."

The body replication process had preserved Frank Scober's memories. They were in a non-experiential form, the recollections being like collated data, pure alphanumerical knowledge rather than snapshots in time, but even if they were otherwise it wouldn't help him, as real Scober's knowledge of ship's systems was extremely rudimentary, basic even for a former blue division officer who'd become an XO.

"What was Commissioner Saspari paying you, that he convinced you to team with somebody like me?" the Halanan Negotiator leered. "Pay it no mind. Now see, the average individual of a member species of this Federation is capable of little more than basic abstractions of thought. This average being, it is an inferior thing - you do not need your replicated form's memories to break free."

"Then why don't you, who are so powerful?" Alarodian Scober retorted, shaking slightly. Despite being allies, the Halanan people had always disturbed him. The Negotiator's whole body language conveyed and embodied a sort of insulated horror. "Wait a moment, are you saying -?"

"The Halanan and Xallac have been aware of the Federation for some time," the Negotiator confirmed. He became aware of movement beyond the door of the brig and silenced himself, he sensed many personnel were milling there, of which two or three were about to enter.

[Carl Torek]

USS Charleston ~ Excelsior Class
President United Federation of Planets ~ Flagship ...

Currently in Orbit of Vulcan ::

Vice President John Drake had been listening to the arguments over and over for the last hour ...... Yesterday, he had been asked by the President to begin a preliminary approach to the newly-discovered 'Starbase' in the Yattho Star System. Enroute to returning the Vulcan Ambassador, T'Vil, to his homeworld, the Charleston had been approached by three other vessels, all claiming Diplomatic Prescidence... Drake had ordered all-stop and had reluctantly waited patiently for the Klingon Ambassador Cho'Vek, Romulan Ambassador Crelev, and somewhat surprising, Romulan Proconsul Veklak, second only to the Romulan Praetor himself.

"Proconsul, it has been some time," the Vice President said, taking the hand of the only female to hold the position.

"Indeed, Mister Vice President... How is your family?"

"We are 'NOT' here for an IDLE CHATTER!" Cho'Vek spat, dropping into one of the vacant seats around the table.

That had been an hour ago and nothing had been accomplished. Drake was seriously reconsidering his diplomatic skill as the Klingon continually demanded immediate access to the newly materialised structure which could be the missing Starbase Forty-Seven, but he continued to insist that the Federation had access to technology which was dangerous not only to the Klingon Star Empire but everyone, Romulan, Ferengi, Cardassian, and countless others. Despite his arguments no-one around the table seemed to share his fears, at least, openly.

"Your Starbase is within the borders of the KLINGON STAR EMPIRE, is it not?" Cho'Vek asked.

"What is your point?..." Crelev asked, the Klingon eyeing him as if was his mortal enemy, "... We are all aware of the location Cho'Vek, there is no need for you to try to impress it upon us time and time again,"

"The location of the structure is unimportant..." T'Vil said quietly, "... If it did indeed exit the collapsed wormhole, the end-point of that wormhole could not have been predicted, it could have materialised anywhere. Above Vulcan, Romulus, or in the furthest reaches of still unexplored space... To be precise, if the information we received is correct, the wormhole exit point was not even detected until the structure appeared and the wormhole began to collapse," he raised his eyebrows as if daring anyone around the table to disagree with his synopsis.

"The exclusion area must be lifted to allow our Scientist's to examine the structure!" the Klingon repeated yet again.

"No......" the Vice President replied simply. Cho'Vek slammed his fists on the table as he stood, glaring at Drake then at the others.

"Oh sit down, you are making a fool of yourself..." the Proconsul said with a smile, "... Would it be too much to allow the Federation to confirm the structure is indeed the Starbase presumed destroyed?"

"We have no way of knowing what 'technology' they brought through the wormhole," the Klingon said, still standing.

"I am certain that the Federation President will make any technology discovered openly available to the Council for examination, in due course," Veklak said with a nod at Drake.

"The most important priority at this point is to establish if the structure is Starbase Forty-Seven as they claim... Long-range scans from the USS James Clark Maxwell indicate a very high likelihood that it is Starbase Forty-Seven. The structure suffered severe damage during the passage through the wormhole, Starfleet Medical believe that if it survived the initial explosion, the loss of life would have been in the tens of thousands, increasing as the Starbase surpassed the speed of light... At this point, no-one can come up with a viable hypothesis as to when it went, how it survived, or indeed how it managed to get back... I am asking that your respective governing bodies allow the Federation time to carry out these initial checks with a view to approaching and possibly boarding the structure,"

"..... And if it 'is' your missing Starbase?" Crelev asked.

"Well, arrangements will be made for you all to be allowed access. But please take into account, everyone on that Starbase....."

"If it 'is' your Starbase!" Cho'Vek interrupted.

"..... Yes, if it is our Starbase..." Drake said patiently, "... Then they will want to return home, see loved ones, bury their dead,"

"What of the structure itself?" Crelev asked.

"Sorry?" the Vice President replied.

"The Starbase... Are we all to assume that if it is functional, it will remain at its current location, which if memory serves, is appoximately five light years from Yattho Star System?" the Romulan finished, eyeing the Klingon Ambassador momentarily.

