Mission Log 4 - Ended Stardate 21401.26 "Battle for Tellar"

Mission Logs for Avenger, “Battle for Tellar”.

Mission Summary

Mission dates: 21312.01 through 21401.26

Avenger

Shortly after the retrieval of the James Madison's marooned crew and the improvised repairs on the Avenger, the USS Avenger responded to a priority one message from Sector 001, which was caused by the appearance of a Krynar dreadnought near Earth. While the dreadnought retreated, the Avenger still joined gathering forces for an attempt to take back Tellar.

The Avenger, along with her two escorts, the Pegasus and Aries, faced numerous close calls with shards, Tellarite fighters and dreadnoughts. The Aries was lost during such a close call, and the Avenger suffered through an attempt to enlighten the crew. Thanks to some fast thinking, the crew was able to overcome and continue in the battle, placing ground teams onto Tellar's surface to assist in the effort. In the end, the battle was successful but not without great loss.

Logs

Captain's Logs

Captain Tyra Crawford

21311.04

(Prior to Promotion)

First Officer's Log Stardate 21311.04 Commander Tyra Crawford recording:

I swear to God that Grant isn't actually capable of following damn orders.Once we cleared Halless 1 and Tholian space, the Avenger made best speed towards Delta before receiving orders to divert to the Rigel system. The new orders included the Avenger's removal from active service and the crew's transfer to other ships until the Avenger was either refitted or decommissioned. Obviously, not news that Grant took well, and understandably so. I can't say I'm thrilled with getting blindsided by the news but that's fairly minor in the grand scheme.

Of course, I didn't decide to throw a temper tantrum over it or to hash it out in front of DHs. No but Grant certainly did and honestly, I think I'm done. Not only did he assume I let him be blindsided, we are taking a 3 day break for repairs under the guise that it will get us to Rigel faster.

Bullshit.

He's that afraid of losing this ship and there's a good chance he's putting the crew at risk with this stunt. If the ship can't be put in fighting shape, he's doing them a disservice. If he was less stubborn, he might actually realize that but that would require listening...

Personal Log, Supplemental

The Nova should be at Rigel waiting for us -- a fact I found out when Grant decided to use it to convince me to agree to his plan. Bastard. It didn't work; I might be more than eager to get to Thomas but not that eager.

Thomas has indicated that he intends to pull me onto the Nova permanently and honestly, that's probably a good plan before I murder a certain CO. For all my resistance to a desk job, I'd be more productive there than being an ignored FO and if I'm honest, being somewhere stable and near Thomas would do both of us some good.

However, I don't think its possible that the Nova will have a suitable replacement for me and I don't think anyone but Az can go toe to toe with him from within the crew -- I'm not convinced that Az has entirely kicked his problem so my confidence is low there. And I can't leave the ship knowing Grant's a stubborn decision away from killing everyone.

My husband might disagree but I'm starting to think the alternative to the Avenger -- the front lines -- might have been less headache inducing and maybe even safer.

Something needs to change, regardless.

End log.

21311.18

Acting Commanding Officer's Log Stardate 21311.18 Captain Tyra Crawford recording:

And the floor just tilted... again. I said I wanted a change, and I got it, though not in any way I could have foreseen.

First, we've been diverted again. The Krynar have made an appearance in Sector 001 and while they retreated before causing any damage, it has still seemingly called for a reaction. It seems like ships are being gathered for an attack of some sort and we're on our way to the rendezvous point.

In addition, I've been given temporary command of the Avenger and a field promotion to Captain. Surprisingly, Derrick didn't do anything ridiculously reckless to bring this about and he and I actually made peace before he and the girls left for the Nova. He'll remain aboard the Nova as an advisor on the Krynar until this conflict is over. In other words, he's ending up where I'd like to be, though I'm sure Thomas is just as happy about the change of plan as I am.

I don't foresee my rank or position becoming permanent any time soon, most likely until the conflict with the Krynar is over. Thomas may have confidence that I can do the job but it's Derrick's ship, even if his original crew becomes smaller and smaller. Not to mention that everyone probably thinks I got this due to my marriage, not because of any actual talent I might possess. Thomas didn't help any by doing it all openly on the bridge but I can't really fault him, though he could have given me a heads-up.

