A/N: This is a short account of my first RP event with the 26th Fleet, an RP guild in Star Trek Online. I am not sure if I perceived everything as it really happened, and I hope my descriptions don't deviate too much from how people play out their roles. Please read and review. Hope you enjoy it. I would like to acknowledge Paltra Nerot and Koppenflak for assistance in the "reconstruction" of the story flow.
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Episode 1: The Search for USS Roosevelt
Stardate 96712.7
It was a rather busy afternoon at Torg's Bar. Whether the crewmen of 26th Fleet came back from their missions or the Praetorian was flooded with new arrivals like himself, Yorkin couldn't say for sure. He didn't recognize the faces yet. Commander Meyers of USS Jonas Salk, the only officer Yorkin met face-to-face, was certainly not among them. Leaning against the bar, Yorkin was slowly sipping his third prune juice. Communique from any of the flag officers had yet to be received, save for Admiral T'Molina's acknowledgement they noted Mendeljejev's transfer and arrival.
"But then again, the traffic was high. Praetorian is as busy as Deep Space 9 was during the Dominion War period.", Yorkin rationalised, "We are a rather small crew. They can't prioritise us just like that. And we've been here for only two days."
His crew, with the help of few junior engineers from Jonas Salk, made the necessary adjustments to the Mendeljejev's systems, and then took the liberty of booking a time (or many times) at Praetorian's holodecks – a luxury that was unavailable on Nova- and Rhode Island-class science vessels. More nerdy ones went straight to science labs to check out the equipment and ("More likely..." Yorkin thought) to mingle with crews of the starbase and other vessels. If there was one thing he was proud about his crew, it was the fact they put a lot of effort into networking. "But they always return to that small science bucket." he thought with a smile. As for himself, he preferred to stay close by the ship. Shenya, his Kobali XO, Golonun, a Reman helm officer and Dr. Skal, his CMO, shared this habit.
"Senior officers should always stick with their ship." - that was Captain Aulder's policy and Yorkin had no intention of changing it.
He closed his eyes and listened to his surroundings. He could feel their physical presence, but no matter how much he tried to focus, he couldn't feel their emotional presence, not even superficially. "I guess there is nothing Vulcan in me after all.", he thought. His maternal family was vulcanishly ignorant of him ever since he utterly failed on entrance exams of Vulcan Youth Education Center, at the age of 6. His mother, however, found it "logically acceptable" and cherished him no less than before. That was one thing he never doubted. In spite of that "failure", she taught him basic principles of Surak's teachings, IDIC philosophy and meditation practices. "That's all I have left of her.", thought crossed his mind as tried to focus.
"You are trying too hard. You need to relax more.", a gentle voice commented. He opened his eyes and turned his head to the source of this new sound. "Turn the other way.", the voice said, giggling. As he did, a young woman came into his field of view. She was slim and was slightly shorter. Dark hair was covering her narrow shoulders, and her skin was tanned but still looked gentle. He noticed wide and dark irises in her eyes. There was something decently feminine in her appearance. "Do you always take long scans?", she asked with obvious sarcasm.
"Oh, forgive me. I didn't mean to be rude.", he apologised, feeling suddenly warm in face. "You are Betazoid.", he concluded.
"And yet, rude you are. As you are correct about my origin. Paltra Nerot, doctor fresh from Starfleet Academy, arrived on USS Copenhagen.", she replied with a fiendish but charming smile and extended her hand in a greeting gesture.
"Pleased to meet you, Doctor. Lieutenant Commander, Yorkin Sinderion, USS Mendeljejev. Newcomer like myself, I presume?", he asked as they shook hands.
"Well, someone has a winning streak today, Commander."
"Thank you, Doctor. And please, call me Yorkin."
"Please, call me Paltra." she said imitating him. He replied with a giggle.
"What did you mean by 'trying too hard'?", he asked curiously.
"Your mental powers. They are not properly trained and harassing yourself might diminish them.", she explained in a pedagogical, patronising tone.
"My mental powers?! You can sense them?!"
"They are not as strong as with other Vulcans I encountered, but there is something there. Of course, I suppose you are not Vulcan completely.", she deduced.
"Guess I am not the only one with the winning streak, huh?", he said, still smiling, and feeling a bit awkward by now. "I thought you, Betazoids, did not probe onto other individuals without their consent."
"That is true, Yorkin, but when a singular personality stands out of the crowd, it is difficult not to sense its presence. In a way, you were mentally screaming in my face, so to speak.", she said bluntly.
"Are you related to Ambassador Troi in some way? I heard she was quite – direct, even for a Betazoid."
