Yeager:Sixth Mission - Darkness Below
In the Yeager's Sixth Mission, the little scout ship is sent to the Betreka Nebula. There have been reported sightings of Klingon vessels lurking about, and since Space Station Sierra-18's sensors can't see through the murk of the nebula, the Yeager is tasked with checking it out. When an ion storm threatens the crew's safety, they seek shelter on a Class L planet that appears barren. Or is it?
Captain's Logs
Capt Julia Nielson
Stardate 21108.03
Captain's Log – Stardate 21108.03 Captain Julia Nielson recording:
The Yeager has been ordered on a mission to scout out the Betreka Nebula. Apparently some Klingons were spotted lurking in the nebula's fog. Sierra-18's sensors weren't powerful enough to do proper scans through the nebula to determine this, so we've been sent to check it out.
Things haven't been so great on that front. There haven't been any signs of the Klingons as far as we can tell, though the nebula has been making our scans spotty at best.
The bright side of this is that Lieutenant Cooper has discovered two new star systems that were previously uncharted, along with new planets.
And just in time too. We're currently being chased down by a class 7 ion storm. There's really no option for the Yeager to hunker down and wait it out, since that type of storm – especially if it turns out to be stronger than our scans indicate – would just decimate the ship.
Our best option so far is to land on a Class L planet. There are no indications of sentient life on the planet – which will now be catalogued as Miranda – apart from some aqualife. We're going to set down on the surface and wait there until the storm passes.
Maybe we'll even have the chance to stretch our legs. I'm sure our science department will be eager to have a peek at their new discovery. It'll give us something to do at any rate.
Computer, end log.
Stardate 21109.04
Captain's Log – Stardate 21109.04 Captain Julia Nielson recording:
The Yeager managed to outrun the ion storm and reach Miranda. Though the ship began to fell the first touches of the storm, we set down planet-side with only some cosmetic damage and minor injuries.
Upon landing, however, sensors picked up an energy signature common to antimatter fusion reactor. Though we have not detected any sentient life or any further technology, I'm somewhat uneasy about the engine's present on this barren world. From this distance we haven't been able to determine if the signature is Klingon in origin.
Commander Ross is leading an away team to investigate the engine, and determine who put it there and why. I'm sure the crew will be eager to get offship for a while, since it's been a while since we've had a mission that has had them set feet on a planet.
As for me, I think I might lend a hand to the engineering crew. Fixing consoles may not be the most thrilling thing in the world to do, but it will be nice to get my hands dirty again.
Computer, end log.
Stardate 21110.03
Captain's Log – Stardate 21110.03 Captain Julia Nielson recording:
The away team has descended into the caves on their hunt for the fusion reactor. Though the journey ended up going through moss covered walls in tropical temperature, they still haven't gotten to their objective. While trotting through the dark a few members took a tumble, but luckily they are no worse for wear – just a few bumps and bruises.
However, it appears they have discovered life. While exploring the caves they found humanoid life forms. Contact has not yet been made with the life forms while the away team determines how to next proceed.
Computer, end log.
Stardate 21111.09
Captain's Log – Stardate 21111.09 Captain Julia Nielson recording:
So it appears the away team has discovered quite the civilization below the ground of Miranda. They are tall, apparently waif-like, with large eyes. Given that they live in underground caves, it's no surprise that they are sensitive to bright light.
These subterranean dwellers have been very polite, they seem somewhat skittish with the away team members. That said, some of their technology – some artificial weather equipment – has been malfunctioning and they have requested our assistance.
Computer, end log.
Stardate 21112.02
Captain's Log - Stardate 21112.02 Captain Julia Nielson recording:
The crew did what they could to assist the aliens to the best of the ability. With the Prime Directive already broken, it seemed agreeing to their request would be alright. Lieutenants Dega and Gylanna proceeded with repairs, that turned out to be regular maintenance to keep the machine running. Apparently our assistance has only delayed the inevitable - eventually the fusion reactor will go offline should these aliens not attempt to maintain the machinery on their own.
