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Previously 8230 The USS Farraday en route to Ground for refit or decommission encountered odd subspace message fragments and tiny black holes in and round the Regula planetoid The fragments indicate the interest of an Admiral Kirk which is odd considering Kirk was just recently promoted to master of the Enterprise following the Nero incident Captain 8217 s Log Supplemental During our view of the Regula 1 planetoid for the Federation evidence has appeared of an unprecedented cosmic event I have contacted Starfleet Command and informed them of my purpose to enquire the traces of protomatter that may be either the movement

of this or a byproduct This is the first time this theoretical work of thing has been seen outside of a laboratory We are en route to the Mutara nebula under impulse power but I have arranged the warp drive kept ready in case the situation becomes dangerous Parkhurst filed his log entry and off his attention back to the sensor telemetry The threshold to his ready room chimed and without looking up from the readouts from the planetoid said 8220 Enter 8221 Commander Lennox stepped in his eyes moving over the data cards set aside for review each marked 8220 Farraday NCC 0987 8243 He ran a paw through his hair and put his hands behind his back 8220 You wanted to see me sir 8221 8220 Yes I did Anthony 8221 Parkhurst replied 8220 We have at least ten minutes before reaching the nebula I wanted to take a minute to discuss your card as First Officer aboard the Farraday 8221 Lennox blinked 8220 If I recall correctly you requested I take the situation after Commander O 8217 Neill got his diagnosis 8221 8220 Yes I did But it 8217 s your third posting as First Officer In fact the master of the Miranda volunteered to keep his ship off of her patrol route for about a month rather than lose you to a provisional desk job 8221 8220 Captain Shepherd 8217 s a great teacher I learned a lot from him 8221 8220 Yet not adequate to see when to search your own command You 8217 ve had enough of experience numerous commendations and you 8217 re admired by junior officers like Cadet M 8217 Rann and Lieutenant Skirov 8221 8220 I didn 8217 t know I 8217 d been on the ship long enough to give that sound an opinion on your science officer 8221 Lennox said as he sat across from the captain 8220 She 8217 s a decent judge of character 8221 Parkhurst observed 8220 She helped bring D 8217 Sarl into Starfleet Academy over the objections of her somewhat esoteric family Some Orions after all don 8217 t take a lot of respect for organizations interested in peacekeeping and upholding the law 8221 8220 They 8217 re poorer for D 8217 Sarl 8217 s loss 8221 Lennox agreed 8220 But we were discussing you and your prospects 8221 Parkhurst pointed out leaning backwards in his professorship and steepling his fingers 8220 Command is in your future Anthony even if you feel you are unprepared for it I get every cause to recommend you for notice in your first instruction at the earliest opportunity once the Farraday returns to Earth and Captains Shepherd and Anderson are probably to add their votes of authority as well The only thing preventing your packaging is you I wanted to know more about your thinking 8221 8220 Most of my experience is on system patrol boats I wanted more time in deep space 8221 8220 Do you prefer chasing anomalies to chasing pirates 8221 Parkhurst asked with some bemusement 8220 I find both are necessary undertakings for Starfleet I know that since the Kelvin incident we 8217 ve taken a more aggressive stance in price of ship design tactical studies and overall strategy But we even hold a lot of place to explore That 8217 s what brought us out here in the 1st place after all To search out new spirit and civilizations not to attack them into submission 8221 8220 I can understand Commander 8221 Parkhurst stood and looked out the window 8220 That 8217 s what prompted me to enlist in the foremost place The charm of the unknown the prospect of some new discovery all the mysteries of deep space I considered myself more a scientist than a captain but here I am 8221 He turned to see his First Officer 8220 What about you Clearly