Disturbed the Sound of Silence Part I

Posted on Sat Apr 5th, 2025 @ 10:50am by Commodore Tyler Malbrooke & Petty Officer 1st Class Tobias Beckett & Staff Sergeant Shayla Kunadt & Lieutenant Commander Brianne Redstone & Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren & Lieutenant Ja'sol H'ros & Lieutenant Kolok & Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble & Captain Edmund Merrick & Sergeant Major Lachlan Barr
Edited on on Tue May 13th, 2025 @ 8:10pm

2,542 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Bridge - Deck 1 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD009 0900 hrs

Shayla guided the ship out of warp as they entered the Wren system. "We are entering the Wren system Sir."

Tyler seated in the command seat with Neil to his left leaned on his hand as the thoughts about what they were getting into played through his head. "Thank you Sergeant. Wren IX full impulse." Shayla acknowledged the order. "Kolok anything out there? Any signs of battle." Tyler was amazed that there was nothing at least not yet.

Alyssa was both anxious and eager. She'd spent so much time learning what little she could about the Silence, and now they were finally here. What she didn't know was what they would find. As soon as they dropped out of warp, she began running a thorough scan of the planet and system. She had no idea if they'd be able to keep any data, but just in case, she wanted to have as much as she could get.

Neil found it hard to just sit. This part of the job put you in the action true. But waiting was always the hardest part. And remembering his own role. Glancing at Tyler, he made eye contact and said, "Recommend yellow alert, Captain. We don't know what we're getting into here."

"Prudent recommendation Number One. Get it done. Commander Maren, full sensor sweeps." Tyler leaned on his hand still as the lights dimmed and the yellow lights began to flash on the bridge.

"Aye, sir." Alyssa increased the scans to include a full sensor sweep to add to the data she had already gathered. She wondered if she could hide the data in science so it would be available later. Just in case.

Neil brought up the ships comms on his repeater station and announced, "All hands. Yellow alert. Stand to stations." A klaxon rumbled through Pioneer like a waive and emergency lighting fixtures charged as the ship and crew moved to a more alert status.

Edmund could feel his adrenaline kick up, they were close to ending this incursion by the Silence. He was tired of not being able to sleep fully. He knew he wasn't sleeping well, but not remembering what the dreams were about. No way to remember them not being able to decipher or tear them apart. His lips formed a grim line, as he watched everyone on the bridge and then towards the planet. The forbidden planet.

Ja'sol stood post at tactical and was doing a sensor sweep of the area. "Captain, I can detect no enemy ships at this time, But it doesn't mean that they aren't cloaked or hiding behind some asteroids. All weapons are primed and in stand by mode in case we need them quickly." He paused briefly. "There are two destroyed cities down there on the southern continent that appear to have been destroyed by a mass driver."

Brianne wasn't comfortable at all. One, she was on the bridge, why couldn't she be by her engines in engineering? Two, the chair, it didn't feel right, not enough lower back support, she'd have to change it out the first chance she could get, suppose her predecessor was taller, and preferred the high backed seats. And as for the displays, it would take time to methodically change things, the information she wanted were hidden in sub menus. Yes, it made sense the way it was, but it wasn't her way. If something happened, it would take longer than she'd like to react to it, and as it was yellow alert time, every second counted, what could she say 'sorry captain, can't find the control to stop a warp core breach.'

Lachlan monitored his console then glanced at the viewscreen. The Silence, all he'd heard about was coming to this moment. The crew was on edge, you didn't have to be a telepath to know that and he'd been having chats with most of the enlisted on board just to shore up their confidence and belief in that things will improve. Still, he stood at his station, he liked it. It had an overview of everything and everyone and he hated having his back to people.

Kolok processed the conversations happening on the bridge as he hovered over the Ops console. He was actively monitoring the energy systems throughout the ship and he didn't like what he saw. When the order for Yellow Alert came, he shifted the ship's computer and energy systems to their second highest level of operation, providing more ready power to shunt wherever it was needed. He didn't like the sluggishness as the computer worked to comply but it was within specs. Barely.

"Sorry for the delay, Captain. Sensors are showing what we expected as far as the planet itself. Breathable atmosphere. Fairly normal gravity. However, I'm not picking up anything that would indicate there is an entire race hiding down there," Kolok said. "There is something strange. Give me a minute to investigate, please."

Neil waited for a few beats, then said, "Captain Merrick. Drill down on those destroyed cities. See if you can determine how long ago the damage was done. If whoever bombed the place used localized material, we should be able to figure that too."

"Or," the XO said in an aside to Tyler, "It could be part of the show. Make people think the place long bombed back to their equivalent of a Stone Age."

"Good point Number One. At the moment I tend agree with you..." Tyler was interrupted as the bridge speakers turned on. "By joint order of Starfleet Command and the Detapa Council of Cardassia. The planet Wren Nine is off limits. Radioactivity levels are deemed too dangerous for life. Do not approach." The message then repeated. "Computer deactivate speaker. I guess that is the warning message that Vaebn said we left. Clearly there is no radioactivity, the show is most likely the way. Sergeant Kunadt standard orbit please. Alyssa, Kolok full scans please."

Edmund watched as information was coming in from both Operations and Science, he frowned as he was taking a closer look magnifying the images that were there. He'd seen aerial images from the wars back in the day and the images he was seeing was looking much like it. Scarring of the earth where ancient cities were decimated, with pieces of rock and huge craters where the rock had hit. Did someone use something like a tractor beam to fling the rocks to the planet below, messing with the eco system? A post apocalyptic scene. There was even signs of some weapon fire. However the rocks that hit the ground would be enough to drive anyone below the surface.

