Rebecca Lange and The Labs

Posted on Sat Aug 17th, 2024 @ 10:10pm by Captain Remy Johansen & Lieutenant Commander Razka Kas & Lieutenant Eirly Andersen

1,807 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Helping Brunel
Location: Between the Alpha and Beta Quadrants
Timeline: MD 14/15 (After Searching sequence, en route back from Earth)

The Holana was given two more sets of coordinates after traveling to the first point of contact. Each time they didn't see anyone, and nothing was picked up on sensors, but a new set of coordinates was sent to the PADD that Corin had given to Kas before he and Eirly left the center in the Himalayan mountains. Each location brought them further away from Earth, further away from anything actually. Finally on the fourth set a large vessel uncloaked in front of them, along with a request to open a channel.

It wasn't a class of vessel that any of them recognized as Starfleet. The body and hull of the ship resembled something of a Vulcan design, but without the hallmark circular warp engine design.

"What is that?" Whispered Remy before announcing that she would be opening a channel.

"I've never seen anything like this before," Eirly admitted

"My people use a similar design, but that isn't one of ours."

The viewscreen revealed a sleek and spartan Bridge. A dark-skinned Vulcan stood at the center, to his left was an older female, likely human with graying brown hair.

"I am Captain Volek of the science vessel Sentinel. We have been expecting you. I believe time is of the essence. We welcome your vessel into our shuttlebay. We will initiate an intercept course with Astrea once everyone is on board. Dr. Lange has much to discuss with you, Captain Johansen."

The runabout wasn't really a stand and speak kind of layout the way that the Bridge of the Astrea was, so Remy remained seated as she scrutinized the people and image before her.

"And I have questions for her," the Captain responded. "I'm more than willing to come aboard, but before we just load up the shuttle how do I know that my people are going to be safe. What we just went through wasn't particularly pleasant."

The Vulcan turned to the woman who spoke up. "There are certain precautions that must be taken. That said, we've heard of some things are not sanctioned. I hope you'll take our word that the screening process is over."

She continued, "Captain Johansen, we've tried to continue your work. I've been hoping for an opportunity to speak with you under the right circumstances. We welcome your team as well. You've obviously selected these individuals for a reason."

Remy nodded. "Give us a moment." She cut off the transmission. "I'm going either way, are you guys coming with me?"

Eirly shrugged, "We've already come this far and I want to see it through, so I'm coming as well. Kas?" She turned to look at him and get his response.

"We will be safe," Kas said with confidence. "That vessel was altered by the Quath'Mar, they won't harm us."

Kas smiled looking at a coded message on his console, it was from an old mentor. Kas's hands glided over the controls as the vessel was guided into the ship's shuttle bay.

When they stepped into the corridors of the Sentinel it was difficult to not notice how shiny everything was. The floors and walls were a sleek white finish broken up occasionally by an equally high gloss black computer terminal. There were metallic recess panels in the ceiling finished to a point where they almost looked like chrome.

"What is this place?" Remy asked.

"An independent science vessel," Dr. Lange answered. "Several benefactors are involved, no one organization or person owns it. When we first started we didn't have anything like this, but we knew if we were going to keep going we were going to need better technology just to stay undetected - not to mention to do the research we were trying to keep alive any justice."

Kas moved in step with Remy watching for danger and looking for allies, he was sure his people were among the 'benefactors' the Doctor spoke of. The Hybrid kept his face neutral his eyes were barely visible through his goggles giving off the impression of an old earth bodyguard.

OPEN TAG

"You know what we need?" Remy asked cautiously.

"I believe so," Dr. Lange replied. "We have medical facilities on board. We believe the safest place to do the procedure would be here - not just for the child, but for security reasons as well. If there was a medical team in place for him already, we can discuss how to bring them aboard."

Remy turned to Eirly and smiled hopefully.

"I do hope I can pick your brain on some things while you are here, Captain," Dr. Lange continued. "You know we were about to recruit you when you decided to go back to Starfleet after all."

Remy's breath caught in her through for several seconds before she realized she was holding it. This person knew quite a bit about her, and Remy had little power to level the playing field.

Dr. Lange turned to Eirly. "As a tactical officer you must appreciate that the Captain's research was cutting edge. It was new, and it was working. But she didn't start from scratch. It was reactionary - responding to direct threats of biological warfare. She and her team started their work by learning how to neutralize a weapon."

