SUBSPACE

CHATTER

The Official UFPSF
Fifth Fleet Newsletter




A Ready Room Ramblings A View from the Bridge
A Sci-Fact News
A Fifth Fleet Funnies Featuring Real Life
A Sci-Fi & Genre News
A Star Trek: Dauntless Meet the Faggios

Volume 6 Issue 06
March 2014
A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 2 A Vol. 06, #06 A
Ready Room Ramblings
A View from the Bridge

Hi everyone. Before we get into this months
issue, I just wanted to clarify a few things. One of
the promises I made when the Fifth Fleet began
(and the USS Dauntless prior to that) was to try and
stick to a regular publishing schedule. I cannot
begin to tell you how irritating it was when I first
joined a Starfleet-based fan club and we as
members never knew whether or not we were
going to get the promised chapter newsletter.
Sometimes two months would go by between
issues, sometimes three or more months. You just
never knew.

That was why I stated Subspace Chatter would be
published on the fourth Thursday of each month, so
our members know when to expect a newsletter
issue. Occasionally something happens, and an
issue may be late. If I can anticipate the
publication will be late, I send an e-mail out to our
members informing them of such and when I
expect the issue to be sent out, if I can estimate
that. But I will probably never go more than a
couple of days behind schedule without somehow
getting word out to the membership. If more than
five days pass beyond when the newsletter was
supposed to reach your e-mailbox, then you should
start wondering if Im in the hospital or lying in a
ditch beside the road somewhere. But please,
PLEASE do NOT e-mail me complaining you
have not received your newsletter at 5PM on the
fourth Thursday of the month!!! As far as Im
concerned, if I have the newsletter out prior to
11:59PM Eastern Time on the North American
continent on the fourth Thursday of a given month,
then it has been published on-time! The only thing
accomplished when I receive complaining e-mails
like the one I just gave an example of is the sender
has pissed me off. The newsletter will arrive in its
own good time, and it being a little late will not
stop the world from turning or cause the sun to go
dark.


Now, back to our regularly scheduled newsletter

Congratulations to the following Crew Members
on their promotions, effective 01 March 2014:
Angel Fay Hayes, promoted to full Lieutenant
Jenifer Quinn, promoted to Petty Officer 2
nd
Class
Paul Rezac, promoted to Lt Commander
Congratulations all!

Star Trek Birthdays for the month of March;
03 James Doohan (Capt Montgomery Scotty
Scott TOS)
05 Jolene Blalock (Cdr TPol ENT)
11 Anton Yelchin (Ens Pavel Chekov AltST)
16 Jo-Ann Treadwell (USS Sarek
Science Officer)
18 J.G. Hertzler (Chancellor Martok DS9)
19 Connor Trinneer (Cdr Charles Trip
Tucker III ENT)
22 William Shatner (Capt James T. Kirk TOS)
26 Leonard Nimoy (Ambassador Spock
TOS, TNG, AltST)
29 Marina Sirtis (Counselor Deanna Troi TNG)

Ahead Warp Six!
~Capn Pete





Subspace Chatter Third Edition
Vol. 06, #06 March 2014
The UFPSF Fifth Fleet Newsletter
2014 Gem Productions

Star Trek and related marks are trademarks of CBS Studios, Inc
A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 3 A Vol. 06, #06 A
Sci-Fact News

New planet-hunting space telescope coming in 2024
By Mike Wall, from Space.com
20 February 2014


The PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars (PLATO) mission will identify and study thousands of
exoplanetary systems, with an emphasis on discovering and characterising Earth-sized planets and super-Earths.
(ESA/C. Carreau)

Europe will launch a space observatory a decade
from now to hunt for Earth-like planets circling
distant stars, officials announced Wednesday.

The European Space Agency has selected a space
telescope called PLATO short for Planetary
Transits and Oscillations of stars as its newest
medium-class science mission. The observatory,
which is slated to blast off in 2024, will scan up to
a million stars for signs of orbiting planets, with an
emphasis on worlds that could be similar to our
own.

PLATO will begin a completely new chapter in
the exploration of extrasolar planets, mission
leader Heike Rauer, of the German Aerospace
Center, said in a statement. We will find planets
that orbit their star in the life-sustaining habitable
zone planets where liquid water is expected, and
where life as we know it can be maintained.

Like NASAs prolific Kepler space telescope,
PLATO will detect planets by noticing the tiny
brightness dips they cause when they cross in front
of, or transit, their parent stars from the
spacecrafts perspective. But PLATOs design is
significantly different than that of Kepler, relying
on a system of 34 small telescopes and cameras
rather than one relatively large instrument.

PLATO will also characterize its target stars in
detail from its position at sun-Earth Lagrange point
2, a gravitationally stable region about 930,000
miles from our planet. This information, combined
with observations from ground-based instruments,
will allow researchers to calculate newfound
exoplanets densities, revealing whether theyre
rocky like Earth or primarily gaseous like Saturn
and Jupiter.

The new mission will likely find and study
thousands of new exoplanet systems, shedding
light on the distribution and composition of alien
worlds throughout the Milky Way galaxy,
researchers said.

A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 4 A Vol. 06, #06 A
In the last 20 years, more than one thousand
exoplanets have been discovered, with quite a few
multi-planetary systems among them, Rauer said.
But almost all of these systems differ significantly
from our solar system in their properties, because
they are the easiest-to-find examples. PLATO
firmly will establish whether systems like our own
solar system and planets like our own Earth are
common in the galaxy.

PLATO was one of five finalists for the 2024
medium-class mission launch opportunity. The
other four were EChO (the Exoplanet
Characterization Observatory), LOFT (the Large
Observatory For X-ray Timing), MarcoPolo-R (a
near-Earth asteroid sample-return mission) and
STE-Quest (Space-Time Explorer and QUantum
Equivalence principle Space Test).

Medium-class missions cost ESA a maximum of
470 million, or about $647 million. The space
agency has selected two other missions in this
category, both in 2011: Solar Orbiter, which will
launch in 2017 to study the sun and solar wind; and
Euclid, which will blast off in 2020 to investigate
mysterious dark energy and dark matter.

