Disclaimer: Anne McCaffree owns the Dragon Riders Of Pern Series. This is fan fiction which garners no money whatsoever for the author.

This is my first submission. The updates will usually be a week apart, sorry about that. I will also be endeavouring not to go AU and stick with Canon. Look forward to seeing your reviews. Any comments are welcomed. The story is set just after The Skies of Pern. And now, on with the story

Part One

Disaster

The Radewu science cruiser moved into high orbit around the star designated Archenar in preparation to skim fuel. The collectors were readied and skimming commenced. When the chief engineer reported the hydrogen tanks were full the cruiser began manuvering away from the star.

The chief engineer checked the engines to be sure they were in alignment and reported all clear for hyperspace entry.

The captain gave the order to make the jump to hyperspace. As the cruiser made the final transition to trans-light a red light lit in the engineering section. The engineering chief saw this and his hand shot out for the emergency override button. His hand would never reach it.

The cruiser exploded in a fiery conflagration killing all one hundred and seventy four Radewu scientists.

Unfortunately the core breach caused a hyperspace disruption wave as well and set into motion the supernova of Archenar. Archenar four, unfortunately, was one of the few planets that Confederation of Sentient States had found where Numbweed would grow. Except Rukbat three, of course, from which it originated. But that system was interdicted, and for very good reason.

The CSS knew something was wrong when communication with Archenar Four was lost in mid transmission. The Surgeon General tried for one hour to re-establish contact. When all attemps failed, Fleet HQ was notified and they passed the ball to Starship Operations.

"So they want a ship to check out Archenar Four," the admiral on watch was less than worried. "A communications glitch and I'm supposed to pull a starship off its patrol route."

"Archenar Four is the only source of numbsalve, sir," put in a lieutenant.

"True. What is the nearest ship to Archenar?

"One moment." the lieutenant accessed the last known positons of fleet ships. "Science vessel Pluto was last reported less than five light years from Archenar."

"Order Pluto to investigate."

"Yes Admiral."

Captain Nicole Turner was on the bridge of the science vessel Pluto reviewing fuel consumption reports when the communications officer reported an incoming transmission.

"Captain. Incoming message from Fleet Ops."

"Well, let's hear it, ensign."

"Yes Sir," replied the ensign. "'Communication with Archenar Four lost mid-transmission STOP unable to re-establish contact STOP Pluto to proceed to Archenar system to investigate STOP Await report STOP Acknowlege receipt of orders END'"

"Acknowlege Receipt, ensign. Nav, plot a course for Archenar and send it to the helm. Helm, engage at maximum cruise upon receipt of course. Hyperspace exit 45 AU from the photosphere."

Receiving "Aye, Sir" from all around she went back to the fuel reports.

"Course laid in. Engaging at maximum cruise. Approximately 90 minutes to hyperspace exit," reported the helmsman.

"Acknowledge," responded the captain.

The exec was perplexed. He knew his captain was cautious but 45 AU seemed a bit paranoid.

"Permission to speak freely, Captain?" the Exec queried.

"Granted, of course, Mr. Reynolds."

"Sir, do you expect trouble at Archenar? 45 AU seems a bit paranoid. Or am I missing something?"

"Check the records for Potempkin. About 230 years ago or so," replied the Captain. "I am not taking unnecessary risks with the best damn science crew in the Fleet."

"Yes Sir," replied the Exec and logged onto the mainframe and called up the suggested record. Upon reading the report he whistled softly. The heavy cruiser potempkin responded to a distress call from the Wolf 359 science station. And was never heard from again. A Destroyer was sent to investigate with orders to scramble and run if necessary. They exited hyperspace 50 AU from Wolf 359 and were treated to the sight of a supernova less than a day old. The cause was never determined. The only thing that was known was that Wolf 359 shouldn't have gone nova, super or otherwise for another 2 billion years.

He closed the file and began readiness checks with all departments. When he was satisfied that all departments were ready for everything, he sat back and stretched.

"Five minutes to hyperspace exit," reported the Helm.

The Captain looked up. "Raise shields 30 seconds before exit. One minute before exit send mission status report to Fleet Ops. Upon exit report so to Fleet Ops."

Helm and Communications responded in unison. "Yes Sir."

The time seemed to go buy at a snails pace. Then Communications reported. "Mission status report sent to Fleet Ops."

Shortly thereafter the helm reported, "Shields up and at full strength."

Then they were back in real space. "Sending report of safe hyperspace exit to Ops...Done."

"Thanks you, Ensign. Main viewer on," ordered the captain.

The main viewer lit and the captain rose to her feet in surprise. "What in the name of all that's holy caused That?"

Science was busy scanning then the lieutenant responded, "Unknown, but there is no way we can approach the botanical station. It's not there anymore. If we hadn't had our shields up we would have been fried. In fact, Captain, I recommend leaving the vicinity immediately. The radiation is degrading our shields. If we aren't out of here in 5 minutes, we'll never leave."

"Helm, direct course away from the star, maximum cruise. Hyperspace exit 5 light years distant. Execute."

"Yes sir," responded the helmsman enthusiastically. The stars on the main screen roatated and then were replaced by streaks and they were in hyperspace.

Upon reporting their findings, they were ordered back to their standard patrol pattern. The brass then went to work on a solution.