Time Waits For No One
Posted on Sun May 18th, 2025 @ 10:41pm by Captain Thorrin & Commander Marisa Sandoval & Lieutenant Commander Zosia & Lieutenant Commander Tarian Aloria & Lieutenant C'Mila Juli & Lieutenant Addison Talbert & Lieutenant Junior Grade M'Ressa & Lieutenant Junior Grade Wyatt Spencer & Major Hastios Eilfaren
Edited on on Sun May 18th, 2025 @ 11:05pm
4,196 words; about a 21 minute read
Mission:
In The Nick Of Time
Location: Conference Room - Deck 1 - USS Herodotus
Timeline: MD001 0900 hrs
Thorrin had just completed his conversation with Jerimiah. It seemed that the department had received a distress signal from Kroatia, the homeworld of a species known as the Kroat. This prompted the DTI to step in because Starfleet responded to the distress call the Kroat stated that they never sent one. So, now the Herodotus and its untested crew would be sent in to investigate further. Thorrin took the last slug of his scotch, talking to Isaacs always made him venture from wine into something with more bite. "Well, there is nothing for it. Into the unyielding course of the timestream we go." He spoke more to himself than for anyone else. With a slight tap of his comm badge, he spoke with the authority of a Captain, as opposed to the uncertainty of an enemy. "Attention Senior Staff. Briefing in the Conference Room immediately. Thorrin out." Even when giving orders, his voice sounded pleasant, as if it were a request as opposed to an order. Thorrin rose and made his way to the Conference Room with no further word. The time of waiting had ended.
Marisa was the first to arrive. "Good morning, Captain," she said cheerfully. She took a seat before setting her PADD on the table in front of her. She liked having it there so she could take notes or look up information. This would be her first mission as first officer and she was curious to learn what the assignment would be.
Addison heard the call from Thorrin, rising from her desk, she picked up her PADD and headed to the Conference Room. Entering in she greeted Thorrin and Marisa. "Good Morning, Captain, Commander." Taking a seat. Addison noted that Marisa had her PADD out; she retrieved hers from her pocket to resume reading a medical report until the rest arrived.
"Good morning," Marisa replied.
Wyatt had been meditating in his room when his comm sounded. He appreciated the Captain's tone, at the same time, he recognized the words for what they were. He unfolded his legs, which had been tucked underneath him, rolling off of the bed and onto the floor. He debated a pause before deciding to change into his uniform.
Seven minutes later, he arrived at the conference room PADD in hand.
"Captain, Commander," he greeted as he moved to a chair.
Marisa smiled in return and gave Wyatt a nod.
Tarian had been working on a few ideas of his down in the holodeck when he heard the summons up to the Conference Room. Well, one might not even call it a summons. More like a gentle request, but it was a request for Tarian to join the rest of the senior staff in the conference room. Tarian saved the information that he had been working on and ended the program before heading up to the Conference Room up on Deck One.
Tarian walked in and quickly realized that he wasn't the first one to arrive to the meeting. He gently nodded and said hello to everyone as he walked by before taking an open seat near the back of the conference table. Before sitting down, Tarian opened the small briefcase of his and took out a PADD to take a few notes upon.
Juli shuffled in on Tarian's heels. Still worried about the Captain's impressions of her, she was carrying herself like she had rushed to get there. She quickly found an open seat and sat down. She remained alert, perched on the edge of her chair, back straight as she waited to hear what the meeting was about.
Entering the conference room Hastios turned slightly to an angle that was easier to get through the door. The doors themselves wide enough but it had become second nature for him due to his shoulder width that he now subconsciously did so. Nodding respectfully to the captain and XO he then frowned silently noticing the many faces in the room, some he had spoken too, others he had not. Sitting down, the seat compressing lower due to his weight, he waited for the meeting to start.
