The Thunder Rose

Posted on Wed Mar 19th, 2025 @ 12:02pm by Captain Zseeq & Lieutenant JG Chase Thompson & Ensign Roju & Ensign Seaira Chambers & Ensign Fa Blemni & Lieutenant Commander Melanie D'BrooNi- Haistro & Lieutenant Zhi'rev & Lieutenant JG Maran

1,376 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Audacious
Location: Bridge, U.S.S. Saratoga
Timeline: 2401-05-04, 21:15

Ensign Seaira Chambers sat at the Helm controls of the Saratoga being bored out of her mind. The navigational systems of the Saratoga were highly automated, perhaps even more than typical because of the testing that the Saratoga was conducting, and the computers were really flying the ship. It gave her a lot of time to attend to other duties, but she really wanted to be putting the Saratoga through its paces.

The young Ensign sighed as she looked at the readouts. Energy generation was at 98%, which was well within safety margins. The Stellar Sciences Department and the Navigation Department were fighting over the lateral sensor array. Most of the senior crew were at their offices or lunch because of the shift change. Really, things were generally boring.

Well except for their mission at least.

Saratoga was carrying out the captain's orders in preparation for their crossing the Romulan border. They'd been at this gas giant for well longer than Captain Zseeq had planned - well at least that was how it felt. The Border was only half an hour away, but the young Ensign had a feeling they'd wanted this over by now.

Glancing over her shoulder, Seaira saw that Lieutenant Zhi'rev was sitting in the Captain's Chair. Chief Science Officer, he'd drawn the short straw for lunch today and had been left in charge. In their brief interactions Seaira had really liked him though. She hoped to be able to work with him more directly in the future. For now though they just had parallel workstations.

Right now Ensign Fa Blemni was sitting at the Lieutenant's console. Ensign Chambers didn't know much about her, aside from that she was a Napean. That was about all that she knew though because Fa barely talked. Seaira knew that the Napeans were empathic so she at least had a good understanding of emotions (hopefully), and probably liked conformity like the rest of her species.

Seaira was about to ask a question when Fa's console began to quickly beep.

The Napean turned away from the Science Station, "Lieutenant. The probes are detecting an anomaly near our target."

Zhi felt equally bored, having had to pass on lunch with his family in favour of being stuck on a very quiet bridge. When the lieutenant at his station alerted him, he shot out of the big chair and beelined for the science station. "What kind of anomaly," he queried, his hand already moving to his comm badge.

The Napean Science Officer returned her attention to the control console. Typing on the screen, she transferred the information being displayed on her panel to the viewscreen window at the front of the Bridge. "No uncloaked ships within sensor range of the probes, but there are a few subspace anomalies, but nothing firm. We could try launching another probe to try to get more information, but the one we would need wouldn't have the stealth abilities of the ones we've already launched."

"Captain, sensors have detected an anomaly. I'm launching a probe to get more data," he reported.

The Captain's comvoice came over the speaker, "Those anomalies could be cloaked ships?"

"Not according to the probes we had already sent," the Vulcan replied as he studied the image on the view screen, "the new probe however has no stealth but should return clearer data. If it is a cloaked ship, they'll know we're here however." He nodded towards the junior science officer to launch the probe anyway.

"I recommend we adjust course to take a closer look," he added thoughtfully, curiosity clear on his features as he continued to stare at the screen.

The Deltan paused as he considered the implications, "Any news on the shield modifications that I requested before we try to cross a sovereign border? I don't know about you, but I really don't want to start an intergalactic war today, Lieutenant."

"Not that I'm aware of. Didn't lieutenant Jorik made it abundantly clear shields were the subject of security and I wasn't to touch them?" Zhi shrugged. "I'm not interested in a war either but we're an advanced ship .. surely we look intimidating enough?"

"It's not exactly intimidation I'm going for, Lieutenant, instead I want to look like anyone other than the Federation." Zseeq explained as he considered the options. A sigh came over the comlink, then the Captain issued the order that may damn them all, "Your recommendation has been considered, Lieutenant, and approved. Take us to the Border at Warp Nine and get the Senior Staff up there. Zseeq out."

"Helm, change course for the anomalous reading," Zhi ordered, then tapped his comm badge. "All senior staff, report to the bridge."

Mel heard the order and finished up her patient notes. She grabbed her medkit and pressed her comm. badge as she nodded at Sethan. "Doctor, sickbay is yours. I'm heading up to the bridge."

A couple of minutes she walked out onto the bridge and took her usual seat waiting for further information.

Maran nodded as he heard the order to change course. "Aye, Captain. Change course and speed now."

Entering through the doorway to the Briefing Room, Captain Zseeq saw the spectral changes as the Saratoga jumped to Warp. The Deltan captain quickly came to his chair, looking down toward the Science Officer, "You're free, Lieutenant, I'll take over from here."

The relief on the Vulcan's face was quite visible as he relinquished the command chair. "The bridge is yours captain," he responded formally before crossing the bridge to his own station. As all senior staff was recalled, he assumed he wasn't to take a break now.

Noticing that the XO was not yet on the Bridge, the captain tapped the intercom, "Commander Hall to the Bridge."

Looking toward the Helm, Zseeq shifted his weight as he leaned against the back of his chair, but had not yet sat down in it, "Lieutenant, were you and the Commander able to arrange our reconfigured shield grid? Am I a freighter or a Heavy Cruiser?"

Maran turned from his console and grimaced slightly. "We believe so, sir, but there's only 70% chance that this will pay off. With the limited time and how powerful the Saratoga is, it's been hard to fully disguise her."

"It'll have to do. Adjust our course, Lieutenant, take us directly to the Audacious. No more stopping at the border," Zseeq ordered from his standing position still behind his chair. "As much as I want to get there as quick as possible, that old freighter doesn't have our speed. Slow us to Warp 6 and lets all pray that if it is a cloaked ship it's their old Bird of Prey and not one of the more modern ships."

Maran nodded, before turning back to his console and began inputting the instructions he'd just been given. He couldn't help but be a bit disappointed with his work. If they'd had more time they would have found a better solution, he was sure of it.

"Tactical," Zseeq looked to the wall station, "keep our weapons on hot standby."

Chase nodded, "Yes Captain. I have my finger hovering near the button as we speak."

"Lieutenant, I'd like you to try to penetrate the anomaly and figure out exactly what it is while we're on our way there." The Captain turned next to his Chief Medical Officer, "We need to prepare for potential casualties. I know that the Audacious was old and tested over a century ago, but it doesn't mean they didn't get thrown forward with crew aboard."

"Yes captain," the Vulcan answered, rubbing his hands together in excitement, "still waiting on probe telemetry, but I'll have sensors run hot if necessary."

"Yes sir," Mel said. She patted her med kit. "I am prepared and if we need more medical staff I have teams on standby ready."

Zseeq smirked, "Glad to hear it. I hope we don't need them, but you never can tell."

"Captain," Lieutenant Thompson interrupted from Tactical, "We're approaching the Neutral Zone."

The Deltan took a deep breath at the announcement, "Now we get to see how well those adjustments work. Lower our speed, Lieutenant, take us in."

Mel watched and wondered if the Captain had a plan in case this went incredibly south.

 

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