Dauntless:Ninth Mission - A Funny Thing Happened On the way to Gamma-7

Captain's Logs

Commander Julia Neilson

Stardate 21001.17

With only twenty hours to go until the crew was to be recalled from shore leave, I was forced to request an emergency recall of all Dauntless personnel.

As acting commanding officer of the Dauntless, Admiral Linden contacted me with a new mission. In the past few hours strange anomalies had formed around several of the major Federation planets: Vulcan, Betazed, Alpha Centauri… These anomalies had the effect of pulling the nearby planet in, and swapping it out for what appeared to be an exact copy of the planet it had replaced. Planets that geologically appeared the same, but the installations and ships that were in orbit of the planets were definitely not Federation or Star Fleet in design… weren't anything recognizable in the Fleet databanks.

Being docked at Starbase Alpha, the Dauntless was one of the closest to respond to the situation at Vulcan. Apparently three Fleet vessels – the USS Sitting Bull, the USS Ra, and the USS Intrepid -- had disappeared in their attempt to investigate the situation. The USS New York and the USS Vienna were on standby just outside the 40 Eridani system, with which we were to rendezvous.

When we got there… it seemed like everything had gone back to normal!

Vulcan – well, our Vulcan – was back in its place, along with the three missing vessels.

Some of the anomaly remained in the 40 Eridani system. The science department determined that a resonance pulse should determine the origin of the anomaly, and find out if it was a subspace vacuole we were dealing with. The effects of the pulse actually managed to close the anomaly completely.

However, from the epicentre of where the anomaly had been, a subspace wave began barrelling towards the Dauntless and Vulcan. In attempt to stop, or in the very least mitigate, the subspace wave, we are going to try and emit a harmonic resonance pulse in a sort of… destructive interference.

For the pulse to have a chance at succeeding, we need four vessels to work together. However, that would leave the badly damaged USS Intrepid with only one vessel to hold onto it. I didn't want to risk having the heavy cruiser tumble back into Vulcan's atmosphere. We did pick up a Fleet support vessel on our sensors, either Cicero or Seleya class … we're not quite sure which yet as their transponder appears to be offline. In contacting them they claimed to be the Pacific Princess. Considering that neither a Cicero or Seleya class have that sort of naming convention, it's made me wonder what exactly is going on.

At any rate, they have agreed to assist. Lets just hope the plan works. Else we might be going fishing for bits of the Intrepid from Vulcan's atmosphere…

Computer, end log.

Stardate 21002.16

Commander Julia Nielson recording:

Our plan to dissipate the subspace wave was a success, with little damage to the Dauntless and no after effects to the planet Vulcan. That in itself was a relief.

However, right before the ships fired the wave, the "Pacific Princess" pulled away, high tailing it out of the area. I ordered to fire on them, in a true test to see if they were friend or foe. Turned out it was the latter, because they tucked tail and ran. If they were friendly I could see moving to a safe distance but… not bailing on a plan to save Vulcan and then running away.

We launched the Captain's Yacht, the Agassiz, with the Chief of Security Ben Vaughn and the Chief Engineer Vladimir Komoscov aboard. With their team they set off on a chase of the rogue vessel. We were all suspicious of the Pacific Princess, so it became the Agassiz's goal to stop the Princess and find out what was going on.

And then we got the transmission from Star Fleet Intelligence and SF Command regarding the Pacific Princess. They were able to confirm they weren't who they said they were. Instead we were chasing the USS Stolik, a rogue Intelligence vessel with crew had committed terrorist acts against Earth. The Dauntless was to be dispatched immediately to track down and bring in the crew of the Stolik, either dead or alive. They also sent us information about some interesting ion trail masking technology, and a way to modify our sensors in order to detect it.

It took us about ten days to catch up with the Stolik and the Agassiz. The Stolik was hiding in a group of spaceliners on their way to Risa. We'd planned ahead to pull a "Crazy Ivan", whereby the Agassiz pulls in close to the Stolik, almost as if it were about to ram it, and then the Dauntless drops out just behind the Stolik in an attempt to squish it.

Of course whoever was piloting the Stolik had quick reflexes, and managed to put the Agassiz between us and them. I modified our tractor beam to ignite the Cerenkov radiation generated by the rubbing of the shields and override their EPS grid. That managed to drop their shields, but a reaction in their engines disrupted our attempt to get a proper transporter lock. A blind beam out was attempted, and we managed to beam something aboard, and after a rigorous test of the matter stream it was rematerialized in our brig.

I'm on my way to debrief the team from the Agassiz as they return home.

This is my last log as ACO, as I turn command of the Dauntless back over to Captain Wong.

Computer, end log.

Captain Mike Wong

Stardate 21003.16

Following my recuperation from injuries sustained following the misadventure in Earth's Antarctica there came a point that CMO Hawkens and myself agreed I was physically able to return to duty.

My thanks and highest praise go to Commander Nielson and the crew of Dauntless who persisted in searching for myself and the late Lieutenant Commander sh'Thane and effecting our rescue.

In addition acting CO Nielson and the crew again admirably performed in my absence during the Vulcan incident and were instrumental in restoring normalcy.

One has to pause and wonder if I am really needed here at all, I shall try to establish my worth in the days that come.

Those promoted and receiving medals include:

Lieutenant Wright: Promotion to LCdr. SFCM

"Ensign Lamb: Promotion to Lt[JG]. SFCM

Lieutenant Komoscov: Promotion to LCdr. SFCM

Midshipman Tilar: Promotion to Ensign. SFCM

Midshipman Korosenn: Promotion to Ensign. SFCM, SFCM

Lieutenant Junior Grade Ankar: Promotion to Lieutenant. SFCM, SFCM

Midshipman Askew: Promotion to Ensign Lieutenant Commander Vaughn: SFAM

Commander Nielson: GS, DSG

It is with deep professional and personal regret that I note the accidental death of Lieutenant Commander sh'Thane a short time ago. While CSO Vaughn continues to investigate the preliminary facts suggest that she had left sickbay without notice and proceeded to an unmanned communications station where she was attempting to contact her homeworld. When confronted by a security patrol she was hit by phaser fire meant only to stun, however for reasons unclear, I hypothesize remnants of her Andorian physiology made her more susceptible to phaser damage - she died despite the best efforts of the medical staff to resuscitate her.

