Columbia Mission 04: "Betrayal"

While Captain Adaran and Lieutenant Giraath are sent on a special mission into Romulan space to assassinate a Tal'Shiar officer involved in supplying the Uihvueri with weapons and equipment, the crew of the Columbia, under temporary command of Captain Sevala, makes its way into the Neutral Zone to destroy the supply depot used to transfer goods between the two Romulan organizations. The Columbia's mission is soon cut short, however, when it learns that a spy on board has leaked information to the Tal'Shiar, and the crew finds themselves confronted by three enemy warbirds.

Captain's Logs

Capt Adaran 225

Stardate 21207.25

Stardate 21207.25, Captain Adaran 225 recording

The Columbia is being sent into the Romulan Neutral Zone to destroy a supply depot used by the Tal'Shiar to funnel weapons and other material to the Uihvueri. A connection between the Tal'Shiar and the Uihvueri has been suspected for quite some time. Now it's been confirmed, and our job is to be break it. I won't be leading the attack however. SOCOM has other plans for me. I'm being sent deeper inside Romulan territory to take out the supply chain at its head: a Major Hvirr Taris of the Tal'Shiar. My assignment is to assassinate him. The double punch at the link between the two organizations will cause massive disarray and hopefully enable Star Fleet, and the Romulans as well, to gain an upper hand against the terrorist organization. I'm taking Giraath with me. He has better inside knowledge of the Romulans than I do, and we'll need that to succeed. This is an all or nothing mission. We either kill Taris, or we die trying. We won't be coming back unless the job is done, and even then maybe not.

While I'm gone, I'm turning over command of the Columbia to a SOCOM operative named Captain Imina Sevala. I'm not too thrilled about someone else leading my ship and crew into battle, but she seems qualified to do so, on paper at least. She has a history that isn't all that stellar, but what can you expect from a Romulan defector. I'm sure SOCOM knows what they're doing, and I wish her luck. She'll need it, because if anything untoward happens to my ship or crew, she'll have to answer to me personally, and that won't be a pleasant prospect for her.

After two days of travel from Star Base Bravo, we've arrived at the rendezvous point where we're to meet Sevala, and the change of command will be soon. She's arrived in a converted Romulan freighter, a captured Uihvueir vessel, in which Giraath and I will make our way onward from here. The Columbia will then begin its part of the mission, and hopefully we'll meet up with them again once it's all over.

Personal Log, Addendum

I'm still having a hard time dealing with Tracey's death, and being on the Columbia is only making it worse. Everywhere I go I'm reminded of her. I'm a very dangerous person right now. The only way I can release what's inside me is by raw aggression, which is why I took what can realistically be called a suicide mission. It's the safest way to get out what's inside. I can't do the things the most people do when they need to grieve. It just doesn't work that way for me. The emotions I'm feeling make me very uncomfortable, and right now I have so many of them bottled up inside. If I don't find a way to release them... well, it won't be a pretty sight. Hopefully this mission to kill Taris will give me a chance to unleash my pain in a constructive manner.

End Log.

Stardate 21210.30

Stardate 21210.30, Captain Imina Sevala recording

The Columbia's mission did not go as planned. Unforeseen complications forced us to abort, though it was not entirely a loss.

For my part in the mission, I first journeyed to Tegra, in Romulan Space, where I procured a modified freighter, a newly captured Uihvueri vessel that had not yet been reported lost, to be used by Captain Adaran for hir part. Joining me at Tegra was Erein Annwhia, a telepathically enhanced member of the Imperial Fleet's own special operations division. She was to observe the mission and act as a consultant on matters related to Romulan intelligence. Together we journeyed to a rendezvous point within Federation space, where we met the Columbia.

Soon after beaming over to the frigate, Captain Adaran transferred command to me and left the ship with Lieutenant Giraath to carry out their own special orders. I spent the next few days meeting with the crew, getting to know them as well as discussing plans for the raid on the Tal'Shiar supply depot we had been ordered to target. The crew seemed very competent, as I would expect from a SOCOM vessel, and those who were to take part in the ground assault had trained hard. Five days out from the point of transfer though, things started to go wrong.

We were nearing the point of infiltration into the Romulan Neutral Zone when we picked up a distress call from a Federation-registered vessel, the freighter SS Jade. Its position was initially on the Federation side of the border, but it drifted across, and once we had activated the stealth system and crossed the border ourselves, I ordered the Columbia to investigate, as it wasn't very far out of our way. I was leery that it might be a trap of some sort, laid by pirate vessels in the area, and I didn't want other Federation ships falling victim to it. The plan was to lay a buoy marker if the distress call was legitimate.

