"Old Comrades, Long Distances”

[LeftEar JoNs 0]

03.11.08

USS Agincourt NCC-81762

“Old Comrades, Long Distances”

 

Ethan sat down at the console, a determined expression on her face. She tugged her uniform straight, then spoke, "Computer, open a channel to Lt. Commander JoNs aboard the Yellowjacket." For a long moment, the computer worked on the connection, while Ethan drummed her fingers impatiently on the edge of the console.

 

The incoming comm signal blipped a few minutes later on the ops board on the bridge of the Yellowjacket. The young Vulcan officer manning the board turned to the brown furred Caitian currently left in command of the bridge. "Commander?"

 

A panther-like face turned to him. “Yes Ensign?"

 

"Incoming call, I am not sure who it is yet. The transponder signal is Federation though."

 

"Fine, I'll take it in the ready room." The feline exited the bridge and entered the vacant ready room, calling out "Computer, start link-up."

 

Another long moment, then the computer popped up the image. Ethan couldn't help but smile a little at the sight of a former crewmate. "Hello, Left Ear. I'd ask how you are, but actually I'm calling with some news about the Agincourt."

 

A genuine grin of happiness cracked the normally dour feline's expression. "Commander Hawke! Good to hear from you!" Then, her expression shifted back to the perpetual worry that had descended on her since the ships dissapearance. "What news?"

 

Ethan smiled, "They're alive. I'm not sure where... But at least some of them are alive."

 

The brown felines throat tightened, and she rested her elbows on the desktop and folded her paws, resting her muzzle on her clasped paws. She stared at the image of Hawke, seeing but not really seeing. "Thank you."

 

Ethan nodded, "I wish I could tell you more... all I know is..." She paused, her throat tightening involuntarily, "That my bond-sister almost died. That's the first I've sensed her since... they disappeared. I had hoped that I'd know one way or the other. I ..." She paused again, "I think she's still alive, at least. But if she is or was... the ship wasn't destroyed, at least."

 

Left Ear flipped a brown ear back. "You have a bond sister on the Agincourt?" She quickly tapped a series of commands into a nearby data padd, bringing up the roster yet again. "May I ask who?"

 

"Lt. Col. T'Loren Day. She was assigned as assistant to Colonel Harper, the commandant of the Marines. She'd been reassigned there after the destruction of the USS Federation. Not a ship with fighters, but a chance at command experience."

 

A claw deftly inputted the last name in the keypad, and the small data device showed the bio of the marine officer. Left Ear nodded. "Good officer. Just the type that a line ship needs....I hope she is okay Ethan, and that bond of yours just keeps getting stronger the closer they get to home."

 

Ethan frowned, "I haven't sensed anything since they vanished, up until yesterday. It's just too far, I guess. But.. rather, I guess I should say that I haven't felt or sensed anything specific, but I felt this.. wrenching anguish when she..." She broke off again, not able to say it. "Anyways... I can't be sure, but if I had to guess, they are in the direction of the Beta quadrant."

 

"....my lost one is M'rrett, my cousin and godchild. She's an assistant security officer, lieutenant rank....it's frustrating isn't it? There is not much we can do here."

 

Ethan sighed, nodding, "I'm not entirely sure about that... I'm willing to bet on the direction that they are in... I'm going to contact Command to see if they can send a ship out that direction, but that's a long distance. Have you found anything where you are?"

 

The brown feline snorted, a rare outward sign of her displeasure. "Random witness accounts of a ship of unknown alien origin, debris floating around from the now destroyed Gideon, as well as a few sightings of a 'vortex' thing that supposedly the Agincourt disappeared into while chasing said unknown ship. That's what the Yellowjacket and the other search vessels out here have uncovered."

 

Ethan nodded, "Sounds a little like a trans-warp conduit or something... No evidence of those ships since? Agincourt was investigating the disappearance of a scientist, as I recall... do you think they're related?"

 

The senior feline officer nodded once, indicating that she did believe that. "I'm sure there is a connection somewhere if the lead was investigated enough. The unknown ship could have been spotted in another sector for all we know, and scientists are always a target, depending on what they are working on." A single claw tapped on the desktop in a show of impatience. "Honestly, I truely want to bust some heads together over this whole incident...."

 

Ethan grinned, "I'll hold them, and you punch."

 

Fangs showed. "Now that is a plan."

 

Ethan sighed, "Like I said, I'll see what I can do to get a ship sent out that direction... If you want, I can suggest yours."

 

"Commander....Ethan. I would be grateful if you could look into that. And, I am sure I could talk the Yellowjackets Captain into another patrol run as well - as it is, I am driving him up the bulkhead."

 

"Yes, as I recall, you're good at that." Ethan grinned again, "I'll let you know. But, take heart at least. They are out there... somewhere."

 

Left Ear nodded. "I am taking heart; I just wish I could get it to stop aching...and puttng aside the worry, these unknown antagonists could cause more problems for all we know."

 

Ethan nodded, "I know. I'll be in touch." She paused, smiled again, "Ethan out."