Sierra-18:Sixth Mission - Suspicions

Mission Summary

Mission Summary Log

The USS Jefferson was sent to conduct astrological surveys of the Hugora Nebula. However, before the Starship could reach her destination, she received a distress signal from the Federation Colony on Hakton VII, and diverted course to answer the colony's call for help. Soon after the ship enters standard orbit, a mysterious explosion rocks the Escort Ship knocking her life support systems off line. With only 30 minutes left of breathable air, the crew were forced to land near the colony in order to conduct repairs. Initial investigation points at a possible sabotage.

The colony leader explains that there were some illegal mining operations taking place on the other side of the planet, and offers his colony's resources and repair crews in exchange for the Jefferson's help investigating the suspicious mining activities.

Meanwhile, at Space Station Sierra Eighteen, two starships that were tasked with patrolling the Cardassion boarder reported the loss of their warp drives. Initial investigation into both incidents indicated that sabotage took place while the ships were being maintained by Sierra's crew, and everyone who had access to these two ships were investigated.

Back on Hakton VII, the crew of the USS Jefferson were able to locate the mining operation, and learned that it was being conducted by the Farians. They also learned that they were mining Uridum that is used in the Cardassian Ship Construction. However, before they could get any further, the ship and crew were attacked by overwhelming force by the Farians, and they were forced to retreat.

Security on Sierra Eighteen were able to locate the saboteur, who was a Farian female that had drugged one of the station's Engineers causing him to report to sickbay, and used his pass to gain access to the starships and sabotage them. Lieutenant Read, the Chief of Security, attempted to interrogate the Farian.

The Jefferson's crew on the other hand, had made it back to the colony with the exact location of the Farian camp, allowing the Federation Colonists to prepare for an assault on the illegal mining operation to put an end to it. In exchange, the ship was repaired, with the exception of the weapons' systems. Soon after, the Jefferson took off and made her way back to Sierra Eighteen.

The Farian prisoner on Sierra Eighteen killed herself, and the trace died there. At the end, everyone was left with more questions than answers at this point. There were speculations that the Farians actions to sabotage the ships were related to the Uridum mining operation, but to what end? Are the Farians workings for the Syndicate, themselves or are they involved with Cardassians? I have a feeling that given time, a light will be shed on these dark waters, and we will be able to see the big picture. But for now, this remains a mystery that we could not solve…

Captain's Log

Station's Log Stardate 21012.22

Station's Log Stardate 21012.22

Commodore Jericho Roberts Recording:

After a several day trip to Starbase Charlie for a general fleet condition briefing with Admiral Shields, I've returned to Sierra. During my absence, as briefed in the meeting on Starbase Charlie, Commander Hawk was reassigned to Commanding Officer USS Copernicus, this left the Sierra Command Staff in charge of their respective departments until I returned. I am quite confident Commander Hawk will prove himself a fine Captain as he had always shown to be a strong leader under my command.

Additionally while I was gone Sierra received the mission orders Admiral Shields and I had discussed to send the USS Jefferson on a simple survey mission. While officially the Jefferson would be sent there to do astrological surveys, unofficially it would also only help augment our efforts to assure a secured boarder; there's no better place to hide something in space than in a cloud of ionized gases. The latest news from the Jefferson is that while enroute to the nebula they received and are responding to a call for assistance from a Federation colony in the Hakton system.

During my return home I received word that the USS Marion and USS Kiev had effectively been disabled and unable to continue their missions. the USS Marion had managed to limp its way back to Sierra while the USS Kiev at a slightly father distance has requested assistance. Sabotage has been suspected. Currently an investigation is underway by Lieutenant Commander Kaiser and Lieutenant Read, and Lieutenant Commander Kaiser has just departed the station to oversee the towing operation of the USS Kiev back to the station with our available runabouts. Until the Kiev arrives we're left at a disadvantage in the investigation, and will not be able to determine if the two incidents are related though we currently suspect they are.

End log.

