Sokoth Qultuq - A new Beginning

[thevidiot]

STAR TREK: Dark Angel

"A New Beginning" 

A short story by Daniel Ratterree



Synopsis:

This was something that I wrote in an effort to explain the two year gap between when the Dark Angel Stopped running in 2005 and Started back up in 2007. 
This was not an easy write. I had a lot of emotions over this because we were making a return. Trying to figure out what had happened to explain the gap. We had a lot of unfinished work still yet to be done with Nate's Brother still on the loose out there. He was by far one of our longest running plots. A lot of good times, and good people worked towards trying to kill that man. So essentially this story highlights the USS Dark Angel NCC-53286-A's last mission, or at least gives you a peek at what had happened. You can make assumptions based on the content. It shows a progression of what happened to some of the crew during this gap. And then of course the return, and the introduction to the time the USS Dark Angel NCC-53286-B and our continuing mission albeit short lived. 

I hope you enjoy...

[thevidiot]

=/\= Aboard the USS Dark Angel NCC-53286-A =/\=

=/\= Location: Alpha Quadrant, Sector 001, Horse Head Nebula -/\=





    The vast murkiness of space hanging in front of So’koth was captivatingly beautiful and yet so deadly. That moment in time he appear to have the best view on the ship. Cringing as he leaned over in his chair he felt a shooting pain in his chest and coughed blood up and onto the floor. His chair which he had spent the last five years of his career sitting through life and death experiences with his crew of misfits was in the same shape as the rest of his bridge. Realization was painted all over So’koth’s face, all those times they missed death had finally caught up with them.

    Most of the front end of the bridge was gone, it was as if a hand had grabbed a hold of the ship and yanked away everything from up to where the helm console once sat about half the distance of the saucer section. The gaping hole sank into the ship a good two decks and the only thing keeping him there in his chair was a thin force field.

Most of the ship’s hull plating was burnt, scarred or gone. There were even a few fire’s still burning in the forward section where he figured was once one of the ship’s cargo holds and the stubborn life support systems still tried to give life to the already dead environment.

    “So this is it!” he murmured as he continued to stare into the depths of what was known as the Horse head nebula. Inside it laid the force that had trashed his ship and was building a conduit that would allow them to have a devastating foot hold on Federation property. He knew his duty, and all too well.

    Blinking away his thoughts he took yet another look around his bridge, and lay in a last course. The last adventure his ship would ever take.

    “Yeah, it is!” his executive officer said, who was perched at the turbolift doors. He slowly stepped out onto what was left of the bridge and was followed by what remained of his command crew. They looked equally as bad as he did sitting there in his chair. Angela the ships doctor had confined him there after being diagnosed with a broken hip among other things. Lacking a sickbay seemed to help the matter along. It had been destroyed. They didn’t have much left honestly. Most of his crew including his wife and children he had left a good distance away from the nebula in escape pod’s in hope that Starfleet would be along to collect them quickly.

    “I told you to get in the escape pods.” he said, but the relief in his voice betrayed his actual feelings.

    They began taking what stations were left, Nate came to stand behind him to his right, one of the ships doctors took an auxiliary station and Emily one of there multi-talented individual’s took what remained of the tactical station. “We always said we wouldn’t leave until the end. It’s not over yet.” Nate said quietly. “Just didn’t think it would be this soon Boss.”

    “Thank you.” So’koth said, as he did his last duty, probably the easiest in his career. He hit the key that was awaiting his order and the ship began to visibly move forward, it became more noticeable as pieces of debris bounced off the force field protecting the environment of the bridge, but no one flinched.

    “You know you can just say the word and… “

    “No!” So’koth said, all too harshly. “No… If it has to be, let it be like this.” He said softly.

    Nate just nodded understanding, and expecting the answer. He leaned on the captain’s chair. “It’s been an amazing adventure boss.” He held a hand out to him to which was taken.

    “Thanks for everything.” So’koth said, looking up at his friend. “Look in on my family from time to time would you.” He asked his voice faltering, and his emotion’s escaping.

    Nate just nodded a silent agreement, and they both turned to stare ahead as the ship made its way through the nebular gases. The faint outline of a huge station appeared ahead of them, growing closer.

    As they moved across the distance, the mammoth square shapes that had haunted every Starfleet officer during there careers came into view, and the nebula began to light up as they opened fire on the already damaged ship. Gouts of molten metal sprayed the nebula’s atmosphere as pieces of the ship were blasted away under the onslaught of the Borg vessels.

Sparks shot from still powered consoles, and part’s of what had been the ceiling began to collapse in, but the remaining crew held their ground. As the complex grew closer the firing intensified. The forward hull was on fire, and chunks of debris were bouncing off the force field ahead of them, but it held. A red light began blinking on So’Koth’s arm console, he stared at it all his hate poring out of him in waves.

    “Never again!” he said as he stabbed it with a finger.

    The deck heaved under him nearly spilling him to the floor, and a deafening sound like a freight train grew closer and closer. He looked around the bridge, Nate and Emily were both gone, a doctor was the only remaining crewmember sat sprawled on the floor having been hit by falling debris.

    Everything began to go white as all the ships antimatter began to be released. So’Koth’s hands dug into the arms of his seat as he pulled himself to his feet, he couldn’t be sure if he was screaming, as the deafening roar of coming doom was all he could hear. Everything went white as if he was thrust into a sun, and he felt his body slipping away from him, as if his molecular bonds had been shattered. As fast as it had all began, it was over, all was quiet and dark. The Horse head nebular that has stood for thousands of years was a ball of burning gases and debris, the nebula was no more.

