USS Columbia Pre-2395 Mission Archive

USS Columbia
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Missions of Current Launch

Mission IV: "Paved with Good Intentions"

• Location: Avronis V
• Stardates: 239205.08-239207-21

On Starbase 118, the crew enjoyed a relaxing barbecue in a holodeck, during which promotions and awards were presented by Captain Ben Livingston. A few days later, during shoreleave, the crew discovered that an urgent request for help by the Romulans had forced their Captain to take the USS Kumari (Captain's Yacht) to Avronis V. The USS Columbia, under temporary command of LtCmdr. Brek will join him as soon as repairs and restocking are completed.

Two days later, following a spate of bad repairs from SB 118, and fearing that someone was trying to delay their mission, Brek decided to start their journey to Avronis ahead of schedule. Several hours later Columbia tried to contact Captain Livingston, and discovered that they couldn't trace the Kumari.

On Avronis' Moon Station, Administrator tr'Lleodah is reassured to see that nature is making a quiet come back to his planet. Emboldened by this, he prepared a little reception to receive Captain Livingston. On Avronis itself though, things are far from being pleasant. The staff working in the recycling stations suffered a spell of dangerous accidents that menaced their health and forced the shut down of several facilities, slowing down their recycling program.

Moments later, unbeknownst to everyone, as soon as he reached Avronis, Captain Livingston was captured by Major Nelkar, a Tal Shiar agent trapped in an underground facility on the planet.

After checking the specifications of Ambassador MacLaren's shuttle. Lt JG. Whittaker was viciously attacked and lost consciousness. He was found by Ensigns Oori and Ezo, and promptly transported to Sickbay. There, a Marine, who appeared to have lost control of his mind, pointed a phaser at Ezo. Thankfully, the entrance of a hapless crewman with an injured hand provided a distraction and Tatash incapacitated the Marine.

Later, while in security, Tatash suffered a mental assault, leaving him with just enough lucidity to call Dr. MacLaren. Their CMO went to him right away. Upon discovering his trauma, both transported back to Sickbay.

At the same time, while enjoying some rest time in the Galactic Halo, LtCmdr. Vitor Silveira and Ensign Antero Flynn came across an invisible entity who tried to take control of Silveira.

Meanwhile, Major Nelkar lost control of his underground base when the Iconian gate activated itself, releasing several brutal aliens. The gate caused intense tremors that facilitated the escape of Captain Ben Linvingston and his small crew. Aware that he was well and truly trapped, Nelkar sided with Livingston, and together, they managed to escape from Avronis onboard the Kumari.

On Columbia, one of the 'invisible' saboteurs revealed itself as an Iconian. After a lengthy discussion with LtCmdr. Brek, it gave the crew an ultimatum: they would spare the lives of the Romulans working on the recycling project, at the condition that this encounter be classified, and that the Avronis gateway be once and for all destroyed. They left the ship right after their terms had been accepted.

Soon after, Captain Ben Livingston, the Kumari crew, along with Nelkar and some of his men, rendezvoused with the Columbia. Doctor Johanna MacLaren and Ensign Flynn, who greeted them, discovered that their Captain had a severe case of radiation poisoning.

While Captain Livingston was confined in sickbay with a serious case of radiation sickness, LtCmdr. Brek, Lt JG . Tatash and Ensign Flynn prepared to go to Avronis. They use the Bhujerba shuttle, on which a Romulan cloaking device had been installed. After stealing a power generator from one of the recycling stations on Avronis, they flew to the site of the Iconian gateway, and unseen, they destroyed it.

On their return to Columbia, Brek waited until all the supplies requested by the Romulans had been shipped to them, and then he asked Flynn to take them back to Starbase 118. The Ferengi also went to speak with Major Nelkar, a Tal Shiar agent who had fled Avronis with Captain Livingston. After a long discussion the Major decided to cooperate with Starfleet Intel, so that the scientists working with him could be set free.

The cloaking device was removed from the shuttle by Lt JG. Theo Whittaker and Didrik Stennes. Also, following orders by Tatash, they made sure that the Romulan device could never be used again.

“The amazing and the illegal quite often overlap.” Said, Didrik Stennes, Civilian Observer on board Columbia.

As soon as they reached Starbase 118, Flynn created a Risian holodeck setting for the crew's traditional party.

Meanwhile, Lt. Johanna MacLaren and Ensign Mirra Ezo shared their distress at discovering that Captain Livingston's health wasn't improving.