On another note, there has been a continuation of the encounter I had with Commander Azernal on the Madison. This occurred prior to Grant's departure, and lead to the removal of Az's command codes as well as many aspects of his clearance. He's basically on house arrest with only the ability to be an advisor for Strategic Ops. It's a shame, but we've kept it from filtering through to the crew as much as possible. Hopefully, this will be the wake up call he needs because otherwise, he's on a path to lose everything and there's nothing I can do to stop him.

Because of that, Az is not suitable to be the Acting First Officer. I've requested that Lieutenant Commander Tucker take the position and I think she'll handle it well. Admittedly though, with the potential for space combat, I wish I could rely on Azernal more than the situation allows. He chose a great time for a breakdown, though I guess he didn't choose it.

Speaking of alcohol induced encounters, I ran into a rather drunk newly promoted Ensign Schwartz in the corridor a few days ago - - the morning after dealing with Az. Admittedly, I can't blame him after what his first mission turned into but I'm starting to think I need to have security do a contraband sweep of the ship...

End Log.

21401.24

Acting Commanding Officer's Log Stardate 21401.24 Captain Tyra Crawford recording:

I was right in assuming that ships were being gathered for some sort of attack after the Krynar appearance in Sector 001. Command had decided, since ships were already in bound to respond to Earth, to reroute those ship for an attempt to liberate Tellar.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who wondered if Tellar, with its less than delightful citizenry, is worth the effort but a victory against the Krynar would be an important morale boost and maybe a turning of the tide. We succeeded but at a high cost to the fleet as a whole.

The Avenger itself took damage but nothing that can't be repaired. Thanks to Braggins' quick thinking and the combined tactical experience on the bridge, we survived some very close calls . I will die happy if I never have to be that close to a Krynar Mothership again, though I won't hold my breath. We did lose some people but that's nothing compared to the sacrifice of the Aries, one of our escorts, and numerous others like her.

If the Avenger's crew is beaten and battered in any way, it's mentally. We barely survived an enlightenment attempt by the Krynar and if it hadn't been for the quick thinking of Doctor Ristone and Commander Azernal, along with the efficiency of our engineers, we might have succumbed. Azernal certainly proved himself and because he was unaffected and held the crew together, I returned his command codes in case I or Lieutenant Commander Tucker were further compromised.

Until now, I don't think I fully grasped the extent of enlightenment, even though I've read firsthand accounts. It's ability to so quickly turn us against each other is staggering. You dont' know who to trust and from Lieutenant Munroe's account of his own experience, it seems that those enlightened can essentially sense who is and who isn't and spread it like a disease. Fortunately, not all of security succumbed like Munroe did -- JG Feng apparently managed to keep his head on mostly straight until Azernal's plan to use the warp core destroyed the enlightenment orbs but we weren't able to prevent some costly side effects.

Personally, I was forced to stun our communications officer before she could shoot Azernal. There was an all out brawl in the marine barracks -- I would say that's normal if Dawson didn't run such a tight ship. Security managed to have some fire fights in the corridors. And last but certainly not least on the horror scale, the CMO, Ohmsford, killed someone in surgery rather deliberately while enlightened.

There's really no adequate response to the chaos. I can't punish them for things they had no control over-- though getting Munroe better control training or a stonger backbone sounds like a brilliant idea before someone convinces him that mutinying is a fine and dandy idea. After all, I got excused for a mind control induced mutiny that killed my CO so it'd be a tad hypocritical, even if I may mandate that everyone go a see shrink before the next mission.

I'm not exactly sure what awaits us once we arrive at SBA. There's a huge chance Grant will regain command or even a new CO is assigned. I'm hopeful I'll retain my position as FO, at least, until the war is over but there's no guarantee. We may have beat the Krynar into retreat with our new weapon but I don't foresee that being the last time we see them.

Personal Log, Supplemental

This whole enlightenment business has been unnerving to say the least. It managed to dig up my deepest, darkest fears and bring them to the surface like I have no control over them. Being attacked by that level of loneliness and doubt... I'm not sure how I kept my head on or how anyone else did, for that matter.

Even though it's over, I can still feel that everything isn't as buried as it usually is and it has me on edge. To make that worse, the unknowns of my current position --how long it'll last and where I'll be put when it's over -- has me incredibly uneasy. I'm essentially a wreck, you could say, though I've gotten good at hiding that.

