Mission Log 19 - Stardate 21502.03 "Homecoming"

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Mission Summary

The Sheridan is dispatched to investigate a powerful subspace phenomenon taking place in the Romulan Neutral Zone near the Devari nebula. Upon arrival they discover traces of a short lived subspace tear and a largish asteroid that exited the tear which is beginning to break up.

Suddenly a second tear opens close to the Sheridan and a vessel, the USS Erebus, appears and comes to rest nearby. The Erebus is in sad shape, main power is out, hull integrity down to less than 30% and she’s heavily irradiated. Numerous weak lifesigns are detected and it appears that roughly a quarter of her crew are dead.

Also, the Erebus is lost out of time, she disappeared in 2255 more than one hundred and fifty nine years ago. An away team is sent over to the Erebus to give what aid they can. It is then discovered that the Erebus was dying because her ‘Quantum frequency signature’ was wildly out of tune with the Sheridan. She’s disintegrating because her own molecular structure was too alien to survive within this universe.

Now the Romulan’s had arrived this matter would have to dealt with very fast. The reply from Erei’Riov Tarus, a serious looking female with a long face is quite curt in that she orders the Federation to leave or be destroyed. However, after a little gentle persuasion from Captain Vaughn, she allows them to make repairs and gives them 2 hours to do so.

She is also adamant that if either vessel begins carrying out what looks like subspace weapons experimentation, the Morion will open fire. After this the cruiser retreats to a range of 100,000 Kilometers and continued to watch them both. During this the Sheridan’s science department suggest that the only way to return the Erebus to its proper timeline is to re-open the rift, to do this the destroyer must emit a focused graviton beam through her main deflector dish.

None of the tractor mounts would be powerful enough, and modifying the dish takes around 20 minutes. It is also mentioned that the Silithium within the asteroid could be used to help find their way home. Changing the isotope’s resonance could allow them to find the proper subspace frequency to open the rift and send Erebus home.

During this stage the Sheridan had to remain within 70,000 Kilometers of the rifts focal point and generating the field caused a tremendous drain on her systems. This also compromises her ability to generate a stable shield bubble and during the procedure her protection is reduced by 50%. As they commence the procedure they have to configure the graviton beam correctly and start by using an inverse Tachyon scan which shows a Silithium trail leading deep into subspace, this shows the way home for the Erebus and takes around 5 minutes.

The engineers and science departments manage to tune the graviton beam and fire. With a flash a rift is opened and sensors detect a massive spike in Tetryon radiation which begins to cause damage to the Erebus and Sheridan.

At the moment they fire the Morion signals demanding to know what they are doing and that they cease at once.

Captain Vaughn manages to placate the Romulan Commander by again stating firmly that they are trying to get the Erebus home and are in no way intending to start a war over this. The Morion stood down for now. After the initial opening of the rift the Sheridan picks up transmissions from search parties looking for the Erebus.

Contacting Captain Franklin he tells them the ship has got enough power to move, thanks to the away team’s intervention. The still damaged vessel moves to the rift and goes through, just as another rock slips through, before the rift closes leaving the Sheridan alone. Again the Morion demands the Sheridan leaves the area and her weapons activate and Captain Vaughn agrees and orders them to leave.

As they move off sensor scans show the rock is disintegrating just like the Erebus, so they realise the ship has successfully returned home. In the meantime the Morion shadows the Sheridan as they move towards the Federation border and as they cross, the Romulan cruiser peels away and goes to warp, heading back into their territory. With the damage done by the rifts radiation, repairs begin in earnest and the Engineers spend most of the 16 day return trip doing what they can.

Logs

COMMANDER GRIFFIN WRIGHT, FIRST OFFICER

First Officer's Log Stardate 21505.14 Commander Wright

Well, things have gone mostly smoothly as of late. After things settled down with Sothrick and Davis, and Theo started to warm to the Chief Engineer's role, we made our way to the neutral zone and encountered a rift in space-time. During the course of our investigation, we discovered a derelict Starfleet vessel reported missing 150 years ago which exited the rift.

Investigation revealed the ship was dead in the water, with a number of life-signs aboard. We considered multiple options for a rescure and recovery mission, and have ultimately decided on transporting an away team. To my anxious yet pleasant surprise, I was chosed to head up the away team. This will be my first time in such a capacity, and I can tell Theo isn't terribly confident in my abilities yet. I hope to prove him wrong. We'll beam over shortly together along with several other crewmembers, and hopefully have a jolly quick trip with a 100% recovery rate.

But who am I kidding? That won't happen.

