Part 1 (2/2)
Pitts's exposition continued as the lift doors parted to admit both men to the Kelvin' Kelvin's bridge. No one there was taking their ease. Some were moving quickly from one station to another to check readouts or confer with their colleagues. Everywhere, hands and eyes were in constant motion. Old reports were being processed and new queries initiated.
One day, Robau told himself, Robau told himself, we'll be able to do away completely with the primitive inputting of information via repeated digital impression and just talk to a s.h.i.+p's central data processing system about everything. we'll be able to do away completely with the primitive inputting of information via repeated digital impression and just talk to a s.h.i.+p's central data processing system about everything. But not yet. Voice recognition technology was fine for handling basic s.h.i.+p operations, but not for handling the immense complexities involved in directing the more intricate activities of a stars.h.i.+p. A command wrongly interpreted by a toaster might result in burnt toast. A command wrongly interpreted by a stars.h.i.+p as powerful as the But not yet. Voice recognition technology was fine for handling basic s.h.i.+p operations, but not for handling the immense complexities involved in directing the more intricate activities of a stars.h.i.+p. A command wrongly interpreted by a toaster might result in burnt toast. A command wrongly interpreted by a stars.h.i.+p as powerful as the Kelvin Kelvin might result in consequences rather more serious. Starfleet was working on the problem, he knew, and such technology was improving by the day. For example, there was a new s.h.i.+p under construction that... might result in consequences rather more serious. Starfleet was working on the problem, he knew, and such technology was improving by the day. For example, there was a new s.h.i.+p under construction that...
It wasn't his s.h.i.+p, he reminded himself as he approached the Kelvin' Kelvin's first officer. Whatever they were facing, they would have to make do with existing technology.
”Report.”
”Readings show gravitational distortions on an astronomic scale, Captain, but we can't localize the source. I know that's contradictory, but the anomaly is irregular and-I don't know how else to say it-all over the place. We're still trying to identify a nexus and-” He broke off as his instruments demanded his attention. ”Sir, new contact, bearing zero-three-four.”
An alarm began to sound throughout the bridge and the rest of the s.h.i.+p. Proximity warning, Proximity warning, Robau knew. But proximate to what? How could the Robau knew. But proximate to what? How could the Kelvin' Kelvin's sensors be overwhelmed by a gravitational distortion they couldn't pinpoint?
Glancing in Robau's direction, the helmsman imparted information that was also an opinion. ”Captain, we're a full light-year outside the Klingon Neutral Zone. Unless this is another of their probes or provocations, it doesn't seem reasonable the distortion would have anything to do with the Empire.”
Approaching the helm, Robau directed his attention to the screen that showed the view from the forward sensors. There was nothing to be seen there but star field. Yet unless the Kelvin' Kelvin's instrumentation had been impossibly compromised or had otherwise suffered a ma.s.sive failure of indeterminate cause, something was was out there. Something imposing. And according to the sensors, not nearly as far distant as the readings suggested it ought to be. out there. Something imposing. And according to the sensors, not nearly as far distant as the readings suggested it ought to be.
”Could the anomaly be reflecting the presence of a new type of s.h.i.+p drive?”
”If it is originating from a vessel, then it's not Klingon, sir.” The first officer was very certain. ”The distortion that's being generated doesn't match any recorded profile.”
”As I said-something new, then.” Robau continued to study the forward view.
”Something different, anyway,” the science officer murmured under his breath as he scrutinized his own instruments.
”There!” It was the communications chief who spoke first.
Ahead of the Kelvin Kelvin a gigantic ring of energy flared explosively to life. To many it looked like a lightning storm in s.p.a.ce. That in itself would have been enough to draw the attention of everyone on the bridge. But the dazzling disruption of otherwise empty s.p.a.ce was not what fixed the gaze of all who were present. Their attention was focused on the shape that was materializing from the center of the anomaly. a gigantic ring of energy flared explosively to life. To many it looked like a lightning storm in s.p.a.ce. That in itself would have been enough to draw the attention of everyone on the bridge. But the dazzling disruption of otherwise empty s.p.a.ce was not what fixed the gaze of all who were present. Their attention was focused on the shape that was materializing from the center of the anomaly.
