Chirakis

The "swapping stones" were introduced in SG-1. The following, taken from the Stargate Wikipedia, explains the stones more fully and gives the connection between the original stones and their present incarnation in Universe.

Mission Summary - Sky Harbour Aegis - 16 October 2009 The station came to red alert when Cdr Brian Brown, former Executive Officer of Sky Harbor Aegis, approached within 1000 meters of the station with the Covert Operations Ship USS Odyssey in full stealth mode. The Odyssey was on a mission not far from Aegis when the station was attacked, but they could not respond without revealing their presence. Cdr Brown is in the area to investigate the effects of the Breen disappearance and to search for Captain Savage. Ambassador Drankum received a offering of tube grubs from Cdr Brown. Lt Dabi and his security teams received a good workout guarding the Odyssey's docking port and providing escort for Cdr Brown. Administrator McDowell, after viewing the remains of the enemy fighter and enduring the shock of red alert on the station, returned to Alastair I on TKR-117. Dr. Pavilion reviewed the autopsy report from Dr. Lepage and took a last look at the alien's body. Dr. Feretti and Mr. LeMorte continued their discussion of the symbols found on TKR 117 and the data from the enemy fighter. SubCdr Jorahl and Mr. Fletcher attach sensor pods to the fighters in preparation for external scans of the station. Time between games is two days.

Sky Harbour Aegis Chat Log for 16 October 2009 091016.txt

=/\=Sunday Academy Mission Briefing=/\= In a timeline shift, the USS Algonquin (Akira Class) has encountered the Federation science ship USS Discovery just as it came through a subspace distortion not far from Starbase 375. In the present timeline, the Federation is at war with the Romulan Star Empire. The crew of the USS Discovery wear pre-war Starfleet uniforms and know nothing of the war. In fact, they had just come from a joint Romulan-Federation science conference. Just before they met the Algonquin, the Discovery experienced an explosion that badly damaged the ship. The USS Algonquin is alongside the USS Discovery, helping with repairs.

Autopsy Report - Alien Fighter Pilot Cdr Nicolas Lepage, MD Chief Medical Officer Sky Harbor Aegis Nick was sitting at his desk after what had been a long day. The autopsy had taken much longer than he had anticipated. Putting his feet on the desk, he leaned back in his chair and mentally went over the autopsy again. He hadn’t managed to find out much that would help them find out the reason for the attack or even where this species came from. But the information had had been able to glean might prove useful one day. For one thing, there hadn’t been any kind of implant that would explain how the pilot had controlled his ship. So Leilani’s assumption that it was piloted telepathically was looking more and more probable. The other thing that had struck Nick was that the alien’s tissue could regenerate at a very fast rate. He had found that out when he had sent tissue samples to the lab. He would have to wait for his tests to be concluded but he could already say that the alien’s body was able to heal at least minor wounds itself within a couple of hours. Even if these things weren’t going to help them prevent another attack on Aegis, they might well prove to be a couple of important pieces in the puzzle they were currently trying to solve.

Mission Summary - Sky Harbour Aegis - 9 October 2009 Administrator McDowell, SrLtn LeMorte, and Cdr Chirakis view images from TKR 117 and consider the possibility that there may be a connection between the archaeological dig and the unknown species that attacked Aegis. They discuss the possibility that the species may be 500,000 years old and that digging at the site may have drawn the species into the system. All this has yet to be proven and remains, for the moment, only intriguing thoughts. LtCdr Feretti continues analysis of the chip that Cdr Chirakis retrieved from a similar fighter she found on a planet near Breen space a decade ago. Among other things she finds a map of the system, but everything in the system seems out of place. Again, more questions than answers. Dr. Pavilion keeps sick bay running and sends the report of the autopsy of the fighter pilot to Cdr Chirakis. In engineering, SrLtn Coleridge and Lt(jg) Fletcher work on station systems. SubCommander Jorahl monitors engineering progress from the Control Tower where he is in temporary command. He and Lt Dabi plan an external survey of the sensor systems using Aegis' fighters. Jorahl reports that shipyard construction is on schedule. Ambassador Drankum enters the CT. Oddly subdued and distracted, he enters the conference room and sits amid a pile of padds that have been there, unattended, for days. SubCommander Jorahl and Lt Dabi notice his aberrant behavior and are concerned. Time between games is 30 minutes and 29 seconds.