"I can't comment either way at this point, but if we take into account numerous variables..." he paused to pick up a PADD and read before continuing, "... At the point of the disaster, the Starbase held approximately three hundred eighty thousand people, both Starfleet and Civilian, the survivors, however many that may be, will want to return to their homeworlds as I said, some may want to remain, some will be reassigned. But the prospect of having to completely restaff a working Starbase is out of the question at present. Should it be found impractical to continue operations, then I assume the starbase will be stripped then destroyed," Drake said with a shrug.

"You forget Vice President, the Klingon Star Empire may not be willing to allow a Starbase within their region of space," Cho'Vek said defiantly.

"Then we'll abandon and destroy it should that be the case..." Drake said, too annoyed to continue, "... Now, if there is nothing else?"

"You give your word all information will be shared Vice President?..." the Romulan Proconsul asked. Drake nodded, "... Then your word is good enough for me," Vekak said, rising.

"Commander... Please escort our guests to the Transporter Room..." he turned to the Diplomats, "... We will be in orbit for a further six hours then we depart for the exclusion zone, Thank you for your time, and patience," he watched as the group left the room then leaned back eyes closed for a long moment:

"Computer. Relay encrypted transcript of this meeting to the following:

Federation President: Ra-ghorennii
Sector 001 Section Admiral: Efan Krist

"Encrypt 'EYES ONLY' for the above."

.. Transmitted ..

"Good," Drake said, rubbing his temples, before rising to leave the Conference Room... On the Bridge, he watched as Vulcan slowly rotated beneath them, deep in thought as the Romulan and Klingon vessels left orbit ..........

[Andae Blakus]

Some time BC, Earth

The procession drew over the pons Sublicius and onwards to the looming hill of the lookout, peoples many followed after, those allied to the state as well as well-wishing delegations from unaffiliated others, Italic and otherwise. Blakius walked amongst the ranks of those senators following directly in the wake of the bier; it began to rain, obscuring the Janiculum in a haze that wouldn't seem to shift with the strong westerly breeze.

He looked at his fellow senator Hostus alongside, the man's face grim but dutiful, and at the different peoples arrayed either side of the procession as it neared its destination. A variety of the region's inhabitants had come, all attempting to claim some of the glory of the last obsequies. He glanced behind: the host of priests followed in their wake, heads bowed, cloaks cast over their heads and about their faces to ward off the evil eye as they prepared for their final rituals. They were here for the sequestering of the books.


2406, USS Raven in hard-dock, Beta Quadrant

"Sir, receiving a transmission from Starbase Operations, the people at base maintenance report the final stage of the Raven's repair and refit is now commencing."

"Thank you, Ensign," Blakus said from the XO chair on the bridge - the spit and polish phase of the repair was about to get underway. On a PADD, he ran over the latest duty roster for the gold-collar line officers, completing reassignments and a tightening of the schedule to compensate for the reduction of maintenance tech presence on the Raven during this late refit phase, as well as for some unexpected personnel shortages - over-long shore leaves and a small number of injuries.

He briefly surveyed the comprehensive hull plating replacement using a visual graphic, admiring the seamless fit of the vast majority of the plates, how the irregular pieces slotted perfectly against one another - except on the port-side ventral section of the engineering hull where a couple dozen plates were out of alignment by a few microns. Perhaps he was being too exact - the misalignment was well within operational tolerances - but it did ruin the symmetry somewhat, though only if one was looking for it.

"Commander, our revamped sensors are detecting a Klingon scout vessel at extreme range, 2.7 parsecs. NuQ'Duj class, typical crew complement, 10."

"They may be looking at the base. It doesn't surprise me." Blakus mused for a moment, "Contact Ops and inform them of our finding, in case they haven't detected it already."

=/\=Commander Blakus, this is Tinsley, please meet me outside deflector control... It's of considerable importance.=/\=

Blakus frowned slightly before finding himself chuckling, =/\=Typical of you, Nathan, on my way.=/\=

When he arrived, Tinsley was nowhere to be seen. He entered deflector control before reemerging in the corridor thoroughly bemused. Turning this way and that, a civilian he didn't recognise, though possibly one of many who'd been on board for some time, materialised out of nowhere. "Commander, I thought you may be interested. I'm glad you could make our meeting."

"I don't know what you're... I answered a comm from engineer Tinsley," he retorted, "I don't recognise you. Identify yourself."

"Oh, just one of those concerned with the tetrad," the civilian's one good eye gleamed, "I see that you too have probed the mystery. If the project is to your liking, come to our gathering on deck 1490." Blakus exhaled sharply and slapped his commbadge, asking the computer to locate Lieutenant Tinsley; it was reported the man was in engineering, and had been apparently for the last five hours. As Blakus shook his head in confusion the civilian continued, "I always thought you would be interested. Come to our gathering on deck 1490. I think you'll find the project to your liking. I'm one of those concerned with the knowledge of the tetrad."

