Darkhawk Mission 2: Return to Genesis

[Daya]

'i hope you know what your doing Kirk' Daya thought to himself as he looked at his new captain. "Ensign, change course back to the first system, Warp 8."

"aye sir" Katie responded and soon the Darkhawk was on its way.

"Captain, permission to leave the bridge" Daya said in a bit of a shacky voice. He left the bridge instantly, not careing wether or not Lorain had answered him.

He immediatly went to his quarters where he replicated a tall glass of whiskey. Sitting down at his desk, he brought up a private message and wrote to a long time friend from the academy.

T'brel,

I know its been awhile since we last spoke, but things have been kinda hectic. I know your with Starfleet Intell, so dont act like i dont know what i'm talking about. Kirk was just called back to the Station, and Lorian Smith has taken over, making me his First Officer. I need your help friend, find any and all information on Smith and send what you can as soon as possible, encript the message in our old academy words, no one ever broke that code.

Daya.

Daya sent the message and leaned back in his chair, looking up at the ceiling.

[Lorian Smith]

Lorian knew that Daya objected to what had just happened. In fact if he didn't know better he knew that Daya was right now argueing with Captain Kirk. Jonathan quickly stepped out of his ready room and made his way towards the turbolift. Lorian knew that Daya had taken the job, but he seemed really pissed about it.

"Captain, permission to leave the bridge" Daya said in a bit of a shacky voice.

"I'm not the Captain, Commander I'm...." Lorian started to say, but realized that Daya had already left. Usually that attitude would infuriate Lorian, but he understood what was going on.

"Everyone get back to work and yes we are still going to continue this mission, science operations I want a full report in one hour," Lorian said as he sat down on his chair.

<Tag Brelev, Katie<

A couple of minutes later Lorian noticed that a message had just been transmitted out of the Darkhawk headed towards Federation space. Right now it didn't matter, Lorian had some other things to do at the moment.

"Smith to Church report to the bridge immediately," Lorian said over the comm. After a few minutes of waiting Church entered the bridge and Lorian motioned him to follow him.

"Captain as of now you are my second officer," Lorian said," I know its not protocol but something is going down and I don't like it."

<Tag Church>

[Daya]

Daya straightened himself up and left his quarters, heading towards the bridge. The turbolift opened and Daya saw the Marine captain Church talking with Lorian Smith.

Daya took his seat in the First officers chair and leaned agianst his fist, taking a deep breath he realised his stress and smiled a bit, "Well, the good thing is i finally get to be the First officer" he said, trying to loosen the ice on the bridge.

[Lorian Smith]

Daya

It has been a while and I agree with your Mother about our other friend. Sadly our friend disappeared a couple of years ago and I have not been abel to track him down. I have to say that I think he has died or he just disappeared.

Also about our other friend, I couldn't believe that his wife made him go back home. He was heading towards Archer XII, but for some reason he was just recalled. It was totally unexpected.

Your friend T'Brel

[Church]

"As you see fit, sir," replied Church. "I'll need to revise the roster for the away teams. Shall I put Daya as your replacement for an away team leader, since you're now acting Captain of the Darkhawk?"

"Sure," said Lorian. He sighed, then wispered quietly to Church, "Several events have led me to believe Intelligence, or someone controlling it, is doing something here that almost every Federation member and Starfleet officer would object to. I'm not sure what, though, but pulling our Captain away and taking command of Beta can't be a good sign. Do you have any uncommon information you could give me? I know its a lot to ask considering I don't know you that well, but it would be very helpful, and you'd have my gratitude."

Church shook his head. "All the Intel officers I've known have been very good people; reliable, intelligent... loyal, if that's a concern you have."

Lorian, having been in Intel (though Church didn't know this) was inclinced to believe Church had been strangely fortunate in his dealings with Intel. "Okay. Well, thanks anyway."

