~ “One of the worst aspects of command, “reflected Captain Samantha Hyland as she watched the mission timer countdown on the main viewscreen, ~ “Is the bloody waiting!” ~

The sense of tension on the bridge of the USS Valley Forge was palpable (and Sam had no doubt that the situation was being mirrored at the same time, amongst Captain Fallon’s own bridge – crew aboard the USS Raleigh, as the Niagara – class Fast Cruiser kept station off the Starboard bow), armed with the foreknowledge of where the mysterious ‘ghost ship’ – the elusive “USS Artemis” – was going to warp to – both Starfleet vessels had managed to arrive before their quarry, to interject themselves on its projected flight path and (hopefully) interdict the Test – bed vessel that had been lost these last twenty five years.

Despite her own unease, Sam was keenly aware that her responsibility was to project composure and provide a reassuring example of confidence to her crew, so she pushed her concerns aside and spoke out to Lieutenant Doucet.

“TAC – time to contact?”

Samantha knew the answer to this rhetorical question of course, had the chronometer not been calibrated by the Chief Science Officer Deassomi Dai – to estimate & countdown to the phantom – vessels’ likely ETA to a reasonably exact certitude, little else could have distracted her from the last pervading question that could not be conclusively answered until Hull – 3185 was under their control.

“Where have you been all of this time?” Sam pondered, in her most private thoughts.

“Time to Contact, 1 Minute – Twenty-two Seconds and counting Captain.” Danaé Doucet responded. If the Québecois felt any inner – trepidation of her own, the unflappable young Tactical Officer was professional enough not to let it show.

The answer to that question seemed only moments away.

“Stand by to acquire the target and lock on the Tractor Beam – emitter the moment she drops out Warp, Lieutenant. The Raleigh will be doing to same, so be sure to coordinate the beam attenuation and make sure that there’s no harmonic cross – over. It’s a shame to pull our prize apart from overenthusiasm, after all of our efforts to get her here.” Samantha ordered, as much to reassure herself – as she knew that Lt Doucet was more than capable of this challenging task.

There were so many things that they had had to plan and put into place, working on hypothesis and conjecture alone. So many moving parts that the statistical likelihood of something going awry was consistently high. It was like fishing in a canal, at night, with a blindfold on and just hoping that the right fish happened along at just the right moment.

Lt Commander Dai and her counterpart from the Science Department aboard the USS Raleigh, were both reasonably assured in their hypothesis that the rogue Starfleet Test – bed vessel was running courtesy of an autonomous subroutine running on the ship’s computer and that in each time that they had attempted to pursue the fleeing vessel and had closed to within 1 parsec – the “USS Artemis” (as the test – article had been unofficially dubbed by her intrepid crew), had jumped away. A reaction that the scientists considered contingent with a collision – avoidance protocol that the Semi – aware AI had gradually developed as part of its subroutines.

The scientists were hedging their bets that the AI had not yet had time to formulate a response for vessels to be encountered ahead of it, on it’s wayward trajectory (as this had yet to occur) and that this could (conceivably) allow a small window of time for it’s pursuing vessels to ensnare the rogue – ship with the twinned inevitability of their Tractor – beam arrays and compel the fugitive just long enough for an Away Team to breach the Hull and ensure that the haywire Warp – core could be shut down.

What could possibly go wrong?

“Science, I need everything you have once the Target is in – system and I need it fast.” The CO turned the command – chair to face her CSO. “I won’t commit an Away Team, unless I know what I am sending them into.”

Lieutenant Commander Dai’s black Betazoid eyes could not quite hide her irritation of having her request to join the Away Team denied by the CO. With the XO leading the Away Team, Sam was not about to expose the finest scientific – mind aboard ship to any unnecessary danger until the threat of the “USS Artemis” could be quantified.

Deassomi was also Second Officer, in the chain of command aboard the USS Valley Forge, protocol stipulated that with the Executive Officer so committed – that she remain aboard in case Commander Talland failed to return.

“Aye Captain, all Sensors primed. All probes reporting steady telemetry.” Deassomi demurred.

