Episode 85. Priority One
Context
- Coordinated Universal Time
- Sunday, August 11, 2024 - 01:50
- Location
-
- Space
- Earth/Moon Transfer Orbit
- USS Enterprise
- Bridge
- Timeline
- Schak'Irra Timeline
- Previously
-
The special operation ended in a mixed victory: the Kremlin and the Grand Tsar fell, but Captain Agnes Rodriguez was gravely wounded while protecting President Macron. Placed in a coma, she left behind three enigmatic words: Angie, Koala, Area 51. Taking command as acting captain, Commander Angie Chen assembled a team made up of T'Met, Tarsi, Eros and Gomard. Thanks to the AspiroTube network, they reached Area 51, where they found the wreck of the VSS Schak'Irra, a twenty-sixth-century vessel, and reactivated its artificial intelligence: Lingua. After a diplomatic standoff with General Cliffton, the team was able to bring the vessel's equipment and components back to the USS Enterprise...
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank | Species | Original Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angie Chen | NATO / Special Fleet | Commander Acting Captain |
Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi | Starfleet / Temporal Division | Commander | Andorian | Prime Timeline |
| T'Met | Starfleet / Temporal Division | Captain | Vulcan | Prime Timeline |
| Eric Corda | NATO / Special Fleet | Lieutenant Commander | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Emilie Flores | NATO / Special Fleet | Ensign | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Charlene Savea | NATO / Special Fleet | Lieutenant | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Manu | NATO / Special Fleet | Requisitioned Civilian | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
Manifest
| USS Enterprise | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | NATO |
| Location | Earth Orbit |
| Captain | Angie Chen (Acting) |
| First Officer | N/A |
| Pilot | Eric Corda |
| Communications | Emilie Flores |
| Operations | Charlene Savea |
| Tactical | Eric Corda Charlene Savea |
| Science | Manu |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos |
| Sickbay | Victor S. Calpel |
| Counselor/Consultant | Manu |
| Custodian | Manu |
| Passengers |
Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi (Confidential) Robert Gomard and his squad T'Met and 4 Vulcan survivors from Schak'Irra Emmanuel Macron Lingua (Packed in a box) |
| Detainees | Vladimir Joseph Putin and his bodyguards |
TL;DR
Barely back aboard the Enterprise, Acting Captain Angie Chen discovers a priority-one message: Admiral Michaux orders every vessel of the Special Fleet to return to the starbase urgently. Communications are jammed, and the Nauvoo-class vessels no longer respond. Tarsi confirms that, during her trip back through time, she did see the Enterprise and the starbase about to be destroyed in the coming hours. Angie places the Enterprise on red alert, prepares an intervention team and refuses T'Met's proposed reconnaissance mission aboard Tal'Kyr as too risky. The Enterprise sets course for the Moon to observe the situation. In the silence of the jamming, every officer holds their breath: something serious is unfolding, and this time, no one knows where the first detonation will come from.
Story
As soon as Herbie 53 docks in the Enterprise shuttle bay, Angie, Tarsi, T'Met and Colonel Gomard hurry toward the bridge.
The atmosphere there is tense.
Almost electric.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Acting Capt.)
Mr. Corda, plot a course for the Moon. Place the vessel in observation position over the northern hemisphere. You are authorized to run every red light.
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda (Pilot)
Thrusters engaged, Captain. We will reach our destination in fifteen minutes.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Acting Capt.)
Flores, what does the message you received say?
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
It is a priority-one message sent through the distress channel. Admiral Michaux orders every vessel of the Special Fleet to return to the starbase immediately.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Acting Capt.)
Have the Nauvoo responded?
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
No, Captain. The Nauvoo are still operating on Earth. The transmissions are not getting through. It is highly likely they are unaware.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Acting Capt.)
Savea, put the entire vessel on preliminary alert and prepare an intervention team with Colonel Gomard.
Lt. Charlene Savea (Operations)
Captain, what type of intervention should we prepare for?
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Acting Capt.)
Terrorism, mutiny, hostage taking. Consider every possible scenario.
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Angie, if I may, you should also prepare the vessel for a confrontation. The destruction of the Enterprise and the starbase I told you about the other day is supposed to happen soon.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Acting Capt.)
You are thinking of an assault by the Tholian ship that has been taunting us for a month?
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
To be honest, I did not witness the battle itself. I saw the wreck of the Enterprise and the debris of the starbase. The damage bore the marks of Tholian weapons and, unfortunately, I am unable to give you more details.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Acting Capt.)
Thank you, Tarsi. Flores, tell Vitos and his teams they must prepare for combat. I want the DXS, torpedoes and mines ready for use as soon as we arrive.
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
Order transmitted, Captain.
Capt. T'Met
Captain Chen, I request authorization to take Tal'Kyr. With Vexoriana-Lyss'ra, we could perform reconnaissance.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Acting Capt.)
Negative. Tal'Kyr must not be revealed under any circumstances.
Capt. T'Met
The vessel has a cloaking shield we could use to approach the base. From there, we could report the situation to you, allowing you to adapt accordingly.
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
T'Met, Tal'Kyr is not operational! The food synthesizer barely works!
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Acting Capt.)
Thank you for your suggestion, but my answer remains unchanged.
Lt. Cmdr. Eric Corda (Pilot)
Captain, we are in position above the Moon's northern hemisphere.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Acting Capt.)
Stabilize position, Mr. Corda. Flores, monitor communications.
Lt. Charlene Savea (Operations)
Captain, the shuttles and intervention teams are ready to act on your orders.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Acting Capt.)
Perfect. Tarsi, T'Met, if you do not mind, I invite you to take a seat at an unoccupied console. I will probably need your experience.
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
May I take a tactical console?
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Acting Capt.)
Of course. And you, Captain T'Met, what is your specialty?
Capt. T'Met
The science station would suit me. From what I have observed, you do not exploit that station to its full capacity.
Manu (Requisitioned Civilian)
Uh... I am just filling in here...
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Acting Capt.)
Do not take offense, Science Attaché Manu. So far, you have done remarkable work. T'Met, you have my permission to take that station. Manu, you will assist her.
Manu (Requisitioned Civilian)
Uh, Captain, is it by the book to hire extraterrestrials from the future on a NATO vessel?
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Acting Capt.)
No, but I do not think our authorities had ever considered that scenario.
Capt. T'Met
Captain Chen, all surrounding space is subject to high-intensity jamming. Your communications officer can neither intercept nor send messages.
Ens. Emilie Flores (Communications)
Confirmed, Captain. All channels are abnormally silent. I am not even picking up static.
Cmdr. Angie Chen (Acting Capt.)
We have no choice anymore. We are going in. Mr. Corda, begin the approach and let us see what is happening. Savea, engage red alert...