Dauntless Mission 06: "Shallow Graves"

Stardate 20808.15

Upon reaching Starbase 157, I was called into a meeting with top brass.

During the course of this meeting it became clear that an old enemy was once again on the move.

With war once more seemingly inevitable with the Romulans, Command had decided to bring a large Fleet together at 157 to protect that sector from possible attack.

I was also informed that I was to remain as Dauntless' Commanding Officer.

It wasn't long before a Romulan Fleet crossed into Federation Space and engaged our forces.

While the cost was high, we were victorious over the Romulan Forces.

Once the battle was completed, we returned to 157 for repairs and to await further assignment.

The brevity of this summary is dictated by the confusion that still exists over the events that followed. At some point during the course of the battle both Fleets were subjected to some type of temporal event.

Some of the below log entries, including one of my own, would seem to have been recovered from an alternate timeline that played out rather differently from how I remember events transpiring.

These logs are all that remain of a scenario that likely would have meant the end of Star Fleet and the Federation. They are noted and included here for the record.

Whatever happened, one thing remains unquestionable, we are at War.

Logs

Below are the log entries for the mission, grouped by who wrote them and sorted by Stardate.

Captain's Logs

Adm Daniel Wueste

Stardate 20806.27

Warning: Log does not correspond with known sequence of events. Contents under review.

In the time since our repairs had been completed, a large Fleet had amassed in the area surrounding Starbase 157. Most notable among these ships were the Enterprise, Matt Thrawn's ship, and the Federation Flagship; The Ticonderoga, Joe Daher's Ship, and Flagship of the 2nd Battle Group; and the Gettysburg, my former Command.

With them came word that through a large scale Group reorganization the Dauntless was being reassigned to the 1st Battle Group.

Shortly after the last of my new personnel arrived, more Fleet updates came in, and I received the information I'd been waiting for. Star Fleet Command had, in a decision that, while gratifying, I find somewhat surprising, decided to place me in permanent Command of the Dauntless.

Whether Jeff had a hand in this or not, I am unsure. Still, it seems that the recent changes to the Administration, both political and otherwise at Star Fleet and in the Federation Council, have brought together a group of people far less hostile towards the notion of my having a continued career.

On the Dauntless I have found something that had alluded me for many years, a purpose... and a family to watch after.

Circumstances left me little time to reflect on these changes though, as I was soon summoned aboard base for a meeting with top brass.

As it turned out this meeting was focused around the deteriorating relations with the Romulans.

Since the last war with the Empire, I have done my best to forget, to forget what they did to Samantha, forget what they did to the Forge, and to the Getty.

It's safe to say discussing them again, especially in the context of looming conflict, brought back a lot of bad memories.

In one of those great oddities that might seem unlikely, but nevertheless seem to happen with some frequency, the Romulan situation escalated during the course of our meeting to the point where Jon Beckett, former CinC of Star Fleet, and currently serving as President of the Federation, formally declared war against the Romulan Star Empire.

With battle lines drawn it didn't take long for a Romulan Fleet to attack our sector.

With myself, and all of my fellow COs trapped aboard the Starbase, we watched helplessly as our ships were engaged by waves of Romulan vessels.

Commander Fitchel, Lt. Anduezan, and my entire crew, handled themselves admirably though and brought the Dauntless through the attack in fine shape. I have a deep sense of pride in them, not only for that, but for the hard work they do each and every day.

As the first round of Romulan ships withdrew, the Starbase was signaled by the Romulan Fleet's Commander, Admiral Tei. He gave a limited window for evacuation and threatened attack if we did not comply.

Matt gave us our orders and, with a temporary lull in the battle, I was able to transport back to the Dauntless.

Once aboard we took up formation defending the Starbase's left flank and I made contact with the ship's in my task force, USS Springfield, Tallahassee, and Borrelly.

We launched Dagger Flight, took up a diamond formation, and waited.

We didn't have to wait long though before the attack began.

The Springfield was quickly overwhelmed and disabled.

Luckily the Tallahassee, Borrelly, and the Dauntless managed to avoid major damage.

What happened next is difficult to discuss in the clinical sense required for a log entry of this type...