An audible sigh can be heard in the background along with fingers tapping on the desk

On a more personal note, I've been in touch with Maggie, and thought we've only written messages, we've been able to talk through things and work some things out. A combination of stress, high emotions, and misunderstandings led to our rapid separation, but we've come to a good understanding and still want to make things work. She's on the Avenger, but hopefully we can make our paths cross sometime during shore-leave. I want to be optimistic about us. But at the same time, I need to be realistic. It'd be great if those two things could align for once...

Well, time to suit up and head to the transporter room. For now, that's all.

End Log.

LIEUTENANT CLEO BANKS, CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICER

Chief Science Officers Log Stardate 21504.18 Lieutenant Cleo Banks reporting

I guess I haven't been that great at doing these in my time at the desk, but maybe I'll make an effort to start. Boy, have things changed. First the mission, it seems we're to investigate an incident in the Tarod Sector. Something happened and its all hush hush, could be Romulans. Who the hell knows. I just know an Asteroid appeared from seemingly no where, and I smell time travel. Initially I was hoping to stay on the ship, but now I hope to get a look at the asteroid. Specifics on the asteroid are as follows.

Asteroid details Sensor scan: Object number S-35583. Physical dimensions: 1800 metres by 1482 meters (roughly spherical) General Composition: Nickel-iron, carbon matrix Atmosphere: Negative Hydrosphere: Negative Life Signs: Negative Organic Matter: Negative Power Sources: Negative Emission signatures: Minor Alpha and Gamma radiation (consistent with deep space exposure). No RF (radio frequency) or subspace transmissions detected. Anomaly: 1.54 Hz ionic signature, no known source* Anomaly: Faint (and decreasing) verteron and chroniton traces, source unknown Specific Mass: Aproximately 831 million metric tons. Specific Composition: Nickel-Iron 63% Carbon-diamond matrix 36% Platinum .3% Molybdenum .25% Gold .05% Silithium .000843%

No other asteroids in the area. More to come on this, Im sure.

And to add a personal touch, weird occurances have been happening. For one, Sothrick and I have been dating. Lorelei seems all too happy to call him Dada. Shes nearing eight months, and starting to crawl and pull up. Theo and Griffin, from the Dauntless, are now on the ship. Griffin is the FO, and Theo somehow got put into the CEOs position. It's confusing, all of it.

Everything I thought I felt for Blade, has melted away, and now Ive started a family here. Not only that, but my father has been found alive. Hes very weak, but recovering on Earth. Oh, and Ive gotten to know Sharpe a bit better too, and hes not so bad. Mostly.

Better get back to work.

End Log.

LT COMMANDER TOUROCK SOTHRICK, CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER

Chief Of security Officers Log Stardate 21505.13 Lieutenant Commander Sothrick Recording:

Security teams are reporting in as we are about to undertake our next mission. A mission leading us to the Neutral Zone and possible Romulan interaction. Lieutenant Pedersen after some behavior issues has been transferred from the ship. I consider it a personal failure in my training and expectations with this particular individual. She was difficult possibly stemming from her once holding my current position however judging from what I had seen she was not mature enough for it then and had not gained that ability under my training either.

He took a sip from a steaming mug

We have gained a new Midshipman to our ranks. One of whom I had checked into her class work in the academy and have been very impressed. My fathers office had actually pointed her out to me as a possible. She had also applied to Star Fleet Intelligence, and had it not been for her mere lack of experience they had considered her. I meet with her shortly, a Midshipman Fara Zelix. My hopes are that she can be an integral part of my crew. We have also taken on a replacement for the loss of our Commander Alex Ankar. A new First Officer, Commander Griffin Wright has also joined our crew. He also has a back ground in Security as it would seem all our commanding officers seem to. There is one other of whom I am not sure of. A new Chief of Engineering joins our crew. His file, is more, interesting and I see no background suitable of Engineering. His placement to the Sheridan seems to be directly from an upper brass but not meant as any type of promotion. In fact it is most notably been a demotion from him being a First Officer. There also lends to the other fact...

End Log.

"Computer open personal logs" the computer beeped and the screen came back to life.

Personal Logs Stardate: 21505.13 Lieutenant Commander Sothrick recording.

As a personal log much has changed. With my last promotion my clearance allows me to open the files that my father had sealed of my mother and wife's death. I still have not opened the file.

