/||\        -----------------------------------------
       / || \            Starfleet Command, Second Fleet
      /  ||  \             U.S.S. Coronado,  NCC-63100
   .-/   ||   \-.     Fleet Captain Brian Aldur, Commanding
   ./    ||    \.   -----------------------------------------
   .-_-. || .-_-.              Simulation Teaser
   .-_  \||/  _-.

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/ Simulation Teaser                                                             |
/ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ

 Running lights extinguished and warp core in stand-by mode, Coronado slowly
 orbited Sigma Iotia II, taking care to remain on the opposite side of the
 planet from the U.S.S. Horizon.  The explorer's sensors were ancient to say
 the least -- there was even a 80cm optical telescope aboard! -- and Aldur
 felt that so long as the two ships never came into visual range, it was
 unlikely that the Horizon would detect the frigate.

 Watching the planet turn below Coro from the Conference Lounge, Aldur tried
 not to think about what was happening aboard ship.  Three more people had
 disappeared, and internal sensors were still no closer to catching who or
 whatever had done it.  There WAS another video playback available: of a white
 mass that had engulfed Technician Morris as she had stepped into one of the
 Astrophysics labs.  But the Security sensors didn't have any record of the
 mass, or even proof that it actually existed.

 When Cash entered the Lounge, Aldur glanced at him but did not otherwise
 acknowledge his presence.  The XO approached the bay windows and looked out
 on the planet for several minutes before speaking.

 "No new disappearnces in the last two hours, skip," he said simply.  Aldur
 just nodded.  Several more minutes passed before Aldur broke the silence.
 He indicated the planet.

 "You ever been down there?" he asked.  Cash shook his head.  Aldur smirked
 slightly.  "'Highly imitative.'  That's what the original sociological report
 on Iotia said about the people.  The author had no idea.  In our time, much
 of the planet wears 23rd century Starfleet uniforms, carries communicators
 and a personal organizer that looks for all the world like an old tricorder."
 Cash looked over, slightly incredulous, and Aldur nodded, chuckling slightly.
 "Apparently, there was a fairly famous Starfleet family from here, and some
 of them came back here to retire, and became planetary heroes..."

 Cash snapped his fingers.  "Speaking of that, I was asked to relay a thank
 you from the Sociology department.  Apparently, they've been working non-
 stop, trying to build a picture of pre-contact Iotia.  Dr. Sorenson even has
 some hope of possibly restoring Iotia's original culture on our return."

 Aldur suddenly grew serious.  "If we return.  Has Tactical or Science
 determined a way to track our large white friend?"

 Cash shook his head, and started to reply when the comm system interrupted
 him.

 "Bridge to Captain..."  It was Lehman's voice, sounding troubled.  "Horizon
 is getting under way, sir.  Course out of the system is as predicted, in the
 general direction of the Telvan Nebula."

 Aldur tapped his combadge.  "Very well.  Give her a lead of two million
 kilometers, then follow.  The XO and I are on our way.  Aldur out."

\_______________________________________________________________________________
\ End Simulation Teaser                                                         |
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----------
Ross Glenn aka Jester
Fleet Captain Brian Aldur, U.S.S. Coronado, NCC-63100
http://www.ussrenegade.com/coro2400/