Chat Log for 9 October 2009 091009.txt

Of Myth and Legend Having received notification at her CT console that Administrator McDowell was about to land, Cdr Chirakis reserved enough time in her schedule for a long consultation about the symbols that had apparently been found on TKR 117. She mentally ticked off the list of questions she would ask - where had they been found, when, approximately what age would they be, and what did they mean? Of course, more questions would be forthcoming during the conversation, but the essence of her curiosity was if this species had been here before, if there was any evidence, and, if so, did the evidence tell us anything of their intent? She highly doubted that there would be any definitive answers forthcoming, but she'd take any stab at information - however nebulous - at this point. Two days ago, Chirakis had sent the Administrator images of the fighter and the large carrier that had brought them. She had seen craft similar to these a decade before on a planet not far from here, close to Breen space. It was the stuff of legends and, had she not forwarded information and images to Director Torak of SI-5, he probably would not have believed her. In fact, his initial response was that the creatures were a myth. "The Athra are a children's story," he had said, "invented by early spacefaring civilizations to keep the children from wandering at night, Like the Boogieman." Boogieman or not, Kirel had now seen two similar creatures - or craft - with only slight variations. If Dr. Feretti's analysis was corroborated by the medical teams, the ones that attacked Aegis were guided telepathically. And if her analysis of the decade-old chip that Kirel had handed her proved to be some kind of transmitting device, the species Kirel had encountered a decade ago might have been related in some way - perhaps an earlier incarnation. Yet, in all her thoughts as she prepared to receive Administrator McDowell, she was dealing in supposition and speculation, not fact. Myths and legends would not defend Aegis from this species should they attack again. Their bottom line - how to defend Aegis - was still unresolved.

Mission Summary - Sky Harbor Aegis - 2 October 2009 Ambassador Drankum, cleared for duty, wanders station and ends up in the Control Tower, ill at ease and unsure of his surroundings. SubCommander Jorahl puzzles over a glitch in the computer system that seems to be rewriting reports so certain areas of the station are left unrepaired. Though the areas seem to be of little tactical importance, it still bears watching. He and SrLtn Coleridge discuss the defense grid and the lack of replacement parts. Coleridge suggests we need to depend less on imports and begin manufacture locally, placing automated factories elsewhere in the system to boost productivity, which would lead to needing increased number of workers, which would create a need for services, which could, in turn, create profits. Administrator McDowell departs for Aegis to report something of possible importance that they have found in the archaeological dig. Since the security offices were nearly decimated during the attack, Lt Dabi settles into his new, sparse and utilitarian Romulan surroundings. Dr. Pavilion is pleased that traffic in sick bay has slowed since most of those injured in the attack have been released and are either recuperating in their quarters orback on duty. LtCmdr Feretti reports that control of the enemy craft in the cargo bay is conducted telepathically via neural connectors in the pilot's brain. The craft's design is also aerodynamic with virtually no drag. She believes that the swooping design and control of the craft is something we can possibly implement on our next generation fighters. Telepathic control of the craft can be implemented with neural implants we have available but the accuracy and speed would vary by species. "A Vulcan or Betazed, for example," she mentions, "might have a better reaction time than a human given their own natural telepathic abilities." Time between games is two days.

