The First Steps

Posted on Sat Mar 6th, 2021 @ 5:55pm by Captain Abigail Laurens & Lieutenant Commander Evelyn Rozia & Linza (Lin) Esni & Lieutenant Commander William Rogers & Commander Ichiko Gail & Lieutenant Commander William Gunnison & Lieutenant Commander Calvin Morgan & Lieutenant Craig O'Donnaghue

Mission: Pathstone to History

"This is Pathstone." the friendly voice came back on the comm. "One hundred ticks to aperture opening. All ships in queue, follow Pathstone procedure."

The bridge of the Astraea was buzzing with excitement as the announcement came over comms. The energy was palpable. While most of the crew had traveled Pathstone once before, this was history being made. The USS Astraea was about to be the first Federation Starship to travel through Pathstone. While there was still significant uncertainty about what would happen on the other end, right now everyone was caught in the moment.

Unlike Ts'usugi ships that traveled with windows closed, considering it bad luck to see the stars as they traveled, the Astraea had no such restrictions and were afforded a spectacular view at every turn.

Anyone who looked would see the megastructure flare to life. The immense ring structure would start to spin, like a series of massive golden wheels. Fifty ticks... A point of light, slightly more intense than the star the station orbited, would appear for a moment before being seemingly pulled backward, opening a tear in the fabric of the universe. For a moment, the chaotic energies threatened to be unleashed, though in the next moment the view of chaos and disharmony was replaced with a stable window to another location. Another starfield, another place. Twenty five ticks...

"This is Pathstone. Aperture stable, standby for station control." and with that, the ships in queue began to move, a stable and controlled pace. Each one crossed through the image of the starfield and vanished from sight. One by one, the craft went through until at last it was the Astraea that shuffled through. The view of the universe was replaced with that not unlike the wormhole seen at Deep Space Nine. Is that what this was?

With each flare of the structure, Abigail watched as another ship inched forward into the aperture before disappearing into the beyond. As the first vessel disappeared through and Astraea inched forward in the queue Abigail gripped the armrests of her seat, casting an anxious glance at Ichiko. "Final checks," she ordered calmly, the order directed at all stations on the bridge. "Make sure all Pathstone procedures are followed."

Craig walked onto the bridge at the announcement. "Captain," he said as he took his seat. "Are we at Pathstone, Captain?" he said smiling looking around at all the people on the bridge, he probably looked a little outta place in his fighter jock uniform and slightly messy hair.

The view of the outside shifted from the rings of the Pathstone Installation to a tunnel of sorts. Luminous, with pulses of energy denoting motion, and the sensation of travel. Blue streaks, yellow trails, and an almost organic undulation. It pulsed and moved with a life all its own, spiraling and swimming along with the ships in the Pathstone queue. Not that any of the other ships were visible to the others. Everyone was alone, but they'd be together again soon. The promise of Pathstone.

"Nervous?" Ichiko asked Abigail.

"Overwhelmingly so," Abigail replied with a laugh. "Is it that obvious?"

After what she could only have described a a Masters level education at the hands of the Dalacari in how the Pathstone seemed to work, "I think it's just... Fascinating." She butted in relatively quietly from her station, "Physics and just sheer power that we've never dreamed of here in the Federation."

Ichiko gave a smirk, then motioned with her head down to Abigail's death-grip on her chair. "Only to a ship's second." though at Shaille's comment, Ichiko actually nodded. "I've read every technical manual about the facility, and can quote them exactly. I know what about half of the terms mean, truth be told. This is the crowning achievement of the Three Dawn Accord, a legacy of ingenuity."

Craig listened from his seat. "I've herd of Pathstone but never seen it up close what a marvel she is," he said with his eyes wide looking at the view screen, his Irish drawl now out in full force "I'd love to take the fighter out to get a better look and see it for my self," he said with a wide smile, Craig was all about exploration and this was a moment he'd like to explore.

"I know what you mean," Will said in response, looking over the superstructure. "You hear about it, but the verbal descriptions hardly begin to do it justice."

Calvin slipped onto the bridge quietly, moving to the medical station, just for a place to be out of the way. The whole process was impressive to him, not of the technical aspects but the beauty and art of the ability of the device. He sat down at the console, not bothering to turn it on.