On a good note though, I've spoken with Az and we seem to be getting closer to our old friendship. Right now I could really use it because if anyone understands the complexity and stress of command, he does. I've promised to try to be a better support for him as long as he's more open with me and I hope this means he's closer to normal than he has been in a while. He deserves that.

End log.

Crew Logs

Lieutenant Commander Sienna Tam

21402.09

First Officers Log Stardate: 21402.09 Star Base Alpha

A few days after docking at Starbase Alpha I was provided with orders to report to a Captain Crawford of the USS Avenger.

The ship's history has proved to be an interesting read. Records have been hard to come by however, some are beyond my clearance level.

After meeting with Captain Crawford the complexities of this assignment was amplified as she noted possible crew divides. Experience has taught me that it dosnt matter how long a crew serves together. Home is always home. When push comes to shove divides will show. The key in turn is to not allow it to get to a point of pushing or shoving. During a war that is very difficult to pull off.

The original Commanding Officer of the Avenger also apparently brings complications on board. I will need to do further research into his background to obtain a deeper understanding there.

If Captain Crawford is secured as the Captain of the Avenger I feel I will be a lot more confident in this assignment. Her understanding of the uniqueness of this ship and her crew will not be found in any other Commanding Officer in Star Fleet. As the war continues ships like the Avenger could be a battle-changing weapon but under the wrong command, could quickly become a liability.

The Avenger should be receiving orders soon. Until then quarters have been re-assigned from my temporary ones on Alpha to those of the First Officer's quarters on the Avenger. I have a lot of reading and research to do before our next mission is received.

Personal Log

Confidence has never been an issue for me. I am, I have been told, very old. In turn there isn't much in life that's new, nothing I haven’t seen or experienced before on some level. I have never felt out of my depth. Never felt there were situations I couldn't handle.

A part of me wonders, is this going to push me to new depths? Push me beyond certainty, beyond comfort? I have a dread in my gut that this assignment is going to push every inch of me. I am scared of that but also...excited. Excited for the challenge, for what this assignment might bring.

It's an odd conflict.

End log.

Lieutenant Commander Adam Shelmer

21311.15

Mission Log Stardate 21311.15 LtCdr Adam Shelmer recording:

The month starts with a briefing in the Observation Lounge. Grant tells of a mission change: The Avenger has been diverted to Rigel Seven. Star Fleet is taking Avenger out of the war, and subjecting her to a thorough inspection and refit—or possible decommissioning depending on what they find—which will take the better part of the next year.

I wondered what would happen to the crew, but was soon side tracked by the COs need to get repairs done quickly. Having found a system which may cover the Avengers repair needs and keep danger away from her during the repair, I along with Pilot Braggins, were able to get the ship to safe harbor.

Once in orbit, I took some off time to recoup some more and get some grub.

End log.

21412.16

Mission Log Stardate 21312.16 LtCdr Adam Shelmer recording:

While the Engineering staff was making repairs to the Avenger, I was lucky to get some rest and plenty of food. I enjoyed meeting some of the crew and sharing some stories.

Then the ship was on the move. Crawford became Captain, we learned the Krynar had attacked Earth's moon, and our mission changed. The Avenger was ordered to rendezvous near Mars.

In no time, Earth was destroyed and the Federation was at war.

End log.

21401.16

Mission Log Stardate 21401.16 LtCdr Adam Shelmer recording:

Have been on the bridge for what seems like forever. Battling the Krynar, but it appears as if the tide is changing. At least I hope so. The Krynar motherships and their shards are leaving this system. We have no intel at the present to explain their actions.

Braggins has revealed her affiliation with Special forces and has been able to assist in saving our collective tushes a number of times.

My newest crew member, Mid Acen Crystillin, is aboard one of the shuttles going down to Tellar. From my vantage point, the shuttle is performing as expected suggesting Crystillin is doing his job.

End log.

Lieutenant Keith Munroe

21311.14

Chief of Security Log Stardate: 21311.14 Audio only

Things have been slow around here since we left the planet that left our away team deserted with no way back. The only bit of excitement has been the fight in Ten Forward between Ensign Tyler and my own Ensign Lassiter. I won’t lie and pretend like Tyler is a small man, I’m actually surprised that Jeff lasted as long as he did against the guy but it’s just so easy to harass him about it. When Tyler threw the first punch I was proud of Jeff for not stepping down, like he probably should have done, but all that pride was shot down when he was suddenly thrown over Tyler’s shoulder onto the deck.

