100701.3
ENS Felenn, Renaah
LOCATION Ba’aja system, Ba’aja sector, UFP-Klingon-Tholian bordering region.
MISSION Continuation of anomaly investigation in the system, as reported earlier in AAR: Patrol of Tholian border.
OUTCOME USS Cassini returns to Ba’aja system to continue the anomaly investigation. Tholian reconnaissance group spotted in trying to “trap” the anomaly within their energy web, but have been prevented by anomaly itself. Further investigation pending.
KEY PERSONNEL
- CAPT Tellara Zarath
- LCDR M’ikke Nasi, Chief Tactical Officer
- LTJG Gha’Kahrr, visiting physician from DS13
- ENS Renaah Felenn, Operations Officer
NARRATIVE Following her deployment in Romulan Imperial space, USS Cassini stopped by at Deep Space 13 for short repair, resupply and crew rotations. Upon leaving the starbase traffic zone, we proceeded to Ba’aja system at warp 4. As other senior staff were coordinating their respective departments, Captain Zarath left me in charge of the conn while briefing LCDR Nasi on their new duties.
Long range tactical scanners detected a Tholian task group, consisting of two Recluse-class carriers and three Iktomi-class science vessels, at the location of anomaly. This prompted an automated Tactical Alert activation and I recalled Captain Zarath to the bridge. She ordered an immediate full stop and activation of Cassini’s stealth system.
Through mainly passive scanning of surrounding area, LTJG Gha’Kahrr established that Tholians were trying to established their energy web network around the anomaly, most likely to passivate and seal it from normal space. Compared to our previous scan of the anomaly nearly six standard months ago, it seems that anti-proton lattice supporting the gateway (still submerged in subspace) has emerged into normal space partially, causing low-intensity subspace disruptions spreading through the region.
For now, these disruptions do not impede warp travel or Cassini’s stealth systems, but we have surmised that they are caused by the physical distance separation of the anti-proton lattice from the Iconian-alike gateway. I have likened it to a tension produced by elastic rubber coil being stretched out of equilibrium. It is possible that the “subspace rubber” emits disruptions into subspace assuming it is trying to achieve equilibrium state between the anti-proton lattice and the gateway.
At Captain’s request to deter Tholians from further interference with the anomaly, LCDR Nasi recommended we launch a probe which would mimic a Starfleet vessel. I supported the idea but also advised we modify probe’s emissions to mimic the vessel we picked from the anomaly during our previous visit to which Captain agreed.
Meanwhile, one of the Iktomi vessels began threading an actual energy web. Within minutes, the web and the Iktomi were captured into the anti-proton lattice to which one of the Recluse vessels responded by firing on the unfortunate Iktomi. LTJG Gha’Kahrr surmised that the Iktomi’s computer systems were somehow compromised and captured by the anti-proton lattice, prompting Tholians to destroy it before the process was complete. Upon the vessel’s destruction, Tholians retreated to the far edge of the system opposite of us and Captain ordered deactivation of the stealth system.
As of this writing, anti-proton lattice continues to increase its physical distance from the gateway submerged in subspace. LTJG Gha’Kahrr has noted a kind of energy gap within anti-proton lattice whose size is just slightly bigger than USS Cassini, as if the anomaly is inviting the ship. While Lieutenant’s scans haven’t provided any evidence to support our assumption that anti-proton lattice might be a living organism, there is clearly some sort of active guidance system behind this lattice.
Furthermore, the gateway itself is still showing signs of omega particles’ emissions.
RECOMMENDATION We are currently holding position at safe distance from the anomaly, but it is very difficult to advise how to proceed. It could be that the speculated guidance system adjusted the gap to Cassini’s size because it has recognized us a non-hostile ship from the previous encounter.
I would urge operations and engineering teams aboard Deep Space 13 to try establish the real and complete nature of the vessel which we acquired in the previous visit. While we know it to be an older generation Starfleet shuttle, we have yet to determine how was it converted into present-day vessel. We would also need information how was this vessel converted. While the changes done to it are Iconian-alike, they are precisely that - Iconian alike. Also, an update on the retrieved body from Medical Department would also provide us with more clues on how to engage with the anomaly itself.
Given the proximity of Tholian and Klingon space, I would recommend giving this anomaly a slightly higher priority in terms of information acquisition before someone else tries to seize it.
RELATED REPORTS
AAR: Patrol of Tholian border
AAR: Investigation of unknown alien craft recovered by USS Cassini
AAR: Continuation of examination of alien craft
OOC
Event log is on this link. Thanks to @Moose, @Biska and @HLtol for some nice sciency RP 