Ichiko smirked at the response the megastructure was having. "A better look at the complex, or?" she inquired, "Knowing the Dalacari as well as we do, I'm certain they'd give you a full tour. Probably takes about two days to see everything. They'd probably cater it, too." the rabbitess giggled.

From the helm Buck nudged the ship along as the line progressed through the Pathstone aperture. He shook his head slightly. The awe and wonder with which he heard being lavished on the installation was flummoxing. To him it appeared a threat: A power move from the Tyrant's playbook. See how powerful we are, it seemed to say. How advanced, compared to you. We accomplished this; what chance do you have of opposing us.

Once again, Linza hung out at the back of the bridge. This was truly amazing, and she was still surprised in the back of her mind that she was part of it.

The trip through the Pathstone wormhole took an hour, down to the count, and the Astraea emerged on the other side to a field of stars that looked completely different than the set of stars they left behind. To the casual observer, it looked like they just arrived at almost the same place they left. Having entered the Pathstone installation one one side, and exited out of the other. It was only when the station commed them that the truth was revealed.

"This is Pathstone. Station Overseer Kepli speaking. Welcome to the Delta Quadrant, USS Astraea. Word is that there's to be some talks..."

"... about the usage of the Pathstone installation for your fleet?"

Abigail stood up from her center chair, trying not to let the surprise on her face show. "Thank you Overseer Kepli," Abigail offered a smile and a slight nod of her head. "We are very grateful for your assistance with making this journey..." her words faltered slightly as the Dalacari switched speaking seamlessly. It was still something that was confronting when one wasn't used to it. "I believe arrangements were being made for our discussions but I'm not yet aware of when, where or who I will be meeting with."

"Of course. We were working out those details until currently. You'll be hosted by Ascension Station in orbit over Dalacar, with the actual meeting being held in the visitor's section of..."

"... Abeesi, a resort used for relaxation by both our own and any Ts'usugi in need of a break from the day to day. As for whom you will meet, you'll be speaking with a rank seven member of the..."

"... Department of Interspecies Diplomacy, Miss Gaala Feema. As guests you'll be afforded our highest level of protection and security, but she'll understand if you want to bring a small..."

"... detatchment with you as well. I also hear that the Ts'usugi are bringing a representitive of their own: Fleetmaster Diasan Goki, in command of the Ts'usugi flagship, the Infinite Horizon."

Was that a gasp from the bridge's resident rabbitess?

"His flagship is enroute to Dalacar currently. I can send you the coordinates to the Ascension Station. Our coordinate system sets the galactic center as zero,zero,zero, so you may need to adjust..."

"... a bit to match with your navigational systems. As for the meeting time, they can be ready for you upon your arrival. As for the Fleetmaster, he is scheduled to arrive at the site in roughly..."

"... two days, mark." the station overseer offered, indicating that the fleetmaster was still in transit. With hardly a care in the world, the station overseer transmitted a series of coordinates, presumably, to the very front door of their homeworld. Dalacar. Dalacari. The similarity was too obvious.

Smiling as she listened, Linza honestly couldn't wait and was bouncing on her feet just a little.

"Of course, I will have our crew work with yours regarding the nagivational information if needed." The gasp from Ichiko made Abigail suddenly feel nervous and she cast a quick sideways glance at her First Officer. "Thank you Overseer, once again, I appreciate everything you and your people have done to assist us so far, and if we can ever reciprocate, please just let us know."

"I certainly appreciate the gesture. I do hope to see you again, Captain. It's such a pleasure to talk to polite guests." he paused, "Good luck in your travels. Overseer Kepli out." and the screen switched back to the view of unfamiliar distant stars, a fleet defending a station, and the station itself. Once the screen was cleared, Ichiko waited a few moments before she found her words.

"An unexpected name, but not one I haven't heard." given Ichiko's condition, that was unsurprising.

Abigail offered a slight nod to acknowledge that Ichiko had spoken. "Commander Gunnison, open a channel ship wide," she waited a moment until the channel was open and she could speak again. "All hands, welcome to the Delta Quadrant."