The Mission

Previously……

“So why are we here ?” Logan asked Azri. “Just what is this mission of yours ?”

Now……

Azri was quite for a moment and then she dimmed the lights and activated the viewscreen. The image of a vessel appeared on the screen.

“This is Section 31’s central database, Star One.” Azri stated. “And we are going to infiltrate it and recover a device which may save the Federation from total destruction.”

”Star One !” Rashad exclaimed. “That’s just a myth; there is no central database for Section 31. Having everything in one place would be a disaster for Section 31 if it were ever discovered or destroyed.”

“That is true, but Star One does exist and it is Section 31’s central computer core.” Azri explained. “But as you said, having it in one place would be suicide, which is why it is housed on this vessel. Star One roams Federation space, travelling at warp for most of the time. However, every twenty four hours, it drops out of sub-space, connects to the sub-space network and transfers any requested data to Section 31 HQ before uploading new data and requests and returning to sub-space.”

“So how does the crew survive and how does the data transfer work ?” Logan enquired. “There’s no way such a system could work.”

“There is a flaw in the system, which is that the last piece of data transmitted is the location for the next emergence. Intercept this and you’ll know where the vessel will next appear. As for the crew, there is none, the vessel is totally automated, plotting courses and avoiding other vessels. Occasionally there are maintenance crews onboard and the vessel did originally have a crew, but now it runs itself.”

“So why do you need us ?” Logan asked.

“I needed the Hellcat to reach Star One in time to intercept it.” Azri replied. “Commander t’Kul was easily persuaded to assist due to her current condition, enforced upon her by Section 31. In order to be cured, she was to kidnap Lieutenant Kahfre and hand her over to Section 31. Rahel is important to Section 31, so important that they are willing to destroy the Federation to achieve their goals and protect their investment.”

“But she has kidnapped Rahel.” Logan pointed out.

“Yes, ironic isn’t it that in order to free herself, she has been forced to do exactly what Section 31 wanted her to do.” Azri commented. “But her expertise will be vital in both extracting the data I require and curing Rashad.”

“How do we know that you’re not doing exactly what Section 31 wants and delivering me to them ?” Rahel enquired.

“Because I don’t work for Section 31…..” Azri announced. “…..at least not exclusively. Think of me as a freelance agent for hire. I have worked for many different governments, including the Federation, Romulan and Klingon Empires and the Tholians. Once I have what I need and Rashad is cured, you will see that I am telling you all the truth.”

“So how long until we reach this Star One ?” Logan asked.

“About eighteen hours.” Azri stated. “But that will only be the start of our mission. The vessel maybe unmanned, but it is not without its defences both internally and externally. That is why I could not use my own ship, it would instantly be recognised and Star One would jump back into sub-space and Section 31 would be alerted to my activities.”

“But the Hellcat could advance on the vessel under cloak.” Logan commented. “Which is another reason for using the Hellcat. So what will we be up against ?”

“To be honest, I don’t know.” Azri stated. “Star One has over the centuries undergone a number of upgrades to its weapons and shield system. Expect the most advanced weapon systems Starfleet has and push them forward ten years. As for the internal defences, I know that these were upgraded about four years ago when a new central core was installed.”

“You said the fate of the Federation rested on the success of this mission.” Rahel remarked. “How do you know ?”

“At this present time, there is a massive invasion fleet on the edge of Mulluran borders which is capable of destroying the Federation. Section 31 has been tracking these vessels for over a year and has its own fleet of vessels hidden in the Briar patch, but it will not be enough. These invaders know only one thing, death and destruction and their name is the Karled.”

“The Karled, but that’s the race the Axelines are fighting.” Rashad commented.

“And losing.” Azri continued. “The Karled were almost wiped out by the Axelines, but somehow they survived, built up their forces and returned the favour. This peace mission by the Axelines to the Federation is an attempt by them to bring in another strong race to defeat the Karled. They don’t just want our help in surviving, they know that the Karled will attack the Federation, whether they agree to help the Axelines or not.”

“So how can we stop it ?” Rahel asked.

“For many years I have been tracking a device which may help.” Azri stated. “Two months ago, I finally managed to retrieve it, but it was incomplete. The key to activating the device is on Star One and has been for centuries.”

“Just how long has Star One existed ?” Logan asked.

“Since Lily Sloane built it in 2170.” Azri stated.

“Sloane !” Rashad stated. “Was she any relation to Section 31’s Sloane ?”

“The Sloane that works for Section 31 was the great-grandson of Lily Sloane.” Azri admitted. “All the clones that have come after him are based on his DNA.”

“Who is Lily Sloane ?” Rahel asked. “I’ve heard the name, but I just can’t place it.”

“Lily Sloane was the chief engineer on the Phoenix, she was the one who changed Cochrane’s vision into a reality.” Azri stated.

“She is also the founded of Picard Enterprises, a company that she set up three years after Cochrane’s first warp flight.” Rashad added. “Picard Enterprises started out by designed and built advanced power systems, but they soon moved into designing and building warp engines and weapons systems. But it also had a more sinister side, one which few knew about. When Starfleet was first created, they offered to build deep-space probes for them, which could be sent out into space to check up on other alien races. These probes were fitted with an advanced sensor array which was far more accurate at obtaining data than anything else on offer. Slowly they moved deeper and deeper into Earth government and the military and from there started to gain involvement into alien governments. When the Federation was founded, Picard Enterprises held so much influence over the member worlds, that they managed to create what we now know of as Section 31.”

“How did they achieve this ?” Rahel asked.

“No one is actually sure.” Azri replied. “Some say that Lily Sloane was actually an alien who came to Earth to somehow influence and advance its development, others say that she actually came from the future and brought with her advanced technologies, which she then used to build up Picard Enterprises. The most plausible explanation is that she somehow managed to get hold of technology from the USS Enterprise-E when it followed a Borg sphere back through time. Defeating the Borg was certainly one of Section 31’s major objectives when it was set up, as if Lily was making sure that when the Borg did finally arrive, Earth would be sufficiently advanced enough to fight them.”

“When did she die ?” Rahel asked.

“That’s the thing, no-one knows.” Azri replied. “Just like Cochrane, she vanished from site. Many believed that she was killed by Romulans, her last known position was very close to the Romulan border. Others believed that she went looking for Cochrane, but most believe that she simple decided to retire into obscurity.”

“We should all get some rest.” Rashad stated. “If what Azri had told us is half true then we’re going to up against it.”

“You’re assuming that we’re going to help you.” Logan suggested, looking over at Rahel.

“ Logan, if what Azri says is true about being able to cure Rashad, then I for one want to help.” Rahel replied. “Plus just think of all the data Section 31 must have stored on that ship. Maybe there’s some information on my past and why Section 31 is so interested in me, there may even be information on my sister. If you won’t do it for Rashad, then do it for me.”

“I can’t guarantee that they’ll be much time to search the computer core.” Azri stated. “But with an extra pair of hands, we might just be able to do some research in Rahel’s past.”

“Then I guess I’m in.” Logan admitted finally.

“Then we have about seventeen hours before we arrive at the co-ordinates Star One will emerge from.” Azri announced. “And Mister McQueen, thank you.”