command was not first in your head when you enlisted 8221 As Lennox considered the question the comm panel on Parkhurst 8217 s desk beeped 8220 COB to Captain 8221 Parkhurst touched the control 8220 Parkhurst here Chief 8221 8220 We 8217 re approaching the nebula perimeter 8221 Stone reported 8220 Lieutenant Skirov reports tactical displays will not function shields will be inoperative and visual sensors will be seriously impaired 8221 8220 Acknowledged Chief we 8217 re on our way 8221 He turned to Lennox 8220 Shall we see what secrets await us in the nebula Commander 8221 Lennox stood 8220 After you sir 8221 8220 Thank you doctor 8221 Sonora Fairchild said rubbing her neck 8220 I 8217 m sorry to bother you for something so insignificant as a headache 8221 8220 Sickbay isn 8217 t exactly overflowing right now 8221 Ilal replied tending to her medications without sparing the civilian a glance 8220 If anybody wanted to bother me now 8217 s a capital time to do it 8221 Sonora blinked 8220 Treating patients is an inconvenience to you 8221 8220 I have equipment and medications to inventory There are new crew members whose medical histories I want to review Two of my nurses barely recognize the import of the word 8216 triage 8217 I have a lot of influence to do 8221 8220 You go like you require us to go into combat 8221 Ilal shrugged closing up the hypospray case and setting it aside 8220 It 8217 s always a theory in Starfleet The organization hasn 8217 t always done its uttermost to endear itself to other species It took quite a bit for my people to even consider helping establish the Confederacy in the first place 8221 Sonora nodded 8220 We couldn 8217 t have made it without the Andorians 8221 Ilal snorted 8220 Make certain you never forget that And now if you 8217 ll excuse me as I said there 8217 s a lot of work that needs to be done here 8221 8220 Of course Thank you again doctor 8221 Ilal made some kind of vocal noise of acknowledgment Sonora left sickbay and found M 8217 Rann walking in her direction Smiling Sonora smoothed her skirt and prepared her head respectfully 8220 Ancestors bless you Midshipman M 8217 Rann 8221 she said 8220 And you Doctor Fairchild 8221 he replied with a similar gesture 8220 I am surprised you recognize the traditional Caitian greeting even if it isn 8217 t in my native tongue 8221 Sonora chuckled as she walked with the cadet 8220 I unfortunately don 8217 t have capacity for the sub vocal nuances of the Caitian tongue 8221 8220 Nobody 8217 s perfect I trust our detour is not an inconvenience for you 8221 8220 Starfleet 8217 s mandate is to explore and that 8217 s what the Farraday is doing I 8217 ll just do my best to stay out of the crew 8217 s way I love you 8217 re not used to carrying passengers 8221 8220 We do take the reward of not being a warship in that regard Being assigned to scientific and surveying missions means that civilians with limited privileges can get fast relatively safe passage from one space to another 8221 8220 Well I value the patience everyone has shown with me 8221 Sonora said M 8217 Rann nodded as they arrived at Sonora 8217 s quarters 8220 Let me know if you want anything One of the duties of a midshipman is to search after civilians 8221 8220 You 8217 re joking 8221 Sonora observed with a smile 8220 A little 8221 M 8217 Rann replied 8220 However the nebula we 8217 re entering is somewhat violent so 8221 The floor pitched under their feet as M 8217 Rann spoke Sonora grabbed a reserve of the boundary of the threshold as the Caitian reached out to steady her 8220 So I 8217 ll stay in my quarters 8221 she surmised 8220 Thank you Midshipman 8221 M 8217 Rann nodded and headed to Engineering The compartment was filled with chaos with Forrester shouting orders to the enlisted crew as they ran from one place to another to regulate the warp engines and support them cook for activation M 8217 Rann raised his arm to get Forrester 8217 s attention and the chief engineer walked over 8220 I 8217 m a bit busy Midshipman this 8217 d better be good 8221 8220 It 8217 s a good study on the main hull subsystems Commander 8221 M 8217 Rann replied 8220 I don 8217 t exactly have time to take it in case you haven 8217 t noticed