Her remains will remain in stasis until I can arrange disposition with the Andorian authorities and hopefully some member of her family that I can get to see reason.

To bring ships business current a brief ceremony was held on the bridge whereby promotions and medals past due were awarded to deserving crew members.

I realize now that my own grief over Tara's death blinded me to the shock that must have been felt among others who knew her as well. It was an oversight I mean to correct when I can by holding a memorial service for her.

Shortly before arriving in the Gamma-7 system Dauntless encountered what we currently believe to be a scanning beam of immense power, like nothing we or any Federation Ship that I know of has encountered before.

Whether deliberate or not a side effect of this beam was the incapacitation of virtually the entire crew with vertigo, nausea and in some cases apparent coma. Among those suffering the latter, CMO Hawkens.

After administering a temporary pharmacological fix to myself and the bridge crew I ordered the ship to red alert and our course reversed to try to move Dauntless beyond the range of the beam and determine its origin and the intent of those wielding it.

Given the volatility of this area and the classified activities begun during the Romulan war and still rumored to be ongoing, I have to assume this is an act of malevolence until it is proved otherwise.

Computer, end and save log.

Stardate 21005.05

Our routine resupply mission to Gamma-7 has turned into something quite unexpected. As we were coming into range of the science facility Dauntless was intercepted by what I believe to be a scanning beam of unknown origin and immense power. The beam had the ability to serve as a transporter as well, for after being sickened by the initial scan then everyone in the crew found ourselves transported to the Gamma-7 orbital facility. Once there we were told that most of the population of the facility had been killed by an unknown illness and that our crew was now infected too. Before we could determine more we were just as mysteriously transported back to Dauntless where we encountered a humanoid form representing itself as former President of the United States of America William Jefferson Clinton.

The Clinton being told us that we had been selected by “The Great Ones.” To provide amusement to them and if we managed to either defeat or work together to solve the problem of the genetic illness they have inflicted upon and a group of opponents whom I’ve yet to see, that we would be freed unharmed. Needless to say I do not believe this being nor do I intend to but the welfare of my crew at his disposal. It was now that a mechanism, a robot construction that Clinton brought about rolled out from my ready room and then exploded like a bouncing Betty anti personnel mine, killing Commander Nielson instantly. I was enraged to the point of killing Clinton with my own hands, but after being restrained by more rational members of my crew I opted rather to try and reason with the being. I asked that as a sign of good faith he restore Commander Neilson to her uninjured state. After considering this for a moment, Clinton seemed to agree.

Log ends here...

Stadate 21005.20

• From beyond the grave!*

The faux Bill Clinton did indeed restore Commander Nielson to her pre-exploding robot in the face condition. However he did so at my expense, as my mangled dying body took the place of hers in sickbay.

After her return Nielson continued the task of trying to communicate with Clinton as well as dealing with the newly appeared Ferengi vessel which the "Great ones" had commandeered much like Dauntless.

Mister Kórosenn was soon after 'killed' as well by one Clinton's devices.

Doctor Tara sh'Thane having been resurrected by the "Great ones" took the initiative to begin working on the mysterious genetic illness the crew was infected with during our brief visit to the Gamma-7 station.

Doctor Hawkens our CMO and Second Officer has come to the bridge to support the First Officer in my absence.

Our science and engineering departments continue to strive to analyze the alien machinery that has been placed aboard Dauntless, so for attempts to even obtain decent scans have been unsuccessful but they will without a doubt persevere.

With the intent of the Ferengi vessel still undetermined the tactical crew are maintaining combat readiness should we be forced to defend ourselves.

I hope a peaceful solution will be forthcoming, and that no more violence and death will be inflicted upon Dauntless and her crew.

Log ends.

Stardate 21007.16

Mission Summary

Our encounter with the “Great Ones” has ended, apparently successfully. These entities of immense power, including that over time, life and death have been satisfied by our ability to peacefully work with the Ferengi in overcoming the disease and mechanical obstacles placed before use.

At one point apparently something went wrong in it seemed and indeed felt like both Dauntless and the Ferengi ship were destroyed, but at the whim of the great ones the game was reset and we began again although with a faint awareness of having done it before.

Dauntless will arrive at Star Base Alpha within the hour, the mood on the ship has lightened considerably and I must admit it is a little infectious.

Since succeeding at the tests the so called Great Ones set before us and the hapless Ferengi vessel and completing our supply run to the Gamma-7 outpost our journey back has been unremarkable.

Commander Nielson’s handling of the advisor who for whatever reason had assumed the guise of a rather infamous political figure from Earth’s past, and her negotiations with the Ferengi made all the difference I believe in the successful outcome of the encounter.

With the ability to apparently supersede the accepted laws of time, energy and matter in a most cavalier way the question remains however, just who are the Great Ones, what are their motives, and what kind of threat might they represent to the Federation or for that matter others in the quadrant.

Is the Q continuum up to more mischief, or a heretofore unknown race? A review of historical archives show several encounters with beings of similar power, and utter disregard for civilized behavior.

Time will tell I suppose, but I’m sure I am not alone in hoping the Great Ones turn elsewhere for their amusement.

Other members of this crew deserve special acknowledgement and in no particular order they are as follows:

Lieutenant Commander Komoscov, Chief Engineering Officer: His feverent dedication to duty, efforts to disable the alien machinery placed aboard Dauntless and concern for the welfare of his crewmates was extraordinary.

Lieutenant Commander Korbon Hawkens, Chief Medical Officer: Sickbay’s response to the alien illness as well as horrific trauma inflicted upon this crew by the Great Ones is noteworthy and I can attest to that from the first person.

Midshipman Qal, Medical Officer: One of the newest members of the crew, Doctor Qal showed no hesitation in jumping into the thick of things. His take charge attitude and outstanding medical skill are truly an asset to Dauntless.

Ensign Kórosenn, Security Officer: As the leader of Alpha Team-Section 3 Kórosenn displayed unerring purpose of duty and dedication to maintaining the safety of the crew and the preservation of Dauntless.

