101618.4
LCDR Wind-People, Ansha
LOCATION Aldebaran Sector
MISSION Original Mission: Patrol and survey, Assisting a civilian craft in distress which was a ruse. Adjusted mission, uncovering an RSE plot.
OUTCOME The Romulan Star Empire plot to reignite Klingon-UFP conflict was foiled and the disguised RSE spy was apprehended. Security flaws exposed. The destruction of 2 Klingon Negh’Var battle cruisers and the route of a third cruiser.
KEY PERSONNEL
- LCDR Ansha Wind-People, XO and Acting Captain
- LCDR Sh'ow, R'Nol, Science Officer
- LT Anakkei Solla, Tactical Officer
- LTJG Zachary Sweazey, Helm
- CPO Donas zhe’Nambur, Engineer, Acting Engineering Officer
- PO1 Susan Getty, Engineer
NARRATIVE
To effectively lay the foundation for the conditions that birthed the situation at hand, the narrative must start a few days before the actual incident, and the original mission began.
On 101603.7, while off shift and resting, LCDR Ansha Wind-People was rendered unconscious by the gas Polybrotialate Chlorohydroxy Methyline (PCM) and her thoughts during this period were controlled by a tritonic carrier wave transmission that implanted a “dream sequence” in which the USS Ecstasea was ambushed by three Klingon Negh’Var battle cruisers and without warning destroyed with the loss of most of the crew. This same sequence would repeat for successive rest periods until the beginning of the routine patrol mission.
On 101618, after her normal bridge watch period, LCDR Wind-People stayed in the ready room rather than proceeding to her quarters, and thereby stayed on watch. She requested Science Officer LCDR Sh’ow, R’Nol to meet with her in the ready room, in order to discuss these dreams with him. It was noted that not only do Wind-People not dream, but they are never unconscious unless placed in stasis. LCDR Sh’ow agreed to investigate this situation in earnest.
In LCDR Wind-People’s quarters the presence of PCM gas was found in trace amounts. The computer indicated that it had noted the detection of PCM started around 101603.7. The computer further indicated that it had sent a warning notification to engineering but there was no response and that PCM seemed strongest next to the inlet vent. LCDR Sh’ow was able to confirm the highest concentrations around LCDR Wind-People’s restoration tank, and the inlet supply vent.
LCDR Sh’ow then went to engineering where it was discovered that 3 log entries in the maintenance logs were nulled, which meant there would be no notice of both maintenance and computer warnings. Of further note one crewmember, Petty Officer 1st Class Susan Getty, had excused herself to “go to the head” while LCDR Sh’ow and CPO zhe’Nambur were talking. It was also noted that a detection sensor was taken offline manually at that ventilation node.
LCDR Sh’ow and CPO zhe’Nambur decided to investigate the ventilation node in question and once arriving on the 2nd Deck, ran into PO1 Getty who was returning from the very passageway wherein both LCDR Wind-People’s wardroom is located as well the jefferies tube access to the ventilation node. When questioned, PO1 Getty mentioned responding to and clearing a false EPS Conduit overheat alarm on 4th Deck and it was easier to climb up the number 4 jefferies tube to the 2nd Deck. CPO zhe’Nambur allowed her to continue and proceeded with LCDR Sh’ow to jefferies tube number 4.
Once at the ventilation node, it was discovered that the inside surface had been disturbed. There was a stain on the duranium surface indicative of a chemical reaction. There was also a high concentration of PCM in the general region. Scratches as though something was slid across the duct surface were evident.
At 101604, a distress call came in from a civilian freighter that had lost all power and was in need of immediate assistance. LCDR Wind-People began suffering from anxiety-like issues and upon arrival at the scene began to show major emotional distress as this scene was very similar to her “dream”. At her request LCDR Sh’ow was summoned to the bridge. Upon his arrival he detected the presence of PCM as well as a modulated tritonic wave. He immediately instructed LCDR Wind-People to go to the ready room and institute environmental isolation protocols. A scan for lifeforms on Deck 1 was performed and it was discovered that there was an additional lifeform, a Romulan, that was dying in the port side maintenance gantry.
LCDR Sh’ow ordered the individual to be beamed to medical and lifesaving measures be performed to save her as well as a security detail to take her into custody. He also ordered an away team to board the freighter, as there was no response to hails. It was later discovered by the away team, that the 5 Romulan crew that had piloted the ship there were dead, either by suicide or unexpected assistance.
LCDR Wind-People had an EVA suit in the ready room as a precaution against harmful environmental factors like this, which she donned, then after taking a few moments to clear her head decided to rejoin the bridge crew. Since this “dream” was coming true, she felt she knew what the order of events would be therefore it would be prudent to be there even if it is in an advisory role. The bridge crew and LCDR Sh’ow a decided that she was fit to return to command, and with that, LCDR Sh’ow proceeded to medical to question the Romulan agent.
At 101604.05, LCDR Wind-People ordered Yellow Alert, and concurred with LCDR Sh’ow’s order for the away team, but with the caveat that the shields be raised shortly thereafter and weapons powered up. She relayed the relative positions that the battle cruisers would be in to Tactical and then ordered a Tachyon Pulse from the deflector in that direction. LCDR Wind-People prophylactically had comms hail the USS Defender which was on patrol nearby.
LCDR Shamaz Ashydi, CMO, had begun administering first aid and had effectively neutralized the attempt to commit suicide. It was noted that the Romulan had been surgically altered to resemble PO1 Getty. The Romulan PO1 Getty had joined the crew on Stardate 101586.4, and it was further noted that she had never used the transporter nor submitted to a medical evaluation. She had in fact come from leave on Risa via shuttle craft, then used the gangway to board the USS Ecstasea, completely bypassing any scans that could have indicated the difference in species.
The Romulan agent was not cooperative.