Upon arrival at the freighter's location, we found it badly damaged with no life support and no possibility of repair unless aid was given. I decided to take the chance to investigate further and sent a team over. I was 99% sure that it was a trap, that the ship had been damaged and left as bait, but I couldn't leave the two crewmembers on board to die. My fears were confirmed moments later when we were surrounded by three Tal'Shiar vessels, who demanded our surrender.

We were greatly outnumbered and knew that we couldn't escape without a fight, if we could escape at all. We still had a team on the Jade however, and we had to bring them back before we could make a move, so I attempted to stall, feigning comm trouble. The ruse worked, just long enough to allow us to drop shielding and beam the team back to the Columbia. The moment we had them on board, we attempted to make a run for the border, which was only a few hundred thousand kilometers away. Before we could get very far, however, the Tal'Shiar vessels made a concentrated attack on us, knocking out our warp engines and damaging our impulse drive. We were left with thrusters only, limping our way towards safety. We still had shields and weapons, though, and we fought back as best we could against a superior foe.

At one point, the Tal'Shiar vessels knocked out our shielding long enough to beam two boarding parties onto the Columbia. One made their way towards engineering, where they were quickly subdued, causing only minor damage. The second team, though, proved much more difficult to eradicate. Security forces managed to take out half the team on Deck 3, but the intruders were well-prepared for their assault and managed to disable our ability to lock down the deck. This allowed them to reach an access tube and make their way up to Deck 1. The Bridge had been sealed off, but they blew the hatch and tossed a stun grenade in our midst. The blast caught us off-guard, but most of us were able to duck behind something well enough to avoid any debilitating effects, and a fight then began for control of the Bridge.

Everyone fought valiantly, and thankfully we had only minor injuries. Annwhia even played her part by taking out one of the intruders with her telepathic abilities. In the end, we were able to regain control of Deck 1. From below, Vos sealed off the access tube entrance to the deck with a quarantine field, thus trapping the last two Tal'Shiar soldiers. Unable to go upwards, and with security waiting for them down below, they tossed a damaging grenade onto Deck 3. Quick thinking by Cavalera, who kicked it back into the tube, saved the lives of Columbia crewmembers. Most of the force of the blast went upwards, killing the two intruders, rather than outward, though the security team did get hit by part of it. Unfortunately, it also did a great deal of damage to the tube itself, spraying shrapnel around the deck, causing multiple severe injuries, including West, Wood, Cavalera and Vos.

While the battle raged inside the Columbia, it also continued outside. Thankfully, though, Adaran and Giraath returned in the midst of it, flying a Romulan Long Distance Warp Shuttle. The extra firepower helped. They managed to finish taking out one of the Tal'Shiar ships and diverted the attention of the others. We would not have made it out of this alive had they not shown up. We would have been sitting ducks while fighting for control of the Bridge. We also received help from a Romulan Imperial Fleet vessel of a new and unknown ship class. I was surprised to see that it was commanded by Terrh S'Ten, my duplicate's lover. He noted that Lern had sent him to keep an eye on things and provide aid if needed. The new vessel was able to take out the remaining Tal'Shiar ships, thus freeing us to return to Federation space in peace. The mission had to be scrapped completely, as we learned that the Uihvueri and the Tal'Shiar had received intel, via a spy, on the raid, and the Jade had indeed been a trap set specifically for us.

Adaran and Giraath soon beamed back to the Columbia, and Terrh demanded that we release the prisoners we had taken during the failed boarding attempt as well as the two crewmembers of the Jade, whom he described as "operatives." I don't know the whole story on that and probably never will, but I had no intention of giving up anyone. SOCOM will want to question them. I played his bluff on it, knowing that he wouldn't risk damaging relations between our two governments by attacking the Columbia, and we slipped across the border unmolested. At that point I breathed a sigh of relief and gladly handed command back to Adaran. My skills as a negotiator were no longer needed. Instead, my training as a surgeon was required in Sickbay. I made my way there and helped care for the wounded.

I cannot say that my first command went well, but it at least ended without embarrassment. I could do nothing about scrapping the mission, but I at least was able to see the Columbia and its crew home safely with minimal damage and injuries, and with the prize of two Romulan "operatives." It was a learning experience for me, and I must say that I'm proud of the ship's crew. They handled themselves extremely well, though I'm sure they're glad to see me gone.

End Log.

Stardate 21211.08

Stardate 21211.08, Captain Adaran 225 recording Once again the Columbia's mission ended in failure, though not by the fault of its crew. They were betrayed by one of their own, only at this point we don't know who. On a more positive note, however, Giraath and I succeeded in our related assignment, so one cannot say that the entire mission was a failure. It was partially successful, which is the spin I prefer to put on it. I don't want to discourage the crew, especially after the disaster that was the previous mission.

