[USS Charon, Bridge]
Close.
The brilliance of the star about to go nova already filled the viewscreen while Charon's powerful sensors probed into its layers, providing endless streams of data to scientists who undoubtedly were pouring over every detail, crowding Astrometrics and the labs.
It should have been the woman with the elegantly tapered ears, seated once more in the center of the bridge and observing the happy buzz around her with serene black eyes, who appreciated this marvel with the greatest, though silent, delight of all. Instead, there were ancient instincts clamoring for attention and worst of all, the throbbing, persistent pressure that seemed intent on splitting her skull in two.
And still they did not know precisely what caused either the most inconvenient interference with their sensors and communications, nor the sudden flood of telepaths arriving in sickbay with symptoms ranging from vertigo to nausea and … headaches.
This had gone far beyond coincidence.
Turning around was of course an option, but there was no evidence that it was the supernova causing the crew's distress and besides, how did you fight something you did not even know? Changing course might very well only worsen their predicament. Left with the burden of command, Sakarra did the only thing she knew was logical – anticipate what her Captain would wish her to do and never look back.
"Status, Lieutenant Burk." The low, melodious voice floated through the excited bustle and was answered almost immediately by the scientist who seemed positively glued to his console "Approaching minimum safe distance. But I'll be damned if I can figure out those radiation spikes. We need to reinforce our shields or half our systems will shut down before this baby goes."
"Understood. Please provide sensor data to medical to determine any potential health hazard. Farein t`Jaihen," a brief look to the side confirmed the dark haired Rihanha was still gazing intently at her console "if you would coordinate with engineering to …" a beeping alarm not only interrupted the sentence but caused two sets of slanted brows to rise in unison.
"A ship?" Aerv murmured half to herself. Then; "Rekkhai, anomalous sensor readings. The computer thinks they enough like a ship to sound an alarm, but the data is ambiguous. Large size, high energy, indications of a warp field. But shape, motion, structure are not consistent with any known ship-type. Also, some readings are similar to life-signs." She looked up from her console. "Rekkhai, it reminds me a little, a very little of some data I once saw on the Species 8472 bioships."
Aerv decided to call for assistance from one of the groups of Charon's scientists less likely to be busy with the supernova: "CTAC to Bio Sciences, please analyse this sensor data, perform your own scans on the co-ordinates, I require an urgent opinion." And not forgetting an earlier thought: "CTAC to Engineering, I must have more power for the shields, if Astrometrics complain refer them to me, and where is the field harmonics solution for this telepathic energy element to the radiation we're experiencing?"
The Vulcan managed not to blink after being addressed as 'sir' in Rihannsu, however the mention of species 8472 succeeded where the former had failed. Another type of bioship? A space faring organism like the one the Enterprise D – and later their own sister ship Titan – had encountered?
How utterly fascinating.
Straight-backed as ever and with her long legs neatly tucked towards the side, Sakarra could not help but show the untamable curiosity of her race manifesting itself by leaning forward in the chair a precise 0.3 centimeters.
"Course and speed?"
If it showed so clearly on sensors it had to be close – and somehow she doubted it was simply passing through. That left the question whether it was a potential danger, or merely … inquisitive.
Or more to the point, was it interested in the star or Charon, and if the latter, had they just been designated a potential new friend or lunch?
Acknowledging the Farein's efficiency and decidedly quick thinking with a brief nod, the dark eyed Vulcan returned her attention to the viewscreen. The interference was slowly clearing, but still the star's brightly burning mass dominated the center. With the pilot's honed senses she felt the minute exhale of the engines a split second before Charon dropped out of warp and coasted to port in a slow, leisurely arc.
"All stop at designated coorrrrdinates in thrrrreee… uh, now."
"Acknowledged, Ensign M'Riarr."
Relaying the course and speed readings to the command and helm positions, Aerv moved her hands swiftly over her console. Even with the input from Bio-Sciences, this was not an easy task. The tactical sensors simply weren't designed for this data. "Ulho kreh...Ah, unknown object is dropping out of warp Rekkhai. Large volume, but low density and undetermined structure makes precision difficult. My best current estimate, at least five times our volume. Unknown continuously changes shape. Correction, unknown is... serpentlike." She looked up from her console and gestured with a hand. "Like so Rekkhai, it writhes as it approaches. Closing at one quarter impulse. Request permission to raise shields and charge weapons Rekkhai!"
