Season 1, Mission 03: Lost

[cortez]

"Acting Captain's log, stardate 65678.8. Starfleet has ordered us to escort a Romulan ambassador to high level peace talks with the Federation. As such, we're currently in orbit of the busy trade planet of Epsilon V awaiting their transfer. But, I just can't believe it. The Captain is still missing and they're asking us to babysit some Romulan official. Well they may have given up, but I haven't..."

Cortez was sat in his quarters staring at blank computer screen on the desk. Any moment now, he expected the face of his old Academy friend to pop on the screen. As he waited, he couldn't help but think of the upcoming mission the Churchill had been assigned. Had Starfleet really given up on the Captain?

A few more moments passed and the screen flashed to live.

"Mikey!"  came a loud cry

Cortez smiled. Alvin Hutch was an old buddy of his. The two of them had met in their Academy freshman year and remained friends ever since.

"Hutch, it's good to see you"  he replied

Hutch sat back in his chair with a grin on his face.

"So what can I do for you?"

Cortez paused for a moment, turning to a PADD. He entered some information into it as he spoke.

"I was hoping you could look into something for me."  he said

Hutch nodded, "Sure thing, what is it?"

"Commander Alexander Clarke, my commanding officer, is missing."

Hutch leaned forward in his chair, intrigued.

"I heard about that. Tough break. I'll find out what I can, Mikey."

"Thanks Hutch. Stay safe"  Cortez replied.

The two of them nodded before the screen went to black once more. Cortez sat back in his chair wondering where the captain might be right now.

[Petr Hajek]

"Acting Captain's log, stardate 65678.8. Starfleet has ordered us to escort a Romulan ambassador to high level peace talks with the Federation. As such, we're currently in orbit of the busy trade planet of Epsilon V awaiting their transfer. But, I just can't believe it. The Captain is still missing and they're asking us to babysit some Romulan official. Well they may have given up, but I haven't..."

Cortez was sat in his quarters staring at blank computer screen on the desk. Any moment now, he expected the face of his old Academy friend to pop on the screen. As he waited, he couldn't help but think of the upcoming mission the Churchill had been assigned. Had Starfleet really given up on the Captain?

A few more moments passed and the screen flashed to live.

"Mikey!"  came a loud cry

Cortez smiled. Alvin Hutch was an old buddy of his. The two of them had met in their Academy freshman year and remained friends ever since.

"Hutch, it's good to see you"  he replied

Hutch sat back in his chair with a grin on his face.
"So what can I do for you?"

Cortez paused for a moment, turning to a PADD. He entered some information into it as he spoke.

"I was hoping you could look into something for me."  he said

Hutch nodded, "Sure thing, what is it?"

"Commander Alexander Clarke, my commanding officer, is missing."

Hutch leaned forward in his chair, intrigued.

"I heard about that. Tough break. I'll find out what I can, Mikey."

"Thanks Hutch. Stay safe"  Cortez replied.

The two of them nodded before the screen went to black once more. Cortez sat back in his chair wondering where the captain might be right now.

Cortez wasn't the only one wondering what had become of their Captain either.  As the Churchill slowly maintained a standard orbit above Epsilon V murmurings were starting to be heard in the mess hall and crew's quarters about the apparent lack of concern being shown to their CO by Star Fleet.

Hajek had tried to keep his department personnel occupied so as to avoid the free time being filled with questions, but that only lasted until shift change of course.  Petr, Ensihn Beckwith and Crewman Joanne Richardson had run every conceivable test on the sensor arrays and emitters as possible whilst they circled the bustling planet below awaiting further orders, and now that he had ran out of distractions for his team their questions were becoming unavoidable.

" I just don't get it Sir.  Are we not going to go after the Captain?  They can't have just written him off can they?" Beckwith asked with joint concern and disgust at the mere suggestion.

"I really don't think we can devote any of our time and thoughts to the Captain at the moment." Petr answered.  "We just have to assume that the powers that be know a lot more about it than we do, and that they also have his best interests at heart."

