The Argus Array Incident

Posted on Sun Jun 28th, 2026 @ 1:14am by Captain Mikoto Misaka & Commander Eila Juutilainen 'Illu' & Lieutenant JG Kenneth Hunt & Lieutenant JG Erskin Mon & Lieutenant JG Feeva Drylo & Captain Violet Bluegarden
Edited on on Sun Jun 28th, 2026 @ 1:17am

1,677 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Preparations
Location: Various

The Ermiana dropped out of warp and came to a slow stop next to the Argus array. The huge unmanned structure dwarfed even a Galaxy Class starship.

[USS Ermiana Bridge]

Mikoto exited the ready room. "Lieutenant Mon. You and Commander Juutilainen will be going over there to attempt to locate our missing Cardassuan ship. Unfortunately, Lieutenant S'ress has come down with an illness, so will not be joining you." She explaimed simply. "Establish a link with the Ermianas computer. So we can combine processing power."

"Alright:" Eila nodded, rising from her chair. "Lieutenant; don your EV suit and meet me in Transporter Room Two."

Before Eila could start making her way to the turbolifts, however, an alarm suddenly went off on the bridge.

"Belay that transporter order, Commander," Erskin said as his hands flew across the panel, isolating the incoming telemetry. "Inbound Warp signature dropping into sub-light right on top of us," he reported to the Captain. "The profile is Federation and they arrive in three seconds."

On the main viewscreen, a New Orleans-class starship dropped out of warp. Coming to a full stop within visual range of the Ermiana.

"Priority hail from the other vessel, Captain," Erskin reported as his fingers crossed his console, cataloging the ship's external telemetry with practiced efficiency before the incoming transmission could even chime. He didn't wait for a direct command, his stubborn efficiency driving him to clean up the signal path in real-time. He tapped a final, decisive sequence to stabilize the feed. "Channel is open on your mark, Ma'am."

Mikoto frowned. "On screen," she said simply.

The viewscreen switched over to the ship's bridge, where Mikoto and the Ermiana's bridge crew were greeted by the sight of a familiar blonde captain.

"Captain Misaka:" Captain Violet Bluegarden greeted flatly. "I hope the risk I'm putting on our Bajor shipment is worth the diversion."

Mikoto crossed her arms as she stood in the center of her own bridge. "What are you doing here Captain?" She replied, skipping right to the point. "You're meant to be en route to Bajor."

"And we would be... Had someone on your ship not contacted me about a misplaced package." Violet explained. "But due to the security risks at present, I'm not at liberty to reveal their identity over open comms."

Visible lines could be seen in Mikoto's forehead as her frown grew sharper and more defined. "That is non of your concern Captain." She said. "You should resume course for Bajor. But first, I want to know who told you about what's going on aboard ny ship."

"Captain, I just told you: Violet folded her arms. "I may not have been a captain long, but I know damn well that-!"

"I did it!" Eila piped up, looking Mikoto square in the eyes. "Because we need Captain Bluegarden's help, whether you or Starfleet like it or not."

A long silence hung in the air as Mikoto slowly turned to face her executive officer. Their gazes met and for what seemed like an eternity they just stood staring each other out. Finally Mikoto broke the silence. "Report to the observation lounge Commander. Now."

She then turned to Captain Bluegarden. "I am sending a team over to the Argus array as we have been granted clearance to utilise its sensors. Please standby Captain, whilst I have a word with my Executive Officer. In the meantime, I would strongly suggest you speak to Starfleet Command regarding your own orders. Ermiana out."

Without a word, instead of towards the turbolifts as originally planned, Eila made her way towards the conference room. She knew things were about to get ugly, but she wasn't about to back down on her position.

"Lieutenant." Mikoto said looking towards Mon. "Get over to the array and get started. No more wasting time."

"Acknowledged, Captain," Erskin responded, refusing to let the unfolding mutiny between the Captain and Commander detour him. The personal drama was an unnecessary delay and the mission parameters had been set. He stood up and grabbed his PADD as he focused entirely on the task ahead. "I’ll establish the remote processing uplink from the array's primary terminal within ten minutes."

In a far corner, inconspicuously as ever, Feeva watched the goings-on of the Bridge officers. She, for one, was glad she never had ambitions for a Command position. Her disposition couldn't handle it. Without a word, the liliput Vissian backed out of the corner, directly into a Turbolift. An away team meant the possibility for danger. Danger meant the possibilities of injuries or casualties. She better be prepared.