[thevidiot]

=/\= Aboard Escape Pod: 15589-DA53286-A Occupancy: 5 =/\=



    As K’lyn’s vision began to clear, she could see her children were, strapped into the other acceleration chairs in an escape pod. It didn’t take her long to figure out what had happened. The drugged feeling, the kids and a cramped space. “That son of a Targ!” she yelled nearly ripping the arm rests off her chair.

    She attempted to pry herself from the acceleration chair, but was thwarted by the safety harness. Which too brought a growl. She yanked them free, and stood staring down at the darkened controls. The only system’s showing active where the escape pods automated distress system and life support. She began tapping at the control panel, but it did not yield to her commands. She was locked out of the maneuvering system. “DAMN!” she shouted, hitting the panel.

    She moved across the room quickly, her fist striking the only window on the rear hatch of the craft. “So’koth when I get my hands on you I’ll…” she was cut short by a blinding light as the horse head nebula suddenly became a supernova. She could feel that connection with her mate slip away, she felt the fear and then the empty space, and her heart sank not only knowing but feeling in her heart that she had just lost her husband. Though something deep down inside her didn’t feel right about it.

    But that mattered not at that moment. She sank to the floor, and as she did the craft was hit by the shockwave, pitching it around which woke the kids from there slumber. Seeing there mother and where they were, they too knew what had happened.

They moved to there mother, wrapping themselves up with her and there blankets as only children could do for there mother.

    They sat there quietly, the soft sounds of a tractor beam taking a hold of the wayward craft. There rescuers having arrived. She sat there and held her kids holding on tightly, not caring.

[thevidiot]

=/\= Aboard Escape Pod: 15591-DA53286-A Occupancy: 6 =/\=



    The Dark Angel was still shaking violently as it traveled the last leg of its Warp Capabilities, the engine’s were going to fail once they cut out, but they had to get a distance away. There was a tell tale jolt as the ship’s warp drive sputtered and died dropping the striking vessel to sub-light speed.

    The PA system or what was left of it came alive and static filled with the Captain’s weak voice. “All hands, this is the Captain.” There was a short pause which was accompanied by a series of rather nasty coughs. “You’ve done your Captain proud, and performed your duties with distinction, but now it is time we part ways. All Hands to Emergency escape pods. I repeat! All hands abandon ship! All Hands, Abandon ship!” the intercom went out with a static filled fizzle.

    For the next ten minutes it was Chaos, as people ran through the corridors heading for what was left of the escape pod system. Angela Benham the ships chief surgeon moved through the ship with her group of injured, she found herself at an escape pod just as the ships Science Officer was climbing in. “Aj, help me!’ she said somewhat out of breath. The young officer turned and assisted the injured into the escape pod. She looked at him for a moment as he climbed into the escape pod.

    “Aj, this pod’s only a five person pod!” She said with a sorry look on her face. “I need to be with my patients!” she said.

    Aj smiled, and pointed to his mobile emitter. “Hologram!” he said in his usual cocky manner.

    “Right…!” she said shaking her head, she settled in at the console at the front of the pod, and hit its activation sequence. The hatch at the back of the craft slammed shut, and the craft lurched as the exterior hatch opened, the occupants of the craft were slammed back into there chairs as the escape pod launched itself, its course taking away from its stricken ship. Both Aj, and Annie looked back at the rear window, the damage to there home becoming more prevalent.

    The pressure they felt in there harnesses slackened as the escape pod’s engines died out having exhausted there fuel. “Now what?” Aj said as there eyes met.

    “We wait!” Annie said as she unbelted and went to taking care of the wounded.

    Aj’s frowned as he glanced from the back of the craft to the floor. “I hate waiting!” he murmured.



An hour later…



    The lights inside the Escape pod had been dimmed, Annie had put the Escape pod on reduced power just in case there stay was an extended one.

    A bright light blossomed from the rear of the escape pod which caught there attention pulling those that were asleep back to consciousness. Aj, and Annie both made it to the back of the Cabin. In the distance all the Dark Angel’s escape pod’s were backlit by an immense explosion.

    What was once the Horse head nebula was now a blazing inferno. Annie’s heart sank, as she knew what this could only mean. She knew there home, the place they all called home was gone and so was the Captain that had lead them in and out of battle for the last five years. “Goodbye dear friend.” She whispered.

    Her eyes became wet threatening to betray her emotional state, having lost more than just her captain and friends. But she didn’t need to betray that fact to anyone, she bit her lips drawing blood and fighting back a flood of sorrow and emotion.

    Aj just stared at her, not understanding yet what she meant. Not understanding why this woman appeared as if she was going to explode. It didn’t take long for him to compute what she meant and he too knew the pain she felt. They had lost a dear group of friends.

[thevidiot]

=/\= Aboard Escape Pod: 15501-DA53286-A Occupancy: 5 =/\=



    Crystal Dianthie ran through the ship, having finished her last duty’s. It didn’t take long for her to find an escape pod with room, she almost missed it in fact. As she climbed aboard it took all her willpower to keep her lunch down. Three of the crewman were engineer’s whom had been badly burned, and had taken a bad dose of radiation from what she could tell, the young ensign at the console was one of the ships Anthropologist, he looked as if he had already had a breakdown he was rambling on about what had apparently happened to the engine space where he had rescued the three from. She approached him, but he flinched from her gaze. “Crewman, you see to the launch, and I’ll take care of them.” She said in as much of a comforting voice as she could.

