 | SUBJ: AAR - Nebula Survey Stardate: 92713.3 | TO: 38th Fleet Command CC: FROM: CMDR Se'Lai, Keelah |
Sirs;
The USS Asimov been put in for repairs after receiving substantial damage following an unprovoked confrontation with True Way forces. Details of these events follow:
Our survey of the uncharted nebula proceeded as scheduled to begin with. Initial scans revealed an electrical signal coming from the centre of the nebula which was not natural in origin. We first attempted to gain more information by use of a class 2 probe however, when we lost the probe's telemetry due to interference from the nebula I took the Asimov in closer. As we neared the signal source it was identified as a hail being relayed in a pre-Union Cardassian format - upon interceting said hail we were presented with a holographic representation of a Vorta on the bridge, some crew easily recognised this figure as Keth and it soon came to light that this was in fact a pre-recorded message from Keth 6, specifically.
Keth 6 baited us into a no-win scenario which we could not afford to ignore for the preservation of innocent lives; she presented us with two scenarios which were underway in the vicinity warning us that whichever we chose to aid would be at the sacrifice of the other. The first of these was a bomb which had been discretely placed on board a nearby trading post and was primed to detonate within 60 minutes from the termination of her message. The second was a freighter convoy which would be coming under attack from True Way forces, also just outside the nebula but in the opposite direction.
After careful deliberation, we decided to despatch an away team via shuttle to the trading post who could inform of the threat, commence evacuation and attempt to disarm the device - whilst the Asimov moved to assist the freighters. Knowing that the Asimov would not present any significant challenge to an aggressive Jem'Hadar squadron, we devised a rouse of using sensor ghosts and projections to scatter and confuse enemy forces whilst the Asimov attempted to evacuate the freighter convoy to safety. Coupled with focused efforts to temporarily boost transporter system strength and shield cycling times this plan yielded some results.
Unfortunately, the hostile forces were quick to see through our rouse and had turned their attention back to the Asimov by the time we had evacuated the first freighter. We attempted to further placate them by creating additional sensor ghosts of the Asimov, but they would not be fooled twice. Tactical and helm worked in seamless partnership to cut the attacking fighters down who had taken to kamikaze runs against the Asimov whilst our shields were down to transport civilians. However, the attacking frigates also seized the opportunity and promptly evacuated one of their own vessels - launching it on a collision course with the Asimov.
During this confrontation the remaining two freighters who had scattered after our engagement of enemy forces were still attempting to flee. I am saddened to report that one suffered a core breach before reaching safety however the third and final freighter was spared.
With our shields reduced to minimal strength at this point and under constant fire from all direction we could not evade the frigate-sized projectile being guided toward us by tractor beam. We initiated a plan to tow the projectile ship via our own tractor beam along a collision course with one of the other frigates as we warped out, unfortunately they accelerated their projectile and it impacted the lower engineering section of the Asimov.
Before we warped out, we were again met with a holographic communication from Keth 6, this time it was not a pre-recorded message. She of course boasted victory and tried to play mind games with the bridge crew, making light of the thought that we were responsible for the lost lives. I was abrupt in reinforcing our position to the contrary. This extended and egotistic dialogue was not in vain however since it allowed us to trace her signal back to it's source - which was confirmed as a relay probe within the nebula, further investigation was hampered however when the probe self destructed upon detecting our long range scans. Furthermore, it allowed us some insight into her ongoing plans; it would appear that Keth 6 is gathering 'test subjects' of different species, or to be more precise she is gathering samples of different species DNA. To what end, we still do not know.
Whilst these events were transpiring aboard the Asimov, the away team saw greater success at the trading post where they were able to disarm what turned out to be a Thalaron device, with note in particular of Ensign Steele's quick thinking. It was reported that upon deactivation, the device emitted a subspace signal though it's nature could not be determined. Supplemental report from Commander Sivath to be attached.
Summary action:
| Civilians Saved | 83 recovered from freighter, plus estimated similar complement aboard escpaing freighter. Unknown number of souls on board the trading post. |
| Civilian Fatalities | 94 incl. lost freighter crew and some recovered with fatal injuries |
| Asimov Injuries | 43 minor / treatable injuries |
| Asimov Fatalities | 18 (I will be writing to these crewman's families in due course informing the circumstances of their loss; in saving civilian lives. I am also posthumously recommending them all for commendation to this effect) |
| Asimov Damage | Major hull breaches to decks 6, 7 & 8 // Hull plating and structural integrity compromised across all decks // 8 ruptured plasma conduits on decks 3, 4 & 6 |
Asimov Crew:
| CMDR Keelah Se'Lai | CMDR Sivath* |
| LCDR Mathilda Zaldo | ENS William Steele* |
| ENS T'Pemi Carter* | CDT Ann Carter |
| LCDR Rose Jinsoo | ENG Alex Holmes |
| LT Skyr'la Delin | LT Nirali Zehn |
| LTCOL Motoko Isawa* | (*Away team) |
//SIGNED//
Cmdr. Keelah Se'Lai