what 8217 s goin 8217 on 8221 Forrester 8217 s expression was sour 8220 We shouldn 8217 t be doin 8217 this The Farraday should be goin 8217 home not gallopin 8217 around like she 8217 s fresh outta drydock Can 8217 t imagine what the captain 8217 s thinkin 8217 8221 8220 He 8217 s an explorer sir 8221 M 8217 Rann ventured 8220 This is unprecedented phenomena 8230 8221 Sparks flew from a subsystem within the engineering compartment Forrester whirled and looked towards the problem tossing the datapad back to M 8217 Rann 8220 Yeah unprecedented phenomena I get that I just hope the captain gets the fact that the old girl 8217 s in want of a few new parts 8221 8220 Sensor readings Lieutenant Skirov 8221 8220 One moment Captain 8221 Skirov said adjusting controls on her console 8220 There 8217 s a big deal of interference from the nebula 8217 s static discharge 8221 8220 Any problems from the proximity or navigational systems 8221 Lennox asked standing near the helm 8220 I haven 8217 t run into anything yet 8221 D 8217 Sarl replied then glanced over at Lennox 8220 Sorry sir That was a short bit of phrase 8221 8220 No motive to apologize Lieutenant we haven 8217 t run aground yet 8221 Lennox turned to Skirov 8220 Any major concentrations of protomatter 8221 8220 4000 kilometers off the larboard bow sir 8221 8220 Thank you Lieutenant 8221 Parkhurst answered 8220 Helm adjust course maintain speed 8221 8220 Captain 8221 came the part of Ensign Chambers at Tactical 8220 Chief Stone reports all departments ready 8221 8220 Where is the COB 8221 Parkhurst asked 8220 Down in Environmental Control sir There was some concern that the nebula 8217 s static discharges would disrupt ship 8217 s systems beyond tactical and shields 8221 Parkhurst nodded The Farraday shook slightly and Skirov 8217 s console indicated a warning 8220 Massive buildup of protomatter dead ahead sir The configuration of it is 8230 odd 8221 8220 Odd in what way Lieutenant 8221 Lennox asked moving towards the science station 8220 Most protomatter observed until this head has appeared sporadically This buildup appears almost manufactured 8221 The ship shook again and Skirov looked over the various readings 8220 Microsingularities forming sir I 8217 m reading three 8211 check that five within our forward arc 8221 8220 Any risk to the ship 8221 8220 Not yet sir 8221 Skirov replied 8220 Though I believe we 8217 ll be seeing a lot more singularities within the next few minutes 8221 8220 Full stop 8221 Parkhurst ordered 8220 Helm back us away from the buildup slowly 8221 D 8217 Sarl moved to follow but the Farraday shuddered in protest 8220 Captain the helm 8217 s unresponsive 8221 she said 8220 Thrusters are operational but the impulse engines 8230 8221 8220 Gravitational force from the microsingularities has exceeded normal impulse capacity 8221 Skirov reported 8220 They 8217 re growing at an exponential rate Some are merging into larger singularities 8221 Lennox looked to Parkhurst 8220 We should adjust course and warp out sir It 8217 s getting too dangerous 8221 Parkhurst shook his head 8220 We won 8217 t leave until it 8217 s absolutely necessary Commander We can 8217 t miss this opportunity 8221 The Farraday was buffeted even more strongly almost knocking people down Lennox pulled himself back up from the kneeling position he 8217 d been forced into 8220 Captain I have to protest The refuge of the ship needs to take precedence over the scientific opportunities I live we 8217 re out here to search for the unknown but if the unknown destroys the ship it isn 8217 t likely our findings will do lots of a difference 8221 Parkhurst looked evenly at the First Officer who didn 8217 t look away After a long moment Parkhurst turned to D 8217 Sarl 8220 Helm bring up the flight course Be set for warp speed on my command Lieutenant Skirov put sensors to maximum gain Gather as much data as you can within the next 60 seconds 8221 The bridge crew worked to obey the captain as Lennox moved to stand by the central chair 8220 I understand Commander that your dissertation was on the role of compromise in the other years of the Federation 8221 Parkhurst said in a low quality of voice 8220 I hope you recognize this as only such