Beyond the Gate
| "Beyond the Gate" USS Pacifica NCC-72545 | |
| Mission No. | PAC-04 |
| Total Posts | 287 |
| Start Date | Sunday, February 17th, 2002 |
| Finish Date | Tuesday, July 30th, 2002 |
| Story | Daniel Butterworth |
| Guest Star(s) | |
| Previous Mission "R&R at Starbase 565" | |
| Year 2378 | |
| Next Mission "Escort" | |
Following a rendezvous with the USS Enterprise-E, the Pacifica receives orders to attempt what few ships have survived: passage through Hell's Gate, an energy phenomenon that serves as a gateway to another galaxy. With Commander Data aboard as mission observer, the crew must locate the Dujonian's Hoard - an ancient Cardassian treasure that Starfleet believes could revolutionise space travel - while facing hostile Cardassian forces and the dangerous Adinarri.
Mission Summary
Following shore leave at Starbase 565, the USS Pacifica sets course for the Galen System where a rendezvous with the USS Enterprise-E awaits. The crew is stunned when Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Commander Data beam aboard to personally deliver their orders. In a classified briefing with the senior staff, Picard reveals the existence of Hell's Gate - a dangerous energy phenomenon on the edge of Federation space that serves as a gateway to another galaxy. He explains that years earlier, he and Commander Worf passed through the gate while undercover, searching for Dr Richard Brant and the legendary Dujonian's Hoard, an ancient Cardassian treasure that many believe could revolutionise space travel. Both the Romulans and Cardassians had sought the hoard, but Picard and Worf successfully recovered a portion for Starfleet research. Now, with scientists close to unlocking the hoard's secrets, Starfleet requires additional crystals to complete their work. The Pacifica is tasked with returning through the gate to retrieve them, with Commander Data remaining aboard as mission observer. Picard warns the crew that they will be entirely on their own - no backup can follow them through the gate, and the hostile Adinarri control much of the space on the other side.
The passage through Hell's Gate proves every bit as dangerous as Picard warned. The gate's energy creates a devastating backlash against any ship approaching with active power systems - a phenomenon that has destroyed every vessel that attempted the crossing at full power. Following Picard's guidance, the Pacifica reduces to minimal power and enters the swirling energy of the gate. The crossing is violent, throwing the ship about and injuring several crew members who report to Sickbay. Consoles spark, the hull groans under the stress, but the Pacifica emerges intact on the other side, becoming one of only a handful of ships to survive the journey. The crew finds themselves in uncharted space far from Federation territory, with the Adinarri a constant threat.
Beyond the gate, the Pacifica makes contact with Dr Richard Brant and his sister Abby - better known as "Red Abby" - who have been living in the region and working to protect what remains of the hoard from those who would exploit it. Red Abby commands her own vessel and proves a capable ally, sharing intelligence about the local space and the location of the crystals. While the senior staff coordinates the recovery mission, life aboard the Pacifica continues: Lieutenant Harris works closely with Commander Data on tracking systems, Commander Ottaway leads holodeck combat training against Klingon opponents, and new crew members like Crewman Recruit Kim Cassidy find their feet aboard the ship. The crew also receives word that reinforcements are waiting for them back home - including a Marine contingent and newly graduated officers fresh from the Academy.
The mission takes a dangerous turn when Cardassian vessels arrive, intent on claiming the Dujonian's Hoard for themselves. Three Cardassian ships engage the Pacifica, and the battle quickly turns desperate when the ship's targeting computers malfunction. Torpedo after torpedo sails past the enemy vessels despite showing positive locks, leaving the crew baffled and the ship vulnerable. The Cardassians press their advantage, scoring heavy hits that drop the Pacifica's shields to forty-two percent and cause significant damage to Deck 14. With torpedoes unreliable, Lieutenant Mel'pek switches to manual guidance while Commander Evans coordinates damage control teams. Red Abby's ship races in to join the fight, adding her firepower to the Pacifica's phasers. The combined assault finally breaches the lead Cardassian ship's shields, and Mel'pek guides a full spread of torpedoes through the gap - the vessel implodes under the barrage. With their flagship destroyed, the remaining Cardassian ships are defeated and their crews taken prisoner. The Dujonian's Hoard crystals are secured for transport home.
The Pacifica's return through Hell's Gate is tense but successful, and the crew is relieved to find the Enterprise still waiting on the Federation side. Captain Picard contacts the ship to congratulate them on a mission well accomplished. The Cardassian prisoners and recovered hoard crystals are transferred to the Enterprise for transport to Starbase Bravo, where Starfleet scientists eagerly await the new samples. But Picard has not come merely to collect cargo - he brings news of commendations from Starfleet Command. In a ceremony aboard the Pacifica, Picard personally presents Captain Daniel Butterworth with the rank insignia of Commodore, recognising his exceptional leadership since taking command of the ship. Commodore Butterworth in turn promotes Dr Connie Morgan to Lieutenant Commander in recognition of her dedicated service.
