Plucked Off Course and Out of the Loop

Just as the science officers’ meeting on Starbase 10 was commencing, two Starfleet officials wearing matching military-like uniforms and stern expressions abruptly entered the room and headed directly toward Syntron’s position. After flashing digital identification badges briefly for his eyes only, Syntron nodded affirmatively in acknowledgement to each of them. He then presented his PADD to a nearby colleague with his presentation notes and information regarding the Azimuth Horizon Anomaly along with detailed listings, diagrams, files, and actual footage of the modifications implemented to the various systems throughout the ship that he and his crewmates had developed and implemented aboard the Artemis over the past missions. Since the Artemis was the ship in the fleet with the most extensive experience analyzing and interacting with the anomaly, Syntron was prepared to discuss with them the methodologies and strategies that the crew of the Artemis had developed throughout these interactions, confrontations, extensive scientific examinations and the subsequent procedures that they employed as they confronted this immense threatening menace as it emerged from subspace fractures throughout the sector and continued to expand in scope and as the foremost hazard throughout the region. However, based on the arrival of this pair of Starfleet representatives, this opportunity to present these files was now at best implausible.

After running through rudimentary instructions with his colleague regarding his relevant files on the PADD, Syntron stood up and excused himself from his fellow scientists as he walked out of the meeting room escorted by the Starfleet officials on either side of him like a pair of shifting rigid bookends. The eyes of the remaining scientists just followed their progress out beyond the entrance as quizzical expressions silently etched themselves across their faces. As the doors suddenly swished closed, the silence that hovered over the previously engaging conversation in the room was daunting as each science participant attempted to break the spell and refocus their attention by shuffling through the materials positioned before them.

Syntron silently strolled with his escorts along the elongated circular corridors of Starbase 10 leading to a turbolift. After inserting a unique key into the lift access panel, they descended into the bowels of starbase until they exited the lift on an undesignated level. They walked along a long unmarked path and then proceeded onward toward an unmarked door with a series of elaborate security measures implemented in order to gain access.

Entering the sparsely bedecked room, they walked toward an extended desk in the central section of the room. It was topped with a series of unusual devices and equipment and surrounded by several unadorned chairs. He was then signaled to sit in a specific seat. He complied and knowing that another important meeting involving Captain Kheren would be following his science meeting, he then inquired stoically to both of them “Would you gentleman now explain precisely why it is that you have led me here?”

"All in due time, Lieutenant," simply said the smaller one called Dulmur.

"No, we are not joking." added the heavyset one called Luksly.