Zosia entered the conference room with quiet efficiency, her expression unreadable but alert. The folds of her uniform were perfectly pressed, and her hair, as always, was secured in a tight braid coiled neatly at the base of her neck. Her PADD was already in hand, held close to her chest as she surveyed the room.
"Captain. Commander," she offered with a slight incline of her head, voice smooth and composed. A few others received polite nods as her sharp gaze quickly assessed who had already arrived and which seats remained open.
She selected one near the middle of the table—not so close to the head that it seemed presumptuous, but not so far that she would be disengaged. Settling into the chair with a deliberate ease, she placed her PADD on the table and folded her hands lightly in her lap, awaiting the briefing with the focused stillness of someone trained to listen before speaking.
There was no fidgeting, no wasted motion. Just presence. Quiet, poised, and fully engaged.
M’Ressa was the last to make her way to the conference room. She’d been keeping herself busy in the shuttlebay double checking the ships contingent of shuttles. Quickly finding an empty chair, she sat down and curled her tail around the leg of her chair to keep it out of the walkway.
Thorrin looked at the group as they had gathered and took their seats. They were quite the group, all leaders in their respective fields, and all seemed to hum with excitement. He allowed the moment to linger, despite his demeanor Thorrin was a man of moments and this was one that should not be cheapened by heavy handed words. "Morning everyone..." He spoke after a time and motioned to a sideboard that contained a decanter of wine and glasses. "...Do help yourself if you wish. I know it is early but an occasion such as this cannot go unmarked. We have our first mission ladies and gentlemen."
With that he poured himself a glass of the Chateau Picard 48 Pinot Noir and sipped it. Thorrin then tapped a command into the console in on the table in front of him and a recording played. The recording was broken up and all of the words could not be heard clearly. "To...who...hear. We are Vwaraarti. Under attack unknown." Then the message went dead. Thorrin broke the silence that followed. "About seventeen hours ago, this message was received by the USS Hawking. The Hawking responded to the coordinates of the distress signal and found the planet Kroatia and its inhabitants, the Kroats. It seems that the Kroats did not send this message, and they have no idea what or who the Vwaraarti are. The Hawking documented the encounter in their logs and moved on. The Department would like us to proceed to Kroatia and investigate."
Marisa raised an eyebrow. That was an interesting puzzle. She wanted to find as much information as they could on the history of the Kroats and if there was anything about the Vwaraarti.
Juli furrowed her brow. "Is that it?" She asked, sounding blunter than she probably should have intended. "I'm sorry, I mean of course I'm interested. It just sounds like a dozen other calls that regular Starfleet investigates. Why us?"
“Perhaps the distress call came from a ship passing through the state that had since been forced to flee?” M’Ressa suggested
"As others have noted," Wyatt spoke up, "there has to be a reason that we were assigned to investigate this matter. What do we know about the Kroats? Did this message come from our timeline, or another?"
"I'm sorry to interject, but was the audio the only thing that the Hawking caught or was there a visual element as well? That could help us dive a bit more into the whole situation, as it could help us to see who might've sent the message and what their current status was," Tarian offered, knowing that any sort of information could be useful.
Zosia’s eyes flicked to her PADD as questions volleyed across the table—some pointed, others speculative. She listened without interruption, her fingers gliding soundlessly over the surface of the device. By the time Tarian had finished his inquiry, she had compiled a concise structure of the issues at hand.
When the moment opened, she lifted her head. “Captain,” she said, her voice composed and quiet but with unmistakable clarity, “if I may?”
Thorrin sat and listened to each of his officers pose their thoughts and questions. Fact was this was how he liked to handle briefings. Give the broad scope of things allow everyone a voice and then proceed. He was about to begin to answer the questions when Zosia spoke up. Being the ever curious man that he was Thorrin had to see what the Lanthanite had on her mind. "By all means Commander."