Remy held her tongue. She had a lot of opinions on Starfleet's hesitation to endorse the research and its quick demise. The fact that this scientist knew so much about it and Remy had never heard of her before a few days ago troubled her.

Eirly nodded in understanding. She schooled her features into neutrality the surprise at what Dr. Lange mentioned about the neutralizing of weapons, "Of course. That would be extremely valuable information to know and learn, something I would actually find quite interesting myself if I was in that kind of position."

"So I triggered some sort of alarm just by showing up in Lhasa," Remy stated. "Why were people waiting for me? What is it that you want?"

"It's not just you, Captain. You're one of a number of researchers who - depending on their motivations - might be invited here should they seek us out. And you aren't the first," Dr. Lange stated. "As for what we're after... I'd like to show you what we've been able to do here first if you could be patient with me."

Dr. Lange stopped in front of a door and placed her palm over a sensor opening the door to a pristine lab. Three workers dressed in sterile blue lab suits were in the room, though presently the lab tables were clear, and everything appeared be stored behind glass against the long back wall of the lab.

One of the workers brought Dr. Lange a portable terminal, and she began typing, causing a 3-D image to display on the lab table. "Your theory was a success. We were able to neutralize the weaponized silicone based virus using the positronic net. We worked on this project for the next two years after Starfleet shut it down. The work is all here."

Remy walked over to the display and studied it. She manipulated the controls in the hologram and a simulation began to run. Her eyes danced across the lights as she studied it. Someone else - other people, doing for her what she'd been forbidden to complete. She shook her head slowly as she processed everything with mixed emotions.

Remy nodded. "And?"

Dr. Lange responded, "And it's a solid protocol. We've used it in numerous applications. It works. But we can't counter the actual threats that are in circulation right now if we don't know what they are."

Eirly's eyes widened slightly as she read between the lines of what Dr. Lange was actually saying, "So you're wanting us," she pointed between herself, Remy and Kas, "To bring you work to research that could potentially put us in danger, even more than we're already in by just being here, while you sit back and wait? Is that what you're getting at?"

"Not the three of you alone. I'd be delighted to set up one of our people as a contact for you in your official capacity as a security chief, or even with Astrea's intelligence officer if that's more appropriate," Lange explained. "Right now we have information that the Syndicate may be trying to arrange a buy from the Nausicaan's regarding a similar biological weapon, though we don't know the origins. This isn't the first time we've had information like this come through. Most of the time we don't have the resources to put to trying to intercept or track down the trade."

Kas stood silently listening and observing, he looked at Remy and wondered what she'd told Eilry about this mission. From his experience with Remy he'd known the kind of trouble he was signing up for... Kas's nostrils flared as he caught a familiar scent.

"The Quath'Mar will aid as well," a man said as he entered. "Our vessels are pretty spread out at the moment but we have intel and resources you don't"

Kas turned and bowed his head at the site of the newcomer. The man stepped forward and kissed the top of Kas's head. He was dressed in a black jumpsuit with a purple cloak draped over his shoulders. "Good to see you, son"

"I am Til'Terkom, our people aided in this vessel's stealth technology," Til'Terkom explained. "You must be Capt. Johansen, I thought you'd do a better job of keeping this fool out of trouble."

Kas stiffened at his mentor's words, but this man had earned the right to mock him, and both knew it.

"I am," Remy admitted. "I don't aim to keep anyone out of trouble," she chided.

Remy turned back to Dr. Lange. "I do think Starfleet would have an interest in knowing about these dealings, and gathering as much intelligence as possible. We will take whatever information you give us. I can't promise anything in return," she said seriously. "I'm going to need to get back to my ship as soon as possible. While I am here, show us the real labs. I want to see the technology in use. Where will Brunel's procedure happen? The rest of your staff?"

"I can see it will take some time to earn your trust. To the medical labs it is." Lange gestured to the door for the group to exit the lab they were currently in. "We'll take a turbolift to Deck 12."

Remy leaned into Eirly, "Burn every face and name into your memory that you can," she said in a low voice.

Eirly didn't question it, simply nodding in response and saying quietly, "Ja, will do."

~tbc~

Captain Remira Johanson
Commanding Officer
USS Astrea

Lt. Commander Razka Kas
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Astrea

Lieutenant Eirly Andersen
Chief Security Officer
USS Astrea

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