"Oh, already complimenting me. My, my… But no, I am not. You give me too much credit.", she responded. "But to return to the original question – yes, I arrived this very morning. What about you?" she asked with, what Yorkin considered, a sincere curiosity.
"We docked two days ago. Command seems to be busy, so we are still on stand by. What brings a young doctor to The Outback?"
"As always, putting my skills at disposal to people in need. Whether it is the Great Magellanic Cloud, Milky Way or here, at Futara Mundi, a true doctor goes where she feels it is needed. As the old Earth saying goes – doctors without borders.", she explained as if defending her case in a martial court. Yorkin was feeling impressed, even charmed by her presence. Was he caught off guard somehow?
"That's devotion. I guess I am here for a similar reason. Speaking of Magellan, we were actually stationed at that starbase for the last two years. Part of the post-Iconian Alliance Exploration Initiative." As they were talking, the bar became crowded, forcing them to shorten the distance between them. Yorkin glanced shortly at the tables that overlooked the starbase promenade. The one he shared with Commander Meyers the other day was now occupied by Human male, who seemed preoccupied with reading a PADD he held.
"Do you think we should mingle with him?", she asked.
"I don't know.", Yorkin said insecurely. "He doesn't look like he wants to be bothered. What do your senses tell you?"
"Now, now, Yorkin. You know I can't probe people at random.", she smiled. "He does seem comfortable around here, though. Might be one of the long-serving officers around. Come on. Let's introduce ourselves.", she said encouragingly and took Yorkin under the hand.
As they walked towards the table, Yorkin noticed three golden pips on the Human's uniform collar. He must've been deep into his reading, for he did not notice the two officers approaching him. Yet, he didn't seem surprised or startled in any way when Yorkin addressed him. Paltra withdrew her arm.
"Excuse us, Commander, sir, for the interruption.", Yorkin began, "But would you like to join us at the bar?"
"You are not interrupting at all…", the Human replied politely and gazed at Yorkin's pips "Commander…?"
"Yorkin Sinderion, sir."
"Doctor Paltra Nerot, just arrived from the Academy, sir."
As they introduced themselves, the man stood up and extended the hand to Paltra, and then to Yorkin, as he returned the introduction. "Commander James Decker, CO of the USS Hunter.. Welcome to The Outback. Of course I will join you. Meeting new people is part of the work, right?" he said rhetorically and stood up, taking the PADD with him.
The trio then returned to the main bar, which became quite populated in those few minutes they were not there. Commander Decker raised his hand and signalled Torg, who simply nodded and poured three beverages. Coffee, prune juice and something green for Paltra, Yorkin and Decker, respectively. One of the aides brought the drinks to them, as they situated themselves some distance away from the crowded part.
"So what brings the two of you here?", Decker asked cheerfully.
"Oh, well… The usual. Exploring the new frontiers.", Yorkin replied unimaginatively, "So much for a good impression.", he thought to himself.
"I agree. The Milky Way is sort of boring. Been there all MY life.", Paltra added grinning. Decker smiled nonchalantly and Yorkin felt a small surge of envy. Whether Paltra sensed it or not, she continued in a joking tone: "I mean… The Federation, the Klingons, the Romulans… not so exciting anymore."
"My good doctor, I think you will find The Outback more than enticing. Watch your six, it may overwhelm you."
"I've read some of the reports. The whole area is just teeming with anomalies.", Yorkin commented.
"It is like a ZOO, anyone serving here for over a year will confirm that.", Decker agreed.
"How long have you been here, sir?", Paltra asked and took a sip of coffee, "Sounds like you had quite an adventure."
"Here you don't need to look for one, doctor.", Decker said and gazed into Paltra for a brief moment, "I came here during the Iconian War, escorting a supply convoy and some refugees. The Outback was a war zone, but not as much as Beta Quadrant. And then… adventure found its way." he finished.
"Yeah...", said Yorkin to no one in particular, disconnected for a brief moment, but still long enough for Paltra to sense his mood swing.
"Yorkin, are you alright?", she asked.
"I'm… fine. Just…", he mumbled, trying to look for proper words, "We lost a lot of good people back then…"
"You are not responsible for what happened to them.", she said with the calm voice and put a hand on his left shoulder, suddenly undeterred by Decker's presence. "If you ever require counseling…"
"Of course.", Yorkin replied shortly. Before he could return the conversation to its normal pace, a whistle-like signal could be heard all over the Torg's bar. It was a comm broadcast.
"This is Admiral Kai, to all vessel commanding officers on Praetorian. Report to the main briefing room in 10 minutes.", a female voice with a sound of strictness spoke over the comm.
