The Continuing Story of Deep Space 2: Page 90
Admiral Arthur ended the Emergency Medical Holographic Program.
"There are no Giloppen around since we have beaten them in battle and war. Of course there could be somewhere, but we believe they are no longer a threat."
Again it was not clear whether this Admiral knew what he was talking about. His tone of voice could make some believe Arthur was again not telling everything about the Giloppen. But they had no choice but to accept his answer. While the group left sickbay and again was
on its way to the operations center, Arthur confirmed to Maccs Avaat that he could download anything he had to share with the Federation. Still a few decks below the operations center it was Colonel Theys who called the Admiral.
"Admiral, Theys here. We have received some strange communications from the USS Alice Cooper-B. Apparently there has been an error in communications. The Alice Cooper-B will arrive at DS2 in five days."
But the Admiral did not seem disturbed by this.
"Very well Colonel. You handle it."
And at the time the small group entered operations, the Admiral had already forgotten about the USS Alice Cooper-B. He thought he had more important things to worry about.
All the same, though, he did find it rather odd the reaction this inspired among at least two of the Starchild crew -- the quite attractive young blonde woman Admiral Straker referred to as "Lt. Katz" asking Admiral Arthur if a certain "Mr. Jas D. Stevens" still served aboard the USS Alice Cooper-B as Commonwealth Ambassador to the Federation.
"No", Maccs Avaat jumped in before Admiral Arthur could answer in his stead, learning already the answer to her question while scanning the public files aboard DS-2.
"According to Federation records your grandfather returned home, leaving this alternity a year ago".
"But Grandpa Stevens arrived back in the 'real'. or should I say 'our'. universe a year before I was born over 20yea.", the statuesque young woman resplendent in her crimson and gold uniform began to protest what Maccs Avaat just told her, Maccs cutting her off mid-stride before she could proceed further.
"Yes, Lt. Katz", Maccs in avatar form held up his right hand in gentle protest, his expression that of both humour and concern mixed together in almost equal measure:
"Unfortunately, though, that's the problem. As I said before, the time lines in this reality appear quite fragile. almost in a state of perpetual flux. waiting for the least little thing to touch off a temporal splinter effect resulting in a universal condition like that Admiral Arthur describes in the lower decks here aboard DS-2.
"In my considered opinion, its that temporal distortion responsible for the madness Admiral Arthur describes when bio-synthetic life-forms such as yourselves find yourselves down there; a madness that will spread throughout this entire reality, infecting every inhabitant spread throughout this entire universe, should such a splinter effect I describe actually occur here -- eternal, all-encompassing, universal insanity without end".
"Jeez, Maccs", Lt. Katz shivered in an almost childlike fashion, granting her an almost 'little-girl' quality in spite of the fact she stood at least 6 feet, 2 inches tall -- only Admiral Straker
and the big alien she called 'Prince Roshi' standing even taller by at least half a foot more (AUTHOR'S NOTE: for those aboard DS-2 "Prince Roshi" is a Wookie from the Star Wars universe, Admiral Straker a Human woman from the Starchild universe).
"Wait a minute, Lt. Katz", it was now Frances Straker's turn to speak up: "Are you trying to tell me that Jas D. Stevens is, in fact, your grandfather -- the famous writer and original template for."
"That's right", it was now Maccs Avaat's turn to laugh, quite amused despite their present situation: "Jas D. Stevens. the man who served as my original personality template when younger. is also in fact Lt. Katz's paternal grandfather. Ever heard of an ancient television
show called 'My Mother the Car'? Well. in a very real sense, I guess you could call me Lt. Katz's 'grandfather; the Starship'. Why else do you think I used Jas D. Stevens as the laddie my avatar looks like".
"Forgive me, Admiral, but I think we're loosing sight of the main issue here -- the possible temporal catastrophe Maccs feels could happen here", Karn could no longer refrain from likewise jumping in, both feet first.
"Seems to me we should be focusing our attention instead on finding out what, exactly, makes this particular reality so fragile in the way Maccs describes it, and try to fix it before it's too late".
"If we can fix it, that is", Frances agreed, nodding in solemn reflection. "And if this is indeed the same 'United Federation of Planets' Jas D. Stevens wrote about after returning home to the Commonwealth that would likewise explain."
And all this conversation taking place in a matter of not much more than just a few minutes Frances fell silent (this time around of her own accord), deciding in the end not to finish what she was about to say after just reaching DS-2's 'Operations Room' -- Admiral Arthur
introducing now those of his crew likewise present to Admiral Straker's own unique group of "merry adventure-seekers".