It had been the CSO’s recommendation that both ships launch a “Picket” of scientific probes, to better understand the relativistic energies that had accompanied the previous appearances of the Ghost – ship; the readings of which diversified considerably from what they understood to be typical for the experimental “Stutter – Warp” effect, that had been developed by Dr Gallian Makon.

“Time to contact, Thirty Seconds.” Doucet interjected.

Samantha nodded and opened a channel to the Away Team.

“Bridge to Shuttlecraft “Lafayette”, ETA 30 seconds. Prep to launch on my signal.” The tension was beginning to show in her voice now.

“’Lafayette’ to Bridge.” Came the response from Commander Daniel Talland, in command of the Away Team. “Standing by to launch on your go.”

That the Executive Officer has leading the Away Team, gave Sam some small measure of relief. Despite his austere, authoritarian façade, Sam knew that Daniel Talland cared a damn about all of the crew under his care and was likely to tend towards rash action. This aside, did little to salve the sick feeling of dread in her own stomach.

“Copy that, Commander. As soon as we know it’s safe to do so, you are to launch and effect access to the Hull of the target vehicle. Trust your gut, Dan, if anything seems wrong – I want you to abort and head back to the ‘Forge.”

It had been decided during the hasty planning of this desperate mission, that trying to beam the Away Team aboard the rogue – vessel was far to fraught with danger. The “USS Artemis” could defy expectation and suddenly warp away – which would be disastrous for Commander Talland and his team. The miasma of strange energies that seems to be entwined around the hull of the ghost – ship also led finer minds to question their likely effect to disrupt the transporter beam.

With so many things left to change, Sam wasn’t going to roll such an uncertain dice with the lives of her people. The danger she was sending into, was enough of a gamble.

“Acknowledged Captain, ‘Lafayette’ out.”

Location: Main Shuttlebay  – Deck#21 / Type 21 Shuttlecraft “Lafayette”

Mission Time: 21:09 hrs.

“Shuttlecraft ‘Lafayette’ you are go for launch.” Came the confirmation from the Shuttlebay flight controller and crewman Max Lane took them out.

“Copy that Valley Forge, ‘Lafayette’ departing Shuttlebay.” The young pilot confirmed smoothly as the clamshell doors receded smoothly and he eased the wedge – like shuttle out through the retaining forcefield from the atmosphere of the Main Shuttlebay and out into the cold embrace of the stars.

Seated beside him, Commander Daniel Talland reviewed the results of the scans of the “USS Artemis” that was coming in from the twinned sensors of his own vessel and that of the USS Raleigh.

“Science is reporting high levels of Thoron Radiation, as expected.” Daniel reported aloud for the benefit of the assembled Away Team who, seated in their EVA suits, were going about the final preparation for the mission to penetrate the interior of Hull – 3185 and bring the erratic rampage of the test – vessel to a definitive end.

“We are going to attempt a hard lock – as briefed, but if we cannot achieve this objective and go EVA – then we don’t want to be exposed to that Radiation for too long.” The XO warned.

Also, as previously noted, there was a gradually decaying shell of Tachyon Radiation emanating from the fabric of the hull, that was erroneous to how they understood the “Stutter – Warp” effect to work. This gave Daniel considerable concern as it spoke to a malfunction that they did not understand. He decided that he would keep this misgiving to himself and focus in leading his people.

As the Shuttle slid out between the elegant twin – sweep of the Excelsior II’s graceful nacelles and the pilot brought them around on an intercept trajectory for their destination, the forward viewscreen afforded the Away Team of their first physical view of the remains of the “USS Artemis.”

Bathed in the reflected light of the twin – tractor beams that held it fast, the Test – Article’s hull was bathed in a ghostly – pale light, that only served to deepen the macabre mystique of this ship of the damned.

“’Lafayette’ to Valley Forge, we have target on VFR – relaying visual now.” Crewman Lane reported as the Shuttlecraft performed a slow, sweeping orbit of the ghost – ship.

“Tani – what do you think?” Commander Talland invited the USS Valley Forge’s Chief Engineer up to the cockpit and there, Lieutenant Isono braced herself and looked out on a view that (presumably) no living eye had laid upon for nearly a quarter of a century.