He tapped both women on their shoulders and gestured for them to follow him.

"Come on, we deserve a bit of a break after these tests.  They're on me."

[Kale Bridges]

"Acting Captain's log, stardate 65678.8. Starfleet has ordered us to escort a Romulan ambassador to high level peace talks with the Federation. As such, we're currently in orbit of the busy trade planet of Epsilon V awaiting their transfer. But, I just can't believe it. The Captain is still missing and they're asking us to babysit some Romulan official. Well they may have given up, but I haven't..."

Cortez was sat in his quarters staring at blank computer screen on the desk. Any moment now, he expected the face of his old Academy friend to pop on the screen. As he waited, he couldn't help but think of the upcoming mission the Churchill had been assigned. Had Starfleet really given up on the Captain?

A few more moments passed and the screen flashed to live.

"Mikey!"  came a loud cry

Cortez smiled. Alvin Hutch was an old buddy of his. The two of them had met in their Academy freshman year and remained friends ever since.

"Hutch, it's good to see you"  he replied

Hutch sat back in his chair with a grin on his face.

"So what can I do for you?"

Cortez paused for a moment, turning to a PADD. He entered some information into it as he spoke.

"I was hoping you could look into something for me."  he said

Hutch nodded, "Sure thing, what is it?"

"Commander Alexander Clarke, my commanding officer, is missing."

Hutch leaned forward in his chair, intrigued.

"I heard about that. Tough break. I'll find out what I can, Mikey."

"Thanks Hutch. Stay safe"  Cortez replied.

The two of them nodded before the screen went to black once more. Cortez sat back in his chair wondering where the captain might be right now.

Reece was sat on the Bridge. Cortez had been in his quarters since they reached the planet.

He was sat back in the Captains chair, his mind wondering back a few weeks, to when he was forced to rescue over half the crew from the pirate asteroid.

He was still looking over the sensor logs from the station, which he was doing in his free time. There had been little mention of the Captain in them, but he wasn't very far through them.

"How much longer until the Romulan delegate arrives?" Reece asked.

[OctalLord]

Reece was sat on the Bridge. Cortez had been in his quarters since they reached the planet.

He was sat back in the Captains chair, his mind wondering back a few weeks, to when he was forced to rescue over half the crew from the pirate asteroid.

He was still looking over the sensor logs from the station, which he was doing in his free time. There had been little mention of the Captain in them, but he wasn't very far through them.

"How much longer until the Romulan delegate arrives?" Reece asked.

"I'm not sure, during my time with officials from Vulcan who make their lifestyle by being exactly on time. They still chose thier own time and importance. Especially since as soon as they come under our command they lose just about all their authority for the sake of easier command." Octavius responded, swiveling in his new chair.

He had it replaced with one still in regulation but with a much fancier seat that proved to be very comfertable. It set him back until his next payday but Star Fleet payed for all his meals while they were out on mission.

"I just had a thought though.. They're putting alot of trust in us by allowing the Churchill to be the escort. Especially the detail the Federation are having us put into not letting the universe know what we're doing.

[Kale Bridges]

"I'm not sure, during my time with officials from Vulcan who make their lifestyle by being exactly on time. They still chose thier own time and importance. Especially since as soon as they come under our command they lose just about all their authority for the sake of easier command." Octavius responded, swiveling in his new chair.

He had it replaced with one still in regulation but with a much fancier seat that proved to be very comfertable. It set him back until his next payday but Star Fleet payed for all his meals while they were out on mission.

"I just had a thought though.. They're putting alot of trust in us by allowing the Churchill to be the escort. Especially the detail the Federation are having us put into not letting the universe know what we're doing.

Reece slumped back in the chair, staring out of the view screen at the large trading station.

