Commodore Wallace finished reading the PADD about his new CMO and now realized the importance of the ship's secondary objective, plus the reason for the specialist equipment that was installed aboard the Hornet.
"Commodore Wallace to Commander Wolf."
<Yes, Commodore?> Jenna replied across the comm.
"I'd like to speak to you in my ready room in half an hour," Wallace replied.
<Understood sir. Wolf out.>
Half an hour later, Jenna stood outside the Commodore's ready room.
"Come in, Commander," Wallace said through the open door. "Take a seat."
"Is there a problem?" Jenna asked as she sat opposite Wallace, who was sat behind his desk.
"No, but there is something I want you to read," he replied, passing the PADD he'd earlier just finished....
USS Enterprise-E – Main shuttlebay (2375)....
When the two officers reached the shuttlebay, they found Geordi and the entire shuttlebay crew standing outside.
"What happened?" Riker asked.
"Remember that section of hull? Well, the reason it was still in place was because it had an unexploded weapon embedded in there. I ordered the evacuation of the entire shuttle bay and erected level ten force fields," LaForge stated. "But I doubt whether it will do us any good if it goes off."
[Picard to Commander Riker.]
"Riker here, Captain," Riker replied. "Geordi has discovered an unexploded bomb embedded in the shuttle's hull. Recommend that we eject the shuttle and leave, Captain."
[Geordi, what are the chances of defusing the bomb?] Picard asked.
"Captain, without making a thorough examination of the bomb, I'd say 10%. But any scans that we make could trigger the bomb. I agree with the Commander, ejecting the shuttle is the safest option," Geordi replied.
[And lose a chance to examine a chronoton based weapon. Whoever attacked the shuttle may still be out there and Starfleet may one day begin to re-explore the far side of the Briar Patch. Ejecting the shuttle must be a last resort,] Picard stated. [Any other options?]
"We could always attempt to defuse the bomb in open space," Data stated.
"Using EVA suits." Geordi replied. "Highly risky. What we need is a safe area where we can work in an atmosphere."
[How safe is the shuttle at the moment?] Picard asked.
"We don't know, Captain. Our attempts to bring the hull back into our time may have activated the bomb," Geordi replied. "But if it has then it's not gone off yet."
[Okay, for now I want someone to monitor the shuttle. Keep the areas around the shuttle bay clear. At the first sign of trouble, evacuate the shuttlebay,] Picard ordered.
"Understood," Riker replied. "Riker out."
Present Day....
Commander Wolf finished reading the PADD and put it back down on the desk.
"So?" she inquired.
"How much do you know about the systems aboard the Hornet?" Wallace asked. "Specifically, the shield system."
"As much as anyone I suppose," Jenna replied, then realizing what the Commodore was getting at.
"Now take a look at this," Wallace said, passing Jenna a second PADD, which she started to read.
From : Starfleet Intelligence.
To : Commodore Richard Wallace – USS Hornet.
Classified : Level Ten.
"Should I be reading this?" Jenna asked. "This is for Captains and above only."
"I gave it to you, didn't I?" Wallace replied.
Jenna read on.
Status of USS Columbus
Part of your mission is to attempt to find and recover any and all information regarding the USS Columbus. Coordinates of the USS Columbus's last know position are enclosed, although they are eighty years out of date.
Starfleet Intelligence believes that the Columbus was destroyed for a purpose as yet unknown and by a superior enemy. Starfleet Intelligence also believes that Axeline Joxal Redinium may have been the target of the attack. Motive unknown.
Whilst you are not to put your ship or crew into extreme danger, you are hereby ordered to recover the logs of the USS Columbus at any reasonable cost.
Admiral Karen Steer – Starfleet Intelligence.
Jenna put the second PADD down and took a deep breath. "Very interesting." She remarked.
"It also explains why I have an inexperienced CMO," Wallace replied.
Jenna didn't understand for a moment what the Commodore was talking about, then it hit her.
"Bait," she said. "They're using the Lieutenant as bait."
"And putting this entire ship in danger in the process. You read the message -- 'a superior enemy'. The aliens who attacked the Columbus didn't check to see if their target was there, they just attacked it. I don't want that to happen to my ship and this crew," Wallace remarked.
"This ship is top of the line," Jenna replied. "And unlike the Columbus, we're prepared for an attack and ready to fight back."
Wallace was quiet for a moment. "I suppose you're right. I just wish I could get another CMO, preferable one that's not marked for death."
"Give him a chance, Commodore. From what I've seen he's just a regular guy, I doubt he has any knowledge that he was the cause of the attack on the Columbus," Jenna replied reassuringly.
"So you think he's genuinely lost his memory?" Wallace asked.
"From what I got when I read his mind, yes. I saw no distant memories from his past, just his life within the Federation," Jenna replied. "My brother suspects that the reason he's aboard is to try and find some answers about who he is."
"That would make sense, I suppose. Returning to the area of space where he came from might just 'jog' his memory," Wallace said.
"And any memories he regains may give us more information to work on," Jenna replied.
"Thank you Commander. It's always good to get a second point of view," Wallace replied.
Jenna rose from her chair and headed for the door.
"Commander, let's keep this secondary mission to ourselves, shall we? No point alarming the crew," Wallace asked. "But have that brother of yours keep an eye on our CMO. If any new information does arise, I'd like to be the first to know."
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