The civilian's mobile holographic projection ended, leaving Blakus alone in the corridor. =/\=Engineering, Security... task a limited detail to comb the ship for unaccounted holo generators, relays, emitters.=/\=

[Carl Torek]

IRW Gecius ...
One Thousand Meters off Starbase ::

CLOAKED ::

The patience of the Romulan commander was reaching its end ..... The IRW Gecius had been positioned off the Starbase for over a week now and 'still' they were held fast by the bureaucrats, talking their talks, doing everything not to anger the mighty Federation! ..... Commander M'Sak didn't need telepathy to surmise the crews' feelings... Anger, frustration at their so-called leaders.

"Sir, sub-space transmission,"

"On screen!" M'Sak ordered, somewhat surprised to see the face of the Romulan Proconsul looking back at him:

=^= Report =^=

=^= There is nothing 'to' report Proconsul .. We are remaining in position scanning the Federation Starbase as ordered =^=

=^= They still refuse us entry to their exclusion zone =^= Proconsul Veklek said, her annoyance clear to everyone on the Bridge of the Warbird.

=^= We should board and conduct searches ourselves .. There is no knowing what technology was brought through the wormhole =^=

=^= No .. .. We shall play the loyal partner  .. At least for the time being .. I am returning to the Homeworld to speak to the Council .. Remain vigilant =^= The comm snapped off before M'Sak could risk repeating his insistence that they board the structure.

"You should hold your temper..." Kavik, the First Officer whispered, "... She is more powerful than others who preceded her and has the ear of the Praetor,"

"I care nothing for her position, she should never have been elected..." M'Sak said, realising the others on the Bridge had heard his comment, "... We must find a means of bearing the Federation Starbase unseen," no-one commented on the fact that he had been ordered not to take any action until ordered to do so.

"Commander....." the Tactical Officer spoke.

"Yes?"

"You wish a means of getting onto the Starbase, I believe I may have discovered one,"

"Explain!" Kavik snapped as he and the Commander approached the Tactical Station.

"There,"

"A craft?" Kavik said, bemused.

"Prior to the Starships reentering the Dock of the Starbase, the smaller craft had been used for numerous tasks, moving materials, aiding with repairs... I have been monitoring their movements and they seem to be checking the exterior of the structure, but with no established pattern, indeed, they seem to be carrying out tasks individually,"

"Continue!" the Executive Officer urged.

"It would not be difficult to, obtain one of these vessels..." the Tactical Officer said falling silent for a moment before continuing, "... It appears that the small craft are able to enter their cargo-bays at will. I have detected no security procedures thus far. If we were to disable one of the craft, board it, we should be to enter the Starbase unquestioned. Once aboard, concealment should not be too difficult,"

"We would need to decloak, your idea is flawed!" Kavik said, turning away.

"Your pardon Commander, but I have a second suggestion ....." the two Senior Officers returned their attention to the Junior, "..... Many Levels of the Starbase are unoccupied, I can detect no power to equipment or sensors on those Levels, It is possible to gain access to the doors of one of their abandoned cargo-bays. We could conceal ourselves within," the Tactical Officer again fell silent as the two looked at him as if weighing up his sanity:

"You propose we take our ship 'INSIDE' the Starbase?" M'Sak said slowly.

"Yes ....... Commander," the man said, fearing for his life as Kavik slowly reached for his disruptor.

"That is so ridiculous as to be something worthy of consideration," the Commander said, returning to his seat. The Junior Officer watched the Exec' as he seemed to weigh up the annoyance of killing him where he sat, then he too turned away allowing the younger Officer to breathe a silent sigh of relief.

"Investigate both options, we may well use your idea Sub-Lieutenant, we may well indeed," M'Sak said, eyes narrowing as he watched the slowly rotating Starbase ..........

[Carl Torek]

SD: 2406.04.0805 .. 16:30 hrs ::

He was stood on the Observation Deck overlooking the interior of the Dome, beyond the replaced panoramic windows, he could see the Sovereign Class USS Raven-C, pristine, elegant, her lines almost seductive, as she was guided to her assigned docking location, her hull almost luminescing under the lighting as the final touches to her exterior were recommenced, worker-bee shuttles moving between her and the other vessels now docked.

He headed for the walkway giving access to the ship as the various umbilicus were attached, and the ship transferred to external power. He nodded to the Security Officer already in position monitoring the comings and goings of numerous personnel, both from the Starbase and from the Raven herself.

"Admiral," the woman said, making an entry on her PADD.

