U.S.S. Corsair - NX-011979
Nebula II Prototype
“Sic Parvis Magna”
(Greatness From Small Beginnings)
“Progeny of the Progenitors – Part 17”
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“Captain please report to the bridge”, an enthusiastic voice called out over the comm. system. Ramius, on his way back from Main Engineering, acknowledged the call at a nearby terminal.
“Bridge, this is Ramius.”
“Captain, we have found something interesting.”
“I’m on my way”, Ramius shouted dashing off toward the nearest turbolift.
## Bridge – USS Corsair ##
Ramius barely waited for the lift doors to finish parting as he quickly strode past them making a byline toward the science console where Commander Novada and a recovering Captain Akina were perched like two hawks carefully observing their prey.
“What did you find”, an enthusiastic captain asked approaching the trio of officers with Lt. Commander Sinclair sandwiched in between dutifully hunched over his console.
“Well I don’t know what to make of it captain”, the science officer replied. I set the computer to compare our original scans with those currently in progress looking for any discrepancies. The results have been negative except for one area roughly 500 meters square in the northwest hemisphere. Our original scan found nothing unusual yet when I compare it to the higher resolution scans the computer detected a slight variation.”
“What kind of variation?”
“Well sir, there appears to be something warping the surface in that area. The area is so small we wouldn’t have seen it if not for the complex comparisons I was running . I thought at first it might simply be atmospheric interference, but I had the computer filter those variables out. Next I hypothesized it was light refraction or diffusion in the visible spectrum caused by uneven heating…”
“Please cut to the main course commander”, Ramius gently prodded. He was too impatient to listen to the technical babble that usually held his interest.
“Uh..yes sir. Well the comparisons show a slight visual distortion in the visible light spectrum. I am not sure what to make of this anomaly as of yet. It is possible there is still some atmospheric or magnetic factor which has not been detected and cannot be accounted for. The phenomenon is not unheard of but it is unusual. I’ve…”
Ramius interrupted the officer a second time. He had seen this type of signature before and was keenly aware of what it looked like. Unlike his science officer, Ramius had the benefit of years of combat experience at his disposal. “Commander, put the comparisons side by side.” The monitor flashed as the officer input the commands revealing two nearly identical images.
Ramius studied the image carefully for several moments. “Any power signatures? What about heat readings?”
“Negative on both accounts though the sensors did detect an energy spike when we dropped from warp now that you mention it. The computer classified the anomaly as solar activity from the nearby star. It’s a white dwarf, but they can be unstable with strong bursts of radiation and matter ejections.”
“Wasn’t the star”, Ramius replied with a smile. “I’ll bet my pilot wings we’re looking at a sophisticated ground-based cloaking shield that snapped on as soon as we entered the system. We used to fly training sorties against these types of installations back in the war and learned how to detect and spot cloaked facilities. The giveaway is the slight, almost imperceptible visual distortion created by a large cloaking field against a complex background. In space a cloak is much more effective against a backdrop of similar stars. On land, with colors, textures, topology in the mix bending light is a far more delicate and difficult act.
However, you’ve done it Mr. Sinclair. That’s the spot! I knew there was something down there.”
The science officer rubbed his head in disbelief. “Glad I could help sir”, he said slightly perplexed.
“Commander Novada, I will beam down with a small away team and scout the area. Continue scanning the planet as if we have yet to find anything. That should buy us some time with the Romulans. I want to find out what is down there before we tip our hand.”
“Sir, I object. Perhaps we should send a small team of marines to perform recon. If this is indeed a cloaked area who knows what could be waiting behind that shield? Someone has gone to great lengths to keep this place secret and I submit they probably are aware of our arrival and have the means to defend themselves.”
“Your concern is noted commander however I am still leading the away team. You have the bridge. Akina, are you coming”, Ramius asked as he headed toward the turbolift.
The captain, still fighting off his previous injuries, nodded in acceptance. “Sure, why not. I have a vested interest in stopping the people who tried to stop me and somehow I get the feeling you won’t take no for an answer.”
[ To Be Continued ]
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Captain Taverain Ramius
Commanding Officer, USS Corsair