Ensign Cole and Midshipman Takahashi, however, appeared to have stumbled onto the beginnings of a dissident group. The alien they ran into did not know about the surface of the planet and requested our crew show them such.
However, upon the orders of Starbase Delta, the Yeager was to withdraw from the nebula for further instructions. Recalling the away team, we made haste our of the nebula. Upon contacting Starbase Delta, it seems the Federation is now at war with invaders from the Gamma Quadrant. Bajor and Starbase Charlie have been destroyed. Intelligence indicates that Sierra-18 is the next target.
I can only hope we get there in time.
Computer, end log.
Crew Logs
First Officer
LCdr Kamble Ross
Stardate 21107.14
Personal Log, Stardate 21107.14 Lieutenant Commander Kamble Ross First Officer, USS Yeager
Thus far, our stay in the Betreka nebula has been uneventful. We have been here about a day and a half and, so far, no rogue Klingon ships have appeared. it is my hope that if there was a ship lurking around here at some point, it got out of here long before we arrived.
The Yeager's a great ship, but she's not built for confrontation. Hopefully if there are any Klingons, we can keep them at a distance.
As for me, I'm doing fairly well. On a scale of 1 to 10, my anxiety level is tending to clock in at a 3 to 4 which, considering I spent most of our last big mission struggling with a 6 or 7, is a vast improvement.
At least I'm becoming able to recognize when I'm feeling unreasonably anxious, which is much better than I was doing before I became a First Officer. And if I can recognize it, I can moderate it, or at least that's the hope anyway.
I can only hope it shows in the way a preform my duties this mission.
Engineering
CE Lt Kralton Gylanna
Stardate 21112.07
Chief Engineer's Personal Log Stardate 21112.07 Lt. Gylanna USS Yeager SC-8018
After getting caught up in an ion storm we were forced to land on what was a previously uncharted planet, which for the time of our stay we named Miranda. A class L planet with heavy cave structures and a grim atmosphere. On our way to the planet we detected at nuclear fusion reactor deep inside the planet and we chose to investigate.
Upon entering a cave we found a humanoid race that seemed to be a bit behind the times as it were. They were strictly cave dwelling people that have never ventured outside the caves, and supposedly not warp capable. They would frequently experience fluctuations in the environmental controls due to a severe buildup on waste on the cooling rods of the reactor. It would not have been long before they were looking at a catastrophic meltdown. Lt. Dega and I cleaned off some of the buildup and were able to get it working properly for them, but without proper maintenance, they will be facing the same issue again.
We were called back to the Yeager rather urgently, and upon my return I received a message that Star Base Charlie, and the planet Bajor had been destroyed. I had actually never been to either of those places, so as far as I know there was nobody that I was close to on board. However, it quite a grievance to realize all of the lives that were destroyed by whatever blasted them.
[End Report.]
Stardate 21112.07
Personal log, Stardate 21112.07 Lt. Gylanna USS Yeager SC-8018
Another mission where the people seemed all too hospitable. I was extra careful about this mission, only bringing some of my best engineers with me, with after reading his personnel file, included the young Ensign Trevor Cole. He is extremely shy, though he seemed much more comfortable with Mari Takahashi, the security officer that joined us on our mission. Ensign Cole is a fine officer and he will continue to get better.
Ensign Hansen also performed quite admirably, taking over my duties as Chief until I returned. We are heading to Sierra-18 right now which as been reported as a target for the thing that destroyed Bajor and we are to intercept, although if it can destroy a planet, then I really don't think that there is much hope for the Yeager.
[End log.]
Ens Trever Cole
Stardate 21112.03
Engineering Officer's Log, Stardate 21112.03 Ensign Trever Cole Engineering Officer, USS Yeager
Miranda proved to be a very interesting stop during the massive ion storm. Upon arrival, a reactor of unknown origin was discovered below the surface. It was malfunctioning sufficiently enough that it was decided that an away team would investigate.
We beamed down to the surface near the entrance to a cave system which seemed to be the best way to get to the device. After making our way down, unceremoniously I might add for Midshipman Takahashi and me, we came to larger cavern across which we discovered a new civilization.
