Dauntless Mission 12: "The Graveyard"

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Captain’s Logs

Commodore Mike Wong

Stardate 21203.08

Commanding Officer's Log Stardate 21203.08 Commodore Wong recording.

In the days since my hasty briefing and the urgent launching of Dauntless towards 42-Ursa Majoris much has taken place.

We've set some kind of record albeit dubious for running at emergency warp speed, and frankly we'd still be at it if the engineering department hadn't all but mutinied...

Of course they're right, but now Dauntless is fated to traveling along at a relative snails pace until the engines can be stabilized.

The somewhat still mysterious Junior Grade Kraav the Klingon with masters in very high places put aboard Dauntless to study and 'experiment' with our engines. I had hoped his expertise - whatever it is- would help us reach our destination sooner but a glitch of some kind rendered Dauntless completely powerless for several eternal minutes.

We launched the Kowloon just before that as which her warp capability she could reach the scene hours before us. A single live distress call motivates my hope that at least one survivor will be found.

One- out of how many thousands?

What is the foe we now rush to face - or clean up after?

I know factions of the Romulans and Klingons cannot be trusted, but what data the Federation has - or that I've been allowed to see just does not...feel... like them. Besides it would indicate they have made incredible advances that I just cannot see happening without Star Fleet catching wind of.

We are back on course to 42-Ursa Majoris with an ETA of just under two hours current speed. Contact has been reestablished with Kowloon and we await their report.

Commander Arking commands Kowloon with McGavin, Hawkens, Banks, and a very bold Security Mid named Markowski comprise the main compliment of the away team.

The remainder of the senior staff remain on Dauntless and are executing their responsibilities in usual exemplary fashion. I hope my next log contains positive news of what we find at 42-Ursa Majoris. End log

Stardate 21204.23

Commanding Officer's Log, Stardate 21204.23 Commodore Wong recording.

There is news to report, little of it good I'm afraid.

The Kowloon team confirmed the complete loss of life aboard the Destroyer, but did recover a back up audio log from the bridge that detailed the doomed crew's final seconds of life.

Unfortunately no light is shed upon the mystery of what force is responsible for the destruction of the USS Courageous and her task force, only that it was a quick and overwhelming force.

Having docked Kowloon, Dauntless then proceeded to investigate the possibility of intermittent life signs from the Courageous. Local space was still so disturbed by the one sided battle that took place here that our sensors practically had to be within spitting distance to resolve anything actionable.

Hopes were buoyed when we did indeed find a single survivor aboard the Courageous. CMO Hawkens volunteered and along with Ensign Ying of engineering transported to the Courageous to effect a rescue if possible.

The determination that Courageous was possibly within moments of losing warp core containment suddenly made the away mission more urgent... perhaps too a poor decision given it was to rescue but one survivor. This survivor however might hold some clues to what happened to our task force here.

Our away team is urgently beamed back with all members injured. I do wish I had the luxury of heading to sickbay to help with the care of these people, but Dauntless is still in grave danger as some gravimetric force that lies beyond the hulk of the Courageous is pulling both vessels towards it and a certain doom.

This and all other logs will be launched towards Starbase Bravo in hopes that they will survive to reach Star Fleet should our efforts to escape fail.

I would like to go on record as recommending the crew of Dauntless for award and commendation for their valiant dedication to duty in the face of overwhelming odds.

End recording.

Stardate 21205.28

Final Mission Log Entry. Stardate: 21205.27 Through the tireless efforts of her fine crew Dauntless has once again reached the safe harbor of Star Base Bravo for welcomed rest and repair, I don’t expect extended shore leave however with the Federation facing this new threat.

