By Commander Dabin Reece
Stardate: 80209.16
Several Hours After Now Boarding on Deck Ten
--=Bridge=--
Stardate: 80209.16
Several Hours After Now Boarding on Deck Ten
--=Bridge=--
Dabin Reece stood on the bridge in silence, for a change, as data began to flood into the Sera's computer banks from every direction. His fingers flew over the keys, trying to direct data into relevant files as quick as he could as more continued to pile up on him.
The Captain now sat at the helm, having elected to help herself to the position in February's absence. Salvek had taken up a place in the Command chair for the time being.
Zanh Liis kept one eye on the helm and the other on the viewscreen, which was completely filled, at this range, with Beta-626. It was only because Liis had ordered the viewer darkened 90% that they could even look at the viewscreen, due to the amount of light from the star.
On the screen, Alchemy slowly moved closer to the star. For a brief time they appeared as a black spot on the screen. As Salvek watched the small ship it quickly was enveloped by the light of the star and vanished. Salvek briefly wondered if he would ever see her or her crew again.
"How's the Gateway working Mr. Reece?"
"Awesome." Reece said. He turned towards Blakeslee and nodded a thank you to him.
"The signal from the Alchemy is holding at 97% strength Captain." Blakeslee added. This was the first real test of his real time sensor link between the two ships, and so far it was functioning perfectly.
The bridge crew was silent for several minutes. It was just a matter of waiting now as the mass of data from the solar probes and Alchemy was collected and interpreted.
At the helm, Zanh Liis almost wished for a fluctuation in gravity she would have to respond to to keep herself busy, but so far they were far enough away that Serendipity was safe from the effects of the star. She doubted the ride was as uneventful for the crew on Alchemy.
Reece began running a basic molecular scan on the data from Alchemy looking for any compounds in the solar mass that didn't belong. He paused for a moment, and listened carefully.
"Does anyone hear that?" A hum began to fill the bridge.
"Tactical report." Ordered Salvek.
"There is an electromagnetic disturbance coming straight for us from the star. Five seconds till impact." Blakeslee tapped his com badge. "All hands brace for impact."
Reece had returned to his sensor data and hadn't even heard Blakeslee's order. The ship was rocked by the EM pulse and the crew all lurched to the side, holding onto their chairs, consoles, even each other to keep from falling. Reece was thrown to the floor and landed on his arm.
Salvek was quickly at the rear of the bridge, and offered him a hand.
"Are you injured?"
Reece flexed his fingers. He felt pain in his wrist but seemed otherwise all right. "Sprained my wrist I think. I'll be ok."
"Captain the EM burst penetrated our shields for a brief moment. We've got elevated radiation levels on deck 4, nothing lethal. Shields are restored and holding at 80%."
Liis righted the ship quickly, resuming their position relative to the star. "Have the LMH check on anyone on deck 4. Hail the Alchemy."
"On screen Captain."
The star was replaced by the face of TC Blane, who was partially obscured by the interference.
[Can I help you Captain?]
"We just took a massive jolt from an EM burst. What's your status."
[No EM burst here, but radiation levels are rising the deeper we go. Terasha is keeping a close eye on us all. We've got quite a bit of gravimetric shear as well, but nothing Lieutenant Grace cannot handle.]
"Keep me advised, Sera out."
Reece resumed his work, trying to ignore the pain coming from his right wrist, which was only made worse by the repetitive button tapping. He hoped it was nothing more then a sprain but the pain told him it may be worse.
An indicator light began to flash. The computer had completed its first molecular analysis based upon the preliminary sensor data. Reece brought up the results.
Hydrogen, helium, trace amounts of heavier elements resulting from the fusion process, nothing too terribly unusual, until...
Tetrabromide.
"I think I have something for you, Liisy."
Reece brought up a picture of a tertabromide molecule on the viewscreen. "Tetrabromide. We never would have seen it from here but the Alchemy got close enough to detect it."
"So what is the significance?" Liis asked.
"Its a casing material, and only one race uses it."
Blakeslee chimed in from tactical "Its used by the Romulans in the casings of their deep space probes."
Liis crossed her arms over her chest and stretched her legs out under the helm. She contemplated the molecule of the viewscreen for a moment, then turned back towards Salvek.
"How many times have you and I encountered the Romulans?" She asked him.
"Enough to know that your question is rhetorical." Salvek replied.
"And what do the Romulans always do?"
"They cover their tracks."
Liis turned back towards the viewscreen. "That was too damn easy. The Romulans are not this sloppy to leave behind some molecule that they know will point the finger at them. I'm not buying it."
"What should we tell the Alchemy?" Salvek asked.
"Nothing for now, let them work. But my gut is telling me someone is jerking us around, and I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to let this go on."
Liis returned her attention to the helm, and Reece to his sensor readouts. He had rather hoped the answer was that easy, and they could recall February and the Alchemy and be on their way, but he knew the Captain was right.
Reece was just going to have to find another explanation.
Commander Dabin Reece
Chief Science Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
Chief Science Officer
USS Serendipity NCC-2012