The destruction of several Romulan vessels and the rupturing of their quantum singularity drives, caused the formation of several black holes in the system.

In a matter of minutes a large portion of the Fleet was lost, the Gettysburg was captured by the Romulans, and the Enterprise and Ticonderoga were destroyed... I fear with all hands.

With the loss of these vessels, I became the ranking starship commander on the field, and assumed temporary operational command of the Fleet.

I ordered surviving vessels out of the system and then attempted to stage a rescue of at least some of SB-157's crew.

Time was against us though and 157 was crushed by the singularities before we could make the recovery effort.

With that I ordered us out of the system, but the massive influx of matter into the singularities caused a marked increase in gravitational forces and the Dauntless was pulled well over 100,000 km towards the event horizon.

Dagger Flight was lost almost instantly. We were unable to track what happened to either Tallahassee or Borrelly, and Dauntless herself was locked in a death struggle.

With full power to engines and the SIF, we were able to hold our own for a time. Quickly though it became clear we didn't have the power required to break free. With the Warp Core offline we were being propelled almost exclusively by the saucer section's two main impulse drives.

First the port nacelle was torn away and then...

...stress on the hull was so great that the computer safety systems engaged and blew the explosive bolts connecting the saucer to the primary hull. We could only watch helplessly as the stardrive broke free and spiraled down into the black hole... crushed...

The explosive separation gave the saucer the momentum needed to push us away from the growing singularities. Freed of her main bulk, the saucer's impulse engines were enough to clear us from danger.

We were left though with thousands dead, including most of my engineers and medics...

I watched as Sheridan was sucked into the black hole... I know the fate of Dagger Flight... currently I'm waiting for word of Tallahassee, Borrelly, and the Drake... which ought to have been far enough out to be spared from the worst of it...

I have no idea the damage suffered by the Romulan Fleet... but I hope it was severe enough to help... justify... no... to help me make sense of the losses we suffered.

Whatever anger I held towards the Romulans before, it was nothing compared to what I feel for them now...

I will not rest until all those lost are avenged.

Stardate 20807.31

After experiencing what can only be described as a temporal event, the battle with the Romulans continued.

During the alternate timeline experienced much of the Fleet was destroyed and the Stardrive section of the Dauntless was lost.

Thankfully reality, such as we find it now, has been far more charitable.

Dauntless came through the battle in fine shape all things considered. We lost many good members of the crew, and that cannot be ignored, but, as it stands, things could have been much worse.

Of my task force only Springfield suffered major damage.

For our part we managed to destroy several Romulan vessels.

Once the Romulan's withdrew I ordered the ship back to Starbase 157 for repairs.

Admiral Owen requested my presence for an after action meeting. I asked Commander Fitchel to accompany me.

The meeting was mostly insignificant and little new information was revealed.

For now I'm looking forward to getting back to work.

Crew Logs

Cdr Kenneth Fitchel

Stardate 20805.27

[Begin Recording]

Personal Log Stardate 20805.27 Cdr Kenneth Fitchel, First Officer – USS Dauntless, BC-1553

Following the end of our previous mission to the Lyshan system, the Dauntless was diverted from its home port of Starbase Charlie to Starbase 157 located at the intersection of Klingon, Romulan and Federation space. While en route, Admiral Wueste and I made the joint decision to put the crew through a series of drills to test their current state of readiness. The results were mixed, but all departments passed with average or better results.

Our new Department Heads, Lieutenant Aon Anduezan – Tactical, Lieutenant Commander Josef Chandler – Science and Lieutenant Jaden Hawk – Medical have so far settled into their new assignments ably. Time will tell though if they are up to the high standards of their predecessors – especially those of Lieutenant Commander Stovon Stewart and Lieutenant Commander Adyle Phazarus. They are truly two of the finest officers and persons that I have had the pleasure of serving with.

Upon our arrival at Starbase 157, the ship was placed on Yellow Alert and ordered to remain on station under lockdown except for essential repair and resupply tasks and the arrival and departure of transferring personnel. Predictably, this led to a high degree of grumbling amongst the crew who were quite deservedly looking forward to some shore leave. To counter this, I have encouraged all departments to allow the maximum amount of downtime possible as long as it doesn’t interfere with our operational readiness.

Over the next few days, other ships have arrived in the area. A considerable armada has assembled including the big E herself, the Enterprise. Based on the rumors circulating in the ward rooms and Ten Forward, it would appear that we are on the brink of war with the Romulans. I hope that this won’t come to pass and that cooler heads will prevail, but if it does, I will be ready to fight.

Admiral Wueste has just transported over to the station for a meeting of the gathered Commanding Officers and left me in command. When he returns, I trust that rumor and innuendo will be replaced with some concrete answers to the many questions in the air.

Computer, please end recording and save log entry for later playback.

[End Recording and Save]

Stardate 20806.01

[Begin Recording]

Personal Log – SUPPLEMENTAL Stardate 20806.01 Cdr Kenneth Fitchel, First Officer - USS Dauntless, BC-1553

Shortly after Admiral Wueste’s departure, the Dauntless was ordered to go to Red Alert and disengage from the Starbase 157 docking clamps in order to take up a defensive position away from the station. No sooner had we arrived on station than we were subjected to a surprise attack by a pair of cloaked Romulan light cruisers. In spite of this advantage on their part, damage to the ship was minor – consisting of a concentrated strike which caused one of our cargo bays to decompress and the temporary loss of the aft shield generator.

I ordered that the immediate area be flooded by tachyon particles in order to flush out the Warbirds by disrupting their cloaking devices. Our efforts in this regard proved to be successful. We were able to detect the pair long enough to be able to target the lead vessel and destroy it. However, the trailing vessel was able to react quickly enough to raise its shields before we could fire again and do any damage to it.

The Romulan ship then made a second attack run – hitting our forward shields with a volley of disruptor fire before diving under us and hitting our unshielded flank with plasma torpedoes. This time, we were not as fortunate as decks 51 and 52, where a host of critical engineering systems are located, suffered significant damage from explosive decompression. Before we could engage the enemy again, they withdrew at high warp towards the Neutral Zone.

Pursuit of the enemy vessel was deemed futile due to the navigational deflector and warp drive being currently offline. Additionally, we are without transporters and the efficiency of the phaser banks is at a substandard 40%. Forty-two crewmembers are reported missing and presumed dead.

For the time being, I will have the ship remain at Red Alert. Once sufficient repairs are completed, we will move within transporter range of Starbase 157 and retrieve Admiral Wueste.

Computer, please end recording and save log entry for later playback.

[End Recording and Save]

Stardate 20806.27

Warning: Log does not correspond with known sequence of events. Entry under review.

[Begin Recording]

Personal Log Stardate 20806.27 Cdr Kenneth Fitchel, First Officer - USS Dauntless, BC-1553

The unthinkable has happened. The battle for Starbase 157 is over and we have lost…badly. Initially, things were going relatively well with the Federation Fleet engaging the Romulans to a draw or even a slight advantage. However, after several of their ships were destroyed, their quantum singularity drives apparently lost containment and imploded – causing tears in the fabric of space that led to the formation of twin black holes. Further anti-matter explosions served to feed the growth of the black holes and add to their strength.

From then on, things continued to spiral out of control. The gravitational pull of the black holes acted like a magnet to the surrounding ships – destroying the majority of both fleets along with Starbase 157. Whether by luck or the great skill of the crew, the Dauntless was spared the horror of being swallowed into oblivion, but not without extracting a heavy toll in return.

We are no longer whole. The primary hull was torn away when we broke free from the pull of the converging black holes – leaving me and the remaining crew in the badly crippled saucer section. Amongst the dead who perished in the primary hull were almost all of our Medical and Engineering personnel – the very personnel we need at this moment to ensure our continued survival.

I am saddened by this turn of events. Many fine men and women died in defense of the ideals that the Federation was founded on – not only on the Dauntless, but the Enterprise, Ticonderoga, Sheridan and our sister ship, the Gettysburg as well. I will mourn them all, but I will especially mourn the loss of our Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Zor Kayzon and Doctor Kamble Ross, a fine young woman who seemed to have a bright future ahead of her in Star Fleet.

As to the Dauntless survivors, I am at a loss in predicting in our collective fate. However, unless there is a spare Avenger-class primary hull lying around in a shipyard somewhere, it would appear as though the last mission of this majestic lady, my home for so long, is to be escorted to its final resting place with its remaining crew scattered to the four winds.

Computer, please end recording and save log entry for later playback.

[End Recording and Save]

Stardate 20807.20

[Begin Recording]

Personal Log Stardate 20807.20 Cdr Kenneth Fitchel, First Officer - USS Dauntless, BC-1553

I begin this log entry in a somewhat puzzled state of mind. As is my habit, I generally review previous log entries before I write a new one to refresh my memory concerning previous events and avoid repeating myself. Usually, this is a routine undertaking. However, in the course of performing this chore, I have come across a log entry that I apparently wrote in the aftermath of the Battle for Starbase 157 that details a significantly different outcome than actually took place – a devastating defeat instead of the victory that was achieved.

I do not know why such a log entry would exist except to speculate that it is somehow related to the temporal event that took place during the battle in which I and many of the crew experienced very strong feelings of déjà vu. In the interest of providing a complete picture of the phenomenon that took place, I am forwarding a copy of the referenced log entry along with a diagnostic summary of the ship’s computer systems to our Engineering and Science departments for further analysis.

Matters of temporal physics not withstanding, the battle went well for the Dauntless – not perfect, but certainly above average overall. Tactical scored an impressive four kills consisting of three light cruisers and one scout/frigate-classed vessel – mostly due to a combination of Lieutenant Anduezan’s considerable skill and a bit of dumb luck on my part in scoring one kill manually when our targeting sensors went off-line. However, helm was sluggish in executing maneuvers in a timely matter resulting in repeated hits to a vulnerable shield quarter and eventually a hull breach in the vicinity of the Engineering decks.

Engineering performed above expectations – especially considering that Lieutenant Kayzon is still learning the finer points of being Chief Engineer. The Damage Control Teams had superior reaction times – minimizing the down time to the systems damaged by the Romulan attacks. Additionally, Engineering and particularly Lieutenant Kayzon are to be commended for their outstanding joint effort with Tactical in modifying a probe to emit tachyon radiation to disrupt the Romulan cloaking devices. The probe failed after a short time, but still managed to demonstrate the viability of the concept. With further refinement, this tactic should have a continuing presence in our repertoire.

Security executed their role as first responders flawlessly and in conjunction with Medical, was instrumental in ensuring that timely medical attention was given to all casualties. Science played a minor role in the battle with little in the way of actual contributions. Therefore, I will reserve judgment on their effectiveness until a later date.

Overall, I am pleased with the crew’s performance. They are certainly deserving of the rest and recuperation that comes with an extended period of shore leave. However, due to the war, we won’t be returning to our home base of Starbase Alpha. Instead, we will have to make do with the facilities on Starbase 157 as we undergo repairs and resupply. I have ordered all departments to maximize recreational opportunities for the crew subject to operational requirements. I am looking forward to some downtime as well…in between all the paperwork of course! Oh well! Such is the glamorous life of a command-level officer.

Computer, please end recording and save log entry for later playback.

[End Recording and Save]

Lt JG Jaden Hawk

Stardate 20806.07

[Begin Recording]

Personal Log Stardate 20806.07 Dr. Jaden Hawk, Chief Medical Officer – USS Dauntless, BC-1553

The Federation once again finds itself thrust into war. An hour ago the fleet at StarBase 157 was attacked by forces of the Romulan Empire.

Fortunately during that attack, the Dauntless suffered minor casualties. However, forty-two crewmen lost their lives when several sections were destroyed on decks 51 and 52.

The probing attack did not last long. But a full scale attack is expected at any moment. I’ve done everything possible to prepare Sickbay for the impending battle. I fear that our casualties will be high. In addition, the extra weapons that I had requested have been delivered. While our primary focus will be to save lives. If boarded, we’ll fight.

It’s ironic that I find myself a Chief Medical Officer on a starship in a war against Romulans almost twenty-one years to the day that my mother, a Chief Medical Officer herself and my father, a Tactical Officer were killed when their ship was destroyed in battle during another war with the Romulans.

