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Starbase 74

2364

Raffi Musiker unconsciously straightened her tunic as she approached the door to the briefing room. Dark-skinned with golden-brown hair, she was dressed in the yellow and black uniform of Starfleet Security, the single black chevron across the shoulders denoting her assignment to Starfleet Intelligence.

'Lieutenant Commander Musiker. Requesting access to Briefing Room 12-2. Authorisation Sierra-4-8-8-Indigo.'

'Acknowledged. Access granted,' the computer's cool voice replied, the door to the briefing room hissing open to reveal the imposing figure of Admiral Ross standing next to the curved viewer that dominated the centre of the room. A head taller than her with broad shoulders and his black hair cut short, he wore the dark grey uniform and red under-tunic of Starfleet Command.

'You asked to see me, sir,' Raffi said, coming to attention as the door hissed closed behind her.

'At ease, Commander,' Ross said. 'This Briefing is classified top secret and is not to be discussed outside of this room...'

'Aye, sir,' Raffi said and Ross pressed a button on the console, an image of a starship with a prominent saucer and an angular, swept-back hull appearing on the viewer.

'This is the USS Discovery,' Ross said. 'She was found in Sector 011 a month ago by the USS Hood. However, there's no record of her in any Federation or Starfleet database...'

'Where did she come from...?'

'We don't know,' Ross said. 'She's currently under quarantine here at Starbase. You're orders are to investigate the Discovery and discover her origins...'

'...yes, sir...'

'Dismissed...'

##############

Raffi stepped out of the turbolift onto the Discovery's bridge, walking slowly around the consoles.

Communications...Science...Tactical...Helm...Operations...Engineering...

Completing her circuit of the bridge, she stopped by the dedication plaque mounted on the bulkhead next to the turbolift.

USS Discovery

Crossfield-class

Commissioned 2255

"All things can be understood once they are discovered; the point is to discover them."

'Computer,' Raffi said. 'Detail this vessel's origin and mission profile...'

'That information is restricted...'

'Computer, override restriction. Authorisation Musiker Sierra-4-8-8-Indigo...'

'Authorisation not recognised. That information is restricted...'

'Computer,' Raffi said, moving to the science console. 'Access ship's logs and crew manifest...'

'Unable to comply. Requested files are corrupted...'

'...alright. Computer, locate primary memory storage cores...'

'Primary memory storage is located on Deck 3, section 6...'

##############

'Investigation 447A12C log. Commander Musiker recording. I've removed the isolinear matrices that contain Discovery's personnel files and mission logs so that the Starbase computer can reconstruct them...'

##############

'Computer,' Raffi said. 'Report status of isolinear matrices A11 through A217, B733 and C456...'

'Working...data files are corrupted...'

'How long will it take to reconstruct the files...?'

'Estimated time to reconstruct files is 112 hours...'

'Commence reconstruction,' Raffi ordered and the computer beeped in acknowledgement.

'Working...'

Raffi sat back in her chair, tapping her finger on the desk for a few seconds before standing up...

##############

Raffi spent the next few hours wandering around Discovery, touring through Engineering, the Mess Hall, Sickbay and the Science Labs. She wasn't looking for anything in particular, just wanting to get a feel for the ship as a whole. Finishing looking around Stellar Cartography, she headed for the nearest turbolift.

'Deck 15,' she said as the door hissed closed behind her. The lift beeped in acknowledgement and she felt her stomach drop as the lift headed down. After a few seconds, the lift slowed and she stepped out to find herself in front of a large set of doors similar to those on Main Engineering, which opened as she approached. Stepping through, she found herself in a darkened room, one wall dominated by rows of spherical canisters lit by blue lights. At the back of the room was a raised walkway with a console and viewer, which is adjacent to a transparent booth containing two spheres set atop thin pillars.

'Computer,' Raffi said. 'Identify this location...'

'Current location is the Spore Drive Hub.'

'Computer, define 'Spore Drive'.

'Displacement Activated Spore Drive utilises the mycelium of the prototaxites stellaviatori to access the Mycelial Network, a discrete subspace domain that theoretically enables instantaneous transit to any point in 3 dimensional space. The Spore Drive is regulated by...'

'Thank you,' Raffi said, quickly, cutting off the computer.

##############

'Computer,' Raffi said, as she dropped back into the chair in her office. 'Report status of file reconstruction...'

'Personnel file reconstruction at 34%. Mission log recovery at 7%...'

'Explain difference in completion rate...'

'Personnel files account for approximately 400,000 kiloquads of data. Mission logs account for approximately 2 billion kiloquads of data. Personnel file reconstruction is aided by comparison to Federation databases...'

'Thank you,' Raffi said. 'Display recovered Personnel files,' she ordered , turning her work station towards her, a list of 41 files appearing on the screen.

'Computer, what is the time?'

'The time is 2014...'

'Do you feel up to an all-nighter...?'

'Please restate enquiry...'

'Never mind...'

##############

Raffi opened her eyes with a groan, wincing at the pain in her neck as she sat up, staring blearily at the pile of PADDs scattered across her desk.

'Computer,' she rasped. 'What time is it...?'

'The time is 0817...'

'Computer, locate Admiral Ross,' Raffi said, grabbing PADDs from the desk and stuffing them into a hold-all, slinging it over her shoulder.

'Admiral Ross is on Deck 16...'

##############

After hurriedly returning to her quarters for a cup of coffee, a sonic shower and a change of uniform, Raffi headed for Deck 16. Taking a moment to adjust her collar, she pressed the door chime on the keypad.

'Come,' Admiral Ross said, the door hissing open and Raffi stepped inside.

'Good morning, sir,' Raffi said, Ross looking up from his terminal.