Lieutenant Commander Vaughn, Chief of Security: Ben Vaughn has always been a pillar that I’ve relied on since taking command of Dauntless. Despite the seeming limitless power possessed by the Great Ones, Commander Vaughn remained steady on the job, led his people, and served Dauntless and the Federation in the highest tradition.

Lieutenant Commander Wright, Chief Tactical Officer: When there was no choice but to engage the Ferengi with force Commander Wright exhibited the skill, restraint and dedication to duty that one would expect from such an experienced and faithful officer. Whether endlessly monitoring sensors or disabling a weapons array with minimal collateral damage, the Tactical department came through.

First Lieutenant Guarnere, Marine Commander: Our contingent of Star Fleet Marines provided outstanding service though not called to combat. Their medical personnel assisted sickbay in caring for the ill and injured and stood by to deal with any military eventuality that might have come up. Lieutenant Guarnere is an outstanding leader and though I hope to seldom have to call upon he and his troops to go into harm’s way, I am very glad that they are a part of Dauntless.

Ensign Johnson, Tactical Officer: Another relative new comer to Dauntless, mister Johnson under the tutelage of Commander Wright has grown professionally and every indication is that he will continue to be a fine TO and a credit to the Federation.

Ensign Tilar, Science Officer: Dauntless has lacked a Chief Science Officer for some time now, what with personnel shortages during the war and such. As ranking man in the department Tilar has demonstrated the innovative problem solving abilities that will take him far and continue to benefit this ship and crew.

Log ends.

Stardate 21003.16

(After the promotion ceremony and before the blue light special.)

Why?

(Log ends automatically after ten minutes of silence.)

Crew Logs

First Officer

Stardate 20909.14

Commander Julia Nielson recording...

This mission has been miserable. Just when I thought things might get better, that the Dauntless might give me a fresh start from everything that had happened, our easy shakedown cruise turned into a nightmare.

We received a distress call from a Fleet runabout Pegasus. Upon arrival we found several Cardassian vessels attacking the runabout, which was for reasons we weren’t able to determine. We succeeded in chasing the Cardassians off, however in the process one of the Cardassian captains decided to nearly self destruct his ship with hundreds of civilian vessels in the area. In an attempt to push the vessel a safe distance away, the captain locked his tractor beam to the Daunty and attempted to pull us into the Teknan sun with him. With some quick thinking we managed to free ourselves before we too were pulled into the star. Luckily our sensors detected mass transports prior to the destruction of the Cardassian ship. It is our assumption that the ship’s captain was the only casualty.

That wasn’t the end of it.

The Runabout Pegasus was near the Cardassian border because it was answering a distress call from the planet Tekna. The planet was experiencing massive amounts of seismic activity, to the extent that one of their colonies was swallowed up between two of its tectonic plate. Mass evacuations were taking place, and the Pegasus crew were there to investigate the cause of the quakes in hopes of stopping it while the USS Copernicus attempted to recruit ships from a nearby waystation to help with evacuations.

I lead an away team down to the planet and found… nothing but destruction. It was.. it was devastating what the planet had been through, what the people had suffered. Just when I think I’ve hit rock bottom, something like this happens and I sink lower.

We weren’t really able to help the people of Tekna. With the convoy the Cop managed to wrangle up, we saved … only a fraction of the population. With no notice, catastrophic quakes hit the entire planet all at once. It was all the ship could do to pull up the away teams and grab whoever they could before all people, buildings, flora and fauna in the colony areas was swallowed up… we… we..

(a short pause ensues)

Maybe I’m really not cut out for this after all…..

The hopelessness of not being able to do anything to help someone, to help an entire planet, is too overwhelming. I did what I could…we did what we could, but it wasn’t enough.

I keep trying to tell myself that I should have done more but …

This is getting to add up to be too much. The war, the Romulans invading, the Valiant case, now this.. I’m not sure if bad luck follows me or if maybe my Mom was right, maybe I am a failure and that all of this, everything that has happened, is all my fault. It’s a heavy feeling that has been strangling me this past few months. It’s the reason why I’ve been working out so hard every night in the gym until my body aches and then staying up for hours on end reading until my mind is equally tired. Only then can I sleep.

Despite that I don’t get a goodnight’s sleep. Sometimes if I’m lucky the nightmares won’t come, but… chances are few.

At any rate, the war is over. I managed to dig through some Star Fleet files and found that Sierra-18 has been retaken… such a huge relief! It’s helped to get me out of the funk a little bit. I do think a trip to Sierra-18 is in order when shore leave hits. I need to see for myself that everybody is okay.

I think… a long soak in a hot bath is in order.

Computer, end log.

21003.15

I think I have some kind of magnet that attracts trouble to me. And not the good kind of trouble. The really really bad kind that makes me want to go hide under my blanket and never come out again.

Honestly, I don’t feel like I’ve had a proper moment to just put my feet up and relax since I was posted on the Yeager. Sure, I’ve had shoreleave over the years since then but… bad things always seem to happen around me and I just can’t get away from it. Just one little break from it all would be nice, just a little. Is that too much to ask? A week off from the universe spiraling into trouble that we have to go dashing off to save it? What about a weekend? A day even, I’m flexible!

… Okay, so that won’t be happening any time given my luck. Here I thought with the Agassiz returned, I’d have my two days off, and Vladimir and I could just be hermits together in his quarters. We could do nothing but watch movies, put our feet up, and enjoy each other’s company. I was so looking forward to it.

But apparently even my plans for a couple hours in the future go out the nearest airlock as quickly as I make them.

Not long after I returned from visiting Vladimir down in the shuttlebay, I arrived on the bridge to find the Captain gone. It sent warning bells blaring in my mind, considering not ten minutes before he had told me to clock out early and that he would cover bridge duty for me. Why in the world would he have left the bridge after saying that… rather peculiar.

Then he comes back, looking like he hasn’t slept in over a month. Of course it made me incredibly worried… so I asked to speak with him in private.

