Chapter 1: Thin Ice


Still at low warp, the Enterprise crept upon the waiting nebula. The main screen cast a soft, warm glow on the bridge crew as it displayed the nebula before them. Starlight danced upon its tawny surface. From deep inside stellar nurseries pierced the lurid veil of cloud and dust swirling about them and lit the nebula from within as a misty, amber sunset.

The mood on the bridge had relaxed in the day and a half travel to the nebula from Alpha Sigma. Their pace had slowed and relaxed as compared to their more recent, and hectic, assignments and they reveled in it. Perhaps a little too much. One young ensign overslept and was more than 5 minutes late for his shift at the helm. 6.42 minutes actually, according to Data. To the ensigns shock, the captain bore his many and bowed apologies with barely a glance of disapproval before ordering him to his station.

Several of the bridge crew unabashedly broke from their work and stole glances at the spectacle on their view screen. All but Data and Worf, that is. Data, having no appreciation for the beauty of the phenomenon as it grew in their sight and Worf who simply didn't care. Even the captain broke from the console at his right to gaze upon it more than once. And, though his stoic demeanor never broke, his heart softened and rejoiced at the sight. The poet within him danced in the presence of natures splendor, though you would never know it to look at him.

"Mr. Data, what is our distance to the target," he said stoically.

"One hundred thousand kilometers, sir," Data responded.

"Slow to impulse."

"Aye, sir."

Data tapped a few icons on his LCARS display and they chirped happily at his command, slowing the ship to impulse. Picard returned to his console and hit a control to rouse his department heads.

"Department heads report in," he said.

"Security reports all clear," Worf said from behind his console. "We're good to go captain."

"Medical on standby," Doctor Crushers voice echoed over the comm.

"Engineering reports ready," Geordi replied over the comm. "Power has been redistributed as per Starfleet specifications and we're finishing the last of our adjustments now."

"Astrometrics here, Captain," the department head said over the comm. "All systems are green. As soon as Mr. Laforge finishes in engineering we can proceed."

"Mr. Data, what can you tell me about the Toisich nebula," the captain asked.

"The Toisich nebula is a J-class emission nebula, sir," Data responded. "Apart from its size, it is fairly unremarkable except for an unusually high deuterium content."

"Do you have a course?"

"Aye, sir. This nebula seems to be composed of several smaller clusters loosely held together by gravometric forces. Sensor telemetry is still coming online, but I believe I can plot an efficient course between the clusters. This will allow us to avoid most gaseous and particulate debris while plotting an efficient pattern to chart the area."

"Take us in, Mr. Data. One quarter impulse. Nice and easy, we're in no hurry."

"Sir!"

Obediently Data banked the Enterprise and it careened softly into a crevice between two masses of nebula which rose as sunlit walls on either side of the ship. Eddies of dust and gas swirled and danced before them. The currents were cut short and cast aside, sent on their way by the ships main deflector. They weren't ten minutes into the nebula before a chiming on his console caught Data's attention.

"The new sensors are online," he said. "I am receiving detailed telemetry now."

"Report," Commander Riker ordered.

"So far the nebula varies little from others of its type, apart from its size. Deuterium levels are lower than estimates, but only just. I have also located a proto planetoid in one of the stellar nurseries which shows signs of rich dilithium deposits."

"Excellent, make a note of it," Picard said.

"Aye, sir," Data said, though he was soon distracted by an anomalous reading on his console. "Fascinating…"

"Mr. Data," Riker asked, leaning in. "Do you have something?"

"Yes, sir. It would appear that our increased sensor resolution has detected an as yet unknown form of radiation."

"Source?"

"Unknown, sir. It is not being produced by any of the stellar nurseries or any of the proto planets in the vicinity. It appears to be some form of localized background radiation."

"Bradbury, can you confirm," Riker asked the ensign at the console beside Data.

"Confirmed," the ensign replied. "It permeates this region of space but does not seem to emanate from any one part of it."

"Does it pose a threat, Mr. Data?"

"I do not believe so, sir," he replied after a moment to review the telemetry data his sensors had fed him. "The radiation is mostly benign but I have recorded engine output drop by as much as 0.03% since entering the nebula."

Riker tapped his communicator.

"Engineering, Mr. Data has reported a 0.03% drop in engine output. Can you confirm?"

"Yes, sir," Geordi replied after a moment. "But it's well within tolerance. We'll keep an eye on it."

"Well, it looks like Starfleets investments are paying dividends already," Riker said, turning to Picard.

"Indeed, Number One," the captain replied with a smile. "With any luck by the time our leisurely jaunt through the park is over we may well have re-written the laws of physics as we know it."

The captains overconfident jest was somewhat out of turn, it would seem, for the next few hours passed relatively uneventfully. Engineering kept a wary eye on their new equipment, though they hardly needed to for it functioned perfectly. So much so that Data was able to discover nearly a quarter dozen more dilithium rich asteroids and proto planets in their vicinity. With plenty of time to spare between scans, he set to work formulating a plan to pinpoint the source of the strange background radiation he had observed earlier. After he had completed his fifth scan of the shift, he turned to the captain to propose his plan.