Taking up from my last log before departing the Columbia, once Captain Sevala had beamed aboard, I transferred command to her, and Giraath and I left the ship, taking charge of the Romulan freighter provided for our use. A five day journey brought us into Romulan Space and to Trianguli-A975, a rogue planet in the Bassen Rift and the site of the planned ambush that Giraath's contacts had set up for Taris. The planet itself was an unusual world. Though it had no star, the surface was lit by a combination of atmospheric conditions and bio-luminescence, and it was habitable due to geothermal activity that kept areas of the surface warm enough for unique lifeforms to thrive. The lifeforms were plant-like but were capable of movement and intelligent actions, and many of them turned out to be dangerous.

After Giraath and I arrived, we took up position around a valley in which a Romulan probe had crashed. Soon, the bait arrived, Rhiana t'Kiell, a Romulan officer with whom Taris had a beef. t'Kiell brought a team to the valley to recover the probe, and Taris came as expected to kill her. He didn't have the chance though. A small battle ensued between the two Romulan factions, which presented Giraath and I with the opportunity to do our job. We both had sniper positions, but the planet's lifeforms had other ideas than to allow us an easy mission. The plants began to attack the Romulans in the valley, scattering them into the woods. I quickly lost track of Giraath as I began trying to pick off who I could, but I was forced out of my position by the plants as well.

There was little to do at that point but to rely on close combat to finish the mission, and the best way for me to do that was by using my natural abilities. Strapping my rifle to my pack, I dropped to all floors and began hunting, using my speed to surprise several enemy soldiers and my teeth and claws to take them down.

I soon came across Giraath again though. He had been taken captive by Taris. I saw several other Romulans in the clearing with them, and not being able to directly attack Taris from where I was, I decided to give Giraath a distraction to use to his advantage. I chose a female who had her back turned to me, and I leapt on her, sinking my teeth into her upper arm. I found out the hard way that she was actually one of the Uihvueri's telepaths. She attacked me in return by causing me to mentally feel intense pain. I only was able to hold onto her by a combination of my telepathic resistance training and by sheer instinct. You don't let go of dangerous prey until they're dead. With my jaws locked and my teeth sank into her flesh, she was losing a lot of blood, and she quickly weakened to the point where she wasn't a threat anymore. I then managed to kill her.

Giraath had used my distraction to kill Taris as well, and both of us had become separated again. Further scuffles with Romulan soldiers ensued, until I was injured, shot through my left hand. Unable to effectively fight any further, I retreated back to the valley, where Giraath had procured a Romulan Long Distance Warp Shuttle for us to use, as our own ship had been destroyed in the battle. I regretted having to make a hasty departure, but Taris was dead, so the mission was successful on our end... and Giraath had told me some distressing news.

It seems that the Uihvueri had a spy aboard the Columbia, and they'd learned our plans. Not only had they tracked us to Trianguli-A975, they'd also informed the Tal'Shiar of the Columbia's plans to destroy the supply depot, and the Tal'Shiar had set up an ambush to insure that the Columbia never made it that far. We had to find them and warn them.

We used our codes to track the Columbia's movements and plotted an intercept course. We couldn't use the comms because the Columbia would be under communications silence and we'd give away her position, but it didn't matter anyway. But the time we arrived, the ship had already come under attack by three Tal'Shiar vessels. Giraath and I managed to finish taking out one of the enemy craft, evening the odds and giving the frigate breathing space. We continued fighting as best we could with limited resources, as we were hit and weapons weren't fully online. Another Romulan vessel arrived though, a mystery ship that turned out to be captained by an acquaintance of Sevala, and it helped defeat the Tal'Shiar. We learned then that the Columbia had been boarded during the fighting.

Giraath and I beamed back to the Columbia as quickly as we could after the battle. I allowed Sevala, at her insistence, to stay in command while we negotiated with the Romulan ship, who wanted our prisoners. I will say one thing about Sevala, even though I dislike her personally, she's a strong negotiator, and she didn't give in, basically daring the Romulan commander to fire on us as we crossed back into Federation Space.

The ship now firmly in my hands again, we began the process of cleanup, and once things were in order, I addressed the painful issue of having a traitor on board. I organized a thorough search of the ship to find any trace I could of who it might be, especially any equipment that might have been used to send out a signal noticed by the Bridge crew, which most likely alerted the Tal'Shiar ships to the Columbia's location. I found nothing though. I informed SOCOM of the news and turned in my report. Investigative teams met us as we reached Bravo, preventing us from docking until they conducted their own search and debriefing of the crew. They were less than gentle about it, and I think some of the crew were rattled, but the matter of a spy on the ship is serious, and it couldn't be helped. They spent a full day on the Columbia before departing and allowing us to dock. They gave me a brief summary of their findings before they left, which was only that they had leads to follow up on. I cannot give any further information, even in a secure log, under orders from SOCOM.

