Posted by Gamemaster WHITE TIGER (Gamemaster Trainee) in MAIN SIM: PRIORITY ONE
STARFLEET COMMAND TRANSMISSION
SOURCE: Starfleet Command Headquarters, San Francisco, Earth
RECIPIENT: Captain T’Nara, Commanding Officer, U.S.S. ArkAngel (NCC-98729)
SENDER: Admiral Erica Archer, Starfleet Command Operations Division
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: Priority One — Eyes Only Command Personnel
STARDATE: 79012.4

INT. U.S.S. ARKANGEL — MAIN BRIDGE
The U.S.S. ArkAngel glided effortlessly through the deep velvet of Federation space, currently engaged in the rhythmic, hum-filled monotony of routine patrol duty. On the bridge, the soft, ambient glow of the consoles cast a serene light over the crew, and the gentle, rhythmic chime of the navigation sensors provided a soothing soundtrack to a standard watch.

The calm was shattered by the sharp, piercing trill of the primary communications terminal—a high-priority alert tone that immediately snapped every officer to attention. The communications officer, a young ensign who had been relaxing into his chair only seconds before, straightened abruptly, his hands dancing across the interface as he recognized the high-level encryption protocols bubbling up from the subspace relay.

“Captain,” the officer announced, his voice tight with the sudden gravity of the situation. “I have an incoming Priority One transmission directly from Starfleet Command. It’s encrypted for your eyes only.”

The bridge instantly transformed. The casual chatter ceased, replaced by the hushed, expectant tension that always precedes a major shift in mission parameters.

She looked over at the officer. “Very well, I’ll take it in my ready room.” She said, standing up from her command chair. She thought that having a priority one message would mean something. She then looked at her first officer. “Commander, you have the bridge.” She looked over.

The massive forward display flickered, the starfield vanishing in a wash of static before resolving into the sharply lit, austere office of Admiral Erica Archer. Behind her, the iconic Starfleet Command emblem stood out in stark relief, a silent witness to the weight of the communication. The Admiral’s expression was uncharacteristically grim, her gaze piercing even through the digital rendering of the subspace link.

“Captain T’Nara,” Archer began, wasting no time on pleasantries, “this transmission is classified Priority One for a reason. Approximately three hours ago, Listening Post 47 intercepted a subspace distress beacon originating from the volatile fringes of the Theta Persei sector.”

“Admiral. I’ll have the Ark Angel on her way to the Theta Persei sector immediately.” She replied to the Admiral. “We’ll get it done as soon as I can.” She added.

With a swift, practiced motion, Archer swiped a data file across the link. On T’Nara’s tactical display, the registry information for the source vessel materialized in glowing, golden text:

U.S.S. PATHFINDER — NCC-74621.

She then goes ahead and stands up, puts her hands behind her back. She then also tilts her head as everything.

“The source vessel has been identified as the U.S.S. Pathfinder,” Archer continued, her tone measured. “An Intrepid-class explorer that vanished without a trace during a deep-space survey mission back in 2298. Following a preliminary assessment by Commander Vance at the listening post, Command has authenticated the transmission protocols as genuine.”

Archer paused, letting that sink in before delivering the most jarring revelation of all. “Captain Amelia Hayes is still logged as the commanding officer in the emergency beacon’s handshake. Which leads us to the most difficult conclusion of all: the crew of the Pathfinder may still be alive.”

“Captain Amelia Hayes? I think I might remember her. She and I served at the academy together. Great Captain. But logged as the Commanding Officer in the emergency beacon’s handshake seems illogical.” She said. “Not to mention that the Pathfinder has been missing for years. Why now have we found the vessel and I take the mission?” She asked.

“I am suggesting that you have a mission, Captain,” Archer countered, bypassing the scientific speculation. “The ArkAngel is hereby assigned priority deployment to the Theta Persei Fringe. You are to proceed to Listening Post 47, rendezvous with Commander Vance, and investigate the source of that transmission. Your primary objectives are to verify the condition of the vessel, provide immediate emergency assistance, and recover all surviving Starfleet personnel.”

“Very well, Admiral. We’ll do our best. Investigate the source of the transmission, verify the condition of the vessel, provide immediate emergency assistance, and recover all surviving Starfleet personnel. Understood.” She replied.

Admiral Archer’s expression hardened, shifting from operational directive to a more personal, profound concern. “Captain, Starfleet has certainly encountered temporal anomalies before, but we have never dealt with a situation where a ship officially lost to history returns and actively requests our help. The Pathfinder is not merely a piece of lost history—it is a crew that may have been waiting in the dark for over a century. You are officially designated Mission Commander for this recovery operation.”

“Understood, Admiral. We’ll figure this whole thing out without incident.” She said.

Archer hesitated, her gaze softening as she looked directly at T’Nara through the camera. “Should you find Captain Hayes and her people, remember that they are not historical artifacts to be studied or categorized. They are fellow Starfleet officers. Treat them with the same level of respect, care, and consideration you would expect if the situation were reversed and you were the one drifting through the centuries. Recover the ship if possible, but recover the crew at all costs. Find out what happened to them.”

Archer dipped her head in a short, sharp nod. “Starfleet Command is counting on you, Captain. Archer out.”

The connection severed, leaving the bridge bathed in the blue light of the navigation console. Silence reigned for several heartbeats—a silence thick with the weight of the impossible task now laid at their feet.

The Captain leaves her ready room not concerned, not eager, doesn’t exactly feel anything. “Commander, plot a course to Listening Post 47. Warp factor 5.” Looking over at her, “Ensign, I suggest you work with the science officer there. Once we arrive, I suggest, Commander, you and I go over as well to speak to Commander Vance once arrival.” She added.

The impossible mission had begun, and the ArkAngel surged forward into the unknown.

WHITE TIGER
GM • USS ARKANGEL
NCC-98729
“Where Legends Begin”

Captain T’Nara
Commanding Officer
USS Ark Angel