Dead Moon Rising

Posted on Sun Jan 5th, 2020 @ 3:55pm by Captain Abigail Laurens

"Commander Laurens, we have an urgent incoming transmission from Starfleet Command."

Abigail glanced toward Lieutenant Gunnison and nodded slightly. "Put it up on the view screen," she commanded.

"Ma'am, Admiral Lockwood has requested a private channel."

"Very well Lieutenant, route it through to my ready room please," Abigail replied, casting a quick smile at her Executive Officer sitting next to her. "You have the bridge Commander Gail, try and keep us out of trouble she quipped as she headed for her ready room.

No sooner had she sat down at her desk, the Standard Starfleet insignia on the console had been replaced with the familiar weathered face of the Admiral.

"Admiral Lockwood," she said with a warm smile as she leaned forward in her chair.

"Abigail, it's good to see you again, it's been a while," he offered a smile in return, the corners of his eyes wrinkling.

"It has," Abigail agreed with a nod. "But I suspect this isn't a social call, so we can skip the pleasantries and get to business."

Lockwood nodded. "I need the Astraea to proceed immediately to the Charybdis Sector, Maximum warp for as long as you safely can."

There was clear confusion on Abigail's face. "Sir, the Charybdis Sector is a no go zone," she reminded quietly.

"I'm well aware of that Commander Laurens!" Lockwood snapped then almost immediately sighed. "Abigail, time is of the utmost importance here. We have received reports that our warning beacons are offline around the Charybdis Sector. We don't know if they failed spontaneously or if they were sabotaged. Intelligence indicates that Romulan sensors have detected an unknown vessel entering the Charybdis Sector. Unknown Design, Unknown Power Source. We have intelligence trying to access the sensor data for us, but it is imperative that the Federation find that craft first. We don't know if this is a vessel they have designed and are testing in that area, or if the vessel belongs to someone else, but that technology cannot fall into any other hands. Do you understand?"

"You want us to enter the Charybdis Sector, find this alien vessel and bring it back?" Abigail asked quietly. "And we have authority to violate standing orders and enter the sector, regardless of risk?"

"Yes Commander. You will do what ever is necessary to secure that technology for the Federation. Support will follow you, but the nearest vessels are at least five days away by Maximum warp. As soon as you find the vessel, tractor it clear of the sector and contact Command. Once the other ships have arrived, you can hand the vessel over and return to your previous assignment. Until then though, this matter takes precedence." Lockwood's eyes were firmly fixed on her as he spoke, his voice resolute.

"Very well Admiral," Abigail replied quietly. "I'll be in touch once we have located the vessel. Laurens out."

Closing the communication, Abigail leaned back in her seat, raising her hands to steeple her fingers under her chin as she contemplated over this new turn of events. "Well, so much for shoreleave," she murmured quietly, reaching up to tap her commbadge lightly. "Commander Gail, please join me."