"No problem," said Church, sitting down and updating the roster. He thought momentarily about Section 31. That shadowy organization had not been friendly or helpful at all. In fact, it had almost killed Church and several other people he knew by playing them off each other. The operative in chage was named Vick, and Church wasn't sure what had happened to him - he hoped Vick hadn't decided to pay a visit. But Church hadn't noticed anything strange besides the fact the Captain had been relieved. He also had been warned not to tell anyone of Section 31, and that if he did he and whoever he told would be killed quickly and quietly. Church wasn't in a hurry to get himself killed, so he had kept his mouth shut, except when talking with Fish. But if Smith was really worried, and there was enough evidence or suspicious actions on the part of the intel officer, Church might need to give Smith a tip.

[Scott McLean]

After his visit from Dr. Jones and Joe McLean felt restless and deiced to tour the ship. Stopping at his home away from home, McLean found engineering to be a little too crowded for a young boy to be running around free. If Joe were to work with McLean down in engineering he would certainly have to be assigned a task to do. Teach the boy some responsibility, McLean thought.

Walking through engineering he was stopped by a few other engineers to discuss the status of the engines, power systems and the general working order of the ship. McLean spotted a loss in the warp field due to engine strain. It seemed Commander Smith had the engines running at Warp 9 for just about as long as they could take.

“Reduce speed to Warp 7.” McLean ordered one of his engineers.

Walking up to the bridge McLean was reading himself for the questions he was going to get for the reduction in speed. This was one of the reasons why McLean was going to break his habit of staying down in the engine room and move up to the bridge to be able to give up to date answers from engineering during any situation.

Stepping onto the bridge McLean noticed that nobody seemed to notice the loss of speed, either that or the bridge already had discussed the loss of velocity and figured out why. Sitting at the engineers station McLean decided he would not bring up Joe’s request just yet, as a matter of face McLean had already made up his mind on what he wanted to do with the small boy and did not want to have to deal with a different answer from Commander Smith on the topic.

“Commander I had to reduce engine speed due to a loss in the warp field. It seemed we had been running the engines a bit to hard for too long. We should remain at Warp 7 until we give the engines a chance to ‘cool off’.” McLean informed Commander Smith.

“Thanks for the update Chief.” Smith replied.

McLean turned his attention away from the Commander Smith and scanned the room with his eyes. It seemed nobody on the bridge was particularly busy. McLean’s eyes stopped cold on the young attractive woman piloting the ship. He recognized her, but he could not remember where from, besides the staff meeting earlier that is. At his station he could only see the right quarter of her face, the soft curve of her cheeks and the dark red lipstick she was wearing. Her light brown hair was pulled tight into a ponytail, something McLean happened to like.

Your married! McLean scolded himself as he forced himself back to working at his station. Every minute or so McLean found himself looking at the young woman wondering when she was going to turn her head to reveal the rest of her face to him. McLean sunk his face into his hands and tried as hard as he could to stop looking at the young woman piloting the ship.

“Ensign Anderson, what is our present course and speed?” McLean heard Commander Smith ask.

Ensign Anderson, McLean thought as he Kept his face in his hands McLean listening as the young woman replied in her soft angel like voice. Forcing the thoughts of his children into his head McLean tried as hard as he could to focus on them but it was all in vain. With in seconds he now pictured Rhea Jones in his mind, laughing and playing with her son Joe. I need to see a shrink, McLean thought to himself.

[Lorian Smith]

OCC: I will be calling Lorian Captain for a while, which doesn't mean I'm a Captain, I'm still a Commander, but its normal to call the commander of a ship, Captain.

Everything seemed to calm down a bit, even though it took a couple of hours. Commander Daya had been quiet and reserved through out this entire time and Lorian did not like that one bit. He didn't reall know the man, but he knew that he was an experience officer who had a lot to offer.

"Commander, would..." Lorian started, but stopped.

"Did you say something Captain?" Daya asked of Lorian.

"No, Commander, its nothing," Lorian said as he went back to checking the status reports he had recieved a couple of hours ago.

“Captain I had to reduce engine speed due to a loss in the warp field. It seemed we had been running the engines a bit to hard for too long. We should remain at Warp 7 until we give the engines a chance to ‘cool off’.” McLean informed Commander Smith.