    He stopped rambling, and turned to her. “Thank you!” he simply said, he too had been burnt but not as bad as the engineer’s. He didn’t say anything else. The escape pod went through its launch cycle, which nearly threw her to the back of the cabin, but she went about taken care of the injured the best she could.



About 45 minutes later…



    Crystal did her best too keep eyes on the Ship in the distance as it slowly disappeared into the nebula. She watched as one last Escape pod left the ship as it faded into the murky nebular gases. She knew what the Captain meant to do, but in her heart, she hopped it wouldn’t happen. “God speed!” she mumbled. Moments later it happened. She closed her eyes, and leaned against the hatch. The shockwave rocking the life boat slightly, causing the lights to blink. “Thank you!’” she said, her Captain had made the ultimate sacrifice. Giving his life so that others may live. It was like sitting down with a Vulcan, discussing the needs of the many. She slipped down next to the rear hatch, closing her eyes.

[thevidiot]

=/\= Aboard Escape Pod: 15512-DA53286-A Occupancy: 3 =/\=



    Roman Baen didn’t like the Idea of running from a fight, but he knew this wasn’t a fight anymore. They had done there duty the best they could, and the only way to stop the invasion yet again was to do exactly what the Captain had intended. He finished rigging what was left of the ships Torpedo’s and Anti-matter supply to detonate on the captain’s command. He knew by the looks of the different containment field’s he passed that the Captain was already moving the ship towards its intended destination.

    He climbed into an escape pod where he found two unconscious officer’s sprawled out on the floor, both appeared to be pretty badly injured, but he didn’t have time to check them. He went to the Pod’s controls, and strapped into the chair quickly. He hit the emergency launch sequence and was rewarded. The Aft hatch hit just as the exterior hatch blew, and the escape pod rocketed away with a sudden lurch causing all the blood in James’s head to go to his feet.

    He fought for his consciousness as the craft rocketed away from the Dark Angel out into space. After a few brief moments the engines cut out and released him from his dangerous dance of sleep. “Damn!” he mumbled. Behind him he heard the bodies of the two injured officers hit the floor, as they had been plastered to the back of the craft when it launched. “Sorry fellas!” he said as he unbelted himself.

    As Roman took his first step, he was blinded by a sudden flash and brightening of space behind the escape pod, as his vision began to register again the craft groaned and lurched violently as the shockwave hit the small ship, pitching him into the wall. The last thing Roman could remember seeing as he started to fade into unconsciousness was the burning nebula through the aft window.

[thevidiot]

=/\= Aboard the USS ATLANTA NCC-52947 CLASS: Steamrunner =/\=



    Captain Jennifer Hailey sat in her chair aboard the USS Atlanta, as she made her first trial cruise through the outer SOL system. The ship so far had been performing well with all of her systems seemed to be working in tip top shape.

    Her Helmsman turned in his chair towards the woman sitting in the center chair. “Ma’am, are we going to get to test the Warp drive on this outing?” he asked an edge of excitement in his voice.

    “No Lieutenant, I’m afraid were not authorized...” the insistent beeping coming from the Operations and Tactical console which she knew well caught her attention.

    The operations officer was the first to respond. “Captain, I’m getting a distress call, make that several distress beacon’s from escape pods.” She said her voice hurried.

    “Source?” the captain asked standing and crossing the distance to the console.

    “Somewhere near the Horse head nebula. Not far, and we are currently the closest ship in range.” She said, looking up at her captain.

    Jennifer considered her options as she stared at the data which was flowing across the screen. Then a second reading appeared, which puzzled her equally, and the shock grew. “Helm Lay in a course, maximum warp!” she turned and headed back to her chair. “Ms. Willow’s inform Starfleet that we are responding to the distress calls, and that a ship has been lost. Let’s move people. There are lives at stake here!” she settled into the chair.



Two hours later…



    The stars on the view screen looked as if they were on fire. The radiation which blanketed the area near what remained of the Horse head nebula was still normalizing. ”Status!” Captain Hailey called.

    Her Operations officer was the first to perk up. “I count twenty seven escape pods, and One hundred and two life signs.” Her voice was a bit shaky.

    The tactical officer was still peering into his readings. “Ma’am, these escape pods. They are from the USS Dark Angel NCC-53286-A! She had a crew compliment last reported when she left Starbase 219 of two hundred thirty five.” His voice was low. “I am detecting debris consistent with the destruction of the ship in the vicinity of the nebula. But I am also picking up remnants of…” he turned white in the face as he looked up. “Borg!”

    “Red Alert!” she shouted, and turned back to the screen. “Put us between the nebula and the escape pods. Misty, send Starfleet all our data. Whatever the Dark Angel found here, it needs to be reported!” she said. “Can anyone find a log buoy?” she asked.

    “I’ve not been able to locate it.” The operations officer said. “Should we start bringing in the escape pods?” she asked.

    “Any sign of Borg activity? The captain said as she shifted uneasy in her chair.

    “No Captain, whatever was there was destroyed as a result of the Anti-matter explosion and nebula gasses I would guess.”

    She frowned and looked between her crewmates. “Let’s get those people aboard and start putting the pieces together. Handle them with care.” She said, “I’ll be down in the shuttle bay with the medical team’s.” with that she stood and was gone.