And he shut me out. Completely and utterly. He was as cold as his ready room. Something is going on with him, and I’m not entirely certain what it could be or what to make of it. Here had been this man who was super warm and friendly when we first met, a man who I would trust with my life and who has saved it… and suddenly he’s cold as stone. Where the Mike Wong I thought I knew went, I’m not sure. I can only hope that he returns.

Following that the Captain decided that promotions and medals should be in order, so we had a little ceremony on the bridge for those deserving. It was bittersweet, because at this moment Mike announces that one of our doctors, Lieutenant Commander Tara sh’Thane, has passed away. This news was completely out of left field for me. Someone… died. Again. …. I’m still utterly speechless by the news of it all…

(a long pause ensues…)

I’m worried about Vlad… he didn’t react well to the news of sh’Thane’s death. I knew they had been friends, I just didn’t realise they were this close. Once the Captain had announced her passing, he had fled back into his ready room. Vlad proceeded to throw his glass at the door and then stormed off. I wanted to run off and just give him a big hug and see if he’s okay but… I figure space is the best thing for him. Let him cool down a bit and then see how he’s doing.

Though I haven’t had a chance to do that. Shortly after that, the bridge was bathed in this eerie blue glow. With it came excruciating physical pain, the likes I have never in my life felt. It was terrible! It felt as though my stomach and intestines had filed protest and decided they wanted out of my body… really, it was like being ripped apart from the inside out. Anything I had eaten that day painted the carpet. I wasn’t the only one affected by the light.. it seems the entire crew has suffered the same fate.

Captain Wong acted quickly and has given some of the bridge crew a hypo filled with something to deal with the nausea and dizziness. It’s working for the time being, thank goodness. I can’t stand the smell of the bridge right now, or the look of it. It makes me want to wretch again just seeing it. But our focus right now is making certain that none of our crew is seriously injured, and finding out what in the world is happening.

Seriously... is there a sign taped to my back that says "trouble come here" or something? ... I need a holiday..

Computer, end log.

Security

LCdr Benjamin vaughn

Stardate 20909.16

(The sound of heavy breathing as if after a jogging session)

This is an adendum to my previous log. DAMN IT!

(A pause, and deep breaths!)

Those stubborn Cardassian's have ALL committed suicide. Needless to say a full investigation will now take place as to how they managed to get explosives aboard.

For them to do this means either. One, they were so brainwashed into believing they were to suffer severe torture. Or, two. That something big is definately brewing over the Cardassian border! I do hope that Star Fleet will be keeping a really close eye on this region of space.

We have support busy cleaning up the mess in the brig. I suppose at least it kept those Mercenaries quiet from the tanker, New Sky. There was NOT a peep of complaint from any of them, even when they transferred to the Waystation.

(A long sigh!)

Now I had better get cleaned up before I report to the Captain on this incident.

End log.

Stardate 20103.02

After the trials of the Tenka mission, the Dauntless returned to SBA for repairs and much needed shoreleave for the crew. However, this was short lived as we were recalled due to the CO and Dr Ch'Thane reportedly being killed in a hoversled accident in Antartica. Needless to say, I felt the reports received were highly suspicious and so, myself, Komoscov and a team including Alex and our new Middy, Orri Korosenn headed off in the Runabout to investigate.

After searching the area of the accident we found a rather ill penguin. Which fortunately, led us to an underground base. The Captain and Dr Ch'Thane were eventually found and brought back to the Dauntless. The base didn't self destruct after its antimatter container was beamed into space. This caused myself and LCdr Komoscov to be briefly trapped in the transporter buffers, from which, Cdr Nielson eventually rescued us. I was notified that SBA Security had taken over searching the base. I've yet to see their report on any findings.

The next thing was the ship being sent to investigate some sort of spacial anomalies that had suddenly appeared at Vulcan, then Tellar, Andor and Alpha Centauri. By the time we arrived at Vulcan the anomaly - which had been some sort of dimensional rift - had gone and everything appeared back to normal.

The appearance of an unknown vessel calling itself the Pacific Princess was curious, this was later renamed as the Stolik by Starfleet Command. They ordered us to board said vessel and to bring into custody the entire crew of six. Apparently, they were all Intel agents that had gone rogue and were wanted on multiple terrorist charges. Myself, Komoscov and a small team were sent after them in the Agassiz, this had been a waste of time as the Stolik, after arriving near Risa, blew up. The crew were transported over to the Dauntless, but, due to some sort of malfunction they were all beamed in dead.

There was a pause...

Now, there has since been, another incident involving Dr Ch'Thane, renamed as sh'Thane, who has somehow become Human. She had been attempting to contact Andor through unauthorised use of a communications console. The Security patrol arrived and she was mistakenly shot, which has led to her unfortunate demise. One of my personnel has been suspended prior to a full investigation.

There was a loud sigh...

Now, I have the horrible duty to tell Captain Wong of Lieutenant Ch'Thane's death. This will come as a terrible blow to our CO as I understand he and the Doctor had become involved.

End log

Stardate 21007.19

And here I was thinking our next assignment would be a doodle, we were supposed to head for station Gamma-7 to deliver supplies. Needless to say things happened, with an eerie blue glow that transported all the crew to said station. We then learnt that a virus was running riot, and after attempting to stop a panic we found ourselves beamed back to the Dauntless. Where we found strange devices had been introduced in Engineering, Security, Sickbay and the Bridge.

We were then greeted by a visitor calling himself Bill Clinton, a former Earth President from the 20th Century. We were to play some kind of 'game' or we would all die! True to form things happened, Julia was killed on the bridge by an exploding robot, Kórosenn was killed in Security by another one. Whoever these 'Great Ones' were they sure knew how to screw us up. Then we all 'died' when the Daunty's Core blew. Then we all reappeared, very much alive, to go through the whole thing again.

To cut a long painful story short, we somehow overcame all the trials put in our way and got the Daunty back on its original mission, to Gamma-7. The other thing of note was an altercation between Ensign's Kórosenn and Tilar, Mid Johnson and LCdr's Komoscov and Wright. Charges were placed on Tilar and Johnson, who have found themselves incarcerated in the Brig.