“Considerable structural damage to the main saucer section.” The Japanese Engineer reported over the open channel. “Some weathering consistent with prolonged exposure without scheduled maintenance, that’s to be expected. Some hull – plating is missing, but underlying superstructure seems intact – so that’s probably superficial and likely the outcome of collision with celestial bodies, if the navigational deflector was operating intermittently.”

As the shuttlecraft passed over the battered hull of the test – ship, the Away Team could see the words “USS Artemis” daubed, amateurly, upon the hull in faded paint.

“Navigational Deflector itself is of an older design, concurrent with that of a Centaur – class (probably cannibalized from the Shipyards to put this ‘mongrel’ together) – showing signs of impact damage, so the supposition that it was non – functional is born out.”

As crewman Lane banked the shuttle around the aft of Hull – 3185, the craft crested the nacelles – clustered high and close to the dorsal fin.

“As observed from long – range scans and imagery, the configuration of the nacelles is non-standard, and their construction appears unorthodox.” Tani murmured with genuine interest. For an Engineer – the enigma of the lost vessel was almost irresistible.

“Sensors aren’t reading any life – forms.” Commander Talland Observed. “There are intermittent energy reading throughout the hull, but it’s hard to discern what systems are operational, given the attendant radiation. Is it likely that there is breathable air?”

Lieutenant Isono considered this briefly, before replying with a shake of her head.

“Unlikely. If the Hull damage we have seem have extended to the secondary hull, then it’s unlikely that the AI would have prioritized the generation of structural forcefields, as long as the superstructure is intact. Without any living crew to maintain, life support wouldn’t be considered a priority system. We’ll need our EVA suits, once inside, and see what systems we can restore.”

“Very good Lieutenant.” Dan nodded in affirmation. “Once we’re inside, your team is to make for Engineering and ensure that the Warp Core is isolated from the drive assembly. That’s your priority. Once we make sure that we aren’t going to warp away unexpectedly, then we can see what systems are salvageable and can be safety brought back online. Remember, there’s a lot about this ship and its systems that we just don’t enough about.”

“Aye Commander.” Tani nodded and went to resume her seat.

“Max – is there anything you can see that conforms to a docking port?” Daniel asked the pilot, as the ‘Lafayette’ skirted the port – side of the damaged ship – careful not to intersect with the Tractor Beams that secured the wreck dorsally & ventrally.

The young helmsman considered the data his console was receiving and confirmed a location visually.

“Aye Commander, there’s an airlock just down there in the fore quadrant there, I should be able to get us close enough for a ‘soft – lock.”

“Make it so, crewman.” The XO ordered and the shuttle rotated on its central axis and began to descend to mate with the battered hull of the “USS Artemis”.

“Time to suit up, people.” Talland rose from the co-pilot’s chair and placed his EVA helmet over his head, engaging the seals and satisfying himself to the attendant confirmations of the suit’s integrity. In the rearward passenger compartment – the Away Team were mirroring this activity.

“You all have your orders.” The XO commanded via the suit’s communicator channel, broadcasting to the Away Team, whose active status was coming alive as winking icons on the Holo – display being projected onto his suit’s faceplate.

“Security team, you will breach the primary hull and effect entry to the target vessel, from there on in you will provide overwatch and operational security for the elements of the away team.”

Lieutenant Savak, the USS Valley Forge’s Chief of Security nodded her gold – flashed EVE helmet and her Security Team readied their weaponry and equipment, gathering around the EVA hatch, set into the floor of the Type – 21 Shuttlecraft.

“Engineering Team – make your way to Engineering and secure the Warp – Drive. From there, see what operational power can be restored.”

“Hai, Commander.” Lieutenant Isono responded, her small knot of engineers readying themselves and took up a number of ruggedized equipment cases.

“I will lead the Command – element to the bridge and attempt to secure control of the systems there.” Daniel nodded to his own pair of Red – shirted ratings, that hopefully would accompany him on this first step in understanding the mystery of what happened to the crew of this wayward wanderer.

“If you encounter anything that places you in immediate danger, take what steps are necessary to protect yourself and retreat to the ‘Lafayette’.” Daniel checked his own hand – phaser. “Max – standby to dust-off, should we need to evac – and don’t spare the horses.”

“Any questions?”

There were none.

