Buried Treasure
Posted on Thu Feb 13th, 2025 @ 8:50pm by Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren & Lieutenant Kolok
Edited on on Fri Feb 14th, 2025 @ 8:47pm
1,808 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Ship's Operations Center - Deck 6 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD004 0700 hrs
Alyssa had yet to meet the new chief of operations. There had been so much going on--and she'd spent what free time she had on Empok Nor with Jek'Lar--that she hadn't taken the time to say hello. Now, she found that she might need his help to solve the problem of the hidden planet or the restricted planet. She still wasn't sure which. So, at her first opportunity, she went to operations to find Lieutenant Kolok.
Operations was, as always, busy. She paused and looked around for the lieutenant or someone to direct her to his location.
Kolok was leaning over one of the side display consoles, examining the computer matrix, when he saw the senior officer in teal walk in. He'd familiarized himself with the senior staff and recognized Commander Maren from her file.
He nodded at the Petty Officer he was working with. "Continue to run the simulation as we planned. I will return," he said and strode over to the visitor.
"Commander Maren, welcome to Ops. I'm Lieutenant Kolok. It is my pleasure to meet you," Kolok said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well. Do you have a few minutes? I have a...problem I'd like you to look into." She didn't want to bother Jayna with it as she was moving to The Cure and had enough on her plate. Plus, it was a perfect opportunity to get to know the new department head.
"Of course, Commander. I am available to assist you in any way I can. Would you like to discuss the problem in my office or somewhere else?" Kolok said. His eyes scanned her face and thought he detected some stress lines. Was this something serious?
"We can discuss it here, but it might take a trip to Astrometrics, where I hope you can be of help." She knew this wasn't going to be a simple answer. "It involves a past encounter, deleted files, nightmares, and a rescue."
Kolok wasn't one to make rash decisions. He considered the Commander's words for a second. "I see," he said. "In that case, I suggest that we make our way to the Astrometrics Lab and talk when we get there. I'll follow you as I don't know where it is yet. Let me just grab my satchel." Kolok stepped into his office, and grabbed his technical satchel, which held his most commonly needed tools and PADDs. He was back with the Commander in no time. "After you, sir."
"Ma'am, if you don't mind," Alyssa said. "I'm a scientist first and a Starfleet officer second." She smiled at the Klingon. "You can also call me Alyssa. Welcome aboard."
She led him to the Astrometrics lab and walked in, standing aside so he could see the room properly. She always appreciated this lab in particular.
Kolok walked in behind the Commander and then moved past her, taking in the two consoles in front of him that were flanked on either side by a set of stairs. The astrometrics display was larger than he expected, but not as large as the one he'd seen on the Iowa. He noted that there were no science personnel in the lab and pivoted to face Commander Maren.
"It is acceptable, Commander," Kolok said. "Now, can you explain what this has to do with deleted files, nightmares and a rescue?"
"I, and at least two other members of the crew, have been experiencing recurring nightmares. The same nightmares. They are from a telepathic species that calls themselves The Silence. From what we have gleaned, the Pioneer encountered them at some point in the past and rendered assistance. At the time, all but one member of the crew forgot. That member was the former chief of science, Lieutenant Commander Vaebn tr'Hwersuil. He convinced the captain to delete the information from the computer. The captain, naturally, does not remember the incident. We don't know where this planet is, and while we've sent messages to Commander tr'Hwersuil, we've received no reply. I'm hoping he hid something in the computer here that will lead us to this planet so we may again render aid."
Kolok scowled. "Why are you and two other members of the Pioneer the only ones experiencing these nightmares?" Kolok asked. "And why do you think the computer here has not been wiped like the main computer?"
"Because the three of us are all strong telepaths. Beyond that, I have no idea," Alyssa replied. Or they may have been the only ones The Silence could reach that would remember.
"We've searched the files in the lab. Any data involving the Pioneer stopping at this planet has been removed." They'd spent a good deal of time looking. While Alyssa knew Astrometrics well, she hadn't designed this lab and could only hope that Vaebn would choose to hide the information here in case it was ever needed. "I have a friend in intel who is skilled with finding concealed items in computers, but she's busy elsewhere. I read that you also have some expertise in this area, so I hope you can find something."
