Aftershock

[Cptn Corizon 0]

Captain Jai Harom-Kell of the Saladin sat quietly in the observation lounge of the Excelsior-class vessel as it sailed through the debris of what was once known as Salin system. To say the devastation was shocking would have been putting it lightly. It was as if the entire system had been brutally, utterly torn to tiny pieces the size of dom-jot balls.

 

In his years, which included battles with the Borg, Dominion and now Scorpiad he’d never seen this level of utter destruction, not even when the Plasma Storm of ’79 had torn through the Altivca Sector with the vengeance of a spurned lover. Frankly, he found it rather unsettling that anything could do this… which left the question lingering, “what had done this?”

 

Though he’d preferred not to know the answer, Starfleet Command would undoubtedly feel different. Thus, the entire science staff of the Saladin was working tirelessly across four shifts to find out just what had so abruptly caused the end of the once brilliant light of the green star named Salin.

 

Science was just beginning to get the first results back from the preliminary rounds of scans, which were being carbon-copied to Camelot Station for further analysis, as well as being relayed to the Nova-class Cavendish that had been dispatched to aide in the investigation.

 

So far, the leading theories were: some sort of planet-busting Scorpiad subspace weapon they’d deployed to demonstrate their power to the rebellion, a new natural phenomena that had yet to be explained, the Al-Ucard were testing new weapons and it went poorly… the list kept growing.

 

From his own perspective, he considered the first theory the most likely, which only served to scare him even more. The idea of such an aggressive species with ability to wipe an entire sector off the map without so much as firing a single shot was downright terrifying.

 

“Captain,” a chime came through the comm., “Secure communication from Starfleet Command… shall I transfer it to you?”

 

“Of course,” he said turning to face the view screen against the wall. “Put it through.”

 

The blank screen lit-up with a familiar golden parabola before switching through a secure line process as it jumped across communication relays and connected him to whomever was calling. The screen flashed, and soon Rear Admiral Nakota Haegail’s green-blue ridge-lined face appeared on screen.

 

“Captain,” the Hiaori female said in the warmest way possible for a species who, Harom-Kell was fairly sure, thought that being friendly meant biting your head off. “I have read your report, as has the Federation Council and the Joint Chiefs…”

 

For a moment, he simply blinked, wondering just why his fairly unalarming report to Command about the situation had managed to work its way through the halls of power so quickly as to merit a call from the brass so quickly. “I didn’t figure that it would have made it through so quickly,” he said honestly.

 

“The Belvidere Array has greatly increased the communications between quadrants, Captain…”

 

He silently cursed the inventor, but just nodded instead. “The wonders of modern technology…”

 

“We’re troubled by the assertions that this is the work of the Scorpiads to quell a ‘rebellion.’”

 

The Grohmorite Captain again blinked a few times, processing what the woman was saying. “May I ask why?”

 

“It asserts that the Scorpiads would willingly use weapons of mass destruction against their own people, and that there is an organized rebellion—neither of which are acceptable assertions to the Admiralty or the Federation…

 

“We simply cannot accept that our allies would participate in such…nefarious activities. Nor do we accept the rumors of an organized rebellion by the Al-Ucard and Eratian forces.”

 

“With due respect, Admiral,” Harom-Kell had added the inflexion as much to remind himself whom he was talking to as much as anything else. “That’s the biggest crock of hagne I’ve heard in a while.

 

“Anyone who’s spent anytime out here over the last year and a half, let alone the last three years, will tell you both are rather true…”

 

“With due respect, Captain,” she said, adding the inflexion to remind him who he was talking too. “The Admiralty does not believe the assertions of a few disaffected members of their society to be true. And in our own negotiations with the Scorpiads, they’ve proven to be wise, considerate and thoughtful.”

 

Harom-Kell considered his possible responses and the outcomes of said responses and decided not to press the point any further. “Admiral,” he finally said. “What do want from the Saladin?”

 

Mildly placated Haegail cracked a thin-smile that seemed as razor sharp as a sehlat’s fangs. “We wish for you and the Cavendish to continue your research into the incident in the Salin system, however…”

 

There was always a however, Harom-Kell thought to himself quietly. “Yes?”

 

“However, your findings are not to be broadcast across any unsecure channels, nor are you or any of your crew to speak of it to anyone who’s not authorized directly by Fleet Command… a list of which is on its way as we speak…consider this now an issue of Federation Security… Cavendish has been CC'd on these orders as well.”

 

He opened his mouth to protest, but sighed in capitulation. “Of course, Admiral, anything else?”

 

“Not that I am aware of… good day, Captain.”

 

The screen blinked off and Harom-Kell sat alone in the observation lounge with more uncomfortable questions that he didn’t want answers too.