Chat Log for 2 October 2009 091002.txt

Contact 0300. Three hours to Alpha shift and by all rights Chirakis should have been in her quarters, but too many questions remained for sleep. It occurred to her that she should take her own advice, that a sleep-deprived executive officer was no good to anyone should another attack occur, but at this point even the Saurian brandy had no effect on her consciousness so she doubted anything that Dr. Lepage had would be more effective. Upon entering the control tower, she nodded in Fischer's direction and entered her office, totally missing the quizzical look that spread across the young OPS officer's face. She left the door open. Movement, however slight and imperceptible, of another sentient being close by helped her think. Had anyone glanced in they may have mistaken her posture for one of meditation. Instead, she had cleared her mind to consider several very important questions. First, why had Starfleet or any of the allied powers not answered their call for help? Were the distress calls blocked by the attackers? If so, how had Aegis received the "we'll get back to you" message well after the fact? Had it come from Starfleet, or from someone else? The one ship that arrived just after the attack was a scheduled milk run, and they had been surprised at the damage. Were they really surprised? Was Starfleet occupied with other things – things political, perhaps? It wouldn't be the first time. And who were these attackers? Better still, what were they? Preliminary investigation indicated that the fighters were some kind of drone, yet there was, as yet, no scientific evidence to back that up. If the fighters were drones, was another, more cognizant species involved in the attack? Another species, one that had the intelligence and technology to orchestrate the intricate ruse of holographic imaging, could have directed the attack from the carrier craft. The reports on Kirel's desk pointed in that direction, but it was supposition, based on the assumption that the fighters were drones. These questions needed answers, and there was little doubt in the commander's mind that those answers would lead to more questions. Her immediate concern, however, was to pin down answers to the basics – who and what were they and how could Aegis defend itself? They had made contact with a species of formidable power and Aegis was apparently on its own. So be it. One hour to Alpha shift. Kirel snatched the first padd from a pile and began signing requisitions, those from engineering and medical taking first priority. Though they were on their own militarily, the one routine supply ship that had come meant the allies were willing to support them with materiel, and by QeylIs, she'd get it.

Mission Summary – Sky Harbor Aegis – 25 September 2009 Dr. Pavilion has released Ambassador Drankum for duty. Feretti and LeMorte take samples of the alien and its craft, attempting to determine the creature's species. They exorcise it from its fighter craft/shell and give what remains they can extract to Dr. Belar for autopsy, then begin complete examination of what seems to be a fully integrated bio/tech enemy craft. Having drawn the short straw, Fletcher erects a level 6 force field around the alien craft to begin investigating the ship's technology. Security has cleared the craft of any known armaments, with a footnote that there may be unknown weapons or armaments still aboard. Coleridge works on deploying the replacement defense platforms. Jorahl and Dabi ponder a strange discrepancy with the state of the security office and the reports generated by the computer. Chirakis asks Administrator McDowell to watch for hieroglyphics, images, or artifacts in the colony's excavations that may point to an encounter with this species in the distant past. So far we have no determination of the species or their galactic origin. Hopefully within a week there will be at least a general direction – other than "out there" – determined from their projected asteroid field entry trajectory. Time between games is one week.

Time between games is one week. 090925.txt

Departmental Directive Office of the Executive Officer -- Sky Harbor Aegis To: Cdr Nicolas Lepage, Chief of Medicine SuCdr Tylus Petrinius Jorahl, Chief of Engineering SuCen tr'Jeth Dabi, Chief of Security LtCmdr Leilani Feretti, Chief of Science Lt Damian Porter, Chief of Operations CC: Ambassador Drankum, Commanding Officer, Sky Harbor Aegis From: Cdr Chirakis Kirel, SI-5, Executive Officer, Sky Harbor Aegis Re: Disposition of the Enemy After inspection of the fighter now in stasis and containment in Cargo Bay 3 I hereby order the following steps to be taken immediately. The pilot will be removed by a team of science, medical, and engineering personnel, such personnel taking due diligence to preserve the dignity and integrity of the being for proper disposal or burial with all rights due its species. Enough material for thorough examination of the species will be retained by the science department, which department will determine the species' origin through whatever testing they deem necessary. The medical department will conduct a thorough autopsy of the body before releasing it for burial or disposal. The engineering department will analyze all parts of the craft to determine the type and extent of its weaponry and functions. Security will collaborate with Operations Manager Porter to determine the galactic origins of the attackers through the use of all records, tactical and operational, before, during, and after the attack. All departments will collaborate to give a thorough threat analysis.

