ENTERPRISE
"Mystery"
By J. B. Tilton
Ratingl: K
Disclaimer: "Star Trek", "Enterprise", and all related characters and events are the sole property of Paramount Pictures, Inc., except for those specifically created by me for this story. This is fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.
The Enterprise is sent to investigate a planet where two Star Fleet ships have mysteriously vanished.
ONE
"Captain Archer to the bridge."
Archer left his ready room and headed to the bridge. As he stepped onto the bridge everyone was busy at their stations. T'Pol looked up at him as he took his place in the command chair.
"Is everything ready?" he asked as he sat down.
"Yes," said T'Pol. "Commander Tucker has just informed me that he is ready to deploy on your orders."
"Good," said Archer. "As soon as we get the transceiver in place we'll see if it works the way Star Fleet hopes. It will go a long way in helping us stay in contact with Earth while we're exploring."
"Admiral Spencer said he would be standing by at Star Fleet Headquarters for our first communiqué once the transceiver has been deployed," said Hoshi. "It took seven hours for the message to reach us this far out. If the specifications for the transceiver are accurate there should be no noticeable delay in the transmissions."
Archer pressed a button on his command chair.
"Archer to engineering. Trip, are we ready to deploy?"
"Aye, Cap'n," responded Trip. "Just give the word and we can launch."
"Consider the word given, Commander," said Archer.
They all waited patiently as Trip launched the transceiver. It would take a few minutes for it to deploy and for the proper protocols to be established. When it was finished he would contact the bridge to let them know.
"Tucker to bridge," he said finally. "The transceiver is in position. I've done a systems and diagnostics check and it appears to be in perfect working order. Hoshi, it's all yours."
"Understood, Commander," said Hoshi. She activated her console. "Sir, we're ready."
"Enterprise to Star Fleet Command," said Archer. "Admiral Spencer this is Captain Archer."
For a moment nothing happened. Then Spencer's voice came in loud and clear over the radio as the view screen came to life showing the Admiral.
"Enterprise, this is Spencer. Congratulations, Captain. My technicians tell me the new transceiver appears to be working perfectly."
"I'm told the same thing on my end, Admiral," said Archer. "Sounds like we won't have to wait half a day to receive responses to our messages either way."
"My congratulations to your entire crew, Captain. They've all done an admirable job. Star Fleet is very pleased with the job you've done."
"Thank you, Admiral. I'll be sure to pass that on to the entire crew."
"Captain, as long as I have you on the line, so to speak, I might as well inform you of your next mission. Star Fleet wants to you proceed to a system near you. I'm sending the coordinates and all relevant data now. Your orders are to investigate and report back on what you find there."
"Certainly Admiral," said Archer as Hoshi nodded indicating she was receiving the information. "Anything in particular you want us to be looking for?"
"Two Star Fleet vessels," said Spencer. "The first is the Republic. It was a science vessel that was investigating that region of space about thirty years ago. They reported finding the system and then all contact was lost with it. Another ship, the Valiant, was sent to investigate. It reported finding the same system but was never heard from again. That was almost fifteen years ago. Because of the distance from Earth it was decided not to risk a third expedition. Our fastest ships, aside from the Enterprise, take more than ten years to get there. Star Fleet figures that since you're all ready out there – and with the new transceiver allowing us nearly instantaneous communication – it might be a good idea for you to check it out."
"Certainly Admiral," said Archer. "We'll be glad to run over and have a look."
"Captain, our main concern is to discover what happened to those two ships," said Spencer. "We don't want you to take any unnecessary risks. If there are survivors and you can rescue them then by all means do so. But this is strictly a recon mission. Just find out what's going on and report back to Star Fleet Command as soon as you can."
"Understood Admiral," said Archer. "We'll check it out and let you know what we find out."
"Thank you, Captain," said Spencer. "And again congratulations on a job well done with the transceiver."
The view screen went blank.
"Hoshi," said Archer, "bring the information Admiral Spencer sent to the briefing room. Let's see what we're up against. Everyone in the briefing room in twenty minutes."