I was in my quarters the other day sound asleep, as I am every day at six in the morning, when a message came through from Captain Grant telling that Earth is being invaded by the Krynar. You know it’s weird… my first thought wasn’t about my family or my friends that are on Earth, my first thought was about T’Ara. I never thought I would feel this way about anyone else, ever since Rebecca died I have blamed myself and kept myself from caring about anyone else. If anything were to happen to T’Ara, I wouldn’t have any reason to continue to live. But I can’t let her blind me from my job, I’m responsible for the lives of everyone in the Security Department, even if Rurik can be a pain in the ***.

21402.04

Chief of Security log Stardate: 21402.04 (Audio only)

This was my first time being in charge of an away team. For a first time I'd like to think it went well. While we were still in flight I gave orders to each team, Bravo was to assist with setting up our main base camp while Dawson and her marines were to set up a perimeter, Foxtrot team was to assist in the set up of a Sickbay. I am well aware that the shuttle already had a Sickbay on board however, in the three years I have been in Star Fleet I have never seen supplies unpack themselves before. While the medical staff are fully capable of doing this themselves, if they had assisstance it would make the process go faster. The Krynar up and left as we landed on the surface so the first step of the mission had been done for us. Once all that bull**** was over Dawson, Feng and I gathered together to discuss the next step. We quickly put together a plan to secure the police chief and mayor and headed down to the city.

Thankfully almost everyone in the city was either too confused to care that we were there or they realized why we were there to begin with. In fact, we only saw two or three people that had apparently had a psychotic fit and began running about the city screaming their heads off. My team had almost made it to the mayor's office when one of these civilians charged me and tackled me to the ground. I was able to give him the upper hand but still maintain enough control where I was able to hold him in the perfect position to give one of the team members an open shot. Durtz realized what I was doing and butted the crazed Tellarite in the head with his PR-1. When it was over I had a large chunk out of my leg, the doctor bandaged it up, gave me a pain killer and I managed to make it the rest of the way to the mayor's office, put together a plan and then come back to the ship, just like I promised the doc. It didn't take too long for everyone to execute the plan and return to the Avenger after setting the city back on the right track to order and peace. So other than the Tellarite attacking me everything seemed to go smoothly. Jack says that I shouldn't put very much weight on my leg so I think I'll get a crutch when we reach Star Base Alpha... or maybe a stylish cane.

[End Log]

Lieutenant (JG) Rurik Feng

21401.18

Security Log Stardate 21401.18 Lt(JG) Rurik Feng, recording:

Begin Log.

The Avenger arrived at the Tellar system and began engaging the enemy. I was tasked with overseeing the ship's defenses, while Lieutenant Munroe oversaw all Security activities from the Bridge. We were put to the test soon after entering the battle. The Krynar beamed several orbs onto the ship. These orbs are what they use to enlighten populations. Most of the ship experienced some form of enlightenment. Many of the crew committed suicide while resisting the effects, while a smaller number fully succumbed to enlightenment. I myself was forced to kill one of my men who'd given in and joined the Krynar. We were, largely by luck and the extraordinary efforts of the Security personnel, able to disable most of the orbs. I received a minor head wound for my efforts in destroying one of the orbs.

It took quite a long time for the ship to be fully secured after the last orb was destroyed. Fortunately, no one on the Bridge fully succumbed. That would have been disastrous. After the ship was secured, a team of Marines and Security personnel, with Medical and Engineering support, was sent down to Tellar Prime, to assist with the liberation efforts.

End Log.

21402.04

Security Log Stardate 21402.04 Lieutenant (JG) Rurik Feng recording:

Begin Log.

Our involvement in the ground operations on Tellar Prime was uneventful. The Krynar pulled out the system as we landed on the surface. Our objective to secure the local leadership of a small city was achieved very easily, as the Krynar also pulled out their enlightenment technology, leaving most of the population very confused. I lead squad along with Captain Dawson and some of her Marines in securing the local Police HQ. While were doing that, Lieutenant Munroe led another squad in securing City Hall. Both objectives were laughably easy to achieve, as most of the population seemed to remember that they were part of the Federation, and that we were their allies.

