Posted on Sun Mar 18th, 2018 @ 5:44pm by Rear Admiral Yoshi Minawara
Mission:
Refit and Relaxation
Location: Deck 11 - Port Airlock: Utopia Planetia Docks
Timeline: Day 01 - 1247HR, 2395
1392 words - 2.8 OF Standard Post Measure
There was a groan as the Vesta settled into her berth, the series of industrial tractor beams maneuvering it into place, until finally the docking clamps held. The port airlock hummed as the connection was made, the door hissed open, revealing the two, plainly dressed figures standing on the other side. Yoshi could recognize the uniform anywhere, they stood out around typical Starfleet personnel. "Captain Minawara," said the female, not a question, but a statement. She was taller, with an olive skin and emerald green eyes, which met Yoshis, and he offered a smile that held no warmth to it. The two had met, Agent Fional Zuran had sat in on several of the Quantum Slipstream Project's meetings, and tried too hard to be both friendly and kind. No matter how hard she tried, Yoshi had always felt her fake. Her partner was new, and was trying his absolute hardest to look uninterested, or perhaps stern, but was failing at both. When the Captain cocked an eyebrow in his direction, cleared his throat and straightened up.
"Agent Jethro Barnett, Department of Temporal Investigations. Sir." He said, like he was unsure if it was correct. He was pale, looking like he rarely saw real sunlight, and thin. From the way he held himself, Yoshi could tell he was trying to see behind him, and had a mild look of curiosity on his face.
"First time of the Vesta-Class Mister Barnett," asked Yoshi, as he turned to walk, and the pair followed.
"I don't see how that matters, we are here to-" he stopped as Captain Minawara raised an almost dismissive hand.
"My crew doesn't know yet, and your loud mouth won't tell them either. So can it for now, we can discuss that in private." The words sounded as if they were made in jest, or like he was trying to be friendly, but it didn't take a Betazoid to feel the cold edge on the statement. "You're on my ship, I would prefer if you at least acted like guests." A silence fell on the trio, and the walked in it until the turbolift. Once inside, he called for his deck, and turned to Zuran. "Tell me, how have you been these last three years?"
"Well enough, not all that busy luckily," she replied, her voice smooth and calm. "We suspected your ship was caught in a time warp, and that kept us busy for a few months as we were assigned to scan the system. Nothing came of it until now, and I can assure you, you have been missed Yoshi." The Captain snorted in response, and shook his head. "You act like you weren't a bit of a micro-celebrity to Starfleet, the poster-child of research. They wanted to make you an honorary Admiral, but your sister insisted otherwise. Said you'd rather be a Captain. But the Daystrom Institute named a wing after you." Yoshi rolled his eyes, and the woman just smiled. "Now Yoshi, don't be like that."
"Captain Minawara will be fine," he replied curtly. The lift stopped, and the trio crossed the bridge to his ready room, where they disappeared from sight. Yoshi tossed himself into his chair, looked up at them, and simply said, "Well, let's get the interrogation over with." The pair exchanged a look, and they sat down.
"Very well Captain," said Barnett, "Did you intentionally jump forward in time?"
"No." He crossed his arms and looked on with annoyance.
"Do you believe that this is a result of the use of the Quantum Slipstream Drive?" asked Zuran, pulling out her own PaDD.
"Yes, due to technical sabotage," replied the Captain, his tone softening slightly.
"And do you think measures can be taken to prevent it?" asked Barnett, crossing his arms in an attempt to emulate the Captain.
"Yes, and I already am. While I'm at this line of questioning, no I don't know who the saboteur is, no I don't know how they did it, and no I don't want to replicate the incident, because last time almost tore the ship apart." He took a deep breath, and shook his head. "Agents, I am tired. I am sure you are aware, but this kind of a temporal shift is stressing on the body. I bet all of my crew is feeling it right now. But as an added bonus, we have a damaged ship, and the entirety of them, minus those on my bridge at the time of our arrival, don't even know we've jumped yet. So, if you have a more pointed, or direct question you could ask, do it now. Otherwise, complete your investigation, get off my ship, let me fix the damage, so I can get back to work."
"Captain... Yoshi," said Fional, looking at him, this time with a genuine look of care. "I know how stressful this is for you. You designed this engine, Captained this ship, and lead the mission to keep it going. You've been attacked, and you're feeling angry. But we're not your enemy. We need to find out if the person who did this intended to make the time jump, and if they did, if they intend to take anything and try and go back. You know we can't send you back, the chances of contamination are too great. But regardless, we can work with this. And with you, but please, we need you to cooperate so we can investigate." She paused, and frowned. "I know you don't like me especially, but I know the engine better than anyone else at DTI. So, how about this? We will let you make the announcement, get things settled, and we can work together. We need to see how the fabric is altered, and interview your crew to ensure there is no self-fulfilling prophecy at work, ensure that our teams are happy. And while we're at it, we can help with your investigation. A few extra eyes might help, and we know how to look for someone trying to lie to us. So, if not friends, can we at least agree to be allies temporarily?" She extended a hand, and for once, Minawara felt like she had meant it.
"Allies I suppose." He shook the hand, and the pair sat in temporary silence. "I suppose now is as good a time as any then." He tapped his console, and checked to see that, with power from the station, the internal communications were alive now, backed by the station itself. Another few taps, with a deep breath, as he waited for the system to connect and prepare to broadcast. A sharp whistle played shipwide, stating a message from the Captain.
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Vesta. It is the duty of the Commanding Officer to ensure his crew is up to date with what is happening, and keep them in the loop. At 1104 Hours, ship time, we engaged the Quantum Slipstream Drive, headed for the Iota system. We did not make it there. Due to a..." he paused and considered the words, "Malfunction, in the drive, we were propelled into a highly charged chroniton field. That, combined with the Quantum Matrix, initiated what is known as a Time Skip. We have traveled three years, to the day, into the future, and over fifty thousand lightyears, to return to the Sol system. This may be hard to hear, and I understand fully. We are investigating what happened, in partnership with the Department of Temporal Investigations. They may come talk to you, ask you about events. You are to give your full cooperation to these two agents. Until their investigation is complete, all personnel are confined to the this docking platform. You will be unable to contact your families, but as soon as you are free, you will be allowed to. Until that time, continue about your duties, see your Department Head for questions. Senior staff, there will be a briefing at 1600. For now, that is all. Thank you everyone, we will get through this together."
The Comm went dead, and he turned to the pair. "There you go. Don't frighten them too much. You will have my report tomorrow morning at 0700." The two stood, and Barnett extended a hand, which he shook. "If you'll excuse me, I have to go talk to my wife."