The Continuing Story of Deep Space 2: Page 68
Akna and Gorth, travelers from the future, arrived on the USS Ajax warned the human species for a violent ending of all humanity, but admiral Arthur had them locked up in the Brig. But there was one thing for Akna to say before being brought below.
"Maybe this device will convince you."
Akna suddenly had a device in his hand, but not for very long. With the marines closeby, they jumped on Akna and disarmed him in a blink of an eye. They destroyed the device immediately, believing it was a weapon of some kind. Maybe it was not, but one thing was for sure. Akna and Gorth were in the brig three minutes later and the USS Ajax set course to Deep Space 2. With the criminals in the right place, there was nothing more to fear for the Federation at this time. Although it was always uncertain what to expect. Even commander Marianne Loogen at Relay Station 4465-A had nothing to report. The trip back to Deep Space 2 was as short as the trip to Earth, and when the USS Ajax docked again, Admiral Arthur had a feeling of being home, filed reports to be read and back in business to guard the border of the Federation. It felt good. But Arthur was not the only one who felt good. Most of the officers had had some extreme times the last weeks. This was going to be a rest and relax continuation, with regular shifts, amusements, holographic entertainment... a walk in the park.
A day later patrols of the USS Ajax and an upgraded USS Gandhi, were again comon and life aboard Deep Space 2 got back to normal standards. In engineering the engineers had time to run full diagnostics and Geert Van Nieuwenhove became in charge of the nightshift, while XO Jan Theys was in command of the USS Ajax. Once that day a test flight with the USS Hammerhead lead to an additional upgrade of sensors and all weapon systems had a huge review by Chief of Operations Joeri Verschaeve and Security Chief Joost Dierickx. That was a plan both officers already had for months because Joost had earned a very well deserved vacation on Risa. It was possible Joost would be on shore leave for six months and he wanted to get things done before he left, although it was only temporary and his security officers would do a great job while he was on leave.
But not all goes well in the Federation far far away from Deep Space 2. At the Romulan border a Starfleet vessel, USS Dragon, is found at drift, without a crew. There are no traces of battle, no traces of any alien doing, no traces of desease, all the escape pods are where they suppose to be and there are no log entries which can give a clue of what happened. The USS Dragon seems to be a ghost ship... 834 crewmen are missing...
Three days later another ship, now at the Cardassian border, USS Vladivostok, with apparently the same problems, with a missing crew of 457, at drift, without any conclusive evidence of violence at all.
Starfleet Command fears that if there is no sollution found to this problem, panic and fear will grow among the fleet. All ships and facilities are placed under yellow alert by order of Admiral Hugh Brower, the C-in-C of Starfleet.
"Yellow alert."
"What is happening sir?"
Aboard the USS Ajax, patroling the border of the Federation close to the Delta Quadrant, Lieutenant Colonel Jan Theys explains to his crew and marines that two ships have been found with missing crews, without leaving a trace of any violence or alien activity.
Two days later the USS Trophy is found at drift, missing crew, no traces of any aliens, but there is something different this time. On the main viewer on the bridge of the USS Trophy there are words in blue glowing letters: In case you have not noticed... I am back !