___________________
Disclaimer:
I do not own Andromeda, Star Trek, or any part thereof. All rights to these properties are retained by their respective owners.
___________________
"Although it is good to know your enemy, it is vital that you know your allies."
- The History of Timath Pride, CY 9659
Background:
The Enterprise E has just returned from defeating the Borg in the past. Essential repairs have been completed, and the ship intends to make final re-adjustments during the next mission. Worf is still serving aboad Enterprise while he waits for repairs on the Defiant to be completed.
Little is out of the ordinary aboard the Andromeda, though they have just diverted their mission to protect a former Commonwealth world from invasion...
-------
"Captain, we are approaching Endella 9. Sensors will shortly be disrupted by the high levels of radiation," Data informed them.
"Slow us to impulse, metaphasic shields up," Riker ordered.
"It's amazing," Captain Picard noted, "An entire unexplored system, right in the middle of Federation territory. Metaphasic shielding opens up so many possibilites."
"Yes, and with the most recent developments of the technology, starfleet was able to launch probes all the way through the corona of a star," Riker added.
"Data, launch the shield beacons," Picard ordered.
"Aye sir. They should be in place in eight minutes. At that point, we can expect a 60% improvement in sensor accuracy."
"I just hope it's enough."
"Even if it isn't, I don't have any intention of just giving up, Number One."
"Of course not," Riker replied with a slight smile.
The captain touched his com badge, "Geordi, report."
"The metaphasic shielding should hold for another fourty-two hours. That should be enough for an initial survey, but we can bring them back online a few hours later if we have to."
Picard's eye nearly twinkled as he looked at the scrambled image of the star system, "Well, I would say its time we got to the bottom of this radiation."
"The bottom, sir?" Data asked.
"Its an expression."
Data cocked his head, "Ah, a human phrase meaning 'to find a solution' or 'to solve a mystery' used primarily..."
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Data."
Data turned back to his console.
***
Trance glanced at the wall monitor. A large, white vessle was slowly moving upward, covering the star field.
"What's that?"
"That," Harper said, "Is the USS Enterprise, 1701 E."
"I've never seen a ship like that before," Trance answered.
"That's because it doesn't exist," Harper informed her, "This is really old earth science fiction."
"Science fiction?"
"Yeah, they drew all this on computers long before slipsteam was even invented."
"It looks awefully sterile to me," Trance answered, wrinkling her nose at the stark white Enterprise.
"Hey, that happens to be the most advanced starship in the fleet."
"The fleet that doesn't exist?"
"Watch this," Harper said, ignoring the comment, "This is the best scene in the movie."
Trance looked at the black...object flying across the image, "What is it?"
"That's a Borg cube," Harper said, watching the vessle get bombarded by starfleet, "They're the worst enemies the Federation ever faced. The Borg are cybernetic life forms that grow by capturing enemies and assimilating them into a hive mind."
"They don't exist either, right?" Trance asked innocently, unfamiliar with the ancient phenomenon of television.
"We're lucky they don't," Harper said, "These guys make Magog look like kittens."
"Really," Trance asked, awed by the concept.
"Yep, like venom-spitting, flesh-eating kittens."
"We're approaching the Kelmar Belt," Andromeda informed them.
"Right," Dylan answered, "Take us around. Rommie, get Harper and Trance up here."
The ship moved swiftly around the intense radiation band premeating the area, responding to nearby distress call. A former Commonwealth planet was being heavily assaulted by Neitzchians. Even at full speed, the Andromeda might not make it in time. Either way, they would have a fight on their hands.
"Captain," Rev said as they finished circumventing the anomaly, "I'm not picking up any Neitzchian ships in the area. I don't see any signs of life on the planet, either."
"What?" Dylan asked, surprised.
"I don't like this," Tir commented.
"Me neither," Beka added, "What could have done this?"
"I don't know," Dylan responded slowly, "But I plan to find out."
***
"Captain," Data said, "We are detecting some form of energy vortex up ahead."
"On screen," Picard orded, "Analysis, Mr. Data."
