AAR: Exploration mission of D-2483

[Timoreev_]

Stardate 92598.7

TO 38th Fleet Command
CC CAPT Perim, DS13
FROM CAPT Andrej A. Timoreev, USS Ananke
SUBJ Exploration of D-2483

In stardate 92597.1, Captain Perim held a briefing on board DS13 about the dispatch of an exploration expedition toward D-2483. The main goal of the expedition was to discover more about the structure detected by our long-range sensor probes in that unexplored area of Doza Sector.
The ships composing the expedition were:

- U.S.S. Asimov, Cmdr Se'Lai, Keelah: scientific analysis and teams
- U.S.S. Rebellion, Capt Washington, N.: escort
- U.S.S. Ananke, Capt Timoreev, A. A.: flagship

The expedition left DS13 soon after the meeting, heading for D-2483 at Warp 6. Once reached its destination, the work of the expedition was thus divided: the Rebellion provided a safe perimeter around the structure, the Asimov carried out all scientific endavours and the Ananke provided supplemental aid to both ships while coordinating their efforts.
A series of sensor scans were carried out by the Asimov in order to discover as much as possible about the structure and the possibility to send an away team on board (see Scientific Report for full details). After the presence of breathable atmosphere was confirmed, a joint team was assembled on board of the three vessels and beamed on the structure for first-hand reconnaissance and analysis (see Scientific Report for away team analysis results).
After at least an hour, the Rebellion detected four unidentified contacts heading in our direction. The Commanding Officer ordered the Asimov to stay behind to recall the away team (under suggestion of Cmdr Se'Lai) while the Ananke and the Rebellion moved into communication range of the newcomers.
A communication channel was open as soon as they warped out. The captain of the leading ship identified himself as Poogh (see Attached File N.1), intimating us to leave at once. The Commanding Officer tried to negotiate our presence there, but with no result, while the Rebellion performed scans upon their ships (see Attached File N.2). Captain Poogh affirmed that the possession of the structure was certified to them for salvage. Thus, the Commanding Officer requested to read such a certification (see Attached File N.3).
In an attempt to win the consent of Poogh for our exploration of the structure, the Commanding Officer ordered the Asimov to interfere with the energetic systems of the structure itself through a modified phaser impulse. Unfortunately, Poogh interpreted it as a sign of hostility. Without any possible alternative, the Commanding Officer thus ordered the withdraw of all vessels to DS13.


Note:
Although the scans of the Rebellion confirmed that the four ships couldn't stand against our vessels, and although we have no certainty about the effective legality of the certification and consequent rights of Poogh upon the structure, I deemed a better choice to withdraw. The reason for such a decision is simple: due to our ignorance of the political structures and organizations and power plays in the Doza Sector and nearby areas, a first, aggressive intrusion could have been of detrimental effect to Federation interests and further Starfleet expeditions in the area. I suggest the Diplomatic Corps could further analize the certification document presented by Poogh, in order to give us a first picture of the situation in the area, which could be useful for further negotiation and for a better understanding of the political and economic situation in the area. I personally volunteer for any further assignment which could be useful for this purpose.
As Commanding Officer, I also take full responsibility for what happened, particularly for the incident regarding the phaser impulse from the Asimov to the structure. Although a direct conflict was averted, that action was clearly the result of a mistaken representation of the situation by the Commanding Officer.
I also would like to mention Cmdr Se'Lai and Capt Washington for their excellent behavior and for their suggestions throughout the mission.


//SIGNED//
Captain Andrej A. Timoreev,
USS Ananke, NCC-94123

[kermit]