“I’ve been cataloging the questions posed so far,” Zosia explained, tapping once on her PADD before placing it on the table for others to view. “There appears to be a pattern emerging—five thematic areas that could guide our investigation and briefings. I believe it may help us stay aligned as we gather intel.”
With a light swipe, she cast the contents to the small viewscreen behind the Captain:
Mission Inquiry Summary – Kroatia Distress Signal
Compiled by Lt. Commander Zosia
1. Origin & Authenticity of Signal
• Identity and existence of “Vwaraarti”
• Temporal or spatial anomalies in signal data
• Audio only, or visual component included?
2. Involvement of Kroatia/Kroats
• Claims of non-involvement—truthful or strategic?
• Historical ties, if any, to Vwaraarti
3. Relevance to DTI
• Temporal disturbances or deviations suspected?
• Why this case, and why now?
4. Starfleet Response: USS Hawking
• Data collected during their investigation
• Further anomalies or contacts observed?
5. Strategic Risks and Unknowns
• Possibility of trap, misinformation, or larger conflict
• Known regional threats that intersect with this case
Zosia turned back to Thorrin and the group. “If permitted, I’ll maintain this log and update it as information becomes available. It may serve us well to ensure we’re not overlooking critical gaps.”
Hastios had watched Thorrin pick up a glass of wine and thought it strange. He frowned at the action thinking it unwise to consume alcohol of any kind whilst being on duty. Then the reason they were in the briefing room presented itself. The Vwaraarti, the Kroat, distress calls and nothing but questions from most around the table.
His questions were simple enough and easy to answer. "The Kroats, what are their offensive and defensive capabilities?" he asked. "What is their level of technology in comparison to Starfleet?" he added. Finding out these things would put his mind at ease in relation to the Kroats luring anyone in for naughty reasons.
"That's something I'd like to know myself. I haven't had many dealings with this species before now and thus, I'm a bit curious as to what their abilities might be," Tarian said, himself curious about this new species.
"Are we not being sent out to get answers to these very questions?" Marisa asked, looking from the assembled officers to Thorrin. "We can begin with what information is currently available on the Kroats and the Vwaraarti." She also wondered if the DTI had any additional resources that might help them.
Addison had lifted her eyes from the PADD when the rest of the crew had arrived, closing down the file she had been reading. She instead opened up the area to take notes as she watched the reactions of the crew when hearing the message, even noting her own reaction which was surprise and concern. For now, she'd not say anything just watching as the concerns were being voiced by the others.
"Marisa is right," Wyatt said, "we have a good starting point. But it's only that. We still have too many questions and not nearly enough answers."
"Maybe we could use the Herodotus computers and the holodeck to run some simulations. What do you think?"
"The only starting point we have is data on The Kroats, and I wouldn't even call that a good beginning. The USS Hawking whilst attending to the distress call and speaking with the Kroats would have been able to gain information on their technological capabilities for our comparison, even if it was just scans from orbit." Hastios countered. "Whereas Commander Sandoval is correct we are going there to find answers to some of these questions the answers to mine should already be part of the information passed to us by Starfleet and then the DTI if they are sending us to investigate further. The only information we have on the Vwaraarti is their distress call and anything that came from that. Unless there is more than the distress call that the Hawking picked up on their scans of the area."
"I think that's why I wanted more information about the distress call. I know that any information that could be gleamed from it would be beneficial to us before we arrived to the Kroat homeworld. People, places, and timelines are so important to someone like me who deals with exact timelines. That's why I'd love to get my hands onto the information from the Hawking as well, since they were the first Starship on the scene and got sensor scans we can compare to," Tarian offered up, wanting all the information that he could before they arrived.