“Thanks for the update Chief.” Lorian replied.

"Ensign Anderson, what is our present course and speed?" Lorian asked of the young pretty navigation officer. Lorian started to think if things were different and if he wasn't her superior officer he might just end up liking the young women.

<Tag Katie>

[Katie Anderson]

"Ensign Anderson, what is our present course and speed?"

Katie looked at her instruments quickly to give Commander Smith the report he wanted.

“Sir we are currently traveling at Warp 7 with a restriction placed on the engines due to a control override in Engineering. At out current speed we should reach the first system in seven hours.” Katie reported.

“Very good thank you.” Commander Smith said.

Katie went to looking over the controls of the helm. She had an odd feeling that she couldn’t shake, that feeling that somebody is watching you. Turning her head she looked around the bridge and noticed everybody was working hard at each of their stations. Just as she turned back to face her controls Katie noticed she had a new text message. Opening the message Katie was surprised to find it was from Dr. Jones concerning the needed physicals for each of the crewmembers.

“Commander, I just got a message from Dr. Jones. She is requesting that I report to sickbay for my physical.” Katie said.

“Alright, go ahead.” Commander Smith said.

Katie left the bridge and headed down to sickbay. Walking through the doors into sickbay Katie saw Dr. Jones putting some medical items away.

”I got your message.” Katie said shyly.

<Jones>

[Rhea Jones]

“Hey Katie.” Rhea said, shutting the door to the cupboard and turning around. “Uh, is it ok if I call you Katie?”

“Of course.” The doctor didn’t know quite why she was feeling so uncomfortable at that moment, perhaps it was because it was the first time she had seen the other woman outside of a briefing since that night at the bar. Or perhaps there was another reason.

My, what big eyes she has. Ripper said adoringly as Katie waited through the awkward silence. ‘Shut up.’ Rhea thought firmly, trying not to show her annoyance through her facial expression. This was not a good time for him to be airing his opinions.

“Um, are you alright doctor?” Katie asked, looking worried. Rhea realized she was holding a fantastic grimace and quickly rearranged her facial features into a smile.

“Yes, thank you. Listen I’m sorry about this, I know everyone hates physicals, myself included to tell you the truth, but your medical records are very sparse so…” She explained her reasoning for the procedure with an apologetic smile. Katie nodded.

“I understand.” She said, hopping up onto the biobed that Rhea offered her.

“Now, this shouldn’t take long, it’s just going to be an MRI scan and then Ill take a few bloods. Its all routine.” The doctor said calmly as she went about her work. Throughout the consultation the operations officer sat without bothering her, offering her arm when asked so that the physician could take a blood sample.

Eventually Rhea emerged with a big smile. “All done.”

“Thanks Doc” Katie replied, rolling down her sleeve.

“Oh, while you’re here…” the doctor began. Katie suddenly got that foreboding feeling that one experiences when doctors say things like that. She looked on expectantly. “I just wanted to ask if you know why the Captain has been called away?” She inquired, with a knitted brow full of concern.

“I’m afraid noone knows.” Katie said simply.

“Oh.” Rhea said disappointed. “Oh well. Perhaps I ought to talk to Captain Smith about it.” She mused. Katie nodded, offering her agreement.

The two women accompanied one another to the Bridge, chatting away in the turbolift about all and sundry. When the doors opened however their conversation took an abrupt halt. Through the icy silence Katie requested permission to resume her station and it was granted, and the doctor was invited onto the floor.

“Doctor.” Lorian Smith acknowledged her calmly.

“Com – Captain. Might I have a word?” Rhea asked uncomfortably, inclining her head slightly towards the ready room door. Lorian considered for a moment, before offering his hand in a signal that they should leave the bridge. Rhea turned and strode through the door before her senior officer.

“May I sit?” she asked, already halfway into the chair.

“Of course.” He replied, taking a seat of his own. “So what can I do for you?”