Ship's Log Stardate: 21101.10

Ship's Log Stardate: 21101.10

Lieutenant Commander Gabriel Archer Recording:

The USS Jefferson's mission to survey the Hugora Nebula was interrupted on route as we scrambled to answer a distress signal from the Federation Colony on Hakton VII near the Cardassian boarder. Chairman Johnson explained that there was another colony that was established on the planet and its inhabitant - who he believed them to be Farian - were evading any attempts made to make contact with them. Our scans from orbit showed an unidentified encampment containing humanoid life conducting business unknown to the sensors, though it was generating a lot of heat spikes on the sensors indicating a lot of action. Further scans revealed little new information, but it did show that not only was there activity on the surface, but there was also a 90% chance that there was activity beneath the surface causing us to suspect a large scale mining operation. However, we were uncertain how deep down those activities were taking place, and we were unable to find out any more information.

Alas, during our meeting with the Colony's Chairman, an explosion rocked the ship, and forced us to land near the Federation Colony. Although The damage was limited to our life support systems, it left us marooned on Hakton VII until repairs can be made. The Chairman was kind enough to offer any aid needed in completing those repairs in exchange for the investigation of this Farian camp. Thus at the time of this recording, we are on our way to discover the secrets behind this mysterious location.

As for the explosion, my initial evaluation showed very little indication of its cause. If I have to make a guess, I would say it was sabotage. Its important to note that the logs showed a drop in the Antimatter containment field shortly before the explosion. But more information is needed before a solid result can be ascertained.

End Log

Ship's Log Stardate: 21103.30

Ship's Log Stardate: 21103.30

Lieutenant Commander Gabriel Archer Recording:

Good news. We are about to leave the planet surface and get back into space where we belong. This is no small feat considering that two days ago, when we attempted to make contact with the Farian colony we were attacked on sight and the USS Jefferson had taken extensive damage. In fact, considering how much we were out gunned and outnumbered, it is only a miracle that we made it back to the Federation colony without suffering any loss in life.

The past couple of days were exhausting for everyone. But thanks to Doctor Penn's idea rotating shifts to keep the work going but allowing people to get some rest, we were able to get the job done faster than anticipated. However, I will not give the credit to the crew alone. Chairman Johnson and the colonists spared no effort to providing all the aid we needed.

Unfortunately, we were unable to repair the weapon's system, so unless we use duck-tape to tie one of the security officers to the ship's hull before handing them a phaser pistol, the ship has no weapons. Knowing the guys we have here in the security department, I bet they are crazy enough to volunteer for it too...

With the repairs finished, I had a decision to make. I would either cancel our mission to the Hugora Nebula and head to Sierra Eighteen, or I would take the defenseless ship into the unexplored space and hope that we won't need to use our weapons. I have to admit that the scientist in me was very eager to go out there to discover the scientific wonders and solve the mysteries of that Nebula. However, my command training highlighted the concern and danger of taking the ship into the unknown without the weapon's systems being available. Maybe if I was alone in a shuttle craft, I would have taken the risk in the name of Science, but I was not about to put the life of my crew in danger for the sake of my own curiosity and that of Starfleet. In the end, the decision was made to set course to Space Station Sierra Eighteen in order for the Jefferson to get fully repaired and see what happens from there.

For now, I need to go and bug the engineer McMillan to send someone to fix the replicators in my quarters; they are making yellow coffee again...

End Log.

Crew's Logs

LCdr Archer

Chief Science Officer's Log Stardate 21009.23

It’s family gathering time here on Space Station Sierra Eighteen. In addition to the Titan and the Yeager, a few other ships of Third Fleet, like the Marion, the Naples, the Kiev, the Ankara and couple more Starships that I don't recall their names at the moment, all had joined the assembly at the mighty space station. Furthermore, we had to maintain open channels with the Minsk and the Constantine in order to allow their Captains to attend the important meeting with Commodore Roberts over the distance.

