Tales of Starfleet
Aurora
Part 3
by Phillip Barlow
(p.barlow@ic.ac.uk)

Aurora - Part 3

"To all deep space starship captains. Hopefully, what is contained herein will convince you of the need for you to return to Allied space immediately.
Seventy-two hours ago, as part of a routine information retrieval from our distant sensor relays, we discovered this image. It shows the Earth registered Declaration class freighter Runnymede surrounded by five vessels of the Romulan Star Empire. The owners of the Runnymede have confirmed that all contact has been lost, while the starship Portland, despatched to the freighter's last known coordinates, has found no trace of her. At approximately the same time, we received word that another freighter, the Y class Archimedes, was ambushed by Romulans, escaping only by dumping and igniting its cargo. We have also received reports that a Vulcan survey ship, an Andorian transport and a pair of Tellerite freighters have also been attacked.
We have been aware for the past two years of the potential threat of the Romulans. However now it seems this potential threat has hardened. For this reason, Starfleet Command has taken the decision to recall all deep space vessels. This does not mean that exploration will not continue. What it does mean is the suspension of exploration into completely unknown space. This will enable our most advanced and powerful vessels to be close at hand, should they be needed."

Sinclair switched off the monitor and turned to face the group that was assembled in his quarters.

"Well," he said. "There you have it."

"The data stream contained a message from the Vulcan High Command," said T'Var. "All Vulcan exploratory vessels have been similarly recalled. We have also agreed to cooperate with the Andorians over this matter."

"That's something I suppose," said Tanner.

"What are we going to do about the Bajorans?" asked Lyman.

"If we had the time, we could find the planet they were heading for and drop them off. But, Starfleet's orders are clear. We have to return immediately."

"Are Starfleet aware of the situation?" asked Dr Liebermann.

"We haven't been able to establish a link with Echo 29, probably due to the plasma phenomenon. I'll give Tyler another two hours to try and get through. While she's doing that I'll talk to the Bajorans. Is there anything else?" Everybody remained silent. "In that case, dismissed."

* * *

Given the number of Bajorans there were, just one of the Aurora's four hanger bays should have been big enough to hold them all. Instead, each family seemed to have staked out their own little homestead, complete with possessions and animals, with the result that they took up all four of the hanger bays, leaving the shuttlepods stowed in the launch bays.

"Captain Sinclair," said Con as the captain approached. Con, being the first of their number to have had contact with the Starfleeters, had been voted the Bajorans ad hoc spokesman.

"I hope you're comfortable."

"A little cramped, but we've known worse. Is there any news?"

"Yes," said Sinclair. "Although you may not want to hear it."

"I assume it's about your recall to your homeworld by your superiors. We've heard the crew talking about it."

"I'm afraid that we won't be able to find you a planet. Our orders are immediate. There's a good possibility my world could be under threat of attack, and the Aurora would be needed for the front line of its defence."

"Of course. Your world must come first," said Con. By now the two of them had been joined by a large crowd.

"What will become of us though?" asked one woman.

"Once we've returned to Earth space, you'll be free to choose. There are many uninhabited worlds in our sphere of influence. Or, you could settle on an Earth colony world. It is entirely up to you." Sinclair stopped as he heard Tyler's voice over the intercom. He strode over to the bulkhead and activated it. "Yes Lieutenant?"

"Reporting in sir. I still can't get a signal connection with Echo 29."

"Acknowledged Zoë. We'll get under way, but keep trying."

"Aye sir." Sinclair turned to leave the hanger.

"Captain," said Con suddenly. Sinclair turned. "Thank you." The captain smiled.

"Strap yourselves in."

* * *

The Aurora had turned away from the derelict sailing ships and was heading at warp back to the plasma phenomenon, which was the quickest way back towards known space. While they were heading towards it, Sinclair had ordered all of the ship's sensors to be turned towards it. This may well have been the shortest exploratory mission in Starfleet history, but he was determined to make the most of it. After all, in five days they had proved the function of several brand new starship systems, discovered a previously unknown interstellar phenomenon and made first contact with an intelligent species. Not even Jonathan Archer could claim that.

"Captain," said T'Var. "I'm detecting something...strange."

"Yes?"

"We're being scanned by what I can only describe as a coherent tetryon beam." This caused Sinclair to frown.

"I thought that tetryons were only a theoretical concept."

"They are, yet I am detecting them scanning us." T'Var frowned. "There is also a massive displacement wave directly astern."

"On screen." The image switched to a stern view, showing a displacement wave approaching the ship at high speed. "Can we outrun it?"

"Sensors indicate its speed to be warp 8 and increasing," said T'Var.

"I'll take that as a no. How long?"

"Fifteen seconds."

"Raise the shields."

"Ten."

"Turn us side on. That'll stop the nacelles taking the brunt of it where they're weakest."

"Five."

"All hands, brace for impact!" Sinclair grasped the arms of his chair until his knuckles went white, and held his breath.