"The vortex does not match any known phenomenon. Further, transwarp signitures in the area indicate a non-natural origin."
"Can you determine the purpose of the vortex?" The captain asked.
"Sensor readings are highly distorted. It could be a passage of some sort. Possibly a derivitive of artificial wormhole technology. Additionally, it is approximately at the center of the radiation field."
"Do you believe the sector was irradiated to conceal the vortex?"
"Unknown, sir. Radiation could be coming through the vortex, or perhaps it is caused by the vortex directly."
"Or maybe the radiation just made this a convenient hiding place," Riker added.
"Well, we'll never find out by speculation. Launch a shielded probe across the rim of the vortex."
"Aye sir," Data responded, "...Captain, I am reading an energy serge within the vortex. It is changing shape. The probe has been enveloped, but the vortex continues to grow."
"It will hit the Enterprise in 15 seconds," Worf warned them.
"Take us out of here," Picard ordered urgently.
"Red alert," Riker called out, "Shields up. Divert all available power to the engines."
The ships was rocked by a collision as it attempted to escape the area.
"We're caught sir," Ensign Miln said, "Engines are not responding."
"We are being pulled into the vortex," Data observed.
The ship rocked violently as it was drawn through the alien device.
"Shields are starting to buckle," Worf informed them as he clung to his station.
"I am detecting an opening in the vortex ahead," Data said calmly.
Seconds later, the ship was expelled into relatively normal space.
"Report!" Picard ordered.
"Shields are at 17%, metaphasic shielding is off line, and we sustained minor damage to the outer hull," Worf answered.
"Sir, radiation levels remain high. I suggest we vacate this sector immediately."
"Lets go, warp three," Riker said, knowing that the radiation would be deadly in a matter of minutes without metaphasic shielding.
"Engage," Picard quickly acknowledged.
Data turned slightly in his chair as the Enterprise warped to safety, "Sir, we have lost contact with our shield beacons."
"Why?" Picard asked.
"Sensor logs show no signs of the beacons following our entry into the vortex."
Picard shot a look to his first officer, and was about to speak when a voice came over the com system.
"Bridge, this is astrometrics."
"Acknowledged," Riker responded.
"Sir, current sensor data does not match any of our records. Whatever just happened, we're not in known space any more."
***
"Something is coming out of the Kelmar Belt," Rev observed.
"What is it?" Beka asked, preparing to take Andromeda into the slipstream if this was found to be the cause of the lifelessness of the region.
"Its a ship of some kind," The Magog officer observed, "I haven't seen anything like it."
"Harper, get back to your station," Dylan ordered bruskly.
Harper continued to walk silently towards the main viewscreen. He was agape.
Trance looked up when she heard Dylan, and froze when her eyes locked onto the image of the ship on the screen, "Harper...I thought you said they weren't real."
"Harper, do you know something about them?" Beka demanded.
"I..." Harper trailed off, dumbfounded.
"They're trying to contact us," Rev said.
"Put them through," Dylan ordered.
"Greetings," The man on the other vessle said formally, "I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation starship Enterprise."
"Greetings. I'm Captain Dylan Hunt of the Commonwealth ship Andromeda Ascendant. Can I ask where you come from?"
"We aren't certain," Picard responded, not wanting to give too much away to the unknown confederation, "We were pulled through some form of energy phenomenon and found ourselves in this area."
"I see," Dylan answered, "We would be happy to offer any assistance you need investigating the phenomenon."
"Thank you for the generous offer," Picard responded, "We'll be greatful for any information you have. I will contact you again when we know more about the situation."
Dylan signaled that they cut off the transmission, "Harper, if you know anything, tell us."
Harper finally regained his composure, "I might know something. That ship and its captain look exactly like something I saw on an ancient sci-fi movie I was watching a couple minutes ago."
"What?"
"The Enterprise is supposed to be a fictional starship from the 24th century. It was in an ancient TV show and some movies."
"Harper, are you feeling all right?" Beka asked.
"I saw it too," Trance answered, "It looks exactly like the ship from the movie."
