From: Alix Fowler (selyara_at_hotmail.com)
Date: Sat Jun 02 2007 - 00:40:40 PDT
"Event Horizons" Cont. "Final Farewell" * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Location: USS PATRIOT Stardate: 2.70602.0339 Scene: Hard Rock Café The atmosphere in the Hard Rock Café was infectious and filled with the amicability and comfort that only large amounts of food, alcohol, and a sudden dispensation with regulations and chain of command can bring. Helice was aware how rare it was to get this on a starship, where one never really gets to leave work, and where regulations and chain of command was by necessity reinforced on the daily to keep things running smoothly. She herself had never felt very at ease in her role as enforcer, the alpha whatever. It always seemed odd to her that she’d gone from informality and wide open spaces to this narrow, confined, ordered existence. So she nursed the relaxed camaraderie carefully, slipping into a lively retelling of a time when she was a junior officer who’d let herself get talked into being the romantic go between for one too many couples on her ship. “…So by the time I got back to my quarters, I had no idea which one was which and who it went to! So I’m stuck there with a whole boatload of gifts and love notes, and I couldn’t very well just keep them, and I didn’t want to read them, and so I decided to just hand them out randomly, after all, I thought maybe they might not have said who it was from. Well, the next morning, I wake up and-“ The ship gave a sudden lurch in space, causing her adrenaline to spike. She knew that feeling all too well… It was the feeling of a starship too close to the gravity well of a planet. Her eyes rose to look out the view port to look incredulously at the sudden, strange planet that filled the window. She fancied that they were so close she could see rivers, mountains lakes. Her stomach dropped into somewhere near her feet, and she tried and failed to fight the panic that overwhelmed her. Everything disappeared in a white light as she vaguely thought to herself **But what the hell is that doing here?** Tam looked reflexively at the Captain as she felt the ship shake and shimmy under her, and was just in time to catch the instant that the face switched from what she would have classified as pure, unadulterated terror to a sudden cool mask and posture that looked out of place on a human, but perfectly right on a Vulcan. The voice that issued almost awkwardly from the mouth was distinctly not Helice’s as well. **Must be Tarnak.** Tam was intrigued despite the situation. “Red Alert. Helm, engineering, I want as much power to our impulse engines as possible, we’re going to have to keep ourselves from getting dragged too close by the planet’s gravity and slingshot ourselves away as we go around the orbit.” Tarnak/Helice said briskly. “Commander Kenta, perhaps you’d better take over from here, it is highly improbable that Helice will be in any condition to make orders for the moment. As for the rest of you, you’d better take a few steps back as I believe when she comes back she is going to be sick.” There was a pause, and Helice’s face shifted vacant again before settling into the more familiar expression. Tarnak’s prediction was accurate, as the woman promptly lost her dinner. Commander Kenta didn’t lose a beat as he swung around, casting a meaningful glance at the counselor as he did so. “Lt. Cal, Ensign T’ial, Cadet LeGrande, I want you three in astrometrics. Analyze the data from our sensors and whatever other systems were working. Anything and everything abnormal from the ships readings should be looked at, no matter how small it may seem. Send your data to Starfleet Command. Colonel Maverick, Major Clarkson, I don’t know if Starfleet will need us, but I want you to get your marines ready to go down to that planet if we get the orders.” The door closed behind him, and everyone burst into movement. “What, am I chopped liver or something?” Kel muttered to Tam as he watched the retreating backs. Tam made a noncommittal grunt as she helped the unhappy looking Captain to her feet. “No. You’re going to get me onto Terra Firma. Now.” Helice said grabbing him hard by the shoulder. “I don’t know what the status of transports to Earth is right now, but we can sure as hell go down to that planet.” “I’m not sure that’s a particularly good idea-“ Kel tried to think of a diplomatic way to say that he thought the Counselor should probably declare the woman temporarily unfit for command. He drew a blank and finished lamely “I mean, we don’t know what’s down there.” “And you think I’ve gone a bit daft.” Helice tried a smile and managed something that looked more like a grimace. “I’m fine. I just want, no, I *HAVE* to get off this ship right now, or I really won’t be fine. Plus I have to admit to a certain amount of curiosity as to what’s on this planet that has suddenly appeared in our solar system, and a certain desire to be in charge of the investigation, and going down now will force the issue with Starfleet Command. You can tell them I went crazy and forced you down against you will if you want, although I’d really prefer that you just do what I say and not make me do that.” Kel considered her for a minute, and then looked askance at the Bajoran woman. She gave an imperceptible shrug that he took to mean that the decision really was his. He wasn’t quite sure the Captain was quite as ‘fine’ as she’d said, but he had to admit he himself had a certain amount of curiosity. “I suppose if it’s a direct order.” He said neutrally. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Scene: Bridge Ben Kenta massaged his head, thinking about the massive headache that had been forced on him by the sudden episode of his captain. He’d rather expected it at some point considering her history and the fact that she never quite seemed at ease with being on the ship, especially when in orbit around planets. [[We’ll be needing you to stand by to take on refugees if it becomes necessary.]] The Star Fleet Admiral informed him in a voice that was tight and tired sounding. [[There has been minimal damage on Earth thus far, but we’re expecting it to worsen as the planets get closer and closer together. If evacuation becomes necessary, then we’ll need you to take as many people as your life support systems can handle, even if it exceeds your official ship’s capacity.]] “Understood.” Kenta nodded, his mind already running as he thought of all the things that needed to be done to make the ship ready for that eventuality. “Has a team been sent down to the intruding planet to take a look at it?” [[Not as yet. We’re still working through the selection process, and initial scanning. We’re not sure if there’s life down there yet.]] The Admiral frowned. [[Rest assured we will attempt to keep all ships of the line informed as to the situation. Out.]] “Great.” He turned around in time to catch Cal, Tial, and LeGrande as they entered the room. “Did you three catch the update?” “Indeed.” Tial began, looking at her companions for their assent for her to act as their spokesperson. “We appreciate Star Fleet’s interest in approaching this situation without an alarmist attitude, however we believe the situation is even more dire than they have stated to you. The planet is rotating in the opposite direction from earth and our data suggests that it will align between earth and the sun in about three weeks time.” “In less than a week however, well before the planets reach alignment, irreversible damage will be done to Earth. The new planet is larger, with a higher gravity than earth. As it grows closer to Earth even before it’s gravitational influence is strong enough to cause havoc with the tides on earth it will begin to attract the moon and begin to pull it away from the earth.” Lt. Cal said, her rather dour expression giving some hint that she felt as though talking really ought to be her job. “The loss of the moon would be devastating to the earth. Tidal action would cease, the rotational period would speed up as a result, weather patterns would change completely as the cycle of warming and cooling periods changed rapidly.” Tial raised an eyebrow at her senior in a manner that suggested that she thought it rather illogical for the *Operations* officer to be offering the scientific data, although to Ben, it looked oddly tinged with annoyance at being interrupted, though he might just be projecting. “And that’s not even mentioning the tidal waves and general trouble that will happen as the two planets intersect.” Ginny LeGrande interjected, her feline eyes glinting slightly. “Already the tides have been causing trouble. I hear the of Venice and Japan have already been evacuated due to the waves.” “Interesting. I assume you’ve sent that on to Star Fleet? Do you have anything on where this came from? Any hints to how it showed up here?” “Wormhole. Well, more a black hole that’s managed to attain a mass that tore the space time continuum. We’re getting high levels of dark matter around the area the planet first showed up in, as well as higher concentration of solar radiation in that area radiating from a central point. And…” Tial hesitated. This part of their data seemed like a leap of logic to her Vulcan mind, however intellectually she could not come up with an alternative explanation. “We believe that the planet may not have actually been sucked through the wormhole yet. It is… Still on the event horizon, defying conventions of time and reality as it gets closer and closer to the point of no return.” “What does that mean for us?” Ben massaged a temple with one hand and looked at them a slight frown marring the skin between his eyebrows. “It means that that planet out there isn’t really a planet.” Ginny chewed on her lip slightly. “Oh, it’s real alright, it’s there, for all intents and purposes, but it’s more like… an echo of the real thing. Just as real to us, but not the *real* thing, not yet, if that makes sense.” “Meaning that if we figure out where it is, we might be able to stop it from being sucked into the black hole/wormhole thing, thus getting rid of our gigantic problem?” Ben pounced on the possibility rather like a cat on a catnip filled mouse. “Exactly. But we have no real way of figuring that out, other than scanning every single black hole we know about and praying it’s not on the other side of the universe.” Cal sniffed. “Well, until we have more alternatives, I suggest you get brain storming, or get scanning.” Ben sighed heavily. “Cadet LeGrande, we’ve been informed that we might be required to take on a large number of refugees, so if you would get engineering to start making sure our life support is working at optimal levels, and work out our maximum capacity for those systems that would be great.” “Aye Aye sir!” She snapped off a salute and turned around, following the Ice Queen Cal and Tial out. [[Ben, are you there?]] Helice’s voice echoed out suddenly over the communications. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Location: Unknown Planet Scene: An odd scene. Kel looked around the transport site, instantly on edge and aware of what was around him. Helice had sat down carefully next to a large stone, and was beginning to regain normal color, while Tam was prowling around her with the air of someone at work. They had materialized in the fields outside a town. Tall vivid pink grains whipped almost violently in a hot wind that billowed through their tops and down the valley that enclosed them. Long ditches filled with water criss crossed the fields providing irrigation to the grains, and a large swathe near them appeared to be in mid harvest. Sheaves of the grain stood stacked by the ends of the rows, ready to be loaded up into the wagon on the road that ran next to them once they dried. Kel did a double take. The wagon was clearly meant to be used with some sort of livestock to pull the heavy load it would soon bear, but there was nothing at attached to the yokes on the front, and as he approached he could see the footprints of the beasts of burden, strangely saurian in their morphology. His neck began to prickle as his keen senses noticed something strange, very strange. A row of foot prints from the beasts of burden lead up the path to where the wagon lay, and there were deeper, heavier impressions from where the animals stood for a long time…. But there were no foot prints leading away from it. His body tensed as he swung his head around and noticed more and more strange things. Tools lying in odd places, footprints of the farmers ending, even a picnic lunch laid out on the area once occupied by the grain. It was, he decided, as though the farmers just… Disappeared. “Something wrong?” Helice walked up behind him, making him jump. “Nothing definite just yet. Odd color crop though.” He said mildly, sure that now was not the time to worry his captain again. “I’ll say. I hope these poor folks don’t see in color- it’s an eyesore. I’m going to call Commander Kenta to let him know where we are. He’s not going to be very happy at all.” She sighed, tapping her communicator. “Ben, are you there?” [[Affirmative. Are you doing better, Captain Jones? I can bring you back up to speed if you feel ready to return to the bridge.]] “That would be a little bit difficult at this moment in time, as I’m down on that mystery planet.” Helice unpinned her communicator and held it at arms length. [[You’re WHAT?]] The XO’s voice was a mix of shocked and annoyed. [[By yourself?]] “No, no. Lt. McKlellan and Ensign Tam are with me.” Helice responded. “It’s quiet here. Nearly too quiet, but who’s complaining.” There was a long pause. [[Well, at least it will render that committee they were talking about unnecessary.]] Ben said slowly. [[I’ll let them know, and I’ll send down some of the rest of the crew to start looking around.]] “Great. Don’t be too put out with me!” Helice tapped her communicator and turned to face her companions. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NRPG: FINALLY! Here the darn thing is. I’m already typing away at more background/ plot stuff, but as this is already pretty long, and had lots of action/ things to write about, I’m sending this out now so you guys can get started! (plus, that means I can actually send out two posts in a week!) So, basic rundown of major plot points: 1) Planet appears out of nowhere. Where did it come from? How did it get here? Does anyone have any other ideas? 2) Earth in imminent danger! Who knows what effect gravity will have on us? What sort of wacky things does having a new neighbor have on our friendly blue planet? How can it be saved? 3) The unknown planet appears as though all animal life suddenly vanished in the blink of an eye. Spooky… What sort of things are there to see? Why did they disappear? Where did they go? (There’s [obviously] more to this than meets the eye, which I’ll reveal soon!) 4) Is the Captain nuts? Or are we to trust her judgment as sound? You, the writers decide! Any bat-time, any bat-email! Isn’t it exciting? ;) Alix Fowler <selyara_at_hotmail.com> Captain Helice CO USS PATRIOT "A dew sufficed itself And satisfied a leaf, And said How vast a destiny How trivial is life." -Emily Dickenson. _________________________________________________________________ PC Magazine’s 2007 editors’ choice for best Web mail—award-winning Windows Live Hotmail. http://imagine-windowslive.com/hotmail/?locale=en-us&ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migration_HM_mini_pcmag_0507 From HyperNews_at_youth.net
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