ALPHA ISLES – MERCIA IV — The Sheliak have initiated plans to use metagenic weapons on the trading planet of Mercia IV. Starfleet responds.
The USS Arrow (NCC-69829) is summoned from shore leave on Casperia Prime and directed to the peaceful trading planet of Mercia IV. Starfleet intelligence indicates a coup d’etat inside the Corporate, and the traditionally fastidious race has renounced all accords with neighbouring worlds.
When the Sheliak launched an aggressive expansionist campaign in the Alpha Isles in 2398, they piqued Starfleet’s interest. This resulted in an eight-month blockade of the planet Theta 122. After a period of inactivity, they have launched a daring and terrifying attack on innocent neighbouring worlds.
The revelation that the tiny attack fleet coming to Mercia IV – an unaligned trading planet – is carrying metagenic weaponry to exterminate the carbon-based inhabitants is the most frightening.
Capt. Randal Shayne chose to head a small away party consisting of LtJG Ayemet Jacin, Science Officer, LtJG Ar’Gorvalei, Medical Officer, Ens. Connor Dewitt, Engineering Officer, and Ens. Tolan Voral, Intelligence Officer, when the Arrow intercepted the fleet en route to Mercia. The away crew intended to render the metagenic chemicals inactive once aboard the Sheliak attack ship using specialised substances synthesised on the Arrow.
“While the commanding officer of a ship leading an away team is not unheard of, it was certainly unexpected.” Ens. Alandra Darmand, interim Ops Officer, stated. “When Captain Shayne declared that he’d be travelling to the Sheliak ship himself, you could have heard a pin drop on the bridge!”
Meanwhile, the Saber class spacecraft is now under the leadership of First Officer LtCmdr. Maz Rodan, whose instructions were to drop off the away team and warp ahead to Mercia to oversee the evacuation of citizens. Rodan is also tasked with organising any planet defence should the away team fail. The Arrow warped away after the initial drop, but not before a Sheliak scout ship was pulled from the fleet to follow. Approaching a thick nebula for cover, the ship now intends to hide from its pursuers in a tense game of cat and mouse.
Written by Maz Rodan