The mission's end also brings significant changes to the crew roster. Lieutenant James Harris, whose work with Commander Data proved invaluable during the mission, receives transfer orders to Starfleet Command where he will assist with ongoing Hell's Gate research. The Pacifica welcomes new faces to replace departing crew, including the ship's first Marine contingent under the command of 2nd Lieutenant Dwayne Triffitt - Deck 13 having been converted to a Marine deck during the Starbase 565 refit. Among the other new arrivals is Ensign Francine Hart, a freshly graduated officer whose Starfleet career begins aboard one of the fleet's most storied vessels. With new orders in hand - a diplomatic transport mission to Deep Space Nine - the newly promoted Commodore Butterworth and his crew set course for their next adventure.
Mission Statistics
| Posts by Author | Count |
|---|---|
| Captain Daniel Butterworth | 93 (including joint posts) |
| Lieutenant James Harris | 39 (including joint posts) |
| Doctor Connie Morgan | 37 (including joint posts) |
| Lieutenant Chris Johnson | 29 |
| Lieutenant Commander Evan Ottaway | 29 |
| Commander Luke Evans | 18 |
| Crewman Recruit Kim Cassidy | 14 |
| Lieutenant Mark Kirkwood | 5 |
| Ensign Francine Hart | 5 |
| Lieutenant JG Mel'pek | 4 |
| Ensign Allran Wal'naq | 4 |
| 2nd Lieutenant Dwayne Triffitt | 3 |
| Lieutenant Frank Williams | 3 |
| Ensign Levak | 2 |
| Lieutenant Commander Matthew Horne | 1 |
Awards & Honours
Guest Characters
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard - Commanding Officer - USS Enterprise NPC
- Lieutenant Commander Data - Chief Operations Officer - USS Enterprise NPC
- Doctor Richard Brant NPC
Noted Ship & Starbase Appearances
Memorable Moments
Meeting Legends - The crew's awestruck reactions when Captain Picard and Commander Data beam aboard, with one ensign stammering "the REAL Picard sir?" Luke's Return - Commander Evans bursting onto the bridge with "HI GUYS DID YOU MISS ME, CAUSE IM BACK" and Johnson's dry response: "peace is over" The Briefing - Picard weaving the tale of Hell's Gate, the Dujonian's Hoard, and his undercover mission with Worf, leaving the senior staff both awed and concerned about what lies ahead The Johnsie Mobile - Lieutenant Johnson's first appearance with his infamous "cardboard car" - a cardboard box worn around the waist while making car noises. He uses it to pick up his date, drives it onto the bridge ("Brrrr. Beep beep"), and later nearly runs over Evans in the corridor. The runabout away mission proves his piloting isn't much safer, with Ottaway begging to be let off the ship after too many barrel rolls through an asteroid field. A Rough Ride - The Pacifica's harrowing passage through Hell's Gate on minimal power, with crew thrown about and injuries mounting as the ship fights through the energy backlash Torpedoes Gone Wrong - The desperate moment when torpedo after torpedo sails past the Cardassian ships despite positive target locks, leaving the bridge crew baffled mid-battle Manual Guidance - Lieutenant Mel'pek taking manual control of the torpedoes and threading them through a gap in the Cardassian shields to destroy the lead vessel Commodore Butterworth - Picard presenting Daniel with the Commodore pip, met with a shocked "your joking" before the reality sinks in The Conspiracy - Evans and Morgan scheming to force the newly-promoted Commodore to take some well-earned leave during the upcoming diplomatic mission
Meeting Legends
From: Evan Ottaway Post: "Meeting the Guests" Summary: The crew's awestruck reactions when Captain Picard and Commander Data beam aboard.
They soon got to the transporter room. The ensign manning the controls was surprised to see them.
Ensign: Ah sir ;;to Evans;; is there a problem?
He obviously hadn't been informed of the situation.
Evans: No Ensign. Prepare to beam aboard Capt Picard and Cmdr Data from the Enterprise.
Ottaway could see the surprise on the ensign's face.
Ensign: ;;stunned;; the REAL Picard sir?
Evans: ;;getting impatient;; Yes, now hurry up.
Ensign: Sorry sir.
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Meeting Legend
Meeting Legend
Mission Context:
Talla and Harper confront the enigmatic figure known only as “Legend,” whose appearance suggests the Gate is part of a much older design.
“Legend stepped forward, the dim light haloing his silhouette. For a heartbeat, the bridge seemed impossibly small, as if the ship itself were holding its breath.”
Out of Character Information
- This mission was inspired by and based on the Pocket TNG novel "Dugonian's Hoard" - the second novel in "The Captain's Table" series written by Michael Jan Friedman.
- Mark Kirkwood made his first appearance as Chief Engineer during this mission, replacing Matthew Horne mid-mission.
- Francine Hart made her first appearance as a fresh-faced academy graduate.
- James Harris departed the Pacifica in June 2002 but returned later in the year during the mission Parralles.