A large cylindrical pillar, with four struts, each strut housing it's own dome. It was an interesting design. Each dome was it's own section. Dozens of ships surrounded it, moving around, communicating with one another, transporting over supplies.
The majority of them were large unsightly freighters. Partially degraded or unclean through wear and tear. The Churchill looked out of place, it's silver hull glistening in the sunlight of the nearby star.
"Starfleet's handling of this matter is infuriating. Clarke... The Captain is still being held hostage lord only knows where, and the Admiralty has us ferrying delegates and politicians from port to port." He said, anger creeping his voice as the sentence went on. He was suddenly aware that crew members were staring.
He stood up. "I'm going to talk to the Commander." He briskly walked around the back railing and headed off towards Cortez's quarters.
He stood in front of the doors, chiming the bell, a few times, making each chime last longer. He was feeling slightly impatient at this time.
He had been since the Asteroid event. Despite rescuing the crew, he still felt like it was a complete failure.

[cortez]

Reece slumped back in the chair, staring out of the view screen at the large trading station.

A large cylindrical pillar, with four struts, each strut housing it's own dome. It was an interesting design. Each dome was it's own section. Dozens of ships surrounded it, moving around, communicating with one another, transporting over supplies.
The majority of them were large unsightly freighters. Partially degraded or unclean through wear and tear. The Churchill looked out of place, it's silver hull glistening in the sunlight of the nearby star.
"Starfleet's handling of this matter is infuriating. Clarke... The Captain is still being held hostage lord only knows where, and the Admiralty has us ferrying delegates and politicians from port to port." He said, anger creeping his voice as the sentence went on. He was suddenly aware that crew members were staring.
He stood up. "I'm going to talk to the Commander." He briskly walked around the back railing and headed off towards Cortez's quarters.
He stood in front of the doors, chiming the bell, a few times, making each chime last longer. He was feeling slightly impatient at this time.
He had been since the Asteroid event. Despite rescuing the crew, he still felt like it was a complete failure.

Cortez was fastening the last hollow pip onto his collar when the chime to his quarters sounded. As he was heading out anyway, he approached the door which soon swished open with its usual grace to reveal his acting first officer, Reece Thompson.

"Lieutenant"  he greeted, stepping out

Setting off down the corridor, he expected the Lieutenant to follow.

"What can I do for you?"

[Kale Bridges]

Cortez was fastening the last hollow pip onto his collar when the chime to his quarters sounded. As he was heading out anyway, he approached the door which soon swished open with its usual grace to reveal his acting first officer, Reece Thompson.

"Lieutenant"  he greeted, stepping out

Setting off down the corridor, he expected the Lieutenant to follow.

"What can I do for you?"

Reece followed for a few seconds, before grabbing his Commanders arm to stop him.

"Sir." He said, before waiting for a nearby crewman to pass. "Sir... I want to know what Starfleet has planned."
He waited a few more seconds, quickly wondering if he was out of line. "The Captain is still MIA... why aren't we looking for him? What is Command doing? I only ask because... well, the crew is beginning to ask questions.... and the senior staff don't have any answers. What makes shepherding this Romulan more important than finding our Captain."

[cortez]

Reece followed for a few seconds, before grabbing his Commanders arm to stop him.

"Sir." He said, before waiting for a nearby crewman to pass. "Sir... I want to know what Starfleet has planned."
He waited a few more seconds, quickly wondering if he was out of line. "The Captain is still MIA... why aren't we looking for him? What is Command doing? I only ask because... well, the crew is beginning to ask questions.... and the senior staff don't have any answers. What makes shepherding this Romulan more important than finding our Captain."

Cortez continued round a corner, nodding at a female crewman as she passed by.

"You tell the crew that Starfleet has issued us our orders and we will follow them, Lieutenant. These peace talks could represent a new era in Romulan-Federation co-operation. As such, it is vital we get the ambassador to the conference site."

He continued down the corridor until they reached the turbolift door. The hum of the lift could be heard as it came to a rest. The doors slid open with a hiss and Cortez stepped inside.

"And Lieutenant, don't worry. We'll find him."  he said with a smile, as the doors swished closed.

[Kale Bridges]

Cortez continued round a corner, nodding at a female crewman as she passed by.

