Imperial Discovery

Posted on Thu Jul 19th, 2018 @ 9:41pm by Captain Michelle Bartlett & Major Hailey Weston & Lieutenant Commander Shaille Levine & Lieutenant Valeria Mordin

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/4

Was it really possible?

Tylarel looked at the sector map and star charts spread out on the large table in front of them. They had gone back over the last several hundred years of recorded data and until just hours ago, this planet simply didn't exist, until now.

She shook her head and glanced at Kohren. "The logical part of my head knows that a planet doesn't just disappear and then reappear five hundred years later" she said, disbelief echoing in the tone of her voice. "Do you think it really is the throne world?"

Kohren shrugged. "It seems quite probable. Initial scans have located what looks to be the Imperial city. There are three ships in orbit of the planet, two appear to be ancient Reh'nari in nature, the third is unknown, but vastly technologically advanced." She ran her fingers through her hair and looked back down at the maps. "We will be within communications range of the ships shortly, I guess we will find out then."

"The third ship, what if they are the enemy the message referred to?" Tylarel asked quietly. "You said they were vastly advanced, what if they are the foe from beyond the limits of the known galaxy and the message is not an old recording?"

"Then I guess we will be finding out soon enough what they are truly capable of," Kohren replied. "Come, let's to go the command center, I want to see this for myself. I suspect history is about to be unraveled, and by the grace of the deities, we have been handed front row seats."

***Bridge***

The Operations officer was continuing to scan the Reh'nari fleet and the surrounding area. It would be doubtful any ancient Koldarens showed up, but it seemed this was a day for surprises. At that point, her console beeped. The Captain was off the bridge, likely just coordinating or briefing someone. "Major... I'm picking up an unknown vessel in the area that just came into sensor range."

Hailey's face went slightly pale in the command chair but she exhaled and set her face, "Put it on the screen?" Night shifts didn't prepare her for this sort of thing, that was for sure. Not just that, but this was completely different than anything she did with the Marines, "What can you tell me about it? Warship? Civilian?"

Berard complied, and the ship appeared on the viewscreen. "From what I can tell, it appears to be civilian. Very limited defenses, slightly newer but almost looks similar in design to the Reh'nari vessels we saw earlier, except more modern."

Corinne shook her head. "Nothing to get excited about, basic weaponry..." she paused for a moment. "Well there you go, looks like this one is the upgraded model! Scans indicate two phaser banks but nothing to get excited about. They aren't a threat."

"Should we adjust course to intercept?" the helm officer called out.

“Yes. Let’s intercept at just inside transporter range of the planet, in case our away team needs support.” She really hoped this was the right call, this wasn’t ground operations.

"Aye, ma'am. Adjusting course.”

“Hail them.” She ordered, it should be the right thing to do, then tapped one key on the command chair, "Captain to the bridge? We have an incoming vessel.”

"On my way." Michelle said. Within a couple minutes she was on the bridge. "What's our status?" she asked Hailey before assuming her chair.

Hailey vacated the command chair and slid into one of the two set up for the Exec twins as Michelle came onto the bridge, "Unknown ship of potentially Reh'nari design, minimally armed, I ordered a limited intercept, remaining at neutral stations, given the lack of threat. Hail has been sent out."


=/\= Reh'nari Vessel =/\=

"We are receiving an incoming communication from the alien vessel."

"Take us within range of the planet and scan the other vessels. Maintain vigilance, but I don't believe we need to be at alert yet."

Tylarel stepped in behind one of the command centre officers, watching over his shoulder as he scanned the other vessels. The alien ship was vastly advanced to anything she had ever seen, however, unless the sensors were somehow wrong, the other two vessels appeared to be Reh'nari ships, halvard class. While she was familiar with the vessel, it was only through historical documents, the last one had been decommissioned well over three hundred years before she was even born.

"Open the communication on the main screen. Foreman Kohren, I have been instructed that you are to take lead."

There was a moment of flickering before the bridge of the Wellington appeared on the main screen of the Reh'nari vessel. Kohren's eyes widened slightly at the impressive view as she moved into the middle of the command centre. "Greetings, I am Foreman Kohren from the Reh'nari Archaeological Society. I trust you are well." She was not a diplomat, that was for sure.

"This is Captain Michelle Bartlett of the Federation Starship Wellington. It's nice to meet you, Foreman. Is there something we can help you with?"

The expression on Kohren's face quirked slightly. "Is there something you can help us with?" She repeated, almost sounding confused. "Forgive me, Captain Michelle Bartlett, we are not used to having visitors in this area and your presence seems to have come at a rather.... perplexing time." She paused momentarily, entirely not sure what to make of this whole situation. If this was the all powerful enemy, why had they not destroyed the Reh'nari vessels already? Why had they been hailed and not fired upon. "If I may be so bold, I would suggest that you depart at your earliest convenience."

"I would dearly love to, Foreman. But there is one little problem." Michelle added. "We were in this sector analyzing an anomaly one of our civilian science vessels encountered in this area. This may sound preposterous, but your homeworld quite literally appeared out of nowhere. We took a team to analyze it and see what had occurred and that team was abducted."

Kohren paused for a moment, casting a curious glance at Tylarel before looking back at the view screen. "Actually it doesn't sound as preposterous as you might think," she finally replied, surprisingly calmly. "Our vessel has sensor data that correlate that event. We believe there is a possibility that it may be the throne world."