Rhea looked the man over carefully as he leaned back on the chair and crossed his legs. For a moment his hands lay solidly in his lap, but after a few seconds he rearranged them so that one lay across his waist and the other across his chest. From her training, she knew that this was a telltale sign that he was hiding something, the intricate body language of self protection. Her expression did not alter towards this fact though, and simply mimicked his own plain look of expectation.

“Actually Sir I wanted to talk about the mission.” She began. “How far are we from our destination?”

Asking closed questions, to which there were only a small number of possible answers was a surefire way to guarantee a result. Lorian answered.

“We should be arriving in a few short hours.”

“And our objective is to study the planets in the system for lifeforms, civilizations and the like?”. Lorian nodded this time. Ok, that wasn’t such a good question, it was too easy for him to avoid answering. Rhea let her psychoanalysis drop for the moment.

“Sir, then I would like to request permission to join the away team.” She said, more as a bland statement than as a question. Lorian did not look surprised by her question, almost as though he had been expecting it. His handsome face broke into a relaxed smile.

“I thought that might have been it.” He said lightly. “I’m sure you wont believe me when I say I understand how important any medical discoveries we make will be to the Federation, and perhaps in turn the importance they may also have to the lifeforms we encounter. But I am afraid doctor, that I cannot allow you to join the away team at this time. I must allow Commander Daya to make first contact with the species, if there are any. If his reports are satisfactory then you may join them.”

When he finished speaking Lorian folded his arms promptly across his chest. Unconsciously Rhea knew that this was meant to convene that what he had said was his final word on the matter. Indeed, it was an ideal answer: after serving on the Nova and the Troy, she had had seen her fair share of hostile first contact situations, and did not fancy ending up in the middle of one again in the near future.

“Well thank you Sir.” Rhea replied, hastily getting up from her seat. Lorian did the same, preparing to show her out.

First contact with the Letheans was brilliant. So they tell me… Rhea snapped to attention, eying the manifestation of Ripper with a venom. She fought to control her expression, but the fire in her eyes was shining through fiercely.

“Doctor?” Lorian asked cautiously, taking a quick glance across to the bare wall at which she was staring at so feverently. Rhea tore her eyes away from Ripper, focusing them on the Commanders chest with all her concentration. “Was there something else?”

“Actually yes.” She replied, still vehemently managing her gaze. Sensing somehow from her look that this was going to take more than mere moments Lorian sank back into his chair. “How are you doing with this unusual change of command thing?” Rhea asked with concern.

[Brelev]

Brelev patiently loaded the information from the scans as the ship neared the first system. She didn't feel it was her place to get involved in the Captain's dismissal although it was obviosly bothering the crew. She preferred to watch how they responded and offer her opinion in due time.

It wasn't long till the scans she recieved varied from those on record. It looked as though both the class M and O planets had increased their evolutionary progress, although neither as greatly as Genesis planet. =A=Brelev to Lab, are you guys seeing this?=A=

=A=We are pulling it up now and... By the stars!=A= Brelev heard Jallel exclaim.

=A=This is indeed fasinating=A= Travek added calmly. =A= It would appear the class M is now populated mainly with Mammals, and some appear quite large, The O plays host to a large number of reptiles.=A=

=A= make sure that there the survey kits are fully stocked =A= Brelev orderd. "Ensign Anderson what is are Approximate time of arrival?"

"In half an hour we should be at the first planet, the class O." Katie replied.

=A= Away team alpha, would you please make you way to the transporter room =A= Brelev was jittery with excitment.

[Lorian Smith]

Lorian had given up trying to talk to Commander Daya at the moment, in fact Lorian felt that Daya had something against him. If that was the case he would have to resolve their issues at another time. The mission was at the for front in Lorian's eyes. He had already fixed the problems that he had made on the Darkhawk. Luckily for him he could do that from the Captain ready room.