Naturally, this high concentration of Federation starships so close to the boarders, was bound to attract the attention of our good neighbors. True enough, we detected a Klingon scout ship that was sitting at the edge of the empire's boarders and was sparing no effort in scanning and gathering all the intelligence she could get her hands on concerning the events of this party and the guests attending it.

Suddenly, something very odd happened. The Klingon scout ship, disregarded her mission and dropped her cloak, raised her shields, and armed her weapons before she jumped to warp heading back in the direction of Qo'noS. However, before she departed, we were able to intercept a distress signal that the ship had received, and it was coming from the Klingon home-world system. It wasn't very clear at first, but eventually we were able to positively conclude that Qo'noS was being invaded!

After getting over the shock of what we had heard, we reported our findings to Starfleet Command only to be replied to by the Starfleet Intelligence Command's Commodore Thomas Smith instead. He ordered us to relay our continuous sensor data to his office and to remain on standby in case they needed us to act.

After we recovered out of the effects of this second surprise, we did what the Commodore had asked and we continued to monitor the situation in the Empire. We could tell that things were moving from bad to worse by the second and the Klingons seemed unable to put up any kind of a fight in the face of the invaders as an entire Klingon base in a nearby sector was wiped out in a matter of minutes. They called them the Hur'Q, and the Klingons clearly feared that name. According to Commander Hawk, they almost wiped out the empire the last time they were around, but that was centuries ago, for some reason they decided to show up again now.

All of the sudden, our communication officer said that he caught a transmission coming from deep within the Empire. Curious to see what was going on, we put the transmission on the screen and it lasted for a very long six seconds...

It contained disjointed images and audio, none of it was completely discernible as words. There was screaming, and the flashes of images showed Klingons that appeared to be being literally torn apart by attackers which were never shown on the screens.

Seeing all that suffering, and watching the undiscriminating slaughter of civilians and soldiers alike, was a terrible experience. I felt shaken to the core by these images of the destruction of Life, and I felt the urgent need to do something, anything, about it. Alas, our orders were clear; standby and do nothing. In fact, all we could do was to bear witnesses to this genocide and pray that whatever was attacking the Klingons will not turn their awful gaze toward the Federation next.

I am going to the tavern now; I think I can use a stiff drink...

End Log

Mid Kainan

Personal Log Stardate 21009.29

It was initially hard to contain my excitement prior to arriving on the Station. Thankfully, I’ve been able to use my self-control to not come off as a total greenhorn on the Station. That was one of my big worries and now I have met a good portion of the senior staff. In fact, I even partook in a nice social meet-and-greet in one of the Taverns. I know, that isn’t the norm for me – but thankfully Lieutenant Commander Kaiser helped me to get out of my shell and got me down to some interacting. Well, that is, interacting while not being on duty. HA! That was an inside joke... right, anyway.

The other part of what is going on in my mind right now is what is happening on Qo’noS. I’m not sure exactly how much detail I should put into a personal log with this sort of information. Still, I suppose I have to say something – as it is affecting me. It’s just that... it reminds me of things, and it bothers me to know that such things can happen so quickly. We’ve done what we can to protect ourselves, but for the moment, it seems that whatever is happening is staying on the other side of the border. Here is hoping that it stays there... and that we – Star Fleet – will be able to help them in some way. I, for one, would favour intervention right now. However, I know that may not be the most tactically sound move. The Federation has problems on all sides. Still... compassion holds my heart and keeps me.

On to better thoughts – I will be finishing some correspondence with an instructor from the Academy that I had spoken with before leaving for my post. I thought I was already crazy enough trying to fit all of my majors and minors into study – but to think of doing another one would probably make my best friends laugh in amazement. Either way, I’m looking into doing the full Security course from Instructor Pav. It’ll take longer than it normally would at the Academy. I mean, the book stuff will be easy. But I’ll also have to book a holodeck or suite for lessons, record them, and then send them back to Pav for marking and comments. It just means that I’m going to have to do my homework and then some. Perhaps I’ll be able to get Lieutenant Read to help train me. It would only make sense to broaden my horizons, and I’ve already got the CQC part down. A little theory and some more weapons training, and it could be another notch to add to my belt.