Personal Log, Supplemental

I think things are better for me now. I think some of the pain and rage I felt after Tracey's death has abated. The fighting on Trianguli-A975 gave me a chance to purge myself of the grief and anger I'd kept bottled up inside. It may seem to some a strange way to grieve, by killing other people, but it's the only way I know how. Like with most Hermat, my primitive instincts are hidden under only a very shallow surface of civilization, and it can be a struggle to control them. I still miss Tracey. I miss her very much, and always will, but it's time to move on now. I'm finally in a comfortable place where I can do that.

End Log.

Crew Logs

First Officer

LCdr Xan Macleod

Stardate 21211.15

I didn't mean to put this log off for so long, but so much has been happening that I simply haven't had time before now.

The Columbia's mission was to cross into Romulan space and destroy a supply depot that's being used by the faction that still will not accept the new Romulan government. We were sent a Romulan consultant... actually I'm not really sure what she was there for, but I know she was a telepath. I don't share my sister's distrust of mental abilities in general but given the nature of the Columbia I'm not sure it was a great idea to have her aboard.

We also had a new Captain for the duration of the mission because SOCOM sent Adaran and Giraath on a parallel mission... I'm still not entirely comfortable with the nature of that mission, but I am glad it was successful because if it hadn't been, they wouldn't have returned.

I know some of the crew had reservations about Captain Sevala and that was only natural, she is after all a Romulan, albeit a Federation citizen. I had the advantage of knowing more of her than some, since my sister served under her for a while (when she was the CMO of the Gettysburg), so whilst I didn't completely dismiss all suspicions, I was perhaps a little more open minded than some and she certainly didn't do anything to change my initial opinion of her.

On route to our mission objective we picked up a Federation distress signal from inside Romulan space and moved to investigate... actually, I suppose if Sevala did want to lead us into a trap that would be the way to do it without drawing suspicion on herself.

Anyway, the ship we found had sustained heavy damage and there were still two life signs onboard. I think we all knew it was suspicious that a ship like that had been attacked and then left intact but we couldn't just abandon its crew either.

We sent an away team over to see what they could do, taking every precaution we could not to draw attention to ourselves, but we needn't have bothered. A signal was sent out from the Columbia and shortly afterwards we were surrounded by three Romulan vessels.

Captain Sevala attempted to negotiate, buying us the time we needed to retrieve the away team, but it was clear that we were expected and that nothing we could say would change their attitude. Once our crew were safely aboard we made a break for the boarder and a fire fight ensued.

It was going badly for us for a while and we were boarded. While West, the away team and Bravo squad attempted to subdue our invaders, Kemarrin and Dendra fought off the outside threat with a combination of fancy flying and shooting. I admit it’s frustrating not to be taking an active part in the fighting but that didn’t last long this time as we were soon having to defend the bridge itself.

Luckily for us, the Captain and Giraath returned from their mission and a friend of Sevala’s, one Terrh S’Ten, turned up to help us destroy our attackers and escape. With Adaran back on board, S’Ten demanded our prisoners, and the crew of the ship we were trying to help, but both Captains flatly refused and he departed empty handed… I suspect I will never know the full story there.

I’d like to say it ended there but we sustained a lot of damage both to the ship and to the crew, in fact Sevala, having been relieved of command went down to assist Nurse Cirrus in performing operations since Doctor Wood was also one of the casualties. We got off lightly this time but everyone performed brilliantly, just as I would expect them to.

As if failing in our objective wasn’t bad enough though, we still had to deal with the matter of the transmission from the Columbia. We searched thoroughly but found no evidence of a traitor. SOCOM searched even more minutely and grilled us ‘til we felt like criminals, but as far as I know they didn’t find anything either. I wish they had found something, suspicion on a crew is never a good thing and we especially have to be able to trust each other implicitly… I’m hoping something will turn up before the next mission, I can’t believe the powers that be will just let it go.

End Log.

Science

CSO LCdr Kellan Vos

Stardate 21211.08

Now that I officially been debriefed and cleared, I finally have a chance to submit my crew log. More on that later. The Columbia was again tasked with braving the the Neutral Zone. This time, it wasn't a search and recovery mission. An Uihvueri depot had reached SOCOM's attention and they wanted us to shut it down it permanently. Upon crossing the border, sensor picked up on a distress call originating from a Federation freighter. I reprogrammed an emergency buoy to boost the transmission without betraying our position. The SS Jade wasn't that far off course, so Captain Adaran's temporary replacement Captain Sevala decided to investigate while Adaran completed her own mission. I joined the Away Team to investigate why the Jade was floating adrift in an unfriendly neighborhood.