"There doesn't seem to be any sign of radioactivity but it certainly shows signs of someone possibly utilizing a tractor beam pulling rocks from space and sending them hurtling to the earth below. The buildings look like they have been there for a long while."

The Ops feed brought data from all over the ship and, using the main computer core, attempted to match it to previously know data. Kolok frowned. "Sir, I we are receiving a hail from unknown parties. However, tracing the signal back to its source, I can see it is coming from far underground. Computer projection indicates there is a large liveable space with over fifty-thousand people," Kolok said and looked up. "And that number is dropping rapidly."

Alyssa nodded and began another scan, this time more focused. "Captain, I'm picking up a large build-up of energy. Type is unknown, but it's located underground." She paused for a moment. "The energy is moving in a manner that indicates some form of sentience."

At the sound of both reports Tyler raised an eyebrow. None of that bodes well. he thought. "Lieutenant Kolok on screen." The viewscreen came to life. The image that appeared was of a being wreathed in darkness. The occasional bright light as if an explosion could be seen in background. This being had a large bulbous head. Two deep set black eyes, no nose to speak of and wrinkles where the mouth should have been. Their chin was long and came to a point. The entity wore a black suit that appeared to be from the mid twentieth century Earth. No sound could be heard. At the bottom of the screen a message could be seen. It read: "You are the Pioneer, we are the Silence. We are dying. We must meet face to face. A volunteer who is capable to speak with their mind is requested." The message scrolled and repeated.

"Short and sweet they are. It seems they want to come aboard. What the hell do they mean they need a volunteer, for what?" Tyler was legitimately baffled and in this moment he regretted coming and wondered what exactly he had gotten this crew into.

"Sir, they need a telepath to act as interpreter," Alyssa said. "As one of the three who originally remembered their plea for help, I volunteer." And as a scientist, she couldn't pass up this opportunity.

Neil really wanted to get up and pace at this point. Or at least be up and moving. Instead, he forced himself to sit back. "Commodore, I'd recommend two. Probably Lieutenant Valen. We don't want anything lost in translation. I'd prefer someone from security or the Cure, but they might get twitchy."

"I recommend that there be someone either Marine or Security to accompany those who will be the mouthpieces. If they have the capacity of wiping someone's memories, can we truly trust them? Even if there is an assurance that they won't do so." Edmund was loathe to just accept those terms.

Ja'sol spoke up to add his thoughts. " If we are going to supply someone as a mouthpiece, then I agree we should have someone accompany them. The escort should have a medical tricorder the will broadcast to sickbay to assure their health. I'm an empath, and would be able to detect any emotion of betrayal if that is what is intended. If need be I could conceal a type one phaser if needed, they're pretty small and could fit in my waistband, give the word Captain and I'll be ready to go in a minute or two. "

Tyler stood in silence as he looked upon the rather malicious looking being on his viewscreen. He had been told that they had met before and yet he had no recollection of any of this. Without turning away he nodded in agreement with his crew. "You can't always judge the book by its cover." He said softly and to no one in particular. "Lieutenant Kolok signal the Silence that we have a volunteer and await coordinates for transport. One member of their society only. Ja'sol take Sinclair and attend to Commander Maren in Transporter Room 1. I think one translator will be enough. Ja'sol you will keep an empathic link with them. First sign of any funny business don't be stranger. Number One you are with them. Once our guest is aboard, escort them to the Conference Room. I want Dr O'Rourke to monitor Alyssa while she is in contact with The Silence. At the first sign of any issues we break that link." He turned to the Science Station. "No unneeded risks Commander."

Kolok executed the Captain's orders. He waited until there was confirmation and then nodded to the CO.

Tyler tapped his comm badge. "Bridge to Sick Bay. Doctor I need a cortical monitoring device in transporter room 1 on the double. Colonel Tremble will advise." He smiled as a gambler would who still had one ace in the hole. "Neil, you are right when you say that they can make us forget and that would be an issue. But there is one person who they can't make forget. The eye in the sky sees all. He tapped his badge again. "Bridge to the SCIF."

"Beckett here sir." Tobias responded from his station in the Intelligence Suite. He knew it must have been important as calls rarely came down from the Bridge.

"I want the Intelligence computers turned on this vessel. Full surveillance scans on any area that The Silence is in. The data is to be stored in the SCIF and accessed only if requested. Am I understood?" The separate Intelligence computers were indeed Tyler's ace in the hole. "Aye Commodore." Tobias responded and closed the channel.

Tyler turned to all of his officers. "Well it seems that we have stepped out of the frying pan and into the fire. Lets make sure it doesn't get to hot. Giddy up folks."

Standing, Neil straightened his uniform, as he replied. "Aye aye sir. Actually, with your permission: There'll be two that won't be affected by the Silence. Rommie will be recording and safeguarding information from my contact as we go along. "She's confined to the Morgue for the duration unless specifically requested by you or me. Walking toward the lift, Neil paused near Merrick and said, "Ed, get two-three person fire teams stood-up in standard repel boarders kit as a QRF. Send them only if security, me or the Commodore orders them in."

Tyler had made his wishes about Rommie known a hundred times over. However, if there ever was a time for an AI this was it. "Inform Rommie that any and all data she records is to be classified and not mentioned unless requested. With those provisos permission granted."

Edmund nodded, "Aye Colonel." rising from where he sat, ready to follow after Neil and the others to set up those who will be back up.
To Be Continued...

A Joint Post By

Commodore Tyler Malbrooke
Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer