The USS Marduk was in repairs, again. Apparently the other two phoenix captains were able to get through the fight without as much damage, so they had already moved on to their next assignments.  Meanwhile, the crew was only just now reacting to Antylion’s sacrifice. 

Desiree sat on her bed in her quarters, staring numbly at the wall.  Sure, she expected that not every mission would have a 100% survivability, but she didn’t expect that on this ship.  One of the reasons she took the position was the relative safety of the assignment.  Phoenix class ships were supposed to be light duty ships that never saw combat.  The previous combat missions were almost whimsical in that no real lasting damage to the crew happened.

“I guess I had fooled myself into thinking the crew would always come out unscathed.  In my mind, we were invincible.” She muttered to herself.

“And that’s why I should have been in charge this whole time.” Came another voice.  

Startled, Desiree stood up faster than a surprised cartoon cat, grabbing her personal phaser while doing so. “Who’s There?”  Scanning the room, she spotted a small persian kitten.

“Yes that’s me.” It said.  “I’m surprised this is how you see me though, a small kitten, really?”

Desiree wasted no time firing the phaser.  Unfortunately, it passed right through the petite feline.

“I thought you would have put it together before this point.  I’m not actually a kitten, this is just how your mind projects me into the space around you.”  The kitten looked a little too smug.

“What are you then?” Multiple possibilities ran through Desiree’s mind. “Changeling? Phantom? Devidiian, Q?”

“Nothing so trite.”  The kitten chuckled.  “I suppose you do need a name for me though.  I believe you used to call me Greystroke.”

James was in his quarters/homemade lab, working furiously.  On the table before him was the burnt-out henshin device, recovered from the debris field surrounding the Marduk when they went looking for Antylion’s body.  Next to the burnt-out device was a similar, but larger casing.  James would alternate between the two devices at a dizzying pace.  The entire time he was muttering to himself as if possessed.

The new henshin device was about a foot long, and had a completely different control scheme, with a full-on keyboard hidden under an opening flap.  The circuitry inside looked twice as complicated, with two spots for the burnout chips instead of one.  Dark bags underlined Olivet’s eyes as he continued to attempt to improve the device.  If one listened closely, they could hear his furious mutterings of not good enough, and failed him.

Doctor Harper wasn’t to be found on the ship, and was instead volunteering in Starbase 514’s medical bay.  She could be found there at all hours, treating survivors of the battle.  It got so bad that Doctor Hartmann, the Starbase’s Chief medical officer, had to drug her to get her to sleep.  One of the nurses asked Dr. Hartmann what’s wrong with Dr. Harper, and he told them “She’s suffering for not being able to save someone.  I’ve seen it many a time.”

On board Starbase 514, there’s a number of ‘speakeasys’ where Starfleet personnel can go to get drunk on synthehol.  In one of these, the Creaky Airlock, Fenris Cooper was drunkenly staring into another bottle of B’varian Whiskey. Three other bottles of various species’ whiskey were stacked around him.

On board the Marduk, Sky sat in his room, which was currently in the ‘office’ setting with the bed folded up against the wall, revealing a desk.  He was staring down a PADD with a half-written letter of condolences on it.  He’d made no progress in the last 2 hours of trying to write this letter.

A chirp came from the door.  Finding this a welcome distraction from the darn condolence letter leaped at the chance to speak to someone. “Come.”

In walked an older officer, a commander by the pips on his collar.  He stood at attention and saluted Sky.

“Commander Vincent Trivano, reporting for duty.”

Lieutenant Hansen was running regular maintenance on Starbase 514's shuttles.  Not many of them were left, with various starships and bases receiving their resupply out of the station's stocks.

Checking off each one on his Padd as he walked past them, he stopped.  The Aftershock wasn't in its docking bay.  It was a recent transfer from Star Base Bravo, so it should still be undergoing maintenance before being moved to active service on board a vessel.

But who would steal a scarred shuttle?

Meanwhile, on the Marduk, Sky was staring down his erstwhile XO.  She was staring somewhate abashedly at the nearby wall.

“Is there something wrong with the wall X?”

“N-no.”

“Then look me in the eyes and tell me.  What did you guys get up to?”

Behind Desiree was Olivet.  While not blushing quite as much as the XO, the reddish hint was obvious on his face.

Three hours before.

Sky dragged himself out of his ‘office’ and ran into Desiree in the hallway.  She was wandering the hallways with a glazed look in her eyes, muttering something to herself.  

We have been through a lot recently.  Now that I think about it, she hasn't really taken shore leave since we got here.

Next to pass them in the hall was Olivet, and Sky flagged him down.

“Yes sir?”

“I think it's time you guys got off the ship for a while.  Take her to the station would you?”

“Sure, was heading that way myself.”  Olivet guided Desiree along the gangway into the station proper.  Looking at her, he debated taking her to the stations counselor, before realizing that the counselor would likely be busy with all of 514.  So instead, they ended up at the bar, where they ran into the dead drunk Fenris Cooper.

About an hour after they began drinking, a trio of hotshot pilots entered the bar, complaining loudly about how little they were able to participate in the big battle over Farpoint.

It started out rather innocent, with the pilots boasting about their flying capabilities and how they'd outflown their Dominion counterparts, but after a few drinks each, things got nasty.  Different crews around the bar started to take offense to the Pilot's bragging, and things escalated from there.  During the resultant bar fight Desiree, who'd had three shots of whiskey in her at this point, snuck away from the bar.

Olivet was lucky, he'd managed to escape the fight without too much hurt, and that's when he noticed that Desiree was gone.  Frantically, he checked around each corner, managing to just catch a glimpse of her entering a turbolift down the hall.  Following her on the next turbolift, he somehow kept just missing her as she meandered through the station.  He finally caught up to the drunk XO right as her shuttlecraft was taking off.  He managed to make it into the small craft just before the door shut.  Now he could hear her muttering to herself.

The shuttle raced out the docking bay, and immediately started spinning out of control.  Weaving in and out of the various platforms, they managed to just barely avoid hitting the comms tower on their way out into open space.  It was at this time that the shuttle shorted out.  Turns out maintenance had kept the engine only just barely connected and all the spinning had jostled the connection loose.

Sobering up, Olivet and Desiree managed to get the shuttle going again, and they rushed back to the Marduk to avoid problems with the dockmaster.

The serene night sky was torn apart by the passing USS Marduk.  On board, in the communal cafeteria James Olivet was eating with Desiree.  

“Key Lime Pie? You know you're supposed to actually eat food, not just desserts, right?”  Desiree didn't know what to say, they'd developed the habit of eating together after joint shifts, but she had yet to see James eat something that wasn't a dessert in the week since they left Starbase 514.

“What? I like the desserts.  And besides, I can program the replicator to make them have all the nutrition I need, but taste like Key Lime Pie, or Crepes, or Triple Chocolate Cake.”

“you've gone mad with power.”  They both chuckled.

On the bridge, Captain Sky and Aide Tina were discussing the Travel Itinerary.

“Why can't you just go straight to New Romulus and drop me off before going to do all these things?”

Sky chuckled, Tina was being spoiled again.  Her family had spoiled her too much growing up, as he well knew, and it showed from time to time.  “I can't just put off all the along the way stops I was supposed to already be doing just for you.  The shuttle squadron over Ritannius IV has made do without medical assistance for a week already due to the battle over Farpoint, and the civillian outpost on Olympios VI hasn't checked in this month.”

"Fine, I know we can't just ignore them, but I'm going to be late!

Olympios VI - 12 Hours Later

“Coming out of Warp, Captain.”  Desiree's voice rang over the intercom.

“Understood EX, I'll be on the bridge in a moment.”  Sky grabbed the glass of Sioc that he had been drinking, and made his way towards the bridge.  When the doors opened, he was treated to the sight of his whole crew on standby.  Desiree was at the Conn, and she motioned for Fenris to take over for her.

“Captain, we've just entered orbit of Olympios VI.  Haven't sent the hails to the outpost yet, you arrived just in time.”  Having said her piece, she sat down in the First Officer's chair that she'd moved over to the primary science station.

Sky set his drink down in the cupholder he'd installed in the Captain's chair.  “Well, let's not keep them waiting.  Olivet, hail the outpost.”

