The Enterprise has arrived at the “Black Nebula”. We are here to study the phenomena, and gather as much data as possible. As you can see from this image (taken earlier today), the phenomena is incredibly stunning, but it is also strangely ominous at the same time. This is not at all what I expected, and, since our arrival, I can’t say I feel comfortable being here.
As it turns out, my feelings are shared by others.
When we arrived at the “Black Nebula”, we discovered a small alien vessel engaged in rescue operations. It was struggling to pull another one of their larger vessels out of the dense energy particles inside the phenomena. We managed to communicate with the rescue ship, and learned that their species are known as the Kraxxos. They are a humanoid society that come from a nearby independent star system. Their fellow starship had suffered a navigational error, and drifted into the phenomena, where it became trapped. The smaller rescue ship isn’t strong enough to pull the larger one out to safety.
Captain Picard offered to have the Enterprise assist. The Kraxxos were hesitant at first, but accepted. They then proceeded to warn us that, to their people, this phenomena is known as “The Shadows”. Ships that enter “The Shadows” are either destroyed, or, if they manage to escape, terrible things often happen to the survivors. For this reason, local ships try to stay as far away from “The Shadows” as possible. To them, the phenomena is cursed.
The Enterprise, however, is not limited by curses.
Our Enterprise command staff – from Beta Shift – has come up with a plan to, hopefully, pull the trapped ship out of the nebula. We’re going to attach the Enterprise’s little-used tow cables to the trapped ship, since our standard tractor beam won’t work among the energy particles. The Enterprise, with its powerful engines, should then be able to dislodge the other ship. The only downside is that the Enterprise will have to cross just inside the nebula – since our tow cables aren’t long enough for us to pull from outside. The particles are not as dense there, so that shouldn’t hinder the operation, although, our sensors will be completely useless among the energy particles.
Once we commit, we’ll have to see this through, regardless of any claimed curse. Lives are at stake, and the Enterprise is currently the only ship powerful enough to assist the Kraxxos.
The operation should begin within the hour. I’ll post again once the ship is free.
-Lieutenant Sam Archer
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December 17, 2364 -- (Original Devron Timeline)