Since the cloa-. Computer, delete last word. Since the stealth system was active, we could not beam over. It would also be highly suspicious to dock at the airlock with the Eidolon, so we jumped out of our own airlock. I've spent so much time climbing through isolinear chips and bioneural packs that it was a nice change in scenery. Everyone but one Engineer made the jump successfully. Dr. Wood was able to reel him in with a rope he brought along. We were greeted at the door by the freighter's captain. Justin, as he wanted us to call him, knew exactly what ship we were from and told us the Tal Shiar already knew we were there. Sure enough, several Romulan vessels decloaked and engaged the Columbia. The Jade had been sabotaged beyond usefullness and all occupants had been beamed over to the Columbia. I'm not exactly sure what happened to Justin and his Reman first mate.

The Columbia, on the other hand, had to deal with three war ships. Boarding parties had managed to get into Engineering and one of the cargo bays. I was changing out of my EVA suit and closer to the cargo bay. Even though I really don't have any combat experience, I decided I could still provide support for the Security teams. We wound up flanking that group of boarders. They managed to access one of the maintenance shafts that leads straight up to the Bridge. I alerted the Bridge but was able to block it off with a quarantine field. West and Calavera attempted to pick them off, but one of the Romulans dropped a grenade. Calavera punted it away, but everyone still felt the effects of the blast. I myself took some pieces of bulkhead to my chest. Sickbay called it a traumatic pneumothorax. The boarding parties had either been repelled or captured. Again, I'm not so certain as to their fate.

Rumor has it the Columbia had a saboteur of its own. Every department joined the search for any evidence to support the claim. SOCOM ran their own investigation. Part of that investigation included interviewing every member of the crew. They were very kind to wait until I had recovered enough from my surgery. Although, I was a bit tense during the debrief. I haven't had a permanent assignment since I graduated. Flitting about from ship to station to ship looks a little sketchy on the employment record. Fortunately, they were able to clear up role as a system upgrader instead of an invisible spy. At least that's behind me. I still have to clean up the lab after SOCOM's search. Good thing I like messes.

End Log.

Medical

CMO Lt Andrew Wood

Stardate: 21211.08

Okay, finally a little to sit a get this done. Been pretty busy last couple days.

Let’s see. We were sent to disrupt terrorist activities from a base in an asteroid cluster. The Captain and Giraath left on their own assignment as we neared the Romulan border. The ship was transferred to a Romulan, Captain Sevala. A bit more of a micromanager than the Captain, tolerable enough, I guess.

Hmm, computer, a glass of coconut water with chia seed please.

{Replicator sounds, walking steps}

Still sore. Not used to being on the other side of the knife.

Anyway, fast forward to a distress call from a freighter left adrift. We went to assist. I got a very brief, too brief, space walk to get into the ship. We were met by, Justin, the Captain of the freighter, the Jade.

While helping them, apparently, three Romulan ships decloaked around us. Just before the shooting started we were beamed back aboard. Though the Romulans sent a couple boarding parties over.

I scooped up a few people including Chief Char and Commander Vos and went to help repel them. Here’s where things start getting interesting. In the opening of the fighting I took a hit to the front of the EVA suit I was wearing. It somehow absorbed the bold, I’m still a little sore from it and bruised. I was amazed I was alive. I was out of the action for a little while.

The group we were fighting escaped down an access tube. We reorganized our little group, I did some quick patch work on Don’s shoulder, dislocated. When we entered the access way the boarders had headed up a jefferies tube, they made the bridge. West took a couple hits trying to climb after them, he was in pretty bad shape. Cavalera covered me as I pulled Don out of the jefferies tube and back into the corridor.

The next thing I know, Cavalera is yelling “grenade” and running towards the access way. I covered Don as best I could to keep him from getting anymore injured. It must have been a plasma grenade, it was hot. Debris flew everywhere. Never been through anything like that, never want to again, either.

Everyone went down from that one. I was told Cavalera managed to get it back into the access way before it went off, undoubtedly spared us all our lives. He got some severe burns, lost fingers and right eye for his effort. I had a piece of bulkhead slice my right flank open pretty good, small wounds to my legs. Should still be able to do that marathon when we get back. Don, fortunatly, wasn’t injured further. Kellan got a piece of bulkhead stuck in his side, maybe the same one that said “Hi” to me. Char took a piece straight to the tibia.

I won’t go into the treatments, that’s all recorded in the medical records. Crewman Sita from the SAS was welcome helping hand, Special Forces medical training comes in handy.

After things had settled down, and I was put back to together, I was told that Sevala had come down to lend a hand in Sickbay. She’s a trained Star Fleet doctor, it turns out. Good she was there, Em wasn’t feeling confident about attempting surgery. I’m sure she would have done fine, but I respect her caution.

