USS Sirona
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USS Sirona (NCC-83981) is a Vesta-class Federation starship currently assigned to the Fourth Fleet.
Missions
The Price of Progress
En route to DS17 after a two-year mission, the Sirona picks up a distress signal from the USS Callisto. More than half of the Callisto’s crew - including their captain and first officer - have fallen under the influence of an unknown telepathic life form referring to itself as “Naeric” and abandoned their ship, choosing a life of worship and devotion on the planet Asada. Despite developing a shield configuration that negates the psionic energy linked to the entity, those who remain onboard still feel its pull and are unable to leave orbit. The Sirona sets course for Asada.
Upon arrival, they find the remaining crew teetering the edge of sanity. Fearing not only for the lives of those on the surface, the Sirona’s senior officers agree on a risky plan: attempt to communicate with the entity, and try to persuade it to release its hold.
Chief Diplomatic Officer Quirell assembles a team and takes a runabout into Asada’s orbit. Unprotected by the Sirona’s adjusted shields, first team soon begin exhibiting signs of telepathic intrusion. Realising they’re running out of time, Quirell forces a confrontation.
Naeric manifests in an incomprehensible form of ever-shifting wheels within wheels. After initial reluctance, he engages in a purely telepathic conversation with Quirell. Through their exchange, it is revealed that Naeric is not native to Asada, but trapped there. He once nurtured the local species, guiding them from infancy to civilisation as their divine protector, but as science and technology replaced faith, his ability to connect with them faded. Touching the minds of the Callisto’s crew was a desperate attempt to remain in this plane of existence.
Quirell convinces Naeric that forced devotion is hollow and true connection must be a choice. She urges him to reveal his true nature and grant his followers the freedom to leave or stay. Naeric relents, and in return, Quirell promises that Starfleet - that she - will not let him fade into oblivion.
As the veil is lifted from the minds of those on Asada, many quickly return to the Callisto, though few decide to stay. Others leave but carry their newfound faith with them.
As the two ships part ways, the Sirona’s crew debates the implications of what they have witnessed. What happens if those who stayed eventually outgrow Naeric? What if faith in him spreads his influence throughout the galaxy? And did he truly relinquish his hold?
Emphasising that they have no right to judge the choice of others as long as it’s made freely, and that can do nothing more than place Asada under quarantine protocols, Quirell leaves the gathering.
As she returns to her quarters, she recalls the interaction with Naeric fondly. A warmth envelops her, and a quiet voice thanks her for keeping her promise - implying that Quirell herself has become a devotee.