From what I know they stand accused of insubordination by these two senior officers. Until they actually file a report saying they wish to charge them. Officially, I am tied with having them confined. Lt Ankar and myself will be going over the logs to see what actually happened, according to this Clinton character, all the scans, logs etc of the 'Great Ones' interference have been removed, but the other logs still remain.

(A sigh can be heard)

This all seems blown out of all proportion, so I'm hoping things will eventually calm down and I can make some sense of all this.

(A pause, and slight chuckle)

On a lighter note, I have become attracted to Lt [JG] Pekoe Fawkes, an Engineering officer. I hope that she has the same feelings as I, time will tell though.

End Log

LtJG Alex Ankar

Stardate 20909.17

This last mission has done nothing but confuse me. There are some pretty big questions in the universe: Why are we here? Will there ever be peace amongst all races? Who ate the last butter biscuit?

But let's stop and start asking some more 'here-and-now' questions, because I am really struggling to see how we can help anyone at all if this is the best we can do! Just the thought of having to save millions of people from a planet tearing itself apart with only a handful of ships is rediculous...I saw it with my own eyes - the destruction and death that was down there...why couldn't we save them? Was this meant to be some sick and twisted Kobayashi Maru test?

And in case we hadn't been thrown hard enough to the ground by that, the Cardassians decide to turn up and kick us while we were down there. We managed to fight them off, but the prisoners we captured did not succumb quite so easily... I was assigned to help LCdr Vaughn interrogate the bastards after they boarded a Starfleet runabout.

(There is a tut and a short pause.)

I mean...why would anyone do that? The only information I got from the prisoner I was working on was that more of them were coming...but from where? And why? ...I couldn't face going back into that brig after leaving the New Skies...I was terrified I might just jump in there and punch the guy...

(There is a pause.)

Maybe this is what it's really like. We can only do our best. I feel so lost and hurt and tired right now and there is nothing I can do. The ship seems so small now...like I'm trapped in my own life.

(There is a pause and movement is heard.)

Right. Enough of this wallowing, I'm going to the 10 Forward party and I'm going to enjoy myself. I'm going to pick up on this later...I'm too tired to come to terms with myself right now. I wonder how Ben got on with those bloody Cardassians?

End log.

Stardate 20103.04

Allow me to pick up my rather depressing news where I left off some time ago...

Alright, so it's not all terrible...but, in such an environment when you're constantly surrounded by bad news I've learnt that you have to make your own happiness. Even if it's just little things to take from any achievement. It keeps you going.

We never did get anything out of those Cardassians, they decided to make a mess in our holding cells before we could get anywhere near and this left us in a rather strange position. They'd been threatening us alright, there was no doubt about it, but just how much truth was there to all their claims? And then you start wondering how much of that was your fault - it doesn't take very long after something goes wrong for the finger pointing to begin and nobody wants to be caught in the crossfire. Suffice to say, as with everything on this ship, I didn't get much of a chance to worry about it as we were quickly on our way somewhere else.

I was promoted to full Lieutenant not long after and I have to say, it came at a good time. There's only so much duty you can take before you think, has anyone even noticed what I've been doing? I'm not the sort of person who demands attention all the time, but it's these snippets of recognition that give you just that little bit of an extra boost - something to remind you that you're not just a nameless faceless cog making up one big machine. Then the rumour mill started spinning. People were saying that Captain Wong and Lieutenant ch'Thane had supposedly been killed in a hoversled accident whilst on shore leave. We knew this was no rumour once we'd all been packed into a runabout on a rescue mission, headed for the bitter cold of the Arctic not knowing anything about what we could expect to find. There's very little else to say to be honest, we went in and did our job, rescuing both the Captain and ch'Thane reasonably quickly with no fatalities during the mission. But that worries me, there's no details as to what happened. Why there captured, what had happened whilst they were there. I was only recently given the news that ch'Thane was killed on board the Dauntless, by one of our own security crewmen no less, and that she was reported to be a human? Or something... Maybe there's a cover-up, or maybe I'm not asking the right questions, but after our most recent excursion away from the Dauntless, I've started to see a pattern emerging...

[There is a pause]

We got ushered out again, to help chase a runaway ship full of terrorists - real nasty types, wanted for some pretty damn serious crimes. We expected a boarding action, but it never came. Instead we just blew it out of the stars and our attempts at beaming the wanted criminals aboard resulted in their deaths - more corpses in the holding cells. And that was that, I sat on a ship I knew nothing about, chasing another ship I knew nothing about, for reasons I knew very little about. Is that the way Starfleet works? Clearly, unless I hold some kind of position where I'm in on the top brass' meetings, I should just shut up and do as I say. Who knows, eh?

[There is another pause]

But I digress. Now that I've caught up with all the formalities...

What can I say? Like I said earlier, you have to make your own happiness. I don't really have any good friends to speak of. And Candi? Well. I don't know.

She's a fantastic girl, don't get me wrong, and I love her company. She's intelligent and beautiful and just...well I don't know, that's just the thing. Never getting to see her is the hardest part really, maybe we just don't see each other enough. I feel like I should be thinking about her, always holding her close in the back of my mind. But it's like I have to remind my self to do it, like caring for my girlfriend is some kind of chore. God, that sounds awful. It's not supposed to be like this. But what do I say? "Sorry love, you're great and everything but my love for you is comparable to my love for organising duty rosters"? No ••••••• way. Sometimes I see her on duty, we smile, we chat and we go our separate ways. I feel like I'm letting her down, like I'm letting myself down as a result and something needs to be done about it...

And Orri. I've no idea what to make of our newest addition to the security department. Loud, brash, arrogant, naive, overbearing, foolish, instinctive and down right annoying sometimes. But...God help me I've gotta love the guy. It's as if he's constantly there to test you, to remind you of the kind of people out there. Orri's not a bad person, but he has his own little way of getting by - a way that would make even the most hard-as-nails Klingon cringe. One day, he'll probably be in charge, assuming he doesn't get himself killed, and I hope that he will have changed, mostly for his sake rather than anyone else's.