He paused and took a long sip from his mug nearly empting it

I have been most distracted from that particular mission. as I had mentioned before I had grown close to Chief Science Officer Cleo Banks. It has been nearly 8 months now and our relationship seems very strong. She has even endured meeting my father. A interesting time at that. My feelings are not just for her but I have taken on a role that I... I never thought I would or knew I could. I have also become Lorelei's father figure, as she know calls me by the human term 'Dada'. It is most,...humbling. At this point I cant imagine my life with out them. They have both filled a void that I was sure was not possible after her... This of course means that I must divulge this relationship to the Captain. I shall do so during this mission as I intend to also ...

There is a pause in the recording just as the sly female voice could be heard calling him. After a brief second of blackness the Vulcan returns to the middle of the screen

My forgiveness T'Kol's impeccable timing. Then there is that matter. T'Kol, a close friend, perhaps sister even, seems to have grown distant. I notice, despite her arguments against the notion, she seem to dislike Cleo. Distrust her even. I am not sure why this seems to be manifesting but I will have to speak with her before I... Cleo and I go further.

End Log

Next day after mission end. The image of the large hybrid Vulcan came into view of the screen

Chief Of Security Officer's Logs Star date: 21509.29 Lieutenant Commander Sothrick Recording:

This message will contain both mission and personal log. So much has happened. So much has changed.

The USS Sheridan is on return trip to Starbase Alpha after a most exhausting mission on the Romulan Neutral Zone Boarder. The Sheridan was asked to investigate some interesting and and anomalous readings. Readings that first sounded like possible weapons testing. When arrived we were surprised to encounter a Starfleet vessel pulled out of time. A one USS Erebus, access Starfleet record banks, was found badly damaged and pulled into their future time line. This mission played a heavy stress on myself particular. As.... As I and Lieutenant Cleo Banks have moved our relationship to a full melding. I foolishly melded our minds. Foolish only in the exact timing as the joining with her has been... most enjoyable and had some surprising and interesting side effects. However, as I was saying, the timing was... inappropriate as neither, her nor I, had time to really adjust to hearing each other, so completely. She, as usual form, demanded to be apart of the away party but now experiencing my natural abilities to hear and feel those around me, became overwhelming for her. I was worried about that possibility on our own ship but when she went over to the other distressed ship she felt the raw emotions of those injured and scared around her and it almost over took her. She is strong for a human with an even stronger mind. I found that I through her in such a position increase my range of being able to 'sense' others and their thoughts. She became a conduit and thusly took myself by surprise. The range of emotions pounded me while I was on the bridge and thusly forced my hand to explain the new link between Cleo and myself to the Captain. Also exposing myself that I was not just a mere Vulcan as most believed despite the fact that he was privy to this part of my file. I was further weakened when the temporial illness took ahold of Cleo and visions of her disemboweled and bleeding ran through me. I nearly lost control and the human emotion of rage and fear, fear of loosing her, ran through me again while I was on the bridge. A lack of control I must make time with the Captain to apologize for and find out what punishment holds for me. I was able to secure a Shuttle craft and pull Cleo and the rest of the away team out of the ship before the injuries grew worse. However a Romulan ship did arrive just before we were able to make our escape back to the Sheridan. Surprisingly the Romulan Light Cruiser did not attack and actually let us continue rescue efforts of the Erebus with out further incident. They also seemed concerned for the same reasons that brought us to their boarders which may be good news but I would expect this to not be entirely true either. Further news Commodore Sothrick, called me today. A rather disturbing news that he, in usual Starfleet Intelligence forms hinted about. He is asking that I copy all reports to him from this time on. He left me with a most disturbing forewarning to not trust anyone. Starfleet is part of his life's work. His very focus and now he speaks of it as if something dare to...destroy it. His clues would suggestion a Romulan issue but I sense that he is not completely on board with that idea. He shared with me that all unneeded and unsanctioned travel has been suspended. As I check into news threads and Starfleet information lines I find that Alpha is indeed at a yellow alert. In fact I find that all other bases I can reach are on Yellow Alert however I can not see any information on anything in the Fourth Fleet. 'Governed' he said... what an peculiar and oddly, particular word. I must go check on ... Lieutenant Banks and Lorelei Sothrick Out

