0101. ACRIDIA III
Following the removing from active duty of the USS DISCOVERY, the Majority of it's crew were transferred to the USS PROPHECY, under the Command of a new CO, Commander Erik Morningstar. The recently refitted vessel, along with it's new crew, which included certain members of the GATEWAY's own staff, left the GATEWAY OUTPOST for it's first voyage. Nothing major had been planned for this initial *run around the block* as the new warp engines, sensors, weapons and defensive systems as well as the ship's new computer system were all scheduled for field testing.
Less than an hour in their journey, problems arose, but not due to the PROPHECY's refits. The shuttle taking the DISCOVERY's former Counselor, Ensign Robert Titan, to his next assignment had suddenly exploded killing both the Counselor and the pilot. This forced the PROPHECY and it's crew to return to assist in the investigation as questions of sabotage were quickly raised by officers who had seen one of the PROPHECY's crew observing, in a less than friendly way, the Counselor before his death.
As the investigation unfolded, many clues were discovered further implicating the Chief Science Officer, Lieutenant Deacon Reese, in this situation. The Lieutenant's less than perfect Starfleet record had done nothing to help him in this matter, even when he claimed innocence.
It was only when additional information was brought forth by another Captain, stating that the pilot of the shuttle had been a smuggled for The Orion Syndicate, that the charges were finally dropped against Lieutenant Reese.
With feelings a little bruised by these events, the PROPHECY once again Left the GATEWAY OUTPOST to proceed with it's field testing.
While heading to one of the Federation's weapons' testing range, the PROPHECY came across a drifting vessel which showed no signs of power, no life signs, and several missing escape pods. Upon closer visual inspection, the ship was identified as the Marine Transport USS HAMMERHEAD which had been estimated to have been adrift for several days. The situation was made worse by the fact that the sister of the PROPHECY's Chief of Operations, Lieutenant (JG) Sabrina Rikar, had been posted on that ship for the last several years.
A search for the mission escape pods was immediately started and pointed the PROPHECY to the Acridian system. Opting to have the HAMMERHEAD join in the search, Commander Morningstar allowed his First Officer along with the Chief Engineer and other members of the crew to remain on the HAMMERHEAD to begin repairs while the PROPHECY headed for the system.
Commander Morningstar proceeded with his plan, even with the strong objections of the DISCOVERY's ex Intel Operative, Enaii, who warned of doom to anyone going within the system.
With the attempts to restore power to the HAMMERHEAD's systems Proceeding well, the vessel was joined by the USS VALHALLA which was trying to rendezvous with the PROPHECY to transfer a crew member who had missed the PROPHECY's departure.
Lieutenant Commander Danara welcomed the El Aurian Counselor on board And after explaining the situation to the Captain of the VALHALLA, the ship joined in the repairs efforts.
Once the repairs were completed, both vessels rushed after the PROPHECY Who had been patrolling the outskirt of the system with caution, unable to obtain any sensor readings from the only class-M planet, ACRIDIA III.
With the three vessels now holding positions on the edge of the system, Commander Morningstar requested the help of the VALHALLA's Captain who immediately accepted, hoping to find survivors amongst the HAMMERHEAD's crew.
Again, the DISCOVERY's ex Intel Operative voiced her disapproval and requested permission to leave what she believed were now *doomed* vessels.
After the preparations were completed, and the HAMMERHEAD had been manned with a mix of both the VALHALLA's and PROPHECY's spare crew, the three vessels headed for the system, uncertain as to what they would discover.
The moment the ship's came within a fair distance of the planet, the three ships were hit by a beam which engulfed them all in a *blue haze* which began to *phase* crew members through the external bulkheads.
Without the timely intervention of Enaii, who had left in her shuttle and returned to place her own vessel in the beam's path, the casualties which the vessels suffered would have been far worse. Counting total of 48 loses, the three vessels retreated to the edge of the system. Amongst the Officers lost was Lieutenant (JG) Hera Ruell, the PROPHECY's new aCMO who had been in the ship's arboretum at the time of the attack.
A plan to incorporate the PROPHECY's D-Drive into the shield generators was initiated, hoping that this would allow the three vessels to reach ACRIDIA III and get some answers.
After having finally reached orbit, an away team was sent to the surface, sensors being less than effective to localise any life on the planet. Within minutes of the beam down, the energy field surrounding the planet increased and terminated any and all contact with the away team.
On their own, and having discovered that all electronic devices on the planet had been drained of all power, the away team set out to search for survivors of the HAMMERHEAD. During their search, they came in contact with a being by the name of Darian who believed that the death he granted those he found was far better than the fate they would suffer if left on their own on this world. While searching for survivors and a way to escape the superior hunting skills of this Darian, the away team found a huge pyramid-like structure. Within this structure Marine First Lieutenant Joann Rikar was found as well as an Iconian Gateway.
Back in orbit, the PROPHECY's attempts to pierce the protective barrier resulted in the Chief Science Officer, Lieutenant Reese to be sent to the planet's surface. Having managed to locate an imposing structure before his disappearing act from the PROPHECY's Astrometrics lab, Deacon Reese headed for the pyramid hoping to find someone there to help him.
Inside the pyramid, the away team attempted to figure out the workings Of the Iconian Gateway, only to find their efforts interrupted by the Arrival of Darian. Before the battle could begin, Deacon jumped onto the man and forced him into the gateway, sending both the Hunter and himself to parts unknown.
With a little bit of luck, the rest of the away team managed to use the Iconian Gateway to arrive on board the USS HAMMERHEAD. Without wasting anytime, the three ships headed out of the system before their shields gave way under the constant attack of the planet's energy beam.
With the Acridian system far behind them, the PROPHECY, VALHALLA and HAMMERHEAD are returning to the GATEWAY OUTPOST. Before their departure, Captain Denneson and Commander Morningstar had talked, in passing, about a dual training mission which they hoped their crew would benefit from.
It is hoped that this *WARGAMES* will still be able to be accomplished, giving something different for the crew to focus on.
(End Log)