"Captain, with your permission, I believe I may have found a way to pinpoint the source of the background radiation I detected earlier."

Picard looked up from the console at his right. He had slumped in his chair somewhat, a posture that was all too uncommon for him though he had been holding it for some half an hour. He also rested his chin in his open palm. All in all he looked quite bored. A bad omen this early in such a long mission. But he looked up from his console with renewed vigor now, the light of discovery shining in his eyes.

"How so, Mr. Data?"

"I have noticed over the last few hours that several of the proto stars in the stellar nurseries in this nebula cluster release intermittent, faint tetryon bursts. When they do the background radiation clears for between 0.0013 and 0.067 milliseconds. I believe that a sustained tetryon burst through the main deflector array may disperse the radiation for several seconds for several hundred thousand kilometers around the ship."

"To what end?"

"If engineering can increase power to the deflector and narrow the bandwidth of the sensor array we may be able to add another one percent to the sensor resolution on top of the Starfleet specifications. Once we are able to clear the background radiation, a high resolution sensor sweep should be able to isolate any remaining radiation in the area. Any remaining spikes in the radiation should be the source."

Picard straightened in his chair and adjusted his uniform.

"Make it so," he ordered, a new pep in his voice.

Immediately Data coordinated with Geordi requisitioning the personnel and equipment they would need for the task. It was a simple enough undertaking, though it still took the lollygagging crew nearly half an hour to complete. But complete it they did and soon Geordi reported his progress to Data.

"Geordi to Data, come in Data," he said over the intercom.

"Data here. Come in, Geordi."

"My adjustments are complete. I'm ready when you are. I'll monitor your progress from here."

Data said nothing at first, shooting a glance to the captain for final authority. The captain said nothing in return, but only nodded silently.

"Acknowledged, Geordi" Data said as he began calling up the appropriate sequences on his console. "I am beginning my scan."

Data began, as he had said, with a tetryon burst from the main deflector and the radiation dissipated as he had anticipated. He then initiated the sensor scan manually with a series of lightning fast movements. Most officers would have pre-programmed the maneuvers in a series of macros beforehand. But Data's hands danced playfully on the consoles reflective surface. If one didn't know any better, if one thought he was capable of it, then one might think he was enjoying himself.

"Negative result, Captain," he said after a moment to review the results of the scan. "I will try again."

Data tried two more times, in fact, with the same result each time. He turned to the captain, certain he would be disappointed. But he bore an unexpected smile and an unfamiliar childish gleam in his eye.

"My apologies, sir," Data began. "I seem to have failed. I will revise my approach and propose a new plan at a later date."

"No need for apologies, Mr. Data," the captain said. "Scientific progress seldom comes so easily. In fact, it might be said that without these little setbacks the entire scientific endeavor would be utterly unfulfilling."

"I do not understand, Captain. Is not the ultimate goal of science the acquisition of knowledge? If so, then I have failed in that regard."

"It's not just the acquisition of knowledge, Mr. Data," the captain said wistfully. "It is the process of discovery which makes the journey worthwhile. And you didn't fail. You simply found another method that doesn't work. I am reminded of the words of Vulcan philosopher S'Claulan of Shi'al who said…"

Before the captain could finish the ship listed violently as it ground to a furious halt. The captain picked himself up and hastily climbed back into his chair, being tossed to the ground in the tumult. Even Data was caught off guard, though his heightened reflexes saved him being painfully tossed over his console.

"Report," the captain commanded as warning alarms chimed around him.

"I am detecting microfractures in the ships superstructure," Mr. Worf said as he relayed the readings from his console. "Hull plating is intact and hull integrity is at 97%. Sheilds are at 100%."

"Yellow alert," Riker commanded, though Worf was well ahead of him. He had already called up the proper menu and set the ship to yellow alert with the touch of a button.

"We've come to a dead stop, sir," Data said very matter of factly. "Engine output is zero."

"Engineering, report," the captain called over the comm.

"The warp core is stable," Geordi answered. The muffle din of men and women rushing and shouting over each other could be heard in the background. "The warp field has collapsed and inertial dampeners are offline. One more hit like that and we'll be red stains on the wall, Captain."

"What's the cause?"

"Unknown. I'll get back to you when I know more. Laforge, out."

"Data, did something hit us," Riker asked from the edge of his seat.

"Negative, commander," data replied. "We're no less than 20 kilometers from the nearest object. Deflector strength is at maximum."

"Worf, any contacts?"

"Negative, sir. Sensors are clear."

As they were talking the captain worked furiously on his console, putting himself on ship wide broadcast.

"This is the captain," he said over the comm. "All hands to stations. I want damage and casualty reports from all department heads. Engineering, security and medical heads are to gather for a meeting in my ready room in ten minutes. Picard, out."

The captain waited impatiently at his desk for the last of his department heads to arrive. In attendance were Riker, Worf, Geordi and also Data, who had requested to be present shortly before the meeting. Dr. Crusher was absent, being swamped with minor injuries in sick bay, though she joined by comm. The only left to arrive was Deana who the captain asked to attend at the last minute. She walked in at about the eleven minute mark.

"Mr. Laforge, report," the captain said after all were in attendance.