"I do. As an Operations Officer, my responsibilities are primarily with the power and computer systems on the ship. I've spent my career learning all of the techniques one needs to make things work in ways they shouldn't and fix them in ways that shouldn't work. If there are hidden files on this system, I will locate them," Kolok said. He moved over to the main access console and sat down. "Can you tell me anything about your friend that might give me insight into how they would hide files?"
"I'm afraid I can't give you much. I never actually met him." Alyssa moved over to the side near the console. "He was my predecessor. What I've been told is that he spent a good deal of time here, and that he designed the lab. He's Romulan and currently lives in the Empire with his sister."
"Romulan? Interesting," Kolok said. He wasn't a scientist by any stretch of the imagination. However, he was a logical thinker. If someone was going to hide information, important information, there would have to be some kind of connection that would lead the way. He activated the astrometric projection screens. Above him and to his left, the massive screen displayed the space around the Pioneer. It was the swath of space around them, dotted with stars. Kolok thought it was quite beautiful.
He started by creating a number of independent searches that would run concurrently. Each had a set group of parameters. He brought up the personnel file for the former Chief Science Officer, Lieutenant Commander Vaebn tr'Hwersuil and scanned through it for data points that would be useful.
"I've never met a Romulan like this Commander. He must have been a very interesting person. He had a love of maps, especially ancient star charts. I'm going to start a search to see if any of those charts were accessed while he was here. This could take some time."
"Especially as he probably accessed all of them at one time or another. This was where he could often be found. I just hope he did hide something so we know where to go."
Alyssa looked at the console for a moment. "I'll leave you to do what you can. I'll be in my office if you need anything."
Kolok worked until he grew tired, which was saying something because he had built up his stamina both on the battlefield and standing long watches on many bridges during his career. But finally ,the computer beeped.
He sat up and looked at the display. A segment of code buried exactly near one of the spots on one of the spots he'd predicted from the old charts.
He tapped his combadge. "Kolok to Commander Maren. I think I've found something that you need to see."
"On my way." Alyssa was eager to hear what the operations chief found. She was half afraid to hope that it was the information they needed, but at this point anything was better than nothing.
Kolok started speaking as soon as the Commander walked in. "I have to admit that Commander tr'Hwersuil was very crafty. I wouldn't have found the file if I hadn't learned about his interesting old charts. Even then, the file was encrypted in a Romulan Security code. But when I worked on the Iowa I had an experience with a similar situation. All I had to do was adapt the decryption code and," Kolok said as he rapidly tapped on the console. The astrometrics display whirled and expanded, highlighting a yellow dot in Cardassian space. "This is the place you've been looking for. Wren IX in the Almatha Sector."
The dot flashed from yellow to red. "But it is an off-limits system. Nobody is allowed entry and there are some very strong warnings about what repercussions will follow for anyone who ignores those orders."
"Yes. From what I understand, that was done after the Pioneer's first trip to the planet. The Silence wanted their privacy. There was also some sort of promise to keep other ships from entering the system. But this is based on what we gleaned from the dreams and not anything concrete--until now." Alyssa smiled. "It's no wonder none of us could find the information. It was well-hidden. Thank you."
She checked the system on another console. "The computer lists eight planets in that system. Another reason to thank you." She knew the former chief science officer was good, but this was impressive. "I think the captain should see this."
"Agreed," Kolok said. He shut down the astrometrics display and tapped on his console. "I've uploaded the information into a secure file that you have access to. Let me know if I can help further."
"I'm sure the captain will have questions, but I'm good. Thank you for finding this." After all the time she, Narin, and Rachel spent looking, it was a relief to finally have the information.
"Of course. I am new but this is my ship now and I want to do anything I can to help," Kolok said. He then nodded at the Commander and walked out.
Alyssa copied the data onto a PADD. Finally, thanks to Kolok, they had the information they needed. Now to take it to the commodore and let him know what the new chief of operations found.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren
Chief Science Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Kolok
Chief Operations Officer, USS Pioneer
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