For reasons partly revengeful and partly critical to peace, I hope during this war that the Federation inflicts such damage to the Romulans militarily, economically and socially that generations will pass before the thought of war appeals to them again.

[End Recording and Save]

Stardate 20807.28

[Begin Recording]

Personal Log Stardate 20807.28 Dr. Jaden Hawk, Chief Medical Officer – USS Dauntless, BC-1553

I’ve just completed the casualty report from the recent battle with the Romulans. 67 confirmed dead, one missing and presumed dead, 152 severely wounded and 307 moderate to minor injuries.

Relatively low considering the amount of damage the Dauntless sustained. Of course I’m sure that will be of little comfort to the families of the 68 death certificates that I just signed.

I can’t remember how many lives that I saved during and after the battle, but I do remember the ones that I couldn’t.

By now many of the families of the deceased have received word that their loved one was killed. The fortunate ones, if you can call them that will get back a body to bury. The others will be left with just a standard form message from Star Fleet regretfully informing them of their loss. The memorial service will seem hollow and empty, an experience that I know all to well.

I know I can’t save every patient, but that still gives me little comfort. I once heard that how we deal with death is just as important as how we deal with life. If this last battle is any indication of the ones to come, then I should get lots of practice dealing with both.

[End Recording and Save]

Stardate 20808.11

Personal Log Stardate 20808.11 Dr. Jaden Hawk, Chief Medical Officer – USS Dauntless, BC-1553

It has been nearly three weeks since our battle with the Romulans, but it feels like a lifetime. These past few weeks I’ve been working almost non-stop on crew transfers, supply transfers, and reports. Sometimes I feel more like an administrator than a doctor. Visiting the base hospital is actually something that I look forward to. Making the rounds over there affords me a brief respite from all my administrative responsibilities. Besides, I thing the Dauntless’s patients appreciate having one of their own checking in on them. After making rounds, I usually visit the base’s senior officer’s lounge. I’ve met some interesting people there and it’s a welcomed distraction.

There have been other opportunities for enjoyable distractions, such as the costume party that the Gettysburg invited us to. I didn’t go. I could give several reasons why I didn’t, such as I was too busy with administrate work or needed to make rounds at the hospital. But the truth of the matter is I didn’t want to go. The start of this war has reopened old wounds that I thought were healed. I accepted my parent’s deaths along time ago but now I find myself thinking about them a lot and my own mortality. It is not that I am afraid to die; it’s the thought of what we leave behind. My Grandparents, who have already lost so much to Star Fleet would be, devastated again at the loss their only grandson. My friends and…

Anyway, word is that we will be departing soon on another mission. It must be something important because other than Admiral Wueste and Commander Fitchel, none of the other senior staff have been briefed about it. Whatever it is, I think that we’re ready as can be. Sickbay and its staff are ready to handle what war always sends us.

[End recording and save.]

Ens Kamble Ross

Stardate 20806.24

[Begin Recording]

Personal Log Stardate 20806.24 Ens Kamble Ross, Medical Officer-USS Dauntless, BC-1553

I don't have a clue how Dr. Hawk expects me to rest at a time like this. Not that I don't want to, but I'm so jittery I can barely sit down.

I performed a successful surgery today. Well, successful in the sense that the patient survived. I don't know how recovery looks, especially in this situation.

God, I'm really freaked out right now. We've been too lucky so far, and I don't know how long that can last. We aren't allowed to be this lucky. We just aren't.

I'm really not sure I can handle this. I'm already ready to break down crying, and nothing really bad has happened yet. I can't break down. I need to stay on top of it, for them. For the Dauntless

Things have got to be bad out there, and I don't know anything. I feel so isolated down here. But at the same time, I'm not sure I want to know, since what I can imagine is already turning me into a nervous wreck.

I don't even know if I'm going to survive this. There are so many things that could happen, and I'm not going to tempt fate by naming them. Of course, thinking about them is probably worse. I wonder if Matthew was this afraid of dying, or if it just happened, out of the blue. I don't really know which is worse.

God, I'm only 26, I'm only eight years difference from being a kid. All this training, and I'm still reacting like a kid. I'm not ready for this. I don't know how anyone can be ready for this.

