Deja vu

Posted on Thu Mar 10th, 2011 @ 1:04pm by Vice Admiral Iluvar & Ensign Matthew Lessly

Mission: Episode 1.4 - "Confusion in the Cluster"
Location: Ready Room, USS Pandora
Timeline: Mission Day 04, 1928

ON: [[Ready Room, USS Pandora, Mission Day 04, 1928]]

The Pandora had been holding position at the last known coordinates of the SS Markon for several days now, yet they seemed no closer to discovering who was behind the freighter's destruction. Lieutenant Warrington (PNPC) and the engineering teams had inspected practically every square centimeter of the debris they'd retrieved and found very little to show for it. Attempts to access the logs and sensor data contained in the Markon's flight recorder had been met with little success. In fact, it seemed as if the only possible lead they had was the mysterious bio-matter Doctor Evans, Ensign Masterson (NPC), and Ensign Lessly had been analyzing. Even that discovery had raised more questions than answers.

Iluvar reached over and lifted his cup of tea from his desk. Bringing it automatically to his lips, he sighed inwardly at the realization that it had long since gone cold. This came as no real surprise when one considered that he had spent the last few hours going over each of the teams' reports to see if there was anything at all that might give them some clue as to who was behind these attacks. So far, he had found nothing.

As he lowered the cup back to his desk, a soft chirp from his desktop terminal drew his attention. The display had risen automatically from the surface of his desk and already come to life with notification of an incoming transmission.

After a brief moment of the Federation insignia flashing on the screen, the image changed to show the appearance of an older Andorian with a white goatee. His uniform that of a starfleet rear admiral, he stared deeply through the screen at Iluvar before speaking. "Captain Iluvar. Rear Admiral Thuk (npc), Starfleet Intelligence."

Iluvar quirked an eyebrow at the rather blunt introduction, specifically the revelation that he was speaking to a ranking admiral within Starfleet Intelligence, but that was the only physical indication of surprise he gave. “Admiral,” he said, keeping his acknowledgment as brief as the Andorian’s introduction had been.

Thuk looked down at something on his desk, and his antennae curled slightly. Looking back up at the captain, he spoke gently, but with an undertone of frustration. "I have a report here that indicates that you and your ship are in the Black Cluster. Is that correct?"

“It is,” Iluvar replied.

The antennae, now pointed forward toward the view screen, tensed slightly as the admiral nodded slightly. "What have you discovered, since entering the region, Captain?"

“Not much, I’m afraid,” Iluvar said slowly. It wasn’t all that unusual for Starfleet Command to check in with starship captains, especially when there were some who felt certain captains needed more…attention. “Shortly after we arrived, we received a distress call from the freighter SS Markon,” Iluvar continued, “By the time we were able to respond, the Markon had been destroyed. Our investigation hasn't been able to uncover any definitive leads as to who might have been behind the attack.”

The admiral's antennae relaxed as Iluvar spoke. There were certain things that Starfleet, especially Starfleet Intelligence, didn't feel the general population was ready to know and an investigation of this nature could have blown their cover prematurely. Although there were some, specifically in the 8th Fleet, that were less than pleased with the decision to keep it under wraps, the decision had been made.

Nodding openly, the admiral responded, "I am ordering you out of the Black Cluster effective immediately. You are to return to Starbase 386 where you will transfer any evidence and information you have collected to the USS Fitzgerald for transport."

Iluvar paused, considering the order he had just been given. This was not unlike the sudden recall that had ended his first mission as commanding officer of the Tethys. Just as it seemed they might be getting some sort of lead in their investigation, Starfleet was choosing to recall them? It didn’t really seem to make any sense unless there was something more going on than he was being told about.

“With all due respect, sir, I am curious as to the decision to recall this vessel,” Iluvar said, choosing his words carefully, “We responded to the distress call of a civilian freighter that was destroyed by some alien vessel or vessels, perhaps the very same perpetrators behind the other attacks that have been reported in this region. Furthermore, we are engaged in an active investigation. A delay may make it even more difficult for us to locate those who attacked the Markon.”

"It seems you have misunderstood me, Captain," Thuk said, "you will depart the Black Cluster at once."

Realizing that he had gotten all of the information the admiral was willing to give, Iluvar knew there would be no point in attempting to press the matter further. “Understood, sir,” he said, “The Pandora will rendezvous with the Fitzgerald at Starbase 386 as ordered.”

Thuk nodded, knowing that Iluvar didn't like the order, but satisfied that he would follow it. "Good. Admiral Thuk out."

The screen immediately went dark and began to descend slowly back into the surface of the desk. Iluvar leaned back in his chair as he continued to mull the admiral’s order over in his mind. This was the second time a vessel under his command had been assigned to investigate attacks on civilian shipping near the Black Cluster and this was the second time they had been recalled before being able to complete their investigation. Regardless of what his personal thoughts on the matter might be, however, he was obligated by duty to follow the order he had been given.

“Iluvar to bridge,” he called, activating the comm system, “Set a course for Starbase 386, warp eight…it would appear that our work here is finished.”

OFF

A JP by:

Rear Admiral Thuk (NPC)
Starfleet Intelligence
Played By: Ens Lessly

And

Captain Iluvar
Commanding Officer
USS Pandora