"Our warp field has collapsed, Captain," Laforge replied. "All systems check out but we can't sustain a successful matter/antimatter reaction in the core. Impulse engines and thrusters are also non responsive. Power reserves have also been affected. Ship batteries have been reduced to 88%, but they are holding. And inertial dampeners are still offline."

"What about our new equipment? Has it been damaged?"

"Not at first glance, Captain. But I have engineering running diagnostics."

"Do you have any idea what caused this?"

Geordi shrugged and shook his head.

"Not a clue, Captain. For the most part systems are green across the board. I've assigned a team to check the dilithium we received from Alpha Sigma for impurities that might destabilize the reaction chamber, but apart from that…"

"Excuse me, sir," Data interrupted. "But I believe I may have an explanation."

"Go ahead, Mr. Data," the captain said, giving him the floor.

"Thank you, sir. After the incident I remembered the 0.03% power drop we suffered after entering the radiation field of the nebula. So I turned to the radiation and studied it more closely."

"I thought you said the radiation is benign, Data," Riker said.

"Yes, sir," Data agreed. "And, indeed, it is. At least in the short term. After further investigation," he said, returning his gaze to the captain. "I have developed a hypothesis. I believe that this radiation has a mildly disruptive effect on the fabric of subspace, breaking it down at the quantum level. This effect is slow and subtle and surely missed by the casual observer. It is as though one were to take a solution of water and vinegar and drip it over a slab of granite. You would not see results immediately. You may not even see results in your lifetime. But eventually, over centuries, the solution will eat a hole through the slab. I believe the same has happened here. This radiation has eaten at the subspace fabric of this region, perhaps for centuries, until we came. Then, as the enterprise moved past one particularly weak spot, subspace collapsed around us."

"Like a pothole," Riker added.

"A pothole? Accessing," he said as his eyes darted to and fro. "Ah, yes, Commander. A deep natural underground cavity formed by the erosion of rock, especially by the action of water. An appropriate analogy. But, owing to its size, I would liken this to more of a quantum sinkhole than a quantum pothole."

"What caused the collapse, Data," the captain inquired.

"I believe I did," Data said apologetically. "When I initiated my scan I began I began with a massive tetryon pulse from our main deflector. I believe this caused a cascade reaction which destabilized subspace in the immediate vicinity. And when the Enterprise moved through a patch of weakened subspace it became lodged."

"Like falling through thin ice," Commander Riker added.

"Precisely. Your equipment did not fail you, Geordi," Data said to his friend. "The laws of physics did."

"Do you have a solution, Data," the captain asked.

"I believe so, sir. We are the problem and I believe we are also the solution."

"Explain."

"As Geordi was attempting to restart the engines I noticed momentary stabilities reappear in the quantum matrix. I believe that the presence of our warp field may be acting as a stabilizing agent. Even if he can't sustain a successful reaction in the core, if the engineering team can keep the engines powered and running then I believe the rift will seal itself over time."

"How much time?"

"It will be a slow process, sir. I estimate eleven days until the rift has mended enough for our escape."

"What if we eliminate the source of the radiation," Commander Riker asked. "Would that speed up the process?"

"Perhaps," Data agreed with a nod. "But I am hesitant to try my scan again, lest I destabilize the region further.

"Agreed," the captain said after a moments thought. "Very well. Commander Laforge, make it so." Geordi nodded in reply and left for engineering. "Mr. Worf, have you relayed our situation to Alpha Sigma?"

"Yes, sir," Worf replied. "They have offered to send ships to assist. Would you like me to accept?"

"Dr. Crusher, do we have urgent need of the medical facilities on Alpha Sigma?"

"No, Captain," she said over the comm. "Most of our injuries have been superficial sprains and contusions. Lieutenant Thraxx has several fractured spines on his dorsal frill and will need to remain on light duty until it heals, but it's nothing we can't handle."

"Thank you, Doctor. Mr. Worf, please instruct Alpha Sigma that under no circumstances are they to send another ship into this region of space. The last thing we need is for another ship to be drawn into this trap as we have. Inform them that the issue will resolve itself in eleven days, or so."

"Yes, sir," Worf said as he again returned to his station.

"Deana, what is the state of the crew?"

"Surprisingly good, Captain," she began. "I sense fear and some trepidation, which should be expected. But mostly frustration. I think most of the crew know that we are in no serious danger and are… irritated that our leisurely pace has been interrupted. I think a word from their captain would go a long way to alleviating this."

"Noted. Thank you, counselor."

"Do you have orders, Captain," Commander Riker asked.

Captain Picard furrowed his brow and stared into the distance for a moment.

"Our mission hasn't changed," he said at last. "The ship is in no real danger and we still have a sensor array to test. Inform Engineering and Astrometrics to continue as best they can. It may get tedious, but we'll scan the same area of space for the next eleven days, if we need to. Mr. Data, I want you to continue studying this radiation. Learn as much about it as you can and report any new findings to me."

"Understood, sir."

"And, Number One, instruct Mr. Laforge to make more power available to the holodecks," he said as a wry smile arced at the corners of his mouth. "I suspect we may have a large run on them before long."