Theories
Posted on Thu Aug 18th, 2011 @ 3:57pm by Lieutenant K`Wor
2,099 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Mission 76 - Home comings
Location: USS Laffey
Timeline: Current
Talos IV
Talos Star Group
The USS Laffey, a Defiant-Class Escort vessel entered orbit of Talos IV to begin operations to provide cover for the USS Saratoga whom had the primary task of retrieving the remains of legendary Starfleet Commodore Christopher Pike, a one-time commanding officer of the original Enterprise from 2250 to 2263. However, the Laffey, under command of Starbase 400's Tactical Operations Officer, Commander James Winter also had other objectives.
They were investigating the original reason the original Enterprise under Pike was brought to this place. Pike and the Enterprise crew had received a distress call from a radio beacon from a science survey vessel, the S.S. Columbia. Remains of the downed vessel were discovered by the original Enterprise but never followed up on by Captain Kirk whom had been granted special dispensation to deliver a very wounded Commodore Pike back to Talos IV to live out the remaining years of his life in illusion.
However, no follow up investigation into the crash of the Columbia had ever taken place since General Order Seven had been enacted. Now for the first time in over a century Starfleet ships were in the Talos Star Group. Colonel Lee Pike was leading the mission largely a symbolic one to recover the remains of his ancestor. It also begged the question as to why the Talosians were willing to return the remains of Pike after so many years.
Winter had remembered the original briefing on Talos IV back during the academy as well as over the years including just prior to this mission. "Number One, Mr. Lee, Mr. Archer and Mr. Kwor, to my ready room, Ensign Ragen you have the bridge."
As Lee, Archer, K'Wor and Thorin followed Brandy stood from the helm station to sit down in the command chair while a NCO took her post at the helm.
Walking into his ready room Winter sat behind his desk. "Alright, does any of you remember the original reason the Enterprise was brought forth to this sector of space?"
"Historical records indicate the Enterprise had picked up a distress signal." Thorin said finding a place to sit. Archer and Lee remained standing. "That's correct Lieutenant." Said Lee, "Intelligence files that were delivered to me prior to our mission indicate that the Enterprise was conducting standard operations in this area when she received an old-style distress signal, they followed the path of the distress signal which led them here to Talos IV."
Winter nodded. "Indeed Commodore Pike's report indicated they had found survivors of a crashed starship, the Columbia. But why was a civilian liner out this far without any assistance from a nearby Starbase much less from a Federation Starship."
Nick spoke up, "Our own sensors show a wreckage spread around a fair portion of the planetary surface. Perhaps we can bring a portion of the debris up for analysis."
It certainly was tempting. "As you know we don't have any science labs or any scientific material onboard Mr. Archer. Use the computer to reconstruct the debris."
"Aye Captain."
Thorin spoke up, "We should gain access anything pertaining to any vessel that was listed in operation in this sector prior to the deployment of Enterprise to Talos."
James nodded, "Mr. K'Wor, I would like for you to review tactical history of this area, potentially any known adversaries to the Federation that operated in this region in the last ninety years. "
K'Wor nodded.
"Mr. Lee I want you to review anything and everything you can about the distress signal and those that sent it. We have a unique opportunity here and let's not waste it. The Pike family is getting their answers, we should do the same for the survivors of the crashed starship."
"Agreed." They all said together. "Dismissed."
Archer went to engineering to use the computer mockup to record the debris feild and attempt to place them together to get an image of what the downed craft looked like prior to her crash. Lee headed for a station on the bridge to access intelligence files on any civilian or federation operations that were conducted prior to the order being enacted. K'Wor also was looking for tactical theories on why a civilian starship may have been out here.
Thorin remained behind. "I've seen that look."
"What look?" He said looking up from the monitor to see his first officer's face. "This is a puzzle as you human's say Captain. Yet its a mystery as much as why the Talosians want to return Commodore Pike."
Leaning backward James nodded. "Its what caused the Enterprise to change course, there was a single survivor, named Vina among the ruins according to the original report submitted by then Captain Pike and corrobated by members of the away team such as then Lieutenant Spock and others on the away team, it was also stated that the Talosians thru powerful mental abilities caused the away team from Enterprise to see things that aren't there, Even this ship is far more powerful then the original Enterprise was in her day. This is a scientific curiosity and a potential tactical problem that could continue keeping General Order Seven on the Books. The Federation Terraforming Council has for decades lobbied the President and the Federation Council to overturn General Order Seven citing no more problems from this area of space, I'm not so convinced either. "
"Prudent sir."
"Opinion Mr. Thorin?"
The Andorian's face showed concern. "There could be a hidden danger out here sir far more than the Talosians if an earth craft was forced to crash land on Talos something far more dangerous then the Talosians could be awaiting us sir."
"I agree, Starfleet wants a complete picture of this sector as a side note Admiral Bremer did request that we find anything we can about anything hence why I want to focus on the distress call that brought the Enterprise here in the first place. It could prove vital to the defense of this sector should our friends in the triangle ever come out this far, as it is pretty close to Earth with a good deal of strategic assets to be planted here."
Thorin nodded, "Permission to return to the bridge?"
He nodded. "Inform me when we have something."
