Episode 1: Fading Sun

I don't think we do Commander. Better to ensure the probe has a means to receive commands to adjust speed based on nearby data sources. Perhaps it could adjust its own speed based on the speed of any nearby lifeforms? Then it could always move at the same speed. Sumek offers.

Nosim makes a few rapid calculations on his console before chiming in. "Yessir, Captain. It should be easily possible. I'll just reverse the targeting subroutine to evade the entities instead of targeting them. We'll need to relay sensor data from our sensor array, but that's a minor issue..." After some small adjustments the first torpedo is ready for launch.

Nosim points the first torpedo away from the station, setting it up to launch in a slow but steady trajectory out of the system. On Sumek's order he launches. Nosim makes small adjustments to the torpedo's emissions and velocity while Dr. Mosa keeps track on the lifeforms.

Slowly at first, but steadily gaining speed, the lifeforms around the core detach themselves and head after the lure. Soon all the lifeforms on the station are heading after the lure in sub-warp speeds. They seem to be flattening out at about 5% of the speed of light.

"I'm impressed -- they can move with fairly astonishing speed without the aid of impulse engines."

Dr. Mosa observes the readings with wide eyes. "Absolutely, Commander. I'm sure we could learn much from studying these beings. I guess that explains their great craving for energy. I wonder how long they can keep it up.."

Jr. Lt. Nosim keys enters a few commands on his control panel. "Lure two ready. Orders, sirs?"

Set initial coordinates for a shot near the Venture. If possible, have it hold station for a few minutes, just long enough to attract the creatures. Then set a path that will send it after the other group. Sumek says.

Reiter asks, "What kind of sun would have the most energy for them to consume? Perhaps we can redirect both probes towards one of those suns in the nearby interstellar area that doesn't have any Class M planets..."

Reiter turns towards a console and taps away to see if his rudimentary skills can pick something out of the database.

Nosim sends over an encrypted message to the Venture asking them to turn off or reduce the energy signature of it's core, hoping that someone will receive it this time. He includes details for how to best execute either plan. He then aims the lure just of the Venture's bow and launches it on a low velocity. "Lure launched, Sir. Velocity minimal, trajectory within requested parameters."

As it nears the Venture, he keys the lure to ramp up it's energy signature. "Lure active, Sir. Are they biting, Dr. Mosa?" Dr. Mosa keeps an eye on the entities on the scanner, adjusting the scan parameters to get a good idea of what's happening. After a minute, she looks up with a grin. "Seems like the Venture got our latest message, they just shut down the main core, and are running on emergency reserves. The lure is effective, the entities are detaching from the core and going for it, better ramp up the speed."

Nosim keys his controls again, and the lure increases speed. He adjusts the trajectory slightly so they follow the same path as the other lure out of the system. "Lure on a escape trajectory out of the system, Sir. I'll alert the Venture that they can start their core again shortly."

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Half an hour later, the com panel lights up as you are hailed by the U.S.S. Venture. First Lieutenant Martinez shows up on the viewscreen. "U.S.S. Venutre hailing Epsilon 19 Station. Oh, Captain." He halts for a heartbeat as he sees he's communicating with his own officers, not the station personnel.
"I'm happy to say that we're safe, Sir. We got your message, and shut down the main core. Those things, energy draining entities, they just went away. We have sustained minor damages to internal systems, we'll probably have to put in for repairs before we are fully operational again, but otherwise the ship is ok. We lost five crewmen in main engineering, and six more have sustained minor injuries, the rest of the crew are shaken but well. Orders, Sir?"

The news is welcome First Lieutenant. Will you be able to beam any personnel off this station? We have some serious injuries and the Commander is in need of proper medical care. Sumek says, turning to Dr. Mosa.

Doctor Mosa, provided our medical bay is in working order, you would be free to use our facilities to restore health to all wounded parties.

Martinez nods to the transporter chief who responds with a "Yes Sir. We'll have to take everyone through transporter room two, I don't trust the state of the others. I'll beam the Commander straight to sick bay." With another nod from Marinez, Commander Johannson dematerializes. The transporter chief reports "Sick bay has recieved the Commander, Sir."

Dr. Mosa breathes a sigh of relief. "That's great news, Captain. I'll start organizing our wounded. If you could send over some repair crews as well, once your ship is safe, it would also be appreciated. We have a lot to do before this station is livable again."


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During the next couple of days you are able to perform enough repairs for life on the station and venture to return to some kind of normalcy. Commander Johannson received emergency surgery, and is recovering. He returns to his station, but is ordered to rest for a few days more. Meanwhile, the senior crew of the Venture are temporarily in charge of the station.

There are still waves of lifeforms that detach from the sun now and then, but you have made enough new lures to draw them out of the solar system after the others. Dr. Mosa and Nosim have been busy going through stellar cartography data to find a suitable relocation system on Reiters orders, and have found a promising star only 70 light years away. With their current speed it will still take them roughly one and a half millennia to get there, but it's agreed it is the best plan for now. A moving quarantine zone is set up along the path to it.

As you get more supplies sent over from Starbase 364, you are able to modify a shuttlecraft to act as a lure for the greater beings on the sun. By overloading the warp core of the shuttle you are able to draw the remaining entities away, and send them after the others.

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Captain Tajenko and her crew are returned to her ship, but no longer welcome on the station. Her ship suffered more extensive damage than the Venture. After you help them with the most critical repairs they are send packing back to Orion space.

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Once the station is safe, and has been resupplied, the Venture returns to Spacebase 346 for more extensive repairs.