Star Voyagers: "THE B'ALOSIAN PARADIGM"

Part I

Captain’s Log / Stardate: Sept. 16, 2097


Ordered to the planet Vulcan, the SS Stargazer is transporting twenty-five science and engineering cadets in a new academic and cultural exchange program that will allow Galactic Fleet Academy students the opportunity for interplanetary visitation hosted by a Vulcan partner institution. In return, twenty five students from the Vulcan Science Academy will board the Stargazer for a return voyage to Earth to embark on a reciprocal journey established and administered by Galactic Fleet Academy.

***

Returning his Personal Access Display Device to its charging port on the command chair, Foxwell stood and walked toward the navigational command console. “Navigator, what is our estimated time of arrival to Vulcan?”

Scanning the instruments on the console, the navigator craned his head slightly. “At present speed our ETA is approximately 1 hour 22 minutes, Captain.”

“Still too far away to see their world,” Foxwell noted, walking closer to the main viewing screen. “Very well … steady as she goes.”

Swiveling her seat in the Captain’s direction, the communications officer shouted out: “Captain, a priority one subspace message from Galactic Fleet Command has just been been received.”

“Wonderful,” Foxwell responded in a sarcastic tone, completing an about face and rolling his eyes slightly. “And here I thought I was going to spend a few days on Vulcan touring their science academy, discussing warp technology with the appropriate officials ... and should time allow, visit the widely heralded Vulcan Fire Plains and the Voroth Sea.”

Xuriya displayed an encouraging smile. “Perhaps it’s just a routine message, sir … or Galactic Fleet inquiring about our arrival time to Vulcan,” she speculated.

Foxwell quietly balked. “A priority one message from Admiral Perry is never routine, lieutenant, nor sent for the purpose of arrival confirmation.” Exchanging glances with his communications officer, he returned an appreciative smile. “Forward the message to my ready room.”

“Aye, Captain,” she replied, swiveling her chair back in the direction of the communications console.

Continuing toward the science station, Foxwell stood next to his first officer. “Sensor status?”

Beta swung her seat around. “All sensor grids functioning normally, Captain. No abnormal readings or unusual phenomena noted. Barring any unforeseen anomalies, our journey should remain unimpeded.”

Foxwell looked around, pausing to rub his chin. Noticing the Captain’s hesitation, she rotated her chair again in his direction. “Captain, is there something else you ….”

“No ... no, ” he quietly mumbled. "Thought I'd check sensor readings. It seems unusual to receive a priority one message when we’re so close to our destination. Just my instincts kicking in, I suppose.”

“Understood,” Beta acknowledged. “Perhaps you’ll discover the subject of the message to be the recently approved student exchange program between Earth and Vulcan. It’s my understanding Galactic Fleet Command has designated this cultural and educational affair a top priority.”

“Could be,” Foxwell cautiously surmised. Exchanging his pensive expression with a smile, he pivoted back in the direction of his science officer. “Well, let’s find out. Please accompany me to the ready room.”

“Aye, Captain.”

“Xuriya, you have the conn.”

“Aye, sir.”

Accompanying the Captain into the ready room, Beta adjusted one of several video display units in preparation for consultation with Admiral Perry. Taking a seat at the conference table next to Foxwell, she activated the monitor. The Galactic Fleet Logo emerged, followed by Admiral Perry’s visual appearance. Confirming audio and dressed in his standard Admiral’s working uniform, he began:

“Greetings Captain and Commander:”

“Good day to you, Admiral,” Foxwell replied. “Always a pleasure to hear from you, sir. How can we be of assistance?”

The Admiral took in a deep breath. “Captain, this message is sent with the understanding the Stargazer will reach Vulcan in less than two hours. Is that still accurate?”

“Affirmative, Admiral. One hour eleven minutes to be exact.”

“Very well. You are to assume standard orbit at which time all Earth exchange students will be transported by the Vulcan High Command directly to the Science Academy.”

