Posted on Tue Jul 19th, 2022 @ 5:29pm by Commodore Jacob Kane & Lieutenant Leah Bailey

Mission: Scylla and Charybdis
Location: Titania System
Timeline: MD-04: 10:57hrs
550 words - 1.1 OF Standard Post Measure

The Quantum Slipstream Drive deposited Athena in the Titania system several days earlier than a ship at warp would have been able to achieve. It was evident almost immediately that this was an unusual testing ground for an experimental technology, with the scattered dust clouds of varying colours that filled the main viewscreen. Titania was unusual in that it was technically a binary set of stars with a third smaller one orbiting the others at a much greater distance. With only a half-dozen celestial bodies of note - mostly small uninhabited rocks - it was obvious why the system was neutral space; nobody wanted it.

"Lieutenant Bailey, talk to me," he said.

"Massive stellar debris and radiation. The entire solar system seems like it just about barely formed itself. Presumably the third star consumed a lot of the planetary potential early on," she explained, clearly enjoying the scientific potential of this star system. "Radiation levels are off the charts; long-range sensors are completely non-responsive, subspace communications won't be possible as we get nearer the inner system."

"What about those clouds?" he asked, motioning to one of the green-hued elements.

"Proto-nebulae? Some of them look to be charged with ionic particles. If someone wanted to hide, those are the sorts of places you might want to do it. Would be a rough ride, but nobody would find you easily." Of course this would be the perfect system for someone to hide out in. Of course.

"Any danger to the ship?"

"That's...not clear, sir." He caught the moment's hesitation quickly. "Some of these readings are exotic, certainly rare in nature. I don't know if some of them may even be artificial in origin..."

All that did was emphasise their need to find their ally soon. Avalon had been in the system for days, at least.

"How long to locate the Avalon?" he asked.

"No indication of them from here. With an efficient search pattern, could be hours before we find anything."

"I guess we'd better begin then. Ensign Brewster, take your lead from the science team." Kane rose from his chair, noting that waiting on the bridge would be more likely to frustrate him than lead to anything productive. He was starting to get that feeling in the back of his mind; that this wasn't going to be as simple as finding a lost ship and returning it to port. There was a lot about this solar system that could trip them up, and there were plenty of places for a hostile agent to be lying in wait for them.

"Captain?" Bailey caught him before he left the bridge. "There is a distant ping on the sensors, at the far edge of the system. Difficult to ascertain fully at this range, but its motion and profile suggest it's a ship."

"Ours?" he asked.

"Unlikely," she shook her head. "Best approximation, given its size, vector and speed...a Romulan Valdore-class. Not cloaked, either."

"They want us to see them," he concluded, a frown returning. "Deploy a probe and do your best to monitor them. Relay your telemetry to Lt P'rel, have her see what she can find."

"Aye."

"I'll be in my ready room - notify me when we find anything on the Avalon."