ESA will likely launch a smaller exoplanet mission
before PLATO the $137 million (100 million)
CHEOPS (short for CHaracterizing ExOPlanets
Satellite) spacecraft, which is targeted to lift off in
2017. The main goal of CHEOPS will be to
characterize known exoplanets rather than to
discover new worlds.





Fifth Fleet Funnies
Real Life By Greg Dean

A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 5 A Vol. 06, #06 A


A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 6 A Vol. 06, #06 A


A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 7 A Vol. 06, #06 A


To Be Continued Next Month


A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 8 A Vol. 06, #06 A
Sci-Fi & Genre News

The Clone Wars' final season may finally tie all the prequels together!
By Rob Bricken, from io9.com
24 February 2014


The first real trailer for Star Wars: Clone Wars
The Lost Missions has arrived, and holy womprats
does it look amazing. So amazing, in fact, I think
maybe we should throw out all the prequels and let
this be the only pre-New Hope material.

Look at all the stuff from the prequels its meshing
together, either introducing them early so they
actually make sense in the movies, or bringing
back in order to tie up loose ends! The existence of
Force ghosts! Qui-Gons mission to train Anakin!
Dagobah! A much better set-up for the clone
armys betrayal and Order 66, so it no longer
comes completely out of nowhere! Plus new stuff
like the home planet of the Sith! And theres also
plenty of awesome action too, obviously.



If nothing else, this trailer reminds me that while
Clone Wars started out pretty rough especially
if you were misfortunate enough to have watched
the movie it built into some really special.
Rebels may look poor in comparison now, but
theres no reason to suspect that Dave Filoni and
his crew cant do it again.

The Clone Wars trailer can be viewed on-line at
http://io9.com/the-clone-wars-final-season-may-
finally-tie-all-the-pr-1529912436


Since the days of the first wooden vessels, all ship masters have had one happy privilege: that of
uniting two people in the bonds of matrimony.
Fleet Captain Peter J. Koester commanding officer of the Federation Fifth Fleet flagship USS
Dauntless dressed in his best bone-white dress uniform, looked at the small crowd gathered in the 10-Forward
lounge of his starship. He thought back to the handful of ceremonies like this he had performed in that very
room over the years, most notably that between a young security officer and a half-Klingon warp specialist who
would eventually go on to be his first officer and chief engineer for a time before moving on to another starship
of their own. He smiled at the memory before continuing.
We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in the bonds of matrimony. What the
universe has joined, let no being cast asunder. Is there anyone here who has reason why these two should not
be joined as husband and wife? No one present spoke. He then looked directly at the man in front and slightly
to his left and said, Do you, William Henry Hyland the Third take Joella Faggio of the Twelfth House of
A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 9 A Vol. 06, #06 A
Betazed to be your lawfully wedded wife; to have and to hold, from this day forward, for as long as you both
shall live?
William Hyland III turned to look at his bride and smiled as he answered, I do.
Koester then looked at the bride, radiant and more than a little sexy in the backless and veil-less white
gown exposing her bare midriff the style a compromise between a traditional Earth wedding dress and the
typical nudity of a Betazoid wedding and said to her, And do you, Joella Faggio of the Twelfth House of
Betazed take this man, William Henry Hyland the Third to be your lawfully wedded husband; to have and to
hold, from this day forward, for as long as you both shall live?
Joella Faggios eyes looked up at her bride-grooms face, and her thoughts drifted back to the events
that had led to this moment...


Forty-Eight Hours Earlier...
Stardate 67430.9
Thursday, 7 June 2390 Earth Calendar

The pounding at his door made Hyland rush out of the small bedroom of his quarters, a towel wrapped
around his waist. He had just stepped into the sonic shower with the intent of washing away the days tensions.
As his wedding date quickly approached, life with Joella Faggio was becoming nearly unbearable, and some of
what had occurred during his watch on the bridge had not helped his nerves in the least.
Hyland pressed the button on the wall that unlocked his door. They swished open to reveal an angry
looking Faggio staring back at him.
What are you doing, Bill?!?
I was trying to take a shower until you...
We need to get the decorations for 10-Forward finalized! And my parents will be arriving aboard the
ship at any minute! Faggio practically screamed.
Your parents? I thought they werent getting here until the morning of the wedding??
Get dressed! Faggio demanded. We have stuff to do!
Without preamble, Faggio pushed her fianc back toward his small bedroom, and the cabin doors
swished shut behind her.


Space, the Final Frontier...
These are the voyages of the starship Dauntless!