The journey back from 42 Ursa Majoris was largely uneventful and managed by Commander Arking and our exceptional department heads. This will be the final mission on Dauntless for Lieutenant Banks unfortunately. Our loss with be the Sheridan’s gain. Star Fleet Personnel has forwarded some good news for Dauntless in the form of orders for two new crew members to embark during our stay at Bravo. Security Ensign Lohst , and Engineering Midshipman McGuiness will I’m sure be welcome additions to our family. When I meet with Admiral za’Matis I will recommend 42-Ursa Majoris be quarantined and considered a war grave until such time as any remains of Federation personnel can be recovered and the gravimetric anomaly at the center of the system can be confirmed neutralized.

End of log. Commodore Mike Wong, USS Dauntless BC-1553 recording.

Crew Logs

First Officer

Commander Terra Arking

Stardate 21203.08

The news about Bajor and Sierra 18 hit me hard. I find it hard to understand how and enemy could be capable fo such unparaleled and quick destruction. And now we are to set course in to what could be our deaths.We are being sent to 42-Ursa Majoris to investigate a missing Federation task force, possibly a victim of this unknown foe I am apprehensive and unsure of what a single ship could as apposed to so many that could apprently do nothing.

New assignments to the ship are settling in nicely and although I have received three reports so far to the contrary I belive this is just pre mission jitters that will work themselves out once we get knee deep in hell as we so often do.

We have been forced to send the Kowloon ahead of us to 42-Urse Majoris. Suffering damage to our engines as a result of our pushing them to maximum. I am on board and we are making good time to the danger zone. I will report in once we arrive.

End Log

Stardate 21204.08

Arriving at 42-ursa Majoris we were greeted by a horrible sight. The wreckage of several ships are scattered throughout the system. I am linking relevent sensor telemetry.

we can detect no life signs but we must continue. Without the Dauntless here we need to gather as much data as we can. I have formed an away team to send over to a large piece of debris to try and find some kind of intact data about what had happened here.

Stardate 21205.08

A rest, a bath and a decent meal... Pizza! One of the greatest inventions ever!

It is not the best time to report that Commodore Wong has been releived of command for medical reasons, I am currently in command of the Dauntless and we are heading back to Starbase Bravo.

After we avoided the shockwave of an M/AMR explosion the Commodore came under attack from Lieutenant Banks, presumably coerced or invaded by some hostile force. The Commodore died at least once, however now that he is in sickbay he is recovering nicely and will probably be in command again once we reach Starbase Bravo.

End log

Security

Lieutenant Commander Kevin James Rolands

Stardate 21203.08

Chief of Security's log LCdr Kevin Rolands recording Stardate 21203.08

Since leaving Starbase Alpha things seemed to have settled down, the replacements in Security appear to be coming on well and I can leave most of the tedious paperwork to my deputy, Lt Max Peterson. Our latest mission means we are travelling to 42-Ursa Majoris to search for survivors from this invasion that has taken place. The shock of hearing about Bajor, Sierra 18 and the rest has been replaced by a steady determination in this departments personnel and I hope things do not go awry regarding these invaders.

End log.

Stardate 21205.21

The mission to 42 Ursa Majoris went as well as expected the sight of all that devastation was a sobering thought. Upon reaching the remains of the USS Courageous, they was found a survivor, which seemed unbelievable after that amount of time. But I think it raised morale to a certain degree, especially when the Dauntless began to be dragged into some kind of black hole, caused I assume by the invasion forces weapons or equipment.

However, we were saved from certain death by the valiant efforts of the tactical crew and found ourselves returning for R&R at Bravo. One incident was a major cause for concern when our CSO, Lieutenant Cleo Banks went berserk on the bridge, killing Midshipman Ralph Beattie and injuring myself and PO2 Auslander. She then went on to attack our CO, Commodore Wueste and succeeded in severely wounding him after stabbing him.

Again, thanks to our Medical department the CO was saved from certain death and Banks was placed under confinement pending an investigation. After said investigation she was deemed not responsible due to her being ‘taken over’ by an alien presence, whom I believe, was one of those invasion critters. But it escaped so we are no nearer to understanding these Shard or whatever they are called.

For now I’m glad that we are returning to Bravo and some much-earned rest, this crew deserves it after what we’ve all been through.

End log.