"Lieutenant," Carl acknowledged as he passed her.

~~~~~~~~~~

Stepping onto the Bridge he almost tripped over an Engineer who was working inside an open panel beside the turbo-lift doors.

"Doctor, I wasn't aware you did house-calls," he said with a grin as Helen Roach, med-pack in hand approached, presumably heading for the turbo-lift he had vacated.

"Dislocated finger, nothing serious, one of the 'Base Engineers tripped over his own tools,"

"Have you seen Andae?"

"He was here a short time ago, he's no doubt overseeing something around the ship... He should take a break you know," the doctor said semi-confidentially.

"Ha, you try telling him that," Carl said as he stepped aside then walked over to the center seat.

"Admiral, I wasn't expecting you," Calli said as she handed another Engineer something.

"I wanted to get a quick update now we're docked. I don't much like the idea of all our vessels being in one place at the same time,"

"We're pretty much done I think... The hull plating will be finished overnight, the Port nacelle realignment was completed and tested prior to entering the Dome, These are just completing the final upgrades to stations on the Bridge and the Battle-bridge, cosmetics really, otherwise we're 'shipshape' as the saying goes... We did pick up a Klingon vessel on the new long-range sensors, a NuQ'Duj Class Scout Ship no less, Andae sent it up to Command."

"Good, good... NuQ'Duj Class... I wonder what it's doing so far from home," Carl mused.

"It must have been in the area well before we arrived, maybe it's just holding off to see what's going on," Calli replied.

"Aye... Well, let the Command Center handle it. If need be someone can always go give it the proverbial once over. Have you seen Andae at all?"

"Nope," his Stepsister said with a shrug.

"OK, it wasn't important, I just wanted an update on progress. It seems Starbase duties have kept me too busy,"

"Are you and the family going to remain on the Starbase, or move back over here?" Calli asked as she signed off work on a PADD before handing it back to an Engineer.

"I think they are happy to stay on the 'Base, for the time being, Elise has friends there, and the girls too. Besides, I can work just as easily from either location,"

"Anything more on lifting the quarantine?"

"No, and even with Sub-space communications back online we're restricted from contacting anyone. On another note though, it seems we're going to have a visit from the Federation Vice President no less,"

"Yikes, I'll restrict all Female Officers' to quarters," Calli said, her sarcasm obvious.

"He's not that bad, though I'd be careful who overhears you, he could always assign you to his personal staff if he knows you are so fond of him," Carl said, trying not to laugh. Calli thumped him in the arm for his trouble.

"We 'both' know I would resign first..." Calli said, taking yet another PADD off a waiting technician, "... Now, Sir, unless there's anything else, I'd like to finish off and go get something to eat before I faint from malnutrition?"

"No, nothing..." Carl said turning away then back, "... Hey, maybe you and Andae could come over for a meal, I'll get Elise to make the arrangements, good evening, Commander." he stepped back into the turbo-lift then headed for the walkway to the Starbase ..........

[David Tan]

O'Tooles Bar & Grill ...
Alpha Promenade
Level One Five Five One ::

He had been sat at the bar only moments when Sean realized he was there .....

"Well, I'll be... Long time no see David..." the Irish owner said waving to one of his staff, "..... and how's it been in the wide world above us?"

"Busy," Tan replied, accepting the glass from one of the girls.

"You here on erm, business, or just doin' some snooping on your own time?" Sean said secretively, eyes dramatically shifting.

"No, just a visit to my friendly Irish Bar, nothing untoward, and certainly no snooping..." David said, picking up one of the menu's "... Are you still serving or am I too late?"

"Oh we can always throw something together for one of our own, I have some good steak in the back?"

"Great, medium rare," Tan said, handing the menu to Sean and waving for a refill ..... As the bar owner went into the kitchen to prepare his meal, he turned on his stool to watch the band playing a medley of old folk songs from the nineteenth century he assumed. But he could also hear a group of people sat in one of the booths talking loudly. Taking the refilled glass he decided it was none of his business so settled into the music once more.

"I'm telling you it was fixed, these bloody Starfleet types want the spoils for themselves,"

"Shut the hell up, you're attracting too much attention," Another said.

David could smell the food before Sean put the plate down. It had been a while since he'd had the Irishman's cooking and always enjoyed it. He'd asked to move into the backroom once, but Sean had said no chance... He began tucking into the meal while enjoying the music, but within minutes the people in the booth were again raising their voices. He was about to put his knife and fork down when Sean passed him. David heard him lean into the booth and speak to the occupants for a moment. One clearly took offense at their instruction to tone the conversation down and respect the artist playing, Sean slammed a fist into the man's jaw then physically dragged him from the booth unconscious.

"I believe it's time you took your friend home, gentlemen," the Irishman said jovially. The remaining three were clearly weighing up options. Finally, they stood, two taking the unconscious friend by the arms and made their way out of the bar.

"That happening often?" David asked.

"We've had a few incidents over the last couple of weeks, conspiracy theorists, doom-sayers, you know the type,"

"You reported any of them?"

"Hey... You know me Davy-boy, I much prefer the ole hands-on approach when it comes to rowdy customers," Sean replied, slapping Tan on the back as he went off to pick empty glasses of vacated tables. David cut a piece of steak and was raising it when a phaser beam lanced past him and into the glass behind the bar. Dropping he looked in the direction the shot had come from and could see the four men recently ejected still outside, one being forcibly held. He managed to beat Sean to the door, having slapped his comm-badge and requested Security.