”Is that,” the science officer whispered in awe, ”a s.h.i.+p s.h.i.+p?”
Someone-or something's-idea of a s.h.i.+p continued to emerge from the precise center of the circular gravitational distortion. And continued to emerge. An immense construct of paralyzed geometry rendered solid in metal and composite and materials the Kelvin' Kelvin's sensors could not fully explicate, it completely dwarfed the Federation vessel. Staring at it, the science officer was put in mind of a gigantic mutated squid that had been unable to stop itself from growing more and more tentacles than it needed. In vast sweeping curves of dark material lit only intermittently by internal illumination, these ”arms” curved toward the tiny Kelvin Kelvin as if reaching out to grab the much smaller s.h.i.+p. as if reaching out to grab the much smaller s.h.i.+p.
”It looks,” the science officer declared, ”as if whoever designed it couldn't stop building. I've been in a couple of historical structures like that, where the owners just kept adding room after room without any thought as to whether or not they were needed or would ever be utilized.” He nodded in the direction of the forward viewscreen. ”I don't know what it is or where it came from, but if it's Klingon I'll swallow a d'k tahg d'k tahg points first.” points first.”
While impressed by the intruder's immensity, Robau was more concerned with its purpose. ”Are they transmitting anything? On any frequency?”
Gazing at his console, the communications chief shook his head. ”Negative, Captain. All hails meet with silence. As near as I can tell, they're not even talking to themselves.”
Too quiet, Robau thought uneasily. Whoever was behind anything that big ought to have something to say. And the vessel, if that was indeed what it was, was showing too much internal illumination to suggest it might be a ghost s.h.i.+p. Was its crew even now studying the Robau thought uneasily. Whoever was behind anything that big ought to have something to say. And the vessel, if that was indeed what it was, was showing too much internal illumination to suggest it might be a ghost s.h.i.+p. Was its crew even now studying the Kelvin Kelvin and thinking similar thoughts? It was hard to formulate any reasonable a.s.sumptions, given the paucity of information. Just as it was difficult to decide how to respond to the intruder's continuing silence. and thinking similar thoughts? It was hard to formulate any reasonable a.s.sumptions, given the paucity of information. Just as it was difficult to decide how to respond to the intruder's continuing silence.
”Keep hailing them. You're sure there's nothing on the registry at all, not even speculation about an experimental craft of this size?”
”No, sir,” replied the first officer.
Robau understood that putting up s.h.i.+elds could be interpreted as a hostile gesture. But doing nothing could be a fatal one.
”Go to Yellow Alert, s.h.i.+elds up.”
”s.h.i.+elds up, yes, sir!” As the tactical officer inputted the command, the relevant telltales on the bridge responded accordingly. Throughout the Kelvin Kelvin meals were abandoned, conversations terminated, and entertainment venues both general and private automatically shut down as the crew scrambled to battle stations. meals were abandoned, conversations terminated, and entertainment venues both general and private automatically shut down as the crew scrambled to battle stations.
The communications officer's frustration was clear in his voice. ”Captain, they're still not responding to our hails. Even if there's a language problem, they ought to acknowledge our abstracts.”
Once again Robau considered the possibility that they were confronting a ghost s.h.i.+p. But if that was the case, then why had it emerged so near to them from the depths of the gravitational anomaly? Coincidence? Had the craft possessed a functioning crew on the other side of the anomaly that had only just this moment gone silent?
”Maybe they can't,” he hypothesized. ”I know it's a radical configuration we're looking at, but I'd still think our sensors could discern any identifiable damage. Atmosphere bleed, excessive radiation discharge, visible hull violation-something to indicate that they're disabled.”
