Republic Mission 02: "The Olive Branch"

Mission Summary

Stardate 20305.07

After a surprise attack on Starbase 1 and the Sol System by the Borg, Admiral Beckett initiated the Armageddon Directive. This Directive ordered the Republic to seek a peace with the Romulans and seek an agreement to work together to defeat the Borg Menace.

During our transit I initiated contact with Commander Da'tonn, a childhood friend of mine and the commanding officer of a Romulan Warbird. It was my intention to join with her to provide us with a start on the talks, an in so to speak. This later proved fruitful.

While transiting the crew, all new to me, became a smoother functioning unit. My choice of Commander Patricia DeLacroix as FO proved a wise one as she grew steadily in the role and provided the right hand that I sorely needed on this mission. She was able to concentrate on the ship and crew leaving me the ability to devise plans to convince the Romulans of our intentions.

Things did not go entirely smoothly. There were issues in engineering and an incident with the Marine Commander where he actually phasered Commander DeLacroix during a staff meeting.

Upon our arrival at Romulus, Captain Mormel fled the ship in a shuttle with the aide of a Star Fleet Intel operative whom happened to be on board when the Armageddon Directive was initiated. This caused some degree of difficulty with Romulans but was quickly resolved, the Captain returning to us just before we reached Sol. His case is under complete review by myself and there will be more forthcoming in the future in regards to Haren Mormel.

As stated in previous entries, the discussions with the Romulans were a success. I will leave my opinions on the Romulan situation in that log and for further conversation with Fleet at a later date. There is much to be done there.

The crew and ship acted exemplary during the final battle with the Borg. We sustained what could be deemed minor casualties based on a percentage. To me one death was one too many. The squadrons received he highest casualty rate and the surviving pilots will be awarded commensurate with their superb feats.

The ship is currently in dock on the new Starbase Alpha undergoing repairs. I expect us to be dispatched to StarBase Bravo, our home base for the Second Fleet, upon completion of these repairs. In the meantime, the crew, and I, will take a much needed leave.

Although there was a great loss of life, I would deem our success as a great one. This ship and crew proved themselves worthy over the course of this missions objectives. I expect great things from them in the future.

Captain's Logs

Stardate 20212.05

Stardate 20212.05

The Republic is currently enroute to a position just near the Romulan Federation border. Our orders to carry out negotiations with the Romulans are prickly at best. We are attempting to rendezvous with a people whom just a short time ago were set on conquering the Federation and installing themselves as the premier power in the quadrant. I do have several options on how to approach these negotiations and will attempt to find any avenue towards success.

I need not go into detail the specifics of the Borg attacks on the Federation and its outposts, that information can be found in the appropriately indexed sensor and tactical logs.

If I may add, from a personal standpoint the destruction is devastating. Every parsec brings scans of annihilated starbases, outposts and ships. The Borg have now grown exponentially since their initial attack at SB1. Although I hope to avoid any possible contact with them before reaching romulan space, I know that may be an impossibility. If such contact were to occur the ship is ready.

End Log.

Stardate 20301.29

Stardate 20301.29

I only have a few moments so I will make this brief, a more comprehensive entry to follow.

We have arrived in an unremarkable region of space near the border between the Federation and Romulan Empire.

At my private behest, the Romulan Warbird Sun Talon and her CO, Commander Da'tonn, have rendezvoused with the Republic at this location. It is my intention to meet with Commander Da'tonn and outline some ideas on how to approach the Romulan Senate. Her connections there may still be intact and worthwhile.

There has been some resistance from the crew in regards to allowing Romulans on the ship. I have the utmost trust in my childhood friend and believe that she is sincere in her hopes for this alliance to succeed. However, it may take until the final victory for old hatreds and mistrust of the Romulans to be eased by many.

Marine Captain Mormel, acting under this paranoia had ordered heavy Marine security for Da'tonn's arrival. After failing to quickly follow my orders, First Officer DeLacroix stood up to the Captain and used her telepathic abilities to "reinforce" my order. Mormel reacted badly, drawing his phaser and stunning the FO. He fled the scene and was later cornered and apprehended in Sickbay. I am currently in transit to security to glean further details on the situation.