Curiosity and apprehension seemed to charge the air in equal measure and for a split second the Vulcan had to acknowledge the ancient instinct of humanoid creatures being wary of serpents.
A cobra on earth was equally bad news as a K'karee in desert sands, even though either would be perfectly content never having to deal with bipeds.
This, however was not an animal guided by its very own rules but either an intelligence or at the least something created by intelligent beings. Perhaps both. The prudent, not to mention logical course of action was to treat this as a potential first contact until proven otherwise.
"Communications, dispatch a message with our findings thus far to the Captain." If the healers saw fit to release Shiarrael t`Rehu from sickbay, Sakarra would be grateful to surrender the center chair. If not …
"Raise shields and hold our position. Do not charge weapons."
At least not yet.
Let who or whatever this was take a look first. It was only polite.
And then the massive … creature … swam into view on the screen, halting any activity on the bridge for a full one point three seconds. Serpent-like indeed, coiling and uncoiling as it came to a stop, turning its maw towards Charon's silvery disc as if trying to decide what this odd little thing was.
Apparently, they had been deemed of little interest.
Unfurling with near leisurely elegance, the alien resumed course directly for the star.
Displaying naught but deliberate calm, Sakarra touched the comm button on the armrest "Ambassador Lamont and Counselor Jilani, please report to the bridge."
With every Betazoid on board effectively out of commission – and the Vulcan's logic now came to the inevitable conclusion that there was a connection with this lifeform – human instinct, let alone experience in dealing with both the new and subtle was a resource too valuable to ignore.
And just when Sakarra thought the serpent creature had indeed decided to disregard them, it turned its head in a gesture of … curiosity? Threat? Apprehension?
She needed a second opinion. And a third.
"Tactical assessment, Farein."
If this being had weapons or self defense mechanisms, chances were they were too alien to be detected even by their sophisticated sensors. But even simple energy readings could reveal a great deal.
"Ie, Rekkhai," Aerv said promptly. "No components identifiable as conventional weapons or shield components. Unknown appears at least partially biological in structure. Low density compared to a starship, but regions that may be organs are resolvable. Overall energy signature is high, with still higher levels in some of the apparent organs. To summarise Rekkhai, there are no textbook targets, but there are things we could shoot at. The unknown's likely response and capabilities are ....unknown. With your permission Rekkhai, red alert?"
The looks on several faces seemed to agree with the tactical officer's recommendation – though there was a distinct frown and even a pleading look from two scientists at the periphery of the Vulcan's vision.
And it was a prudent course of action.
For a split second, a night black gaze settled on startlingly dark green eyes.
No, it was not fear but the simple, straightforward desire to place the ship's well being above all else that governed the Rihanha's thinking – something Sakarra could appreciate and that reaffirmed her decision.
"Sound yellow alert and evaluate potential targets. If possible, emphasis only on disabling the Unknown. Science, I should appreciate a preliminary analysis. Helm, reverse engines, one quarter impulse. Back up slowly, eight thousand kilometers, then hold position."
For all the inflection in the Vulcan's voice she might have asked the Caitian to join her in a cup of spice tea.
With a low hum, the starship's engines began to move the silver shape, illuminated by the star's relentless light that drowned out even the ruby and emerald running lights.
One could hope the creature would understand this as the universal 'We mean no harm' gesture.
If not, it was a good thing to know vigilant eyes were hovering over the tactical console.
"Eight thousands kilometerrrsss" M'Riarr announced, her usually pleasant purr suddenly all business – and just a tad apprehensive. "Thrusterrrrss at ssstation keeping."
For long, breathless seconds, neither Charon nor the serpent moved.
But defying all logic, Sakarra could have sworn the creature … blinked.
[End Log]
LtCmdr Sakarra Tyrax
Executive Officer
Farein Aerv t`Jaihen
Chief Tactical Officer
USS Charon