The past few days has been taken up patching up the less injured, getting Sickbay back in order and recovering. I think that about covers it. Gotta go, plenty of work to do.

Computer, end log.

Chief Medical Officer’s Log, Addendum

One thing that me rethink joining Star Fleet: searches and inspections. The shake down SOCOM gave us when we got close to Bravo was absurd. They all but tore Sickbay apart, right after we'd finished putting it back together. And they scattered my gear all over my quarters. I'm surprised nothing broke. I've had some of that stuff since school.

I'm...I'm too upset over this right now. I need to run, maybe climb.

End Log.

Lt Emilia Cirrus

Stardate 21211.01

Well this mission has been pretty typical of what I was warned to expect of the Columbia, except perhaps for the very end of it, but let me tell this in order.

Actually, I am not sure of a lot of the details except that there was some kind of rescue that went on and ship combat and boarding parties and a lot of injuries. I am okay with not knowing the details, though, because it makes it easier not only to record this log but for the end part that I said I wouldn’t talk about yet.

Anyway, Doctor Wood – Andy – was sent on the rescue team I mentioned at the very beginning of our encounter. In the absence of another doctor, I was left in charge of Sickbay. While the away team was still away we engaged in ship combat, and we were boarded. The team was able to get back before we were boarded, but they ended up being caught under fire, which was a lot of the reason why we had a lot of injuries. Even before those injuries, though, we had the regular burns, contusions, and breaks coming in as a result of the ship damage.

The main patients we saw were those who were caught with Andy where the boarding party was. There was an explosion, and Andy was injured along with Chief of Security West, Security crewman Char, Ensign Cavalera, and Chief Science Officer Vos. They all needed varying levels of surgery, none of which I could perform with my level of training and confidence. I had to call Captain Sevala – who was the CO in the absence of Adaran – down from the Bridge to use her previous training as a medical doctor to assist our patients. Thankfully she came, and I found out later that Adaran had returned so thankfully I wasn’t requesting that the ship be without a CO. Though Xan would have filled in just fine.

I helped assist with some of the surgeries, most notably Doctor Wood’s because we repaired him first so he could assist with the other patients. The recoveries of the patients were mostly uneventful, with the exception of Ensign Cavalera. Unfortunately the Columbia has no ability to regenerate organs or body parts so the poor guy will have to walk around without some of his fingers and one eye until we get back to base.

Other than those patients – whose medical files can be accessed if something in this log happens to be super important – the only eventful thing was the interrogation we had to go through before we even got back to Base. Apparently there is some kind of spy on the Columbia, which is weird since the ship is so secure. Maybe someone defected or something. The impression I got was that the Columbia was attacked because the spy told the Romulans that we were there. I’m not really sure why we couldn’t have simply been detected, but whatever. I had no information to give, but they tried to drag it out of me anyway. I think I was suspect because I am a newer member of the crew, but like I told them, I was in Sickbay the whole time and I don’t even know who attacked us or why we sent a rescue team. Like I said, not knowing anything is so much better.

The interrogation was super annoying, though. They delved into so many personal details and I ended up spilling the whole story about Horza and the pirates and why I was on the Columbia, and just everything. They wouldn’t let up! Finally, just when I thought I would go crazy, they decided I wasn’t worth their time and let me go. I hope this doesn’t happen every mission on the Columbia or I might be leaving much sooner than I expected. I’m hoping Xan gets a command before then.

End log.

Tactical

CTO Lt JG Dendra

Stardate 21211.15

Our mission was straightforward, to destroy an illegal supply depot in Romulan territory. Captain Adaran departed with Giraath on a mission of their own and a new Captain was supplied, a Romulan woman named Sevala. She was an efficient Captain, obviously born to command.

On route to our target we picked up a distress signal and our Captain chose to investigate. A civilian Federation ship appeared to have been attacked by Romulans but had escaped. Given the size and abilities of their vessel I found it difficult to believe that they were not destroyed and the possibility of it being a trap was discussed. Nevertheless a repair crew was sent across to see of what help they could be.

At this point a signal was sent, originating on the Columbia and directed into space, shortly after which three Romulan Vessels decloaked and demanded our surrender. They refused to accept Captain Sevala’s explanation and made it clear that they had been expecting us, which naturally meant we had to abandon the rest of the mission even if we had later been able to continue.

The away team was retrieved along with the crew of the Federation vessel and we attempted to out manoeuvre our opponents in a bid to return to our side of the neutral zone. Mister Kemarrin’s piloting skills could not be faulted and I provided what cover I could in the way of weapons fire, however they had the superior force and if Captain Adaran had not returned when s/he did, I fear we would not have escaped. Unexpected aide also arrived in the form of another Romulan ship, captained by a personal friend of Sevala’s, though it appeared their relationship was complicated.