[There is a sigh]

So I wish I had better news for you, I really do. But things just seem to go from worse to even worse on this ship and there doesn't seem to be a damn thing I can do about it. Just pull on your uniform, put on your best fake smile and walk out the door. Who doesn't love doing that?

End log.

Engineering

Mid Chris Kane

Stardate 20909.17

We are finally on our way back to Starbase Alpha after attempting to rescue the population of the Planet Tekna.

We were only able to save a handful of people, but in the conditions in which the planet was in, I think we did pretty well. The planet itself was in chaos, with great big flaming lizards. Maybe the planets own hounds.

Reminds me of an old 20th Century cartoon we watched in history class once. 'The Simpsons' I think. With a Mr. burns being a villainous character in the show, and usually saying, "Release the hounds."

In my own personal opinion I could say, the planet was this Mr. Burns.

The Cardassians were partly responsible with Dauntless not being able to save more people. By interferring with our rescue efforts. What was it to acheive?

(There was a slight pause in the log with the sound of tapping on a desk.)

Unless that was there plan all along, to delay us in rescuing the Teknans because they wanted the planet to demolish itself. Could it of happened once before in the past, and the Cardassians recorded it?

I will have to investigate further but first to re-establish my holodeck program before the party. And to debrief the command staff. But after that to the 10F party.

End Log.

Lt Vladimir Komoscov

Stardate 20910.21

I find myself in a paradox of emotions concerning my feelings toward Julia. It seems that no matter what I do now, I cannot get her out of my mind. It has happened a lot lately and I feel that I should bring this up with someone, however if asked the truth about Julia, every part of me wants to hide the fact that I am now...married to her. As far as my Klingon and my Russian family is concerned, Julia and I became mates, even though we never...went all the way. I know I explained everything to Joseph, because I knew he would understand me better than anyone else in the universe. I didn't want to tell her this, but I had no intention on living long enough to return to Star Fleet. I had every intention to get killed, which is why I would have accepted any challenge. If only she knew that the reason I stayed alive was because I promised her I would, and I keep my promises as much as I keep my orders.

If only Julia could know how I strongly I feel for her, how strongly I want her and need her. She is the other half of my personality, where I am stern and silent, she is pleasant and talkative. She makes me feel things and see things in a whole new light. I cannot even describe how much I care about her because I do not know enough words in her language that she can understand, and the translator can only go so far. Yes, it is at the point where I cannot speak words to her. All I can do is physically show her. I had never realized how smooth her skin is until I touched it. I never knew how bright her smile could be until I saw it. I never knew how pleasant her voice actually was until I heard it. And I can thank my Klingon genes for this; I never knew how she radiates fresh roses until I smelled her. And most of all, I never realized how much I loved her until I tasted her lips, those sweet gentle lips.

What am I saying? Why am I feeling this way? All those questions I have been asking myself since I first met her. I wish that I could take her in my arms and never let go. I wish that I could act like a normal being, someone who is more happy than neutral. I wish that I could take her to my bed and kiss her long into the night. She takes the pain away when I'm hurting inside, she puts in a joy that I can only experience when I'm in Russia. I never knew how much a man can miss someone until I was in the Shturmovik, trying to regain my senses and hearing her call for me. I could actually see my life with Julia, I could see myself being there for her. Pulling pranks, and going on dates, spending time on shore leave with her and maybe going...surfing with her. I know that will be embarrassing, but I will do anything to see her laugh again. Two years of combat cannot match the power of her little giggle in my mind.

I wish I could tell Julia this face to face, however I do not know if I have the strength to do it. Yes, when it comes to physical strength, I am powerful; when it comes to endurance, I can go the distance; when it comes to leading someone or getting them out of a dangerous mind set, I am strong; but when it comes to dealing with Julia, I feel...weak in the sense that she doesn't realize that she doesn't have to use her rank for me to do everything she asked me to. I was born to follow orders. I obey every single order I am given, no matter what. That is why I have no problems going on suicide missions. That is why I have been promoted to Lieutenant and as Chief Engineer. That is why I came back to Julia. That is why I come out of every single mission alive. That is why I fell in love with Julia.

Because I don't expect to make it out alive.

Because I have accepted the fact I am already dead.

Because I always knew I will die alone.

Because my heart...not my brain, not my superior officers, not even Julia; my heart, ordered me to.

I was simply glad to be alive and the rush of what happened flowed through my veins when I first said these words. Now...I can say this with a clear mind, a clear head, a clear heart, and a clear voice:

I love you, Julia Nielson.

End log.

[Stored: Forwarded to Commander Nielson.]

Matthew Askew

Stardate 20103.03

The first few weeks aboard the Dauntless have been exciting ones. After meeting the Chief Engineer, Komoscov, and getting my first assignment, I went on my first away mission. This involved finding out what happened to Captain Wong and Lt. Ch'Thane, who were assumed to be dead following a crash. Upon investigation, the Captain and Lt. were found to be being held captive by still unknown persons. They were both rescued and returned aboard the Dauntless, with the Captain being unable to temporarily return to command of the ship, that being given to the FO Nielson.

The Dauntless was then ordered to Vulcan to investigate some anomalies. A subspace wave was threatening the system and the crew of the Dauntless had to find a way to stop it. While in the process of determining the cause and correction of the anomaly, a ship identifying itself as the Pacific Princess showed up on the sensors. When the Dauntless attempted to detain her, the ship broke and ran, with the Dauntless' yacht, the Agassiz, in hot pursuit, with Komoscov in command, along with Vaughn and his security team. I was also aboard. We found out that the ship we were after was really called the Stolik and was commandeered by a group of terrorist that were wanted by Star Fleet. The Agassiz finally caught up with the Stolik and tried to capture it. Quickly the situation escalated, and the Stolik's warp core went critical. If it hadn't been for Wright's maneuvering of the Dauntless between the Agassiz and Stolik, the Agassiz would have been lost.

End Recording

Ens Korosenn

Stardate 20103.04

I've spent a number of months aboard the USS Dauntless that have been rather eventful. After a vigorous training exercise in the holodeck I was sent, along with others, on a rescue mission to assist Captain Wong and Lieutenant Ch'Thane. Upon the end of the rescue the Dauntless was sent to Vulcan, during which I was swfitly promoted. A security force, including myself, then pursued a renegade ship. It was a wasted journey, as the ship was blasted out of the sky before we could even board it. And I was looking forward to showing those terrorists what I was made of.

