Posted by Captain Freja Andreassen (Commanding Officer) in Main Sim- The Forbidden Nebula Star system- Into the Gamma Quadrant! The Fleet Sets Sail, A Race Against Time and Terror!”

Posted by Lieutenant Jeffrey “Bob” Jeffers (Chief Engineer) in Main Sim- The Forbidden Nebula Star system- Into the Gamma Quadrant! The Fleet Sets Sail, A Race Against Time and Terror!”

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Jasper Edwards (Chief Science Officer) in Main Sim- The Forbidden Nebula Star system- Into the Gamma Quadrant! The Fleet Sets Sail, A Race Against Time and Terror!”
Posted by… suppressed (42) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The Cthulhu was ready to go her module had been switched out and her own contingent of Marines loaded up the fleet was in formation and heading for the Wormhole though they would enter and traverse to the other side on Captain Andreassens’s orders this was significant and worrying the last time a Federation ship had been on the Gamma quadrant side of the Wormhole The USS Odyssey had and DS9’s Runabouts were trying to rescue Captain Sisko the Last time such a sizable force had gone through the wormhole from this side the Cardassian Obsidian Order and the Tal’Shiar joint fleet had gone to attack the Founders both missions were tragic in their own ways would this new mission be just as tragic or would it meet with success and better relations all around

Commander Aria and Gul Marek had chosen to observe the operation from the Chimera Erisa was on the Cthulhu and A’zna was third fleet command from the Vornoth

GMT Phoenix

Bob was down in Engineering. Finalising all the finishing touches on the systems and checking over all the diagnostics. He smiled to himself when he checked over the reports, his team had down well, Ensign Reese had done well.
“Good job everyone, lets see what awaits us!” He exclaimed grinning to himself and preparing for what was to come.

Lt. Bob Jeffers (CE)

“Sir might I say that it might be best if we gave the bridge everything that we can get. However I wouldn’t know if it is the best thing.” He said handing Lieutenant Jeffers his data pad.

Ensign Logan Reese
Engineering Officer
U.S.S. Chimera

Bob stood in thought for a while at Ensign Reese’s question.
“Good thinking Ensign, but I think this time we should hold some power in reserve. We don’t want to use everything we have in case we need more later. We don’t know what we could be facing on the other side, best to proceed with a little caution.” Bob stated with a smile taking the Pad from him.

“Yes sir. Understood.” He said to his chief with confidence.

Meanwhile Freja sat in her command chair in the CIC, she was fully aware of the significance of the mission. Few ships traversed this wormhole without some sort of price to pay. Hopefully this mission’s cost would not be severe. Risk was part of the game she had long learned in her career in Starfleet, though she supposed it became far more apparent each time she accumulated another pip on the side of her collar.

“Eyes open everyone, let’s get underway,” She ordered. It was show time.

~Freja Andreassen~

The rest of the fleet responded and within moments they were through the wormhole on the other side in the Gamma Quadrant where 15 Dominion warships moved into position joining the fleet a battleship 7 battlecruisers and 8 jem’Hadar attack ships the Cthulhu reported that Erisa beamed aboard the Dominion Battleship right away that was not the only thing as the Vornoth hailed the Chimera Lieutenant A’zna T’arn came up on the screen “Captain Andreasen our sensors are picking something up not far out I would recommend maybe we send the Pickett and the Y’Tang out to scout the perimeter while we look for some place to set up a forward operating base of sorts for our ship!” The red-headed Romulan suggested

GMT Phoenix

In the XO’s chair, Lunan leaned in to his CO, “Not sure how I feel about us not taking point on this.”

-Lt. Commander Lunan Farrah: XO-

“I’m not a fan of it either, but I’m afraid you guys may be hindered by me being the more senior CO on this mission,” Freja replied quietly, “My grandfather always said that the more pips you get on your collar, the more boring your career gets.”

The young Chief Science Officer gulped.