"Captain's Log Stardate 2391. 1104

We are five hours away from the first planet which I have been informed was a Class O planet. I know that this planet will not hold any humanoid life forms, the atmosphere of an O planet is inhospitable for higher level species. To be honest I don't really expect anything to come out of this part of the mission, but I won't spoil our science officer's fun. She seems to be very happy about this mission and I won't ruin it. I have also made a change to the away teams. Commander Daya is now in charge of the away teams, probably that will help him realize that I'm not against him. Well I got to go, I need to get back to the bridge.

Computer End Log

Lorian entered the bridge quietly and sat down next to Commander Daya.

"Commander Daya I have made a change to the away teams," Lorian said so only Daya would hear," you will be in charge now."

<Tag Daya>

“Doctor.” Lorian Smith acknowledged her calmly as he saw the Doctor accompany Ensign Anderson back to the bridge.

“Com – Captain. Might I have a word?” Rhea asked uncomfortably, inclining her head slightly to wards the ready room door. Lorian considered for a moment, before offering his hand in a signal that they should leave the bridge. Rhea turned and strode through the door before her senior officer.

“May I sit?” she asked, already halfway into the chair.

“Of course.” He replied, taking a seat of his own. “So what can I do for you?”

For some reason Lorian felt very comfortable in Doctor Jones presence, but that fact made him more cautious around her. He knew that the Doctor had some counseling training and she would be able to pick things up. Lorian would have to try to be as normal as possible, something that he was very good at doing.

Lorian knew the conversation that he was about to have and he wanted to tell the doctor as nicelt as possible that she wouldn't be doing any of the away team work as of now. She would have to wait for Commander Daya to report back. Lorian feeling that he resolved all her possible question asked her if she had any questions.

“Actually yes.” She replied, still vehemently managing her gaze. Sensing somehow from her look that this was going to take more than mere moments Lorian sank back into his chair. “How are you doing with this unusual change of command thing?” Rhea asked with concern.

The question actually took him by surprise, he didn't know this woman long, but she seemed to be able to pick up on things that know else did.

"Well I don't like it," Lorian said.

"You have not answered my question Captain," Doctor Jones said referring to his present state of mind. Lorian gave a sigh of displeasure, the doctor wouldn't stop until he answered her.

"I'm okay I guess," Lorian said," I have always wanted a command, but not this way. Captain Kirk is a good man and this should not be happening."

"What is happening?" the Doctor asked even more concerned.

"I'm sorry Doctor Jones, but I cannot tell you that," Lorian said getting up.

"I suppose so," Rhea said as she got up and headed out of the ready room.

"Captain, if you ever have to talk my door is always open," Rhea said as she left.

=A= Away team alpha, would you please make you way to the transporter room =A= As Lorian heard this he headed directly towards the bridge.

"Ensign Anderson once we reach the planet I want you to put us into orbit," Lorian ordered.

<Tag Katie>

"Commander if you find that the planet has not been visited by any other civilization I want you to name the planet," Lorian said.

<Tag Daya>

When Lorian said that it caused everyone on the bridge to stop and look at him. None of them had ever had the chance to name a planet.

"Well people like I said to the Commander, if these planets have not been visited by another civilization you will get a chance to name these planets," Lorian said knowingly," I'm sure the Federation will accept them."

<Tag Everyone>

[Scott McLean]

McLean continued to look over the power outputs levels from the warp engines, the more he looked at the read outs the more he found a problem. Looking around the bridge he noticed the young ensign left the bridge. If McLean did not know any better he swore he could smell her perfume dancing through the air, it captivated him.

“Lieutenant Mathews to Commander McLean.” McLean snapped out of his trance.

“Go ahead Mathews.” McLean replied.

“Sir, I think you need to come down to engineering and take a look at these read outs.” Mathews said a little worried.

“I am looking at them up here on the bridge, but I will be down in a moment. McLean out.”

McLean stood up and walked to the back of the bridge to the turbo lift passing Ensign Anderson and Doctor Jones on his way to the turbo lift. Once in engineering McLean felt more at home, no distractions just hard complicated work for him to do.

“On second thought Mathews, I think I would like it if you could continue to be the engineering liaison to the bridge. I feel more at home down here.” McLean said.

