| SUBMITTED: Stardate 96337.0 | FILED BY: CAPT A. Derenzis | SECURITY: Level 1 - Open |
LOCATION: Deep Space, Doza Sector
MISSION: Charting of gaseous and gravitational anomalies in this sector.
OUTCOME: Found and retrieved a vessel belonging to a race unknown to the Federation from a small dark-matter field. Aliens and vessel now aboard the Shackleton; repairs on alien vessel are ongoing.
KEY PERSONNEL:
CAPT A. Derenzis,
CMDR T. Akaela,
CAPT A. Nimitz,
CAPT T. Nimitz,
LT T'Lal,
ENS Conagher (NPC)
CMDR T. Akaela,
CAPT A. Nimitz,
CAPT T. Nimitz,
LT T'Lal,
ENS Conagher (NPC)
NARRATIVE: While on our charting assignment, the Shackleton detected a highly complex mathematical sequence being transmitted over subspace from a small molecular cloud 0.05 ly from our current position. Upon close investigation, we found a small spacecraft, similar in size to a runabout, not conforming to any known design in Federation records, and showing damage on its port side. We were able to establish radio contact; the ship's occupants stated that their vessel had suffered damage and that they needed assistance - the mathematical sequence was apparently their version of a distress call.
An attempt to approach the alien vessel was thwarted when LT T'Lal detected a cluster of spatial deformations surrounding the alien ship for several million kilometers. These deformations were caused by a field of dark matter of sufficient density to distort local space. Further scans revealed no safe path for the Shackleton to approach the alien ship; however a runabout could navigate the deformations safely. CAPT A. Nimitz offered to pilot the runabout; this officer assigned CMDR Akaela operational command and attached LT T'Lal to assist in navigating the dark matter field. ENS Conagher joined the away team from Engineering. CAPT T. Nimitz remained behind with this officer to coordinate operations.
The away team took the runabout Endurance, and were able to navigate to the alien vessel without incident. Once there, they made contact with the two alien occupants. The aliens were members of a race called the Tir7, and had an encounter with an assailant elsewhere; their attempt to flee the attack was what caused them to encounter the dark matter field, which then disrupted their engine systems. The engine systems were sufficiently damaged that on-site repairs were not possible. The away team, with the permission of the Tir7, then towed the ship via tractor beam out of the field and back to the Shackleton. Medical and engineering teams met the alien vessel in the main shuttlebay.
Bio-scans of the alien ship revealed dead spores of the fungus previously encountered aboard DS-13 on Stardate 95646.6, and on a derelict ship found by the U.S.S. William Ockham on Stardate 94302.3. CMO Gov Hlolsh has determined no live spores have entered the ship, but has administered antifungal inoculations to the crew as a precaution, and is continuing to monitor in the event of an outbreak. An analysis of the lighting aboard the Tir7 vessel reveals lights that give off an elevated amount of ultraviolet radiation, which likely killed the spores before they could infect the occupants. The aliens - named Recurrence Relation and Branching Symmetry - have agreed to release their flight logs in hopes of finding where they encountered the fungus. Engineering is now attempting to decipher the Tir7's engine technology in order to repair it. Both Recurrence Relation and Branching Symmetry have been assigned guest quarters pending the completion of repairs. A warning buoy has been left behind to prevent other vessels from encountering the dark matter field.
RECOMMENDATION: The dark matter field, while a danger to any vessel that happens upon it, is sufficiently small not to warrant any special concern; the warning buoy in place should suffice. Exact coordinates have been attached to this report.
The Tir7 represent a First Contact situation, and will likely be aboard the Shackleton for at least the next few weeks. I have assigned provisional Ambassador status to them, and have instructed the crew to show them every courtesy. However, the senior of the two, Recurrence Relation, has mentioned that a companion species, known as the Vorshak, will also be making an appearance in this sector shortly; he stated they may be of assistance in repairing the Tir7's vessel. I would recommend a consul or ambassador rendezvous with the Shackleton at their earliest convenience to handle negotiations.
Finally, the reappearance of a known biological threat in the alien fungus has altered the profile of our mission. We will be attempting to pinpoint the source of this fungus in hopes of preventing other vessels from spreading it further. Any experts on this particular fungus' nature should be contacted as soon as possible and contingencies against further infection developed.
//ATTACHMENT// doza-cartography-update96337.dat
OOC: AAR for "Chaotic Encounter". Thanks to everyone who took part, and special thanks to Beylara for allowing the mention of the nasty fungus - it's part of a little plotline she and I are working on, and we'll see more of it soon! As always, if I made any errors, please let me know and I'll correct them.