Unrequested Consultation

Posted on Fri Aug 14th, 2026 @ 6:20pm by Ambassador Drusilla Creon & Captain Rovak

735 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: UnderMind [4]
Location: CIC, Deep Space 13
Timeline: After ‘A cry from afar’

Ambassador Creon found the Dreizhen system not quite as she left it when the warbird ferrying her dropped from warp. The ship's staff informed her they couldn't identify the strange plasmatic phenomenon surrounding the planet, situated in its lower mesosphere. Strange too was the fact that what looked to be every shuttle from the station was hovering just above the strange glow, apparently monitoring the surface visually.

When she docked she went immediately to the CIC, as had been her habit when she commanded the station, and spoke directly to the Captain. "It would seem another situation has developed. I note that this never happened when Romulans commanded this facility."

"Perhaps not." Rovak responded without turning to face the Ambassador. "However to the best of my understanding, this system was used as little more than a refuge for those with nowhere else to go. Exploration has its consequences, as any good Starfleet Officer knows." He realised as he said it that it was perhaps unkind. In any event, he did not want his focus shifted from the dozens of reports coming in from each of the shuttles, he hoped she would go away.

"Why Captain," Creon said with an amused laugh, "I didn't think you capable of such a savage retort. What's the situation?" She asked.

Rovak exhaled through his nose, rotating finally in the large seat to face her. "We have discovered a colony of insectoids on the planet, different forms that seem to be working in harmony. They range from approximately humanoid sized warrior-forms to creatures larger than the Faraday capable of firing some kind of bioplasma into orbit as artillery. We have had to adjust the station's orbit to keep it out of harm's way. The plasma somehow formed a shell in the upper atmosphere, it diffuses scanners and phasers, and disables any craft, probe or technology sent into it." He of course didn't mention that Mr Volsunga had made it through.

"And I take it your diplomatic overtures have not been successful?" Creon said dryly.

"It is unclear if any such approach has been possible. We lost contact with our teams shortly after the Faraday was shot down.

"If I or the Free State can assist in any way, do not hesitate to ask. We are allies after all, despite any personal animosities you may still hold over the direction my career has taken since leaving Starfleet." Creon said, calling back to his earlier remark.

Rovak was silent for a moment. "I apologise, Ambassador. The comment I made was unworthy of a Starfleet Captain. Both to make it, and to one who has served in that capacity. But we have found ourself, despite all our technological mastery, outclassed by creatures for whom the only appropriate soubriquet is ‘bugs’. They have managed to shoot down the Faraday. Surface teams appear to have cleared away the creatures surrounding them, but yet more of the bugs are attacking the Order colony on the equator. Metals that pass through the phenomenon become brittle and weak. All attempts to communicate have been unsuccessful. All audio communications are disrupted, datalink lasers are scattered by the phenomenon. Our hopes as they are rest in the teams on the surface."

"Is light so scatted that visual communication would be impossible?" Creon asked.

"What visual communication do you refer to? We cannot reach any receiver with a coherent laser." Rovak said.

"Not a laser. Just a light. Signalling morse, or any other binary linguacode. Simple and slow, but no less effective." Creon said.

Rovak felt foolish for not having thought of it himself. "We do not have any way to ensure they are paying attention to any signalling we would attempt." He countered, realising the limitations of what she described.

"So drop something from orbit telling them to look up. You may not be able to guarantee where it lands, but Shitau has plenty of sensors that will detect something falling from orbit. Or simpler still, you could fire a few scattered phasers in the general vicinity to get their attention." Creon reasoned.

Rovak checked over the plan in his mind. "Your plan is sound. Mr Duros, see to it." Rovak told the acting XO. "Thank you, Ambassador."

"Think nothing of it, Captain. I'll be in the embassy, should you need me. Try to remember that the Starfleet way isn't everything." Creon said with a sharp smile, turning to leave.

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