Yet while admitting her new 'crew' no doubt appeared a 'rather eclectic' band to these Federation representatives, Frances likewise found herself coming to trust these newest people in her life -- hoping at the same time they'd learn in return to trust her -- hoping as well to prove herself worthy in their eyes of such trust. Finding herself in a most unique situation Frances understood that her present condition wasn't the same as commanding an active-duty Commonwealth vessel, her present 'crew' not obligated to obey her like the crewwomen serving under her back in the Matriarchate. So, with this in mind, she suggested to Karn in a low, quiet voice he keep an active look-out for anything which seemed a possible danger while suggesting they also trust (at least for the time being) their new Federation '"friends" at least until that time they MIGHT prove themselves not so trustworthy after all.
"Got a feeling that's the only way we'll gain any positive idea what's indeed going on here", Frances explained, coming to trust Karn's ability in battle as much as she likewise trusted those more-or-less better known variables such as Maccs and Lt. Katz.
"If things are as troubled here. our situation as precarious as Maccs seems to think... I'm afraid we'll more likely than not need to establish a positive working relationship with both Admiral Arthur and his own people".
And with that, Frances waited now for Admiral Arthur to "make the next move". to listen now to whatever he and his officers had to say, answering as well any questions the good Commander and crew of Deep Space 2 might also have concerning her ship and crew.
Admiral Arthur seemed to be thinking before he would continue giving information to these new people. This Frances Straker seemed to be OK, but the others in that group... But Arthur had learned not to judge aliens by their appearances. He just had to trust them a little bit more. It had not always been easy being on the front line of defense for the Federation for the past seven years. But every attack had been prevented or the enemy had been beaten. The Admiral was convinced these people of the ship Starchild , which came from another universe, another reality, only wanted to go back where they came from. he had to help them get back and then all problems were solved. But what could he tell them ? Could he tell them he and his officers were making the decisions, but these droids were the ones who did it all. And what about this station itself. There were times that this station would not answer to any order and seemed to live by itself, which of course was ridiculous, but it happened. It was like the Deep Space 2 station had taken over and made the decisions itself. No, Arthur knew he could not tell anyone that. While he was thinking, the Admiral was interupted by a sensor droid.
"Alert ! Sensor alert !"
Chief of Operations Joeri Verschaeve ran to the console where Sensor Droid AA-124 had called the alert. While the others were watching mister Verschaeve had a look on his face that could only be discribed as huge unbelieve. Colonel jan theys jumped to his feet and moved fast to the same console. The colonel did not speak. he pushed a few buttons. A moment later the main viewer showed the Denorado star system, six planets with the fourth, a population of pre-industrial society about 450 million humanoid species called the Denoradons. Admiral Arthur did not understand.
"What are we looking at AA-124 ?"
The mechanical voice of the droid was activated on the order of the Admiral, while Mister Verschaeve and the Colonel could only watch the main viewer still trying to find out what it was they were looking for.
"There was a same kind of energy signature in the Denorado system as we detected closeby after the Starchild had arrived in our universe. After this energy signature appeared, something hit the fourth planet."
Admiral Arthur seemd to lose his patience.
"Get to the point AA-124."
"They are gone Admiral, the Denoradons."
Even the droid seemd disturbed by what he the sensors had detected. Or he was programmed to react like this in this specific event. Theys and Verschaeve still did not speak. They both were pushing buttons on that same console as if their life depended on it, but it didn't seem to have any result. But Admiral Arthur still didn't see it.
"What does that mean AA-124 ?"
Now Colonel Theys spoke, without interupting his actions at the console. He didn't even turn around and while still pushing buttons
he addressed the Admiral and more or less everyone else.
"The entire population of Denorado, the fourth planet in the Denorado system is gone, as in vanished, disappeared, erased..."
Colonel Theys did not get farther than that. Arthur suddenly realised what had happened almost 200 lightyears away.
"Is that possible ? Colonel I want you out there now."
Jan Theys did not hesitated. He pushed a button on his wrist badge. He was transported on the bridge of the USS Ajax. The Ajax had already been started up and moved slowly away from Deep Space 2.
Aboard USS Ajax, Colonel Theys sat down in the center seat. Moving out had been a daily routine lately.
"Move move move ! Helm, open a transwarp conduit to the Denorado system. Execute."
"Opening tranwarp conduit, entering conduit. Sir this will take four minutes. At regular warp we would have needed 25 days."
"There is no need to brag about this ship Lieutenant. We have more important things to do. When we exit the conduit I want full safeties, maximum shields and 9 battledrones covering us when we go in..."
Aboard Deep Space 2 a few minutes later the first report from the USS Ajax only confirmed that the entire humanoid population of Denorado, 450 million in total, had indeed been whiped out of exsistance. Admiral Arthur raised his voice.
"OK people I want a sollution to this problem, and I want it yesterday. Breefing in 2 hours. And I want some explanations !"
"Sir, should we report this to Starfleet Command ?"
"Are you kidding. That report should already be on the
desk of the president of the United Federation of Planets.
Get on it !"
Then Arthur turned to the Starchild away team.
"If any of you have any idea or have any experience in the past in your universe about what is going on here, I surely like to hear about it..."