// COMMUNICATIONS LOG EXCERPT (WITH ANNOTATIONS) [STARDATE 92596.6 - STARDATE 92596.7]: ::FOUR UNIDENTIFIED VESSELS DROP OUT OF WARP ON INTERCEPT COURSE WITH DERELICT STATION:: <USS ANANKE> Here's Captain Timoreev, of the USS Ananke of the United Federation of Planets. Please, respond. ::STATIC:: <UNIDENTIFIED VESSEL #1> Hello [UNINTELLIGIBLE]. Why have you boarded this station? <USS ANANKE> We're here for exploration. We have detected this station, and we were curious to know more about it. Do you speak for the builders of the station? <USS REBELLION> We do not wish to cause harm or damage to your station, we only wish to learn. May we have your name please? <UNIDENTIFIED VESSEL #1> I am Poogh. This is ours! It has been claimed and certified. You may salvage elsewhere. Leave now! <USS ANANKE> Please, we have no intention to salvage anything. We wish only to study it, with peaceful intentions. <UNIDENTIFIED VESSEL #1> Nope! No. Nono. Much too dangerous. You must leave now! Learn about your own salvage! <USS ANANKE> Maybe we could reach a compromise. We could negotiate about it. <USS REBELLION> Why do you wish for us to leave so quickly? is there a danger here? <UNIDENTIFIED VESSEL #1> ...hm. Yes! Trade. You give us two of your ships, you can have station. Yes! Danger. Much danger. Will lose all profits. Schedule to keep! Do we have a deal? <USS ANANKE> I'm sorry, our vessels are not for sell. Maybe we could find something else of your interest... <UNIDENTIFIED VESSEL #1> Nope! Already scanned. Nothing else of value. We'll keep our station. Leave now. Go away. Work to do. Can't have distractions. ::TRANSPORT DETECTED: UNIDENTIFIED VESSEL #2 → DERELICT STATION:: ::TRANSPORT DETECTED: UNIDENTIFIED VESSEL #3 → DERELICT STATION:: <USS ANANKE> Poogh, the energy fluctuations in the station are pretty weird. You'd concur with me that they could become dangerous if left unchecked...as you can see, our ships are more advanced, and could help you in securing the station. With a fair compensation, of course. <UNIDENTIFIED VESSEL #1> Nonono. This is ours. It was claimed by us long ago, and we have much experience with it. Your help is not needed. <USS ANANKE> So you're not concerned with the strange substance which is on board? <UNIDENTIFIED VESSEL #1> The 'strange substance' is ours. If you wish to purchase, you should try a trading outpost. Away from here! <USS ANANKE> Can I ask where the starbase possession has been certified? <UNIDENTIFIED VESSEL #1> No! You have wasted enough of our time! Stop interfering with our operation. <USS ANANKE> We'll gladly leave if you give us the evidence of the certification. As a businessman as you are, I'm sure you'll understand. <UNIDENTIFIED VESSEL #1> Gah. Fine. Such little trust. Read and go away. ::USS ASIMOV FIRES LOW-FREQUENCY MODULATED PHASER PULSE AT DERELICT STATION:: ::POWER SURGE DETECTED ON DERELICT STATION:: <UNIDENTIFIED VESSEL #1> STOP! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! GET OUT OF HERE! HOW DARE YOU FIRE ON US?! ::DEFLECTOR SHIELDS DETECTED: UNIDENTIFIED VESSELS #1-4:: ::UNIDENTIFIED VESSELS #1-4 REPOSITION BETWEEN DERELICT STATION AND USS ANANKE TASK FORCE:: <USS ANANKE> Sorry, we had no intention of firing upon anybody. Please, keep calm. I just finished read your certification. To demonstrate our goodwill, we'll stand down our weapons, Poogh. Let's try to discuss this peacefully. The Federation for which I speak have a lot of things I'm sure you'll find interesting, and profitable... <UNIDENTIFIED VESSEL #1> No! We spoke peacefully and you fired on us! You will leave or we will defend ourselves! <USS ANANKE> What you misunderstood for an act of aggression was our attempt to demonstrate what we can do for you. As you could see, we have the means of interacting with the station energy at safe distance, and in every possible way. If that was intended as an aggression, the station would've reported damage. <UNIDENTIFIED VESSEL #1> We told you we did NOT want your so-called help. This is OUR station. You cannot have it. You cannot study it. We have had salvage rights for many cycles and we will not be intimidated by the likes of you! Leave us be! ::USS ANANKE TASK FORCE ENTERS WARP::

[Crystyl_]

Stardate 92598.7

Report Submitted: CMDR Se'Lai, K.

Delivered to: FCAPT Perim; 38th\Command

SUBJ Exploration of D-2483 (Supplemental)

Additional details to support Captain Timoreev's report follow:

- During the Asimov's continued scans of the station, conducted whilst supporting the away team; we learned that this structure (estimated 200 years in age) utilizes a non-centralized power system. The closest comparison to this officer's knowledge is the Borg's distributed power node matrix.

- The away team encountered a gel-like substance running throughout the structure. Further investigation into this substance saw one of the away team receive an injury to their hand (which was promptly triaged on location by Lieutenant Xel). This incident coincided with a registered power spike on board the station which was recorded in the Asimov's logs.

- Shortly after the registered power spike was when the Rebellion detected the approaching vessels

- Discreet scan from our rear position nearer the station afforded us the knowledge that the visiting vessels were crewed by a mix of Ferengi, Human & Klingon together with the presence of an unknown race. Initial theories of possible captivity were subdued by detailed scans indicated the widespread dispersal of the different races lifesigns throughout the vessels.

- Whilst the Ananke & Rebellion attempted to negotiate with the new arrivals, the bridge staff of the Asimov formulated the hypothesis of the gel substance being a form of bio-electrical power distribution, given the nature of reaction witnessed when the away team member made physical contact with it.

- With this theoretical knowledge, we determined the possibility of using a modulated phaser burst to recreate a controlled surge remotely, this information was offered to the mission CO on board the Ananke with the postulation that witnessing such a surge would present the visitors with the illusion of the danger they seemed very nervous of.

- The Asimov bridge crew all performed admirably in the execution of this plan and the required coordination / modification work that ensued. Unfortunately, whilst our efforts produced the desired effect with the station this did not yield the desired reaction from the visitors.

- Personal Note: Whilst Captain Timoreev has assumed responsibility for said events as mission CO, he was acting on my recommendation and my assumptions. Furthermore it was I who gave the order to execute the plan and I assume full responsibility for my actions in that regard.

//SIGNED//
Commander Se'lai, Keelah
Acting CO, USS Asimov