Nerves racked through him, uncertainty about what they were walking into. He’d briefed the scientists on board the Chimera as best as he could but honestly he didn’t really know what to tell them. They were just on alert until something requiring some scientific knowledge came their way in which between them, they would figure out a solution or offer the necessary advice.

He looked out of the viewport of his office and let out a sigh. It was go time.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Edwards - Chief Science Officer - USS Chimera

“Agreed,” she spoke this time onto open comms, “Y’Tang and the Pickett can scout the area while we set up shop, open communication though, the second they encounter anything more than random space dust, I want to know about it.”

~Freja Andreassen~

the Romulan nodded and shortly the Pickett and Y’tang flew off from the formation to go investigate Shara then called in “Well Captain Would you like some recommendations on places to set up this forward operating base We can use the system that the Nebula Erisa discussed is located or we can use any other uninhabited system I would prefer to not choose an inhabited system just encase” she said

GMT Phoenix

Melanie stood at her position at her console on the bridge as well. Just awaiting the order and focused on her work. She then noticed something on the scanners but showed the tactical chief and allowed them to look over the scans. She then looked at the view screen with no hesitation. She stood there working no matter what and continued until security was needed.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Melanie Hall
U.S.S. Chimera
Chief of Security
Lt. Bob Jeffers (CE)

“Let’s set up in the nebula system, we’ll keep our distance for now, but I like having it as an option to quickly evade enemy fire if necessary,” Freja replied, “Unless anyone has any major objections that is of course.”

~Freja Andreassen~

Ensign Logan Reese
Engineering Officer
U.S.S. Chimera

Shara nodded and cut transmission the fleet began to move out the report from the scouts came back “Pickett here! We found…something rather disturbing” Trunch said before flipping the view to what they found

It was the skeleton of a cargo ship quite literally! Just the keel and the cross members it was as if a colossal feline had picked the cargo ship up put it whole in its mouth chewing on it before pulling the skeleton out of its mouth and tossed it to the side the only thing that identified it as a cargo ship was the size of it Shara cut into the discussion “That is the remains of a Karemma cargo ship!” She seemed very shocked

GMT Phoenix

“Captain. Might I suggest something? Why don’t we bring the skeleton back to the fleet? We can then maybe scan it and maybe find another way to know how it all happened. Maybe it’ll give us some idea and some clue as to what we are facing here.” She suggested.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Melanie Hall
U.S.S. Chimera
Chief of Security

“I will take that under advisement Lieutenant,” Freja replied, “I want a thorough investigation first, for all we know, whatever did this might have placed trackers in the wreck, if we bring it to where we’re setting things up, we could be open to an attack.”

“Trunch, can you handle investigating the wreck or do you want additional assistance at this stage?” Freja replied over the comm link, “We’re going to need to figure out, as best as we can, what the hell happened to that ship. Proceed with extreme caution though.”

~Freja Andreassen~

“Yes, Captain. But I strongly suggest that I go with them on this mission as Chief Security Officer. I am someone who also cares about this crew as much as you are Captain. But again it is your call.” She suggested very strongly about this situation.

“Captain Andreassen,” Trunch’s voice came through with a steely edge, “The Pickett is more than ready to handle this. A Brazen-class might be built for speed and aggression, but she can be just as precise when the situation demands it. We’ve scanned the wreck, and so far, it’s all quiet on our end, but you can bet we’ll keep an eye on any surprises lurking in that skeleton.”

There was a brief pause, as if he were considering the weight of the discovery before continuing. “I appreciate the offer of assistance, but for now, the Pickett and Y’Tang can manage. We’ve faced worse odds and come out the other side. If things turn sour or we find anything that suggests we’re walking into a trap, you’ll hear from us.”

He ended with a nod of determination, though unseen. “We’ll approach with care, but I aim to get to the heart of what’s left of that ship, and uncover the truth behind it. Count on us.”