Ensign Theodore Caldecott

Stardate 21201.29

I don't know where to start so I am just going to wing it. I've received word from Lieutenant Commander Rolands that my transfer has been approved through the chain of command. I am pleased to announce that I will be serving on-board the Ticonderoga as their new Chief of Security. Although I am very excited about the new venture, I am also a bit nervous at the same time as this will be my first post as a department head. I do believe this is the best move for me at this juncture in my career.

Secondly, I have done what I've thought was the impossible. To end my relationship with Cleo Banks. She went missing for a few months while she was back on earth. I had to cut shore leave early to attend to personal matter where I tried and tried to contact her but, to no avail. She came back though and had a hard time explaining why no such contact was sought.

I.....I couldn't help but to think of the worse in her absence. Was I cold for not comforting her on her losses she suffered just recently? I even felt the dark pain she felt when she told me her family were massacred! For crying out loud was I a monster? My empathic abilities were not hindered yet, I continued and proceeded to break act with partial emotions. I was not acting like my mother's son and for that I sincerely apologize. In the end result it needed to happen but, could have been in a later time and place.

My encounters with an awful group Vulcans trying to hi-jack the Daunty has made me a tougher person. Nonetheless, it has also carried its weight upon me and turned me into a bit of a cautious person if that makes any sense. Also, ending the life of another living person....the renegade impostor Andorian had the same effect. Again, that does not excuse me for acting like a cold-hearted man and not helping someone that I still love.

Before I leave if she allows, I would like to apologize to Cleo. I doubt she would welcome it but, its worth a try.

In conclusion, my time on-board the Dauntless has been a great experience. I have grown as a man and as an officer while serving here. My time here will be festered as a fond memory. Good Luck to all of my crew members. This is my last log record as a crew member on-board the USS Dauntless. Thank you for being family in the stars.

End Log

Tactical

Lieutenant Commander Griffin Wright

Stardate 21202.11

Well, shore-leave has been brought to an abrupt end, and the Dauntless, hopefully repaired enough, is flying along at emergency warp to 42 Ursa Majoris. Our destination was the location of a Federation task force which was destroyed by the enemy responsible for the destruction of Space Station Sierra-18.

I have every confidence in the crew of this ship, but I fear this will be a suicide mission. Regardless, we all have a duty to serve, and we'll do our best. I am currently running some combat drills to test crew-preparedness. Once we drop out of warp, however, I have no idea what to expect.

That's all for now.

End Log

Stardate 21203.10

The Dauntless is still headed to 42-Ursa Majoris, but we can only go so fast... Without risking permanent damage to our warp system, we've had to secure from emergency warp and send the USS Kowloon on ahead with a small contingent in the hopes of getting at least some presence in the system as soon as possible.

We've picked up numerous distress calls, and if the Kowloon moves fast enough, we might just be able to save some lives.

But, there's no telling what will happen when any of us arrive. Personally, I'm scared, but it is my duty to follow orders and keep the ship and its crew safe and ready to fight if need be, and that's what I intend to do.

That's all for now. Hopefully this is not my last entry.

End Log.

Stardate 21204.09

We have just arrived at the 42 U.M. System, and investigating the "slaughter" that occurred here. It makes me sick to my stomach to try and imagine who, or what, would do this. And why?

We have found but one bio-signature in the entire system, and are planning a transport operation to try and get them back somehow. However, the wreck of the USS Courageous where the individual is located has some sort of gravity distortion and is slowly sucking us in. So whatever we need to do, it needs to be done quickly.

Staying here is against my better judgement. We need to get out of here ASAP.

End Log.

Stardate 21205.13

We've been through quite a series of harrowing events here. We tried to rescue the one crew member from the courageous and wound up trapped in a gravity well. If it weren't for McGavin, I think we'd probably still be there. Simply put, he saved the lives of the entire crew - I will not forget that. I've put him in for a medal of commendation. After flying across space at insane speeds to get out of there, I don't remember much. The shockwave from the explosion that freed us knocked me out, and when I came to, the Commodore had been stabbed, another person killed, and who knows what else. I'm still not clear on what happened, but it seems one of our crew members was possessed.