The only misstep in the operation was Lieutenant Munroe's initial orders that I and my squad prep the Medical Shuttle for use as a temporary Sickbay. Given that our medical staff is not completely incompetent, that order was entirely unnecessary, as they already had the Medial Shuttle ready for operation.

Otherwise, the mission went far more smoothly than I had anticipated. We took no casualties.

End Log.

Ensign Ethan Harkness

21401.10

(Before heading down to the surface of Tellar) Personal Log, Ensign Ethan Harkness Stardate 21401.10

Tellar is liberated. At least, it is on its way to be. We arrived in system not too long ago, and the fight was on. Its been absolutely insane down in Main Engineering, I can only imagine what the Captain and others are thinking up there. Nothing is more frightening than hearing the inertial dampeners scream louder than alarms and alert klaxons. I swear they were going to give and we would all be thrown and splattered across the bulkheads. Now that's an appetizing sight.

Experiencing Enlightenment firsthand is not something I would wish upon anyone, not even the greatest enemies of the Federation. The sad fact of the matter is that enlightenment has claimed a lot of them already. Its hard to say it, but I truly feel bad for them. The pandemonium that I saw on-board when the Krynar had transported enlightenment orbs to various areas of the ships was unreal. The suicides, the pain...the murder. There are horrendous reports all over the ship about incidents. Dozens of people killed, even more injured in fights and awkward incidents. One can only imagine what planetary enlightenment is like, unless of course, you're me.

I was called up for an away team down to the planet with the Marine detachment and Security. I'm the only engineer, there to deal with Krynar tech. Hopefully, it will be a little more inert than the enlightenment orbs. The damn things had bombs inside them. Once disabled...they exploded. What kind of crazy race can think that is ok? Its reminiscent of the Borg. That is a frightening thought; our weapons and shielding were minimized against them as well. Are the Krynar the new Borg? Can we adapt fast enough to overcome?

Only time will tell...

Well, I should go. They are calling for away teams to report to the shuttle bays. It will be a good distraction from the action reports. I keep trying to find the Intrepid to no avail. I have to just accept that she might be dead...Zephyr's gone. I will need to visit her parents on my next shore leave. I feel bad, her mother will probably know why I'm there before meeting them face to face.

• A soft sigh can be heard, and the clatter of something being put down on a table with a little more force than intended.*

End log.

21402.09

Engineering Log Stardate 21402.09

Ensign Ethan Harkness recording:

Upon our approach to liberate Tellar, I was selected from the Engineering Department to be present on the away team and provide support to Security and Marine personnel landing. Specifically, I was tasked with coordinating with said detachments and providing support when dealing with Krynar technology. This task was especially challenging considering the Avenger's recent encounter with Krynar Enlightenment technology and its side effects. Furthermore, our limited knowledge of Krynar systems restricted my capabilities planetside as nearly every potential encounter would be new and variable. That and we had no idea what condition the indigenous population would be like in regard to our presence. This being my first true away team mission, in conjunction with the various issues seen in my comrades, my adrenaline was pumping and my nerves were frayed to their ends.

As the shuttles landed, I immediately noted large gravitic power signatures coming from a large lima-bean shaped building or craft on the city's green area. These haven't been observed to my knowledge, but they appeared to be planet-wide Enlightenment devices. The neural stimulators that Lieutenant Ristone had crafted helped to some degree, but the slightest pull from the large devices was still evident. I can't be sure if it was due to the large power behind the device or our recent exposure to Enlightenment while on board the ship, but it does prove cause to do further study. I assisted with the set up of an initial base camp before proceeding to accompany Lieutenant Munroe's team to the City Hall with objectives to de-Enlighten the mayor and further assist in the liberation of the city.

Overall, the mission itself had few hiccups. While the Tellarite population was generally docile, we did encounter a few whom exhibited violent or disturbing behavior similar to that of the crew on the Avenger. I can only hope there wasn't a significant death toll from their planetary Enlightenment as there was in relation to our ship. To my knowledge, only Lieutenant Munroe received injuries as he was assaulted by one such Tellarite. His reason for staying on mission while injured was curious to say the least, but it doesn't seem to be of any more importance than this brief mention of it. Sadly, nothing was recovered by way of Krynar technology, as they seem to clean up after themselves as they vacated the planet.

