Chapter 2

In his private mess, Commodore North settled in for his post-breakfast cup of coffee while he perused an e-paper. He preferred to actually read the news when he got the chance - to properly digest it - but with his busy schedule he often had to be content with watching the broadcasts at the start and end of each day.

Thankfully, Starbase 1 seemed to be going through a quiet patch lately.

He took in today's front page.

NEWSTIME

A division of the Sol System Information Network

"All the news that's under the sun and beyond."

Saturday, December 20th, 2160

Top Stories:

"Prime Minister to deliver Christmas Day address" by G. Brooks

"Second verteron array completed on Venus" by D. Goodman

"Last white rhino dies in conservation" by S. Rosenberg

"Breakthrough cure for progeria discovered" by H. Klein

"Earth ship detained by Tandaran Militia" by K. Naquase

It was the first story that caught North's eye though. Not least because he recognised the reporter's name. Gannet Brooks was one of Newstime's top journalists, and had provided exceptional coverage of the Romulan War, if a little critical of Starfleet.

There was also the rumour that the war had taken a toll on Earth's Prime Minister, and he was ready to stand down and let his deputy, Lydia Littlejohn, run things until next election. While he had a lot of supporters, few would object to the PM taking a well-deserved early retirement.

North, wondering if the upcoming speech would confirm this rumour, opened the article.

"Prime Minister to Deliver Christmas Day Address"

By Gannet Brooks

THIS morning, the Prime Minister's press relations office released the statement that Nathan Samuels will be delivering a public address on December 25th - still celebrated by many as Christmas Day - to be broadcast live to all United Earth territories.

The purpose or content of this speech has not been revealed, other than it will be "of historic importance," leading to conjecture as to its nature.

There is speculation that Samuels is to announce that he will be stepping down from his position early. He was elected in 2155, on the success of the Coalition of Planets, which Samuels was instrumental in establishing.

Samuels' first term in office was extended in 2159 by special order due to the war, and many have called for an election in peacetime, despite the PM's high approval ratings. Some have ventured that this is what the address will concern.

Of note is the fact that simultaneous speeches have also been announced by the leaders of each of the other Coalition member states - Vulcan, Andoria, Tellar Prime, and the Alpha Centauri system. This has led some to theorise that the alliance is to be disbanded.

The office of the Prime Minister has so far declined to comment on any of these guesses.

The speech will take place on December 25th at 12:00 UTC and will be broadcast on all United Earth newsbands.

As North contemplated this opinion piece, Vaughn entered with his usual cheery smile.

"Good morning, Commodore," he said. "How are you today?"

"Deep in thought, Vaughn," North replied. He held up the e-paper. "What do you make of this?"

Vaughn glanced at the article. "Ah yes, the king's speech."

North smirked. "Very apt."

"Not sure what to think yet, sir. Depends on what he says."

"I suppose," said North.

"Speaking of Christmastime though," Vaughn said, consulting his padd. "Colonel Kostopoulos has some seasonal topics to discuss on behalf of the base clergy. Decorating one of the rec rooms, providing a communal meal - oh, and she's suggested the senior staff have Christmas dinner together." The young lieutenant's round face was almost engulfed by his grin.

North sighed. "I did go and promise myself I'd interact with the crew more, didn't I?"

"Yes, sir, you did," Vaughn said, too happily.

"Very well. I'll mention it to the other senior officers."

"Perhaps Ambassador Mamao'lani would like to join us too, sir?" Vaughn's grin became more brazen.

North looked up wearily. The frequent meetings between him and the Ambassador had led to gossip among the crew. Gossip North would gladly put a stop to if he could. Although, while he still found Mamao'lani grating, he was growing more tolerant of their discussions.

"I'll ask him too, Lieutenant." Before his aide could react, he pointed a finger at him. "Don't go reading too much into that though. It's just a courtesy."

"Of course, sir," Vaughn said, his grin unwavering.

North was thankfully spared further presumptions by Captain Thorpe's voice on the intercom.

"Commodore North to Ops, please. Commodore North to Ops."

North knew that his First Officer relished running the base's daily operations himself, so he'd only be summoning the commodore for something important.

He thumbed the nearby wall intercom. "On my way." He closed the channel again and stood.

"No rest for Santa and his elves," he said to Vaughn as they exited.


When North arrived in Ops, Thorpe was quite animated to see him. The burly younger man looked, quite appropriately for the time of year, like a child who'd awoken to a heap of presents on Christmas morning. North made his way swiftly over to the command console before Thorpe burst.

"Sir, the polar survey team found something!" Thorpe said when North had almost reached him.

"Regarding that metal circle?" North asked. The artefact found by the Tellarites at the northern polar region had been quite the talking point.

"No. Well, yes. And something else."

North held up a hand. "Start at the beginning, Captain."

Thorpe took a breath. "Okay, so, first of all, they think the circle is actually a seal to an underground area. They need a crane to lift it and explore the inside."

North stroked his chin. "This just keeps getting more intriguing."

"That's not all, sir. They found a Draco footprint nearby."

"Draco? In the polar region?"

Thorpe held up a finger theatrically. "The footprint indicates a Draco much, much larger than the ones we know." He pressed a button and his monitor displayed an image of said footprint, with one of the survey team members lying on the ground beside it for scale.

The footprint was twice the length and three times the breadth of the person.

"My word," North quietly exclaimed. "Have they sighted any of these larger Draco?"

"No, just some footprints. And you know how the Draco's bioelectric field makes them difficult to scan for. This version of the species would account for the wildly varying 'dragon' sightings over the years though. Some reported gigantic creatures, but the Draco in the mountains are all ten to fifteen metres long as adults. Big, but hardly massive."

North pointed to the monitor. "How long would this one be?"

Thorpe, far too excited, grinned. "Approximately two hundred meters."

North's eyebrows shot up. "Extraordinary."

He looked away from the monitor, considering the ramifications of this discovery. While they had made peace with the Redscale Clan of Draco in the nearby mountains, initial first contact had been hostile and resulted in three crewmembers' deaths. A much larger variant may be even harder to pacify.

As if sensing the commodore's thought process, Thorpe spoke up. "Sir, I don't need to tell you how important that seal is. What lies beneath it could reveal more revolutionary secrets. We have to explore it. That's what Starfleet's all about, isn't it?"

"You've made your case, Captain," North said with a chiding look. "I assume you will want to lead this expedition?"

Thorpe beamed. "If you insist, sir."

North knew it was futile to argue with his XO over this, and nodded. "I'll leave you to arrange for transportation of a crane. And take two full MACO squads with you, armed with grenade launchers and an EMP generator. If you do spot one of these giant Draco, you are to attempt peaceful contact… but it doesn't hurt to be prepared for the worst."

"Understood."

"In the meantime, I shall inform Ambassador Mamao'lani of this find and ask him to speak to Caeldon, see what she and her clan know of this… distant relation…"

North stared at the huge footprint on the monitor again, pondering on what the being who left it might be like.