This has been one of my strangest missions yet. I think we're on our way back to SBB now, where I look forward to not being blown halfway across the galaxy.

End Log.

Lieutenant McGavin

Stardate 21202.05

After a well needed rest on Brave we have been recalled to dispatch an unknown threat. I don't know much now, except it will take us a day and a half to get there.

I'm enjoying the helm position, it feels amazing to power up the engines on one of the federations most powerful warships.

Not to much else to say, I miss home, Samantha and the kids, maybe i could see about them coming to Bravo, I'll have to look into it.

End Log

Stardate 21202.16

Along the way to our destination the Commodore had give commander Wright permission to absolutely torment us all with his devious simulation, Gamma-alpha-two-four, I will hear that designation in my nightmares for years no doubt.

Though I must admit it is a challenging scenario, well thought out and cunning, meant to push the limits of all our skills, I fear what comes next each time, and they only seem to be getting worse.

It makes me miss home all the more, Samantha tells me little Johnny is getting into sports, although she fears Kaitlyn is going to be just like her father.

Just last week she grabbed hold of her wagon pointed it down the hill, and jumped aboard screaming full speed! full speed!!! It met a doomed end although she wasn't hurt just thrown into some bushes and scratched up a little, she was okay. What I would have given to be there, to see it, Daddy's little girl takes her first shot at the wheel.

End log

21203.16

My second mission on Dauntless has been so far just as demanding as the last, and now I have no doubt that the next will be just as demanding. It seems this ship is only sent to do missions with unfavorable odds, I don't quite know how to feel about it, it's a rush being at the helm of Dauntless and I am fast learning the consequences.

Aboard the Kowloon we discovered an enormous debris field filled with what appears to whats left of an entire Federation task force, and no trace yet discovered of what destroyed them, it worries me.

Dauntless was down for a while thanks to the experiments of the newest officer aboard, a klingon named Kraav, who managed to single-handedly left Dauntless dead in the water, but since leaving they had regained communication with the mother ship and I personally can't wait to had all of the wonderful defensive and offensive capabilities of Dauntless once again between me and whatever is out there.

If Samantha knew what I was doing right now she would stop it nothing to have me removed from Starfleet and brought home to Earth. I don't tell her most about what we do and details of the missions I usually tell her, "It's classified I can't talk about it."

Anything she would hear would only worry her and I don't want her to worry about me, cause even though everyday we're fighting an even bigger fish this is where I belong, this is where I want to be, on the front lines, whatever comes will have to go through me first, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

End Log.

21205.16

Well it's finally over, at least I think, so many times it's felt safe during this mission, then moments later horrible danger is present, I'll be glad when Dauntless pulls inside Bravo's defense grid. It's not like it's safe there either but at least someone else will be handling the shooting.

I got to add a large amount of new experiences to my pilot's resume, slingshots around artificially created gravity wells and surfing along the biggest tidal wave I've ever seen.

After securing Dauntless in a safe harbor, some insanity broke out on the bridge and we were all shocked to see one member shot down and the Commodore stabbed, right there on the bridge, we don't even know his condition but now we're headed back to Bravo for some well needed R & R.

End Log.

Science

Lieutenant Banks

Stardate 21201.31

(The sound of soft music plays in the background.)

Let's see, I've avoided this thing since my return and now it's definitely time to face it. So much has happened since my last log, and I don't know where to start. I guess I'll start with the trip to h...Earth.

Things didn't go the way I had planned, as usual. Theo and I had a rough time, that is the only way I can think to describe it. But, he had to leave early and things got worse from there.

(a long pause followed by a deep sigh)

My family was slaughtered by someone I thought to be dead, and I now find myself completely alone in this world. I have no home and no family. To top it off Theo reacted even worst to my being absent for two months, more harshly than I expected. It ended so quickly I hardly remember what was said now, I just know that I lost him as well.