* * *

Sinclair woke in the captain's chair on the bridge. He turned his head left and right, wondering what he would see. He didn't expect everybody he should see, but that was what he saw anyway - to his right, Lyman at the tactical station, Travis in front of him at the helm, and T'Var and Tyler to his left. They too were stirring from unconsciousness.

"Status report," said Sinclair, hoping the tone of his voice would help return them, not to mention himself, to clarity. T'Var was the first to acknowledge him by sitting bolt upright and turning to her viewer.

"Sensor data is unclear. We may have lost several sensor clusters."

"Captain," said Travis. "We seem to have moved."

"What?"

"We're about four light years from where we were."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes sir." Sinclair looked at T'Var, who raised an eyebrow quizzically. Then she looked at her console and frowned again.

"According to the ship's chronometer, it is three days since the displacement wave hit."

"Engineering to bridge." Tanner's voice came hollering over the intercom. "Would someone mind telling me what the hell happened?"

"Calm down chief," said Sinclair. "What's your status?"

"Shot. According to what I'm seeing, the warp coils are fused, transfer conduits cracked open and the injectors dislodged. To say nothing of the EPS grid, which is fried."

"We get the picture. How long before you can get everything up and running?"

"All this damage? About eight months, if I had a drydock and a full engineering crew. Out here, wherever here is, no chance."

"What do you mean no chance?"

"I mean this amount of damage can't be repaired on the fly Captain. It just isn't possible." Sinclair sat down as Tanner finished speaking.

"I see," he said calmly. "Anything else?"

"The impulse engines are functional, barely. Life support appears to be stale but, with everything else, I wouldn't bet my house on it."

"Thank you," said Sinclair as he switched the channel closed. "Lieutenant," he said, turning to Tyler. "Can you get a fix on Echo 29?"

"Yes sir, but the hyperwave transmitter is non functional. All we have is standard radio." 'Standard radio', thought Sinclair. 'I think we can forget that idea.'

"Some suggestions would be appreciated."

"There is a Minshara class planet approximately two days from here at impulse," said T'Var. "We should set a course. It will provide time to attempt some repairs and, should we require it, provide a place to set down if life support begins to fail."

"Any objections? Alright Mr Travis, lay in a course, best possible speed."

* * *

Captain's Star Log. July 8th 2154:
This will be the last entry I make as master of this vessel. We have arrived at the Minshara class planet indicated by Sub Commander T'Var only to find that the Aurora, as well built as she is, could not hold out against the pounding she suffered. On entering orbit, the impulse engines failed, leaving us with insufficient power to leave. It is to our Bajoran guests that we must lay our thanks for preventing us from falling into despair. Mr Rebas Con offered the proposal that we join their community, at least until (or if) we are rescued. The crew seem happy with this arrangement, and so, using the shuttlepods and what remaining transporter power we have, we are moving lock, stock and barrel to the surface. However, before we do leave, one thing remains left to do; we must bring the Aurora down, lest she crash on us. As the captain always goes down with his ship (so the saying goes), I am, over the strenuous objections of my crew, staying aboard to pilot the ship.
Should this ever get back to Starfleet, I wish to recommend all of my crew for commendations for meritorious service. I would also recommend the Vulcan High Command do likewise with all of the Vulcan personnel under my command. Finally, I have downloaded all of our sensor data pertaining to the plasma phenomenon, the tetryon beam and the Bajorans and will, in addition to dumping it into the communications buoy, transmit it using a conventional radio beam towards Echo 29, in the hope that an Earth or Allied ship may come across it.
It has been my honour to serve, however briefly, as the captain of this vessel.

Aaron James Sinclair
Master, Earth Star Vessel Aurora
July 8 2154

White sat back in her seat as the screen beeped off, thoughts racing through her brain. From the way that his logs described it, it sounded like the Aurora had gone through a similar experience to that of the starship Voyager in 2371. Yet, they had only ended up four light years from where they had left, not 70,000. Which meant that the entity that took them must also have sent them back.

"Computer, based on information downloaded from the log buoy, can you determine the ship's last location?"

"Scanning," said the computer. "Sensor data from after July 2nd 2154 is too degraded to be viably evaluated." White frowned at this. There had to be some way to figure it out.

"Computer, can you determine the ship's last location prior to the displacement wave?"

"Affirmative." The monitor displayed a simulation of an area near the Badlands, with a set of crosshairs marking the last known position of the Aurora.

"Now, using the information from the captain's log entries, estimate likely systems that the Aurora could have made given her described operational status." Two star systems flashed up on the monitor, both within the four light year limit. Both of them were within a couple of days travel of the Mariner's current position. The problem was it was a couple of days in the opposite direction at warp 7, if they turned around now. White took a deep breath; she had direct orders to report to her new post as soon as possible. At the very least she could face a reprimand. But, the whole point of her being in Starfleet was so she could seek out knowledge. That was why most of her crew had joined up as well, not to be stuck on convoy duty. She made a decision. Getting up from her desk, she strode to the door and onto the bridge.

"Commander, bring us about," she said.

"Captain?" said Bowman, looking confused.

"Set a course for the Badlands, maximum warp. We've got some questions that need answering."