Captain’s Log Stardate: 79636.5

After wrapping up operations on the Azurak freighter, we have taken her in tow and set a course for the nearest starbase at low warp, where I intend to hand over the freighter and the two survivors to the Diplomatic Corps. They can determine the next steps to take in ensuring the safe return of the Azurak to their people and, perhaps in doing so, open a dialogue with their people for the first time in decades. 

Meanwhile, I have been reviewing the download obtained by Lieutenant Commander Sovek, and I think I am getting one step closer to understanding the involvement of the Nausicaans in this incident.

Captains Ready Room, 10:00hrs

Alex sat relaxed behind his desk with a PADD in one hand and a grip strength trainer in the other. As he scrolled through page after page, the veins on his right arm bulged with every compression as he closed a fist. A satisfying creak from the spring provides a clue as to the force he was capable of exerting.

His jacket was hung neatly behind him on a hanger, ensuring it avoided any traces of sweat as he recovered from his morning workout. A shaker one-third full of a dense, protein-rich supplement sat patiently on his desk, fading condensation on its shell, and a faint aroma of banana filled the air, briefly masking the slightly stale scent of coffee that normally occupied the room.

A chime at the door broke Alex’s concentration for a moment, and he triggered the bookmark on his PADD and set it down along with his strength trainer before reaching for a protein break. “It’s open!” he called, permitting his visitor to enter.

As the doors slid open, Wallace stood well presented with his own mug of Coffee in hand. The Captain was more relaxed than some and did not object to the officers taking five minutes to enjoy a hot beverage if it helped them stay focused.

“Just a report from engineering, T’Lira says she’s made the adjustments to the tractor emitters and the structural integrity field, which should allow us to increase to warp five with the freighter in tow,” Wallace said as he sat down and took a load off for a moment. 

“She also asked me to give you a gentle reminder that she can’t work around the laws of physics, and we’re already pushing the limits of towing a vessel at warp as it is.”

“Did she now?” Alex said as he brought the shaker to his lips and took a large gulp of his protein shake.

“No, I’ll admit, that last part is from me, but it’s no less true. Care to share why we’re picking up the pace?”

Alex picked up his PADD and handed it to his first officer, gesturing non-verbally for him to read it.

“The Nausicaans?” Wallace asked with surprise. 

“They were shadowing the freighter and her sister ship for weeks until their courses deviated, not far from where we found her. My best guess is that they wanted to lure the other ship back to the aid of the one they attacked. But for whatever reason, they never responded, then we showed up.”

“So you’re thinkin the Nausicaans might be going after the other ship?”

“Exactly, all I can work out so far is that they wanted both ships for something, maybe they both had something of value, I don’t know, but I want to get back out there and try to find them before the Nausicaans do” Alex slammed the empty shaker back down on his desk and leant back in his chair, enjoying the refreshing taste of banana coating his palate.

“If that’s true, they’re gonna have a pretty big head start. What makes you think they haven’t already found them?” Wallace pointed out, handing back the PADD.

“The same reason why they wanted to lure them into a trap, I don’t think the Nausicaans can track them. I’ve been going over the sensor logs as we approached the freighter; she didn’t show up until we were nearly on top of her. No warp signature, no ion trail, Sovek only got a fix on their position by following the source of their distress call.” Alex replied.

“A stealth…freighter?” Wallace queried.

“Not quite, at least that doesn’t appear to be the intent. According to the Azurak database, they use some very efficient technology in recycling most of their ship emissions. Apparently, they are a deeply spiritual people with a deep connection to the universe, and they don’t believe in polluting space with any form of byproduct of space travel.” Alex explained with a degree of admiration.

“Could that be what the Nausicaans were after, some sort of stealth technology… would certainly make setting up an ambush easier?” Wallace proposed.

“I don’t think so. There are plenty of other ways to make a ship invisible to sensors. The Azurak simply do it as a matter of course. It could also be why Starfleet has had very few encounters with them. Kinda hard to say hello to a ship you don’t know is there,” said Alex.

“Might also be a bit of an advantage for being traders, hard to become a victim of piracy if you just sneak right by the pirate!” said Wallace, finding the concept intriguing.

“That too, anyway, I’ve got Sovek working on some ways to try and locate the other ship. He seems to think some sort of trinket he found on the freighter might hold the key—”

“Harper to Captain Dubois”

Alex reached behind him and tapped the comm badge on his jacket, “Dubois here, go ahead doc.”

“Captain, our patients are awake!”

“Great news, doc, we’ll be down in a minute, Dubois out!”

“Let’s get some answers, number one!” Alex said, extending an invitation to his first officer as he stood up and retrieved his jacket.

Meanwhile – Science Lab 2

Sovek remained completely focused on his work, with no less than 6 PADDS arranged neatly across the workstation. He evenly divided his efforts by using his Vulcan abilities to process several experiments at once.

On one display, he was analysing the specifications of the Azurak warp drive, trying to identify something to help the Captain detect similar freighters. On another, he was busy running a multi-spectral analysis of the Hej’ogt, which was safely contained behind a forcefield in the middle of the room.

His attention was focused completely on the sensors and his lab notes; there was little value in observing the object directly, so he failed to notice the brief blue glow that began to radiate from the statue’s casing. Dim, and somehow both visible and then invisible, had he looked upon it, he would have surely seen it, if only for a second.

His sensors chirped briefly, and his attention was drawn to another screen. “Fascinating,” he said to himself. It was the same energy signature he thought he detected when T’Lira handled the object, but now it was gone as if it had never been there.

He paused, experiencing a most illogical sensation that he was being observed. He knew he was alone in the room as the door had not opened for 37 minutes when one of his Ensigns left to go consume a morning meal.

He turned his head cautiously, indulging the temptation to verify he was alone.

Nothing there, it was curious, he had never experienced a similar feeling before. He decided to check up on his ensign, after all, 37 minutes was a long time to take a break in his opinion.

“Science Lab Two to Ensign Munroe!” he stated after tapping his communicator.

“Munroe here, Go ahead, Commander.”

“I was under the Impression you had left to go to the mess hall. Need I remind you that your rostered shift still has eight hours remaining? I need you back here promptly!”

“Sorry, Commander, I had to stop by the Infirmary… My nose just started bleeding.”

Sovek raised an eyebrow; he was not aware that the Ensign suffered from nose bleeds or was currently suffering from any ailment that would leave him predisposed to them. “Very well, please report back here when you are done. I will perform your tasks in addition to my own until then. Sovek out!”