-End log-

Personal Log

On a personal note, I have realized the true danger of away missions and find myself truly enjoying the soft hum and closed atmosphere of Main Engineering. Much like Doctor Ristone, I despise the idea of having to use my phaser. I will avoid it if I have to, but the fact is that the galaxy is dangerous. True to that fact is that even on a Federation planet like Tellar, Lieutenant Munroe can be viciously attacked and injured. I hope to soon get in touch with Doctor Ristone about creating a ship-side neural stimulator that could be installed to forestall any Krynar Enlightenment orbs.

While that is a good first step, the gravitic weaponry and their unique transporter systems that bypass our shielding also means that the shields need to be tweaked and experimented on until they become just as impervious to transporters by the Krynar like they are for Klingons, Romulans, or any other ancient enemy of the Federation.

I just hope we can find it before the Krynar decide to come in large numbers.

-Eng log.

Ensign Jake Schwartz

21311.16

Personal Log, ENS Jake Schwartz Stardate 21311.16 Audio Only

Well... to say that today was a weird day would be an understatement. Came off a voluntary double shift helping Chief patch some casualty EPS power relays to replace the mess of them that got blown out during our firefight with the Tholians back in Halless. Went down to the gym after that. Marine gym today - circuit work and combatives. One of the jarheads evidently took offense to that, and called me out. Pretty little thing too... of course, she can't be a day older than twenty, so that's not a road I want to go down. Officers and enlisted don't mix.

Didn't stop me from getting in the ring with her for a quick throwdown. Of course, the little thing takes a cheap shot at the get go instead of touching'em up, but I held my own. She's good, I'll give her that - not sure which of us was giving it better to the other before Medical broke it up. Not quite sure what the Doc said, though... coulda sworn he said 'Captain' instead of 'corporal', which makes no sense given her age. We have an agreement to a rematch later on, too. I'll have to practice for that, maybe get into the holodeck prior... I never made my brown belt, if I'm going to get back into it probably worth it.

Then we got word that Sol was under Krynar attack.

That certainly changed things. I got patched up by the Docs and headed straight back to the pit for another double shift. Just finished another patch with CPO Anders before I got called out on the PA to go see the Captain. Not sure what happened, but I guess the FO hasn't been talking to me for kicks - evidently there's a back-door in the paperwork that gives CO's the right to skip part of your Middie ride and push you straight to Ensign. So yeah, I'm an Ensign now...pinned an SFAM on me too. Guess that's like a gold star for coming up with a workable solution on Halless.

Halless... yeah, evidently ten million people die, but I get a promotion and a medal, so its all OK, right? That frakking coward Grant. Yeah, we weren't winning a 6 to 1 fight, but he could've told the Tholians to **** off and called for reinforcements. Or stood his ground. Or made the Tholians at least fire on a Federation ship before he left. Or something more than leaving them all to die.

After the ceremony, he told me to take the next 72 off. With the losses in MP Div, especially Fi, that can't happen. I'll take 12, maybe 24, have a few drinks with Ethan, and then get back on the line. Too much going on right now to take time off. I'll deal with the repercussions of overwork later; we've got a sick ship that needs some patching. Gotta run to Ten Forward, hopefully they've got some decent whiskey down there... Christ I need one today. Maybe more than one...

End Log.

21401.22

Personal Log, Ensign Jake Schwartz Stardate 21401.22

Begin recording.

Well... that was... frakking awful, to be honest. We pushed the Krynar away from both Earth and Tellar, but if I thought Halless was bad, this was Hell come to life, no doubt about it. The Krynar showed up at Sol in force, and I have no real idea what happened there. All I know is that they turned outbound and headed for Tellar Prime, and immediately started their damned 'Enlightenment' process. Place had already fallen by the time the Fleet - almost a dozen ships, including two heavies in the Nova and Anarchy - showed up. Five Motherships.

I had managed to put a tweak into our deflectors which would've kept their grav pulse weapons from getting to us - at least, that's what the sims showed. Trouble was, they didn't want to kill the Avenger. No, they wanted something far worse for us.

Not even five minutes into the lightfight, and they beamed what must be their mechanism for Enlightenment onto the ship. I saw one of the Bridge officers blow his own head off rather than succumb. I thought it was bad seeing Oscar get gobbled on Halless... watching everyone else succumb to something like that was... well, I don't think I'll forget it.