Executive Officer's Log, Stardate 2385.04.07 Had Dr. Lepage not questioned her, Cdr Chirakis may have told him exactly why she was reaching into the enemy fighter and what she had discovered. However, she divorced herself from him for the time being. He would, no doubt, use his scientific instruments to discover what she had. If he did not and it was relevant later on she would mention it. For the moment she filed the information for future reference, stepped into the bay chief's private shower and hosed the sentient being down the drain where it belonged – and into the central hazmat disposal unit. Over the next hour she would have disposed of her uniform, replicated another, and spent enough time in decontamination to mull over the events of the encounter. Chirakis Kirel had the same issue with Dr. Lepage that she had with anyone who coddled the enemy. Sentient being or no, the creature was something to be scorned, derided, dispatched and disposed of in as timely a manner as possible. As for the doctor's comment about being carried off to the enemy's labs, heavily wounded and all they did was stick their fingers into your wounds instead of healing or, if that's impossible, at least letting you die in a dignified manner? She could think of no more honorable way to die than to die under torture at the hands of the enemy. She gave a derisive laugh. Despite her ire she had been merciful, more merciful than the creature had been during its attack on the station; she had released the sentient being from its captors and allowed it to move on to whatever afterlife it believed in, if it had the capability to believe in an afterlife. She suspected it did not. The being was dead; of that she had made sure. What she had discovered through probing its innards would be a subject for another day. Court martial Dr. Lepage? The thought was ludicrous; she was not about to let the good doctor off that easily. Besides, he was too valuable to lose over such a petty disagreement, an argument over such a despicable mass of flesh and sinew that ever plagued this sector. If anything, she admired him for posturing, for defending his beliefs. She would, however, have to instruct him in the proper method of resolving such issues. Combat perhaps? Bat'leth? She exploded in a hearty laugh at the images it conjured. Surely she'd been in the decontamination unit too long. A half hour later she entered her office in the Control Tower, the entire incident with Dr. Lepage shelved, but not forgotten. There were more pressing matters to attend to, but before that, a small ceremony. On the corner of her desk sat a curved flask. She filled a glass, paused in reflection, then raised the Saurian brandy in toast to the vanquished.