    It didn’t take long for the crew of the Atlanta to recover all of the escape pods, some of the survivors were in worst shape than others. There last escape pod which was the closest to the nebula when it went up was in bad shape, when they got a hold of it, two of its occupants had perished prior to the ships ejection and the other had been injured. The smell was enough to turn stomachs as the hatch was eased open. It didn’t take long for the medical team to extract the still live soul on board who was happy to be taken out of the escape pod.

    “How many?” he asked the medic’s as they worked to get him back to the ships makeshift sickbay facility in one of the cargo bays.

    “We recovered One hundred and two people,” he started, he seemed to want to say more, but stopped himself.

    “But?” Roman inquired further.

    He looked at his companion unsure if he should answer. “We only recovered eighty nine alive!” he said. “There was a lot of injured, we made them as comfortable as possible.”

    “What about So’koth, Horn and Wildman?” he asked.

    They looked at him with unsure looks. “We don’t have anyone by those names aboard.”

    Everything crushed down on him as he realized that his hope of his friends making out alive was gone.

[thevidiot]

=/\= One Month Later =/\=





=/\= Federation News Network Broadcast =/\=



    The reporter stood situated in front of one of Starfleet’s Criminal justice buildings at the Starfleet Command grounds, the scene was busy in the background as eighty of the Dark Angel’s crew were filtered into the large hall to sit in on the proceedings that were to start the investigation of the Dark Angel’s involvement at the Horse Head nebula.

    “If I can call this Council Room to order!” the Bailiff called as he took his position. The crowed got quiet and all eyes turned to the five chairs at the head of the room. “This council will consist of Admiral Jennifer Gwen, Starbase 292’s commanding officer, Admiral J’quin of Starfleet Astrological department, Admiral Charles Hammer of the Third fleet Tactical Group, and Admiral Pinky, Director of Utopia Planita. The head of the council will be Admiral McPhearson of the Starfleet Logistical Administration here at Starfleet Command.” The bailiff said as they each took a respective seat at the table.

    Admiral Hammer hit his gavel to the block on the table. “These proceedings into the events at the Horse Head nebula are in effect to determine if the destruction of the Dark Angel and the Astrological formation known as the Horse head nebula were command negligence by one Captain So’Koth Qul’tuq or a decision by a commanding officer in the defense of Federation Territory.” With that the crowd specifically the Dark Angel’s crew went absolutely crazy. They had no idea coming into this that it would be about there former deceased captains decision.

    It didn’t take long for Admiral Hammer to call for Security, and nearly everyone from the Dark Angel’s crew was removed, the remaining Command Crew was ordered to stay, the others were kept in confinement at scattered locations, ordered not to talk to each other. This again didn’t sit well with any of them. Who knew how long this trial would take and they were not allowed any contact with one another.

[thevidiot]

=/\= Two Months Later =/\=



=/\= Aj Halliwell & Roman Baen =/\=



    Aj much like the others present at the trial, had no idea why Starfleet was going through this motion. It was ridiculous he felt, they should in his opinion just let the dead rest. He looked over towards the man sitting quietly next to him who appeared more displeased that most of the others visibly. “I don’t understand why we have to go through this. They got our statements, why do we even need to be here. I could be…” Aj was stopped short when his mobile emitter was suddenly and unrepentantly turned off.

    The object falling neatly into Roman’s hand. “Shut up Aj!” he mumbled. The deactivation brought the attention of a few of the other’s in the room.

    The other Dark Angel crewpersons present actually laughed knowing full well the hologram was up to his usual ramblings. They were all thankful, and yet envious of the Hologram that he could just turn himself off or be turned off. No one wanted to be here.

    Roman didn’t even bother to stick around after the first recess of the day. He was bound for a place of quiet for a while. He hadn’t had any time off in a long while, and he felt it was time.

    Lynna, Angela, and Crystal all watched him walking away, they knew he wouldn’t be back. They could see it in his determined walk. Just before he disappeared around the corner down at the end of the hall, he stopped and reactivated the Hologram.

“…working in the lab..” he glared at Roman as he walked away. “That was rude!” he called after him, starting after him.

    To the Ladies gathered down the hall it looked to them as if the Hologram disappeared and then decided to fly back out into the hall like superman, however they knew by the sound accompanied that Roman finally had lost his temper.

The Hologram rolled over on the floor and glared down the hall, not saying any more. He sat there for a moment before getting back up.

[thevidiot]

=/\= Cyrstal Dianthie =/\=



    Crystal had no wish to be where she was any more than the others milling about. This was not the reception she expected from Starfleet once they had all healed back up. She sat there in the court room listening to the Starfleet Political battle that was waging, she knew somewhere deep down this was a hunt but not the type that was for them or there Captain, but one that would weed out some problems in Starfleet’s upper management.

    To her though it was like watching it through a window, everything seemed a bit dull like she wasn’t really there. She hadn’t talked much to anyone since they were all segregated. She wanted to talk to them so many times, but they were under orders not to get together or discuss the events between them. She hated politics.

    It didn’t take her long to find out that most of the Dark Angel’s crew was being scattered about Starfleet, and it seemed as far apart from each other as Starfleet could get them. She had already watched Aj and Roman depart, which despite everyone’s somber moods got a laugh. She turned to Angela who seemed lost in thought herself. “I’m going home.” She started.

    Angela nodded unconsciously almost. Listening but clearly lost in her own thoughts.

    “I’m retiring!” Crystal said.

    This brought Angela’s head up, to meet the eyes of the young woman. “You know you’ll only be giving into them!” she said, a bit of anger slipping out.

    “I realize that, but after all we’ve been through. And now this!” she now too seemed to have a bit of anger in her voice. “I don’t think I want to belong to a fleet anymore that I have no place to fit in!” she said plainly.