Busy, busy – that’s what I’ll be.

End Log

LCdr Kaiser

Second Officer's Log Stardate 21010.11

Commodore Roberts is off station for a meeting on Starbase Charlie and Commander Hawk has been given his own command. This has left me in charge of the station until the Commodore returns. Commander Archer has taken the USS Jefferson on a survey mission to a local Nebula while I am currently trying to help resolve the mystery of why two ships that had recently docked at Sierra are now experiencing warp injector problems. The Jefferson has yet to report any but the USS Kiev and USS Marion are limping home on impulse drive for repairs. We're currently investigating all possibilities as to a cause up to and including sabotage.

If it turns out to be sabotage, the offenders will be caught and punished severely. Damaging a warp injector could cause the destruction of a ship and murder of an entire crew. It has me a little concerned about the Jefferson...and those aboard.

End Log.

LCdr Archer

USS Jefferson's Log Stardate 21010.24 Lieutenant Commander Gabriel Archer, Mission CO, recording,

After the threat of the HurQ seemed to be receding, I was ordered to take command of the USS Jefferson on a mission of a scientific nature. We are to conduct astrological surveys of the Hugora Nebula, located near the Cardassian boarder. Accompanying me on this mission as my first officer is Lieutenant Sovon Penn who is also our CMO. The new addition to our crew and serving as the Jefferson's helmsman is Tactical Midshipman Edon Kainan. Engineering is run by the brilliant Ensign Glau and Ensign Eikal is heading our security detachment.

We set sail from Sierra this after noon, and the trip has been largely uneventful. That was until we decided to execute a loop maneuver at warp six in order to launch a probe to scout ahead. Midshipman Kainan's performance was very impressive and the maneuver was a large success. However, the Jefferson, being a new ship and all, wasn't prepared for this high stress maneuver as well as we were, and we had a minor issue with the excess deuterium built up in the reaction chamber that was corrected quickly. We suffered a few bumps and scraps as a result but it was nothing our medical staff couldn't handle with ease.

We have received word from Commander Kaiser that a few of the ships that were at Sierra earlier have had some warp system trouble and are now limping back to the space station on impulse speed. We ran every kind of diagnostic we know on our engines, and everything checks out. I have asked Sovon to let Dietrich know that our engines are OK. None the less, this is a cause of concern. My instinct says the Cardassians have something to do with it. But we will wait and see. For now, it brings me comfort to know that Commander Kaiser is a capable officer, and the station is in good hands until Commodore Roberts returns from his business on Star Base Charlie.

At the moment, we had resumed our course to the Hugora Nebula at warp six point five, and so far its looking like its gonna be a smooth sailing all the way.

Now, I have to go and get some sleep. I want to be fully rejuvenated and ready when we arrive at the nebula...

End Log

Lt[JG] Penn

USS Jefferson's Log Stardate 21103.24 Lieutenant [JG] Sovon Penn, CMO/Mission FO recording:

While in route to the Hugora Nebula, the USS Jefferson received a distress call from a Federation Colony on Hakton VII and Commander Archer ordered a change in course to investigate. Soon after, our environmental systems went offline and I suspect sabotage, but we’ve not been able to conduct an appropriate investigation to determine the cause.

I ordered an injection of Tri-Ox for the crew, which was expertly administered by the on-board medical staff. The combination of on-the-fly repairs and inoculation allowed us to reach the planet without compromising the health of the crew.

After landing, we were greeted by Chairman Jefferson, who never explained the reason for the distress call, to my satisfaction anyway. He encouraged us to look in on a Farian colony, which we did and we were promptly fired upon. I suffered a minor injury, but the ship suffered worse. In the crew's effort to rescue us, the Jefferson was nearly destroyed.