It comes at a bad time, with Da'tonn due to arrive and our relatively vulnerable position here in unaligned space.

To add to this, one of my crew, a pilot named Raklan, has come forward and revealed to me that he is the older brother of Commander Da'tonn. This information is news to me as I was unaware the Commander had any siblings. I had read the personnel file of Raklan and knew he was Romulan whom had fled Romulan space and joined Star Fleet some years ago. What I did not know was that, according to his admission, he was a deserter from the Tal'Shiar. This has thrown another wrinkle in my plans for the peace talks. *The sound of the turbolift doors opening can now be heard.*

I have arrived at security and will update my log further at a later time. End Log. Stardate 20302.28 We have successfully rendezvoused with the IRW Sun Talon. My first officer and I have also successfully met with Commander Da'tonn and her second in command Sub-Commander Tervil.

The process for sealing a peace and alliance pact will be a difficult one. Both of our Romulan guests have hinted at deep dissension in the Romulan Senate and a desire by the party in power to use the unfortunate attacks by the Borg, on the Federation, as a springboard for their own future attacks into Federation Space.

I find it difficult to believe that the Romulan Government would behave in such a naive manner in regards to the Borg. The Federation was first, the Romulans will no doubt either be second or attacked in conjunction with the Borg assault on the Federation. Signs of the Borg in Romulan Space have already appeared.

We will be travelling to the Romulan homeworld under a flag of truce. I have ordered all offensive systems placed in a lock out mode to show the sincerity of my mission. The tactical officer in me screams out that this is possibly a bad idea, that, once in Romulan orbit, the Republic and its advanced technology as the fleet flagship will be too tempting a target regardless of a flag of truce. I have to trust the diplomat in me that my ship and my crew will be safe and our flag of truce honored.

On a personal note, it has been and will be a pleasure to be working with Da'tonn. There seems to be a connection between us. I'm not sure if this is because of our knowing each other as children or something else that I just can't put my finger on. All I know is that I trust her explicitly and am glad to have her and her political ties on my side.

End Log.

Stardate 20304.07

Stardate 20304.07

The meeting with Commander Da'tonn and Sub-commander Tervil went well. They have pledged what ever assistance they can lend to the upcoming negotiations. On a further note, one of my pilots, Lieutenant Raklan, was re-united with his sister, Commander Da'tonn. I'm not sure if this will be a hindrance to the upcoming negotiations if the Romulan high command discovers a Tal'Shiar traitor among my crew or if it will cripple Da'tonn's efforts as well. Time will tell.

We have arrived safely at the Romulan homeworld only to have the smooth operation be interrupted by a shuttle fleeing the Republic.

It has come to my attention that Tom Chase, the vaunted intel officer impersonating a Star Fleet security officer, has possibly played a role in the shuttles launch, a shuttle containing my formerly imprisoned MARCO, Captain Haren Mormel. I am in the process of questioning Chase now.

Commander DeLacroix has implemented the list of orders for the crew to get the ship ready for both the negotiations and for its eventual return to Sol. We are going back to stop the Borg with or without the Romulans help. I can only hope that the Romulans will see reason and will accompany us.

My thoughts go out to the remainder of Star Fleet and whether they are having success at their missions as well. Under the Armageddon directive the CINC had a broad list of options to choose from, all with the intent of returning as a unified fleet and retaking Federation Space. I can only hope that there will be no holes in that fleet when we do return. While we as Star Fleet officers always steel ourselves for the eventuality of the loss of friends, I do hope my fellows return safely, their ships and crews intact.

End Log

Stardate 20304.14

Stardate 20304.14

After the excitement of the shuttle, the romulans finally contacted us with co-ordinates and a time for beam down. Their request was a bit on the vague side as far as size or even if we were to be armed. I have chosen to not inform them of the number beaming but also have decided to keep the group small.