“As you wish sir.” Mathews said.

McLean walked over to the warp core and listened to the hum the engines were making. Warp power was a thing of beauty for McLean, a marvel of modern man’s achievements. Dancing around the starts, traveling faster than the speed of light, it proved to McLean everything he thought about when it came to ideas on religion. Humanoid life was alone, created by chance happenings on a cosmic scale. There was nothing humanoids could not accomplish and the warp engine was the best example of that.

Scanning the warp field with the sensors McLean began to find oddities through out the field itself. It was clear to him the closer they got to the original location of the Genesis planet the more the engines were going to be slowed down. Looking over the engines efficiency McLean found they were running at 98%, as close to perfect as anybody has been able to keep a warp engine. The warp field however was slowly degrading.

“Commander McLean to Lieutenant Brelev.”

“Brelev here.”

“I am picking up unusual readings from the sensors concerning the warp field. Can you confirm this on a subspace scan?” McLean asked as he continued to pour over the information in front of him.

<Tag Brelev>

[Daya]

Daya had kept himself quite for the last few minutes, letting things run as best they could. He kept wondering if T'Brel had answer him, he hadnt had time to check his messages, and he knew he wouldnt be able to for awhile.

Daya took command as the captain left the bridge and went to his quarters, whatever they do in there, Daya continuously looked at the door, wondering if he would be able to check for messsage quickly enough before he came back out. to his dismay, he did not Lorian entered the bridge quietly and sat down next to Commander Daya.

"Commander Daya I have made a change to the away teams," Lorian said so only Daya would hear," you will be in charge now."

Daya nodded, 'probably thinks i dont like him, well right now i dont' he thought to himself. Doctor Jones came to the bridge with Katie and took the captain again into his ready room. They talked for what seemed like seconds before they came back out.

"Commander if you find that the planet has not been visited by any other civilization I want you to name the planet," Lorian said.

When Lorian said that it caused everyone on the bridge to stop and look at him. None of them had ever had the chance to name a planet.

"Are you sure? I mean, not very many First Officers have named a planet" Daya looked around to the others, they all seemed just as shcoked as he

"Well people like I said to the Commander, if these planets have not been visited by another civilization you will get a chance to name these planets," Lorian said knowingly," I'm sure the Federation will accept them."

"I'm sure they will" Daya said softly, Daya got up and left the bridge, heading towards the transporter room. When he arrived he saw the Science officer there.

"Lieutenant, I'm taking charge of the away teams, but i have a couple of questions."

She looked at him waiting for his questions, "What do you know about the planet so far? are there any living things on it? any signs of intelligent life?"

<Tag Brelev>

[Brelev]

Brelev looked up from where she was rechecking her gear. "The first planet is a class M, so it is capable of the same type of life as Earth or Bajor for example. Right now we are not detecting any intelligent life, although large Mammals are showing up on sensors. I'd estimate that if the planet's atmosphere continues to accelerate Evolution like it has been that we can expect to see intelligent species within the next couple hundred years. The planet's atmosphere is similer to earth, although on average colder by ten degrees cescius due to it wider orbit, so you may want to bring a jacket."

Daya nodded. "and what about the next one?

"It's a class O, not capable of producing high life forms, although sensors pick up a varied reptillian population. It's mostly dense tropical forests, and averages around 40 degrees celcius, so ditch the jacket for that one and bring plenty of water." Brelev replied. "Most of the away team is here, are you ready to go?"

"Are we going to both planets?" Daya asked.

"No, we, Away team Alpha, will be going to the Class M. Away team Beta is going to the Class O, unless they find something of signifigance, in which case we will join them."

[Daya]

"Thank you Lieutenant, lets get ready" Daya stepped up to the transporter pad and watched as the rest of the away team stepped up. Daya looked at the transporter chief and nodded, and they were beamed down to the planet.

Daya pulled out his phaser while a few other grabbed their tricorders. "Lieutenant, what kind of mammals are we talking about here?"