    Angela nodded as those words sunk in. “A place to fit in!” she mumbled as Crystal walked away, not caring what the outcome of the hearing was anymore.

[thevidiot]

=/\= Angela Benham =/\=



    Angela stepped from the court proceedings room, her face red with displeasure. She didn’t like what was going on in the room behind her, but that was the way of things when bureaucrats stuck there noses into things. Starfleet decided to hold a hearing over the actions of the crew of the Dark Angel. It had been an ongoing investigation that seemed as if it would never end.

    “Ms Benham,” a familiar voice called to Angela as he approached.

    She turned to meet Admiral McPhearsen as he stopped near her. “Political horse pahookie!” he said to her.

    “That’s not exactly the term I would have used!” she said.

    “This thing will take forever!” he said.

    She met his eyes. “I’m taking a vacation!” she said, then started to walk away.

    He frowned watching her walk away. “How long?” he asked calling after her.

    “As long as it takes!” and she was gone.

[thevidiot]

=/\= Lynna Qultuq =/\=



    Lynna watched silently most of the proceedings of the Starfleet Hearing. She hated it just as much as the rest of the crew. Starfleet’s admiralty was attempting to pin the destruction of the Dark Angel on the actions of her Captain. Not one person on the crew was surprised. The Oversight committee sitting on this particular case was a split of supporters of the crew and non-supporters. They all knew deep down in there hearts that this case would continue for a long while.

    Lynna knew that Starfleet had dispatched several vessels to the area where the Horse Head nebula once stood in an effort to piece together what had happened. They had already been there for two months, and had found nothing.

    “We’ll call a recess of these proceedings until further notice as we conduct our investigation of the Horse Head nebula and other resources.” Admiral Charles Hammer stated being the head of the committee.

    As the room filed out, it was quiet as if they were at a funeral. It nearly was. No one had given the crew of the Dark Angel time to greave. They had all been separated and under orders not to talk to one another. “Ms. Qultuq!” a familiar voice caught her attention. “If you have a moment!” he said as he met her eyes.

    “Of course Admiral Pinky!” she said stepping to the side of the hall that was being used.

    “I realize you’ve put in for a leave of absence for a while. I’d like to offer you your old job back.” He said handing her a Padd. “I talked it over with Mr. Hammer he agrees it would be a good place for you to go for the time being.

    She nodded. ‘If I come back!” she said bluntly. “After this dishonor, I’m not sure what I want to do.” She turned to leave.

    “Don’t take it to heart Lynna, you and I both know nothing will come of this.” He said. But he was cut off in short order.

    “Do I care?” she eyed him, he could see her anger starting to rise, her skin began to shift colors. “They are slandering my husband, and without care that he most likely saved the lot of us making his sacrifice.” She clenched her fists daring him silently to pick his next words carefully.

    He regarded her, and even in his short time with her prior to her posting aboard the Dark Angel from Utopia Planitia, he knew how she felt. It didn’t need to be said. “I’ll see you when you’re ready to come back!” he said, bowing his head out of respect for the woman. With that he was gone as quickly as he came.

    She turned still hot headed, and stalked off towards the transporter facility, not caring to look back or find out if they would need her for anything in the near future. She needed to get away from this before she did something that she would likely regret. She had her kids to think about now.

[thevidiot]

=/\= Kestra Oliver =/\=



    Kestra had been sitting in her office at Starfleet Medical working on her new orderly schedule, when something drew her attention to the active news net monitor in her office.

    “Nearly two months ago the Dark Angel was destroyed at the Horse Head nebula, her Captain, First officer, and one a few other officers assumed dead.” The screen panned out to the vista that was once the horse head nebula.

    “As you can see the results of the destruction were absolute.” The camera came back to the female reporter. “Starfleet is still unsure or is unwilling to release the details of the accident, but they say more is on the horizon.”

    Kestra felt her heart sink. Her home in her early carrier was gone. And so was some of her friends. She put her Padd down and walked to the lone window in her office, staring out at the grounds at Starfleet Medical. She was at a loss for words.

[thevidiot]

=/\= T’lok =/\=



    The Vulcan hot sun beat down on the shoulders of the Vulcan who had been spending the last few weeks out in the wild. Still trying to gain understanding of his life over the course of the last few years, and the encounter with his brother. He was a ragged looking thing for a Vulcan when he dragged into his community. The other Vulcan’s paid him no regard as Vulcan’s would.

    As he stepped into his home after his time away, the lights came back alive to his touch, and an instant beeping brought his attention to his computer terminal.

    He sat down at the station and brought the console to life entering the proper access code. It was not like Vulcan’s to allow there emotions to slip. He had already had problems with his emotional control, but in this case he couldn’t control his flood of sadness. It was a message from a friend at Starfleet Medical.



From: Kestra Oliver – MD Starfleet Medical Facility – Earth.

TO: T’lok – Vulcan Science Academy – Vulcan



Hello old friend, I was watching the FFN today and was delivered some bad news. She’s gone T’lok. He went with her. I’m sorry to have to be the one to tell you. I knew you would want to know. Comm me if you need anything, take care old friend.



Kestra Oliver – MD



END TRANSMISSION



    He shifted uneasy in his chair. His friend was gone. And so was the first ship he had been a part of the bridge crew as the ships Executive officer. It wasn’t an easy lose for him. But he knew that whatever had happened to his friend, he had gone out fighting.