Was I wrong? I tried to protect him from me! In the end I've lost it all and I've had to cling to the only thing I know, science. Although it was a comfort to find I had more friends than I thought, in the lab but especially in one person that I hadn't realized I had so much in common with.

I don't know how to thank this person, he could never know how much he helped me that night. I can't repay him for it, I wouldn't know how to start. He seemed so troubled by his own life, yet he reached out to me. I still feel utterly raw inside, but I'm a little less bruised than before.

I don't know if I'll ever forgive Theo, or myself for what has happened. But I do know one thing, this is where I belong now and I'm going to make the most of it. I don't regret coming back, because if I don't find a place to be it would be a waste of me.

(soft chuckle) My grandfather still plagues me with his corny little sayings. Such wisdom lost now....I leave this log with a poem...

What once was, is lost.. Burnt away in the ash and into dust.. Aching heart and pride.. Something that has to be cast aside.. I'm here now... I'm alive somehow.. Too weak to go on... Too strong to quit... But some day, I'll know how to let go of it...

End Log

The song playing- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2jmIdbCFkY&feature=related ==

Stardate 21202.17

Lieutenant Cleo Bank's Personal Log Stardate 21202.17

Between wrestling my demons and this new mission I fear I may be losing my mind. A recent dream has been plaguing me, distracting me from my work. I need to get a grip on everything, and maybe this simulation is just what I need.

I hope I don't have to do hand to hand combat with Klingon, I still have pains from the last time. I'm sure security will get a handle on it, at least we have phasers...

End Log

Stardate 21203.05

I'm part of an away team that has set course to the 42 Ursa Majoris system. So far all we know is that a Federation task force has engaged an unknown enemy in that system. We lost contact with them, all but a few distress signals. We were able to sift through them, and find a recorded one from one of the ships.

We are running out of time, and the Dauntless isn't able to make it fast enough. Korbon, Terra, Shifty, and myself have set out to try and make it there to rescue any survivors. I only hope we aren't too late..

End Log

Stardate 21204.05

I'm not sure what to say, other than this mission seems to be getting worse and worse. First, we don't find any survivors when we beam over to the other ship, but now we are beaming aboard another that is about to blow. I feel as if I may lose my mind. My only comfort is there is nobody to wonder if I will be alright...

I definitely deserve a vacation after this, that is if we survive. I can't wait to get down to the labs...its the only sane place I can think to escape to.

End log

Stardate 21205.17

I don't even know where to start, sitting here I can hardly believe all that has happened to me. Starting with a trip to Earth that was suppose to be pleasant, but it turned tragic without any warning. Then I lost my fiance, who has since gone to another ship to try and find his own path. Now, I've killed one of my own crew members in cold blood, and stabbed the Commodore.

Who have I become? I thought I left that person behind, but shes still there, hiding behind this uniform. Shes waiting for the right alien to come along and show who she really is, a killer.

(an audible sigh)

How can I ever face anyone on this ship? I see how they look at me now, like I'm going to strike at any moment. It was the same at home with some people, people that found out. Now its followed me here, and I don't know how I can possible stay.

Who will ever want me on their ship after this? Won't they always be worried that I'm going to strike? Hold their phasers close to them when I walk by?

I long for home, for the people who are gone that would understand this whole thing. I want to ride my horse until all the frustration, and hurt drains out of me. I want to wade into the cool waters of the lake not far from our camp, float on its waters until my soul can find peace.

But, alas, I can only shut my eyes for so long, and here I am again. Wishing my life would end somehow, not really sure of where any of this is going to take me. If I have a path in life is this really it? Surely not.

(a pause, followed by another sigh)

I guess it is up to the command staff now, whether they court martial me or let me slip away quietly. I can only hope for the latter.

End Log

Lieutenant Junior-Grade Yasmin Boehm

Stardate 21205.17

What can I possibly say to sum up what has happened on this ship? The events have made my head spin, and my heart ache.

