Return to the Horizon

Terix had taken the turbolift to the Alsea's bridge after being dismissed by Lieutenant Snow and he seated himself at the science station at the back of the circular bridge. A lone human woman, a security officer, stood guard near the entrance to the Captain's ready room with a phaser on her belt, and  watched Terix as if she had nothing else to do. He suspected she probably did not with the ship undergoing refit. The science console seemed to be brand new and  Terix ran his fingers over the smooth surface as he attempted to pull up data regarding Operation Horizon. That was where he encountered his first problem. Virtually every scientific file he attempted to access regarding the Azimuth Horizon the computer beeped defiantly at him and the message "Data Classified by Fleet Command." popped up endlessly on the screen. How was he supposed to recreate and analyze the scenario if he could not access the data? He finally sighed in frustration and tapped his communicator 

"Cadet Senior Terix to Instructor Snow."

''Go ahead, Cadet.''

There was absolutely no puzzlement, let alone any surprise in the woman's voice.

"Lieutenant, I seem to have run into a road block with my research on the assignment you've given. The ship's computer refuses to allow me access to any data regarding Operation Horizon. It appears that the scientific and tactical data regarding the Alsea's participation in the operation have been classified. Perhaps I am looking in the wrong files? Is there any unclassified data in the computer?"

''Indeed you are, cadet; and yes there are. the actual science files on the anomaly are unclassified. So are the specs of the Alsea. These are all that you need.''

Terix sat back in the science officer's chair for a moment stroking his chin before he responded "I see...understood Lieutenant, Terix out." 

Terix had hoped to be able to look at the actual actions taken by the Alsea and Lotus Fleet to respond to the anomaly. He believed that to be the best way to analyze and recommend corrections to the processes used. I will just have to make do with what I have.

"Computer access and display unclassified scientific analysis of the spatial anomaly present during Operation Horizon."

"Clarify," the computer replied "multiple sources present. Sensor data from multiple Starfleet vessels including U.S.S. Lotus, U.S.S Artemis, U.S.S Nuntio, U.S.S. Alsea-"

"Halt readout. Display unclassified, compiled science report on the anomaly present during Operation Horizon."

As the readout began to display his request Terix started sifting through the data on the Azimuth Horizon anomaly as the report called it. As he read Terix eyes grew wide, he'd had no idea anything of this sort had even existed. Why hadn't they presented this at the Academy? After pouring through the data for nearly 15 minutes Terix had a better idea than simply reading the numbers.

"Computer, state the status of ship's holodecks." 

"Holodecks one and two are operational." 

"Are they occupied?" 

"Holodeck One occupied, holodeck two currently unoccupied."

“Transfer requested data to holodeck two.”

“Confirmed.”

Terix rose from the science station and nodded to the security officer before entering the turbolift and riding down three decks. He walked to the holodeck and stepped inside. It was a standard Federation holodeck, black walls with golden yellow lines concealing state of the art holo emitters. Terix moved to the center of the room and spoke to the ship’s computer.

“Computer, using available unclassified scientific data recreate the Azimuth Horizon anomaly within the Hromi Cluster as of the start of Operation Horizon.”

The room changed as the computer complied and Terix found himself staring at a brilliant glowing entity that appeared to stretch to the ends of space. The entity had many of the properties of a standard plasma storm but from that same data Terix knew that it was anything but.

“Computer, show positions of Starbase Lotus and USS Alsea relative to the anomaly at the start of Operation Horizon.”

Scale models of the starbase and the Prometheus Class warship populated themselves in the room and Terix walked between them noting that the Alsea appeared to be deployed a significant distance from the starbase.

“Computer, how was the Azimuth Horizon anomaly contained?”

“Containment procedures of the Azimuth Horizon anomaly are classified by Fleet Command.”

“Of course they are,” Terix muttered before he continued “Computer was the containment completed by one vessel alone?”

“Negative, all Lotus Fleet vessels participated in Operation Horizon.”

So, he knew that the Alsea alone was not responsible for the containment of the anomaly which was what he had suspected. Still, he wondered how they had done it. The Horizon was a massive tear in subspace according to the scientific data, and even though Terix was as intelligent as any other science officer he was struggling to comprehend how such a tear would be sealed. Operation Horizon had to have been one hell of a mission, he thought and then something else occurred to him; Lietuenant Snow had said “containment under fire.”

“Computer, were there hostile forces present during Operation Horizon.”

“That data is-“

“I know..classified.” Terix said cutting off the artificial intelligence

“Computer, modify simulation: assume the presence of a hostile fleet in the vicinity of USS Alsea.”

“Clarify, please state the nature of hostile force.”

Terix paced back and forth as he looked at the anomaly and he noted the position of the Alsea, as well as the Klingon and Romulan borders. He thought about what the Starfleet Intelligence officer had said during the last interview before Terix left Earth. “They’ve had trouble with Romulans there.”

“Computer, assume the presence of a Romulan battle group in the vicinity of USS Alsea.”

“Specifiy total number of ships present.”

Terix thought about that for a moment..what would he do if he were in charge of what was left of the Romulan fleet? What would he do if he was Sela?

“Assume a Romulan force of approximately twenty vessels, of various classes, with at least one capital ship.”

Models of Romulan ships materialized near the Alsea and Terix walked among them examining ships whose capabilities he was very familiar with. Birds of Prey, Mogai Escorts, Valdore Cruisers and a lone D’Deridex class warship. He looked at them, he looked at the Alsea and then spoke again.

“Computer, given the presence of the Romulan vessels, would the USS Alsea alone be able to maintain containment procedures and defend herself against attack?”

“Negative, hostile forces present would overwhelm USS Alsea within approximately twenty minutes.”

“So, Terix reasoned now thinking out loud “The anomaly was not contained by one vessel which means simultaneous actions taken by all vessels, at different positions, while under fire by at least one hostile force.”

As intelligent as he was Terix was truly confused as to how Lotus Fleet had possibly been able to contain the anomaly and fend off attacking forces. It seemed as if there was no possible way for such a small amount of ships to both defend themselves and contain a large, aggressively expanding anomaly. The data available suggested either concentrated phaser fire or inverted ionic pulse, but the size of the Azimuth Horizon would have required multiple such actions in different parts of the quadrant. It was clear to Terix that this operation had to have been nothing short of a miracle. It was not impossible…but…Terix shook his head.

“I would love to know just how they did it,” he muttered. He reasoned he’d spent enough time considering the enormous task of the operation though. Lieutenant Snow was likely expecting some form of report.

“Computer, save simulation as Cadet Terix One and save data to report titled Cadet Terix Assignment One until deleted by myself, Lieutenant Snow, or another senior officer.”

“Confirmed, data saved.”

“Computer, end simulation.”

Terix left the holodeck to locate Instructor Snow and make his report.