'...at ease, Commander. Did you sleep at your desk at your desk again...?'

'...yes, sir,' Raffi said and Ross sighed.

'What do you have for me?'

'I've managed to reconstruct a portion of Discovery's records and I've discovered...an anomaly...' she said, handing Ross a PADD. 'These are all Officers listed in her crew manifest...'

'Commander Saru. Lt Detmer. Ensign Tilly. Commander Burnham. Commander Stammets. Lt Owosuko. All active serving personnel. Why would they all be listed as personnel on a ship that, according to our records, doesn't exist...?'

'I don't know, sir,' Raffi said. 'It's possible that I could learn more if I could interview those officers...'

'That's...premature, at this time, Commander. Get some sleep and then continue reviewing the files...'

'...yes,sir...'

##############

Raffi removed her uniform jacket as soon as the door to her quarters hisses closed, kicking off her shoes and collapsing on the bed with a groan.

'Computer, dim the lights...'

Despite her exhaustion, her brain didn't want to switch off, theories about the Discovery running through her mind.

Why are those Officers on the crew list? A Romulan ploy to distract us from something? A computer error? A replica? An experimental, classified prototype with a simulated crew? Dammit...

'Screw this,' Raffi muttered, swinging her legs off the bed and grabbing her jacket...

##############

'Computer,' Raffi said, as she took the seat in front of her workstation. 'Report status of Discovery Log reconstruction...'

'Personnel Log reconstruction at 49% completion. Mission Log reconstruction 12% completion. Captain's Log reconstruction 5% completion.'

'Play latest reconstructed Captain's Log...'

'Requsted file is classified. Access denied...'

'Intelligence Musiker Sierra-4-8-8-Indigo...'

'I'm sorry, Commander Musiker. You do not have the required clearance to access those files...'

What the hell...?

'Computer, did your voice just...change...?'

'Please restate enquiry...'

'...never mind,' Raffi said, picking up her PADD and calling up the entries for the Captain's Log, scrolling through to the latest one.

Recorded by Captain Saru. Stardate 865211.3 in...3189? What the hell is going on here...?

'Computer, access current service record for Starfleet Officer Saru, Service Number SC0048-0628TYR.

'Commander Saru is currently assigned as Science Officer, USS Reliant...'

'What is the Reliant's current assignment...?'

'USS Reliant is currently conducting a survey of Akni're IV, prior to First Contact...'

'...thank you...'

##############

'I thought I ordered you to get some rest,' Ross said, the edge in his voice making Raffi stiffen.

'...yes, sir. I couldn't let it go...'

'...alright,' Ross sighed. 'What do you have for me...?'

'According to her logs, Discovery's Captain is a Kelpian Officer named Saru. Our records list him as serving as Science Officer on the USS Reliant. Sir, I believe that Commander Saru may be able to bypass the security restrictions on the Discovery's computer.

'We've been over this, Commander. Until we know more, I'm reluctant to involve anyone else...'

'We'll need to widen the circle eventually, sir. I'm convinced that we won't be able to learn more without Commander Saru...'

'...very well,' Ross said, tapping his commbadge. 'Ross to Communications. Contact USS Reliant, priority one.'

'Aye, sir...'

'Do you have any theories, Commander?' Ross asked and Raffi hesitated.

'...yes, sir. But, I don't have sufficient evidence to support or eliminate them...'

'Understood,' Ross nodded, as his commbadge beeped.

'Communications to Admiral Ross. I have Captain Tyrel on the Reliant...'

'Thank you,' Ross said, pressing a button on his terminal, an image of a dark-skinned man with a neat beard appearing.

'Admiral Ross...'

'Captain Tyrel. I know you're busy, so I'll keep this brief. I need to speak to your Science Officer, Commander Saru...'

'May I ask what matter it's regarding, sir...?'

'It's a...sensitive issue that I can only discuss with Commander Saru. However, I can assure you that it's not a disciplinary matter...'

'...very well. I'll transfer you to Commander Saru, now...'

Captain Tyrel's image vanished from the monitor to be replaced by that of Commander Saru.

'Commander Saru here, Admiral. How...may I help you...?'

'We...require your assistance in an ongoing investigation. I'm going to pass you over to Commander Musiker, Starfleet Intelligence...'

'Commander Saru,' Raffi said. 'During an investigation of a derelict Federation vessel, we have come across a number of mission logs recorded in your name. We would ask that you use your security authorisation to attempt to access these logs...'

'The Seventh Guarantee of the Federation Charter protects all members from self-incrimination. Before I answer, I have a right to know whether I am accused of anything...'

'You...are not under investigation, Commander, nor are you suspected of any misconduct or illegal activity,' Raffi answered, after glancing at Ross.

'...very well..."

'Thank you. Computer, access captain's log for Stardate 865211.3...'

'That file is restricted. Authorisation requested...'

'Computer, this is Commander Saru. Authorisation, Saru-Gamma-1-6-3-9...'

'Access granted. Welcome back, Captain Saru...'

'Captain...?'

'Commander, please order the computer to transfer access of these files to me,' Raffi said and Saru nodded.

'...as you wish. Computer, please transfer all restricted files to Commander Musiker.'

'Acknowledged. Commander, please state your authorisation code...'

'Musiker Sierra-4-8-8-Indigo...'

'Thank you, Commander Musiker. Files have been transferred.

'Commander Saru,' Ross said. 'We'll require your presence here to continue our investigation...'

'Admiral, with respect, our mission is at a crucial stage. We are about to make First Contact with...'

'I'm sorry, Commander, but this takes presidence. Your transfer orders will be issued inside the hour. I suggest that you make your preparations...'

'...yes, sir...'

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Any reviews, comments or constructive criticisms are very welcome.