An Unfinished Puzzle

Posted on Wed Mar 26th, 2025 by Captain James Cohen & Lieutenant Commander Freya Preston & Lieutenant Amelia Baird & Lieutenant Commander Samuel Bancroft & Lieutenant Shral ch'Vyrhor & Lieutenant Rhys Bennett & Lieutenant Choyi Zaimu & Lieutenant JG Elle Hayashi
Edited on on Wed Mar 26th, 2025

1,207 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: M01 - The Hooke
Location: Observation Lounge, USS Hooke
Timeline: Present

James had called a meeting between his senior officers and Emma Logan who'd come up onto the ship to help with their findings from the mission. He felt somewhat vindicated because he'd been right all along about something going horribly wrong, though he wasn't certain as to what it would be. James had also, for a brief moment, considered never letting his daughter leave the ship again. That whole thing was far too terrifying for him, and he knew he didn't want to risk losing her even if things had turned out the way they did.

James entered the observation lounge to see everyone in the chairs that they'd practically claimed for themselves, and Emma Logan sitting there as well. He sat down at the far end of the table and adjusted before he began speaking. "I suppose we'll go around the room. Commander Preston?"

Freya didn't have much to say, things had gone weird on the planet though she didn't think they'd gone horribly wrong. "I think it would be better if Emma explained." Freya told the Captain, "She has a better handle on the situation than I do, and probably could explain it better than I could as well."

Emma took this opportunity to speak to the Starfleet officers, "Thanks Commander," She said. Emma hadn't expected to be given the opportunity to speak so soon. "Core samples were taken after we were able to escape the ruins, and I believe those were sent up to the ship?" She looked at Rhys.

Rhys nodded, "We were able to confirm that Terra Nova has been hit three separate times by an asteroid. We were also able to decipher the glyphs that you guys found too. Ensign Roma was able to translate much of it, though she's still hard at work trying to learn more. The planet was previously inhabited by an ancient prehistoric race, though we don't have a name for them yet. They worshiped an advanced race that left the artifact and power generator as some sort of god, and they were destroyed by an apocalyptic event."

Emma nodded, "Right," She looked at the Captain, "We think that was one of the times the asteroid struck the planet."

"I see," James replied.

It was Amelia that spoke up next, "I was able to gain access to the database that we found in the asteroid field. This advanced race was moving the asteroids around for some hidden purpose. Much of the data is corrupted, and I believe it to be on purpose."

Zaimu looked between the Chief Engineer and Chief Operations Officers, "Why do you think that?"

Sam had been helping Amelia and as such spoke up, "There is evidence of sabotage to the thrusters and systems for the asteroids. There also appears to be evidence that someone or something was unhappy with the advanced race that controlled the planet."

Shral raised a brow, "Sabotage?" He asked rhetorically, "Perhaps that's why the planet got hit by so many asteroids?"

Elle found herself quite interested, "I'm not understanding how the second race was utterly wiped out, unless they had such a small population close together. Even the Novans somehow survived when their children hid away in the caverns on the planet."

Emma frowned, "They may not have been so lucky. At least we had some technology, it appears that this more ancient species didn't have that. There is also evidence that the two may have been distantly related, but we hardly have the proof for that."

James allowed his senior staff to talk among themselves for a moment before he brought them back into focus, "Regardless it sounds like we've got a long way to go, in order to fully understand what happened. We'll continue to look at the glyphs and translate them. Where is the artifact?" He asked Emma.

Emma folded her hands, "We thought it best to have it brought aboard the Hooke to keep it safe. We've made certain it's deactivated, and the power generator was also disabled by your operations chief."

Sam nodded his head, "That's correct Captain." He said in response. "It appears as if the Novans had tried to use it as a power source, that must have triggered the last asteroid strike and they were simply unaware of that being a problem. They wouldn't have had any warning given how quickly the asteroid came screaming toward the planet."

James shrugged, "Makes sense I suppose," He answered.

Elle leaned back in her chair, "So that I know I'm understanding this correctly, we believe that an advanced alien species lived on Terra Nova a long time ago, they or someone else sabotaged their equipment and it killed a majority of them. Then this ancient species that had no technology rose up, only to destroy themselves?"

Emma smiled warmly, "That's correct." She said, "I know it's a bit strange. But, it's the only explanation for how there are multiple levels of technology inside the ruins and how the glyphs are newer than the more advanced technology."

Elle shrugged, "All right." She answered.

Zaimu looked toward Emma, "So what now?"

Emma shrugged her shoulders before she replied, "We'll move forward with settling on the continent. We've sealed off the ruins until an archeology team sent by Starfleet can arrive. They'll continue to dig the ruins and any information they can find will be sent to the Hooke. Starfleet is going to want you to continue to look into it I'm sure," She replied.

Rhys grinned, "That'll make Ensign Roma happy at least." He pointed out.

"Good," James answered. "I do believe there is really only one thing left to do." He pulled a small box out of his pocket and placed it in front of Sam. "I do believe this is yours Mister Bancroft."

Sam was confused as he took the box and opened it. Then he saw the three pips on the inside, "Captain I don't understand," He said. "I didn't know I was being promoted to Lieutenant Commander."

Freya grinned, "I knew you were," She told him confidently. "I might have mentioned it to Allyson too, though she was sworn to secrecy."

Sam looked at the Exec for a moment and breathed a little rougher than he'd meant to. Sam had denied a previous promotion, and still didn't feel ready for this. He sighed and placed the hollow pip on his collar next to the other two deciding it best to not argue with his Captain. "Thank you sir."

Elle leaned forward with a smile, "Congratulations Commander." She told him, "I've read your profile you've certainly earned that."

"Agreed," Zaimu added.

Shral also agreed, "You've certainly done that Commander." He said with a swift nod, "Congratulations Commander." He folded his hands on the top of the table, happy for the newly promoted Commander.

Sam sighed, "Thanks guys."

James turned his attention to other matters, "All right, well now that this is out of the way I think you've all earned a small bit of time off. I need to go update the Admiral and find out where he plans on sending us next. If there's no plan then I'll probably open the door to the crew visiting the planet." He stood up, "Dismissed."

 

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