“Right then.” Commander Talland nodded to Lieutenant Savak , as a forcefield mated the shuttle to the hull of the ghost – ship and the floor – hatch slid back to expose the frozen airlock of Hull – 3185.

“Lieutenant Savak. Make us a door.”

Frozen in time, it had long slumbered.

Unimaginable distances it had travelled, always alone. Through ways unknowable and paths unimaginable, it had transcribed its lonely vigil through the cold, indifferent firmament.

Hidden inside it were secrets, that were only hinted at by the many scars that it wore on its hull, as it had made its way between the bounds of reality.

And now it became dimly aware that, again, it was no longer alone.

Location: Hull – 3185 / Deck-#3

Mission Time: 21:21 hrs.

The edges of the hole that Lieutenant Savak had cut with her Phase – rifle set to low intensity, when it had been discovered that no power was able to be re-routed to the airlock, which remained stubbornly frozen in place, glowed white hot for an instant, until the frozen temperatures of 2.7 Kelvin caused the energy to dissipate almost instantly.

Inside, the frozen darkness of the airlock and corridor beyond, stretched on with funerary blackness.

“USS Valley Forge, this is Away Team.” Savak sent to the CO as she activated the light on the front of her phase rifle and entered the ship, floating in the lack of gravity and training her weapon down it’s likely line of fire with practiced movements. “

We have penetrated the Target Vessel. No signs of life or resistance. Life Support and internal power is inoperable on this deck. Proceeding.” The Security Chief spoke unhurriedly, her Vulcan side preoccupied with logical contingencies, even as her Romulan side considered scenarios for betrayal and ambush.

“Copy that, Away Team, proceed with caution and report waypoints.” Came the reply from Captain Hyland.

“Acknowledged, Away team out.” Sarak keyed her comm off as the corridor intersected and the Away Team came to a Turbolift.

One of things that struck Savak, was the ‘extemporized” nature of the design, build and quality of the interior of the mysterious vessel.

Aside from the fact that every surface was encrusted in thin miasma of ice, from where the last vestige of breathable atmosphere has snap – frozen from exposure and interaction with the frozen temperatures of space, unlike a registered Starfleet Vessel, Hull – 3185 seemed to have been cobbled together from a familiar, but disparate, amalgam of federation ship parts and technologies. Here a Jefferies tube access hatch of a vintage more familiar from a Nova – Class Surveyor. There, a type of deck plating typical to a Steamrunner. An exposed EPS Manifold that looked more at home in an Oberth.

In constructing the Test – Article, it appears that the Engineers of the Arcturus Yards had rummaged and robbed every available parts bin that could yield something to cobble together something that met the most very basic demands of ‘Spaceworthiness’.

The Turbolift doors were equally unpowered, and it took all of Savak’s considerable native strength, along with the efforts of Petty – Officer Corsa and Kirkland to force them apart.

Shining a light down the shadowy recesses of the shaft, the Security Chief could see that the Turbolift car itself was halted at the penultimate Deck#4. At least that paved the way for the Command team to access the Bridge on Deck#1 with more ease. The Engineering team would have to cut their way through the roof of the car – if they were to press on through the dark interior to the Engineering Section.

“Corsa – you’re with the Commander.” Sarak sent to one of her Security Officers via the comm – channel. “Kirkland – you’re with Lieutenant Isono.” Both security officers attached themselves to the detachments, who readied themselves to depart and delve deeper into the frozen heart of the ghost – ship.

“Commander, by your leave, Crewman Latham and I will perform a sweep of this deck, before attempting to penetrate Deck#2.” Savak intoned efficiently.

The red – flash’d helmet of Commander Talland nodded, causing his helmet lights to dip and rise along the frozen corridor – briefly penetrating the frozen gloom.

“Very well Lieutenant, stay in touch.” Daniel sent as his team entered the Turbolift shaft and pushed off from the doorway and slowly rose up into the darkness.

Tani and her engineering team, similarly, entered the shaft and slowly descended until their lights could be seen on top of the stranded lift – car and the blackness was suddenly punctured by the glow of cutting – beams.

Satisfied, the Security Chief (flanked by Latham) proceeded cautiously deeper into the frozen depths of Deck#3.