We’ve been stuck on Hakton VII for just over a day effecting repairs. I’m ready to leave. Nothing about this feels right to me.

End Log.

Mid Aldren

Stardate 21104.2 Midshipman Aldren recording.

I have finally graduated from the Academy. A long time coming. Harder than I had thought, not the lessons, although some were prolonged and monotonous. More having to meet new people, acquaint myself with my fellow Cadets. So many of them such patronising self indulgent sycophants. All eager to curry favour with the staff….. I’m being harsh. A few of the people I met there were worthy of what I imagine Star Fleet Officers to be. Strong, intelligent, trustworthy. Only one I person I have confided in. Tiven. Tiven is…..was a good friend. I doubt I will see her again, think she has been posted to some scientific vessel. I hope I do see her again, for a Vulcan she is surprisingly warm. I found over the past months thinking more and more of her, started off as a friendship and certainly for me progressed to something more. The last time I spoke to her I told her what had happened on Angosia. Don’t even know now why I opened up to her, didn’t want to at first, but when I started it all came out. Guess I was ready to tell someone. …….. Yet I told her, even told Tiven her name, Rutha……

• • silence, faintly in the recording breathing can be heard **

…….After I told Tiven everything I left. Left her sitting there in the bar and left the Academy not long after. I think Tiven tried to contact me, but I ignored all calls. I was glad to get on the transport and leave Earth behind. Now I’m here, my first posting as a Star Fleet Officer. I arrived at the station only a few hours ago, haven’t even unpacked my things in my quarters. I seem to have arrived in the middle of an emergency. A saboteur has attacked at least two ships, damaging them and been arrested. I have played a small part in trying to get the woman to talk, a ploy that may have worked, yet the woman, a Farian has seemingly killed herself whilst in custody. I’m not so sure she has killed herself, not unassisted anyway. Don’t think I will say anything to my new CoS until I have something more solid. I’m sure Lt Read will find out how loathsome I am before long, don’t need to help her along by spouting off unsubstantiated theories! She seems very competent, so do most of the staff I have met. I’m sure I can see what they all think of me in their eyes, it’s as if they can see straight through me. See how much I am hurting inside!

• • more silence. The sounds of someone moving around softly **

I need to concentrate on my duties now. I know I can do this job well, even if everyone else thinks I can’t! I need to perform well……I think Rutha would have wanted that, and God knows I owe it to her.

End Log.

LCdr Kaiser

Stardate 21104.16

The investigation as to who sabotaged the Marion and the Kiev finally had produced a suspect. While questioning her, she suddenly died, presumably by suicide. It bothers me that she was able to take a toxin past security. An investigation as to if someone in Sierra security could be involved as been ordered.

Meanwhile, the USS Thomas Jefferson has returned from it's mission and I'm eager to catch up with Ensign Glau.

End Log.

Cdr Jackson

Chief Engineer's Log, Stardate 21104.26. Commander Areack Jackson.

It has been an interesting transition, serving on the Sierra. I've been in Starfleet for many years, most of which I spent serving aboard starships. Then I spent the last two years planetside, working at Starfleet Engineering Command. In all time, I've never served on board a space station, other than shore leave.

My assignment as Chief Engineer has been going well. My department has been working on repairing and updating several systems to comply with the standards Starfleet Engineering will be rolling out in a few months. It pays to be ahead.

There have been a few challenges. Specifically an engineer by the name of Petty Officer Zane Carter. It appears he is allowing his personal resentment for the Romulan Empire harm his work, as if by doing sub-par work and offending me he could get back at the Empire. Racism rarely makes sense.

There has already been one accident under his watch, which set back some of the repairs by at least a week. I'm going to have Lieutenant Knight, my Assistant Chief Engineer, speak to Petty Officer Carter. If the problem continues, I'll have to address it myself.

As my time here continues, I find myself missing the company of my team members back at Engineering Command, one more than the others.

I would like to finish a few more things before I head back to my quarters for some long overdue rest.

End of Log.