━━ Jim Anomaly
System Loading... Bethany O'Neal... 28%

Bethany didn't know how to feel at Jim's logic. Part of her wanted to trust him as she had in the past, but part of her also knew that something about the way he said it felt more personal. That he was thinking with just his head, but more his heart. He was emotionally involved with this lightning storm theory and she couldn't quite figure out why.

Spock didn't seem to buy his explanation either, "Based on what facts?"

Jim looked at the rest of the crew as they waited for a reason behind his request, but when his eyes landed on Bethany he focused on her. She was his anchor as he recalled the story of the moment he was born and the moment he lost his father, "That same anomaly, a lightning storm in space that we saw today, also occurred on the day of my birth. Before a Romulan ship attacked the USS Kelvin."

Bethany felt her eyes widen as she stared at him. She felt extremely stupid for not having pieced the report to Jim. She remembered Pike mentioning it the day they met, but she hadn't sought out the report. She figured he would tell her hiss story when he was ready.

Jim continued his explanation, but his focus was on Pike, "You know that, sir, I read your dissertation. That ship which had formidable and advanced weaponry was never seen or heard from again. The Kelvin attack took place on the edge of Klingon space and at twenty-three hundred hours last night, there was an attack. Forty-seven Klingon warbirds destroyed by a Romulan, sir. It was reported that the Romulans were in one ship, one massive ship."

"And you know of this Klingon attack, how?" Pike asked.

Jim looked over his shoulder at Nyota who looked uncomfortable underneath so many eyes. However one nod from Spock refilled her purpose for being there. She took a step forward and began relaying the information she had translated earlier that week, "Sir, I intercepted and translated the message myself. Kirk's report is accurate."

"How do we know it's the same technology that was used the day the USS Kelvin was attacked?" Reagan asked.

"We don't." Bethany answered, looking over at Pike. "But we do know that this kind of anomaly couldn't be a coincidence. Especially since our mission is to assist Vulcan with whatever distress they are experiencing. It's best to be prepared rather than regret it later."

"We're warping into a trap, sir. The Romulans are waiting for us, I promise you that." Jim stated.

A silence settled over the crew as Pike turned to await Spock's verdict, "The Cadet's logic is sound. And Lieutenant Uhura is unmatched in xenolinguistics, we would be wise to accept her conclusion."

Reagan scoffed lightly, "Of course you trust HER judgement."

Leonard shot her a look, but she dismissed him with a wave of her hand. Bethany maneuvered herself back to stand next to Leonard. She felt her body break into a cold sweat as a feeling of dread washed over her. This mission wasn't going to have a happy ending and there was nothing she could do to stop the suffering that would ultimately come before them.

Moments later Pike made a decision and ordered, "Scan Vulcan space, check for any transmissions in Romulan."

The lieutenant on duty looked over at his captain, "Sir, I'm not sure I can distinguish the Romulan language from Vulcan."

Pike turned to look at Nyota, "What about you? Do you speak Romulan, Cadet?"

"Uhura." Nyota said. "All three dialects, sir."

"Uhura, relieve the lieutenant."

"Yes, Sir."

Bethany moved out of her way so that Nyota could begin sending a transmission out to the other ships in their vicinity. However, worry encompassed her features as Uhura stayed silent. Bethany leaned against Reagan's consul and waited with bated breath for good or bad news.

"Hannity, hail the USS Truman." Pike ordered.

"All the other ships are out of warp, sir, and have arrived at Vulcan, but we seem to have lost all contact." Hannity answered, punching codes in a desperate attempt to communicate with the rest of their fleet.

"Sir, I pick up no Romulan transmission, or transmission of any kind in the area." Nyota finally announced.

"Oh my sweet baby Jesus." Bethany whispered as her fears were confirmed.

"It's because they're being attacked." Jim announced.

"We'll need to set up triage if they were." Bethany whispered to Leonard.

The man nodded, "I've already informed Nurse Chapel of the situation."

Bethany nodded and looked back up to Pike, who appeared deep in thought. The brunette glanced over her shoulder at Reagan, who looked ready to jump into action at a moment's notice. Beside her Leonard was punching things into his communicator, trying to warn the rest of the medical staff in advance . Finally, she looked to Jim only to find him watching her.

The man maneuvered himself so he was standing beside her. He gently took her hand in his own and rubbed soothing circles on top of her delicate hand. Bethany spared him a worried glance as his eyes stayed glued to the view of space outside. She squeezed it hard as she awaited her orders. Ready to head to the medical bay with a single word.

"Shields up, red alert." Pike ordered, taking a seat back in the captain's chair.

"Arrival in Vulcan in five seconds... four... three... two…" Sulu counted.

Bethany spared one final glance at Leonard, Jim, and finally Reagan before her attention returned to the screen. The ship came out of warp with a jolt as every eye watched in horror at the scene laid before them. Various federation ships were obliterated with people gliding through space in a frozen state. Bethany couldn't look away as her sympathies and horror went out to them.

"Emergency evasive." Pike called.

"Running sir."

"Damage report." Pike ordered.

"Deflector shields are holding."

"All stations. Engineer Olson, report." Pike asked, but received nothing in return. "Full reverse, come about starboard ninety degrees, drop us underneath and…"

The order died on the man's lips as they all finally saw the cause of such destruction. In its full glory was a ship more massive than any of the federation and was clearly far more advanced in combat. Bethany felt the breath leave her at all the carnage that surrounded the ship. It was a beautiful graveyard, and they were only getting started.