Episode 2: Rogue Planet

Captain’s Log, 2266.215.5: Chi Ceti A Asteroid Field
Solace has been assigned to deliver maintenance and upkeep to the mining facility in this region; life support and power supply had become dangerously unstable in the past two weeks. In addition, while present, Chief of Operations O’Brien has asked for help in repositioning several key deposit bodies.

Solace DRTs maintained and repaired Chi Ceti A's mining station's power transfer conduits and life support. Meanwhile, the workbee swarm relocated several manageable asteroids, while, via tractor beam and phaser bank, Solace disintegrated several obstructing asteroids. In all, it was tedious, dull, and routine; typical Detroit-class assignment fare.

Upon completion, Admiral Sterling contacted via Starfleet with new orders: rendezvous with Sirius which was surveying the Arachnid Nebula.

Captain’s Log, 2266.225.75: Arachnid Nebula
We have arrived at the outskirts of the Arachnid Nebula. Observing the nebula, the Lincoln-class Laboratory, Sirius, has suffered impulse and warp engine complications. Our engineers are looking into the problem, but the scientists aboard Sirius are demanding that Solace take them into the nebula to investigate anomalous readings.

The chief scientists aboard Sirius were anxious -- two days ago they had detected a gravimetric anomaly within the Nebula that was moving at roughly 30 km per minute. At the anomaly's current velocity, coupled with the inherent sensor-baffling of the Nebula, the anomaly would be lost within a day. Therefore, with Admiral Sterling's command, the four chief scientists temporarily transfered to Solace, and Solace was charged with assisting them in surveying the anomaly.

Drs. Hoya (a Benzite), Talas (an Andorian), Vanyas (a Vulcan), and Zimmerman (an Human) set up a makeshift science lab in Solace's cargo bay #3. Solace pursued the anomaly and quickly located it: a rogue planetoid slowly tumbling through the Nebula, its own trailing atmosphere mixed with the elements present within the Nebula and created a perpetual, enshrouding ion storm of not inconsiderable force.

Troubled by the situation, Captain Pike resisted further investigation. Again, however, the Sirius scientists went over his head, contacted Starfleet, and, by command of Admiral Sterling, a shuttle (piloted by Ensign T'zark) was sent planetside with the four doctors, along with Solace's meager science staff (Ensign Dole and Cadet Pren). The expedition was only made possible via some creative, and ultimately dangerous, tractor beam modifications dreamt up by Ensigns Soong and Dole.

Planetside, the away team discovered ancient, cyclopean ruins of dusty orange rock that dated back approximately 5,000 years. Intricate heiroglyphs decorated several pieces. Before further research could be conducted, however, the ion storm worsened and Captain Pike ordered everyone back to Solace. As consolation, he allowed them to bring samples aboard -- the four scientists brought a large block with sample heiroglyphs.

The flight back was damaging to the shuttlecraft due to the intensifying magnitude of the ion storm. Moments after the shuttle landed, as the scientists took their samples to Cargo Bay #3, Solace was struck by a vicious ion bolt. The port nacelle took the brunt of the energy burst, and shorted out. Overtaxed and struck by errant bolts, the starboard nacelle quickly followed. Powerless, Solace was buffeted by the storm, and effectively dead in space.

DRTs scrambled to repair Solace. Meanwhile, Red Alert was established, security details were posted, and an unreasoning level of anxiety began gripping the crew. Arguments began, tempers flared, and scuffles soon followed. The worst of this occured in Cargo Bay #3, when Dr. Vanyas incapacitated Ensign T'zark with a nerve pinch. Cadet Pren escaped to report the incident, first to H'suur and his security detail, and then to Captain Pike. Ensign Shran added a detected radiation presence emanating from the cargo bay, and Ensign Mirenne confirmed the abnormally high level of tension.

Cadet Pren was able to identify the radiation as benzilon, a very rare radiation found only in a handful of relics that Starfleet had encountered from an unnamed, but believed extinct alien culture. The radiation had an adverse effect on most sentient species, inhibiting their ability to maintain civility and control rage impulses. In short, it turned its victims into brutal berserkers.

As multiple teams finally converged on the locked cargo bay, a murdered crew member, Ensign Michael Darnell, was found along with another, Ensign Elizabeth Ramart, who had suffered horrible stab wounds; both apparent victims of a vicious attack.

As H'suur, Liara, and several security officers made their way into Cargo Bay #3, Ensign Mirenne telepathically incapacitated Dr. Talas, and informed the security detail of the opposition and their positions. Forewarned, the security and tactical team entered the cargo bay and quickly incapacitated Drs. Hoya, Vanyas, and Zimmerman.

Ensigns Dole and T'zark were rescued, and the relic quickly disposed into the Nebula.

Captain's Log, Supplemental, 2266.228.5: Rendezvous with Sirius
DRTs restored power and drive capability to Solace. We have returned the four scientists to their ship. Drs. Hoya, Talas, and Zimmerman have been cleared of involvement. Dr. Vanyas was directly linked to the murder of Ensign Darnell and the attack on Ensign Ramart, and will stand trial for his unfortunate crimes.