a compromise 8221 8220 Absolutely sir 8221 Lennox replied 8220 Good 8221 Parkhurst raised his part to it 8217 s normal level 8220 Lieutenant Skirov report 8221 8220 Protomatter activity and singularity growth continue to rise in tandem sir The root cause of the phenomenon is still unknown 8221 8220 Keep on it Lieutenant 8221 Parkhurst said as the ship again groaned and shook in protest 8220 Engineering to Bridge 8221 came Forrester 8217 s voice 8220 Cap 8217 n we 8217 ve got some problems down here Whatever 8217 s goin 8217 on outside is playing havoc with the warp field dynamics Warp speed 8217 s gonna be difficult to muster let alone maintain if this keeps up 8221 8220 Suggestions 8221 Parkhurst asked 8220 A little more power fed into the centre might boost the field integrity 8221 8220 Coordinate with COB in Environmental control Mr Forrester Don 8217 t leave us short on life back but pull what you can from other systems 8221 8220 Aye sir 8221 Forrester responded 8220 D 8217 Sarl as shortly as we get a stable warp field get us out of here 8221 Lennox said 8220 Yes sir 8221 D 8217 Sarl replied not having to be told twice She kept her eyes on the viewscreen despite the fact it was wide of static There was the occasional glance of the swirling clouds of gas being drawn into the microsingularities but the flashes of clearness on the sort did little to assuage her uneasiness 8220 Protomatter is continuing to build 8221 Skirov reported 8220 At this rate sir it 8217 s going to reach a state of critical mass in less than two minutes By that time if the growth rate of the singularities continues there will be enough gravitational shear to split asunder the nebula and anything inside of it 8221 The Farraday was shaken violently The bridge crew gripped consoles and railings to try and stay upright 8220 Engineering 8221 Parkhurst declared 8220 we 8217 re going to need warp speed 8221 8220 We can try it Cap 8217 n 8221 Forrester replied 8220 but I can 8217 t promise anything 8221 8220 Environmental Control to Bridge 8221 the mysterious voice of Chief Stone cut in 8220 Captain if the warp engines should fail we could suffer the early systems as well 8221 8220 That 8217 s why we 8217 re leaving now COB before the protomatter reaches critical mass 8221 The captain looked towards the helm 8220 D 8217 Sarl get us out of here Best possible speed 8221 Nodding D 8217 Sarl touched her controls and reached for the warp control lever However as the ship tried to cut away from the growing and chaotic danger it seemed to do so under protest lights flickering and bulkheads groaning 8220 The force of the singularity cluster is too great 8221 Skirov cried 8220 We can 8217 t exceed its gravitational pull 8221 8220 It 8217 s pulling us and the protomatter towards it 8221 Lennox surmised He exploited the railings to guide himself over to the science station 8220 Is it possible that antimatter would be repulsed by the cluster rather than attracted 8221 8220 It 8217 s not as if the antimatter has a negative magnetic charge while regular matter has a confident one 8221 Skirov dismissed then her eyes narrowed in thought 8220 However if we release antimatter into the cluster it will react with the protomatter causing a common annihilation that might disrupt the concentrated gravitational pull of the cluster Captain we want to jettison an antimatter pod 8221 8220 We take the antimatter for the warp engines Lieutenant 8221 Parkhurst pointed out 8220 We make a number of five pods of antimatter 8221 Lennox replied 8220 If we jettison only one and violate its containment system it might make the impression she suggests 8221 8220 If it doesn 8217 t breach until it 8217 s within the cluster will it still assist us 8221 8220 No sir 8221 Skirov said 8220 it inevitably to breach in the midst of the protomatter 8221 8220 Lennox to COB 8221 the First Officer called touching the comm panel on Skirov 8217 s console 8220 Chief do we have enough power for a phaser blast 8221 8220 Most of the phaser power 8217 s tied into the engines 8221 Stone replied 8220 I might be capable to power up one of the point defense turrets though 8221 8220 Good enough 8221 Lennox turned to Ensign Chambers 8220 Think you can hit