"Bloody 'FEDERATION' ..... We have every right to go home!" the drunk was protesting. Security personnel arrived and confiscated the phaser, they identified all four then took the drunk away, still shouting about his rights. The other three were warned about their conduct and instructed to leave the Promenade immediately.

"As I said, Davey, we get one every now and then," Sean said with a shrug. Tan stopped one of the Security Officers and asked him to have the details of the four on his desk in the morning. Might just be another discontented resident, but problems have grown from people opening their mouths a little too wide to those willing, or in his opinion, gullible enough, to listen. He returned to the bar as was pleasantly surprised to see his meal had been replaced with a fresh, hot plate. He asked for a cold beer to go with his whiskey and settled into the music once again.

"Wow... Talk about preferential treatment!" David turned to see Elena de Luca stood admiring the generous steak.

"It's who you know, not what you know..." David said with a grin, "... Though the latter works too," Elena sat beside him and declined the offer from Sean to cook her a steak, but asked for a salad instead.

"Salad..." the man said, shaking his head as he put a glass on the bar and poured her a drink before asking one of his staff to prepare the salad, "... Hey, salad doesn't need my expertise, anyone can put some multicolored fungi on a plate,"

"Cheeky sod..." de Luca said to his retreating back then turned her stool to allow her to see both the stage and David, "... I hear there was a little excitement earlier?"

"Some guy mouthing off, nothing too serious," David replied, cutting himself another piece of steak as he pointed to the scorch mark on the mirror left by the phaser hit. elena's salad arrived and she began to eat, enjoying the chilled freshness. Another group took to the stage, all 'real' instruments this time, no electronics, and began a series of slow ballads ..........

[Andae Blakus]

After stopping by engineering, Blakus returned to the bridge to learn he'd just missed the CO who'd begun returning to the station, "That's what you get for chasing ghosts, Blakus," he shook his head and turned to Valente, "Did he give any instructions?"

"Merely requested a progress report," Calli shook her head, Blakus acknowledging and mentally scheduling for himself a comm to Torek for shortly after going off-duty. If the admiral was unavailable, he'd record a status report and send it to be viewed at the CO's convenience. He thought back to the meeting in engineering with Milyanov and co.

"We can't find anything, Andae; no relays, emitters, hubs or bases. Every cubic millimetre on the Raven has been accounted for. You've got to admit, now is the time for such a sweep more than any other."

Blakus exhaled and leant on the pool table, taking in Milyanov, Taylor and Tinsley in turn, "If you're certain, and I didn't hallucinate a meeting with this holographic projection... then start investigating other possibilities. We've ruled out the possible, look at what should be impossible." They presumed he meant a holographic source from off the ship, and they were correct; perhaps the interlocutor and summoning individual Blakus had conversed with had been projected from the Starbase - or, heaven forbid it, another of the starships - to outside deflector control on the Raven. Undocked, such a thing should be impossible, but now that in the last few hours they'd made dock, there was a way that courtesy of an external power source a projection could be put into operation. Those responsible, however, would need to have access to the power relays running from the Starbase to the Raven's PTC network.

"Focus scanners on crew quarters, the 1400s decks."

"Are you going to follow the hologram's suggestion?" Tinsley asked, still much surprised to have learnt someone imitating himself - presumably the hologram - had called Blakus below deck.

Blakus nodded, "I'll go to the Starbase to meet him, or them. With a small security detail." There were two problems standing in his way: one he hadn't discovered when this gathering was supposed to take place, and two he was indeed concerned with the tetrad - as at certain loci in the deep past, its mystery provoked him once more.

Returning to the present on the bridge, he asked concerning the NuQ'Duj scout, being told it was continuing to draw a circle of approximately 0.25 lightyears radius perpendicular to the nearest point of the exclusion zone sphere, some 9 lightyears away from the base and thus 9 times the distance from the base to the edge of the zone.

"What does Starbase make of it?" he enquired.

"They've passed a message to the James Clark Maxwell asking them if they have detected it and whether they can request advice from Starfleet Command. It seems we're trying to find a way to get the Federation to contact the Klingons and have them keep away, or at least find out their intent."

Andae glanced at Calli at the aft of the bridge, "I can't believe Starfleet Command wouldn't already be in contact with the Klingons, and many others - most of the major Alpha and Beta quadrant powers, in fact - regarding us. They may well have already been discussing access rights and lack thereof with the Klingon High Council."

Captain Ogawa would keep them informed, he knew, but the Maxwell CO may not know much more than themselves at present.

"Commander," Wedlerson said, having just returned to his station from shore leave, "I believe the USS Vicksburg, one of the ships to have joined the Maxwell at the zone limit along with the USS Schrodinger, has contacted the NuQ'Duj scout. They may well be warning them off."

Blakus nodded as he dropped into the XO's seat, "Let's hope it's authorised. Ok, why don't we make best use of appropriating someone else's power reserves," he meant the Starbase's, "And begin an intensive 360 by 360 sweep of surrounding space using these new-fangled sensors. It seems we have a delicate situation developing and we should stave off any possibility of being taken by surprise; thinking longer term, we should assist the operational centre as well as Starfleet by remapping accurately this region of space."