The going proved tougher than first anticipated as the floated down the corridors, torchlight from their weapons cutting through a nightmare of obstructions as cabling and ducting spewed forth from open ceiling hatches – making the navigation of the cramped spaces more difficult with the EVA suit’s maneuvering nozzles.

Keen eyed, Savak noted a scattering of tools and a discarded toolbox under one such heap of detritus.

“Commander, there are signs that someone was effecting repairs to the ship’s systems at some point.” Savak transmitted to the Command element.

“Copy that Security. That means that the crew certainly wasn’t killed when the Artemis was first lost.” Talland’s voice sounded thoughtful over the hissing crackle of the comms. “Try to see is there is any pattern to the repairs and pursue that lead – could be important.”

“Copy that, Commander. Moving on to Deck#2, we’ll start with the Transporter Room. Savak out.” Savak sent and they floated deeper into the tomb – like frozen confines of Hull – 3185.

Location: Hull – 3185 / Deck-#1 – Bridge

Mission Time: 21:24 hrs.

Commander Talland led his small group upwards, the collected beams of their helmet lights stabbing through the frozen blackness, the sound of recycled breathing heavy in his ears.

Again, the Turbolift doors had to be forced apart and when the small group alighted into the narrow corridor that led to the small – bridge of the “USS Artemis”, the sight that confronted them made one crewmember cry out in terror – despite themselves.

The doors to the bridge, encrusted with a thin sheet of ice (just like everything else aboard the stricken ship), we similarly frozen shut – effectively barring entry to the command-and-control space. That much was normal enough.

What was incongruous and ghastly was the arm that somehow penetrated from through the surface of the door – it’s fingers clawing out in a frozen rictus and what appeared to be an ice-covered face – impossibly merging with the surface of the door, only a forehead, one eye and a mouth locked in an eternal scream – as the ice that encrusted this grisly tableau glittered softly under their helmet lights.

“Oh, the Prophets! “Came one shocked voice over the comm – channel.

“What could do something like that?” Petty Officer Corsa wondered aloud in hushed tones.

“I think I’m gonna be sick.” Sent another.

His own mind reeling in shock and horror, Daniel managed to recover sufficiently to snap.

“Belay that Crewman Hanse!” The XO tore his eyes from that outstretched arm, that hideous face and turn to the Command team. “If you vomit in your suit, that’ll be the end of you! Remember your training and get a grip of yourself Crewman! You’re Starfleet, goddammit!”

Letting his irritation distract him, Commander Talland turned his helmet back to regard the nightmarish scene.

“Valley Forge.” He transmitted. “Are you seeing this?”

There was a pause, then Captain Hyland’s heavy voice replied over the comm.

“Affirmative Commander.” Samantha’s voice was obviously tinged with regret. “We see.”

Daniel pushed his revulsion aside and took out his Tricorder and began to scan the arm and the face as they melted out of nightmare and protruded into the cold corridor, as if screaming out some frozen warning.

“The organic matter and the material contained in the door seemed to have fused somehow at the atomic level.” Daniel wondered aloud as the Tricorder told him what he was seeing.

“Any ideas on what could have cause this?” He sent.

Another pause, longer this time, then the Captain’s voice returned.

“Based upon what we see, Lieutenant Commander Dia hypothesizes that this could be indicative of a phase – incontinuity – most likely the effect of an unplanned collapse of the Warp – shell during a cycle of the “Stutter – Warp” effect. Most likely a malfunction of some kind.” Sam advised.

Daniel looked up at the frozen face protruding from the door and its eternal scream of sightless agony.

“No shit.” He commented simply.

At that moment the corridor was transformed as the emergency lighting suddenly stuttered on, causing Daniel’s heart to skip a beat.

In the cold light of the blood – red emergency lighting the frozen – tableau of death before him took on an even more nightmarish aspect.

“Commander.” Came Tani’s worried voice over the comm. “We’ve secured the ship from Warp and restored emergency power. But sir, there’s a body here and…well…it seems that it too has been affected by this ‘Phase – incontinuity’. At least I think that’s what happened. It’s hard to tell?”

Daniel breathed hard and keyed his response.

“Understood Engineering team. Well, done. See what other systems you can restore safety and see if you can get the ship’s computer operational. We need to understand what went on here.” Talland commanded.