Foxwell glanced at Beta, a perplexed expression appearing. Craning his head back in the direction of the monitor, he said, “Acknowledged, Admiral; that’s our understanding as well per mission orders received prior to our departure from Earth, to be followed by …”

“Captain, the Vulcan exchange students will not board the Stargazer as originally planned,” the Admiral interrupted. “There has been a change in the Stargazer’s mission." Pausing momentarily, he continued: "Following the transport of the Earth exchange students, a Vulcan Diplomatic Representative will be transported along with a female humanoid to the Stargazer’s hangar bay. Upon confirmation they are safely aboard, you are to immediately break orbit and assume a new heading for the planet B'alos.”

Beta gazed at Foxwell. “B'alos is a class M terrestrial world in an uncharted area in the northernmost part of the Galaxy, Captain. We know it is inhabited … nothing more.”

Caught off guard and exasperated by the unexpected change, Foxwell turned and faced the monitor. “What are the new mission orders, Admiral?”

Adjusting the position of his monitor, Admiral Perry turned and stared back at the screen. “Your guests are to be escorted directly to your ready room where they will brief you on the new assignment, Captain. Also, be advised the Vulcan High Council is unanimous in their agreement that the revised mission is of critical importance.”

“And Galactic Fleet Command?” Foxwell polled.

“We are in lockstep with their decision,” Admiral Perry declared.

***

Escorted from the hangar bay by two security personnel, the Vulcan Diplomat and his humanoid colleague sensed the Stargazer’s turbo elevator had suddenly stopped. “Guests on the bridge,” a security officer announced, the doors opening with their usual swooshing sound.

Standing several feet away and facing the elevator, Foxwell and Beta prepared to greet their Vulcan counterpart and the unknown guest he was escorting. “Greetings, and welcome aboard the Stargazer,” the Captain formally announced to both, Beta standing next to him. “I am Jon L. Foxwell, commanding officer,” he politely announced before pivoting in the direction of his first officer. “This is my first officer and science officer, Beta.”

“And I am Chu’lok,” the Vulcan tersely replied, glancing briefly at his humanoid companion. “We are here on orders of the Vulcan High Council for the purpose of briefing you and your first officer on a critical change of mission."

“Yes, uh ... so we’ve been told,” Foxwell remarked in an irritated, but resigned tone.

Displaying the usual stony and impassive expression, the Vulcan diplomat fit the stereotypical human description of coldness and arrogance. Wearing a two-piece rust-colored formal uniform, the jacket sported a high collar with decorative trim, his diplomatic designation visible on the right collar.

“Live long and prosper,” Foxwell suddenly uttered, raising his right hand and displaying the traditional Vulcan salute in an attempt to to lesson the uncomfortable awkwardness that now permeated the bridge. Foxwell’s unexpected change in introductory formalities took the entire bridge crew by surprise. They turned and gawked like deer in the headlights.

The Vulcan diplomat spontaneously raised his arm. Spreading all five digits of his hand with the middle and ring fingers separated, his thumb extended, he coolly replied, “Peace and long life.”

The accompanying humanoid turned and locked eyes with Foxwell. “Allow me to introduce myself,” she said, ignoring Chu’lok’s lack of introductory protocol. “I am Gella ... from the planet B'alos.” Clothed in an off-white one-piece jump suit that covered her entire torso to include her hands, her uniform was accentuated with ribbing on the upper-arms and sides. The only part of her anatomy that was clearly visible was her head, and more prominently, her face, which took on a noticeable, doleful bluish hue. Her hair was a closely cropped pixie cut silvery white. She appeared and behaved like a human from every other aspect.

“Shall we proceed to your ready room, Captain?” Chu’lok suddenly suggested.

Feeling more at ease, Foxwell exhaled a sigh of relief. “Took the words right out of my mouth,” he smiled, extending his arm in the direction of his personal office.


Click to read Episode V Part II "Star Voyagers: "THE B'ALOSIAN PARADIGM""