<Tag All>

[Gheskori]

In Ops, Ghes's commbadge chirped, he answered and it turned out to be someone communicating on the Ops intercom, "Admiral, we're being hailed by the James Clark Maxwell. On screen, sir."

Ghes thanked the controller and Ogawa's bridge appeared, "Admiral, I thought to let you know we have scanned the destroyed wormhole and have narrowed down its origin point to somewhere within 10 arcminutes of the Omega Centauri cluster. Your story seems to check out, sir. Unless you came from the J13 system of course."

Appreciating the Maxwell CO's joke, Ghes was nevertheless aware the Maxwell and other Federation starships still had to take precautions. "Captain, are you satisfied with our data stream of our logs and other information from our sojourn in the Omega Cen cluster? Now our transceiver is repaired we've been able to transmit to you."

"Admiral, our people have received it and have begun analysis and classification. We'll let you know when we're satisfied. It seems you've collected quite a treasure trove." Ghes nodded and asked Ogawa about the Vicksburg's communication with the Klingon scout detected by the Raven, warning the captain that the Vicksburg shouldn't be contacting the nearby Klingons with no request to do so.

"It's alright, Admiral. The Vicksburg captain was asking them whether we can render any assistance."

Ghes gave a wide Denobulan smile and nodded appreciatively, "Still, Captain, it's somewhat against regulations. It's their space, marginally, after all."

"No, you don't understand, sir. Starfleet has received unconfirmed reports that an usurpation has taken place on Qo'nos. The members of the Klingon High Council have been deposed and executed or driven into exile. It's understood, assuming the reports are correct, that the new Chancellor wants to expand the government and begin a general centralisation of powers. We're yet to learn what this may mean for the Federation, and whether we should be concerned for Starbase 47 given its position virtually on the Federation-Klingon border - the respective cartographers of each power don't entirely agree on the boundary's position. The Vicksburg's message was to be relayed to the Klingon homeworld - if there's anything the Federation can do to give help to whoever may need it, we obviously see it as our duty to take action."

"Why didn't you inform us of this earlier, Captain, if it concerns the Starbase?" This will wreak havoc amongst the diplomats, Ghes thought; he wondered what Ch'Lor was thinking, observing as he undoubtedly would be from his office.

"I apologise, we still haven't received confirmation that the new government exists, Admiral. Now that you have mentioned the Vicksburg's comm I couldn't hold anything back further to it being confirmed. If there's nothing more just for the moment, Admiral, let me just say the Vice President is drawing closer; he's now pulled into the 22 Gould IV colony, we're next."

Gheskori acknowledged and closed the comm. He moved to his office with Barton and the commander's new assistant Burr present. "Gather the diplomats and non-aligned species representatives. And meanwhile, start preparations to receive the Vice President; let's do things right, show ourselves unbowed."

[Simon Clark]

USS Enzio, relay position, Starbase 47.

The Enzio was holding position at the communications relay point, some three thousand kilometres from Starbase 47. Simon, against his better judgement, held the centre seat on the bridge, and after several days of rotating the duty with V'Maz, Paul Yarwood and Aeryn Tavik, he was finding the position to be a little dull.

"Ensign McCarthy, how's it coming?" he asked.

Anya looked around from the Engineering station, and Simon saw in her eyes and posture much the same level of discomfort from being on the bridge, as he did in the centre seat, giving orders to departments he wasn't very familiar with.

"We've filtered through most of the radiation interference, sir. M'Rell thinks we can move another two thousand kilometres and maintain the signal integrity."

"Very nice." At first, he'd been honoured that Gheskori has asked him to take command, but the novelty of directing others had quickly worn thin. Except, there were parts he was finding appealing. "Anya, relax a little. The Engineering station on the bridge is just another desk." And the centre seat is just another seat, he added to himself.

She seemed to consider this for a moment, "Yes Sir". Her posture loosened ever so slightly as she continued to work her communications systems experience on the console before her.

Inspiring confidence, just like that, with just a few words. It was an interesting experience. "Ensign Rac'anne, move us to the new position. Keep it slow, and we'll monitor the signal integrity as we go. If we can increase the distance between us and the starbase, it'll massively improve the communications range we can relay back to the Starbase."

"Aye Coumandear. Sheep t'goo ate feeve per ceent impulse poweer." Rac'anne replied from the helm.

Rac'anne had come aboard with Lt Tagert, and had mostly been on an opposite shift, so they'd never really conversed. After a few days on the same, he'd eventually gotten used to parsing her heavy accent. Simon sat back in the centre chair, and returned to reading the engineering reports from Max. By unspoken agreement, Almir and Rory had assumed Max would play the role of Chief Engineer while Simon had command of the ship. It was, as usual an agreement definitely not-made outside of the command structure. Almir was the assistant CEO, and should have naturally assumed the role. Except; he didn't want it. He never had. And Max, he was good at it. Where once he'd been overly brash and controlling, was now decisive and coordinating. His brief stint on the Oxford last year had markedly changed his perspective.

The damage sustained during the Enzio's impromptu MVAM had largely been repaired, but there was an odd fluctuation in the shield grid between the saucer section and the engineering hull on the port side that none of his team had been able to pin down. It was frustrating. He'd suggested that it could be a misalignment of the overlapping generator frequencies in that section, but Rory hadn't been able to find anything, and Simon didn't feel that he could leave the bridge to get his teeth into the problem while they were working on improving communications for the starbase.