"You tell the crew that Starfleet has issued us our orders and we will follow them, Lieutenant. These peace talks could represent a new era in Romulan-Federation co-operation. As such, it is vital we get the ambassador to the conference site."

He continued down the corridor until they reached the turbolift door. The hum of the lift could be heard as it came to a rest. The doors slid open with a hiss and Cortez stepped inside.

"And Lieutenant, don't worry. We'll find him."  he said with a smile, as the doors swished closed.

Reece turned and walked off as the doors closed. "Ferrying politicians for peace talks when we should be looking for our Captain. It's ridiculous."

He headed down to the mess hall, continuing to mutter to himself about how Starfleet was conducting the investigation. He entered the mess hall and took a seat near the window, staring out at the trading station again.

Very soon, a group a young crewmen walked up to him. Reece noticed the lack of decoration on their necks. Recruits.

"Excuse me sir." The lead one said. Reece looked up at him and raised his eyebrows. A silent 'what'. "Sir, are these seats taken?" He asked.

Reece looked around the mess hall. It was practically empty... so he had either sat at someone's favourite table, or they needed to talk to him. "Take a seat." He said. He watched the three of the scuffle to get the seats opposite. The youngest recruit, who looked more like a twelve year old than he did a security trainee. He stood there awkwardly as everyone sat down stared at him. "Is there a problem recruit?"

"Erm... no sir." He responded.

Reece tilted his head for a second at the seat beside him. "Take a seat then." The young recruit slowly walked and took the seat beside Reece.

The four of them sat there, in awkward silence. The three recruits looking from one to another, wondering who would talk first. Reece continued to sit, reading a PADD that was left on the table. Status reports. Someone in Engineering was going to get it in the neck. He made a mental note to take it to Krol once these three recruits were finished... or at least when he got bored of waiting for them to start.

Eventually, the recruit that led them over cleared his throat slightly. Reece's eyes darted up from the PADD to meet his.

"Umm sir." He said. "Can I ask a question?"

Reece dropped the PADD on the table with a clatter and sat back in the chair. He knew exactly what was coming, but it was all he was ever asked recently. He gave a brisk nod to the recruit, who smiled a little bit, before he turned serious once again. "Sir, why aren't we rescuing the Captain?"

"Do you know where he is being kept?" Reece asked.

The recruit recoiled slightly "Erm.. sir... no I don't..."

"Then we can't rescue him because we dont know where he is." Reece said.

"Why aren't we looking for him then!" The young recruit beside Reece blurted out. He turned to look at him. The recruit turned very red and lowered his head, "Umm... sir..." he added quietly.

"Starfleet has issued us our orders. We are going to follow them." Reece quoted.

The third recruit, who had been silent until now, chirped up. "Sir... permission to speak freely." The other two recruits turned sharply to face him, surprised.

Reece smiled. These moments were always fun. Anyway who wanted to speak freely obviously wanted to moan about something. "Permission granted."

The young recruit barely waited for the words to be out of Reece's mouth before speaking up again. "That's ridiculous. That sounds like a textbook answer. What's the real reason? Sir."

Reece narrowed his eyes in thought. For a Science recruit, this guy had some mettle. He smiled... there's more to this guy...

"What are you saying recruit? That we're deliberately being kept out of the investigation?" Reece pried.

The recruit suddenly looked very guilty. "Umm... no sir... I was just saying..."

Reece laughed a little bit, silencing the recruit. "It's alright. Speak your mind. It's interesting." He stood up grabbing the PADD. "Recruits always have interesting views on how things are. Now, if you don't mind. I have duties to attend to." He gave a brisk nod before turning and walking out, heading to Engineering.

The large doors to Engineering opened and Reece walked in. The massive cylindrical warp core, basking the room with a blue tint. He noticed one of the newer Engineer's, Lance Krol closest to him. He quickly checked the PADD. The report was meant for him anyway. Reece strode over to him, "Ensign." He said, getting his attention. He held the PADD out.
"One of your personnel left this in the Mess Hall. I took the liberty of reading through it, so don't feel like you have to deliver it anymore." He said with a small smile.