Disparate Purposes Whatever this was in front of him, Nick was intrigued by it. And puzzled. He had been taking scans for the past 5 minutes and yet he had no clue what he was seeing. More importantly, he had no clue whether this...being was alive or dead. When he had first heard of the fighter he had assumed they'd want him to check on the pilot. But what he was seeing here was...different. There didn't seem to be a pilot. At least not one that fit his definition of a pilot. It was more like the pilot and the spacecraft were one entity. While part of the ship seemed largely intact, Nick wasn't too sure about the pilot. He turned to look at Chirakis. "Well, Commander, I have never seen anything like this before. I'm not sure whether it's still alive. I need to do a couple more scans to be sure." After some minutes of scanning the craft visually, Chirakis removed a glove and ran her bare hand along the fuselage down to the underbelly. Two security guards stepped sharply to the side as she invaded their space and she continued on, her brow furrowed in intense concentration. The hull had a metallic resonance but was unlike any metal she had ever encountered. The thought occurred to her it was not entirely metal and it was more of a casing than a hull. "A current runs through here," she said, pausing briefly in her examination, "but I would not call it power. It hasn't the same feel." She waved the doctor over with her other hand and continued towards what seemed to be a ventral hatch. "The current runs from stem to stern and ends here." She gave the hull a solid thump then waited, her hand on the shell, for any kind of response. The tricorder started beeping and flashing as Nick ran it along the indicated area. The readouts caused him to raise his brows in surprise. "Wow," he breathed, utterly astonished at what he was seeing. Chirakis was right about the current. It wasn't strong but it was definitely there. "I think you just found…its central nervous system. I detect some activity but nothing that would indicate some kind of higher brain functions." Kirel snapped her eyes towards him. "Central nervous system?" The implications were obvious, but she wanted to be sure she understood him fully. "Explain." "Yeah, central nervous system as in brain," he explained, tapping his head with his index finger. "Actually this," he scanned the length of the craft again before continuing. "Looks more like a sort of...spinal cord, just without a spine. It runs the length of the ship seemingly connecting all vital systems. But it's difficult to make out much. There's only minor activity toward the front. My best guess is that's the brain." Nick shook his head as he perused the readouts again, still totally baffled by the implications of the scan results. "Then the entire fighter is, indeed, a being. Much like a crustacean with an artificial shell." The overtones and Kirel's facial expression suggested her statement elicited a response. After one last scan Nick closed the tricorder in his hand and faced Chirakis "I suppose you're right, in a manner of speaking. I mean, this looks more sophisticated than any crustacean I've seen so far. But yes, this fighter is, indeed, a living being. Well, not sure how long it will still be a living being, though." Intense curiosity was one of Kirel's greatest assets – and one of her greatest faults, according to SI Director Torak. He had often mentioned that he fully expected it to be her undoing, yet it was something she found hard to resist. Giving a half-grin, Kirel reached towards the hatch. The nearby security guards leveled their weapons at the area and one of them gave a shout of protest, but too late. With a flick of her wrist the hatch popped open releasing a cascade of fetid fluids, crushed innards, shredded connective tissue, and rancid bile that filled the bay with putrid odor. She recoiled briefly, then covered her nose and mouth with one hand and stepped forward to peer inside. "It certainly does look like it was alive at one point, doctor," she said, reaching in with her free hand. "But I don't believe it is anymore." "Remind me not to get hurt when you are around," Nick replied dryly as he watched Chirakis peer inside what had just held the being's bowels. Although he was used to the smell of putrefaction, blood and all kinds of other, more smelly bodily fluids the stench was almost overwhelming. It took him a second to recover but then he also stepped forward and stood beside Chirakis to take a look. "I think this stuff," he pointed at some black-ish green substance. "Is actually blood." Nick whipped out his tricorder again and scanned. The readings showed considerable damage to what he was now convinced were the being's intestines. "There's massive bleeding. This one's beyond saving." Nick shook his head, feeling oddly downcast, almost as if he'd just lost a patient during a risky surgical procedure. "Get samples. Trace its origin. Get someone inside to diagram its operation, then remove the biological parts so we can find out how this thing works," she said as she buried her arm up to the shoulder, continuing to explore internally, the being's guts now spilling freely onto the deck and soaking the commander's uniform. Deck hands outside the stasis/containment field turned to watch. One fell to her knees, adding her vomit to growing mix of rank odor. Several made a quick exit. When she was satisfied, Kirel withdrew her hand and turned to Dr. Lepage. "I'll inform science and engineering. They will want to investigate as well. And..." she gave her arm a shake and grinned, saying, "I think I need a shower." Nick watched Chirakis with an expression of disbelief etched on his face. When she turned to him and grinned he was stony-faced. He turned his body so that he was facing her directly, his face only inches from hers, not caring about what his stance communicated and how Chirakis would take it. "This 'thing' is a living, sentient being. Do you have any idea what you just did, Commander?" Squarely meeting his gaze, without flinching and speaking evenly she replied, "I know exactly what I did, Doctor. I explored an unknown enemy whose mother ship nearly destroyed this station, whose weapons and technology are beyond anything we have yet encountered, and who may return any time without notice. I want to be prepared when that happens, and if that means pulling the guts out of a living, sentient being, then so be it. My first priority is the safety and preservation of this station, those aboard, and notification of Starfleet and its allies of possible threats coming from this sector of space, and the sanctity of the life of one sentient being will not deter me from that goal. Is that clear, Commander?" "No," Nick said, not quite as successful as Chirakis at keeping his anger out of his voice. "What you just did was stick your arm into the belly of a wounded enemy, who, if I may add, is still alive, barely so, but yet alive. Tell me, what vital information have you gained probing his intestines? How would you feel if after a battle you got carried off to the enemy's labs, heavily wounded and all they did was stick their fingers into your wounds instead of healing or, if that's impossible, at least letting you die in a dignified manner? This is against my work ethics and I'd like to think it should be against yours, too." Nick couldn't believe he was having this conversation right now. Chirakis ought to know better. "The being is dead, Doctor. Time to move on. If you cannot, I will get someone who can." With that Chirakis turned on her heel and strode towards the crew showers, ready to shed every bit of this sentient being that she could. "I will have no part in this, Commander. Court martial me if you will. I don't care," Nick shouted after her, not caring who'd overhear him, knowing full-well he'd have to face the consequences of his decision sooner or later.