The first officer was quick to shoot down the possibility. ”Negative. It may be distinctively peculiar, sir, but it appears to be intact.”
Robau looked toward Pitts. ”Lieutenant, signal all departments and add a special alert to science detail. First contact protocols to be initiated. We might have someone new on the block.”
Pitts nodded his comprehension. ”Should we initiate a scan?”
Despite his desperate desire to know more about who or what they were confronting, Robau did not have to ponder the officer's question. He replied immediately.
”No. Could be seen as an act of further provocation. That they haven't responded in a hostile fas.h.i.+on to us raising our s.h.i.+elds is a positive sign. Let's build on that.” He nodded toward the helmsman. ”Take us in for a closer look-nice and slow. Pa.s.sive scans only. No maneuvers that could be interpreted as aggressive.”
Slowly and on impulse power the Kelvin Kelvin began to approach the gargantuan creation. Given the continuing lack of information, no one could even be certain as yet that the visitor was a s.h.i.+p. For all they knew at this point, it might be a comatose inorganic life-form. Despite himself the science officer again had visions of reaching tentacles. began to approach the gargantuan creation. Given the continuing lack of information, no one could even be certain as yet that the visitor was a s.h.i.+p. For all they knew at this point, it might be a comatose inorganic life-form. Despite himself the science officer again had visions of reaching tentacles.
”The size of the thing,” the first officer was murmuring. ”Even its construction materials are unrecognizable. If it is a s.h.i.+p, its internal power supply must be off the charts. The amount of dilithium alone required to-”
Speculation was cut off by warning signals. Pitts's eyes grew wide as he stared at his instruments. ”Sir, I have a reading-they've locked weapons on us!”
Robau's expression tightened. ”Are you absolutely certain, absolutely certain, Mister Pitts?” Mister Pitts?”
”Yes, sir! The pertinent signatures are new but not unrecognizable.” He whirled to face the captain. ”There's no doubt!”
That answered the question as to whether or not they were dealing with a s.h.i.+p, Robau decided. ”Red Alert! Arm weapons systems!”
Anyone on board who had neglected to fully comply with the previous alert needed no further urging to drop whatever they had been doing and respond to stations. Lights and warnings flared and blared throughout the length and breadth of the Kelvin. Kelvin.
”Incoming!” Pitts yelled the warning as an almost familiar energy schematic appeared on his main monitor. An instant later the first officer confirmed his fellow officer's reading of the newly detected signal.
”Torpedo locked on us at three-twenty degrees, mark two, incoming fast! Type unknown, propulsion system unknown, capability unknown!”
Those not seated scrambled to brace themselves for impact as Robau roared orders.
”Evasive pattern delta five. Return fire, full spread! Prepare to-!”
There was no time to prepare.
Unexpectedly, the incoming weapon seemed to shatter. Instead of a single missile it devolved into a spray of smaller yet still immensely powerful projectiles. Slamming into the Kelvin, Kelvin, the unknown weapons ripped open several decks before finally concluding their path of destruction near the main engine room. Men and women were sent flying by the ma.s.sive explosion that ensued. Others died almost instantly as the hull in their vicinity was breached and they were sucked out into the vacuum of s.p.a.ce. Supports were twisted, sensitive instruments shattered, lines of communication severed. Precious atmosphere was consumed by fire that the s.h.i.+p's automatic suppressors struggled to keep from spreading. the unknown weapons ripped open several decks before finally concluding their path of destruction near the main engine room. Men and women were sent flying by the ma.s.sive explosion that ensued. Others died almost instantly as the hull in their vicinity was breached and they were sucked out into the vacuum of s.p.a.ce. Supports were twisted, sensitive instruments shattered, lines of communication severed. Precious atmosphere was consumed by fire that the s.h.i.+p's automatic suppressors struggled to keep from spreading.
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