[Lance Krol]

The large doors to Engineering opened and Reece walked in. The massive cylindrical warp core, basking the room with a blue tint. He noticed one of the newer Engineer's, Lance Krol closest to him. He quickly checked the PADD. The report was meant for him anyway. Reece strode over to him, "Ensign." He said, getting his attention. He held the PADD out.
"One of your personnel left this in the Mess Hall. I took the liberty of reading through it, so don't feel like you have to deliver it anymore." He said with a small smile.

Krol jumped and turned to face his superior. He had to think about how to reply; he hadn't talked to another human being for about seventeen hours.

"Errr... thank you, sir," he ventured in his slight Scottish accent. "Was there anything else?"
He floated in place, wishing he could run away from having to talk to people. When he signed up for this job, he was focusing on the 'maintaining ships' part. Then they made him an officer, and he had to deal with people.

[Kale Bridges]

Krol jumped and turned to face his superior. He had to think about how to reply; he hadn't talked to another human being for about seventeen hours.

"Errr... thank you, sir," he ventured in his slight Scottish accent. "Was there anything else?"

He floated in place, wishing he could run away from having to talk to people. When he signed up for this job, he was focusing on the 'maintaining ships' part. Then they made him an officer, and he had to deal with people.

Reece studied the man carefully. He looked terribly uneasy.

"Nothing important. You might just want to get the replicators on deck 4 working quickly. "

Reece thought about turning and leaving, but shook the thought out of his mind.

"Is there a problem Mr Krol?"

[Alan Christopher]

Alan sat on the couch in his quarters, half dressed with only his uniform top to put on. He took a sip from the coffee he was enjoying, before placing it on the glass table in front of him. In his other hand he had a copy of an old iconian book. It had been given to him by Commander Bradley before he transferred to the Churchill. Some old religious texts and insights into the iconian way of life. It was about time he tried to accept that part of himself.

He still had some time to kill before his shift began. Picking up his mug once more, he blew on the content before taking a sip.

[Taras Cadenza]

The mood of the bridge was a tense one. Nothing was sounding, other than the constant beeping of the computer.

Taras Cadenza sat at the helm, his eyes fixated on the planet on the view screen, yet his mind was wandering. Ever since the incident with the Pirates, he hadn't looked at his job the same since. The exhilaration of that day... the thrill of the chase. It was the sort of thing he was born for, in his own opinion, naturally.

However, it was a feeling that he had to restrain. Fortunately, he found it quite easy to restrain said feeling.
He returned to concentrating on the planet. And letting his mind wander with his own daydreams again.

[cortez]

The mood of the bridge was a tense one. Nothing was sounding, other than the constant beeping of the computer.

Taras Cadenza sat at the helm, his eyes fixated on the planet on the view screen, yet his mind was wandering. Ever since the incident with the Pirates, he hadn't looked at his job the same since. The exhilaration of that day... the thrill of the chase. It was the sort of thing he was born for, in his own opinion, naturally.

However, it was a feeling that he had to restrain. Fortunately, he found it quite easy to restrain said feeling.
He returned to concentrating on the planet. And letting his mind wander with his own daydreams again.

After a short ride in a tubolift, Cortez had arrived on the bridge. As he stepped onto the deck, the whole atmosphere seemed to change. That's what happened when you became commanding officer, even if it was temporary.

"Has the Romulan diplomatic envoy contacted us yet?"  he asked, to no-one in particular

[OctalLord]

After a short ride in a tubolift, Cortez had arrived on the bridge. As he stepped onto the deck, the whole atmosphere seemed to change. That's what happened when you became commanding officer, even if it was temporary.

"Has the Romulan diplomatic envoy contacted us yet?"  he asked, to no-one in particular

Octavius stood and faced the stand-in captain as he entered. Saluting momentarily he then sat back down.

"We're getting launch reports but officially no. The envoy himself hasn't said anything sir." He said. "I'll bet that he will be here soon however.