“Aye Aye, Commander. We will see what can be done.”

Steeling himself, Daniel keyed the manual control for the bridge doors and as they slide back into their recesses – they suddenly stopped – servos whining.

Horrified (although in his heart of hearts he subconsciously knew what the source of the obstruction logically must be), Talland peered through the slowly widening, whining – gap.

The body attached to the outstretched arm and face, continued through to the other side of the door on the bridge. It was if the person was fleeing and in doing so – had somehow transcended the laws of matter and had partway run through the door itself.

Daniel felt his own stomach churn and closed his eyes momentarily.

The door gave another shudder, and the body (exposed to the stresses of the straining motor) shattered into several large, frozen, chunks and flew apart – as the door won the struggle and the body parts were severed as it gratefully slid aside into its recessed alcove.

Reeling from the shock, Commander Daniel Talland carefully stepped over the scattered body – parts and into the infernal red – glow of the bridge.

All around was rimmed in a glittering patina of red ice. The Bridge itself was small and simple in its layout, with only a Helm and Operations station with empty chairs and an Engineering MSD.

With a sinking feeling, Daniel stepped further into the command space and up to the Command Chair.

The chair was occupied by the remains of a body – cleanly severed from the mid – thorax down – it wore the recognizable remains of a Starfleet Command uniform.

“Away team to USS Valley Forge.” Commander Talland breathed. “I think that I’ve located the remains of Lieutenant Commander Micheals……”

Location: Hull – 3185 / Deck-#2 – Transporter Room

Mission Time: 21:37 hrs.

Crewman Latham removed his helmet when Savak confirmed that it was safe to do so and took a tentative sniff of the newly cycling air. It was still bitterly cold as the environmental systems struggled to restore the internal spaces of the “USS Artemis” to habitability – after such a long period of inactivity.

“Smells funny.” Latham commented as he laid his helmet down and Savak tried to interrogate the Transporter systems, to discover what they could about the fate of the Ship and it’s ill – fated crew.

Savak raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow and commented.

“Quite.”

Latham had the wherewithal to make no further comment as Savak worked.

Like the rest of the vessel, the Transporter system aboard Hull – 3185 seemed to have been requisitioned or salvaged from that of a Miranda – class Frigate. Whilst Savak had not actually served aboard a Miranda, she was familiar with that type from Holotraining during her days at Starfleet Academy.

Her investigations of the jury – rigged repairs had led her here, again an access panel had been removed, and a proliferation of scattered tools told the tales of a desperate attempt to access the workings of the Transporter Pad.

The investigator in Savak dearly wanted to know why.

With practiced fingers, the Security Chief overcame the security lockouts using her universal access code and was finally able to gain access to the Transporter Logs.

What she found there caused her to frown deeply and activate her commbadge.

“Savak to Commander Talland.” She sent.

“Talland here, go ahead Lieutenant.” Came the XO’s response from the bridge.

“Commander, I have managed to access the Transporter systems. I doing so, I appeared to have uncovered a stowaway of sorts.” The Vulcan hybrid woman explained without passion or excitement.

“Clarify.” Talland demanded curiously.

“There appears to have been a bypass jury – rigged at some point, to ensure small, but continuous supply of EPS power was supplied to the Pattern Buffer, Commander.” Savak explained as her fingers flowed across the controls.

“For what purpose?” Daniel wanted to know.

“There is what appears to be a life – form saved into the matrix of the pattern buffer.” Savak intoned. “In effect, decompiling their physical form into the matrix and transforming the system into a ‘lifeboat’ of sorts. An elegant solution really – quite creative.”

“Is the pattern stable enough to attempt extraction?” Daniel asked.

Savak frowned.

“Whilst recompiling a transporter pattern saved in the buffer for so long is not without considerable attendant risk, Commander, I would strongly advise that we attempt to do so – if we wish to know more about what happened to this ship and her crew.” Savak hazarded conversationally.

“Would you care to explain your reasoning?”

Savak inclined her head to one side, thoughtfully, before responding.

“Of course, Commander.” Savak replied. “It is a logical supposition, in that the pattern retained in the Transporter – buffer appears to be that of Dr Gallian Makon, creator of the “Stutter – Warp” drive………”