At 101604.06, the three battle cruisers appeared exactly where LCDR Wind-People said they would be. A scan was ordered revealing the crew to be composed of Romulans, not Klingons. Given this, and with an aggregation of all events so far, LCDR Wind-People ordered Red Alert and weapons lock. The lead battle cruiser, KDF Qo’Mokh, fired. LCDR Wind-People ordered evasive maneuvers, and returned fire which was unexpected by the opfor, catching them by surprise.
The extreme maneuvers of this old Miranda class (something LTJG Sweazey refers to as drifting) were very unexpected by the opfor as well, though there were injuries attributed to personnel who were unfamiliar with evasive maneuvering as well as the spaceframe becoming fatigued.
Note: We would not have come out as well as we did without the opfor following the events as they were in the dream, or the brilliant work of LT Solla on Tactical as well as LTJG Sweazey’s unique style of piloting. I really cannot take credit for this victory. – LCDR Wind-People
After the KDF Qo’Mokh and the KDF BoQ’Hah were taken out with minimal damage to the USS Ecstasea, the third, the KDF Nev retreated and cloaked. The USS Defender arrived to help with rescue and security then chased the KDF Nev, eventually engaging it, disabling it, and boarding the same.
The USS Ecstasea stayed at the disabled freighter as it was felt prudent to perform damage control, rest overworked systems, and investigate the freighter further.
The security team that scoured the area in the port side bridge maintenance gantry discovered vials of PCM gas as well as a device that transmitted signals over a tritonic particle wave. Both have been remitted to the custody of LCDR Sh’ow for further study.
Regarding the preemptive offensive and defensive stance of the USS Ecstasea before the arrival of the opfor, LCDR Wind-People justifies her ship’s readiness status to Red Alert and immediate scanning done upon the appearance of the three Klingon cruisers, as well as having shields up and weapons ready prior to their appearance, as this was within the discretionary decisions allowed by Starfleet General Order 33. Justification for the decision was based on the follow indication:
- The location, the civilian freighter’s situation, and the appearance of the three cruisers all coincided with the dream which was administered by the Romulan agent.
- The initial scans indicated that the three ships were crewed entirely by Romulan crew members.
- The agent’s discovery as a Romulan who had been surgically altered to be a human and taken on the form of an existing enlisted crewmember who was the central catalyst of this plot
- The Klingon cruiser KDF Qo’Mokh fired first, as it did in the dream. While this alone could be grounds to return fire, it could be argued that demonstrating a stance as the USS Ecstasea was (shields up, weapons hot, active scanning) could interpreted as hostile, it was the view of the commander that there was enough evidence to demonstrate a true and real danger to the crew.
It was later confirmed that the three cruisers were stolen from KDF.
It was also confirmed that the individual masquerading as PO1 Getty, was a known Tal Shiar operative. Further information on her has been restricted however.
RECOMMENDATION
- If the USS Ecstasea is to continue operations for the foreseeable future, it is imperative that key hardware and software receive emergency upgrades be made to improve security. Security flaws in supposedly un-patchable, older consoles led to an exploit that allowed for the use of a Tritonic transmitter and the introduction of Polybrotialate Chlorohydroxy Methyline, an apparently Romulan derived compound that is a hallucinogenic to certain species, including Eauscomycetes Adjeallia or Wind People without a detect warning sent to Engineering and erasures of relevant logs by the Romulan agent posing as PO1 Getty. Any consoles that are too old to be patched, should be replaced with newer systems that are supported.
- In lieu of the shortcomings of the Miranda class' built in shipboard hazard detection systems, additional detection systems have been installed that are independent of the ship's built in detection systems as a safeguard against tampering. These systems are monitored directly by only a select few senior personnel and their existence has been kept secret to all but a few of the crew. These detection systems have a variety of failsafes and tamper resistance mechanisms.
- All Starfleet personnel must either be transported aboard the USS Ecstasea, or scanned prior to being allowed onboard without exception.
- All current personnel onboard the USS Ecstasea have submitted to scans performed by the Medical and Science departments. There have been no further disguised agents detected and all bio scans are as indicated in personnel medical records.
- The real PO1 Susan Getty's whereabouts are undetermined at this time. An effort to find her, alive or dead, or at least determine her status should be made. Prior to her requested transfer to the USS Ecstasea, she was last seen on Risa during leave in the presence of a Bolian known as "Skurie" according to her former crewmates.
- As a show of good faith, what remains of the trio of Klingon ships should be returned through diplomatic channels to the Klingon Empire.
- On a personal note, I would like to thank the OpFor for not only letting me know what they were going to do beforehand, but also following that script to the letter, except for the part where they won.
- CAPT Sh'ow, H'Ltol, the crew of the USS Defender, for their timely assistance in securing the scene, helping the wounded and captured, and pursuing the third cruiser.
- LCDR Sh'ow, R'Nol, for the cunning and perseverance to solve this problem, thereby freeing LCDR Wind-People and foiling a Romulan Star Empire plot.
- CPO Donas zhe’Nambur for her assistance in solving this problem and her knowledge of the Miranda class systems.
- LT Anakkei Solla for assisting LCDR Wind-People when incapacitated. Furthermore for handling the task of calculating firing solutions manually on an antiquated and sometimes malfunctioning tactical system, as well, in some cases, "eyeballing it" with deadly accuracy.
- LTJG Zachary Sweazey for amazing piloting skills. Along with LT Solla's improvised weapons handling, the combination proved to be the winning edge that turned what should have been an outmatched, 3 against 1 romp into a Starfleet victory.
- The entire crew of the USS Ecstasea for their continued courage and professionalism in the face of treachery, adversity, and externally sewn internal chaos.
Bravo Zulu, team Ecstasea!
OOC
Mission: die tote stadt