Unknown Location 1 - Same Time

In a dark room, a single monitor lights up.  It's picture is anything but clear, and through the static the face of Sky is visible.  The partially broken speaker buzzes to life as well, projecting his voice into the room.

 “Outpost Theresa, this is Captain Sky of the USS Marduk.  Please respond.”

In the corner, a dark shape stirs from its slumber.

A trashed room lights up as two people transport in.

“This place looks like a warzone.”  Vincent kept one of his hands on the phaser pistol at his hip, peering out into the dark room with suspicion.

Desiree opened the tricorder, “Scans indicate one life form other than us still in the base, and one high power energy reading coming from the other side of the base.  The life form appears to be moving around the base."

“I'd suggest we find out what that high energy reading is first."

“I appreciate the suggestion, Vincent, but I'm more worried about that life form.  We should find them first.”  Desiree stroked her hair behind her ear and led the way as they journeyed through the partially collapsed research base, following the life form's readings.

Coming to a new room, it opened up to the sky above them. Sitting in the center of the room was a starship. Or, at least, it looked like one. It was roughly twice the length of an old Danube-class runabout and a little wider than one too.  In shape, it followed the sleek delta-design that had been popular in Starfleet during the 2380's and 90's.

Vincent whistled. “That is a beauty.”

Desiree stared dumbfounded, before a slight cough from Greystroke, who indicated that she should investigate the interior of the vessel.  Making an excuse to Vincent, who she knew from experience couldn't see or hear Greystroke, she led the way inside.

Despite the rougher outer appearance of the vessel, the interior was paneled with starfleet standard from the heydays of the Galaxy class.  Carpeted floor, wood paneling, and a soft ambiance filled the craft.  Inside the hatch was a short hallway to a ladder, which led to a single command seat overlooking the bow.

Past the ladder was a small area with twin bunkbeds, similar to those found on the California Class's lower decks.  Strapped to these bunk beds were a human, an andorian, a bajoran, and a vulcan.  Confused, Desiree checked her tricorder again. “there shouldn't be anyone other than us and the unknown life form, but these four are alive.” That was when she noticed it, the tricorder couldn't read anything outside the vessel they were in.  Coming to a quick decision, she tapped her combadge. “Marduk, this is the away team, come in.”

What reached her was a burst of static.  “It must be the signal blocking properties of the vessel, let's step outside for a moment, we should be able to call them then.” 

She nodded, Vincent had a point.  They made their way back out the ship and, a few moments later, had changed places with Dr. Harper and James Olivet.

After spending about 15 minutes on each patient, Dr. Harper called back to the Marduk.  “Captain, they are alive.  However I do not know why they're asleep.”

Sky's voice rang out from the comm badge. “Do you think the Marduk's Medbay will be able to figure it out?”

“No, Marduk's Medbay might be effective, but she's specialized in Emergency Response.  This needs something bigger, more advanced.”

“Understood.  For now, come back to the Marduk and we'll discuss our options.”

It took nearly two hours of planning, but they were ready.

Doctor Harper and Desiree beamed down to the landed ship, transport enhancers in hand.  Upon arrival, Desiree remained outside the small vessel to act as an intermediary for the comms and transporters.  Meanwhile, Dr. Harper entered the vessel to attempt to retrieve the patients.

Shorty after she entered the vessel, a strange thrum resounded through it.  Frowning, Dr. Harper tapped her comm badge. “Dr. Harper to Marduk, what's going on out there?” What reached her was static.

Greystroke nudged Desiree, causing her to turn around just in time to see the door slide shut on the strange vessel.  Eyes going wide, she ran up to the door to try and open it again, but the small vessel lifted off and soared away.

I always wanted to say this

“Desiree to Marduk, Houston, we have a problem.”

Trina was on the bridge, assisting on comms while Sky was over in the pilot's chair.  Suddenly, her antennae prickled her senses.  “Something's happening, Sky.”

Just then the comms unit lit up, causing her antennae to stand on end.  “Desiree to Marduk, Houston, we have a problem.”

At the same time, a sliver of silver flashed past the Marduk, angling out into deep space before going to warp.

Sky cued his combadge, “I think I see the problem, prepare for beam-out and we'll give chase.”