GMT Phoenix

Lieutenant Junior Grade Melanie Hall
U.S.S. Chimera
Chief of Security

ooc that will be hard because the Pickett an Y’Tang and this wreck are not in transporter range and they left 5 minutes ago

kg

Edwards shook his head.

He was no use in the science bays, so he’d made for the turbolift. He figured he’d be more use on the CIC, able to offer advise directly to the commanding officer and the number one. He let out a sigh on his ride to the CIC. Something didn’t sit right about their venture through the wormhole, but he had a feeling the entire ship felt the same as he did ultimately.

The young officer stepped from the turbolift and offered a nod. “Captain, Commander” he spoke quietly, addressing the two superior officers. “Have I missed anything?”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Edwards - Chief Science Officer - USS Chimera

“Our colleagues are scouting ahead, take your station Lieutenant, I have a feeling we may need your skills any moment now.”

-Lt. Commander Lunan Farrah: XO-

He offered a nod to the XO.

“Yes commander.” She then went ahead and took her station with no hesitation and knew that her skills would be needed soon.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Melanie Hall
U.S.S. Chimera
Chief of Security

He’d never stood at his station in the CIC before, it took him a few seconds to figure out which was actually his. He rolled up the sleeves on his labcoat and cast his eyes towards the viewscreen, for the first time seeing what was left of a cargo ship. He let out an audible little gasp and shook his head in disbelief. “Commander, excuse the unprofessionalism for a moment” he spoke, pausing briefly.

“Whatever can do that to a ship, well I don’t want to know what it can do to us”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Edwards - Chief Science Officer - USS Chimera

Meanwhile the fleet continued to move into the “Star system” containing the nebula though that was a stretch as there was a brown dwarf star and a couple moon sized objects orbiting it however there was a massive purple nebula towards the outter edge of the system it was the biggest nebula any Starfleet ship has yet seen

Another hail from the Pickett in that moment was raised “Captain Andreassen we have found no trackers of any kind We believe this thing is safe to haul back if you wish!” Trunch reported smiling his confident cocky smile “But maybe we could get one more ship? Just to give the Y’Tang some help covering our six while we drag this in?” He added Shara cutting in very quickly “I could have an Attack ship dispatched and there in moments captain!” She said

Ooc I also forgot to mention that extra seats have been added to CIC for Commander Aria and Gul Marek they both are on the bridge but so far have had little to say in the matter and all ships are tied in communication wise so that orders can be given at the drop of a hat

GMT Phoenix

“Please dispatch an attack ship of your choosing Shara, thank you, we can haul it nearby so we can begin a detailed analysis of what happened,” Freja replied, turning to her Chief Science Officer, “Once that wreck is in range, start conducting detailed scans of it, see if whatever it was that attacked left behind any biological evidence.”

Turning to her Security Chief, “You may also conduct your security scans once the wreck is in range.”

~Freja Andreassen~

“Yes, Cap”

He offered a smile and a nod towards the Captain, but inside he was terrified. Whatever could do that level of damage to a ship wasn’t something Jasper really wanted to be messing with.

She looked at the captain with a smile. “aye captain.” She replied. With a nice grin on her face.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Melanie Hall
U.S.S. Chimera
Chief of Security

She nodded and very quickly not just one but Two attack ships flew off jumping into warp to join the Pickett and guard it as they towed the Hulk back to the rest of the fleet while they waited the Tributes ENTITY AI Morgana Holliday, appears on screen with a gentle flourish, her soft Southern drawl filling the air. Dressed in a voluminous, flowing gown, her digital form reflects her 1860s Southern Belle aesthetic, complete with a delicate lace parasol. Her porcelain features beam with a refined, practiced smile as she begins to speak.

