Star Trek: Task Force Alpha

Chapter One

USS Jasmine NCC 93785
Deep Space Near The Beta Ursae Sector
Year: 2409

Vice Admiral James Terranova sat in his command chair on the bridge of the USS Jasmine NCC 93785 reminiscing back to when he first had no choice as a Lieutenant to take command of the USS Khitomer NCC 46701 during a battle with the Borg in the Vega System, when all of her commanding officers were killed in the engagement. It was an unforeseen circumstance and he himself still couldn't believe that it had happened or what had ended up happening after it. James had commanded the USS Khitomer NCC 46701 to victory in that battle against the Borg even though the ship was heavily damaged and required another Starfleet vessel to tow her back to Earth Spacedock for repairs. Because of his bravery a majority of the fleet had survived the battle and the Borg fleet itself was destroyed. From that moment on, Admiral Quinn at Earth Spacedock had given Lieutenant Terranova his own ship to command and his own crew, he had served with the respect and the admiration of his crew and other Starfleet officers eventually working his way up to the rank of Vice Admiral and given command of the USS Jasmine NCC 93785 as his ship, a ship that had been flagged for his use as an Admiral.

James was brought out of his memories when his First Officer, an Andorian female named Tala (who also happened to be his wife) spoke up from her station. "Sir incoming communiqué from Starfleet Command, its Admiral Quinn."

"I'll take it in my Ready Room," said James as he got out of the command chair heading towards his Ready Room doors. As he got closer to the doors he turned and said, "You have the bridge Tala."

In his Ready Room James activated his desk's computer terminal and its long range communications system and entered his personal fleet identification code. The screen then went from black to displaying the Starfleet Delta spinning on the display. James then gave the computer his request. "Computer, open a secure channel to Starfleet Command Earth Spacedock, Admiral Quinn's office."

"Working," came the traditional female voice of the computer as it responded. Moments later the admiral's face appeared on the screen. James took a deep breath and then spoke; after all, talking to Admiral Quinn was never easy. Either it was going to be a new mission, some bad news, or something to do with the war with the Klingons, the Borg, the Cardassian True Way, The Undine (Species 8472), or the Terran Empire. "What can I do for you Admiral?"

"Vice Admiral Terranova," started Admiral Quinn; "yesterday our colony on Beta Ursae Prime was destroyed. Long range sensors detected a vessel that was using Borg technology in the area but wasn't Borg. I sent the USS Republic NCC 90467 to investigate but Starfleet has lost all contact with her. You are the closest ship. I'm hereby ordering you to take the Jasmine and investigate what could have happened to the Republic and if at all needed to launch a rescue operation."

"Understood, Admiral," replied Vice Admiral Terranova. "We'll head out to the Beta Ursae Sector at maximum warp."

"Godspeed, Vice Admiral. Admiral Quinn out."

James deactivated his computer terminal got up and started to pace his Ready Room. He knew that lately the Borg and the Terran Empire had been spotted in the Beta Ursae Sector. He also knew that the Orions had made a strategic push into the sector for the Klingon Empire. Whatever was out there though, he knew that the Jasmine would be able to handle it after all, she had already visited that sector over two weeks ago and fought a Squadron of True Way Cardassian Galor Class Cruisers, a Cardassian Keldon Class Battleship and six Jem'Hadar Cruisers and the Jasmine was able to hold her own then. Why should this be too different? He headed back to the Bridge and as he retook his command chair from Tala he said, "Helmsman, lay in a course for the Beta Ursae Sector Maximum Warp and plot a course for the last known position for the USS Republic NCC 90467.