I really need to stop talking, it isn't helping at all. I'm going to go see if there's anything I can do to help get us ready. At least that way I won't be sitting here, slowly pushing myself towards a breakdown.

At least then I can feel like maybe, just maybe, there's something I can do to keep us safe.

[End Recording and Save]

Stardate 20807.16

[Begin Recording]

Personal Log Stardate 20807.16 Ensign Kamble Ross, Medical Officer-USS Dauntless, BC-1553

Why am I so tired?

Actually, ignore that. I know exactly why. The same reason everyone else on this Ship is tired. I've been working as hard as I can, the best that I can to help this crew, this place that feels more and more like home every day, survive, and I never feel like I'm doing enough.

Though it would appear I'm the only one who thinks that. I got promoted to Ensign, so the only person who doubts me is me.

I'm glad to be taking a trip to Earth. I need to see Matthew. I've been treating a lot of injured engineers recently, and every one of them reminds me of him. I don't think about it when I'm busy, or moving around, but if I sit down and rest...

Huh. That might be why I'm tired.

It's been just a little over four years now. I miss him.

I'll be staying with Sophie, which'll be good. She might be able to give me some advice, and I can help out at her Clinic for a bit. I haven't talked to her since we arrived at Starbase 157. She must be worried, I usually talk to her every week.

I'll probably see my parents, too. I'd feel bad if I didn't but it's just so stiff and awkward around them now. Though at least I'll have something to tell them about now that I'm on board a ship. I wonder if they'll be proud of me.

I wonder if Matthew's proud of me.

[End Recording and Save]

Lt JG Ilene Isørd

Stardate 20807.23

"Computer, open personal log. Begin recording."

[Acknowledged.]

Personal Log Stardate 20807.23 Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Ilene Isørd - USS Dauntless BC-1553

I was called away from my little vacation. Interestingly enough, it was not relaxing, just uneventful. I had been attempting to cultivate my meditation techniques so that I could deal with some of the stress I've been experiencing. I still have memories about Heath, of all things. You'd think I'd be obsessing over Nick, but he hasn't sent me a message in quite a while. I sent him one back but I guess he's been too busy to reply. Unfortunately, it would appear that my meditation techniques are too basic to suppress deeply rooted emotional stress. I'll have to talk to someone when I can, this stuff is getting really hard to just ignore. I've also noticed I'm getting very touchy with people, like Sven... Oh, one thing I did find somewhat relaxing was a pet... I happened to come upon a less than reputable business man who was feeling quite down. To cut to the chase, I purchased a small critter from him. At first I couldn't find out what it was, but then I found a small and incomplete bit of information on it. It is called Rhyl. I don't know where it comes from, but it looks very much like Terran caterpillars crossed with some kind of rodent or other four legged creature. As much as I wanted to resist getting that adorable little thing I caved and bought it. I stopped a medical crewman in the corridor and had him scan it with his medical tricorder to see if it had anything wrong with it. He it looked fine from what the scans could pick up. The little thing is so docile I'd say it probably have go into cardiac arrest if it saw itself in the mirror, that is if it has a heart. I named him Ausachya which means "fur" in Vulcan.

I wasn't told what it was about or what to expect. When I had reported Commander De Vincenzo told me about the strain the ship has been under since the fight against the Romulans had begun. This isn't a war, it's a slaughter. How many lives has the Federations lost, not including any civilian casualties of war? I cannot count them. How many more will die? If there's one thing that has not changed over the centuries of so called progress, war is still hell and it will always be the choice that people make rather than peace. It is a necessary thing that is inherently evil. I do believe there's a human expression from the 20th century that said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." We are at war not because we want it, but because if we don't go to war then we condemn the Federation to failure and we guarantee the Romulans' victory.

We've been monitoring the repair teams for anything out of place. So far there hasn't been anything exciting, then again these people are harder to motivate than trying to convince an android to dance and clap saying, "I'm a real boy!"

Truth be told, I think that Lieutenant Kayzon may be onto something, but I don't think it's going to be as obvious as either him or Commander De Vincenzo would think. I'm not sure how to counter it, but I know I can't get much done recording this so I'm going to have to end this for now.