(There is a long pause)

Despite my promotion it seems the crew of this ship have yet to truly appreciate my abilities. Though I lead the 3rd section of Alpha team I still feel that I have not fully proved my worth. I perform at the best of my abilities at all times, it is just that I would prefer far more opportunities in which to prove myself.

(There is a short sigh)

Something about this ship... Unfortunately there has been numerous opportunities where I may have been seen as weak, perhaps displaying meaningless and coincidental emotions. This one officer in particular, Lieutenant Ankar, seems particularly interested in attempting to 'support' me. The gesture is not necessary and is perhaps fueled by his naivety of my abilities. The man baffles me, in fact, I have never met such a over-forensic, weak and...

(There is a very long pause)

He is possibly the closest thing to a 'friend' that I have.

End Log.

Science

Ens Tilar

Stardate 20103.02

After my first mission, the Tekna crisis, I was part of a three man team, comprised of Myself, Christopher Kane, and David Lamb. We beamed down to the surface of Tekna, and I collected samples, while Lamb and Kane faced off against a detachment of the Cardassian Obsidian Order.

After engaging in ship to ship combat with the Cardassian vessel, and killing the Cardassian we had taken prisoner, I returned to the Dauntless, which was docked at Starbase Alpha.

I arrived on the ship, and was promoted to ensign, during an incident in which Captain Wong and a Medical officer had supposedly been killed, in a hoversled crash on earth.

Then, while conducting preliminary testing, I met a mister Thomas Brewer, my new colleague. It seems that while I was off the ship, The other two members of the science department had either resigned, or transferred. With Mr. Brewer's assistance, I countinued the testing, until I was called to the bridge, to take the place of Mr. Brewer, who is still currently on a leave of absence.

By the time I had been called to the Bridge, Captain Wong and his companion had been recovered, and were in sickbay, for the majority of the mission.

After reporting to the brigde, I was immediately put to work, dealing with the scientific aspect of the Vulcan Crisis. With Mr. Lamb's help, I was able to find a solution, that prevented Vulcan from being engulfed by a subspace vacuole. Our strategy was relayed to other ships, fighting similar anomalies near other Federation Planets.

After Vulcan was saved, we pursued the Pacific Princess, an Intelligence ship, whose crew had become a specialized team of terrorists, and attacked the people that they swore to protect.

Mr. Komoscov led a team onto the Captain's yacht, and pursued the ship, with the Dauntless close behind.

Captain Wong had returned to the bridge, and took over from Commander Nielson, and lead us to the Risan system.

The Pacific Princess exploded, and shortly afterwords, the crew was beamed aboard, all dead.

After speaking with Ambassador Pytri, my father, and the Vulcan diplomat to the Federation Council, I returned to the labs, and performed secondary tests on the Tekna samples, with little accomplished.

I hope I can live up to the reputation of the Vulcan Starfleet Officers that came before me, and that some day, Starleet will not be an option only for those that turn down the Institute.

I must return to the labs, and I will attempt to find something in the Tekna samples. Mr. Brewer mentioned something, a Cosmozoan, perhaps. I cannot remember clearly, but I will be sure to ask him upon his return.

End log.

Stardate 21007.19

This past mission has not been the best for the Dauntless, or the crew. I have recently had an altercation with two of the Senior Officers, Lieutenant Commander Wright, and Lieutenant Commander Komoscov. I am not, however, the only one of the junior officers that has had a conflict with them. I will most likely return to Starbase Bravo, where I will most likely face a Court Martial. I plan on contacting the Vulcan Government if that happens.

• clears throat*

After all that has happened during this mission, I doubt any person on this ship can trust another. That's what I get for being posted on a ship of war. I am a scientist, not anything else. I am Ensign Tilar, and I scted logically. Anyone that accuses me of acting out of emotion can Ponfo Miran.

• utters a deep sigh, then pauses*

I doubt that the ship will be the same, and I doubt the crew will either. I hope we can salvage this operation long enough to get to a starbase. Then, maybe I can request a transfer.

• Commbadge chirps*

Well, I must return to the brig, which is, on this ship, the only place where I belong. I must continue later, if I do at all. This idiotic scenario, regardless of who caused it, must end. It may end the ship if it isnt stopped...

• Slight Pause*

End Log.

Medical

LCdr Thomas Eugene Stack

Stardate 20909.17

I was very suspicions of this new command crew when we stated on the USS Dauntless. Cdr Nielson and Captain Wong seem very much the typical Star Fleet officers. And I must admit perhaps I went a little overboard with my initial comments to them at the first senior staff meeting. But the way this crew had been treated by Star Fleet after the sudden transfer of Admiral Treborn, and Cdr Crawford I feel was provocation enough.

I certainly hold Star Fleet responsible for the 5 million deaths on Tekna and they placed this crew in a no win situation. The crew , under the circumstances performed admirably in my view. They witnessed the total destruction of 5 million souls and it is only natural they now carry the guilt of not saving them. Even though this is a false guilt. Transfers of top brass and decommissioning of ships in my book do not come before people no matter what planet or species they belong. To withdraw the USS Drake from the rescue mission to Tekna when timing was of the utmost, only to replace it with the Dauntless some time latter was criminal to say the least. Although under these circumstance I do not consider that the mission was a failure.

I still have not had time to talk to the Captain and I will reserve my judgement, but for the Captain to walk off the bridge at a crucial moment of the mission with no explanation and lock himself away in the ready room, for what ever reason, needs explanation. And it better be a good one. If the FO does not file a report to Star Fleet, I certainly will.

The destruction of Tekna and the apparent failure of the mission have hit the crew hard. I have had a number of counselling appointments of people suffering false guilt. If I have the opportunity at the promotions party, I will say something to the crew, hopefully in the Captain’s presence, which will put this whole mission in perspective. I'll tell them my fish story.