Star Trek: Dauntless

Meet the Faggios By PJK


What do you think, Bill? Should we drape the windows in blue? Faggio asked, holding a sample of
blue cloth that she was considering using to decorate the main lounge aboard the Dauntless prior to their
upcoming wedding.
I thought you liked the purple? Hyland asked, confused why they were still in 10-Forward making
decisions that he was sure they had made days even weeks before!
Purple reminds me too much of the new Rihannsu military uniforms, Faggio remarked.
Fine, then go with blue.
A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 10 A Vol. 06, #06 A
Are you sure? Faggio asked, a look of concern on her face. After all, this is your wedding too.
Whatever you like will make me happy, a frustrated Hyland replied.
I dont want you to just agree with me! I really want to know what you think.
Honestly? Hyland asked.
Yes!
Hyland looked at his fiance skeptically for a second before huffing and finally saying, If you really
want my opinion, I think the purple will better compliment the dress you have picked out.
Faggios expression looked like a mixture of frustration and disappointment.
What?? Hyland asked.
Faggio ignored her fiancs question and looked instead at the decorator assisting them. Well go
with the blue.
Very good choice, the decorator replied as he took back the samples and stepped away.
Why do you even ask what I like? Hyland asked.
Purple would compliment my dress? Faggio asked back with a tone of incredulity. Oh! Didnt I
tell you I changed my mind again?
So what else is new? ran through Hylands head before he realized what his fiance had said. The
blood drained from his face as he looked at her and said, Please dont tell me you decided again you want to do
a Betazoid wedding! The Captain will...!
No, no, no! Faggio reassured him. I just went with a different somewhat more revealing design
without the colored accents. Im sure the Captain will approve. But if it were up to my parents...!
Please tell me your parents have still agreed to abide by our desires for this wedding and wont be
showing up naked in front of half the crew? Hyland asked, practically begging.
Oh, you know my parents...
Only from the stories youve told me, which is why Im begging you...!
Brrrridge to Lieutenant Faggio, said the voice of Lt Mnday over the young Betazoid womans
combadge. The engineer tapped her communicator.
Go ahead, Lieutenant.
The trrrransport carrrrrrying yourrrr parrrrents has arrrrrrived, the Caitian ops officer stated. Please
rrrreporrrrt to the trrrransporrrrterrrr rrrroom.
Theyre here! Faggio exclaimed, her expression like someone who had been caught doing something
she had been forbidden to do as she grasped her fiances arm. Come on, Bill! Get up! Look presentable!
Before he even had a chance to straighten his uniform top, Faggio was dragging Hyland out of the
lounge and toward the nearest turbolift. Within moments they were standing in the transporter room.
Transporter system is synchronized, Chief Blackman announced. Ready to energize.
Energize, Chief, Faggio announced enthusiastically. Then, as Blackman stroked his fingers over the
controls, the system hummed to life and two beams materialized into the forms of an older Betazoid couple.
Both were grey-haired, their completely black eyes looking piercingly at Hyland who at that moment only
wanted to vanish into a transporter beam of his own. They then looked toward Faggio, their lips breaking out
into large smiles as they descended the several steps to the deck and embraced their daughter in a hug.
Ella, darling! Mrs. Faggio said telepathically as she approached.
Mother, were among humans here. Please speak verbally, Faggio admonished back.
Mrs. Faggio sighed, then asked her daughter, How are you doing? It has been ages! Why dont you
ever come home?
Sorry I dont get to visit much, Mother, Faggio said contritely. Its a little hard to get home when
your ship is assigned all this distance beyond the Typhon Expanse. Faggio then gestured toward her fianc
and said, Mother, Father, please allow me to introduce Bill Hyland. Bill, my parents; Bernatta and Roz Anna
Faggio.
A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 11 A Vol. 06, #06 A
Both older Betazoids turned in Hylands direction. He was about to offer a handshake to his soon-to-
be father-in-law when the older man started saying, And what makes you believe youre good enough for my
precious little girl?
Um... Excuse me? Hyland managed to choke out, having not expected such a greeting.
Doesnt think very quickly on his feet, does he? Mrs. Faggio projected to her daughter mentally, a
smirk on her face.
Mother, please! Faggio projected back. She then added verbally, Bill is a loving, caring, warm
person with whom I have decided to spend the rest of my life. And you need to forgive him, he just got off
watch not too long ago and things have been rather stressful lately.
Pleased to finally meet you, sir, Hyland managed to remark to Mr. Faggio. The older Betazoid man
leaned closer to the startled young Starfleet officer as he grasped his hand tightly but did not shake.
Im watching you, Mister. Always watching! Hylands predicament was graciously interrupted by
the sound of the intercom activating.
Bridge t Leftenant Hyland an Leftenant Faggio.
Relieved, Hyland tapped his combadge and responded, This is Hyland, and Faggio is with me. Go
ahead, bridge.
Leftenant, weve run into a situation. I need th two o you t report t th bridge immediately, said
the voice of Commander Alasdair Wallace, the on-watch officer of the deck.
A look of worry covered Faggios features as she looked at her parents. Chief Blackman noticed and
said, Dont worry, Lieutenant. Ill escort your parents to their quarters.
Thank you, Chief, Faggio said. She then looked at her parents and said, Well get together with
you later as soon as whatever is happening is resolved.
Mrs. Faggio did not look the least bit happy as Hyland and her daughter moved toward the transporter
room door and Hyland said, Were on our way, Commander. Hyland, out.

* * * *

Hyland and Faggio arrived on the bridge, where they were directed to the main conference lounge by
Commander Alasdair Wallace. As they stepped down into the lounge, they noticed most of the senior staff
already gathered around the table Fleet Captain Peter J. Koester sitting at his customary place at the head of
the table.
Good, youre both here, Koester said. Please sit down. The two junior lieutenants took seats at
the table as the captain started to speak. As I was just explaining to everyone else, the Dauntless has received
an urgent communiqu from a joint communications relay post operated by both Starfleet and the Morain
military in Sector 50104. They have reported what appears to be a small unidentified vessel at extreme sensor
range that appears to be observing the communications post, and while the crew is not sure, they believe this
mysterious vessel may be Reaper in origin.
From the reactions of the more senior officers, it was clear to Hyland and Faggio that the name
Reaper meant something they were unaware of.
Excuse me, Captain, Hyland said after looking at his fiance and determining she had no clearer
understanding of what Koester was talking about than he did. What are Reapers?
Reapers are a savage alien race encountered by the Sarek last year, Commander Kyler Saya replied.
Little is known about them other than they often ambush unsuspecting vessels passing through their territory
and, after brutalizing and murdering the crew, use the captured ship as bait to entrap still other ships for attack.
They are dangerous and brutal, unlike any species I have ever encountered before.
Whats our plan? Faggio asked.
I have already ordered our course diverted to the communications relay, Koester stated. Im not
sure what will happen once we get there, but I have a feeling were going to need the skills you two bring to the
table, and I wanted to make sure youre briefed on what to expect.
A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 12 A Vol. 06, #06 A
Captain..., Faggio started to say, hesitating due to the fact she was unsure how to bring up what was
on her mind. You... um... realize that Bill and I are supposed to be getting married in less than two days,
right?
Yes, I remember, Lieutenant. But sometimes duty interferes with our plans. I need both of you to
remain flexible for the foreseeable future.
We understand, Hyland replied, cutting off his fiance before she could say anything both of them
might regret.
Estimated time to arrive at the communications relay? Koester asked.
Eight hours, present speed, Skipper, first officer Setton ToLock Arbelo replied.
Very well. Everyone be ready for whatever we may encounter. Dismissed.