Computer end recording and save for playback at a later date.

[Acknowledged.]

Lt Aon Anduezan

Stardate 20808.06

[Begin recording.]

Personal Log Stardate 20808.06 Lieutenant Aon Anduezan, Chief Tactical Officer - USS Dauntless, BC-1553

I have read and, more importantly, and much harder, accepted the fact that my brothers and sisters on this ship, 67 of them, has fallen in battle with the Romulans. Some of them was working under me, and I remember every one of them.

Almost half the crew has sustained injuries, but will be alright.

A victory, although a dear-bought one, and one that weighs heavily on our shoulders, and the blood of our fallen comrades has been painted all over it, in the word: Failure.

I destroyed a Romulan frigate, I think. Once upon a time, I would have laughed away the casualties, and laughed away the destroyed Romulan ship. Once... but not now. Now, I mourn every life lost in this damned war. Every life.

Although, I must say, even though it hurts me to do so, I'd rather see any other ship lost than the Dauntless, because here, I can do a difference, and that is what matters, in the long run.

Even if this battle will be the only battle fought during this entire war, the war would be far too long, far too sad... It's hard to put words on feelings such as these. I am a Mirak. I have been taught that we are not writers, but warriors. I am not sure...

On other things, a costume party is being held at our sister ship, the Gettysburg. I am not sure if I will go. Perhaps I will pay a tribute to my fallen comrades...

[End recording and save.]

Lt Zor Kayzon

Stardate 20808.11

Personal Log Stardate 20808.11 Lieutenant Zor Kayzon, Chief Engineering Officer – USS Dauntless, BC-1553

It has been several weeks now since the outbreak of the war and some of the most chaotic that I have experienced as Chief Engineer. Upon return to Starbase 157, most of the crew set off on a much deserved leave. The damage to Dauntless, however, was far too extensive and the resources at the repair facility were far too strained to allow for our engineers to get much time off. We did get some relief when the repair teams came over from 157.

This brought its own set of problems into the mix though. Lt Shawn Timmons brought over a team of repair specialists that were supposed to work on the critical systems that could not be repaired easily out in the field. In an effort to verify the identity of those coming aboard, Security sent Lt[JG] Isørd and Ensign Phenux to assist. Isørd came up with a plan and ended up weeding out a would-be saboteur. The officer, named or at least under the guise of Ensign Z’nol, took Ensign Phenux captive and eventually rendered Lieutenant Foster unconscious and beamed him to a holding cell. He used a strange tricorder-like device to not only set off a small, yet damaging EMP blast, but also to try to cut his way out of the conference room where the incident took place. He nearly succeeded save for the fact that he pierced a small plasma conduit and was vaporized instantly. It made no sense that Z’nol would want to kill himself, but sometimes when trapped beings do some pretty stupid things.

Once the dust had finally cleared however, the rest of the repairs, including those needed from the EMP damage, went smoothly. Dauntless has been restored to full battle readiness. On a side note, Lieutenant Timmons did an outstanding job and, as we are short handed from the last battle, I plan on requesting his transfer as my Assistant Chief Engineer immediately. I feel like his experience would be invaluable to me and to the crew in general going forward. I will approach the Admiral with the request at my next opportunity.

On a personal note, I did get a couple of days downtime as did the crew. I still have to write mom and let her know how things are. All she has heard from me were some short messages letting her know I was still alive and safe. Things have been so busy that I really need to make that a priority. She is probably loosing her mind. Also, I was graced with Doctor Ross’ presence for dinner the night before last. She surprised me when I was relaxing in 10 Forward. I did not expect her to take me up on my invite, but to my pleasant surprise she did. We are a lot more similar than I would have ever expected. I think things went well but she is a tough one to read. But I think she is keeping the best part of herself hidden behind grief from the loss of her brother and some general self-doubt. I hope that I can bring out in her the side she has hidden as I think she is an extraordinary person. I am going to make some time to go climbing with her and hope to get to know her better. I just hope my fear of highs doesn’t get in the way. The safety protocols will just have to be kept in place for the time being.

[End recording and save.]