The first attempt to take the New Sky was foolish and ill advised, in my opinion and I said as much at the time. It nearly cost the lives of several members of the crew. Diplomacy should have been our first option. But the command team listened to our resident Klingon, who by all the unofficial reports I have heard, by his action on the New Sky, has some sort of death wish. Wouldn’t I like to get him into a counselling room, but I’m sure that will never happen.

A highlight of the mission for me was taking charge of the operation on the New Sky, and commanding the New Sky back to the way station. We saved another 12000 Teknians. I can not praise the team I commanded enough. Although I had some misgivings at first, they worked as a team and I could see that the Dauntless crew, despite all the adversity and disruption prior to and during this mission, under good leadership can work well as a team.

But sadly I have to say that if things do not improve on the ship soon I will be requesting a transfer.

(A long sigh could be hear before the end of the recording.)

End log.

(WARNING - the feelings stated in this log are not necessarily the feelings of the player)

Lt Korbon Hawkens

Stardate 20909.18

The sheer magnitude of the Teknan situation left Sickbay overwhelmed and under staffed. With all shifts working in makeshift triage centers throughout the ship, we managed to treat most of the wounded. This mission pushed us, and this facility, to the limits of our abilities. I’m just thankful that we were able to treat as many as we did. All in all, the medical staff performed admirably.

Kaitlyn Montgomery has requested a transfer. She was a good nurse, and an even better friend. Unfortunately, problems in my personal life crossed over into the professional realm, resulting in a rather nasty one-sided exchange between the two of us. I’m not sure what her departure will do for morale, but with everything else that’s gone on lately, I doubt it could get any lower. I fully understand her desire to leave the Dauntless, and I wish her the best in her new endeavors.

With Tekna at our backs, I think it’s time that the crew gets a little R&R. I know I could sure stand some vacation time.

End Log.

Addendum

I’m thinking I may have to get someone from engineering to come and take a look at the door to my office. It seems a bit slower to open since it was disassembled and reassembled.

Mid Qal

Stardate 21007.16

Well, I have completed my first mission after having graduating from Star Fleet Academy, and I must say that I feel like I have chosen the right path for my future.

A curious thing occurred during my meeting with LCdr Vladimir Komoscov, who is the Chief Engineer aboard this vessel.

The CEO is a Klingon with an earth Russian accent, and when he entered Sick Bay, he requested to see his fallen comrade.

Now, of course this is not strange in and of itself, but I actually saw grief in his eyes while he was viewing the fallen Engineer.

In all my 400 years of living, I do not believe I have ever witnessed a Klingon act in this manner.

(utters a sigh)

On another note, Nurse Andy Island and I were able to remove shrapnel that had embedded itself into the chest of the MarCo, and perforated the aorta of his heart. We were able to seal the perforation, and he seems to be recovering quite nicely.

Computer, End personal log

Marines

1Lt Richard Gaurnere

Stardate 21007.20

Well the original description for this mission was nothing special, it was suppose to be a normal supply run to Gamma-7, but en route we were scanned by something that also transported the entire crew to the science station, while there we learned that we had been infected with some sort of illness.

It must have been a slow effecting disease as me and the rest of the marines didn’t feel any different and after a while we were even debating if we had been infected with anything at all.

The senior officers and some of the specialist staff were working on a way of getting to the command sections of Gamma-7, when we were sent back to Dauntless.

When we arrived we found that we had some company with us, in key sections of the ship, we discovered machine and on the bridge we had a guest, when I arrived on the bridge Captain Wong and Commander Nielson were in conversation with our guest, he did introduce himself as William Jefferson Clinton, he was a representation of a 20th century American President.

Further information from him said that we had been selected to play a game by ‘The Great one’, the only one who I ever remember reading about that might have been considered ‘Great one’ would have been a member of the Q Continuum , but then most people also considered them as pests.

During this visit onto the bridge one of these machines attacked and killed Commander Nielson, after our guest showed that he wasn’t really worried about the death of a Nielson, Captain Wong lost his cool, calm demeanour and want to attack ‘Clinton’, I had to restrain him as we had lost the FO, we couldn’t loss the Captain as well. This developed and a while later the Dauntless exploded from what we later learned was a warp core breach.

I know I said ‘later learned’ this was because we reappeared back at exactly the same time that when we were returned from Gamma-7, I was again making my way to the bridge, but got a communiqué from Lieutenant Commander Komoscov as was asked to bring a MFW-1 Multi-Function Weapon to the engineering lab, after collecting it and getting to the lab, myself and Petty Officer Ulmar helped LCdr Komoscov to build a Electromagnetic Pulse rifle, this was so that we could direct it is an a more confined beam.

Now this is where things start to get more unique, I was given the job of firing the weapon at the deadly machine in engineering, but when we arrived Ensign Korosenn, took the weapon from me, I thought just to have a look, but a few seconds later he fired it at the machine, he had failed to clear the room before hand so when the machine exploded it sent shards everywhere, I was rushing forward to stop the young security man from firing, so I was hit with some of this debris.

I was rushed to sickbay where upon further inspection by our medical team I was rushed into surgery to have a piece of debris taken out of my chest where it has perforated my aorta and they also fixed my broken femur. While I was out of action Staff Sergeant Thomas Syntranos took over command and he went to Security to talk to the Chief Engineer and also find Ensign Korosenn to give him a little piece of advice, however after finding him and entering the a room in security there was another large explosion and Syntranos was it by flying shrapnel, he was evacuated to sickbay as well because a piece had embedded itself in his head.

This is where things get serious and I have made sure that the person involved has been disciplined according to procedure. Following the injury of myself and SSgt Syntranos, Corporal Ortega did something that I would never think she would do, taking a phaser from the armoury, she ventured into the security office and threatened Ensign Korosenn, but she was talked out of doing anything silly by Korosenn and Lt Cdr Komoscov, which I thank as I hate to think that she would have been killed for doing this silly thing and also Ensign Korosenn is not pressing charges against Corporal Ortega, which I am also thankful for.

As the mission is now finished, we have returned to Starbase and I have given all Marines shore leave, let’s just hope that they can get rid of some built up aggression in a way that doesn’t give them a bad reputation.