At the same time, Brek received the latest addition to the Columbia crew: Captain Nugra their Chief Intel, LtCmdr. Chythar Skyfire, a Medical Officer and Lt. Talia Kaji, their new Counsellor.

Later, Brek joined the crew at the holo party to announce the change of command and to deliver the traditional award ceremony. There, he got the surprise to be promoted to the rank of Commander by Captain Nugra.

While several crewmembers went cliff diving in the Risian landscape, Brek received Columbia's new F.O: LtCmdr. Rendal Rennyn.

Mission III: "Between the Rock and a Hard Place" (Fleet Wide Mission - Phase 1)

• Location: Piktar II
• Stardates: 239202.10 - 239204.24
• Mission Summary:

While in the midst of a training exercise, Commodore Heather Westhaven requested the USS Columbia, to investigate incidences of computer and robot malfunctions on Outpost Alpha on Piktar II.

Upon arrival in the Piktar system, the Columbia was contacted by Captain Goxac, a Ferengi, who insisted on receiving some compensation after having lost an away team on Outpost Alpha. In order to get more information from Goxac Captain Benjamin Livingston invited him, and some of his officers onboard.

They were received in the diplomatic lounge, where the senior staff tried to make their guests talk about their intentions regarding Outpost Alpha. The scheme looked like it would work when First Officer Troloc, a woman, revealed how much she disliked what her people were doing in the Piktar sector.

During those events, LtCmdr. Brek, Cmdr. Karynn Brice, Lt. Johanna MacLaren, along with a squad of Marines led by 2nd Lt. Dorian Grand went to explore Outpost Alpha. The away team encountered no difficulties entering the science station. However, as soon as they ventured into a corridor, they met a group of scientists who, in no uncertain terms, asked them to leave. The way all their movements were coordinated and their constant references to a 'complete or incomplete circle', convinced the team that this group had somehow been subjugated by Alpha's A.I.

An away team then met Lt. T'Sai who turned out to be at the head of the A.I. project. This unique project used a seven year old girl, whose dead body had been donated to the Outpost, to be subsequently connected to their computers.

The A.I., called Providence, managed to partially control the Columbia, using a musical cipher, inadvertently played by LtCmdr. Vitor Silveira. This code had been sold to him by a Ferengi. However, during his diplomatic ventures, Ambassador MacLaren had also come across the same sort of file. Thankfully, upon discovering that Providence was meant to be united to a destructive program called Mercy, the crew managed to reason with it. While doing so, they interrupted the merging process, which unfortunately badly impacted Providence's program.

On the outpost, T'Sai made a desperate attempt at reuniting Providence with Mercy, but while this was happening, a mysterious woman contacted LtCmdr. Brek, giving him an ultimatum: If T'Sai couldn't be stopped, then the Outpost would self-destruct within minutes. With so much at stake, Brek fired at the scientist, and then stopped her program. Unfortunately, this damaged Providence's matrix even more.

When everything looked settled, Sons of Ferenginar fired on Columbia. The Ferengis had better weapons than the Columbia crew had surmised, and they managed to cause substantial damage to the Federation ship. It took the ingenuity of Captain Benjamin Livingston, along with the tactical, science and engineering departments to put into action a plan that wrecked the Ferengi Marauder.

Unbeknown to the Columbia crew, 'the woman' discovered that those Ferengis had been in the pay of the Tal Shiar.

Once everyone was back on board, Ensign Tatash questioned the scientists from Alpha. When it became clear that none of them where entirely aware of the ramifications of Project Providence, Tatash requested the help of Ambassador Gavin MacLaren to devise a protection plan for them.

A few days later, with the ship repaired thanks to the diligence of Ensigns Theo Whittaker and Nuvia Oori, the crew was invited to a holodeck barbecue. While the food was being served by two impromptu chefs: Captain Livingston and Ensign Tatash, the crew discovered that their Chief Counsellor, Cmdr. Karynn Brice, had given birth to a healthy baby girl.

Mission II: "Settle For Less"

• Location: Pernipia Gamma IV
• Stardates: 239109.22-239112-24
• Mission Summary:

PART 1 The crew of USS Columbia is ordered to transport 170 Terran colonists to Pernipia Gamma IV. This world is of tactical importance to Starfleet, and it is critical for the Federation to claim and colonize it swiftly. The colonists are led by two differing leaders: Robert Carson and Mirielle Danvers. It quickly becomes clear that the two colony leads have wildly different intentions and approaches.