Internally we took much damage, both from the external threat and from being boarded during the battle. I am pleased to say that we successfully contained the intruders without assistance even though it extended as far as a fire fight on the bridge itself. I understand there were many serious injuries that had to be attended to, I myself incurred a minor fracture but it did not impede me in my duties.

SOCOM were most thorough in their investigation into the signal that was sent from this ship, but so far there have been no arrests. Suspicion must fall on the Romulan advisor who accompanied Captain Sevala, but the inconclusive results are unsatisfactory.

On a more personal note, I have just learned that this will be my last log aboard the USS Columbia as I am being re-assigned. The news saddens me, this ship has a fine crew and I was honoured to be a part of it, but I am prepared to accept a new challenge.

End Log.

Lt Raass Girath

Stardate 21211.08

After being reassigned the Tactical Department aboard the Columbia, I was given an unusual assignment: to accompany Captain Adaran on an assassination mission. Our target was Major Hvirr Taris, of the Tal'Shiar. The mission was in conjunction with the Columbia's mission to destroy a Tal'Shiar supplied Uihvueri depot. Taris was the man heading up the supply operations on the Tal'Shiar side. The goal was to break the supply chain between the Tal'Shiar and the terrorists.

I accepted. The bastard killed my wife.

Our mission was a success. I was able to lure Taris away from his base on Theiurrul, to some rogue planet drifting through the Bassen Rift. Our ambush went well, until the Uihvueri showed up. They'd learned of the Columbia's mission, and one of their telepaths came to intercept us when she lerned Taris was no longer on Theiurrul. Her mission didn't go as she'd planned, though. We killed the telepath, well, Adaran did. I killed Taris. Ripped his damned heart out.

There was a pause

Not that it'll bring back T'Eleijha. I may have failed to keep her safe, but that bastard won't be able to hurt the girls ever again.

Another pause

The Columbia's mission was failure, however. Adaran and I learned from the telepath that the terrorists and the Tal'Shiar had ships on their way to intercept the Columbia, and mor to reinforce the supply depot. Adaran and I got back to the Columbia in time to slag one of the three Tal'Shiar cruisers attacking her. Then some new Romulan ship showed up and took care of the others. It seems that Romulan Intelligence has a new toy. We'll need to find a way to counter it. At any rate, Lieutenant Commander Macleod reporte that someone aboard Columbia had sent out a signal prior to the attack, so it would seem that the terrorist spy is part of our crew. Based on the fact that the Uihvueri telepath claimed that our frieghter had been tracked after leaving the Columbia, it seems likely that the spy is also a telepath, as none of the crew ever cmae abaord the frieghter to plant a tracking device. And the signal was sent out shortly before the ambush, far too late for the Uihvueri ship to have intercepted Adaran and I's mission.

Traitors aboard a Starfleet vessel...however it is, they should die a slow and painful death.

End Log.

Ens Martok Kemarrin

Stardate 21211.01

The mission began in a rather unusual fashion. I had to undergo an unusual emergency surgery on the way to our rendezvous with Captain Sevala and her friend. Apparently, I was injected with some sort of device or nanites that created the device in my neck. The device was a small transmitter that was relaying a rough direction of where I was heading. After searching my cabin, Security found a receiver in my compartment that was collecting all of the information and waiting till we returned to the Starbase to upload it to whoever was trying to track me.

After the surgery, I returned to normal duty and we eventually met up with Captain Sevala and her Romulan friend. She came aboard and took command from Adaran as she and Giraath went on to complete their mission while we went after our own. After taking command of the ship, the Columbia made its way to the border where we picked up a distress signal from a Federation registered ship. The ship was adrift on the Romulan side of the border and Sevala decided to investigate.

After slipping across the border and arriving at the SS Jade, the Captain sent an away team to the Jade where it was soon discovered that the mission was compromised and the Columbia was heading into a trap. I remained on the Bridge of the Columbia manning the helm while the away team was investigating the Jade. Shortly after this was discovered by the away team, three Romulan vessels de-cloaked and had the Columbia surrounded. They demanded our surrender and when we delayed so that the away team could be brought aboard they opened fire.

A battle ensued both inside and outside of the Columbia. I cannot say what exactly happened on the Columbia before the intruders made it to the Bridge except for the fact that they disabled our warp drive and impulse engines. Once they made it to the Bridge, Ike initiated the self-destruct sequence and the crew was rushing to retake the ship before it was destroyed. After a short battle, the Romulans on the Bridge were defeated and the remaining Romulans who had been taken captive by the SAS team were moved to the Brig.