The team was greeted by beings from the settlement. They were pale grey to the point of translucency and were tall and very thin. Once the universal translators caught up, we were able to communicate effectively. LCdr Ross managed to convince them that we could and would help with their reactor repairs.
In the meantime, Mid Takahashi and I picked up another being trying to get our attention. With the permission of Lt Gylanna, we decided to follow the individual. We found ourselves in what appeared to be a residence. The being would not give a name but did make clear that he/she wanted to go to the surface.
Apparently, their citizens were forbidden by their Elders from doing so but the curiosity and need for exploration was great. We tried to understand why they could not go to the surface and the reason for the cover-up, but we ran out of time due to the recall. In exchange for a guide back to the rendezvous point, we agreed to show the being the way to the surface, but not give an escort.
End Report.
Stardate 21112.03
Personal Log, Stardate 21112.03 Ensign Trever Cole Engineering Officer, USS Yeager
This is my first personal log aboard the Yeager. It has been an interesting first voyage. The relatively small size of the ship is in some ways comforting since the crew size is equally small and therefore fewer people to have to interact with. But in the same respect, it is much more difficult to get left to my work. When back at the shipyards, I could go for weeks without being by anyone for anything other than work. I miss it more than I thought. But I am giving myself more time to get used to it.
My family and Zor are probably right, I should try and socialize more. To that end, a strange thing happened just prior to the mission, I think I might have made friend surprising enough. I met Midshipman Mari Takahashi at the transporter and we had a few minutes to talk. It wasn’t horrible. She seemed just as shy as I am. But we both managed to have a very nice conversation. She is very nice to look at as well.
We ended up paired off for the mission and I found myself becoming very protective of her (although she seems to do very good at taking care of herself). But I am sure she is spoken for and was just trying to be polite to me. It is probably better that I keep to my work.
As for work, I think the Engineering Department is one of the best in the fleet. It came highly recommended by several of the officers back at the shipyards. And Lieutenant Gylanna seems to run a tight ship as it were, but at the same time he seems fair and easy to get along with. I have high hopes.
End Personal Log.
Science
CSO Ltjg Jonathan Cooper
Stardate 21108.05
Science Officer's Log, Stardate 21108.05 Lieutenant [j.g.] Jonathan Cooper Chief Science Officer, USS Yeager
The survey of the Betreka Nebula is proceeding apace. Unfortunately, that pace is currently frustratingly slow. We were sent to find rogue Klingon ships that were supposedly sighted in the area. Trying to find a lone Klingon ship in this mess would be like finding a needle in a haystack if the haystack were several lightyears across and the needle was a comparative grain of sand. Actually, that might make for a better comparison: it's like trying to find a granule of salt in a sand dune.
But that's okay. We're a scout ship, after all; this is what we were designed for. I knew that before I signed up, that these things would happen from time to time. Which is why I set up cross training sessions for the department. We are all learning the basics of another scientist's field, just to give us some redundancy among the staff. After the last mission, where we only had one officer who knew about xenobiology, I learned the hard way the reasoning behind having generalists rather than just specialists. Personally, I'm learning the principles of astrophysics from PO1 ch'Thaliss while teaching the basics of geology to our resident hydrologist, PO2 Moore.
The trip hasn't been a total bust so far, though. Our first full sweep of the nebula didn't turn up the Klingons, of course, but we instead found two new planetary systems that had been hidden to other surveyors. I was needless to say rather thrilled at this, though I knew a thorough exploration would wind up being someone else's job. When I informed the captain of our discovery, she gave me the naming rights, so that'll be interesting to decide on.
Unfortunately, we were immediately beset by a massive ion storm. We're en route to one of those systems now. I've dubbed it Prospero, and the only planet - which we're about to take shelter on - is now listed as Miranda. The storm had more than a little to do with the names coming from Shakespeare's The Tempest, what with it driving us towards this one island of shelter. With the storm still growing in size and strength behind us, I just hope that it doesn't become our new home like it did for their namesake's.