"Signal integrity is decreasing within parameters." Ensign McCarthy said, "No, wait. Stop here."

Rac'anne brought the ship to a halt.

"How far did we come?" Simon asked.

"Eeeghteen Hoondred Keelomeetres."

"Very nice." Simon replied.

"We didn't meet the target. And we're at the lower tolerance for integrity." Anya replied, the frustration very apparent in her tone.

"We made progress." Simon replied, "How much extra range does that give us on the forward communications?"

"About four light yearsss." M'Rell said from the science station, "Halfssway to the nexsst ssstar ssysstem."

"The Admiral will like that. Good work." He gave them all a grin, and didn't mention that the game wasn't over yet. He didn't have to; they already knew. The day continued.

[Andae Blakus]

OOC: working on my sub-plot alongside main things

USS Raven in hard-dock

With the sensor sweeps in progress, Blakus moved to the upper deck of the bridge and surveyed the scientific data coming in from the Maxwell via the Enzio relay. It concerned the collapsed wormhole and its origin point - the collapse as well as the limitations on sensor resolution when focussed at a wormhole's other side, especially on a ship like the Maxwell, meant for a distortion in the readings and a registered dislocation of the actual origin, thus no wonder Ogawa had reported to the Starbase the origin could only be pinpointed with a 5 arcminute radius margin of error.

The just returned Lysia T'Seng reported from tactical, "Andae, Starbase understands the nearest Klingon outpost has confirmed to the Federation there has been a power shift in the Empire." She read her display, "Captain Ogawa has relayed... the previous Chancellor, deposed seven years ago, has usurped power. All major sectors of Klingon society, most importantly for the immediate future, the Klingon Defence Force, have accepted his authority."

Blakus tapped at his armrests, "Keep up the scans, Lysia, Harry - we must know about any other movements of Klingon vessels in this sector beside the NuQ'Duj. Fortunately perhaps, the Yattho area is somewhat neglected; if there's to be any civil conflict within the Klingon Empire, it'll presumably take place closer to Qo'nos, even Rura Penthe would probably see more action than this backwater..."

T'Seng shook her head vehemently, "The military have wholeheartedly accepted his authority, Andae, I don't see how -"

=/\=Bridge, this is Milyanov. Is Commander Blakus there?=/\=

Andae tapped his comm-panel, =/\=Speaking, Commander, go ahead.=/\=

=/\=Andae, you were right... A holographic representation was projected onto the ship from the 1400s levels on the Starbase, to deck 11 outside Raven deflector control. It also manifested itself in cargo bay 1, the upper level of engineering, and briefly, the conference room. All within ten minutes, sir,=/\= he added, preempting Blakus's question. He let the XO know the generator for the hologram was on deck 1490.

=/\=1490... that's where the meeting was sched- ... Oh, never mind,=/\= he was on his feet and rounding the command area to the upper deck and the waiting turbolift. "I'll be back shortly, all. Commander Valente, you have the bridge."

<Tag Carl/Calli>

---

Lobby, Deck 1490, Starbase 47

It didn't take him long to discover the time of the meeting; it was presented to him on his arrival on Starbase deck 1490. He found himself ushered along into a wide lobby; a list of names was presented on a wall-panel, his own - in full, praenomen, nomen, cognomen - was there. Stifling a grin and wondering at the archaism of these people, he moved to tap his commbadge - having seen a door opening to his right at the lobby's far end; all was dark beyond the threshold - and contact the two security NCOs he'd recruited upon boarding the base for this raid. Before he could press the badge, however, it was snatched from his tunic by a robed figure. Blurting out a protest, he silenced himself as he recognised the individual: the hologram from before. He blinked, surveying the person - real this time, or no?

Some time BC, Earth, some days before the sequestration

In the wide and deep portico Blakius stood waiting; Granius approached him, seeming almost translucent in the early morning light. "Blakius... will you enter?"

He would; they sat at tables stacked with scrolls, light pouring through the portals of this building's first storey and illuminating dust motes suspended in the air; cast spectrally, they flitted with brownian motion. Granius left after a while and Hostus replaced him. Blakius took note of his presence with a brief glance before returning to scrutinise with difficulty an open scroll; it was caked with dust, the geometric patterns and Phoenician lettering annotating the drawings barely able to be made out. "Are we really to bury these with the rex?" he murmured. "This will take a considerable amount of time."

"Be thankful, Marcus," Hostus replied as he paced the room, eventually settling at the table Granius had vacated, "That you're not handling the books on pontifical law." Hostus pulled his chair closer to the table and the aforementioned legal works. Marcus Blakius grunted and returned to his own writings; unrolling a scroll further, he could just make out a faded representation of 10 points arranged in a triangle.

Crew quarters, Deck 1490, Starbase 47

The darkness of the quarters that presumably belonged to the robed figure couldn't obscure the chest that sat against the back wall.

"I'm one of those concerned with the knowledge of the tetrad," the figure, unnervingly and unexpectedly near to him, said as before on the ship.

Blakus approached and was instructed to open the top drawer; he considered running, but not knowing that the figure - or indeed any other of the robed ones present, part-melded with the shadows either side of him - didn't have a weapon, while he had neither commbadge or his own means of self defence, he decided to comply. Security would be here soon in any case - they were keeping track of his biosign and knew they were to transport to his coordinates immediately or beam him out if they weren't to hear from him.