“Well, now, if y’all don’t mind my lil’ ol’ suggestion, might I propose we conduct a thorough long-range scan of the surroundin’ systems? Sometimes, the beauty of a garden doesn’t reveal itself until we step back and take it all in, and this here void is no different, honey. Why, if we do a careful scan, I do believe we might spot somethin’ bloomin’ out there that’s worth investigatin’.” she said with a smile

GMT Phoenix

“That’s not a bad suggestion”

The Science Officer adjusted his glasses and looked down to the console, fingers dancing over the buttons. “Think of a fungus, for example. It doesn’t just grow in one place, it grows around the area. Flowers do similar, they germinate and spread and you get patches of flowers growing around the area” he muttered, loud enough that he would be overheard but clearly talking to himself. “Jasper, why didn’t you think of that” he again muttered to himself.

“Captain, your call. I don’t think it’s a bad idea”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Edwards - Chief Science Officer - USS Chimera

“It would give us a better idea of what we’re looking out at here,” Lunan pointed out.

-Lt. Commander Lunan Farrah: XO-

Meanwhile, Bob paced around Engineering. He was trying not to appear nervous or anxious. He kept checking in on the other Engineers. He wanted to make sure everything was ready when he would be called on.

Lt. Bob Jeffers (CE)

“Sir? Is everything okay?” He asked his department head. Not knowing what to do.

Ensign Logan Reese
Engineering Officer
U.S.S. Chimera

“Agreed, let’s get those long range scans underway,” Freja ordered with a nod.

~Freja Andreassen~

Jasper offered a nod in response.

“With your permission Captain, I’d like to bring Chief Engineer Jeffers up here. His insights into how ships are put together mixed with an understanding of biology on my part may help us paint a clearer picture” he suggested. The wreck of what was once a cargo ship was still scaring him, but it was his duty as an officer of Star Fleet to figure out what had happened to it.

The Chief Science Officer cast his eyes down to the terminal in front of him, beginning to adjust the scanners to look for any biological abnormalities in the area of the USS Chimera and he kept his eyes on the terminal, waiting for results to start pouring back to him.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Edwards - Chief Science Officer - USS Chimera

OOC wouldn’t the CMO make more sense?

kg

OOC - Yes and no. CE makes sense because they understand how ships are put together etc, a lot more than Jasper does. Whilst I’m aware the hinting is very much that we’re looking for a biological abnormality, Jasper doesn’t know that. All he knows is that something has absolutely eaten a ship alive and he’s not okay with it. He’s requested the CE because his knowledge of how ships are glued together will be able to shed light on things that look abnormal in how the ship has been taken apart again.

Hope that makes a bit of sense matey!

Lieutenant Junior Grade Edwards - Chief Science Officer - USS Chimera

The long-range scan reveals that there are 5 more star systems within range though not many details could be made out with this low-resolution scan the one system that was close enough that more information could be made out this system sitting 3.5 Lightyears away showed a Yellow Dwarf star with 4 planets the last one being a Gas Giant with Rings hidden in these rings was 5 cargo ships they were sheltering as the Dominion had ordered they had most systems powered down at the moment except for basic life support however one of the ships had a fluctuating power signature that looked strange however there could be any number of reasons why the energy signature was off on that one for now the fleet would need more evidence something was truly wrong to act

The Pickett and the ships guarding it arrived back while the scan was being conducted

Other ships started scanning and sharing the data with the chimera

Firstly the Skeleton shows Structural Integrity damage but what is strange is its more of Material Degradation scaring shows a High-Energy Biochemical Corrosion almost as if what is left was partially liquified

There is an Organic Residue on the skeleton that a sample can be collected from and anylized more closely

GMT Phoenix

“Let’s quarantine any samples we decide to bring aboard for further analysis,” Freja spoke as she sat in her command chair.

~Freja Andreassen~

Bob continued to pace around Engineering. He wandered if he could be more useful on the bridge.
=^=Jeffers to the Bridge. Do you need me up there, I feel like a spare part down here.=^=

Lt. Bob Jeffers (CE)

“Cap, you may wanna see this”

The Chief Science Officer looked towards the Captain of the Chimera with a look of concern on his face. “Whatever dissolved that ship all but melted it. These scans…” he paused for a moment, double checking the data just to confirm what he was thinking was correct. The look of concern grew even more as he blinked and adjusted his glasses.

