The USS Intrepid

Gates To The Stars

On the main screen was a planet that looked blue, as if mostly covered with water. It was determined to be nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere, in Federation parlance it would be considered a Class M planet. A population of 73 million humans was inhabiting it. The fact that there were humans native to this galaxy was mind boggling the first time they encountered that phenomenon, but since this was the fourth planet they found with humans on it, it wasn't the novelty it once was at this point. Although it was the most populated and most technically advanced by far.

"It is the equivalent of Earth in the mid twentieth century as far as technical development is concerned," the Vulcan science officer explained as he read the information on his display, adding while looking intently at Harry, "including nuclear fission power plants." Ed wondered why he seemed to emphasize that, but figured there would be an explanation.

Harry looked as if a light bulb went off in his head and immediately input some commands in a nearby terminal and read the display.

Ed and Kelly looked at Harry in confusion as he uttered, "Good... Good..." His facial expression became less grim and more thoughtful as he asked the lieutenant, "So how do we get the dilithium crystals down there?" They couldn't use the transporter to bring them down and back because the molecular structure of the crystals couldn't be accommodated. The alternative of using a shuttle would pose an unacceptable risk of detection, especially since the planet also possessed an abundance of military technology. Primitive compared to what was on the Intrepid, even to that of a Federation shuttle, but not something they wanted to put to the test.

"Our shuttles have cloaking technology," Ed reminded the Star Fleet officers, but the science officer cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.

"It will be unnecessary to remove the crystals from our systems and take them to the power plant, a rather complicated and cumbersome procedure, especially with respect to focusing the radiation. We have the capability to build photon collectors that could then be used to inject the crystals and regenerate them on the ship," Soren elucidated, adding, "A much simpler process."

Ed and Kelly now had a look of understanding and looked at Tom who also seemed to suddenly figure it out.

"Okay," Harry emphatically commanded, "Get started and have engineering help you!"

"Yes, Captain," the lieutenant replied in his usual emotionless style. He then headed to engineering to do just that.

It had been six months since they were whisked to this galaxy ('More like yanked,' Ed thought to himself), the method by which that happened was theorized to be the reason for deterioration of the dilithium crystals, a gradual process that wouldn't have been detected through normal use until it was too late but for the engineering team conducting a complete inspection and overhaul to see how the unexpected use of the ship for that period of time was affecting the components and systems. Other than the dilithium crystals everything looked in good shape. "I estimate six to eight months before systems needing the dilithium to operate are affected," Soren predicted, meaning the energy transference needed for the ship to activate the warp drive couldn't take place.

In a system where nobody knew where or even how to locate dilithium crystals it seemed they were doomed to a grim countdown. Now, though, the discovery of this planet gave them hope.

The first time they discovered a populated planet and determined the population, which was about 75,000, was human, registered as an amazing surprise, even shock. It was primitive compared to Earth, something like early bronze age, so they made some observations from afar and moved on.

Two other inhabited planets were encountered, populated by humans as well and both of similar technological development, around the mid nineteenth century, with similar populations numbering about 2 to 3 million. The anomaly for each planet was the intermittent subspace transmissions that seemed to emanate from them. Normally their curiosity would have caused them to investigate further, but the focus was finding a way home, and many were not willing to divert from that goal. The dilithium countdown added a sense of urgency as well.