Andae took note, glancing at him briefly, of another individual to the right of the chest, not in a robe but ordinary civilian clothes, watching on in silence as the others in the obscured sections of the quarters started murmuring amongst themselves. Abruptly this conventionally-clothed man spoke, "Computer, lights." And all was revealed. Andae held in his hand a real leather-bound book. The civilian who'd just spoken seemed to look askance at the robed maybe-hologram.

"Take it, Commander," the maybe-hologram forced the book further into his hands, "I know you have always been interested." Ten dots arranged in a triangular form adorned the front cover.

=/\=Commander Blakus, this is Starbase Security... Are you alright, sir? We were expecting your alert.=/\=

=/\=Lieutenant... Yes, yes, I think so,=/\= he looked round at the assembled gathering of oddballs. =/\=No emergency... I'm returning to my vessel. Thank you for your assistance.=/\= He departed with the book, the civilian-clothed second individual following him part of the way before leaving off as Andae descended several decks to pass through Delta Promenade and then skipped six levels up onto Alpha Promenade - just in time to see a civilian firing off a phaser at O'Toole's bar and being wrestled to the ground by security personnel. He ran up, book under his arm and entered O'Toole's to see if he could assist.

<Tag Tan, de Luca>

[Simon Clark]

Conference Room 4, Level 8, Starbase Operations

Commander Sasha Gordon glanced at the display panel as she entered the conference room.

    1030: Subspace Transceiver Assembly Review

She was a few minutes early, and did not feel particularly inclined to sit in the room on her own. She crossed the mezzanine, and leaned on the railing looking out over the Command floor. Below her the centre of starbase operations buzzed. Officers moved between the rings of control stations surrounding the platform, working, always working, to try and keep the four kilometre starbase and it's inhabitants in a functional state. Commander Reekie, in his relaxed confrontational style, looked to be having another debate with Captain Stephanson. She did not doubt that it was about the low number of functional hard docks; they had barely discussed anything else for two days. Jock threw up his arms exasperated, and marched back toward Dome Control.

"Commander," announced a familiar sober voice.

She turned, and greeted him as warmly as she felt he would be comfortable with. "Lieutenant Jack Gibson, it's been a few days, how are you?"

"I am well, Sir. I have been working on the calculations for the transceiver positioning, I am prepared for the meeting."

"Good to hear." He was formal, always formal. He could almost have been a Vulcan, with that combination of intelligence and solemnity. Yet, she knew, despite his awkward demeanour, that he was quite attuned to the emotional state of those around him, and was always ready to support in times of need. In his own, unique, way. Some of the others had moved into the conference room. "Ah, everyone loves a senior management review. Shall we?"

He nodded, and she followed him across the mezzanine, and found a seat near the centre of the table. She preferred the centre, she liked to be in a position to hear all of the secondary discussions these meetings tended to produce. Jack, predictably, took a seat as far from everyone else as he felt social convention allowed.

Commander Campbell glanced at Jack as he entered, "G'day, I don't think we've met. I'm Chief Engineer."

"Lieutenant Gibson, sir. I'm working on the transceiver project."

"Aye, you'd in the wrong room if not, eh? You know all of these?" he gestured to the group assembling themselves around the table.

"No sir,"

"Intro's then. This here's Commander Sasha Gordon, Head of Starbase Structure, she keeps this great tinny all in one piece."

"Yes sir, she is my manager. I'm on her team, sir. "

For some reason, this seemed to throw Campbell off his track, and stuck for something to say. Sasha couldn't suppress a grin at the juxtaposition of Campbell's exuberance and Jack's deadpan, but avoided laughing.

"Right. Then. Here's Commander Atkinson, my deputy. Commander Lek, he's Starbase Operations Chief, then that's Logistics Director Geoffrey Morton, and another bloke, who.. you must be Ensign Fox?"

"Ensign Vishall Fox, Sir. Industrial Replication Manager. Most just call me Vish."

"Long way up for ya today, Vish, nice to meet you. I've skimmed a few of y'production reports in the last coupl'a years. You got a ripping team'o'bludgers down there?"

"They're a good crew, I'm proud of the work we do."

As Campbell's attention shifted from Jack to Vishall, she watched Jack visibly relax. It wasn't the hierarchy, but having to informally interact with others was something he struggled with. He'd be fine for the rest of the meeting, once he got onto presenting the technical analysis of the new bonded superstructure on Level 1690, he'd be a completely different person. She glanced at the others in the room. This meeting was almost identical to the one she'd been in a year ago when they'd finished reconstructing the last subspace antenna, and just like the last meeting, they'd had to deal with Director Morton's political dodging of material supply questions. She suspected that's why Campbell had bought up Ensign Fox from industrial replication, to offset Morton's picky temper. Fox didn't look much like he wanted to be here, and she could imagine how Morton would be feeling distinctly undermined by the invite to his subordinate. Campbell pretending not to know who he was, that was clever. It gave him an excuse to bring him into the conversation in a way that Morton couldn't object to, particularly while his own senior, Commander Lek was in the room. Campbell was expecting to get everything he could from Operations and Logistics in this meeting. Sasha had spent enough time around political people to read the flow of the manoeuvrings, though she disliked how in-genuine it appeared.

"Reckon, mate. Right, waitin' for the brass. Bizzo people, them."

<Tag: Admirals, for an update on the final testing of the new subspace antenna>