[thevidiot]

=/\= Seven Months Later =/\=



=/\= Federation News Network =/\=



    A reporter stands in the observation lounge of a yet unidentified starship, the vast space behind him lit with the signs of a massive battle under way in the distance. “I stand here on the Federation and Romulan boarder to bring you yet another update on the tensions in the Romulan Empire.” There was a great explosion in the distance.

    “Some time ago this reporter brought you news of the Battle between the USS Enterprise, two Romulan vessels and a Reman battle Cruiser, which was intent on the destruction of Earth.” He shifted, moving his data Padd to another hand. “Things have heated up across the boarder with our friends spilling out into a full scale Civil war. Planet against planet, brother against brother.” The star scape seemed to come alive behind him as it seemed as if the battle was getting closer.

    The reporter shifted as the ship he was on clearly was hit by something, the window behind him flashed alive with static as the shields outside the ship fought off whatever had hit the ship. The Red Alert Klaxon began to sound, as the ship was shaken again. “This is the Captain, all hands to battle stations! Sickbay prepare for wounded!”

    The reporter who was regaining his footing, was now pasted to the viewport, outside several ships went flashing by, some clearly Romulan design, others of similar Romulan architecture, but clearly not Romulan, they were exchanging fire.

    The report turned and started running for the door, after a few brief moments of running and trying to stay on there feet, the Reporter made it too a turbolift. “Were going to see if we can figure out what is up.” He said as the lift doors parted to admit them onto the ship in questions Bridge.

    On the main viewscreen was a weary beaten Romulan, “We request that the Federation render aid to us, the Reman’s have taken nearly all of our space by force, we are blockading Romulus but we wont hold out long without assistance. You want us so badly in your Federation, here is your chance Captain. Tell your people!” the screen filled with static, and the Romulan was gone replaced by an expanding cloud of gas and debris.

    “What just happened!” the captain said turning to his Tactical officer.

    The tactical officer looked up from his console. “They had a containment failure. The Reman ships are targeting us, and hailing!”

    “On screen!”

    On the main viewer the demonic figure of a Reman appeared, his eyes narrowing on the ships Captain. “Go away from this place, if you attempt to interfere you will be destroyed!”

    “Captain, four more Reman ships just entered the system and are on an intercept course!” the helmsman called.

    “Get us out of here!” he yelled, “Get that off my screen!”

    As the ships Captain surveyed the bridge, he caught site of the Reporter and his camera man. “Get off my bridge!’ he said standing. The security chief was already on the move across the bridge, the last thing the camera found was the chest of the Andorian security officer.

[thevidiot]

=/\= Angela Benham =/\=



    The door to Admiral McPhearsens office chimed unexpectedly, causing him to look up from his current Medical Evaluation’s.     “Come!” he called a bit leery.

    Walking in was not someone he had expected to see again. His sense that this might have been an easy day at work just flew out the window as she walked up and dropped into a chair in front of his desk. “Angela Benham!” he said.

    She leaned back in her chair looking as if she just came back from a day hike up in the woods, her boots even still sported dried mud. “I’m ready!” she says bluntly.

    His eyebrow arches in curiosity. “For?” he asks.

    “Duty!”

    He blinks a moment seeming to process what she’s saying. “No, I don’t believe you are.” He stands slowly. “Otherwise you would have come prepared for this meeting.” He says.

    “What can I say, I didn’t want to be late!” she said abruptly. “May I please just have my dispatch orders!” she stated a bit too bluntly.

    Reluctantly he slid a Padd across his desk, it stopped right on the edge. Taking it up Angela looked from the PADD to the Admiral. “You’ve got to be joking!” she said, her face clearly going red with anger. “Your posting me to a communication’s outpost?” she slapped the Padd on the edge of the desk.

    The Admiral jumped he wasn’t accustomed to Angela ever loosing her temper, or acting in such a way. He was totally caught off guard. “It’s for the best!” he said trying to explain. “We thought you could use a light duty to come back too!”

    “Light duty?” she was already on her feet now. “This is like stuffing me in a closet and hoping I won’t come out!” she snatched the Padd off the desk and stormed out of the office.

[thevidiot]

=/\= One Year Later =/\=



=/\= Federation News Network =/\=



    A reporter stood as close to the balcony as he could allowing for a great picture of the proceedings in the Federation council hall. The current leader of the Romulan Empire having recently escaped the borders of his own stricken space nearly losing his life in the process stood in front of the council.

    “My fellow representatives!” he started gesturing to the group. “I come before you with a plea and a promise!” he again turned and looked at them all, he didn’t need dramatics they could see he was serious by his still healing scars.

    “My Empire is in danger of becoming extinct by the hands of the Reman’s. If this shall come to pass there will be no peace. I don’t need to speak the words that have already been said many times over by countless conquers. They will come for you next.” He looked around. “I ask your help, and your consideration for membership to your federation. We have been down this path before with my predecessors and this time it is my vow that we are to become one, but without help this will never be achieved.”

    The crowed gathered started to converse as they regarded the Romulan leader. “What guarantee do we have that once we’ve helped you won’t go back on your word.” An unidentifiable person called out.

    “I have already signed an agreement with the President of your Federation that petitions for our entrance to the Federation, which as I am told should go to you after this meeting.” He turned to the president for his assistance.

    He too stood to address the council. “We have an opportunity here that has eluded us for decades it would be a shame to let it slip away, and allow the Romulan’s to become another echo in history!”