* * * *

Just under eight hours later a little after 0400 hours shipboard time the Dauntless arrived in the
vicinity of the joint communications relay station. Laying on his daybed in the ready room, Fleet Captain
Koester was awakened by the sound of the intercom activating.
Captain, this is the bridge. Weve arrived at the relay post.
Koester rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he sat up and replied, Thank you, Lieutenant Dillon. Ill be
right out. A moment later he was back on the bridge, standing next to the Delta watch officer of the deck,
Lieutenant Nick Dillon, sitting in the command chair.
Anything out of the ordinary? he asked the lieutenant.
Negative, sir. Sensors are not detecting anything except the relay post within range.
Very well. Hail the communications relay.
Aye, sir. Ensign Koester, hail the relay post.
Ensign Cassie Koester, sitting at ops, acknowledged the order and activated hailing frequencies. A
moment later a female human Starfleet officer wearing the rank insignia of a Lt Commander appeared on the
main viewscreen.
Joint Relay Post One, this is the starship Dauntless. What is your current situation? Fleet Captain
Koester asked.
Dauntless, Im Lt Commander Sue Cisco, in command of Starfleet/Morain Joint Communications
Outpost 1. We have been detecting an unidentified vessel which appears to be periodically observing us at
extreme sensor range. Considering our proximity to recently reported attacks by the alien species the Morain
call the Reapers, I thought it advisable to call in the closest starship to investigate.
Commander Cisco, we detected no other ships on our approach to your outpost. You said the
unidentified ship is observing your post periodically?
Correct, Captain. Over the course of the last ten days, we have detected the unidentified craft
approaching us every thirty-three and one-quarter hours, plus or minus five or ten minutes. This outpost is only
manned by four personnel; two Morain officers, a Haliian Starfleet officer, and myself. We do not know if this
alien ship is trying to determine our capabilities, planning to attack us, or using us as bait as the Reapers have
been known to do.
If the unidentified ship has been following a pattern in its appearances, when should the next one
occur, Commander? Koester asked.
If they stay true to form, their next appearance should occur... Cisco consulted the console in front
of her. ...within the next six hours.
That will put it close to the end of Alpha shift, Koester remarked to Dillon. Im going to go grab
some breakfast before I assume the watch. No need to call an alert yet, but keep a careful eye out for any
visitors and inform me if our sightseer arrives earlier than expected.
Aye, Captain, Dillon replied. Koester then returned his attention to the woman on the viewscreen.
A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 13 A Vol. 06, #06 A
Commander, the Dauntless will remain in the vicinity for at least the next 24 hours. If your
mysterious ship shows up again, well confront them and try and determine their intentions.
Thank you, Captain, Cisco replied.
Contact us if you detect the ships approach. Dauntless, out.

* * * *

Almost six hours later, Koester was in command on the bridge, talking with both his first officer
Commander Arbelo and his ships counselor Tanzia Gera discussing what they should do if the mysterious
ship they were awaiting did show up as expected and if it was confirmed to be a Reaper vessel. The
conversation was interrupted by the port turbolift opening and the voices of two people emerging.
Father, please! Ill take care of this! a harried female voice pleaded.
You go back and get your last minute stuff taken care of, a male voice responded before a Betazoid
man stepped down in front of the command chair, a worried and frustrated Joella Faggio following close
behind. Are you the Captain? the man said gruffly.
Yes, I am, Koester replied, quickly looking at Faggio curiously before standing up. Fleet Captain
Peter J. Koester. And you are...?
Bernatta Faggio, the man said, ignoring Koesters extended hand. My daughter tells me shes still
on duty. You do realize shes getting married tomorrow, right?
Of course I realize that, Mister Faggio, considering Im officiating, Koester replied.
Father, please, Faggio begged. You cant be on the br...
Mr. Faggio stopped his daughter with a raised hand, then spoke again to Koester, What could possibly
be so important that it takes precedent over my daughters wedding day? Do you have any idea how long it
took for my wife and I to travel out here so we could be present on her very special day? Particularly when you
take into consideration that I firmly believe you should have brought your ship to Betazed so this wedding could
be performed properly! I have even heard everyone will be wearing CLOTHES! INCLUDING the bride and
groom!
Faggio feared the captain was going to explode, but to her surprise, Koester shared a frustrated look
with Counselor Gera before calmly replying, Mister Faggio, as Im sure your daughter has explained, her
duties to Starfleet take a higher precedent than any personal plans. Were pleased and honored that you and
your wife could be aboard our starship for this important occasion, but unfortunately the universe doesnt stand
still every time someone gets married. We will do everything in our powers to make sure Lieutenant Hyland
and Faggios wedding goes off as planned without any unpleasant surprises, but unfortunately were in the
middle of an investigation that may require your daughters participation. Now, if you will accompany
Counselor Gera, Im sure she can help you settle in and answer any questions you might have regarding starship
operations and the plans we have in place for your daughters wedding. Koester looked at Gera again as he
said, Counselor?
Gera tried to smile warmly at both the captain and Mr. Faggio as she stood up, the joined-Trill
gesturing toward the turbolift both Faggios had recently exited. As he stepped up on the upper deck, Mr.
Faggio turned around and looked at Koester once again with piercing black eyes.
Im watching you, Captain! he said. Always watching!
Father, lets go join Mother and Bill for breakfast, shall we? Faggio said pleadingly. Wont you
join us, Counselor?
Of course, Gera said as she followed the pair into the turbolift, spinning around and glaring at the
captain as the doors swished shut.
What was THAT about, Skipper? Arbelo asked with a grin.
Pre-wedding jitters, I suppose, Koester said as he started to return to his seat. Remind me to buy
Counselor Gera a drink in 10-Forward for doing this to...
A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 14 A Vol. 06, #06 A
Captain, interrupted Ensign Karrrinak, the Kairn exchange officer manning the science console
looming over Arbelos daughter, Ensign Annika Arbelo-Eeta. Ssssenssssorssss are detecting a powerful
sssscan eminating in the area. Ssssomething has sssscanned the visssinity of the communicationssss relay
platform.
Could be our mystery ship. Whats the likelihood they detected the Dauntless? Koester asked.
Ensign Arbelo-Eeta answered the inquiry, Based on the scan frequency and power, I would say it is
nearly one hundred percent certain whoever scanned us now knows we are here alongside the relay platform.
This could be what weve been waiting for, Koester remarked. Exec, sound yellow alert. Everyone
keep a sharp watch.
Several minutes passed before Commander Kyler announced, Im detecting a small vessel that
appears to be on an intercept course.
Can you tell what kind of vessel, Commander? the captain asked.
Uncertain, the half-Bajoran/half-El-Aurian security officer replied. The ship is about the size of
one of our Type-10 shuttlecraft, and is traveling at one-third the speed of light, a little faster than our normal full
impulse speed. It appears to be on a collision course, but at current distance, I cannot tell if it is aiming for us or
the relay station.
Stand by on tractor beams, Commander. If its not traveling at warp, we can probably capture that
ship and question its crew.
Current range: 900,000 kilometers. Vessel will be in tractor beam range in eight seconds.
Activate tractor beam as soon as the vessel is in range, Koester ordered.
The seconds quickly ticked by. As the vessel got closer to the Dauntless, the bridge crew could see on
the main viewscreen that it was a dart-shaped vessel something that looked more at home flying at supersonic
speeds through an atmosphere than streaking through space, especially since it had no evident form of warp
drive.
Locking tractor beams on target vessel, Kyler announced at last, and the glowing beam reached out
toward the approaching craft. At the last moment, the vessel attempted to maneuver, but not before the tractor
attached itself. As a result of the attempt to maneuver, instead of slowing and moving the craft closer to the
larger starship, it pulled at the beam and moved off course, heading almost directly at the relay platform.
Its going to hit the communications relay! Arbelo exclaimed.
Kyler, release the tractor beam! Koester ordered.
Kyler quickly complied, but by then the dart-like ship was too close to the relay platform. It struck the
small station a glancing blow, tearing open a section of the hull and ripping one of the fusion core heat radiator
panels off. The alien vessel tumbled several times in a direction away from both the Dauntless and the relay
platform before exploding, some of the debris hitting the relay and causing further damage.
Captain, the relay station is losing atmospheric pressure in several areas, Arbelo-Eeta reported. The
station is in danger of losing structural integrity.
Mister Cerilli, Koester said to the young officer at ops. Contact Commander Cisco and find out if
she and her crew wish to be evacuated to the Dauntless until we can affect repairs on their station.
Aye, Captain, Ensign Five responded. A moment later he reported, Commander Cisco has stated
her crew have done all they can to stabilize the relay platform and agree to be evacuated until emergency repairs
can be completed.
Very well. Chief Kyman, contact the transporter room and have the relay platform crew beamed
aboard.
Aye, Skipper, Kyman replied from his position at mission ops.
At that moment, the turbolift opened and Lieutenant (JG) Faggio this time accompanied by her
fianc Lieutenant (JG) William Hyland III emerged.
We saw what happened from down in 10-Forward, Captain, Faggio said. Is this the mission you
wanted us to be ready for?
A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 15 A Vol. 06, #06 A
Koester looked at the viewscreen, where the communications relay station slowly spun, atmosphere
still leaking from several breeches in the hull, before saying, It wasnt the mission I had in mind at the time,
but if youre willing, I could use someone to lead an engineering team over there to make repairs.
Faggio looked at her fianc and remarked, Better than hanging out with my parents while they argue
over how naked they should be at our wedding.
What about Counselor Gera? Hyland asked.
Dont worry, I can take care of that, Koester said with a half-smile as he turned to Arbelo and said,
Exec, sound red alert. I have a feeling that little ship wasnt the only vessel of its kind in the vicinity. It had
no warp drive, which leads me to believe theres a mother-ship of some sort in the sector.
Aye, Skipper, Arbelo replied before ordering red alert. As various members of the crew rushed to
their battlestations including Hyland replacing Peck at the helm Koester looked at the young Betazoid
engineer standing in front of him.
Get your team together and outfitted in EVA suits. Be ready to beam over there in ten minutes.
Aye, Captain, Faggio replied with a smile and quickly headed toward the nearest turbolift.

* * * *

Ten minutes later, Faggio and her team of engineers were dressed in EVA suits and standing in the
transporter room with all the tools and diagnostic equipment they would need to make repairs to the relay
platform. Faggio was giving each member of the team their assignments.
Lieutenant Belmont, I need you to enter the relay platform and make all necessary repairs to the
systems inside in order to get the reactor back up and running as soon as possible. Berrett and Avison, you
remain outside and fabricate the replacement for the radiator panel. Were going to need that in place before the
fusion reactor can be re-started. Hewett, Slayton and I will make repairs to the stations hull and patch the
breeches. Everyone understand their assignments?
All the team members nodded through the visors of their helmets. Then, just as they were about to
step up on the transporter platform, Faggios communicator activated and a shrill female voice was heard
through it.
Ella! Ella, darling! Whats going on? Where are you? There is an extremely rude guard standing
outside our door telling us we cant leave the guest quarters!
If she had not been wearing her space helmet, Faggio would have pinched the bridge of her nose trying
to relieve the tension she was feeling. Instead, she activated the communications link on her wrist and said,
Mother, the ship is currently at red alert and everyone is at battlestations. You have to stay in your quarters
where its safe.
But where are you? Your father and I want you here with us!
Mother, I have a job to do! So please...
Ella, dear, let your father talk to the Captain. Im sure hell let you off duty so you can...
Mother! Shut up for one moment! Faggio was extremely embarrassed by the stares she was getting
from her team, but she pressed on. I need to do my job, not babysit you and Father. Please get off the comm
channels. Ill be back as soon as I can.
But, Ella...
No buts, Mother! Now get off the comm channel.
Faggio deactivated her communicator before her mother could say anything more, in the hopes she had
at least shocked her mother into silence for long enough to allow her to perform the job requested of her. She
looked at her team members and without another word said, Lets go! The engineering team mounted the
transport platform and Faggio looked at Chief Blackman behind the console booth. Energize, Chief. A
moment later the team dematerialized.

* * * *
A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 16 A Vol. 06, #06 A
Status of repairs? Koester asked a few hours later.
The engineering team has got the emergency forcefields in place and is patching the hull of the relay
station, Lt Commander Thomas Riker replied from ops. Lieutenant Faggio reports that she believes the relay
platform crew can return to their station within the next half hour and that her team should be done with
preliminary repairs within the next 45 to 60 minutes.
Very good. I dont like the current situation. I feel like were waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Capn, sensors are detectin a vessel approachin, bearing 010 mark 9; range 545 million kilometers;
speed warp one, Commander Wallace reported.
Theres your other shoe, Skipper, Arbelo remarked humorlessly.
Is it another of those dart-ships, Commander? Koester asked his chief science officer.
Negative, Capn, Wallace replied. Vessel is approximately half th size an mass o the Dauntless.
Long range sensors indicate it is heavily armed as well.
Damn, Koester muttered before tapping his combadge. Dauntless to Lieutenant Faggio.
Faggio here, Captain, came the quick reply.
Lieutenant, sensors have just detected the mother ship weve been expecting closing on us at warp
one with ETA in about thirty minutes. Im pulling you and your team back aboard.
Captain, can you hold off for a little while? Faggio asked. Were almost at the point where we can
start up the fusion reactor again, and Commander Cisco cant raise shields to protect the relay without power.
Koester debated with himself in his head. Part of him wanted to give Faggio the time she needed to
finish the job at hand. Another part wanted to assure the safety of his crew and pull them back aboard his
starship immediately. He finally decided compromise was in order.
Ill give you fifteen minutes to get the reactor back on-line, Lieutenant. After that, were beaming
you back aboard.
Aye, Captain. Thank you. Faggio, out.
Koester then looked at Wallace and ordered, Keep a close eye on that approaching ship. Let me know
the instant anything and I mean ANYTHING changes.
Aye, sair, Wallace agreed with a nod.

* * * *

Working in zero gravity was not the easiest form of labor particularly for those prone to motion
sickness but it did have several advantages to working in the artificial gravity aboard a starship. For one,
Faggio could simply leave whatever tools she was not using at the moment floating alongside her for easy
access when needed. For another, it did not take much effort for several of the engineers to move pieces of the
relay station structure weighting hundreds or even thousands of kilograms where needed. Faggio was in the
process of welding a new patch over a breech in the hull as another member of her team reported, Deuterium
flowpaths have been repaired, Lieutenant.
Good, Faggio replied. Were one step closer to having this platform back up and running.
Bloom to Faggio.
Faggio paused in her welding, leaving the tool floating in front of her as she activated the
communicator control on her left arm. Go ahead, Commander, she said.
Commander Cisco is requesting a status report, the Dauntless emotional Vulcan chief engineer said.
I think shes angry at herself for ordering her crew to abandon the relay platform and wants to get back there as
soon as...
This is the bridge overriding all communications with the engineering repair team, cut in the voice of
Commander Riker. The approaching vessel has been confirmed by analysis of the warp signature to be a
Reaper ship, and it just accelerated to warp two. ETA is now only two minutes away! Stand by for emergency
beam-back!
A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 17 A Vol. 06, #06 A
Commander, wait! Faggio pleaded. Were almost done here. If we cant get the structural integrity
field back up before the Reapers arrive, this relay post wont survive another attack!
Joella, cut in Hylands voice. That ship is preparing to launch more of those dart-ships, and
Commander Wallace has determined their noses are designed to penetrate the hull of the target vessel they hit
and allow the Reapers to board. We need to get you back here now...
But were almost done!
Captain Koesters voice now cut into the comm circuit, asking, How much longer, Lieutenant?
Just a few more minutes, Captain.
Faggio could hear the obvious irritation in the captains voice as he replied, Fine. Keep working.
Well try and hold them off as best we can, but if it looks like any of those ships is going to get past us or
thought our shields, were beaming your team back aboard whether youre done or not!
Understood. Thank you, Captain.
Well keep this channel open for you. Keep us informed on your progress.
Faggio could hear the captain give a series of orders through the open communication channel. In
spite of the importance of her work, she could not resist the urge to turn around and watch the immense
Sovereign-class starship maneuver around to face the oncoming threat before continuing her welding.
Lets get this job done, pronto, team, she remarked.

* * * *

Aboard the bridge of the Dauntless, Kyler reported, Reaper mother ship has dropped out of warp at a
distance of 400,000 kilometers.
Reaper vessel is launching at least a dozen of those dart-ships, Riker added. Several are
maneuvering to aim at the relay platform, but the majority are aiming for us.
Kyler, lock torpedoes on the mother ship and phasers on the smaller vessels, Koester ordered. Fire
at will!
A full barrage of photon torpedoes launched form the forward tubes of the Dauntless, streaking across
space to strike the large Reaper ship. Chunks of the hull were torn away in the blasts, but the ship relentlessly
continued its approach. Meanwhile, the smaller, more nimble ships were managing to avoid the starships
phaser beams.
This was a trap! Koester exclaimed as he gripped the arms of his chair while the Dauntless
maneuvered rapidly under the expert control of Lieutenant (JG) Hyland to avoid being hit by the first of the
breeching pods.
What do you mean? Arbelo asked.
The relay station only had a crew of four. It wasnt worth the Reapers time or effort to attack. But
by letting themselves be detected in the vicinity of the relay, they drew a larger and more populated target to
them. Us! They used the relay as bait!
What do we do? The smaller ships are too fast and maneuverable for our weapons.
Koester looked at the larger mother ship still in the distance for a second before saying, Cut off the
head and hope the rest dies with it. Kyler, concentrate fire on the Reaper mother ship!
Reloading torpedo bays, Kyler confirmed. Re-targeting phasers.
Fire!
As the Dauntless fired its phasers again, Hyland noticed one of the breeching pods at the corner of the
viewscreen heading straight for the relay station and the engineering repair team. Without waiting for an order,
he turned and banked the starship the inertial dampers having a hard time compensating for the maneuver.
Counselor Gera and Chief Kyman were knocked out of their seat and Commander Wallace felt like he was
going to be flipped over his console. Captain Koester was on the verge of asking his helmsman what was going
through his head when he too saw was Hyland had noticed.
All hands, brace for impact! he shouted into the intercom.
A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 18 A Vol. 06, #06 A
* * * *

One of the engineering team maneuvered over to Faggio using the small thrusters built into his EVA
suit.
I think weve done all we can do for now, Lieutenant, he said.
We need to get the fusion reactor back on-line so we can get the SIF in place before another...
Lieutenant! Look out!
Faggio quickly spun around to see one of the Reaper breeching pods heading directly at the
communications relay. Acting purely by instinct and without stopping to think, she pulled the hand phaser she
was carrying from its holster and aimed it at the rapidly approaching craft, depressing the trigger. She imagined
she could hear the whine it normally produced through her gloved hand and up her arm as the beam shot out.
She realized the phaser would do little if any damage to the Reaper ship, but watched as it struck the craft in the
vicinity of its cockpit. Whether she somehow miraculously hit the pods pilot or merely startled him she could
not tell, but the dart-shaped ship suddenly spun away and around, completely avoiding the relay station. It was
then she noticed the Dauntless, slowly rolling over as two other breeching pods penetrated the starships shields
and hull embedding themselves in the underside of the saucer section. A third breeching pod bounced off the
shields, exploding and breaking apart into pieces heading in her direction.
Everyone! Around behind the hull of the station! Now!! Faggio ordered, and her small team of
engineers quickly maneuvered around the structure. Seconds later the debris struck the relay post, and through
the open communications circuit with the engineer tasked with re-starting the reactor inside they could all hear
the bell-like sound as the hull rang with the impacts.
Joella! Joella, are you alright? Hylands voice said through the open circuit.
Faggio quickly looked over her team members and assured herself no one had been injured before she
responded, Were all fine. But it sounds like the Reapers are ringing wedding bells for us, Sweetheart. What
about you? I saw one of the Reaper ships breech the hull of the Dauntless.
Gunny OLaughlin and the Marines have it handled. Only two pods made it through and those little
ships only carry four Reapers each from what he has reported.
Lieutenant, look! one of the engineers exclaimed, pointing in the direction of the battle. Faggio
peaked out from behind the structure of the relay post and could see the remaining dart-ships docking with the
badly damaged Reaper mother ship as it maneuvered away from the Dauntless.
Theyre retreating! she exclaimed.
Back on the bridge, Koester and his crew had come to the same conclusion.
Reaper ship is activating its warp drive, Kyler reported.
Should we go after them, Skipper? Arbelo asked.
Koester watched as the alien ship, parts of the hull still falling off from the beating it had taken by both
phaser bank and torpedoes, faced away from the starship and jumped into warp.
Normally I would say yes, Exec, but we have crew out there still. Bridge to Lieutenant Faggio.
Status?
My team is all present and accounted for, Faggio replied. Lieutenant Belmont managed to get the
reactor on-line and the structural integrity field restored just in time to resist the debris that hit the relay post.
Some new minor damage, but I think Commander Cisco and her crew can return and make repairs with our
help.
Lets get you and your team back aboard first, Koester said before turning his attention to
Commander Kyler. Status of repel boarders?
Lieutenant Jeong-Hwan and Gunnery Sergeant OLaughlin both report the boarding actions failed.
All Reapers that boarded the ship have been killed in firefights on decks 11 and 13. No casualties among the
crew.
Good. Have Mister Bloom dispatch damage control teams. Get those darts out of my ships hull
ASAP! He then looked at Riker and ordered, Contact the Morain. Have them dispatch a patrol ship to keep
A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 19 A Vol. 06, #06 A
an eye on this sector for the near future. Its possible the Reapers may be back, but I think we gave them
enough of a bloody nose that they may think twice about it.
Any other orders, Skipper? Chief Kyman asked, having gotten back into his chair once the starship
had stopped its wild maneuvers.
Yes, Koester said with an eye on his helmsman. We have a wedding to get ready for!

