Scourge

**"The Scourge"** as they are referred to are a hostile, artificial species inhabiting the system of OB-333. Although demonstrating the possession of high levels of technology and the ability to use it intelligently, there has been no successful attempt at communicating with them, and all encounters have ended in them initiating seemingly unprovoked hostilities.

They were last reported seen on Stardate 93583.13 when they attacked the USS *Ramillies* while she was deployed on an exploration mission within the Dark Expanse. The *Ramillies* was able to escape into an emergence of the Nexus ribbon. [AAR] [Report] Rumors have it that they are still out there, but they have not been seen in some time.

# Biology

The Scourge are an articial biomechanical species with origins unknown.

# History

## The Darkest Night

First Contact with the species began with the investigation of what is assumed to be their homeworld, the second moon of the fifth planet of OB-333, initiated by the USS *Manningham*. Other ships later joined to assist in the exploration. At first, the moon's surface was entirely dormant. There were signs of life that had once existed on the planet, but some great calamity occurred in the moon's past which reduce it to little more than a ball of ice. As the explorations continued, objects now associated with "The Scourge" were discovered, and were prematurely "activated" or "awakened" in an attempt to gather more information. The Scourge were immediately hostile, and engaged the exploration teams using a variety of what appeared to be analytical tools as close combat weapons, while their mechanical exoskeleton seemed to be composed of polyduranium, difficult for phasers to penetrate.

As the Scourge began to slowly emerge from the ice, eventually heavy weapons were revealed, consisting of protonic surface to orbit artillery. Ground team extraction was performed by shuttlecraft, which were largely ignored. One Scourge corpse was pulled on board a shuttle for autopsy.

Investigation of the incident determined the following facts:

* The calamity affecting the planet was not a natural event, but was initiated by an intelligent yet unknown species, probably through the use of cold fusion devices as weapons of mass destruction.
* A series of tunnels were identified leading to some sort of main computer where the activation incident was initiated. These were dug through the ice, indicating that they were created after the cold fusion event.
* The computer, upon activation, indicated an active protocol for the elimination of organic life once it had been translated. Attempts to deactivate the computer failed.
* Autopsy of the recovered body revealed very little due to the extreme amount of damage required to disable it, but we do know that it is a conglomeration of organic and mechanical parts, similar to the Borg, but less complex. No nanites. Evidence of different organic parts being used for specific purposes, even with different DNA structures, suggesting organic components are used as parts just as much as mechanical ones.
* An old, heavily damaged beacon located near a debris field which was initially believed to be used for navigational purposes appears on subsequent analysis to in fact be a warning beacon.

Based on these facts, the most likely cycle of events is that the Scourge posed a hostile threat to the unknown second race, who responded with full scale cold fusion bombardment in order to isolate and impede the Scourge. An expedition to the surface then dug into the ice to the control room where the Scourge were most likely put into a sleep state, thus preventing them from continuing to work their way free. Over the years, the ice broke and receded somewhat with solar exposure, so that once "reactivated", the Scourge were able to escape in relatively short order.

The origins of the Scourge are as yet unknown, but presumed to be created by another intelligent species as a weapon or other automoton intended for an unknown purpose. Whether created by or later discovered by the species which deactivated them is unknown. Intelligence of the Scourge remains unknown, but so far, no evidence to suggest sentience.

## Destruction of the USS *Halcyon*

Subsequent reconnaissance was conducted by the USS *Halcyon*. In this encounter, a much more powerful protonic weapon was fired utilizing a second charge of a form of Dark Matter, which created a vast gravitational flux that disrupted the normal matter of the *Halcyon* after the protonic penetrator penetrated the shields. Little other information was gathered before the *Halcyon* was forced to be abandoned, and subsequently destroyed by subsequent shots. Again, no provocation by the *Halcyon* has been identified, but among the final records made by the *Halcyon* was an image of the moon's surface breaking up, revealing what appears to be four extremely large structures, possibly ships, of unknown origin.

A 5 LY Exclusion Zone and regular combat patrols around it was put in place by order of the Commander of Task Force Avalon following the loss of the *Halcyon*. Long-range scans have been inconclusive, no Scourge activity has occurred outside of OB-333, and for the last four months the Scourge have apparently been content to stay in OB-333, leading some to speculate that they may not have Warp Drive.

This assumption, however, is not recommended by Starfleet Intelligence.

# Technology

Technology of the Scourge is unknown, but presumed to be high with warp capabilities unknown.

# References

* First Contact
* Scourge Weapons Analysis
* Dossier: Scourge
* Status mission
* Story Arc: The Scourge