End Log

MIDSHIPMAN FARA ZELIX, SECURITY OFFICER

“Computer, begin recording personal log and give audio confirmation once recording has begun.” [Acknowledged. Recording now.] Fara took a deep breath, “Stardate two-one-five-zero-six point zero-nine.” “I care about this crew. I care about the people on this ship and the people I’m working with… Sothrick, Drummond, Khalik, and even Chief Plasma-Conduit-Up-Her-Butt. I don’t think the problems of isolation have gone away, but now I care too much about what happens to these people. This away mission with the Erebus has shown me that I care about my shipmates. It’s not the same kind of connection I have to my family or the community back home on Denobula, but I can see now that their lives have become intertwined. “I’m not sure what I expected to happen on the Erebus, but I wasn’t expect there to be such an emotional bond to form. I tripped over a dead crewmember and found myself more horrified by the disrespect of the body than over the body itself. Denobulans aren’t very superstitious. There’s still a few who keep old religious traditions alive, but my vision of Denobula was always that of science and personal development. We’re too busy learning about ourselves and each other to worship any gods or believe in the supernatural. But when I tripped over that body, I could help but bow low and say a few words… I can’t explain it. “And when the Erebus crew needed help I was one of the first to volunteer to join the group going to Sickbay… I didn’t do it just because it’s my job, but because I wanted to have the crew’s back. I wanted to know that on my watch, I wasn’t going to let anything happen. I was very careful to make sure that if there was a firefight, we weren’t starting it. Computer—” The computer chirped in response.

“End log.”

LIEUTENANT JG DEREK SHARPE, CHIEF TACTICAL OFFICER

Chief Tactical Officer's Log Stardate 21507.12 Derek Sharpe Recording

I love having Jackson here. He has been a great solace to me of having a bit of home life here with me on the ship. I think he is reminding me of how to be with others. Seeing him reminds me of how to interact with everyone of all kinds like how he did on the ranch. He had his purposes and places but always was humble and accepting, yet efficient and proper. I see that more in myself recently and I think it is helping. Not that I haven't stopped being a silly southern boy or anything though. This mission is of great importance to the history of the Federation and to the lives of all the others on the Erebus. This is the second antique Federation ship we have found in many recent missions since my time in joining the crew of the Sheridan and it in a way seems like an odd occurrence. I am also eager to salvage what I can as pieces of the ship for historical respect of the ship and to hopefully have pieces to study what it has been through. Time will tell if there is the availability to do so. I have previously been on a support request with Cleo Banks and with Sothrick as well. This has helped the three of us get to know each other and I am no longer afraid of their influences on me which scared me early on. They are good people and I care for them as friends, if not new family. I would die for their safety and their support in raising a very special and beautiful child. Mister Sothrick has yet to say or hint anything as to my theories about him, but I will let him do so in time. he is a good person and going through a lot of change right now. I will not add to his challenges. Back to the bridge with me. I will do another Log soon, as I keep forgetting to. Computer, End Log.

COMMANDER THEODORE CALDECOTT, CHIEF ENGINEER

Chief Engineers Log Stardate 21509.29 Commander Caldecott

Where do I begin? (Audible throat clearing in the background) This is my first log on-board the Sheridan and as Chief Engineer. Sounds weird doesn't it? Since my swift termination after serving valiantly as my beloved Dauntless' First Officer, Star Fleet Personnel thought it would be wise to assign me as Chief of all Engineers. To add more confusion and silliness to everything that transpired....they assigned me to the Sheridan. The home base of my fiancee Cleo Banks and very good friend Griffin Wright. It seems that everywhere I go or visit, Cleo inevitably shows up out of no where. My luck hug. In all seriousness, things are patched between us and we can move forward as friends. Although I lost my Command position, I am elated to be serving under my former Security boss now Commanding Officer, Ben Vaughn. Most importantly, I can serve under Griffin as he did for me, regardless of our personal relationship. They are fine Star Fleet officers but chiefly, fantastic men. Upon my arrival, I was lost and ran about destroyer with no clue on how to be an Engineer. To be honest, I've taken to heavy binge drinking when I lost my First Officer gig. I didn't want to come to terms with losing that job and I took it out on my shoddy Engineering work when I first step on the Sheri. I did however experience an Epiphany while on the Away Team. The team was charged in encountering an archaic Star Fleet vessel named the Erebus. She is nearly 100 years the Sheridan's elder and was dead in water. It was fascinating to be inside a relic and see how the officer's lived a century ago. Their, I imagined myself helping these people, learning my new department's trade and getting the engines back on-line. I used some futuristic technology to achieve just that. Nothing else was important to me since I experienced the mission in auto pilot. That form of work ethic is not befitting for a full Commander or former First Officer. My depression in losing my job on the Dauntless got the better of me. It will not happen again. So, I intend on studying up various fields of my new 'chosen field'. In conclusion, the crew was successful in returning the Erebus back into their timeline. (Meowing could be heard in the background) I will leave off at that. My cat is hungry and needs my undivided attention. Commander Theodore Caldecott out.

End Log.