“There’s traces on that ship of biochemical corrosion… By it’s very nature biochemical only occurs within living organisms. Cap, biochemical suggests something living” he spoke finally. “There’s more, because our fun doesn’t end there. I did those long range scans? Yeah, they’re interesting as well” he continued. “Scan’s reveal a few ships a few light years away, all mostly powered down but one is fluctuating massively. I’d need to confirm with Jeffers, but I don’t think ships are supposed to do that”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Edwards - Chief Science Officer - USS Chimera

“That’s....disconcerting,” Freja remarked, =^=Yeah Chief, we could use you, our Science Chief could use your collaboration on some scans he’s getting back from our wreck, something tells me it might need an engineer’s touch.=^=

=^=Righto Captain, I’m on my way.=^= He replied, turning to Ensign Reese he said “Keep everything ticking over down here while I’m away. Any issues let me know.” With that, he turned and headed out of Engineering and up to the Bridge.

Freja turned back to her CSO, “Work with Jeffers and see if we can come up with a few theories on why that ship is doing what’s it’s doing, because I don’t want us to land in a situation where we’re the ones with power fluctuations having us blink like a Christmas tree.”

~Freja Andreassen~

A few minutes later Bob arrived on the Bridge. He looked around and grinned, he loved being on the bridge. It was true he loved ships in general but he liked looking out of the viewer at the stars. He just had the dream job really. He looked around Engineering and over to the Science station, there was someone he didn’t recognise The CSO maybe he thought to himself. He walked over to Jasper with a friendly smile on his face.
“Hello there, Bob Jeffers. I’m the Chief Engineer. Feel free to call me whatever you like, most call me Chief.” He introduced himself holding out his hand.
“I gather you need a hand?” He asked.

Lt. Bob Jeffers (CE)

“Edwards, Chief Science”

He cast his eyes to the friendly looking Chief Engineer and took his hand softly. He gave the hand a little shake before turning back to his station, the look of concern still present and obvious for Bob Jeffers to see.

Bob had a much firmer grip and his hand was rough and calloused, only natural for a Chief Engineer. He noticed the concern in Jasper’s eyes.

“Make sense of these scans for me. You know how ships are put together, yes?” he asked inquisitively. “What does this to a ship? How can something biorganic do this to a ship?”

Bob huffed slightly blowing out his cheeks as he looked over the scan. It was odd and indeed worrying. He played it down for Jasper’s benefit.
“Well, I’d say it was something big whatever it was. To cause that much damage, we’ll know more once the sample is analysed.” He then turned to the other ships.
“Those are even stranger. That fluctuating one. Can we get further information on it? I’d like to know the root cause.” He said then realised he hadn’t been at all reassuring.
“Don’t worry Edwards, I’m sure we’ll have this figured out. There’s an explanation for everything.

A Comm Call came in “This is NE Rhaine We have just finished collecting the samples I am transporting them to Sickbay for analysis ANd I have sent one sample over to the Nightengale as they have even more detailed facilities to use” the female ensign called over the comms

GMT Phoenix

Lieutenant Junior Grade Edwards - Chief Science Officer - USS Chimera
Lt. Bob Jeffers (CE)

=^=Acknowledged, please maintain standard quarantine protocols, at least until we have a better idea of what exactly we are handling,=^= Freja replied firmly. She knew some officers found it annoying when she stated the obvious, but her first duty was to ensure that her crew came back in one piece from this mission and she took it very seriously.

~Freja Andreassen~

Lunan chimed in, “I feel I may be useful coordinating with the science teams, I can beam over to the Nightengale in minutes?”

-Lt. Commander Lunan Farrah: XO-