Written by Stardrivedave
21/12/14
Chapter One
"Senior staff report to the conference room" said Captain Arthur Burns the grey haired commanding officer of the San Francisco as he walked to the door, Commander Barker the brown haired first officer followed quickly along with several other senior staff. Once the door closed the captain sat down, indicating for the others to do the same
"We've just received new orders from Starfleet Command, we are to investigate the disappearance of the Zeus, it may be nothing but I think there's something major behind the disappearance so I want us to be as ready as possible by the time we reach the Ranithra nebula."
"Sir, do we know what the Zeus was doing before she disappeared?" Asked Lieutenant Imogen Gatea, the San Francisco'sscience officer.
"A diplomatic and exploratory mission, investigating inhabited planets and making contact when possible and looking for M-class worlds."
"Is it possible the locals took offence at our proximity?" Asked Commander Barker
"It's a possibility, but to make a whole ship disappear without a trace is a dangerous feat"
"Agreed" said Lieutenant Jemina, the tactical officer.
"OK, return to the bridge" said the captain.
Walking onto the bridge the commander ordered "helm set course for the Ranithra nebula warp 8.5"
As the captain was on the bridge, the commander decided to head down to engineering to see how things were.
The captain agreed and the commander went towards the turbolift, as the commander left the bridge Commander Megan Owens, the ships second officer took the commanders place next to the captain.
Going into main engineering on deck fourteen Commander Barker walked towards Lieutenant Hall, the chief engineer and asked "will the Ranithra nebula have any ill effects on us George?"
"Nothing too major really sir, although we'll lose scanners and the view screen will be limited."
"Right, any effects on the engines?"
"Yes, no warp engines in the nebula above warp 5 and only short hops, no long distances. Weapons should be fine but please try not to ignite any warp plasma, that could be very, um, interesting."
"Right, thanks"
Feeling the San Francisco going to warp Commander Barker and the engineer headed for the bridge.
The commander sat down next to the captain and the lieutenant headed for the engineering console, Commander Owens returned to her place at the conn.
After several hours at warp the San Francisco reached the Ranithra nebula and slowed to warp five.
"Yellow alert" called the captain
"Aye sir" replied Lieutenant Jemina as she raised the shields.
Lieutenant Gatea tapped on her console and brought up the Zeus's mission map and the logs Starfleet had received so far.
"Sir, the last position of the Zeus is four warp jumps from here, however there was a planet they visited before that, Arction, and judging by the captain's log it might give more information as to what has happened."
"Conn, set course for Arction and good catch lieutenant" said the captain.
"Captain's log, we are on our way to the planet Arction where we hope to find answers regarding the disappearance of the USS Zeus."
Commander Owens called from the conn "captain we've reached orbit over Arction"
Commander Grill, the alpha shift operations officer spoke from the operations station "the Arction council are hailing us, should I put them through?" The captain nodded, on the viewscreen three Arctions appeared, they had blue skin, mouth tendrils and smooth ridges above and below their eyes.
"This is Captain Arthur Burns of the U.S.S San Francisco, we have come to request a meeting with you" said the captain.
"On what grounds?" said one of the council
"We believe one of our ships, the Zeus visited here shortly before disappearing, and we were hoping you may be able to help us."
"We will grant you an audience with us and any individuals who may be able to help you, please travel to these coordinates."
The captain turned to Commander Grill who gave a terse nod, he turned back, said thank you and the connection was cut.