Nebula

“Sir, These reading don’t make sense,” ensign Gavarty prompted. She double checked the figures that popped up on her heads up display.

“Elaborate ensign,” said science officer Bashir.

“We are currently 5,000 kilometers deep in the earth's crust and I’m picking up the readings for a class H II nebula.” Gavarty spoke as she typed, “It’s impossible. We should be moving in a liquid of Iron and Nickle. To have reading of a gaseous state seems false.”

“Hanson, do you have a report from engineering? Are all of our sensors working?” Bashir snapped.

Ensign Hanson flinched as if he had been slapped, “Engineering hasn’t reported any irregularities, all sensors are working according to the diagnostics.”

“We might have to risk getting a visual on this anomaly.” Bashir mused.

“But sir the pressure,” Hanson started.

“It’s worth the risk of losing an external camera to not put our crew in danger.” Bashir interrupted. Turning towards Gavarty he ordered, “Bring up the external cameras.”

Within a few moments the forward view screen was filled with an unearthly sight. There were roiling clouds of golden yellow that folded into a darkening center of oranges and reds. It was mesmerizing.

“By all my Holy Kith” Hanson whispered.

“Are we going to go through it and get a full set of records on this anomaly, sir? Gavarty turned to ask Bashir.

“We have to,” Bashir said in awe, “this is what we came for.”