A view from the Bridge

[will_marx 0]

Will entered the observation lounge for a few moments of calm, quiet, and peace to compose the latest entry in the ship’s log, and his personal log. “Computer, hot green tea with lemon and honey. And open ship’s log.

 

“Ship’s log, Stardate 50712.17, Lieutenant Commander Marx, recording. We are currently in orbit over the planet Benoni, a planet that apparently does not exist in our universe and if it did, would be so deep within the Romulan Neutral Zone that our very presence here would be construed as an act of war. We are, apparently, in a mirror universe, but quite unlike the Terran Empire. It seems that war, at least interstellar warfare, has been largely ignored. Our sister Arcadia, sharing our orbit in our starboard lee, is also a Sovereign-class, but has the weapons and shield fit of one of our Constitution-class heavy cruisers from the last century.

 

“According to the mirror Arc’s logs and database, the planet Benoni was Class M, with a population of 10 billion humanoids, and just about ready to achieve warp spaceflight; making it capital for a First Contact. However, it appears that two missing Romulan D’Deridex warbirds managed to make their way here, while we were trapped in the void. From what myself, Lieutenants Eagle and Westler have been able to reconstruct from the logs downloaded, indicate that the Arcadia arrived in orbit and sent an away team down on Stardate 50711.21 for the initial meet and greet with the planet’s leaders. Sometime after the away team was on the planet, the Arcadia came under attack by at least one Warbird, and was, for all intents and purposes, destroyed. Based on rate of decay of radioactive fallout within the atmosphere of Benoni, the planet was attacked almost immediately after the destruction of our twin. Sensors record not only high levels of radiation consistent with orbital bombardment but also high levels of neurogenic toxins and biological warfare agents. Sensors have not been able to detect any survivors on the planet, but it does seem that if there were, they would have to be buried deeply to withstand this level of bombardment.

 

“Mr. Servo detected a warp signature leaving this system, consistent with a Warbird. It is apparently leaking plasma as well, giving us a trail to follow until the Romulans fix the problem.

 

“This leads us to our current issue: Do we take chase or do we try to return home, and leave this universe to the predations of the Romulans from our home? Now I know how Dad and the great captains of the Enterprise felt when they came to a crisis of conscience like this. Personally, my gut is telling me that we go after them. After all, it is the moral obligation of a martial artist to defend those who cannot defend themselves.

 

“Ship and crew status:

 

“The ship is fully operational, with minimal loss of manning.

 

“Command Lo’Ami remains under the care of the medical staff, and is confined to Sickbay, under guard in the event he tries to escape again. Captain Dacotah is presumed missing; and I believe that her apparent “boytoy” Baran Arvid had something to do with it.

 

“I’m not sure where Commander Alces falls in the chain of command, but without his presence on the bridge, I assumed command of the Arcadia. Pending combat, the crew has been stood down from red alert stations, so that crucial maintenance and crew rest can occur.” Marx paused as he looked out the windows of the observation lounge. “Computer, end official ship’s log, and open personal log.”

 

The computer beeped affirmative when it had done so and was ready to continue logging.

 

“Personal log. I have been in consultation with Commander Alces, and he recommends that we maintain “a hands off” approach here. I don’t believe it, though. Whether it be a Vulcan’s call for “The needs of the many out weigh the needs of the few, or the one;” or Genma’s favorite “A martial artist’s duty is to protect the weak”, or even a need to be like my late father, every fiber of my body is telling me to go after these bastards and repay them for what they did to the other Arcadia and the planet below us.

 

“I know Starfleet’s primary mission is exploration, going boldly into the unknown; but at times we have to pull out the big stick, since speaking softly doesn’t always get us as far as we’d like.

 

“As soon as I return to the bridge, I’m going to have Mr. Eagle plot an intercept course, maximum warp and begin this chase. Hopefully, though, we’ll be able to talk to the Romulans without having to beat to quarters. After all, I’ve always wanted to command a Flying Dutchman.

 

“Computer, end log and encrypt.”