Thorrin raised his hand to quiet the discussion. He noticed Wyatt's lack of use of Marisa's rank and that annoyed him. However, that discussion would be for a later time. "I will answer all the questions as best as I can. I believe when I address the first topic on Commander Zosia's list a lot of other answers will simply manifest. The main reason we are here is that the Hawking's computer banks record the Vwaraarti as a species of people that were native to Kroatia up until a hundred years ago. At that time, it says that they were killed in a large war. But, here is the proverbial rub the DTI's mainframe on Earth, which is unaffected by changes to the timeline has no record of this event. Which is an indication that something, somewhere, at some time has been tampered with. No, there were no temporal or spatial anomalies in the signal, and no visual content. I believe I have already addressed all the questions in heading number two." Thorrin continued to read from Zosia's list one bullet point at a time.
"The relevance to the DTI is whether or not something has occurred or has someone tampered with DTI records. The Hawking's logs will be made available to us for further study and review. No anomalies and no contacts." Thorrin turned toward Hastios for the final piece of this puzzle as it were. "Can this be a trap absolutely, this trap can be at the planet or even on Earth if someone tampered with the DTI records. According to all accounts the Kroats are a peaceful race who have lived in harmony on the planet since the great war with the Vwaraarti. However, that is of course according to the main library computer. The DTI computer says that there have been a number of land wars on Kroatia but nothing significant. These wars have been fought between the two species. Finally, Commander Zosia permission is granted to keep an independent log of everything that happens on this mission. People, this is our first mission together. If you learn nothing else you will learn that we are an island, on our own in this galaxy. It is possible that this is a trap, it is possible that someone hacked and doctored the DTI records, it is equally possible that the Kroats have done something, somewhere, some time. This is what we have to figure out."
Marisa nodded her head and wrote down some notes, but said nothing. The captain answered a number of questions, but she still wanted to learn more about both groups. That would come later.
"With permission, I'd like to work with Commander Zosia and Lieutenant Spencer to set up a part of the computer core, where we can store some of those independent reports. Give it a bit extra temporal shielding and set up some more safeguards, so that we know that they aren't going to be tampered with. It'd let us access some of that information in more real time, instead of having to get access to DTI computer cores on Earth as well. It should be something we could set up before we arrive to the Kroat's homeworld," Tarian offered up, knowing how important quick and reliable information is.
"Granted Commander. Begin research for an incursion one hundred years into the past. We may not have to go. However, I would like to be prepared." Thorrin turned to his temporal officer and knew that in due time Aloria would learn that Thorrin wanted to be ready for all possibilities. It came with the territory when you ran a timeship.
"Yes, sir. I'll have the calculations prepared before we arrive to the planet, as well as Black Alert standing by for if and when we might need to use the drive," Aloria replied with a gentle smile on his face. Aloria picked his PADD up and beginning some calculations really quick as he had the information fresh in mind.
Juli's eyes narrowed as she processed the facts that had been relayed throughout the meeting. The facts. "Captain Thorrin, if I may ask, what information does the DTI mainframe contain about the Vwaraarti? Theoretically, should we know who they are?" She paused realizing the longevity of some of the people that she shared the table with. "Do we know who they are?" She added.
Thorrin smiled as he sipped his wine. It was the scientist that wanted to know the who of the situation and that was something he found fascinating. "The Vwaraarti by all accounts were a peaceful race until the Kroat attacked their territories on the southern continent. This began the only known war on the planet. A war that lasted millennia or so it is told. Our DTI computers tell us that this war ended in a treaty and a wedding unifying the two people. However, that does not seem to be the case on the planet. The Vwaraarti diet was vegetarian, and their society was socialist in nature. Add a sprinkling of technology and you would have a great perspective member of the Federation. Further Lieutenant yes, we should always know who we are trying keep from being erased from time is. Bravo for realizing that."
Juli felt strange accepting a compliment from the Captain. The who was one variable in the equation as they tried to determine what happened. It wasn't that she didn't care, of course she did. "Thank you, Sir," she replied graciously. She then continued. "So possibly the wedding? It seems that something about the treaty went wrong. Did two star-crossed lovers from warring nations bring them together in the original timeline and something prevent that from happening? Or it could have easily been an arranged marriage to forge a treaty that they couldn't make happen - an intervening lover, or a death perhaps."
