Welcome to the voyages of the ISC Inquisitor (IFP-1313). Its ten year mission, to discover new star and planetary systems and their many inhabitants.
The Inquisitor is a starship of the Intergalactic Federation of Planets (IFP) under the command of the Intergalactic Space Command (ISC). It is the latest design in a long line of starships dating back to the ancient Enterprise.
View attachment 990502
Our story begins on the Inquisitor's recreation deck with Captain Jonathan EssEmTee and Commander D'Okk, chief science officer, playing a game of four-dimensional chess. D'Okk mastered the game at four years of age. The captain is far from a master.
View attachment 990503
D'Okk taking a long, but measured, look at the board finally moves his queen. "Captain, I believe that is checkmate." The captain is shaking his head while intently studying the board. "No D'Okk, it isn't, I still have moves to make." With raised eyebrow D'Okk gives the captain a stern look. "Jonathan, you have exhausted nearly all your pieces. You lost this game twenty-three moves ago."
The captain, not pleased at this revelation continued shaking his head. "Why did you continue the playing game then?" D'Okk smiled while removing his pieces from the four levels of play. "I immensely enjoy toying with you captain."
The captain with a wave of hand and feigning a smile quipped. "Damn it, I will win one of these times." D'Okk with tilted head, quivering ears and a hearty laugh replied. "Sir, your record against me is currently zero to five-hundred and three. I find it highly amusing that you would think a win is . . . what is it you humans say . . . ah yes . . . in the cards."
Their conversation was interrupted by the familiar beep of their coms devices followed by the voice of ZazArah. "Captain and Commander to the bridge. Incoming secure communication from ISC. Gentlemen it is marked urgent." Both men swiftly walked to a nearby transport pod. The captain still shaking his head smiled. "Bridge stat." Within seconds the doors opened to the bridge.
View attachment 990504
Lieutenant ZazArah, the Inquisitor's communications and linguistics officer, met them as they walked out onto the bridge. She handed the captain a tablet. He held it near his right eye for a retinal scan. D'Okk followed. The tablet quickly identified them. After a few seconds delay, and some strange interference, the tablet beeped and the screen changed. "Highly Secure. Senior Officers Only. Urgency Level 1." was displayed on the tablets screen.
In this remote outer sector of space communications take longer due to interference anomalies from a nearby black hole designated BH-Y61A.
The federation recently lost science ship Discovery in this sector. Its mission was to investigate unexplained occurrences originating from the black hole. Their last coms were frantic. The Inquisitor and her crew were sent to investigate.
This deep in space older variable speed coms relays are still in use. At top speed the older generation coms network runs at six times the speed of light. The ISC is in the process of replacing older intergalactic coms relay systems with upgraded relays and shielding able to withstand black hole interference. As part of her mission Inquisitor engineers will deploy a modified relay system. Engineering is confident the new relay will be able to transmit at the normal higher speed of seventy-two times the speed of light with minimal issues.
"Thank you lieutenant. We'll take it in my office." Commander D'Okk handed the tablet to ZazArah. As always, with coms marked from ISC, she had a very calm professional demeanor. This time it was accompanied with a concerned look. It isn't often the Inquisitor receives coms from ISC marked urgent level one. Back at her station ZazArah quickly keyed in several commands to establish an encrypted coms link to space command.
With no warning the Inquisitor shook violently. On the main screen, with its immersive view of space, a bright white-blue flash followed. Bridge lighting flickered. Red emergency beacons flashed. The ships warning alarm sounded.
To be continued . . . . . .
