Captain Log 

Stardate 24027.04

 

The ship is on course for what has been designated shadow point six, of the Cosia system; here we will deploy our final grouping of probes that will form part of our defensive ruse or screen depending on how they are perceived. The personnel assigned to this task have performed with the utmost dedication. 

We are into our eighth week in this system and  without two way contact with Starfleet command, the effects on warp travel are self evident both from our own initial experiences and the curious shuttle has yet to make contact, the condition is as yet unknown. 

These circumstances are not unlike a deep space assignment, one of which many of the less experienced crew are unaccustomed to, long periods of no contact with command or other fleet ships combined with having to work closely with a tentative ally combined with the uncertainty of the timing of the Vaadwaur have frayed some nerves. I have attempted to instill a sense of purpose and sense of pride in the task of aiding those less fortunate, time will tell if this has been effective.

“Bridge to Morr. Sir, we are approaching the final site.”  A voice filled the small cabin, it’s only occupant a Bolian captain, who paused for a moment holding a fork-full of pie in midair, lips forming a thin smile as he replied. “Acknowledged Lieutenant, I will be there shortly.”

Although he did not make a habit of dining alone, on this occasion the solace it afforded allowed Vilgi to plan the next move not just of his ship and crew but that of the system they currently protected. Well half a ship would be more accurate. It seemed prudent to make use of the unique ability to not just  separate, but function adequately in this state. It allowed them to cover more ground by having a presence at two primary objectives. 

Standing up while dabbing once at his mouth with the napkin, which was about to cast onto the finished meal before eyes fell on the cake slice that lay untouched on the table, with a warm smile he took a corner in between finger and thumb of each hand, flapping it out and laying it over the sweet food item. Sliding the data pad off the table and cradling, he paced to the door and stepped partially through the threshold before tapping the control panel to the side. “Note to steward, please leave dessert on the table covered, i will return.”

Out in the corridors of the vessel Vilgi paced quickly but unhurried hands head behind his back to the nearest turbolift groupings and made his way to the secondary bridge, the command center for the separated engineering section. 

The short quiet corridor that connected the lift stop with the bridge itself, was quiet as usual and seemed metaphoric in some cases, the calm before the storm. Rounding the corner it was indeed a hive of activity, all stations being occupied, and those at the auxiliary stations that lined the circumference clearly in conversation. The helm officer noticed his arrival first, giving a nod to the watch officer who vacated the command chair and took charge of one of the standing stations with a simple. “Sir.” 

Vilgi turned his attention almost immediately to the pair on the port side consoles, the vast wall displays showing both the dispersal plan for the next phase, the most recent sensor display of the area, and status of the probes to be deployed. Both hands on the rail that separated and bordered the primary and auxiliary console, his brow furrowed as his eyes darted across the screens and he queried. “What is the status of preparations, are they proceeding as planned?” 

A Romulan and Andorian officer halted there conversation abruptly, looking up for a moment, the Romulans movement was a little quicker fixing her attention  wide-eyed on him momentarily before looking back to the screens just as quickly, in the Andorians case he made brief eye contact with a natural smile, gesturing with an arm up and back towards the the screens as he began to answer, a brief touch of the shoulder of his Romulan counterpart  he finished his report. “The probes are laid out in the lower bay and the initial formation programming has been set. Shaiya is finessing the specific signatures for this grouping, but they’re not far off.” 

“Yes Captain, I have selected a pair of Malam-Class signatures, and am attempting to emulate a Valdor-Class signature. It is a work in progress at the moment but I hope it to be ready when needed.” Shiya related, her careful and concise word choice jarring against her demeanor, her gaze never still, shifting constantly between Vilgi, then Charnack, and the screens of her console.

“The heavy back up squadron lurking in the weeds, I like it, don’t let me hold you up.” Vilgi responded with a smile that flashed teeth for a moment, before pushing off the rail, taking a stride towards the center chair, easing himself down and leaning into the backrest. Just catching the tactical officer glaring across the room at the Andorian/Romulan engineering team, a wrinkled nose, a curled lip, then it was gone, his attention back on his station and his duty. 

“Time to target coordinates?”

“Thirty seconds.” 

“Okay let’s follow established pattern, Auxiliary to Dampeners as we drop out, I want to execute a ninety port turn once we’re stable from warp.”

The remaining seconds slid by at an impossibly slower rate, the slowest to date Vilgi figured, he started a slow swivel with one foot, when inevitably.

“Five to transition.”

“Three.”

“Two.”

“One.”

Out in space a vessel slowed rapidly, the sudden drop from faster than light speeds to substantially slower had only a little visible effect, slight shimmering in the solid blue hue that ran along the middle the upper pair of naccels. The Cheyenne in its sepperated state looked odder than usual, the forward section having the likeness of a rounded Nova-like trowel shaped that had shrunk, with slender tower like structures extending downwards and upwards, with both sprouting slender, blunt ended naccales that extended further backwards.

The vessel plowed forward towards the now clear destination, a shattered moon orbiting the rogue gas giant, adjacent to the Cosia system. The spatial debris and inconsistent gravitational forces would make perfect cover for any inconsistencies or fluctuation in the projected signatures. Progress continued until the vessel pitched carefully to port the turn, continuing until the back end of the naccals began to point at the fractured moon.

Along the trailing edge of the lower tower, a faring-like section began to separate and fold outward. This exposed a section to space following which a trio of objects, torpedo-like only with an expanded area on the middle section and a concave faring attached to one end, emitted downwards then pushed towards the moon, followed by three more groups of three.

“All probe groupings deployed, sir.” The clear report from his left coincided with the feed from the forward display, the propulsion jets of the last three of the twelve probes cutting off.  The overlay on the display screen picked out each and displayed an immediate status, helping to distinguish them from surrounding debris. Vilgi at the moment was hunched forward, elbows on armrests, chin resting on loosely clenched hands, his attention fixed on the display. On hearing the report nodded slowly, then shifted to sit up and pushed back into the chair. “Time for full configuration?”

“Approximately two hours ten minutes, Captain.” 

“Then I will finish dinner. Charnack you have the Conn. Contact me if anything major occurs.” Vilgi stated as he suddenly stood from his chair, throwing a quick glance down towards the Andorian Lieutenant along with a smile. As he turned to leave Vilgi once again caught a glance of the Tactical Lieutenant, a brief glare and brow furrow in the Romulans direction. He paced towards the rear of the bridge moving arms behind him as he did so, and exited leaving the crew alone to perform their functions.