Station: Free of the Rift

Posted on Tue Apr 1st, 2025 @ 12:28am by Captain Taavis {SF/Meji Intel} {Meji} & Captain Rogue "Ro" Green {Meji Master} {Flt. Cpt.} & Lieutenant Commander Sean Loewen {Meji}

Mission: THE KINGDOMS COME AND GO
Location: various
Timeline: Current

ON:

For two days, after assuming command and leaving ESD (Earth Space Dock), the USS Capernum maintained a steady warp nine to return to the Messier sector. Captain Ro Green, her XO Captain Taavis, and the crew of CAPERNUM were ready for whatever awaited them. "Helm," Green inquired. "How long until we drop from warp?"

The ensign at the controls glanced at the EPA monitor screen. "Twelve minutes, Captain."

"Announce our arrival," Green commanded. "But, drop us to sub-light when needed."

"Aye, Captain. Will do."

Ro stood up from the captain's chair meandering around in the open command section between the command seats and the helm/ops stations. Her Bridge was a Sovereign module, with one exception. They actually had the panoramic forward viewport/window, with which the viewscreen could overlay when needed. Taavis came in on her right from her own chair.

"We're arriving at the anomaly," Taavis said in a low tone. "You think we'll get lucky, as you Humans like to say."

Green gave her a side glance even as her eyes returned to the white swirling mass outside the window while in warp. "I am hoping the Force will work with us, not against us, Number One."

Both women wore their sabers, as per the agreement with Starfleet Command. Meji Force users would always carry their lightsabers with them at all times, if circumstances allowed. Neither of them were in a circumstance where they could not wear theirs. Aside from that, being who she was as the Meji Grand Master, and a Starfleet officer, the regulation against captains in action was defunct in regards to her own person. As a Meji there would be times when her involvement would be necessary.

Taavis gave a nod to that even as Green was not looking at her. "We'll see what comes."

Helm counted down as they approached their light speed dropout; five, four, three, two, one. Secure from warp. The window showed the swirling white mass ahead, coalescing into a starfield light years in the making. "OPS, what do we have?" Green asked.

"An ion storm anomaly, with what appears to be a subspace rift."

Taavis turned to her right, looking at a station. "Science, do you confirm?"

"Confirmed, Number One."

"Alright," Green said. "Now we wait. I want full scans of that rift. Anything odd, report it immediately." The orders were acknowledged and the crew set to work.

***

On board the USS Nazgul, they were set to try and escape with the NX Malta in tow. The warp core had been repaired by using tidbits from the emergency warp core. T'Pri had magnified shield power, but had warned against using it for too long. If it was abused the entire system could crash and possibly damage the warp core beyond repair. "Alright, people, let's vacate this barren wasteland and get home. Kudo, set us for a warp speed skip towards that rift opening. T'Pri, set forward shields to maximum and tie in with Helm to activate at the precise moment." Loewen ordered. Everyone acknowledged the directives. The kicker was keeping enough aux power available to tow the Malta free of the rift along with Nazgul's escape. It would be tricky, but the probability for success, according to the resident Vulcan, was 67.32%, and Sean was quite okay with those odds. "Engage when ready." He tapped the intercom key on his armrest. "Crew of Nazgul, hold on tight. We're about to try and breach the rift." He tapped the comm off. "All you, Mister Kudo."

Ken tapped keys and got set. A warp speed skip was not easy, and the power drain on all systems would be tremendous. However, if successful, then they would break free with their prize in tow. He counted down, announced they were set, and given the order he tapped the key for an instant warp speed skip of warp nine. Alarm klaxons sounded the moment the skip was over, the ship bucking like it was in a rodeo as it broke through, and escaped, the subspace rift. The illumination dropped by twenty-five percent the moment they settled in from the warp speed skip. No one said anything as they all looked towards the front window, seeing a starfield instead of inky black nothingness.

***

On the USS Capernum, Green saw the flash of light as the USS Nazgul came barreling out of the rift. She could see the flare of light speed, then another flare as the smaller ship had over-extended itself and gave in to the damage suffered. She could see with her own trained engineer's eyes that warp power had failed them, but aux power was still active. What she did not expect was to see another ship the Nazgul was towing. "Open a channel to Nazgul."

"Channel open, Captain."

"USS Nazgul, this is USS Capernum, Captain Ro Green commanding. How are you holding up over there?"

Nazgul had requested visual communications, and Green gave the go-ahead. Loewen's smiling face appeared on screen. "Good to see you, Captain Green. Got yourself a new limo, I see."

Ro gave a grin. "Good to see you, too, Captain Loewen. We came to your last known transponder coordinates since you've been missing for almost a week. You can report on that later. What can Capernum do for you, now, Captain?"

Loewen gave another lopsided grin. "We would appreciate a tow to M-69, Captain Green. I'm afraid our escape from the rift taxed what we had left of our warp core."

Green gave a nod and then gave the orders before returning to speaking to Sean. "Captain Loewen, we'll tow you back. IS that an NX-class behind you?"

"It is, Captain." Another smarmy smile. "The lone survivor is aboard the Nazgul. Well, her and her cat. So, two survivors. She found creative ways to survive over 150 years of time while her ship was trapped. We broke her free and will return the Malta to Starfleet for full analysis."

"Very well," Green answered. "Once we get you home we have much to discuss in regards to career and service. Until then, we'll cut transmission and let you see to your ship as we move to M-69. Capernum, out." The channel cut even as Loewen nodded at what was said. "Ops, does Nazgul have Malta in a steady tow?"

"They do, Captain."

"Good," Said Ro. "Lock tractor beam onto Nazgul and set for tow. Helm, warp two back to M-69. Standard operations, people. Carry on."

With orders given the USS Capernum latched onto Nazgul with the tractor beam and began the trek back to M-69. Green really needed a meeting with Sureth.

OFF: