Kel Amir’s vision shimmered into clarity as the transporter effect dissipated, leaving him standing in the heart of New France. His athletic build slightly stooped as he adjusted the strap of the specialised subspace frequency modulator slung over his shoulder. The silent and seemingly peaceful colony bore an eerie resemblance to the bustling community he had seen in his mission briefing. It was as if the inhabitants had vanished just moments ago, leaving behind warm cups of tea and screens still glowing with unfinished work.
Around him, life seemed suspended in time. A holo-novel paused. Instinctively the young Bajoran pulled out his tricorder, scanning for any signs of abnormal readings. His fingers moved with precision despite the tremors of adrenaline. The device beeped softly, its screen flickering with data that confirmed the unsettling stillness. Apart from the away team, there were no biological traces, just the echoes of a thriving community.
“Ensign Kel?” a voice called out, breaking the silence.
Turning, Kel faced a woman in a Starfleet uniform, her commander’s pips gleaming. “Commander Talia,” he recognised her from the crew manifest of the away team. “Yes, ma’am, I’ve brought the modulator.”
“Excellent,” she nodded, motioning him to follow. “The team is examining the central communications array about 200 metres southwest from here. We need that equipment set up pronto.”
As they walked, the only sounds were their footsteps echoing on the pristine streets. They were walking as fast as Kel’s heart was beating. Mixed with excitement and anxiety. His first real assignment.
“You’re just out of the Academy, aren’t you?” Talia asked her tone was both casual and probing.
“Yes, ma’am,” Kel responded, keen to keep up. “Graduated three weeks ago.”
Talia smiled reassuringly. “Keep sharp, and you’ll do fine.”
Kel thought of his parents and the various stories of the Occupation and the Dominion War. This was his moment to prove to them that he was more than just good scores in the Academy’s simulations.
Approaching a complex marked by lights and open doors, they found the rest of the away team, scanners in hand, discussing in hushed tones.
“Here’s our helmsman with the modulator,” Talia announced. The team immediately turned their attention to Kel.
“Let’s get this set up quickly,” Lieutenant Soren, a Vulcan officer and member of the away team, pointed to a central console. “We need to figure out if there’s any clue here about where everyone went.”
Kel stepped forward, placing the case on the ground and quickly assembling the modulator. As he activated the device, it cast a pulsating blue light over the console.
“Hopefully, this will give us some answers,” he said, his voice steady, masking his underlying nerves.
As the modulator whirred into action, scanning for anomalies, the team gathered around, watching the data stream in. This moment, charged with tension and potential, began Kel’s journey into the unknown.
