A Wrinkle In Time

Posted on Sat May 28th, 2016 @ 9:10pm by Commander Ehlana Winter & Lieutenant Riley Sukotav & Commander Patrick Leroy

Mission: Further Challenges
Location: Galileo Science Center

* Galileo Science Center - Lab Four *

Ehlana had entered the lab after another scan of the turbolift, her attention locked on the small instrument she held in her hand. The readings outside the lab had dissipated, almost completely gone now. But as she moved around the edge of the lab, the information began to shift, bringing a frown. She completed her circuit of the outer edge of the lab, and as she turned towards the center, the screen flashed red.

“What the---” The doors opening behind her pulled her attention away and she turned to see Patrick enter. “Hello, Commander. You’re out late this evening.”

“Commander Winter.” Patrick nodded in a quick salute “Yes it’s late but it’s about a man of my staff who’s vanished without a trace we’re talking so… It isn’t late at all. Anyway I’m glad you’ve accepted to come here at this hour.”

“This is my third trip,” Ehlana admitted. “I couldn’t sleep and I was keeping Earl awake so I decided to do something useful with my time. The chroniton levels in the lift are all but zero. They are slightly higher out here by the door, but check this.” She held out the small instrument. “Watch as you move towards the center of the room.”

Patrick took the instrument offered and did as she said “Really amazing.” he walked away from the center to return from a different direction a couple of times “Neutronic activity is at its highest this close.” He returned the detector to Elhana then.

“Still I saw an ebbing and flowing in the levels, almost a rhythm. Should I’ve been a poet I would have said that a heart is beating here… Of a cruel lover though.”

Ehlana studied Patrick with a newfound interest. “Yes, it’s very much like that, isn’t it? That could be interesting or terrifying. Do you think it’s possible for….nah, never mind. It’s a piece of technology, programmed to do its job.” She paused a moment, still watching Patrick. “Have you ever considered moving to Temporal Affairs? Given your past experience, you’d be great.”

Patrick smiled with Winter’s token of appreciation “Er… I think I’m content of busying myself with matters in the present time. They can make your hands full indeed and… My recent experience through the alternate universe’s future has been enough for me.” he paused an instant as if recalling something particular then smiled again “It’s been a while now, I like to think that when shift time is over I can go home and spend time with loved ones. Maybe I’ve lost my adventurous side”

That got a nod from Ehlana. “You’re right, about spending time with family. My son is grown so he’s off on his own but even so, there are many times Earl and I have sat down to dinner, only to have my alarm sound. He usually can’t ask where...or when...I’ve been. And you’re right, it is dangerous. It’s also not without it’s unusual effects as well.” Her detector beeped and she frowned as she studied the readout. “Activity is picking up.”

“Definitely something is amiss here.” Patrick said walking to the closest science station “We’re aware that the Krenim device is decaying, a side effect of the heavy experimentation we operated.” Typing some commands on the console patrick brought forth and holographic image of the sphere currently held in stasis. The bright blue virtual image seemed like a center of a galaxy with swirling arms composed of shiny dots like stars.

“That is our current situation. The sphere is in stasis the decaying matter revolves around a gravity center represented by the sphere itself. A familiar view isn’t it?”

“It is.” She moved closer, holding out her detector and after a moment, she drew in a sharp breath. “How fast is this thing destabilizing?”

“Not very fast. A process that can take years and that still can worry us. As all the rest that comes around this Krenim device… But we plan to solve the mystery long before this leak becomes dangerous. Intel hasn’t given us much time to get to a result. Captain Hawke in person took care of this thing. I think Mr. Ian Bren’s disappearance has something to do with all of this; the Krenim are surely making their moves on the chessboard.”

“And perhaps hoping we don’t call their bluff?” Ehlana frowned as another series of readings came in. “You realize that in the area right around the sphere, time has stopped?” she asked. “No, that’s not exactly correct. It just doesn’t exist.”

“Let me see,” Patrick said checking the closest station. “It must have been a temporary effect all readings seem to be inside the parameters now.” He shook slowly his head “We know so little of their technology at the moment.”

“I’ll say,” Ehlana agreed. “Even if it was a momentary aberration, it’s frightening.”

The doors had opened to admit Riley. “What is?”

“We had a few seconds of strange readings,” Ehlana answered. “Just around the sphere, there was an absolute lack of measurable time.”

“A lack?” Riley frowned and turned to Tess. “How’s the stability field?”

“The field is holding and stable. Yes, there are some recordings of stress on the tachyonic barrier in the last few seconds but has been a very minor event.” Tess responded from his station.

“That’s good.” Riley crossed the lab, stopping to scan the sphere. “Looks good. Ian’s calculations agree...it sems to be holding steady at the --”

“Riley!” Ehlana cut him off. “You need to get back. Something’s wrong, it’s --”

Patrick flung himself to get hold of Ehlana when the eerie flare engulfed all of them. He did never reach her, everything became as a negative photograph. Their movement slowing progressively until it came to a full stop.

*************
Commander Ehlana Winter
Commander Patrick Leroy
Lt. Riley Sukotav
At Ground Zero