The Continuing Story of Deep Space 2: Page 75
Chief Engineer Louis explained his idea as if it was a lecture for a class of Engineers at Starfleet Academy.
"You see, as we can detect this ship, which is actually out of phase with our universe, we are able to travel to the same phase. But the only problem is that we are not sure that we can go back as we don't have a point of reference of our own space. So what we do is send a probe to the same phase as that unknown ship and then get the probe back. If we succeed to do this we can send in another ship and get it back also. We must remember always to keep a point of reference. Like this unknown ship is a point of reference to us, so will our ship be a point of reference for the probe we send and later for the ship we send."
It sounded to easy, but if that unknown ship was there out of phase, somebody had put it there and Admiral Arthur suspected it was their enemy.
"OK Louis, do what you have to do. Just report when you are ready."
"Well Admiral, in normal circomstances this would take at least a day, but these droids have already programmed a probe and it is ready to be launched."
"Well launche it then. What are you waiting for?"
A moment later the interphasic probe left the launcher on its way to the unknown ship, gathering data on its way. While Arthur and Louis were studying the data the probe proceeded towards the ship. The USS Strike sensors indicated that the probe was gettting closer as a technician droid called the distance.
"2 million kilometers, 1.9, 1.8, Admiral we have a better view of the unknown ship. Resolution is increasing. 1.5, 1.4, Admiral we are detecting humanoid life on that ship, no weapons no shields, no engines, no..."
It was at this moment the Admiral interupted the technician droid.
"Is there anything on that ship that is dangerous to us?"
"Negative. 9 hundred thousand kilomters. The humanoids are humans, Vulcans, Betazed, Bolian,..."
Again Arthur interupted.
"So that is where he hid them. We have to get these people out of that ship. How many are there?"
"According the probes sensors there are 8 thousand 9 hundred and seventeen humanoids on that ship. That is almost exactly the number of crewmembers missing due to the attacks of the, what you called, madman. Admiral, we can transport them all out, but we need about 9 starships to evacuate that ship."
"Inform Starfleet Command. They have to send a fleet to pick these people up. So we finally strike back. Can we tow this ship out of phase so we can have a better look at it. There should be some clues of how and where this madman attacks again."
"Affirmative. Admiral, the USS Utah is reporting in. The USS Utah was already on its way here and proceeded. Apparently the USS Utah has nothing else to do."
The droid looked funny. Apparently Captain Hilda Bernstein in command of the USS Utah, had sent a message with a little humor the droid could not understand. Only a few hours later the USS Utah took its position to be the point of reference for the USS Strike who easily towed out the unknown ship with the crews of about ten starships, now soon to be liberated. As soon as more ships arrived, the evacuation strarted... But aboard the USS Strike a battle platoon was getting ready to enter the unknown ship. Even the droids could not take chances. This was the perfect opportunity to learn more about the madman attacker, who was able to let lots of Federation ships and people disappear...