Trouble begins when some of the livestock the colonists brought onboard show signs of sickness. After two cows are found dead, science and medical starts an intensive investigation. Things get worse when a fire erupts in the guest quarters housing one of the colonists. Fire suppression and security systems mysteriously fail, and two people are killed in the tragedy.

Meanwhile one deck below the fire a group of engineering and diplomatic officers find one of the colony engineers - Dr.Vivan Connell - tampering with the ship's engineering systems. While they question the woman, a critically injured teenager stumbles out of a nearby jeffries tube and collapses. The officers quickly transport the injured teen to sickbay, where he is identified as Noah Richardson - the youngest of a family of 5 brothers, all of which are miners.

The head of the Richardson family - Declan Richardson - appears near the scene of the fire, accusing Colony Lead Carson's right hand man Gerard of attacking and killing his brother Noah. Declan is unaware that Noah survived, and he physically attacks Gerard. Declan Richardson is intercepted by security and put under house arrest.

The investigation, led by Ens. Tatash, Lt. James Kolk, Ens. Marcus Drake and Lt. Tyler Kelly, soon revealed that the fire was a carefully engineered arson. The victims (Aiden Richardson and his fiancée Kate Stone), were poisoned by snake venom before their quarters were set on fire. Doctor Drake also discovered that it was the same venom that killed one of the colonists' cows and gave LtCmdr. Brek a mild case of food poisoning.

The crew also unveiled further issues: the diseased cows are a breed that was not supposed to be among Mrs Danvers' livestock. A conversation between Dr. Connell and Declan Richardson reveals that Declan brought the cows onboard with the intent of killing off Danvers' cows and breeding his own to make a high profit. Connell tells Declan Richardson that his baby brother Noah survived and is being tended by Starfleet. Declan remains unaware that his brother Aiden was actually the on targeted and killed.

The Richardson brothers have fallen foul of Robert Carson after discovering his plan to mine Kelbonite on Pernipia, and sell it on the black market. Aiden discovered this and spoke about it while drunk, not understanding the implications of Kelbonite mining. Noah and Ryan discovered Carson's plans to attack Aiden and tried to warn him or stop Carson, to no avail. Dr. Connell may be working as a double agent as her programming was found to be the source of the system wide failure that allowed the Columbia's fire suppression systems to fail. The cascade failure was framed on Lisa Danvers, the daughter of the second colony leader - but the Danvers family was quickly cleared of any role in the attacks.

As Security closes in on Mr. Carson, he pulls an ace in the hole from his sleeve. He contends that he is an Ambassador-at-large for the Son'a, and therefore has diplomatic immunity. Lieutenant Kelly disregards and 'accidentally' destroys his credentials, incarcerating Carson anyways. Meanwhile Carson's assistant Gerard works to get into contact with Admiral Nokolai, the overseer of this entire colony project. We find that Admiral Nokolai is Carson's enabling brother.

As the Columbia arrives at Pernipia Gamma IV, the crew struggles with how to handle the murderer in their midst when he has a 'get out of jail free' card...

PART 2 The Columbia is in orbit around Penipia Gamma IV, and they need to complete the survey of the planet before the colonists can disembark. An away team of Lt. Commander Brek, Lt. Kolk, Ensigns Marcus and Esme Drake, Ensign Allanburg and Colony Leader Mirielle Danvers beam down to start the final study of the colony area. Just before they go the away team is warned that the caves in the area are lined with Kelbonite and Fistrium - a combination of minerals that makes it impossible for scanners or transporters to penetrate. The away team sets up a basic on-planet science lab and starts taking samples. Brek starts to investigate the caves and finds a nest of giant spiders, narrowly avoiding getting taken as spider food. While in the caves the team catches a glimpse of something - or someone deeper into the cave. A short while later Ensign Allanburg disappears and the away team calls for help. Commander Livingston makes the tough decision to split the security force guarding Carson in order to send a team down to the planet.

Meanwhile Carson is being detained in the brig while Gerard is detained in his quarters. Gerard starts to hack into the ship's computer while Carson is questioned by Lt. Kelly, Counselor Riverview and Lt. Commander Taybrim. After an emotional outburst Counselor Riverview asks Kelly to leave the brig area where he meets with new security officer Storey. Shortly afterward Gerard's sabotage becomes clear and a power relay inside the brig access explodes. Carson is set free and he attacks Counselor Riverview who suffers head trauma and telepathic trauma. Taybrim takes Riverview to sickbay while Kelly and Storey pursue Carson.