A short moment later, The remainder of the crew was assembled on the bridge, and the Marduk angled out to chase the unknown vessel.

Fortunately for the Marduk, the unknown vessel was only traveling at warp 6, and they caught up rather quickly.  Sky called over his shoulder to the crew, “Anyone have a good idea on how to knock them safely out of warp?”

Vincent, from the relatively unused station at the rear of the bridge, called back. “Why don't we use the ship's phaser array to knock out a nacelle?”

A moment of silence enveloped the ship.  Each of the crew looked at each other.  Finally, it was Desiree that broke the silence. “I thought we didn't have a phaser array.”

“You're telling me this ship fought through all that in the Deneb sector, without using it's primary weapons array?” Vincent was incredulous.  “That's either brave or very stupid.”

“I hate to be the um, actually guy here but our phaser array hasn't been powered since the Marduk left spacedock.” Sky pointed out. “It was supposed to be connected when we got to the Deneb sector, but we stopped to rescue escape pods on the way in, and when we arrived at Farpoint, we instead got the Captain's Yacht, and the power meant for the phaser went there.” 

Vincent grunted. “Brave, then. Could we use the yacht then?"

A spark of an idea appeared in Trina's eyes.  “I heard of a really stupid move that might work for us.”

“Tell me again why I'm the one in here?” Trina grumbled.

“Once again, your stupid idea.  Therefore you're the one most likely to succeed.” came Sky's voice over the comms.

“I'd like to see the numbers on that.”

“Sure, how about when you get back?”

The Marduk edged ever closer to the unknown vessel, before stopping at a mere 3 meters away, close enough for the warp bubbles to merge, close enough even for a brave soul to jump from the Marduk and have a high chance of hitting the other vessel.

Not that anyone was jumping, per se.

Instead, Trina had suited up in the Captain's Yacht and would be launching herself forward in an attempt to connect with the unknown vessel.

“Launching in 3… 2…”

“Hold up Trina, they're dropping from warp.” Sky interrupted.  He skillfully manipulated the controls and brought the USS Marduk around to see where the small vessel had gone.

Desiree was the first to react when it came onscreen, even before Greystroke.  “What the-”

Sitting in front of the USS Marduk was the saucer section of a Galaxy class starship, blackened and burned with the cargo bay open.  They were just in time to catch a glimpse of the unknown vessel as it entered the cargo bay.

“Well, this just got interesting.” Sky commented as he picked up his glass of sioc.  This was going to be a longer day than they already thought it was.  “We'll follow protocol on this one.  First off, Olivet, contact Starfleet.  This is the kind of thing they'll want to know about.”

It didn't take long for the reply from Starfleet to come in.  What did come in was… disappointing… to say the least.  Sky brought the crew together to discuss it.  

“Starfleet isn't coming.  Apparently that backlog of messages in the system includes some pretty desperate stuff from yesterday.  There's a lot to unpack, but we'll get to that after this mission. The gist of it is, nobody's in any shape to be coming, and those who are are needed for more urgent missions.  Now, we need to get to work.  Vincent, what do we know about that derelict?”

“It took some work, but we've been able to make out the registry on the underside of the ship.  It's the USS Vetrarbrautin.  She was reported missing yesterday afternoon.”

Danielle had to interject.  “How did she go from a functioning Galaxy class to that in less than 24 hours?!?”  she pointed at the derelict, “She's barely capable of maintaining an atmosphere!”

Sky raised his hand in a pacifying gesture, “That's part of the problem.  Starfleet doesn't know.  Finding out has been added to our agenda here, and we no longer are visiting the squadron.  Vincent, how are we with the engines?” 

“She's in as tip top shape as we're going to get.  There's no way we'll be able to to that saucer though.”

“Good to know.  Desiree, I know you're somewhat medically trained, so until we get our doctor back, you're taking over the medbay.”

“Aye sir." Greystroke nodded as well, despite the fact that none of the rest of the crew could see him.

“Olivet, how's that Henshin repair going?”

“I have a semi-working model, but it won't take more than a single shot, and it'll burn out the only circuits I have left to work with.”

“Then here's the plan…” 

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thought I'd get to the finale for this mission here, but looks like the wait goes on…