Mission Summary – Sky Harbor Aegis – 18 September 2009 All is quiet in the sector as Aegis continues to repair the damage incurred by the alien attack. In Cargo Bay 3 the fighter that lodged itself between the Midway and Pylon A is in a stasis/confinement force field being examined by science, medical, and engineering teams. Cdr Chirakis has ordered the teams to ascertain the beings' species, their possible origin, and the full nature of their technology. In the time between games a standard shipment of replacement parts has arrived. The crew of the freighter seemed surprised to see a debris field and damage to the station. There has still been no word from anyone in Starfleet or the allied powers concerning the attack. Commander Chirakis has concluded from their lack of response that the station and its inhabitants are on their own in this sector of space. She is in the process of shifting priorities to assure that the station and all connected to it – namely the shipyard and the colony on TKR-117 – are protected. Ambassador Drankum has somehow convinced the doctors to release him to his quarters for recuperation. He was last seen entering a turbolift and asking for a random destination. Perhaps Chirakis will soon be CO. Science has repaired their systems and successfully integrated them with the engineering grid. Engineering is close to determining the cause of the defense grid failure and a solution to fixing it, one of which seems to be a Romulan strategy. Lt Dabi and Cdr Chirakis confer on the security of the station. They consider several options, including asking assistance from the Romulan Star Empire. Does anyone else see a pattern emerging? Time between games is 1 day. The date at sim begin will be April 7, 2385.

Dr. Belar receives a Service Ribbon. Damian Porter is promoted to full Lieutenant. 090918.txt

Mission Summary – Sky Harbor Aegis – 11 September 2009 Thirty-six hours after the attack, damage reports stream to the Control Tower. Minor damage was reported across the station with major damage to the Security complex at the junction of the Midway and Pylon A. LtCmdr Shepherd has been assigned to oversee repairs to the security complex. Administrator McDowell reported that the colony had been ignored by the interlopers. Data amassed by their sensors during the attack on Aegis has been forwarded to the station and the colony has resumed its regular schedule since scans have shown no hostile activity for 48 hours. Ambassador Drankum remains in sickbay with significant short term and some long term memory loss. Cdr Chirakis, aka What's her name, has given him a full report on station status and remains in command. The enemy fighter is still in Cargo Bay 3 under close watch by security. Medical and science are working to remove the biological component of the fighter in the hopes of reverse engineering its systems and perhaps getting insight into their origins and purpose. SubCommander Jorahl, SrLtn Coleridge, and Lt (jg) Fletcher are working to determine the reason for partial failure of the defense grid during the attack. Chief Jorahl is considering the possibility that the total grid energy output may disturb local subspace channels or interact adversely with local asteroids. Cdr Chirakis has directed a return to regular shifts so the crew can rest. Time Between Games is 4 days.

Sky Harbor Aegis Chat Log for 11 September 2009 090911.txt

Mission Summary – Sky Harbor Aegis – 4 September 2009 Ambassador Drankum remains in the medical suite tended by Dr. Belar. Cdr Chirakis is in temporary command. We have had no response to our distress calls to the Federation or its Allies. Despite the crew's exhaustion, repairs and cleanup are underway. Engineering Chief Jorahl estimated that, aside from the Midway, systems should be at full in 6 hours, but serious flaws in the defense grid demand attention. Administrator McDowell reported that the colony on TKR-117 was not attacked. Cdr Chirakis has ordered the colony to sit tight and keep a low profile. The station has extensive damage to the Midway at the junction of Pylon A. Lt tr'Jeth Dabi, Chief of Security, is busy salvaging what he can from his office. Security Tech Bean is in sick bay. Engineering worked in conjunction with science and medical teams to extract an alien fighter that damaged the Midway when it penetrated Aegis' hull. Radiation was leaking from the fighter's power core. Extraction of the pilot may be problematic because the pilot, in critical condition, seems to be fully integrated into the fighter. Teams are working to move the fighter and its pilot to Cargo Bay 3. Cargo Bay 3 will be in lockdown with security in full force, access restricted. Time between games is 36 hours.

Sky Harbor Aegis Chat Log for 4 September 2009 090904.txt

Welcome to the forum, Candy.

Sky Harbor Aegis will see how many players show before canceling or joining the Admiral in a synth-coffee break. We may need one after the bombardment we took last week.

The 91st Day Shattered padds and bits of ceiling littered the deck, sparks flew from an auxiliary console while the red alert beacon flashed a sinister counterpoint as Commander Chirakis stood on the foredeck of Aegis' control tower and glanced around to get her bearings in the post-attack uneasy silence. Ambassador Drankum, attended by Dr. Belar, had just been beamed to sick bay. At station operations, Porter's movements stilled but his eyes remained fixed on the console before him. Dabi looked up from the tactical console, his Romulan features taut, his jaw set, and every muscle in his body tensed as though he were anticipating another attack. Leilani Feretti stared a long moment in Chirakis' direction, then moved to receive a situation report from her assistants far below. The main science complex, located near the lower sensor suite, also had the distinction of being located near the photon torpedo complex. She seemed relieved to hear that her team had weathered the alien ship's bombardment. They would not be among those counted as dead, wounded, or missing from this day's battle. Lt Dabi may not have been so fortunate; the main security office was located at the junction of Pylon A and the midway where forcefields had just been raised to contain a hull compromise. "Stand down red alert," Chirakis intoned in Porter's direction, then raised her eyes to the chronometer. "Log situation change at zero four four three hours on first April…" here she paused in disbelief, and those who were familiar with the human traditions of that day stopped working, their faces mirroring her look of pained irony. "…zero four four three hours on first April, 2385, Aegis standard." At 0140 hours most of Alpha shift should have been sleeping, or at least relaxing, but, as the fates or luck or whatever one believed in would have it, they had been detained and were at their posts when Sky Harbor Aegis came under attack by species and ships unknown. The attackers were powerful, intelligent, and strangely knowledgeable of the station's capabilities and her defense structure. They attacked with calculated precision, approaching at sublight in a non-threatening posture then sending a phantom contingent of ninety fighters from one direction while approaching under cloak from the other with their mothership and countless fighters. Yet, for all their supposed expertise they seemed to operate like automatons, consistently targeting Pylon B. Their fighters employed some form of bioshielding and they did not seem deterred by science's holographic fleet deception. They seemed to have only one objective – total destruction – as though they were either annihilating conquerors annihilating conquerors like the Breen or a newfound species defending their territory. Hopefully analysis of the debris collected by Aegis' tractors would tell their species and purpose. Stepping carefully through the litter, Cdr Chirakis moved to her console. "Mr. Porter, a damage report as soon as possible and the status of Ambassador Drankum from Dr. Belar." In the aftermath she had one regret, and it did not involve the momentary failure of the station's defense grid nor the breaches nor the damage to the station. That was to be expected when a station came under attack. SubCommander Jorahl and his more than capable crew would correct those problems and repair the damage; of that she had no doubt. Kirel had made a basic assumption concerning Ambassador Drankum: that he would know to leave the defense of the station to those who had that expertise. Instead, he had stood in the Control Tower asking strange questions. Unable to read the tactical display, he had demanded explanations in the heat of battle. Not understanding the focus necessary for defense and the greater speed of data he had asked for an oral report. Most of all, he had not braced for impact. In retrospect Kirel realized that she should have instructed the Ambassador in military tactics and protocol for defense. She should have had an assistant nearby to explain the situation and the progress of the battle to him. She had not made sure he was physically protected. He could have been killed. Chirakis' only regret was that she had not protected her commanding officer.