    With that being said, he sat back down. “We as a people have made countless mistakes, but do all people not at some stage? The people of Earth were in the cycle we have been in for ages, let us put the past in the past, and reach for a new future together!” he said, and stepped away from the podium.

[thevidiot]

=/\= One Year, 4 Months later =/\=



=/\= Lynna Qultuq - Utopia Planita Inter-departmental Memo =/\=



    It was nearly eight o’clock at night, and Lynna had yet to leave her office. It had been a busy time at Utopia Planitia with this new situation developing in Romulan Territory. The Federation council had voted to go to the aid of the Romulan Empire against there aggressors the Reman’s, they were not just building and repairing Federation vessels now, they were servicing Romulan ships. It was a whole new world to learn, and she had been knee deep in technical specifications and trying to learn Romulan.

“Incoming Message!” her computer terminal called to her.

    She turned to the third monitor on her desk and hit the key, memo popped up from the office of Starfleet Security. This was interesting she never got these often. She hit the scroll bar and started to read the memo.



TO: All Starfleet Personnel

FROM: The Officer of Starfleet Security

SUBJECT: The Type I Tactical Action Protection



To All Starfleet Personnel



During our hand to hand engagements with Reman soldiers we have encountered the increasing use of biological agents, and biological disruption agents being employed through the use of there weapons. This has thus far given our adversaries an upper hand during combat situations.

However Starfleet Intelligence’s research and development team have released a new tool to employee while on the Romulan frontier. All crews will be issued and required to wear this new Tactical Armor.

They have taken a cross between the Voyager’s developed Hazard suit, and EVA suits to create a light weight yet defensive uniform. This allows the suit to be fully articulate without hindrances of the EVA suit. It provides a stable environment, as well as some minor protection from weapons fire.

This should even the battlefield in future engagements with Reman forces.



Admiral Y’prin

Starfleet Security Department



“Great!” she said, “When will people learn.” She got up and started shutting off her monitors, it was time to get back home.

[thevidiot]

=/\= One Years, Eight Months later… =/\=



=/\= Lynna Qultuq, and Family…=/\=



    The sun was high in the east today, casting shadows across most of the Jenkins Colony Dome on Mar’s. The Red sand made for a deep contrast in Lynna’s Hair as she marched her kids towards the Kiddy care facility in their small town. As she approached the door a woman whom she had come to know for a long while now since she had been stationed to Utopia Planitia fleet yards came out propping the doors open. “Morning Ms. Qul’tuq!” she said as she opened her arms wide. The children around Lynna rushed out and hugged onto the older woman. They had come to care about the older woman who was virtually the towns Doctor, and counselor as well.

    “Hello Ms. Yorgensen,” she said as she bowed her head slightly.

    Ms. Yorgensen nodded to the kids to run off to the play area as the school wasn’t due too open for a short while still. “Got you work’in odd hours these days!” the older woman said.

    Lynna didn’t want to admit she had asked for the hours lately. She was coming up for her re-enlistment period, and was considering her retirement. It just wasn’t the same without her husband around anymore. On top of that she had managed to save a few credits by now. “Aye, that they have.” She said trying to put a solemn look on her face, but she knew the woman knew her too well for that.

    Ms. Yorgensen gave her a regarded look before turning back towards the doors, but she stopped and looked back at the woman who clearly still wasn’t over her past events. It was no secret by now what had happened out there in space to the Dark Angel. Starfleet did nothing to hide what had happened. “You know if you need to talk. Sometimes people just need a friend.”

“No! What I need is my husband!” she was surprised it actually came out of her own mouth. “Sorry!” she said softly.

    “Don’t worry about it dear. The offer is open if and when ya are ready!” with that said she was gone. Lynna stood there listening to her kids playing somewhere inside the facility. Her kids seemed to have been taking the loss of their father well. The only thing that bothered her the most was that there daughter Kaitlyn still insisted that he wasn’t gone. That she could feel him out there still.

    Lynna shaking her thoughts away, started to walk the path she had walked so many times over the last two years, the one taking her to her work. As she made her way down the path towards the Transporter pad, a shadow fell over her from the small hill above. Squinting she craned her head to see what it was, the sun was behind the figure making it hard to make out. She stopped walking abruptly something about the person was familiar.

    “Lynna!” the voice came as a rasp, as the shadow began to fall forward. The figure tumbled down the short sandy hill, she could see where the red Martian sand stuck together and was thick with blood. The shadowy figure came to a rest in a heap nearly at her feet, her face was flush as the rasping voice called to her again. “Lynna!”

    She blinked, her brain racing trying to cope with this image, was it real? Was this her mind playing tricks on her? She felt herself go through nearly the entire spectrum of emotions.

    He coughed, spitting blood onto the sand, his hand reaching out. It was like an electric shock when he touched her. And she knew this was the real thing.

    “SO’koth!” she muttered, realization hitting her.

    “SOMEBODY HELP!” she cried out looking back at the small town. “HELP!” she yelled again as she knelt by he stricken husband. She could tell now how bad of a shape he truly was in.

    So many questions came to her but it didn’t matter what had happened he didn’t have much time, she gathered up her strength, and picked him up off the ground her muscles tensing threatening to give up on her. Her uniform immediately becoming drenched with blood, she turned and started for the Transporter facility which was a short distance away.

    It wasn’t long before she had herself on the Pad in the lone automated building. “Utopia Medical Hospital, Emergency Beam out!” she hollered at the computer console. Instead of the typical communication nightmare she would get, she was whisked away in the transporter effect, only to find herself at the medical facilities Emergency room area.