A dear friend, Cleo Banks, was torn between so many worlds before this mission and now I fear for her sanity. After being unsuccessful with retrieving any information from the wreckage, she was discouraged at best. But pushed on, desperate to find the truth in the only living survivor of all that devastation.

First, Korbon Hawkens, the Chief Medical Officer, tried to see into this mans mind. When he collapsed, Cleo jumped in head first, as is typical of her. In doing so (a short pause) she was possessed by some alien life form.

It used her mind and skills against her on the bridge, where Cleo killed, beat up, and stabbed some of the crew. I don't mean to minimize when I say that, but it is still hard for me to talk about.

How can you know how much you love someone? That moment when you realize you will never see them again, that is when. When the light goes from their eyes and you would do anything to speak to them, kiss them, or even share a smile. Your heart breaks, and something switches on that won't let you let them go.

Now, as we head back to Bravo, I'm torn between leaving things the way they had become or being bold enough to face him again. I know I told myself I would, but every time I do I feel positively sick. I'll think on it some more, for now I am so glad he is alright. I'm also glad Cleo woke up, I feared she would be too gone after that thing invaded her brain.

I can only pray that she will be alright, that everyone will after this tragedy. I plan to see that I help the counselor with this transition.

End Log

Medical

Lieutenant Commander Korbon Hawkens

Stardate 21203.17

The Kowloon has arrived at the debris field and the computer tells us that the amount of wreckage left behind corresponds to one heavy cruiser, two light cruisers, two destroyers and five frigates. No life signs were detected. I have done some rudimentary calculations and determined that possible number of fatalities is probably somewhere around 2300. Far too many.

That said, there is still a hope that we will find some survivors, and failing that, some answers as to what caused this destruction and how we can prevent it in the future.

An away team has been formed consisting of Lt Banks, Mid Markowski, and myself. We will be surveying one of the larger chunks of debris from the Heavy Cruiser, CA-1201 USS Courageous. I am unsure if what we will find there, but hope that we will all be able to return to the ship safely. The Dauntless is still a couple hours away and with it is my Sickbay.

We definitely can't afford to have any accidents.

End Log.

Stardate 21205.18

The mission to the Courageous had mixed results. We were able to recover the crewman, but both of the away team members returned with injuries.

The crewman from the Courageous was barely alive by the time he arrived in Sickbay. Neurogenic scans of the patient showed thar he exhibited characteristics suggested a second entity present in his mind. In the absence of other timely methods, I attempted to interface with the patient via telepathy. The infornation I retrieved may be valuable to Starfleet. Unfortunately, it came with a high cost.

The second entity attempted to gain access to my mind, but I was lucky enough to be spared. Lt. Banks, however, was not. Her possession by the alien entity led to her stabbing Cmdr Wong on the Bridge.

The captain is recovering and the fate of Lt. Banks has yet to be determined. Given the circumstances and my own knowledge of the incident, I am certain that the alien was responsible and will attest to such should an inquest be called.

Stardate 21204.11

I didn't think it was possible, but things have gotten worse. My team seems to have found very little data from our little trip to retrieve the black box. I can't help but feel like it was a waste of time to come all this way.

Now, we could be blown to bits like the rest of these ships. (a long sigh) If the Courageous blows, and someone finds this transmission...I just want to say that I know I sound like I have my doubts, but I don't. I know this was for the best, for some reason we were suppose to be here.

I can't give up on believing that everything has a purpose, if I do I may panic. My only comfort is I may get to see the ones I love again.

If you're hearing this, and our ship is gone, please don't blame anyone on this crew. We all wanted to help here, including me. I feel almost defeated that we have no proof yet of what happened here, and yet it could be us that ends up the same way.

If we get out of here alive I'm going to work harder at my job, take a relaxing shoreleave, and always tell people how much they mean to me. (another soft sigh)

This is Cleo Banks, dedicated Starfleet officer, hoping this isn't my last log...

End Log