Still kinda fuzzy how I managed to not fall to those pricks, although I'm pretty sure that I saw or hallucinated Mom during that little spat. *Deep sigh* She gave me a good kick in the ***, and that was enough to get the accursed things out of my head. A quick fix from the SOD, who's a hell of a lot more savvy with my gear than I gave him credit for, and we managed to get the Krynar out of everyone's heads. With that, we took the fight to the little bastards.

Command called in a patch for our main deflector that turned it into one big Anti-Krynar cannon, punched out a mothership with the beautiful thing. That wasn't the real surprise, though.

That kid of a Marine Captain we have flying this crate? I said previously she's gotta have A Story, and boy, does she... *chuckes*. She's a SOCOM fighter jock. Her mom's the CO of the Anarchy, that big carrier that of course works for Command, and of course doesn't work for SOCOM. Likewise... I would swear that means that her dad is RADM Braggins, the frakking head of SOCOM. Excuse me, the head of LOGCOM... *snort*

Either way, I owe her an apology. She damned near saved our hides after that incompetent frak of a CTO screwed the pooch... twice. First, he completely missed a raid of hostiles. Captain Braggins grabbed the Tactical-B submode and cleaned them up though... while still flying evasive. That little minx can fly and fight, I'll give her that. The second time, though... yeah.

I'd just finished saying that I couldn't get a probe near the Krynar formation without it being detected, and he speaks up and asks if I can rig one for a skin-skin intercept with a Shard. I kinda... blew up on him at that. Pissed off the Captain with that comment... royally. Speaking of which, I'm due in her Ready Room for a good stripe off my hide... and probably my Ensign pip as she repossesses what Grant gave me early. We'll see how this goes... not gonna be fun.

End Log

Lieutenant Jack Ristone

Stardate 21311.16

Things in sickbay have been rather mundane and calm the last few weeks. I have finally made some headway in my relationship with the new Chief Medical Officer. Pheral Ohmsford is without a doubt a very strange man. He is half Denobulan but sometimes the way he acts makes it seem like he is a full blooded Denobulan. I guess his big smile is just so opposite of what Viper was like that it is taking me some time to adjust.

I've been doing some side research into my Ketracel White project and I think I am very close to working out the last of the bugs. I know I am just a few hours of actual research from a real breakthrough.

The likelihood of me being able to devote much time to that research right now does not seem very high. The Avenger, along with pretty much every other ship nearby was just recalled to sector 001. It appears that the Krynar have finally shown their presence near Earth which Star Fleet, logically, finds unacceptable.

I've been in major conflicts before, even with the Krynar, but even I am not extremely excited about what a full-out battle with them would look like near Earth. The Federation would be unwilling to retreat if things turned against us. It would literally be a fight to the death. In any case, I will do my part to ensure that sickbay is prepared.

End log.

Stardate 21401.05

The Avenger, and the rest of the Fleet, has engaged the Krynar near Tellar. Apparently the Federation has finally decided to go on the offensive. Thus far the Avenger has not taken much external damage. Of note though is the fact that the Krynar transported several orb-like devices that sent out a telepathic wave that began to brainwash the crew. Security crews were sent throughout the ship with orders to destroy the orbs. Although they were eventually all successful with this task it was not without incident.

One orb appeared in sickbay and I witnessed two suicides before the orb was eventually destroyed. Apparently Lieutenant Ohmsford, while under mental manipulation, took the life of a patient. I told Ohmsford that I would keep this quiet for now to give him the opportunity to inform the Captain on his own. I will of course check back up on this situation later to ensure it was properly handled.

I have begun working on a project to prevent additional mental manipulation from the Krynar. My goal is to modify a set of neural stimulators to block out the telepathic wavelength that the Krynar operate on. Thus far, in simulations, they are working as designed. We will however not know for sure until we test them in the field.

End log.

Stardate 20401.24

I was sent on an away team with a group of Marines, Security Officers, and a few engineers. I was assigned to the Marine Team and we were able to complete our mission without any real hindrances.

The neural stimulators I designed worked nearly as good as expected. There was still a small 'tinge' from the Krynar's attempt at enlightenment but I think that had more to do with the amount of enlightenment devices that were on the Tellar homeworld than anything else.

The Avenger is enroute to Star Base Alpha for a short period of shoreleave and repairs and I am looking forward to some down time.

End log.