"Saved in a nick of time… ", Decker commented, grinning. "Care to join, Commander, Doctor?"
"Are we qualified to participate?", Yorkin asked indecisively.
"Given the circumstances, I think the Admiral will appreciate an extra pair of hands.", Decker replied enigmatically. Yorkin and Paltra nodded.
"Admiral sounds like a true Vulcan woman.", Paltra whispered to Yorkin as they followed Decker to the briefing room, lagging a few metres behind.
"You can sense her?!", he asked astonishingly.
"No, but I know a Vulcan when I hear one.", she said confidently with a wink. Few moments later, they entered a large oval-shaped room. The room itself did not have many decorations, save for the few plants at the door entrance. It was clearly designed to have no distractions for its users. A rectangular, semi-transparent glass table and nine chairs were in the centre of the room. At the head of the table, opposite of the room entrance, a brown-haired woman in her forties (as Yorkin estimated) was sitting. Much to Paltra's and his dismay – the woman turned out to be a Human.
—
Admiral Kai was stiffly sitting at the head of the table. Along with her, Yorkin, Paltra and Decker, there were eight more people, of various races, that entered the room. As Commander Decker briefly explained to Yorkin and Paltra, they were all senior staff aboard newly-commissioned Alita-class ship, USS Dawn Treader, save for the very tall Caitian, Kasserat R'Rwo, who was in the MACO unit. He seemed like a person not to be joked around with. In spite of a room crowded with people, the atmosphere was silent and tense. Only a general noise from outside could be heard, dampened against walls of the room.
"Or, perhaps, by the silence of those present here. Almost malevolent silence.", thought crossed Paltra's mind, as she tried to screen herself from the mixture of emotions.
Admiral Kai allowed herself a gentle cough before she started. "Thank you all for coming. This is little on a short notice, given Dawn Treader's fresh commission, but she and Hunter are the only ships available."
Yorkin turned his head towards the Admiral. "Pardon for interruption, Admiral, but Mendeljejev is also at your disposal."
"I appreciate your enthusiasm, Commander, but given the circumstances, both Mendeljejev and Copenhagen are underpowered for this particular task.", Kai replied as she was looking at her PADD, and then turned her gaze to him. "However, your help would be appreciated. Dawn Treader won't receive her full crew complement before next Tuesday and, to my understanding, Commander Farah here..." Kai pointed at a young Orion woman who was sitting to the right of her, and just in front of Yorkin, "...would require someone at the helm."
The Orion Commander turned around in the chair and nodded at Yorkin. "I wouldn't like to take you away from your crew, though."
"We haven't been given assignments yet so I suppose a ride with you won't harm me."
"Thank you.", Saadia Farah replied and turned back to the table. "We also have a need for a CMO temporarily."
"Dr. Nerot could fill in the role for the time being.", Kai said briefly, to which Paltra nodded. "Good, now to business… At 0800 this morning, USS Roosevelt, commanded by Captain Adams, responded to a distress call from a freighter in sector N-20. At 0900 hours, Roosevelt reported to rendezvous with the freighter. Since then – it has gone dark."
"Completely dark, Admiral?", one of the officers said. "It's Sovereign-class."
"I am as puzzled as you are, Lieutenant.", the admiral nodded in agreement. "There is no indication the ship was destroyed, but given the recent events in The Outback...", she left the sentence unfinished.
"Do you suspect the Scourge involvement?", the Caitian spoke.
"Anything is possible, Commander. That's why I want MACO included.", Kai replied. "What is the status of Dawn Treader, Commander Farah?"
"Apart from incomplete crew complement, all ship systems were running smoothly. Some non-essentials are missing, but they will arrive by Tuesday, I was told."
"I wish we could give her one more shakedown cruise, but I guess this time is as good as any.", said Lieutenant T'Val, ship's chief engineer. "Why are all things almost always due Tuesday?"
Admiral Kai paused for a while before answering, as if she herself was not ready to believe the answer she provided: "Institutional hazard, Lieutenant, I am afraid. One with the tradition dating back to one of the Starfleet's flaghips."
As she finished her elaboration, a Human male entered the room. He was wearing a standard engineer's work suit and his left cheek was covered in dirt. In spite of that, he had the demeanour and stance of a ship commander. "Captain Jack Auliffe, reporting for duty, Admiral. I beg your pardon, but we just adjusted one of the EPS conduits."
"We were just about to wrap up, Captain. But I am sure you are already acquainted with the situation." Admiral said and turned to Decker. "Commander, Hunter will accompany Dawn Treader. Coordinate with Captain Auliffe and Commander Saadia. We can't be overcautious on this one. Dismissed, everyone."