Posted by Lieutenant Tiastri Ezial (Chief Engineer) in Main Sim - Bridge - A Day From K-5

Posted by Lieutenant Tiastri Ezial (Chief Engineer) in Main Sim - Bridge - A Day From K-5

Posted by Captain John Tiberius Glen (Captain) in Main Sim - Bridge - A Day From K-5
It was two weeks since the Merrimack’s last mission and they were on patrol an hour from deep space K-5 when gravitational sensors picked up a sudden spike across the spectrum. So abrupt was the spike that it sent the ship spinning about from port to starboard in a barrel roll. Sending everyone flying this way and that. Red Alert klaxons sprang into action around the ship before the navigator got the ship righted.

Starfleet had never got around to acting upon the request of a previous Merrimack health and safety officer, to have them install seat belts on the Bridge.

Reports came in from across the ship of minor-moderate injuries from the tumbling but otherwise no damage reports were reported. On the screen as it cleared was an awesome sight a massive swirling hole in space recognizable as a wormhole eddied just off their forward bow! The pink-red phenomena pulsed twice before winking shut leaving behind in its wake was a small alien craft. Arched like a crab’s claw with twin smooth nacelle like protrusions from the upper rear the craft at first didn’t match any known configurations. Then dawning would come from those involved in the Destiny Temporal Paradox events two years prior. It was that of an Ancients craft likely similar to a frigate in scope. Fast and nimble they were still powerful capable combatants from what the crew could recall. Thankfully this one didn’t seem hostile as neither shields, bio-armor, or weapons were registered online.

Captain Glen instantly recognized that design configuration of the frigate. How could he not recognize it, when it frequently appeared in his most lucid nightmares. Once again, he was haunted by the memory of that Destiny Temporal Paradox mission, and of the worm that wrapped itself tight around his brain and forced him to act against his own will and best interests.

Life scans of the craft showed it was as expected a partly organic living ship, but unlike previous records showing a crew of 10-12 this one had only a signal Ancient life sign showing up. As this was taken in a hail came in directly calling for Captain Glen by name.

If he only could, Captain Glen have would have erased all knowledge and memory of the ancients. He couldn’t, and another part of his brain was curious; sufficiently curious enough not to order the immediate destruction of the craft.

Instead, but with some reluctance and a heavy heart, Captain Glen instructed Tinga, “Open a communications channel.”

Tinga had taken the barrel roll in style due to her antennae and superior balance but she was glad to have the ship righted again.

Glancing up from collecting damage reports, she saw the ship and heard the Captain’s command.

“Channel open sir.”

=/\= USS Merrimack. I am Shalon Da Fran, I have crossed vast treks of time and space to deliver to you a gift of life. My time here is short though and I must complete my transfer before it is up. Please stand by for a package to your cargo bay. =/\= The female like voice stated.

Glen turned to Kord, who always stood behind him, “I’m not sure that I can bring myself to speak to it, Kord. Could you please? It is an Ancient though, right? It’s not a Harvester. So, it’s come forward in time and from Andromeda. Quite a long journey just to bring us a present! I also don’t think we can turn it down. They had some way of bypassing our shields before.”

Kord had been surprised by the appearance of the ship as well. That it came out accidentally at the location of the Merri was highly improbable.

Kord stepped up beside Glen.

“It is indeed an Ancient craft. I will field this call. Do you wish to retire from the bridge first?” Kord asked.

“No, I’ll remain. I’m Captain of this ship. I must summon up the courage to overcome my memories and face them once again. We did defeat them before,” replied Glen. “I fought it before from inside my head, I just need a moment to come to terms with this return.”

Glen turned to Tinga. He was about to ask her to dispatch a subspace message to deep space K-5, saying something like they ‘had engaged the Ancients,’ but this enemy was still classified. No one had ever heard of them. So, he guessed they were going to be on their own here. No ships from the future to rescue them this time. No NX Memorial or USS Dresden to help out. Just the USS Merrimack alone. “Never mind!” Glen told her, “Kord will speak to Shalon Da Fran on my behalf. Otherwise, keep a radio silence until we know what they are up to.”

=/\= Security to Cargo Bays 1 and 2. Prepare for an immediate beam in of… something! A package! Hal, I don’t know what is getting delivered but it’s most likely to be dangerous and probably lethal. =/\=

-Glen, CO

Tia had been on the bridge updating the engineering logs with the current schedule when the ‘top over tea kettle’ maneuver sent her to her backside on the floor. Like everyone else, she ‘oomphed’ and rubbed the offending spot as well as helped others recover as she found her own footing once more. A quick glance assured her Kord and the CO were all right, and she helped an ensign into the turbo lift who appeared to have sprained her wrist in her fall. With the rest seeming all right and capable of assuming their posts once more, it sent an additional shudder thru her as the voice came on and brought back a wave of her own nightmarish memories of the past… or was it the future?

She bit her lip and closed her eyes, grateful to have to back to the viewscreen. But when Kord stepped up to respond, her own courage was bolstered and she turned halfway in her seat to watch the exchange. At the announcement of the arrival of a package, she clenched the console. As the room went silent a moment, she steeled her resolve and stood up. “I’m going to the bay as well. If it’s something mechanical or even just deadly, I think I should be there. Maybe science as well, since we have no idea what it will be.” She sighed and shook her head. “And maybe medical. The being said ‘the gift of life’. I just hope we haven’t suddenly become parents.”

She paused just long enough to catch Kord’s eyes and make sure she wasn’t going to be kept on the bridge.

Just as she was waiting for Kord’s nod of approval, her comm badge chimed with a hail from engineering about an issue and an immediate request for her presence. She growled under her breath and responded, then nodded to Kord and the Captain before heading for the lift. “I’ll go there as soon as I make sure we are righted, Sirs… promise.” She winked with a sly grin and disappeared into the lift.

Tiastri
CE
(didn’t see the engineering post before posting here lol)

Kord turned to the screen.

=^=Shalon Da Fran, excuse us for our cold reception but we do have reason to be suspicious. Can you tell us the nature of this gift before transport?=^=

• Kord, XO