Mission 5: BLACK ICE
The contents of the Ship Logs are considered to be a
"compilation" under the provisions of Title 17, U.S. Code (known as
the Copyright Act): that is, "A work formed by the collection and
assembling of preexisting materials or of data that is selected, coordinated or
arranged in such a way that the resulting work as a whole constitutes an
original work of authorship." As such, it is the property of the ship’s
Captain; however, automatic transfer of ownership to STARSHIPS OF THE THIRD
FLEET is
effected upon publication of this mission by the ship’s Captain ipso facto.
As outlined in Circular 1 (Copyrighted Basics, Library
of Congress, Washington DC, USGPO 1989-262-309/12), "copyrighted in each
separate contribution to a periodical or other collective work is distinct from
the copyright in the collective work as a whole and vests initially with the
author of the contribution."
This mission may not be reproduced in any form without
the express, written authorization of STARSHIPS OF THE THIRD FLEET.
Prologue
Captain’s Personal Log: 2400
We’ve been surveying in the Keiras System now for three weeks
and some of my crew are getting downright obnoxious. I guess shore leave
wasn’t enough time to cool down the affects of the Jirzzaque attack.
We have four more weeks to finish with this project and if I don’t
kick some butt we’ll never get done. I love my job!
Out
USS PHOENIX – SMIDGEN – 0400z
IMMEDIATE//IMMEDIATE//IMMEDIATE
From: Starfleet Command
To: Commanding Officer, USS PHOENIX// Chief Intelligence Officer, USS
PHOENIX
Subj: New Orders
TOP SECRET
1. (C) Current mission cancelled.
2. (TS) USS PHOENIX directed to proceed at best possible speed to
coordinates 135, 216, 23.5.
3. (TS) Rendezvous with shuttle containing Agent Omega. Transponder Mode
5, Code 3065.
4. (TS) Deliver Omega to Jhoran System.
5. (C) Dissemination of mission details restricted to need-to-know
basis.
5. (TS) Rules of Engagement #7 in effect.
6. (U) Good luck and God speed
LCDR Spahn reread the highly classified communication again. He had
already authenticated it three times. The Romulan Starfleet officer
understood the necessity of "need to know," but he didn’t
have to like it. Neither will Captain Steele, he thought.
Spahn brought up a chart of the Jhoran system. An outpost was based on
Jhoran V. Spahn knew this to be a SIGINT (signals intelligence) station
for Starfleet near the Romulan Border. A lot of activity had taken place
there since the "Cold War" between the Romulans and the
Federation began in 2311. Although no overt hostilities existed, the
Intelligence community had played a serious cat-and-mouse game with the
Tal Shiar. Many had failed to return.
Spahn observed that Jhoran V was an ice planet with glacial seas. Perhaps
my long-lost brother, Slar, may be opposing us. Spahn knew it was
useless to speculate on such things. Only duty mattered. He looked down
and noticed a smudge on his left boot. How annoying.
USS PHOENIX – SMIDGEN – 0430Z
Spahn flipped the communication switch and activated a secure line to
the Captain’s quarters. Using a headset, he spoke, "Captain
Steele, I apologize for waking you. I have received a Top Secret,
Immediate precedence message. I request you meet me in SMIDGEN."
"Yes, I’m looking at it," Steele replied. "I’ll be
right there."
In five brief minutes, the Captain entered SMIDGEN. Spahn provided a
briefing for the Captain, who looked decidedly unhappy.
"This has to be damned serious for Starfleet to direct that Rules
of Engagement #7 in effect. Expendable! I don’t like the sound of
that," she had a worried look on her face.
Quietly, as though speaking to himself, Spahn recited Rules of
Engagement #7: "Circumstances exist which may categorize own ship
as expendable. All efforts are to be made to save crew. If necessary,
own ship is to be destroyed in a manner to cause the maximum amount of
damage to other ship(s) as possible." Clearly, he shared Talon’s
view.
Steele opened the communication line. "Bridge, this is the
Captain."
"Yes, Captain, Somerville here."
"Good. You’re just the person I wanted. I want my best crew on
the bridge by 0600. Make whatever changes to the duty roster are
necessary. Set course 047 Mark 109, Warp 8. Set EMCON ZULU--I want this
ship to be a hole in space. Rules of Engagement 7 are in effect as of
now."
"Aye, Aye, Sir. ALPHA Watch on the Bridge at 0600, course 047 Mark
109, speed Warp 8, EMCON ZULU set, Rules of Engagement 7 in
effect."
Lieutenants Lisa Boldain and Alice McConnell turned from their stations
to stare at LCDR Somerville. The concern in their faces was almost
palatable. Somerville frowned slightly. "You hear the Captain.
Execute!"
In SMIDGEN, Captain Steele turned to Spahn. "I’ll be on the
Bridge. Round up Security and get things rolling."
USS PHOENIX – Bridge – 0715Z – RENDEZVOUZ POINT JULIET
Lieutenant A.J. Tyler looked up from the communications console. "I
am receiving a Mode Five transponder code on a secure frequency, Code
Three Zero Six Five."
"That’s the one," Spahn commented. Captain Steele nodded and
pressed a button on the arm of her chair. "Shuttlebay, stand by to
take the shuttle on board."
"Aye, aye, Sir." Adam Brannon ran his hands along the control
panel. Wailing sirens warned that the Shuttlebay doors were opening. A
red light flashed in the center of the panel, telling him that the
tractor beam was activated. He watched curiously as the shuttle was
drawn into the ship.
"With your permission, I’ll go to meet our guest," stated
Spahn dryly. With that, he departed the bridge.
While enroute to the Shuttlebay, he reached out to his assistants.
"Lieutenants Spencer and Stewart, report to the Shuttlebay."
LT Adam Brannon, the Shuttle Operations Officer, stood next to Soen Mon’Teith
of Security a few feet from the shuttle’s hatch. Spahn gave them a
quick nod and, followed by Spenser and Stewart, entered the shuttle.
A few minutes later, Spahn, Stewart, and Spencer emerged with an
individual covered in heavy rust-colored robes and a masked helmet.
Adam and Soen watched as the entourage passed. Shaking his head, Adam
commented, "I don’t know what’s going on, but it can’t be
good." His sotto voice barely reached Soen.
She agreed, "I hate spooks. They give me the creeps."
They watched as the group left the Shuttlebay.
USS PHOENIX – CAPTAIN’S READY ROOM – 0830Z – ENROUTE TO THE
JHORAN SYSTEM
Spahn sat across from Captain Steele and explained the mission as Agent
Omega had outlined it to him.
"What? If I didn’t know this was authentic, I’d say it was
madness. So, what is the mission goal? At least we can know that,"
asked Steele.
"All I know, Captain, is that we are to take Omega to Jhoran V and
shuttle him down to the planet. A field around the facility prevents
beaming in or out. I’d suggest that we take the Maelstrom, as
the outpost is located beneath a glacial sea," advised Spahn.
"Sounds lovely," commented the Captain, "Who do we need
for this milk run?"
"The shuttle will carry a dozen. Omega and I, of course, are going.
I’ll need someone from Security as well. A scientist might help and,
obviously, a pilot. I’ll leave the rest up to you."
Captain Steele nodded and brought up a personnel list. She scanned the
names and made some selections. She handed Spahn the PADD. "Here
you go. Take care of my people."
Spahn took the PADD and glanced at the names. "I could do no
less."
USS PHOENIX – BRIDGE – 0200Z – AT THE JHORAN SYSTEM
The PHOENIX dropped out of warp upon entry into the Jhoran System. Lisa
Boldain set a course to Jhoran V and Alice McConnell executed it. Ten
minutes later the ice planet could be seen on the view screen. The white
orb was covered in swirling snowstorms and icy oceans. It was marvelous,
yet frightening to behold.
"Mister McConnell, establish a standard orbit. Mister Tyler,
establish communications with the outpost on a secure channel,"
commanded the Captain. Alice began a solution for the orbit as A.J.
opened a line.
"No response, Captain," said LT Tyler. Captain Steele furrowed
her brow. "Get Spahn up here. I need to know what’s going
on."
The green Orion Space Science Officer, Lieutenant Tahl, spoke,
"Captain, the planet is showing signs of instability. Several Level
Five storms are active on the planet’s surface. I’m reading heavy
currents and 10-meter waves. Should a shuttle crash, their odds of
survival are minimal."
The doors to the turbolift opened with a hiss. Spahn stepped onto the
Bridge, followed closely by CDR Stryker. Steele turned impatiently to
Spahn, "What’s going on, Spahn? Why isn’t the outpost
responding?"
"I don’t know," replied Spahn.
Stryker frowned. "I don’t like the way this feels, Captain. It
has "trap" written all over it. I recommend we abort―now.”
“With all due respect, Commander, our orders are to deliver Omega. We
must fulfill that mission,” said Spahn, looking back and forth between
Stryker and the Captain.
After a moment’s thought, Steele squared her shoulders. “He’s
right, Stryker. Our orders are quite clear and I have little or no
latitude in the matter." She turned to Spahn. "Proceed with
your mission, Commander Spahn." |