"We would be happy to beam you aboard and discuss this further. It would appear that the leaders on that world are.... well... Not the most cooperative bunch." Michelle replied.

Kohren nodded in agreement. "That would be..." she paused momentarily, casting an uncertain glance at Tylarel, who also nodded. "...Accurate. Very well Captain, I will join you on your vessel and we can discuss this further."


=/\= USS Wellington - Bridge =/\=

Stepping out of the turbolift and onto the bridge, Kohren looked around, raising one eyebrow slightly. "Your vessel is very impressive Captain," she spoke calmly, her hands clasped behind her back, smiling slightly as the two security guards who had escorted her to the bridge stepped out behind her,. flanking either side of the turbolift. "Your security detail is not necessary, I assure you I am of no threat. Even if I were armed, the only person I would be a danger to is myself."

The rabbitess at the science station turned towards Kohren as she exited the turbolift, "You are a guest in our house, and even this far away from home, the safety and comfort of a guest is paramount. Security isn't here to threaten or posture, they are here to protect you. To ensure you aren't threatened or endangered, and to keep you from areas of the ship that are dangerous to untrained personnel." the daughter of Ts'usu explained.

"My name is Valeria Mordin. Welcome to our home." she motioned to the bridge, and implied the rest of the ship as well.

Hailey stood as well, coming to an attention state, but not sure how to handle the situation and let Valeria take the lead. It then seemed for her to make an introduction, "Welcome aboard, Captain, Major Hailey Weston, Second Officer."

"So... I suppose you probably want to know how all this happened, Kohren?" Michelle asked.

Kohren nodded to each of the other individuals as they offered their introductions before her gaze drifted to the impressively sized view screen in front of her featuring the newly rediscovered planet. She let out a low whistle. "She is most definitely a thing of beauty," she said quietly before turning her attention back to Michelle. "Any information you can share with us is very gratefully received Captain, we have been searching for the throne world for a great many years. Even our most historical of records don't really tell us what happened."

"We were in the process of figuring that out." Michelle said. "As best I can tell, it would appear our away team sent to investigate was captured. If in wartime, understandably so... But they seem to think we're aligned with the Koldarens."

Kohren nodded again. "On behalf of my people, Captain, I must apologise, please understand that now the Reh'nari are a peaceful people. I will be honest, we know little about what actually happened to the planet or her people. Written history is scarce at best and has now become more urban legend and fairy tale rather than fact. Tales of the imperator from that time portray him as a power hungry man who plunged the empire into war after war. I assume he see's you as the latest enemy and has reacted so. If I can do anything to help retrieve your people, please just ask."

"Do you happen to know how long ago about the Empire vanished?" she asked, rather perplexed.

"The exact number isn't really certain, but it is guessed to be somewhere in the area of 450 - 550 years we think," Kohren replied with uncertainty. "Our archaeological society has been searching for the throne world for the past two hundred years without success, until today."

Michelle nodded and then turned to Hailey... "That would explain why the Dalacari and the Ts'usugi couldn't find it..." she added. "Well.. I'm happy to try and make this as much a success as we can. Right now, we have very little to go on as to--" she was interrupted by her commbadge.

"Tang to Bartlett. Checking in. We're in no danger and are guests of Imperator Metor Charie Terrio Lental Kreor." Rostra had a talent for names, "He's requested any information regarding..."

"... any ships in orbit, as well as the status of a number of the colonies of the Reh'nar expanse. Details to follow. Suggest Miss Mordin prep the array to contact the Buoys."

Michelle breathed a sigh of relief... "Pleased to hear you're all right. We have the other two members of the away team safely aboard. It sounds like they may have scared a few of the locals accidentally. Keep us posted. Wellington out." she stopped for a moment. "Metor Charie Terrio Lental Kreor" she said... "Sound familiar?"

Kohren shook her head. "No, that can't be right..." a look of sheer confusion clouded the woman's face. "The Imperator when the throne world disappeared was Jatel.. Jatel Remorith Terrio Chomeir Kreor... that part has been consistent across all historical stories, he was the 128th, and also the last Imperator of the Reh'nari people. Despite not knowing what happened, his name is well versed in history."

"Well... I guess we'll find out soon enough." Michelle replied. "Ms. Mordin, proceed with Commander Tang's suggestions. Sounds like this just got a bit more mysterious. Do you know who Charie is then?"

"There have been several references to Imperator Jatel having children who were kept under imperial guard and never in sight of the citizens. If I had to guess from a distance, I would say that Charie would be Jatel's first son. The only way for Charie to be Imperator though would be if Jatel was dead."

"I'll have Lieutenant Mordin contact some sources and see what they might be able to find. Now that we know your people exist and we aren't in some alternate universe.... It's a good start." she added. "What do you say we go at this again in an hour or so and I'll try and get my away team back aboard and we can compare notes?"

Kohren nodded solemnly. "As you wish Captain. In the interim, might I spend some time exploring your vessel?"

"By all means. If there's any questions, let us know."

END:

Captain Michelle Bartlett
Commanding Officer
USS Wellington

Major Hailey Weston
Marine CO/Second Officer
USS Wellington

Lieutenant Valeria Mordin
Chief Science Officer
USS Wellington

Kohren
Reh'Nari Archaeological Society