Chapter 4

Starfleet Command, San Francisco

The 'war room' at Starfleet Command had not stopped buzzing since the USS Minsk abruptly ended its transmission of the electromagnetic storm it encountered in the Alonious VII system. Since then the Minsk has not responded to further attempts of communication from Starfleet Command. Just buy the look of the busy Starfleet Officers inside the 'war room' one would think that the Federation was about to go back to war.

"Admiral," A Science officer manning a science station inside the 'war room' said, instantly getting the Admiral's attention.

"Yes Captain, what is it?"

"Sir, we have analyzed all the information the Minsk sent use on the electromagnetic anomaly they encountered. Based on its sudden appearance and the data retrieved by the Minks' computers we can say for sure that this was not a natural occurrence."

"What are you trying to tell me Captain? Somebody created this anomaly?"

"Sir, I am not trying to imply anything at this moment. I am just reporting on the data we have analyzed. There is one thing that bothers me sir. The energy readings form the Minsk shows that the electromagnetic storms energy output was not strong enough to destroy or even heavily damage the Minsk if she did indeed venture into the storm."

"What would her condition be is she had moved into the storm?" Asked the Admiral with a very deep interest in the conversation.

"Well sir," The Captain took a moment to look over his data and make a clear educated assessment, "A Sabre Class Starship, flying into a storm reported by the Minsk would have minor hull damage, maybe a complete loss of shields. Short and Long Range Sensors, and communication should still be online. The engines should also still be online and running. In all respects I cannot find a reason why the Minsk is missing, she should still be space worthy."

The Admiral took in the information and stroked his chin with his left hand thinking about what to do next. Why have we not heard back from the Minsk then? It was a question that kept running around the Admiral's mind and no answers dawned on him at all. It did not make sense to him, ships just don't disappear.

A young Ensign came up to the Admiral and tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. The Admiral quickly turned and gave the young Ensign an un-welcomed expression that made even the senior science officer cringe.

"Ensign," The Admiral paused for effect, "Do I have to remind you that tapping a superior officer on the shoulder is not an appropriate way to his attention?

The Ensign was now starting to sweat under the heavy words of the Admiral. He remembered just last week the Admiral did not mind the tapping, he actually told him he would rather feel the tapping then be verbally interrupted. Confusion was the life of a Admiral's personal assistant.

Still speechless the Admiral was now clearly becoming very impatient with the young Ensign. Normally the six foot nine inch Admiral did not tower over the six foot three inch Ensign, but at this very moment the Admiral looked a good ten feet tall.

"Well Ensign, you bothered me for a reason, what is it?"

"Sorry sir, We just received word from Captain Picard that he has sent Captain Kirk to investigate the Minks' disappearance.

"Captain Kirk?"

"Yes sir. He is the Captain of the USS Darkhawk. He just left Utopia Panitia a few hours ago heading for Deep Space 9."

"Ah yes, Captain Kirk. Thank you Ensign." The Admiral said clearly not knowing who this Captain Kirk was.

Walking down to the ship deployment section of the 'war room' the Admiral spotted two ships still in Earth's orbit. The Captains' on board those ships were close friends of the Admirals, both owed him favors. He decided he would send those two ships after the Minsk to relieve Captain Kirk. The Admiral did not trust Captains he did not know personally and to top it off he did not have a particular liking for Captain Picard, the Admiral feels he is bit of a 'hot shot' of a Captain.

The Ensign was now back at the Admiral's side. He wanted to make up for the mistake he made just moments ago.

"Shall I contact the Captains of those ships and have them report to Alonious VII?"

"What rank are you?" Asked the Admiral with out looking at the Ensign.

"Sir?"

"It is a simple question, what-rank-are-you?" The Admiral repeated slowly.

The Ensign was starting to sweat again. He did not understand why the Admiral was asking, he could easily see his rank on the Ensigns' collar.

"Sir, I am an Ensign."

"Not for long if you keep tapping me and taking the words out of my mouth," The Admiral peered down on the you Ensign as he adjusted his collar. "Now listen carefully Ensign. I want you to contact Captain Young of the USS Trident, and Captain Smith of the USS Lion Heart and have both ship leave Earth with in the hour and head directly to Alonious VII at Maximum Warp."

Again the Admiral left the Ensign standing alone shaking in his boots. It was something the Admiral was rather well known for doing. If he was nice to his personal assistance then it was a good indication that he did not like them.

"Get moving CADET!"

The Ensign ran out of the room at nearly transwarp speeds towards the large fleet communications room, where he would contact the USS Trident and the USS Lion Heart. They would be moving towards Alonious VII sooner than when the Admiral wanted. Thought the Ensign who was now trying harder to please the Admiral.

The main screen in a private communications room came to life as the Ensign hailed both the USS Trident and the USS Lion Heart. As soon as both men connected to the conversation the Ensign started to inform them of their new mission.

"Captains, I have been ordered by Admiral Henderson to send you on a very important mission."