Outside of the ship, I managed to evade most of the Romulans fire with the exception of a few shots which ended up causing significant damage to Deck 4. Sickbay was one of the hardest hit areas and casualties continued to poor in despite their rough situation. Communications with Sickbay was knocked out for a while and was eventually restored after the battle. Captain Adaran and Giraath returned just in time to disable one of the Romulan vessels and destroy another. They took damage of their own and just when the battle seemed to be lost a mysterious Romulan ship arrived and destroyed the remaining attacker.

The Captain of the mysterious ship was Terrh S'Ten, an Romulan Intelligence Officer who knew Captain Sevala. After speaking for some time, Captain Sevala denied Terrh's request for us to transfer over the Romulan prisoners and the crew from the Jade who he called "assets". We made best speed across the border and to Starbase where we were promptly interrogated by SOCOM as per standard procedure.

I believe that that covers just about everything from the mission. If I have missed something I will reopen this log and add to it.

End log

Security

Ens Xavier Cavalera

Stardate 21211.01

The very first mission while assigned to USS Columbia proven to be a costly one. Not just to me but to my boss, a science officer, and a medical officer. My new and beautiful ship picked up a distress signal from another Federation star ship, while we were traveling along the Romulan border. It appeared that the ship was drifting aimlessly on the enemy’s side. Astonishingly, a Romulan Captain took charge of the Columbia while Captain Adaran and away team beamed aboard the SS Jade which was indeed confirmed to be one of our own ships.

My duties kept me seated at the security console on the Bride. Not really knowing my way around the ship, I arrived late and wasn’t informed on the whole situation that transpired on the Jade. Being new does have an effect especially being embarrassed not knowing where people were assigned.

[Audible coughs could be heard.]

Note to self: Go over the crew manifest and remember names and faces.

All I remember because everything happened so qucikly…was our current mission was breached due to trickery. Out of nowhere, three Romulan ships appeared from their tactical de-cloaking ability and wanted Captain Sevala to surrender the ship. She did manage to delay our surrender in order for the Adaran and the away beam back on-board. This was met by a barrage of fire from the Romulan vessels.

Keep in mind; this was my first experiencing fire from a hostile vessel. I did my best to maintain my composure and keep calm. I was ordered to contact a Senor Anderson and Captain Sevala’s friend Annhwia. Not knowing there location I was assisted by Senora Dendra. As the pair arrived on the Bridge, I received an intruder alert on my console. Twelve Tal'shairve managed to beam aboard the Columbia, specifically on Decks five and three.

Without hesitation and feeling more comfortable under attack, I alerted the intruder alarm and asked Sevala for permission to assist in capturing or in worse case; neutralizing the elite Romulan intelligence members. I arrived on Deck 3 and was surprised to see LCdr Vos and Doctor Wood in a phaser. We did manage to neutralize a few on our some bombardment but some of the unwanted visitors managed to escape into the Jeffries Tube.

My instinct was to enter the tube as a young and proud Security Ensign but, my good judgment allowed me to re-think the situation. The Chief of Security met us during our first engagement and was a brave soul whilst in the middle of battle. He was hurt most severely as the Doc was able to make a retreat back into the corridor on deck three. I soon followed but was greeted by a plasma grenade. I am not sure why I did it but, it was my first instinct. I kicked the grenade just missing it; unfortunately for myself and everyone in that corridor.

As I was told after the carnage and the grace of God, the grenade barely entered the tube, killing the remaining Romulans. All I remember was the grenade exploding and being tossed far back onto the deck. When I regained consciousness; I felt nothing but numbness throughout my body. I noticed I had lost vision in my right eye and wanted to see if anything was obstructing my view. I raised my right hand to check and to my chagrin, my thumb, index, and middle fingers were no more.

I do remember trembling from that revelation but that was the least of worries. My right eye was completely blown off from the blast which would explain my lack of vision. I would be lying if I told you I wasn’t terrified. Master Chief Sul helped to me to sick where I was also treated for minor burns on top of the more severe injuries. Captain Sevala surprised me again as she assisted the chaos in Sickbay.

Since the Columbia wasn’t equipped with the proper medical devices to repair my maimed hand and eye, I had the treatment completed at Star Base Bravo. The Doctors could only use clone digits for my index and middle fingers. The thumb wasn’t salvageable as they replaced it with a prosthetic thumb.

Unfortunately for my eye, the STB Medical Staff had to replace my right eye with an optical implant. The good thing about the implant is better than perfect vision when I close my left eye. Equivalent to a robots organ of sight. Nonetheless, I am fortunate and grateful to the Doctors at Bravo.

So, my first mission on a star ship didn’t go as planned sustaining a series of injuries. I am happy to just be alive and until my next log...Ciao!

Xavier Cavalera reporting……END LOG.