it 8221 8220 I 8217 m damn well gonna try sir 8221 Chambers said with a nod Lennox looked at Parkhurst who nodded in approval 8220 Bridge to Engineering 8221 Lennox called 8220 jettison AMP 5 on my mark 8221 8220 What 8221 came the incredulous reply from Forrester 8220 Are you insane We want that to power the engines 8221 8220 When I have the word Forrester you want to jettison the pod Just the fifth one That 8217 s an order 8221 There was a pause 8220 Aye aye sir 8221 Lennox moved back towards the helm 8220 D 8217 Sarl use the thrusters to set our heading Point the engineering hull towards the cluster 8211 specifically the cover that Commander Forrester 8217 s about to blow 8221 8220 I 8217 ll try sir but we 8217 re having a hard time just maintaining our position given the force of the cluster 8221 8220 I know 8221 Lennox patted her shoulder 8220 Do the best you can 8221 She nodded biting her lip 8220 Yes sir 8221 She adjusted the Farraday 8217 s heading as Chambers reported from his station 8220 Point defense turret on line sir I 8217 ll take a good angle for the shot 8221 8220 Excellent 8221 Lennox moved towards the support of the bridge finally finding an empty place and sitting down as he gripped the nearby console 8220 Bridge to Engineering Now Mr Forrester 8221 From the stomach of the Farraday 8217 s upper hull a panel blasted off from the ship propelled by explosive bolts Attached to the board was a cylinder two meters long and a meter in diameter slowly falling towards the growing cluster of singularities In the centre of that bunch was a glowing seething and expanding mass of protomatter As the pod fell nearly touching the mass a turret popped up from the larboard side of the Farraday 8217 s dorsal primary hull and swiveled towards it 8220 Target acquired sir 8221 Chambers reported Lennox took a deep breath 8220 Fire 8221 Bolts of blue phased energy spat from the turret striking the pod as it tumbled away The point defense weapon wasn 8217 t usually enough to break a spacecraft 8217 s hull but it managed to strike the containment system of the pod In moments the pod was no more its matter coming into touch with the antimatter it contained 8220 Direct hit 8221 Chambers cried 8220 Warp speed now 8221 Parkhurst ordered As he did the antimatter and protomatter met The Farraday 8217 s engine warped space about the ship even as a roll of inexplicable power washed over it Suddenly the ship was catapulted through space at a much higher rank of speed than the warp engines could get and without any sort of navigational control The transport and her crew spun end over end In Engineering conduits came clear and crewmen scrambled for respirators and radiation suits Forrester climbed towards his console near the engine core holding onto a balustrade for dear life and reached towards the emergency shutdown for the engines After a failed attempt that almost sent him careening through the compartment he reached up and slapped the control The warp engines shut off in an insistent and without the distortion of place about the ship the doe that propelled them dissipated Slowly the Farraday righted herself and Forrester slapped the comm panel 8220 Engineering to Bridge Cap 8217 n engines are reading full stop Is everybody all right up there 8221 On the bridge consoles sparked where they 8217 d split open and emergency lighting bathed the way in a ghostly fashion Lennox crawled towards the central chair which had spat Captain Parkhurst onto the deck A bear from the roof had buckled during the accident causing a long fragment of alloy to shine like a guillotine Parkhurst was pinned to the deck the shard of the support all but severing his head He stared towards the ceiling blood covering his uniform Lennox touched the comm panel on the captain 8217 s chair 8220 Engineering This is Commander Lennox Captain Parkhurst is dead 8221 STAR TREK and all associated technology and concepts are copyright Paramount Studios No purpose of recognition or profit is intended The USS Farraday and her crew are original creations of Joshua E Loomis and are protected under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial No Derivative Works 3 0 United States License Some rights reserved