"Yes sir." The Andorian left and Winter turned his attention to the monitor before him. "Computer, Access Log entry, USS Enterprise NCC 1701 Captain Christopher Pike Commanding, Look for references to Talos and Columbia, cross reference any information to recent communique from Talos IV as well as any reference to said Starship under Captain James Kirk. Display this station only."
"Security Verification Code for Retrieval?" Said the Laffey Computer. "Winter-Three-Echo-One."
"Security Code Verified."
"Proceed as ordered." Winter said.
On the screen popped up an imagine of Captain Pike in his quarters, back then Constitution class starships did not have private offices such as a ready room for their commanding officers. "Captain's Personal Log Supplemental: It is surprising to me that we have detected a distress signal of earth origin this far out and away from normal areas of traffic. My Science Officer, Lieutenant Spock details to me that the distress signal belongs to a craft known as the Columbia, her reason for being out here is dubious yet they have requested aid and we shall see if they are alright, it has been eighteen years since anyone last heard from this space born Marie Celeste. I hope all is well."
Then the screen shifted to show a very young Spock, his uniform insignia showed the stripes of a Lieutenant, this was at least a decade before he would be immortalized as Kirk's first officer. "Chief Science Officer's Log, Lieutenant Spock recording. During an investigation into a crash of the Columbia, a Starship which has been missing for eighteen years, our investigation took us on a tangent away from the original purpose of our diversion to Talos IV, Investigation into the crash led us only to one survivor, a human female by the name of Vina, Vina, badly disfigured in the crash according to statements made by the Talosians had been repaired without the use of proper medical techniques to heal her wounds. Logic Suggests the Talosians may have been responsible for the crash in an attempt to make peaceful contact with the crew of Columbia, how or why they crashed remains a mystery."
Then the face of ship's first officer, Lieutenant Commander Barret then appeared she was looking out her window. "First Officer's Log Supplemental: The Enterprise responded to a distress call from what appeared to be the SS Columbia. Shortly after our diversion to investigate the distress call Captain Pike was kidnapped by members of a subterranean society calling themselves the Talosians. I led attempts to rescue Captain Pike but was subsequently captured myself along with Yeoman Colt. These... People if you could call it that may represent a next stage in human evolution, its my thought they may have had something to do with the crash of the Columbia hence their desire to have Vina, a human woman that survived the crash to have companionship or to create a race of slaves. Starfleet should cease any contact with the Talosians until we are better prepared to face them. However, on a side note, an investigation in the crash of the Columbia should continue. Why she was out here is beyond comprehension."
He was going to review Yeoman Colt's file on Talos when he was interrupted. "Archer to Captain Winter."
"Winter here, yes Lieutenant?"
"Captain, I think you should see this."
"On my way." Winter said as he stood from his desk to head for engineering.
As he entered main engineering he saw Archer looking over a panel. "Got something for me Lieutenant?"
"Yes sir, after I scanned the debris and wreckage it is of a Starship, defiantly Federation in origin Captain." Nick moved to give Winter a better view of the console.
"This is what she is?"
"Yes sir."
On the image of the screen was a starship Winter had only seen once. "That's... Antares Class." Winter said.
"Correct sir. This is the Columbia, one of the last of the class to have a command crew. How or why it came out this far eludes me."
"Maybe I can be of some help."
David Lee came up to the two of them. "In a fit of declassification prior to the dominion war, Starfleet began declassifying operations that were over a century old that no longer could harm the Federation. The Antares class were sometimes with a manned crew acting as scout ships, science vessels and among others. The Columbia may have been on a surveillance mission when she encountered the Talosians."
"Surveillance mission?"
"Prior to any first contact as you know Captain, Starfleet sends a vessel to conduct long range operations, investigative nature prior to making any formal contact with any new species. The Columbia was sent out here to chart the area, find suitable planets for colonization as well as surveillance operations."
"Meaning they knew something was out here in 2236 and they wanted to know before it became a danger."
James paced the room. "So Starfleet had a hunch something was out here they wanted to keep an eye on, but sending the Columbia out?"
"She was scheduled to chart the Talos Star Group and beyond, conducting scientific curiosity missions. Her Captain however, had been given priority one orders from Starfleet. "
"So there must be a tactical reason to be conducting a Surveillance Mission out this far. The Enterprise Logs only indicate there was two of the Talosians, they never say anymore." Winter said. "Winter to K'Wor, Inform the other ships we're engaging the cloak, inform the Vanguard we've spotted debris on the planet consistent wth a Federation Antares Class Survey Vessel and in particular the long missing Columbia. Present your tactical findings when I arrive on the bridge, inform the Saratoga as well."
There was no since in giving whomever shot down the Columbia a chance to shoot down the Laffey.
"Captain's Log Stardate 65128.9: I have ordered our cloaking device engaged. Recent information leads me to believe that the Columbia, a Missing Antares Class vessel was shot down in the Talos Star Group, crashing on Talos IV. Its possible The Talosians were facing an enemy far superior to them and was hoping to use Christopher Pike, Yeoman Colt, and Lieutenant Commander Barret from the Enterprise to restore their civilization. Whomever has been threatening the Talosians enough to take out the Columbia may make a similar attack on Laffey and her sisters, the Saratoga and Vanguard."
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