The Columbia is dealing with bigger problems in the form of a salvaged Vor'cha cruiser being manned by pirates. The cruiser de-cloaks when forced to show her hand and threatens the Columbia, however there is an internal struggle onboard as a SFI agent reveals himself and fights back against the crew. This cuts off Carson's escape route and he needs to make other plans. He meets up with Gerard, and they proceed to the bridge, where Carson takes the bridge crew hostage. Meeting resistance, Carson takes Commander Livingston, Lieutenant Silveira and Ensign Connory hostage inside the Captain's ready room. With security closing in, Carson and Gerard become more and more threatening, until Lieutenant Kelly breaks in with the help of science and engineering, using an exploding replicator as a distraction. Ensign Connory is injured in the altercation, while Commander Livingston is rescued. Carson and Gerard escape by beamout still keeping hold of one hostage: Silveira.

Planetside Lt Commander Brek leads the security team into the caves where they save Allanburg and apprehend a Pakled pirate named Plurg. Plurg had been prospecting for Kelbonite, Fistrium and other minerals that are desirable on the black market. With their captive in hand, the away team is called back to the Columbia.

On the bridge Lt. Commander Taybrim negotiates with Carson stalling for time as Commander Livingston works with Lt Commander Thomas and Ensign Locke to get the brig repaired. Lt. Kelly closes in on Carson once again, and this time it results in a deadly showdown in the cargo bay. Gerard stabs Silveira in the back, but is taken out quickly by an pressurized gas explosion engineered by Kelly, but he is quickly disarmed and ends up in a vicious game of fisticuffs with Carson. Carson gets the upper hard and is about to strangle the security officer when Silveira summons a last burst of strength, enough to push Kelly' phaser to within his reach. Kelly shoots Carson and collapses.

Ensign Connory who is recovering in sickbay manages to get a lock on Silveira and has him beamed to sickbay where the doctors rush to treat his grievous injuries. The away team converges with Livingston and Taybrim towards the cargo bay and they try to clean up the mess, praying that everyone makes it through aline...

Mission I: "Things We May Find"

• Location: Avronis V
• Stardates: 239107.17-239109.10
• Mission Summary: Ordered to investigate the origin of a mysterious Romulan shuttle, the Columbia is ordered to Avronis V. In orbit, the crew contacts a civilian garbage scow spotted in the system, calling itself the Last Chance, as well as the local Romulan Administrator residing on a small moon base. The crew of the Last Chance manage to convince Cmdr. Livingston to allow their First Officer to join the away team to the surface of Avronis V to investigate some ruins which appear to be emitting an energy signature similar to the gateway encountered on Iconia. They take a modified shuttle to the surface and begin scanning the area. The bridge crew detect a communications signal sent from within the caves that simply says, "Gateway open." Meanwhile the away team verifies that the shuttle originated there, but before they can explore the ruins within the caves, a mysterious alien being approaches the landing party, and a voice, assumed to be of Tal Shiar origin, warn them to leave within 5 minutes or be killed. They stall as best they can, gather more scans, and then are fired upon without warning. The team attempts to return to their shuttle, but are pinned down by enemy fire. The unidentified lifeform advances toward the Romulan guest and two Starfleet Officers, and the Columbia responds from orbit by vaporizing the being. Another shuttle is dispatched to provide covering fire from above. The away team is thus able to return to their shuttle and then the ship, but not before one of the Security members on the second shuttle is killed by Tal Shiar weapons fire. The Romulan Administrator sends for a nearby D'deridex class warbird to destroy the Last Chance, but Cmdr. Livingston is able to persuade him to cancel the order by convincing the Captain of the Last Chance to provide a list of her employers so that the Administrator can begin effectively clamping down on the dilithium waste dumping that had until then been freely occuring on Avronis V. After treating the Last Chance's FO for severe wounds received on the surface, he is returned to his ship and the Columbia returns to Federation space.

Missions of Previous Launch

• Mission 8: Stranded on Ambrosia
• Mission 7: The Delorean Encounter
• Mission 6: Columbia and Victory Battle the Kentic
• Mission 5: Kaleb IV
• Mission 4: The Orion Syndicate
• Mission 3: First Contact with Valoria
• Mission 2: Cardassian Supply Ships
• Mission 1: The Hironian Expanse
• Prelude: Launching of the Columbia