[snip]

Just as Cara finished talking the computer beeped again and displayed the information on her smaller screen. For her first question about the comet achieving warp speed naturally, the computer gave a ‘note enough data’ reply to give full answer. For the second about it having a warp signature and the phase oscillations the computer confirmed it did indeed have such showing up. To the question of if it matched any known races, the computer was able to confirm it did not directly match any known major or minor powers on record.

Meanwhile on scans Gork spoke up again since Cara had taken up the other investigation point. “..Commander, I ran back the scans of the moments leading up to the comet’s appearance and dropping from warp. There was a twentieth of a second measured drop in the local gravity field surrounding the entire system. The gravity drop system wide from the local star dropped nearly .82% of what it read before and currently during our time here. I then ran calculations on how such a drop system wide would effect local subspace and the energy output of it. From everything I can tell given the mass of the comet currently, the drop in local gravity and the time of its effect. The gravitational energy output would have been enough to propel the comet from up to 10 light years distant to this area at the measured warp speed of roughly warp factor 2.3. Scanning on our local stellar charts the closest point of origin to reach this system within the 10 light year span was an unexplored system beyond our borders and unclaimed space, though it does lie close to the last known border contacts with both the Klingon Empire and the Bolay Military District’s claims of expansion. I can not confirm however, if this form of transit was a natural unknown phenomena or something artificial. We could try launching a low warp capable science probe. It would reach the system in about an hour or so. It could provide more information..” Gork suggested.

Joe closed one eye and scratched his chin in what he supposed was the look of a semi-intelligent man in deep thought pondering great things. ” Wellllll… ’ he began as he turned to look at Gork. ” Perhaps we are looking at the problem from the wrong end. Let’s look for any naturally occurring system wide drops in gravity which have been recorded by believable observers. More than one such proven incident would be wonderful.”

Cara had also been deep in her own thoughts about the pretty comet display, and had missed the sudden order from the XO. “Right away Sir!” she said belatedly, and began programming a scan for local sytem wide drops in gravity wells and a search of the library computer for further historical data.

As the library computer crunched data Cara would see that historical information on comet diversion was limited. Romulans had some history on divering comets such as the comet Icarus IV in the Romulan Neutral Zone, but apart from that paticular incident with the USS Enterprise, the Romulans hadn’t been seen in a hundred years. It was humans, on Earth, who had most frequently diverted comets. Starting with the arrival of comet Burke in January 2155, they had diverted fourteen comets in the Sol system during a thirty-month long span, for the Martian Terraforming Project.

Cross was now focusing her attention on Cara, wondering what she’ll find ‘’Anything of interest? ‘’ she asked her.

“No Sir, nothing of much use to use anyway,” Cara replied. “According to the historical record, the most likely people to divert comets seem to be Humans from Earth. A possible second is the Romulans, but as you know, few people have ever seen them for a century. There is no record of Klingons diverting comets, though obviously they do have history when it comes to over-mining minor planets, and a total disregard for safety precautions. My guess would be that this is a third party instead, possibly someone that the planet’s natives are aware of, but for whom we have no record. Mr. Gork’s analysis of the Warp Signature might tell us more?”

“The we come to for the reason, ” continued Cara. “Well, the reason is not clear. The XO’s idea of it being of benefit to the planet by seeding rare minerals or climate change; this is not held out by an analysis of the comet’s composition. The only visible effect on the planet surface seems to be an attractive light show. My guess would be that the light show is meant to signal something to the native population. Maybe Captain Glen can discover what that is?”

The only other reported incident of something similar though not exactly, was in 2233 by the USS Taka a small survey scout ship experimenting with subspace gravity experiments near the Tolls System about 15 light years from Sol. The experiment was attempting to find ways to study forms of wormholes and subspace in general. The side effect of the experiment was a divergent drop in the local gravity field of subspace and the system within 200 meters of the ship. This though was far less energy intensive then what they saw here and a far greater range of effect.

