Written by Stardrivedave
21/12/14
Chapter Twelve
Sitting in the conference room the senior staff discussed their next move, "what's the status of the San Francisco?" Asked Commander Barker
"Several major systems including subspace communication, weapons and warp drive are offline" reported lieutenant commander Grayson.
"Can we get to the anomaly on impulse power and can you get those systems back online?"
Lieutenant Hall said "my team and I can give you weapons and communications but I'm afraid I can't give you warp speed"
"Violet, Sarah, what are our casualties?"
"Commander Grill and lieutenant P'naar are confirmed dead, we found the captain in the ready room and he's dead as well, oh and we killed an awful lot of chocolate"
The commander quirked a smile, "I hope they didn't try to stop you two, I've never seen any madder or more dangerous medical professionals when people get between you and chocolate."
"You'll find no better, but as it is, we lost no one but those three and all Arctions are alive"
"Thank you, lieutenant Marshall, how are our guests?"
I've got them in the brig and several empty quarters, don't worry I disabled all technology to stop them escaping."
"Thank you, for the moment we'll keep them aboard until we can transfer to a star base or a more equipped ship."
"OK everyone, back to your stations, commander Owens, set course for the anomaly, lieutenant Marshall once communication is back up try and contact Starfleet. Lieutenant Gatea see if you and mister Grayson can take a look at our sensors and find out some more about the anomaly"
Everyone acknowledged and left the conference room.
Walking out onto the bridge everyone took their places, the commander took his normal seat rather than replacing the captain, Sarah and Commander Green went to the turbolift to get to sickbay.
"First officers log, we have retaken the ship from Arction troops, however we have lost captain Burns, Commander Grill and Lieutenant P'naar. We intend to investigate the anomaly in our proximity, we have a large amount of prisoners on board so I have increased security throughout the ship."
Suddenly Lieutenant Gatea shouted out "commander, I think you should see this!"
The commander strode across to the science station in the front left of the bridge and looked over the lieutenants shoulder.
"Is that an Iconian gateway?" He murmured to her scratching his beard thoughtfully.
"Yes sir, I ran it through the database because I didn't recognise it but this is definitely an Iconian spacegate."
Calling out the commander said "could you all join me in the conference room, mister Grayson call Commander Green and Sarah Hamming's to join us please."
Once everyone was seated, the commander still making a point to avoid the captains chair, they started.
"Starfleet has come across Iconian gateways several times before now, several large enough for ships inside the Solanae and Jenolan Dyson spheres, however until now only one large enough for ships has been found in normal space outside a Dyson sphere and that's in the Jouret system." Started the commander, tapping his console to bring up reports and recordings regarding the Iconians and Iconian gateways.
"The Iconians were an advanced and according to all reports very dangerous race that until recently were believed extinct, they had several servitor races and from recent missions made by some high ranking officers including admiral Tuvok and ambassador Worf that they were and quite possibly are observing us in real time."
Looking at the reports lieutenant Jemina said "According to this the Jouret gateway leads to the Solanae Dyson sphere where the gate to the Jenolan sphere is, It also says that until recently the Jouret gateway was hidden in subspace, I would guess the situation is similar here."
The commander continued, "Starfleet had given standing orders for cases where other large gateways were found saying that a probe should be launched sending data back through the gateway via subspace, Starfleet should be informed and our position held. Can we contact Starfleet and launch a probe?"
Lieutenants Jemina and Marshall both responded with a yes.
"OK, everyone return return to your stations, lieutenant Jemina launch the probe and forward the data in here, lieutenant Marshall contact Starfleet and pipe it in here."
As the other officers left Commander Barker sat for a moment, a mild beeping noise started signalling an incoming call, he tapped his console on the conference room table and turned to face the screen.
Admiral Carlisle Gates a man with blond hair and brown eyes appeared in an office overlooking San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, "Commander Barker, where's Captain Burns and what's this about?"
"Admiral, the San Francisco was boarded, the captain received three strikes by the intruders beam weapons and after we retook the ship he was found dead, as to what this is about, we have found an Iconian gateway, my crew is just sending a probe through now, per Starfleet orders."
As he said this data came through on an adjacent screen, alongside a live feed.
As he looked over it, he did a double take, "admiral this data says the probe is in the Andromeda Galaxy."