Juli continued, "I'd like to study the history. Make comparisons, see if I can find any discrepancies. Also, if a team goes back, we'll need to blend in. We'll need images of their appearance, clothing. I'd like to see flora and fauna, rocks, dirt, buildings. I've been working on ways to camouflage our equipment."
"Work with the Commander on that. Her expertise as an archeologist may come in handy. Prepare a briefing for us on the Vwaraarti culture etc." Thorrin began by addressing Juli and then he turned to Addison. "Doctor I would like you to access the DTI database and work on prosthetics for us. If we need to blend in I want to be ready. Wyatt, M'Ressa, and Zosia compile starcharts and spatial data for Kroat system and its surroundings. Find us a place to hide the ship should we need. Keep in mind that you have about one hundred years of spatial drift to compensate for. Finally, Hastios I would like you to examine the topography of the period on Kroat for a tactical analysis. Additionally, anything we can do to disguise our weapons and still be able to use them would be a boon." When he was done Thorrin sipped his wine again. He gave the assignments in the manner in which one may have read a book they enjoyed.
Good. Marisa looked forward to working with the other scientists on the history of both people. So far, it sounded like they had a general idea of what changed, but none as to how or when. "There are also weapons like darts and garottes that are easily hidden. Depending on the technology of the time, they could be a useful addition to our personal security."
Addison gave a nod to what Thorrin had said, making a note of that in her PADD. She was excited to be having this assignment and it did go with what Juli had spoken to her early on. Her eyes drifted over to the science officer.
"I'm sure we can manufacture weapons that mimic their design but hold the technology and power of our own," Hastios commented. The Kroats were an inferior species technologically and their weapons were quite simple by comparison. "Although, as Commander Sandoval has stated more concealed hand weapons are preferable whilst undercover, something understated and that can pass as normal clothing. I'll do some research."
Tarian was taking everything in and made sure that he was taking notes on what everyone was doing, so that in case he had questions or if anyone needed help, he could offer as much of his assistance as he could. While he knew he wouldn't know everything, Tarian had worked out in the field and had a few tricks up his sleeve.
"I will work on those things Captain," Wyatt spoke up. Is there anything else we should be aware of?"
Thorrin took the last of his wine and smiled in the direction of Wyatt. "Lieutenant there is always something more to be aware of. However, it may not be our time to be aware of it..." He cocked his head to the side as he thought that perhaps the crew needed the proverbial words of encouragement so often given by a Captain. "Ladies and Gentlemen I will not sugar coat this. This is our first mission together and as such there is going to be the proverbial growing pains. However, I know that we can get through this and probably have a great time doing it. As serious as our work is, it is a lot of fun to be galivanting the timestream." He smiled at his crew. "Now if there are no further questions. I suggest we get to work."
Addison gave a nod towards Thorrin, his words she found encouraging, also she was eager to get to her research, in order to be prepped for this mission.
A Joint Post By
Captain Thorrin
Commanding Officer
USS Herodotus DTI-30656
Major Hastios Eilfaren
Chief Security & Tactical Officer
Second Officer
USS Herodotus DTI-30656
Commander Marisa Sandoval
Executive Officer
USS Herodotus DTI-30656
Lieutenant Commander Tarian Aloria
Chief Temporal Operations Officer
USS Herodotus DTI-30656
Lieutenant C'amila Juli
Chief Science Officer
USS Herodotus DTI-30656
Lieutenant Addison Talbert
Chief Medical Officer
USS Herodotus DTI-30656
Lieutenant Commander Zosia
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Herodotus DTI-30656
Lieutenant Junior Grade Wyatt Spencer
Chief Operations Officer
Communications Officer
USS Herodotus DTI-30656
Lieutenant Junior Grade M'Ressa
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Herodotus DTI-30656
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