Disclaimer:
I do not own Andromeda, Star Trek, or any part thereof. All rights to these properties are retained by their respective owners.
___________________
"Although it is good to know your enemy, it is vital that you know your allies."
- The History of Timath Pride, CY 9659
Background:
The Enterprise E has just returned from defeating the Borg in the past. Essential repairs have been completed, and the ship intends to make final re-adjustments during the next mission. Worf is still serving aboad Enterprise while he waits for repairs on the Defiant to be completed.
Little is out of the ordinary aboard the Andromeda, though they have just diverted their mission to protect a former Commonwealth world from invasion...
-------
"Captain, we are approaching Endella 9. Sensors will shortly be disrupted by the high levels of radiation," Data informed them.
"Slow us to impulse, metaphasic shields up," Riker ordered.
"It's amazing," Captain Picard noted, "An entire unexplored system, right in the middle of Federation territory. Metaphasic shielding opens up so many possibilites."
"Yes, and with the most recent developments of the technology, starfleet was able to launch probes all the way through the corona of a star," Riker added.
"Data, launch the shield beacons," Picard ordered.
"Aye sir. They should be in place in eight minutes. At that point, we can expect a 60% improvement in sensor accuracy."
"I just hope it's enough."
"Even if it isn't, I don't have any intention of just giving up, Number One."
"Of course not," Riker replied with a slight smile.
The captain touched his com badge, "Geordi, report."
"The metaphasic shielding should hold for another fourty-two hours. That should be enough for an initial survey, but we can bring them back online a few hours later if we have to."
Picard's eye nearly twinkled as he looked at the scrambled image of the star system, "Well, I would say its time we got to the bottom of this radiation."
"The bottom, sir?" Data asked.
"Its an expression."
Data cocked his head, "Ah, a human phrase meaning 'to find a solution' or 'to solve a mystery' used primarily..."
"Yes, thank you, Mr. Data."
Data turned back to his console.
***
Trance glanced at the wall monitor. A large, white vessle was slowly moving upward, covering the star field.
"What's that?"
"That," Harper said, "Is the USS Enterprise, 1701 E."
"I've never seen a ship like that before," Trance answered.
"That's because it doesn't exist," Harper informed her, "This is really old earth science fiction."
"Science fiction?"
"Yeah, they drew all this on computers long before slipsteam was even invented."
"It looks awefully sterile to me," Trance answered, wrinkling her nose at the stark white Enterprise.
"Hey, that happens to be the most advanced starship in the fleet."
"The fleet that doesn't exist?"
"Watch this," Harper said, ignoring the comment, "This is the best scene in the movie."
Trance looked at the black...object flying across the image, "What is it?"
"That's a Borg cube," Harper said, watching the vessle get bombarded by starfleet, "They're the worst enemies the Federation ever faced. The Borg are cybernetic life forms that grow by capturing enemies and assimilating them into a hive mind."
"They don't exist either, right?" Trance asked innocently, unfamiliar with the ancient phenomenon of television.
"We're lucky they don't," Harper said, "These guys make Magog look like kittens."
"Really," Trance asked, awed by the concept.
"Yep, like venom-spitting, flesh-eating kittens."
"We're approaching the Kelmar Belt," Andromeda informed them.
"Right," Dylan answered, "Take us around. Rommie, get Harper and Trance up here."
The ship moved swiftly around the intense radiation band premeating the area, responding to nearby distress call. A former Commonwealth planet was being heavily assaulted by Neitzchians. Even at full speed, the Andromeda might not make it in time. Either way, they would have a fight on their hands.
"Captain," Rev said as they finished circumventing the anomaly, "I'm not picking up any Neitzchian ships in the area. I don't see any signs of life on the planet, either."
"What?" Dylan asked, surprised.
"I don't like this," Tir commented.
"Me neither," Beka added, "What could have done this?"
"I don't know," Dylan responded slowly, "But I plan to find out."
***
"Captain," Data said, "We are detecting some form of energy vortex up ahead."
"On screen," Picard orded, "Analysis, Mr. Data."
"The vortex does not match any known phenomenon. Further, transwarp signitures in the area indicate a non-natural origin."
"Can you determine the purpose of the vortex?" The captain asked.
"Sensor readings are highly distorted. It could be a passage of some sort. Possibly a derivitive of artificial wormhole technology. Additionally, it is approximately at the center of the radiation field."
"Do you believe the sector was irradiated to conceal the vortex?"
"Unknown, sir. Radiation could be coming through the vortex, or perhaps it is caused by the vortex directly."
"Or maybe the radiation just made this a convenient hiding place," Riker added.
"Well, we'll never find out by speculation. Launch a shielded probe across the rim of the vortex."
"Aye sir," Data responded, "...Captain, I am reading an energy serge within the vortex. It is changing shape. The probe has been enveloped, but the vortex continues to grow."
"It will hit the Enterprise in 15 seconds," Worf warned them.
"Take us out of here," Picard ordered urgently.
"Red alert," Riker called out, "Shields up. Divert all available power to the engines."
The ships was rocked by a collision as it attempted to escape the area.
"We're caught sir," Ensign Miln said, "Engines are not responding."
"We are being pulled into the vortex," Data observed.
The ship rocked violently as it was drawn through the alien device.
"Shields are starting to buckle," Worf informed them as he clung to his station.
"I am detecting an opening in the vortex ahead," Data said calmly.
Seconds later, the ship was expelled into relatively normal space.
"Report!" Picard ordered.
"Shields are at 17%, metaphasic shielding is off line, and we sustained minor damage to the outer hull," Worf answered.
"Sir, radiation levels remain high. I suggest we vacate this sector immediately."
"Lets go, warp three," Riker said, knowing that the radiation would be deadly in a matter of minutes without metaphasic shielding.
"Engage," Picard quickly acknowledged.
Data turned slightly in his chair as the Enterprise warped to safety, "Sir, we have lost contact with our shield beacons."
"Why?" Picard asked.
"Sensor logs show no signs of the beacons following our entry into the vortex."
Picard shot a look to his first officer, and was about to speak when a voice came over the com system.
"Bridge, this is astrometrics."
"Acknowledged," Riker responded.
"Sir, current sensor data does not match any of our records. Whatever just happened, we're not in known space any more."
***
"Something is coming out of the Kelmar Belt," Rev observed.
"What is it?" Beka asked, preparing to take Andromeda into the slipstream if this was found to be the cause of the lifelessness of the region.
"Its a ship of some kind," The Magog officer observed, "I haven't seen anything like it."
"Harper, get back to your station," Dylan ordered bruskly.
Harper continued to walk silently towards the main viewscreen. He was agape.
Trance looked up when she heard Dylan, and froze when her eyes locked onto the image of the ship on the screen, "Harper...I thought you said they weren't real."
"Harper, do you know something about them?" Beka demanded.
"I..." Harper trailed off, dumbfounded.
"They're trying to contact us," Rev said.
"Put them through," Dylan ordered.
"Greetings," The man on the other vessle said formally, "I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Federation starship Enterprise."
"Greetings. I'm Captain Dylan Hunt of the Commonwealth ship Andromeda Ascendant. Can I ask where you come from?"
"We aren't certain," Picard responded, not wanting to give too much away to the unknown confederation, "We were pulled through some form of energy phenomenon and found ourselves in this area."
"I see," Dylan answered, "We would be happy to offer any assistance you need investigating the phenomenon."
"Thank you for the generous offer," Picard responded, "We'll be greatful for any information you have. I will contact you again when we know more about the situation."
Dylan signaled that they cut off the transmission, "Harper, if you know anything, tell us."
Harper finally regained his composure, "I might know something. That ship and its captain look exactly like something I saw on an ancient sci-fi movie I was watching a couple minutes ago."
"What?"
"The Enterprise is supposed to be a fictional starship from the 24th century. It was in an ancient TV show and some movies."
"Harper, are you feeling all right?" Beka asked.
"I saw it too," Trance answered, "It looks exactly like the ship from the movie."