Lieutenant Hunt stood at tactical, watching the whole ordeal go down. It seemed like every day something on this ship was going wrong. Whether r not they needed the help, it certainly wasn't place of the First Officer to go over the Captain's head on this one.

Erskin didn’t let his attention wander toward the Observation Lounge doors as they hissed shut behind the Captain and Commander. The command friction was a textbook distraction that was entirely irrelevant to the immediate needs of the mission. While the rest of the Bridge crew processed the shock of the Executive Officer's confession, Erskin’s hands were already clearing the tactical board, locking down the telemetry from the newly arrived starship into a secondary storage buffer.

[Observation Lounge]

Eila's back faced the doors to the observation lounge. Hands behind her back, taking in the view of the stars. If she was lucky, she would be confined to quarters like Lurath until Misaka finally saw reason in her approach. If she was unlucky, however, this would likely be her last view of the stars as a free woman. Before she was thrown into the brig and brought back to Earth to face a court martial. Though, Eila was hopeful things wouldn't escalate to that point.

The doors swished open and Mikoto walked through. She didn't look at Eila as she made her way over to the replicator. A few seconds later she had a fresh hot mug of coffee in her hand. She took a sip and then silently moved to her usual chair. She lowered herself down into its soft cushions and sat back, then took another sip of her coffee.

Finally she looked up at Eila. "Care to explain Commander?"

"For context, Captain:" Eila began, her gaze still squarely out the observation lounge windows, refusing to meet Misaka's gaze. "In my time counseling; I have spoken to many officers so desperate to make a name for themselves that they push themselves too far, and I've seen the aftermath of them getting hurt because of their pride: Mentally, emotionally, and yes: Physically. There's a term in counseling circles to describe officers of this nature. The name varies depending on who you ask, but they tend to follow a common theme: Captain Kirk Syndrome. Mister Spock Syndrome. Enterprise Syndrome."

Finally, Eila turned to look Misaka in the eye. Hands still behind her back.

"It is my professional opinion, drawing upon my experience as a Counselor, that I am witnessing in real time the effects of Enterprise Syndrome taking hold." She continued. "Most patients diagnosed with this mental affliction stubbornly refuse the services of others in the name of being the "hero" of the story. Because sufferers of Enterprise Syndrome can't cope with the concept of shared glory. They refuse to be team players to their own detriment, and in the end, they lose everything they hold dear. Their friendships. Their families, and in extreme cases, their own health. Like the lookouts on the Titanic, sailing on a moonless night, Enterprise Syndrome patients don't see the error of their ways until it's already too late."

"Seriously?" Mikoto replied as she raised an eyebrow. "You firmly believe that this crew can't be just as good as the people who serve on the Flagship?" she asked. "And this brought you to the decision to go and contact another captain, on another ship, totally betraying the trust I have in you as Executive Officer?" She placed the coffee cup down on the table. "Listen to me very carefully commander. I can understand why you thought it was necessary to do what you did, however you should have come to me about it first. I know that you are new to being in command, however as you have pointed out, people, myself included can make mistakes. As the Executive Officer of this ship it is your job to provide second opinions, alternate solutions and ensure that all possible outcomes are accounted for; on top of your other duties."

Mikoto paused for a second. "However. Since you have now brought another ship into the mix. You will be co-ordinating with them." she told her. "Right now, we don't have much time. And as much as I hate to admit it, we could use another ships help." she let out a long sigh. "We'll deal with this properly later. I suggest you contact the Little Rock and get started. Dismissed."

Eila nodded.

"Thank you, Captain." She said. Genuinely meaning her words. This could have very easily ended with her on the other side of the brig forcefield.

As soon as Eila had left, Mikoto sat back in her chair and let out an exasparated sigh. 'My first command isn't turning out how I imagined it' she thought to herself.

Feeva headed for Medical, prepping for a long day. She was small and it was sometimes taxing to figure how to properly care for someone when she could barely reach the top of a Biobed. At least she had the EMH to help. Breeze had been taller. She should requisition some shorter beds. Pediatrics, perhaps.

Posting by:

Captain Mikoto Misaka
Commanding Officer
USS Ermiana

Commander Eila Juutilainen 'Illu'
Executive Officer
USS Ermiana

Lieutenant JG Kenneth Hunt
Acting Chief Security/Tactical Officet
USS Ermiana

Lieutenant JG Erskin Mon
Chief Operations Officer
USS Ermiana

Lieutenant JG Feeva Drylo
Chief Medical Officer
USS Ermiana

Captain Violet Bluegarden
Commanding Officer
USS Little Rock

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