Chapter 3:

Stargazer

We've reached the designated coordinates, Captain." Kirk looks to Sulu. "Thank you, Lt."

He turns to Spock, "Anything, Spock." "Nothing on scanners." "No distress calls coming, Captain," Uhura said.

Sulu's console alarmed, however, "Sir, my console is reading something strange." "Elaborate, Lt." Spock said. "I can't, sir."

"Onscreen." Kirk looks at the screen. "Is that a blackhole?" "Unknown, Captain," Spock replies. Kirk orders, "Evasive maneuvers!"

The Enterprise jolts. "We're clear of the blackhole, sir," Sulu exclaims. Kirk orders a Red Alert. "Steer clear from it!" Sulu acknowledges.

The Enterprise propels away from the strange phenomenon. "Damage report!" Spock answers, "No serious injuries, Captain. Medical Bay is standing by.

Kirk pushes a comm button: "Scotty, how's our warp engines?" Montgomery Scott answers, "Our warp drive wasn't activated. Our propulsion remains the same, sir."

"Acknowledge." Looking to comm. "Uhura, anything?" "There appears to be recent weapons fire nearby. Several small ships are breaking apart in orbit of a Class-M planet in this system."

"What the Hell is that?" Sulu outbursts. Kirk looks to his navigator "Hikaru?" "This is strange, sir. It appears to be weapons fire on the surface of that planet, and it's going into space."

Uhura: "Sir, there is a ship adrift in orbit of that planet." Kirk confirms, "Spock?" "Analyzing." The Vulcan looks into his scope at his science station. "Fascinating!"

He turns to his captain. "Those small ships that Comm. Uhura picked up are escape pods from the adrift ship." Kirk asks for clarity, "Certain?" "Fully. Logic dictates the recent weapons fire was from a battle that took place just prior to our arrival. It appears to be that there is at least one survivor, and it is possible that he's calling for help."

"A distress call? From a phaser?" Sulu asks. "That's ingenious." "Indeed," the Vulcan replied. "He probably had no way to contact his ship. It's amazing that no one had come before us."

"Mr. Sulu, move us into synchronous orbit of the planet and scan for more life signs." "Aye, sir. Engaging impulse engines to maximum." Kirk added, "And let's get a look at that ship."

The Enterprise gets a closer look at the adrift ship. "Registry: NCC-2893. USS Stargazer." "Nice name," Sulu said. Kirk ordered, "Hailing frequencies." Uhura: "Aye, sir. No response."

Spock reported, "I'm detecting one life form on the planet surface. From these readings, the individual will suffer hyperventilation and frostbite if we do not act quickly." Over the PA system, "Kirk to McCoy, meet me in the transporter room." Bones replies, "On my way, Jim." "Spock, you're with me. Sulu, you have the conn." "Aye, sir. I'll keep an open commlink." "A wise decision." Spock appraised the Lt.

Kirk, Spock and "Bones" step onto the pads and says, "Energize!"