    The woman at the desk didn’t even look up from her computer console, the room was filled with people from civilian to Starfleet waiting for treatment, some with a varying degree of injury. It wasn’t until a young child screamed that the woman at the desk looked up seeing Lynna standing there.

    “My god!” the woman stammered, her hand groping for the alert button. As soon as her fingers found purchase on the button there was a flurry of activity. Security personnel suddenly began to appear with Phaser’s drawn, all now pointed at the woman and her beaten husband.

    “The hell is wrong with you!” Lynna yelled at the woman. “Help Him!” her face was flush with anger now, as the security teams swarmed around her.

    They were not going to budge. “Put him down ma’am!” one of the officers hollered at her. “Now!” he said leveling his weapon on her.

    Despite the anger welling up inside her she didn’t care what happened to her self at this point. She set him to the ground, in the already gathering blood pool. “Help him!” she said her eyes drawing Phaser burns in the woman behind the desk who looked fearful of her life.

    A medical team that had been waiting for the security team to secure the blood covered woman rushed forth immediately taking up the stricken officer.

    The last thing Lynna could see was the medical team taking him away as she was led the opposite direction.

[thevidiot]

=/\= So’koth Qultuq =/\=



    It was like seeing ghostly images moving in and out of his mind the way he had come and gone from consciousness during his recovery process at the Medical Facility. It didn’t take long for the Utopia Planitia Medical Facility to figure out who he was, and what had just happened in the Emergency Facility’s lobby. They managed to stabilize his vitals, before sending him to Starbase 001’s Medical facility by fast courier shuttle.

    Even then it was touch and go, he nearly died in transit when his heart decided to stop. The blood transfusions they were performing were not working, and his blood count was dangerously low, thought they had managed to stop the bleeding.

He had suffered lacerations to nearly sixty percent of his body, and a number of biological agents had been introduced into his system. He was burnt in places which he could only account for during the destruction of his ship. His hip was still broken, as was his left arm. The only odd injuries they could find were the three .40 caliber bullets lodged in various locations in his body. No one used these types of weapons these days. None that any of them knew of. The medical personnel where baffled as to how this man stayed alive after two years of continued tortured.

    It had been nearly a month since he had fallen at Lynna’s feet on Mars, when his eyes finally fluttered open. Something about them was different. His ocular implants had been changed. He could see that difference right away.

    Standing in front of him near the door to the room stood a group of people as his eyes came into focus his wife was the frist person that stood out among the doctors who were standing in the room. The ringing in his ears finally died off and the sound of his heart beat thumping away faded, he could hear them discussing his medical condition.

    “We’ve not been able to get him out of this coma he’s in. Though his own central nervous system seems to have flushed all the drugs out of his body. The broken arm is healing, but very slowly. Were not sure what was done to the bone in that arm, but it’s finally starting to mend. We will be putting his arm in a restraint today. Everything else seems to be taking fine all the lacerations have healed as well as the damage to his hip.” The doctor said, as he consulted a chart. “Where still not sure if he suffered any mental trauma, but his neurological scans have all been coming back with positive results.”

    “I doubt that!” he mumbled.

    Everyone in the room nearly jumped out of there skin, his voice was low and raspy not having used it in some time. Lynna was the first one to speak. “Sokoth?” she asked, looking to her husband’s body as she walked closer.

    “Who else was stupid enough to sedate his wife and throw her in an escape pod and deprive her of a glorious death in battle!” he mumbled. She could hear the attempt at humor in his voice, he knew he would be in trouble later by the look on her face. She was happy with that fact for the moment.

    “Trial?” he asked bluntly.

    Her eyebrow went up. “How did you know!”

    “It’s a long story!” he said, as he started to sit up and swing his legs over the side of the bed. He looked down at all the sensor nodes attached to his nearly naked body. “I’ll need these removed, and that restraint!” he said eyeing the doctors.

They both stared at him considering there options. “You really sho…”

    He sneered. “I’m needed. I must go!” So’koth said plainly. “I also require the use of a Padd, and a subspace communications frequency!” he said.

    The two doctors looked to Lynna for encouragement, but they seen immediately there would be none. “Ok!” the one said and disappeared, the other just stood and nodded, pulling out his own Padd, he handed it too So’koth. “You can use this!” he said.

“Thank you!” So’koth went to work on the Padd.

    “Sokoth!” his wife called to him. He didn’t seem to respond, her eyebrow rose at this, she took a step closer. “So’koth!” she said again.

    He looked up to at the woman and met her eyes. He could see the pain, resentment and anger there but also the relief and the love. He rose from the bed and wrapped his good arm around her. “I’m sorry!” he mumbled in her ear. “I need to finish this, and get to that hearing”! he said to her, meeting her eyes yet again, pulling away from her hug.

    Something to her didn’t feel right about his actions, or emotions. Clearly wherever he had been or what had happened to her husband it was profound. “Ok!” she said quietly. “What do you need from me!” she asked.

    “Be ready for work!” he said, a smile coming to his face.

    His finger found the transmit button on the PADD sending a coded transmission to Pinnacle Station.

[thevidiot]

=/\= Pinnacle Station =/\=



    The Subspace communications array came alive detecting the coded transmission, it immediately relayed the message to its proper destination, a ship yard buried inside an asteroid not far from the Pinnacle station herself. Inside it, a Starship came to life, its automation its drive.

    The computer received and confirmed the order in short order, and began running itself through the proper startup, and preflight procedures. The ship running on automation undocked from the hidden facility, and began its flight towards the Sol System.