After relaying the final piece of information, Cara said, “I can’t tell you any more. I concur with Gork that we could try launching a low warp capable science probe.”

Joe sighed not liking the idea of even trying a small reenactment of something that he saw as just plain odd. It did seem to be though one way of adding some data to that which they had. “Very well then. ” Joe began as he looked across the bridge. Set up your science probe then and see what we can learn from it. Hopefully we’ll get something a bit more than speculation.”

Cara didn’t understand why the Commander had given a sigh. Thinking that it must be because of the slow progress being made she replied, “It’s quite a distance to the system, Sir! As Gork said, at Warp One it’ll take about an hour or so. The Merrimack could be there in a matter of seconds, but I assume we won’t be leaving the Landing Party alone? Anyhow, a probe is unlikely to be detected, while the arrival of a ship this large would certainly be noticed by anyone watching.... ....a probe has been prepared and is ready in the torpedo tube to launch. You just need to give the go ahead!”

’’ Well Cmdr what are you waiting for ,just give the order ‘’ she was already exhibiting the tell tail signs for the familiar urge of some kind of stimulant, a sensation, buildup that Cross knew all too well and it showed in her fidgeting demeanor.

Joe smiled as he said, “Thank you very much Cara.” Turning then in Cross’s direction he looked at her and with a twinkle in his eyes said to her, “Well Miri when you’re right you’re right. Why don’t you go ahead and give the order? Something with some flare to it. Perhaps a good old-fashioned countdown. I haven’t heard anything like that for a while. ” Pausing then he sat in what might pass with someone to be deep thought before nodding his head and saying ,”Yes give us a countdown Doctor Cross. Make ready to launch the torpedo on at the doctor’s command Ms. Meow!”.

Cross was about to give the Cmdr a piece of her mind but stopped dead listening to Cara.

“Okay, preparing to launch on a count of ‘Five’! I’m ready when you are, Doctor!” Cara replied, adding, “Sir! If we find out that it was the Bolay Military District, I never met them myself, but I have read that the Merrimack made first contact with them, long before I arrived here. They are very aggressive, I believe. Hawkish and pugnacious. Antagonistic and belligerent! Shouldn’t we inform the Captain that this is a possibility?”

Now there was terror in her eyes ,what if its true what Cara suspected? What if they made contact and would be on the screen and saw her ? Do they abduct persons?.

Cross was hyperventilating ‘’Sorry Cmdr must rush to sickbay …we don’t know what’s going to happen ‘’ and with that she was off the bridge in a flash. Once in the lift the doctor spoke to herself ‘’Calm down ,just calm down.. they don’t even know you exist ‘’.

“Sir? Did i say something wrong?” Cara asked, bewildered and confused.

Cross’s quick exit into the turbo-lift surprised even Joe who in all the years he had known her had seen some pretty strange behavior from her. He sat there a moment completely nonplussed. Finally, then he turned toward Cara and said , Lieutenant the only way you can tell water is hot sometimes is to stick your toe in. Fire the probe at will if you please.”

“Right away!” she said, pushing the launch button. Doctor Cross certainly made this ship interesting, but it was becoming clearer to Cara why there was still a professor of psychiatry aboard the Merrimack.

“Sirs,” Dariusz, the Navigator, spoke up. “I’m tracking the science probe’s transponder signal. I should be able to get a visual up soon… Sir, I was around when we first met the Bolay. They were a humanoid dolphinesque species that was antagonistic towards land based mammalian species. We were warned not to mention that their species had ties to Earth in the long past, but the chief science officer, Lt Serok, ignored that, and it was considered an insult to the Bolay crew, and to their culture. As a result of the soured meeting the Bolay Military District now view the Federation as insulting and untrustworthy.”

“That’s also what I’ve heard,” Cara added. “Some people even think that war is coming!”

“I don’t remember what part Doctor Cross played in the events though,” Dariusz continued. “So, I can’t explain why she acted in that way. Shouldn’t some check she is okay?”

• Dariusz, Navigator