The Continuing Story of Deep Space 2: Page 3
As the DS2 senior staff entered cargobay 6, the commander was the first on to speak. It sounded like a Vulcan logical conclusion, but it was surely not.
"For this very short period we are on this station, we have discovered four shield generators, a complete type X phaser array and now this. A cargobay with about one thousand quantum and photon torpedos, and six turnable torpedo launchers which can fire in all directions. Now it seems to me that nobody knew about this. Starfleet itself to say the least. I have the impression that this is not the science station, which is the nearest Starfleet outpost to the Delta Quadrant. This is a battle station !"
XO Jan was already studying the inventory of the cargobay on one of the terminals. He could only add that there were 350 quantum torpedos and 650 photon torpedos. He asked himself why Starfleet had no knowledge about all of this, but he was also relieved to find some means of defense on this station. Full automated weapon systems were in the list of his favorites. These systems could easily be a match for six Galaxy Class vessels. The four huge shield generators were like nothing he had seen before. What would the next discovery be ?
"Commander Sir", Jan said in his typical marine way, "I advice to get the internal sensor arrays on line, so we can see what this station is hiding."
"Agreed. Louis I want all sensors and related systems on line as soon as possible."
"Sir, we could link the runabout's sensors into the DS2 main computer, but that would probably take more time. The sensors of the runabout only detected some auxilliary power when we were approaching DS2. This could mean that these weapon systems are somehow shielded agains sensors. I just wanted to point that out, sir."
"That is why we need internal sensors ensign Louis."
Louis ran out of the door, followed by Jan Roel and Marianne. They knew what to do. Jan and Arthur looked at each other. They didn't need any words. Highly sophisticated technology, even for Starfleet, installed on this very old station, didn't make any sense. Even more strange was the fact that Starfleet had not informed the DS2 commander nor his XO about these upgrades. Maybe it was because the station was so close to the delta quadrant."
"The BORG !"
The CO and XO's voices sounded as one. What was going on here. Somebody was responsable for installing these upgrades. Nadine was a bit shaken up. Her father was stationed on the USS Melbourne when this ship, and many other vessels were destroyed by the Borg at Wolf 359. The DS2 nurse didn't speak. As in a sudden moment the three of them made it to the nearest turbolift. This one was working. Louis had already informed them that getting systems on line on this station was a piece of cake. It was as if DS2 was just waiting to get activated. Very strange indeed. And Starfleet didn't know ? Even more strange.
Nadine was the first to get out on their way. She wanted to inspect sickbay first. When the two DS2 senior officers entered operations, only the two cadets were present, studying the LCARS.
"Jan, Open a channel to Starfleet HQ."
"Channel open."
A young face of a young lieutenant appeared on the main viewscreen. It seemes that this young officer wasn't really interested in messages from a very remote station. She explained that Captain Simak probably could help out. A moment later the face of a Vulcan Starfleet captain appeared.
"You are the new commander of the old DS2. Very interesting that you contact me. I presume that you have arived on the station without any difficulties ?"
"That is correct sir, but I also want to report that we found some weapon systems and defense systems on the station which we didn't really expect. It seems to me that these systems were not..."
"Commander, may I inform you that if you are not pleased, like you humans say, with your assignment you need not come to me. You have to take the station as it is."
"But Sir, I just ..."
"Commander. I have learned that humans are sometimes premature with expressing their emotions, to find out later it was not worth any frustration. Are you not pleased with the station ?"
"Yes sir, but ..."
"Then I do not see the logic in your complaint, commander. If you will excuse me now, I have a very important meeting in three minutes. Live long and Prosper."
"Err ... The same to you sir."
The image of captain Simak was replaced with the image of the "outside". Space. Now even the two cadets looked up a bit confused. Commander Arthur pulled up his shoulders.
"Well major, you heard the man. We have to take this station as it is."
"Yes sir ! Commander sir !"
The grin on Jan's face explained it all. The two long time friends could only burst into laughter. The cadets didn't really understand and continued their study. Ensign Marianne, who acted as their mentor had given them a strickt time scedule. Just when the two senior officers of DS2 had ended their outburst, it was nurse Nadine who had the next surprise.
"Nadine to ops."
"Go ahead, Nadine."
"Sir I am in sickbay. There is someone here you have to meet."
"Did you use the word: someone ?"
"Affermative sir."
"We are on our way. Arthur out. Cadet Caroline you have ops."
Both cadets turned around fully surprised, just to see the door of turbolift two closing.