* * * *

Stardate 67436.8
Saturday, 9 June 2390 Earth Calendar

Members of the crew and guests were gathering in 10-Forward, which was draped with royal purple
curtains and decorations. To one side, Bernatta and Roz Anna Faggio stood, looking slightly uncomfortable in
the formal clothes they were wearing yet extremely proud of what was about to occur.
Near the forward end of the lounge, the nervous bride-groom stood in his dress uniform his finger
tugging at the collar, and not for the first time as Fleet Captain Koester stepped over.
You ready for the next big step, Bill? Koester asked.
As ready as Im going to be, Hyland replied. I wish my folks could have been here to see this.
The needs of Starfleet, Lieutenant. Sometimes its hard to get away, even when youre an admiral.
Koester then looked Hyland over with a critical eye as he said, Mister Hyland, youre out of uniform!
What?! Hyland exclaimed, looking himself over and half-expecting he had forgotten to put on his
pants which probably would have pleased his new in-laws no end but could not see anything missing.
Allow me, Koester said, reaching toward Hylands collar and removing the half-pip, replacing it
with a second full pip before shaking the helmsmans hand. Congratulations, Lieutenant. Think of it as my
wedding present for you. The official paperwork will arrive in a few days, but I approved promotions for both
you and Joella to full lieutenant. And once you two are married, thatll authorize you a larger set of quarters
than you would have had as JGs.
Thank you, Captain. For everything, Hyland said sincerely. Just then, music started playing
throughout the lounge the traditional and familiar wedding march and both Koester and Hyland rushed to
take their proper positions in front of the guests next to Hylands Best Man.
As the music continued, the port side door opened and Joella Faggio resplendent in a silky white
gown that exposed her shoulders, lower legs, and mid-section both front and back, walked into 10-Forward
carrying a bouquet of flowers native to the planet Betazed, preceded by her Maid of Honor. Roz Anna Faggio
was crying before her daughter even walked up to her parents, embracing each and thanking them for
everything they did to help make her the person she was and for their presence on her special day. She then
turned to join Hyland in front of the captain, timing it perfectly with the end of the wedding march.
As the guests all took their seats, Koester smiled at his two friends and crew members, remembering
back to when they first came aboard his ship as cadets for their Academy training cruise, then as Starfleet
officers assigned to his crew just over a year later.
Since the days of the first wooden vessels, all ship masters have had one happy privilege, he said.
That of uniting two people in the bonds of matrimony. With a smile, he looked at the gathered guests and
said, We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in the bonds of matrimony. What the
universe has joined, let no being cast asunder. Is there anyone here who has reason why these two should not
be joined as husband and wife? Several people including Counselor Gera glanced in the direction of Mr.
and Mrs. Faggio, but no one spoke. Koester turned his attention on the groom and asked, Do you, William
Henry Hyland the Third take Joella Faggio of the Twelfth House of Betazed to be your lawfully wedded wife;
to have and to hold, from this day forward, for as long as you both shall live?
Hyland turned to look at his bride and smiled. She smiled back at him as he answered, I do.
A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 20 A Vol. 06, #06 A
Koester then looked at the bride, his mind momentarily drifting as he wondered if he would have been
able to maintain his composure had the bride insisted they all participate in a traditional Betazoid wedding,
before asking her, And do you, Joella Faggio of the Twelfth House of Betazed take this man, William Henry
Hyland the Third to be your lawfully wedded husband; to have and to hold, from this day forward, for as long
as you both shall live?
Joella Faggios solid black eyes looked up at her grooms face. She paused for what seemed like
several seconds before her radiant smile returned as she answered, I do!
Then, by the powers vested in me by Starfleet and the laws of the United Federation of Planets, I now
pronounce you husband and wife. May the Great Bird of the Galaxy smile on your union and make it
prosperous and fruitful. Mister Hyland
The sound of Lieutenant Faggios father clearing his throat loudly reminded the captain of another
Betazoid tradition that the couple had chosen to blend with the grooms human heritage and corrected
himself.
Mister Hyland-Faggio, you may kiss your bride.
The guests applauded as William Hyland now William Hyland-Faggio took his wife in his arms
and dipped her back as they shared a long and passionate kiss.

The End


Coming Next Month in Subspace Chatter:


Several minutes after authorizing shore leave for the crew, Fleet Captain Peter Koester had his uniform
jacket off, his feet propped up on the coffee table in his quarters, and was sitting on his couch, his right hand
holding a padd on which was displayed the latest novel he was reading, his left hand stroking the fur of the
fluffy dog-like creature his daughter had adopted several years earlier and named Nanook, who was curled up
next to him on the cushion with his head resting on Koesters leg. The captain looked up when the door chime
rang.
Come.
The doors swished open and Lieutenant (JG) Cassie Koester one of the starships operations officers
and the captains foster daughter, in actuality a centuries-old Lucian who was rescued from her dying planet
by the captain several years earlier stepped in.
Are you heading down to the surface for shore leave, Pe... Captain? she asked.
Not this time, Cassie, Koester said. Something about the Aurigites rubs me the wrong way. I think
Ill have a more pleasant and relaxing time staying aboard the ship. He noticed her immediate look of
disappointment. You know, just because Im not beaming down doesnt mean you cant go.
I was hoping we could go together. Commander Riker has work to do aboard the ship, and I was
thinking that you and I havent done anything fun together in weeks.
Maybe next planet, Koester remarked.
Cassie huffed under her breath, then noticed Nanook lying on the couch under the captains hand, his
tail starting to wag when he noticed her gaze.
What about Nanook? she asked.
Koester looked down at the pet next to him, then asked, You want to go on shore leave with the dog?
Im sure he would love to have a chance to run around in some real sunshine and fresh air, Cassie
remarked. Im sure its been ages since hes seen a REAL tree!
Nanook looked at Koesters face, his tail starting to wag even faster.
A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 21 A Vol. 06, #06 A
You want to go for a walk? the captain asked, prompting an immediate reaction from the animal.
Nanook jumped off the couch and started running around the room, yipping and barking and occasionally
jumping up against Cassie Koesters leg, as if he understood what the captain had said perfectly.
Looks like he wants to go, Cassie said with a smile.
Fine. But on three conditions: One, he stays on his leash I dont want him getting away from you
and running loose on some strange planet. Two, stay away from any native animals who knows how they
may react to one another. And three, I want both of you to beam back up if there is any trouble whatsoever!
Understood, Captain, sir, Cassie responded casually as she retrieved Nanooks leash and knelt down
to clip it on his collar. Come on, Nookie. Lets go have some fun and leave the party pooper up here to read
his book.
I hope you have a nice shore leave too, Koester remarked sarcastically as both Lt(JG) Koester and
Nanook disappeared out into the corridor.


Murphy's law states Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. And well-known Earth poet Robert Burns
emphasized The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft agley (often paraphrased in English as The
best-laid plans of mice and men / Often go awry). The starship Dauntless visit to Zeta Auriga II to negotiate
for shore leave rights is no different when Lieutenant Koester finds herself a member of the Liberty Party by
PJK.



A SUBSPACE CHATTER A Page 22 A Vol. 06, #06 A







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