I have every confidence that the Romulans will overcome their tendencies and see the situation for what it is. A threat not only to the Federation but to their people and planets as well. This will be by no means an easy negotiation but I do believe that it will conclude favorably for both the Federation and the Romulans, and hope that with their added support Star Fleet can eradicate the Borg from our home systems.

End Log

Stardate 20304.19

Stardate 20304.19

The negotiations with the Romulans has been a success. By a narrow margin, the senate has declared its intent to cease hostilities with the Federation and join in an attempt at defeating the Borg.

While this can be deemed a success, I am worried about the state of Romulan politics once and if the Borg threat is eliminated. There is a great deal of dissension amongst the senate and, the Praetor, while currently holding a strong grip on what decisions are made, grows old and I am concerned about his ability to control the swing of the political mind of the senate.

In my opinion much is left to do in regards to the Romulans and I only hope that if we can defeat the Borg, some attention to this will be considered by the Federation Council. There is a great chance that, with the right political maneuvering, an alliance could be reached with Romulus, bringing unheralded peace to the quadrant.

These words may only be the wish of this Star Fleet Officer but I believe that handled properly this wish can be achieved.

We are currently preparing for our final trip back to Sol, awaiting the Romulan fleets to gather and to hopefully receive word from the remainder of Star Fleet.

While there will be a great many ships under my command, we still cannot go at it alone.

On a personal note, I hope to see sensor signatures from the ships of my friends and colleagues. Knowing Matt Thrawn, Dan Wueste, Tam Otlan, The Yori, and the Philly, with my old crew and former FO Yssy Laneal, will be amongst the ships fighting to save our Federation, will no doubt give us an extreme edge. Godspeed my friends, return safely. End Log. Crew Logs

MCapt. Haren Mormel Personal Log, Marine Captain Mormel. Stardate... ah hell, who cares. I'll know. Currently on patrol on board the USS Republic.

It's been weird starting here. First off, there were the problems of adjusting to having people in charge again. Back on ships like the Relentless, as long as no-one got more than ten feet onto your ship you got paid and that was the end of it. Now, I have to obey orders. I'm told to do things. Or there's gonna be Trouble.

But I still won't do what anyone tells me unless I respect them for it. I had that kind of understanding with Beckett. Orders weren't fast and furious, but things were done. This guy Gage? Jury's still out. That staff meeting was a joke. I probably came out of that looking as belligerent as a drunken Klingon, but at least I got what I wanted.

And now I'm running the Marine show. That feels strange. Everyone calling me 'sir' because some pen-pusher reckons they should. It'd mean something if you had to earn it. The platoon commanders are good officers though, which means I don't have quite so much to do. Apparently some 2Lt. wants to join us though from the Titan, so I guess we'll see if she gets on board. If she doesn't work out, I'll beam her back myself. I'm not having makeweights anywhere here. The way I see it, if I'm running things, then they run like I want them to. I changed the whole Marine command structure, I upped the training regime and I expect them all to keep up. I know I'm harsh on them, but better too harsh than too soft.

This Borg thing is on everyone's minds. It doesn't affect me that much. Earth isn't my home in any way. I had a good time there once. But the fact that we're now going to try and negotiate with mortal enemies concerns me more. Last I heard, several important Romulans were sending people looking for me after that Commander got himself killed. That and the fact that they'll blow us to atoms if they don't believe us.

Now my head's running riot as well. I can't believe I downed all the blockers. I keep getting these voices in my mind, whenever I get emotional I can hear them. I dread to think what's going to happen in combat. I gotta get me some more. But how? I can't have anyone reading what I think, accessing all my memories. There's too much there. If that happened, they'd shoot me there and then. And I can't control myself.

Larsen. There's a name that means something now. I didn't think it was possible for someone to care for me. But somehow I know she does, even after she saw what kind of man I am. I care for her more than she'll ever realize, but now... well, I don't know where we stand. She's everything to me. She represents all the happy childhood memories everyone has, warmth, stability, happiness. Love. I didn't think I'd ever use that word, but it applies now. I love her. I'd die before I let anything happen to her. But I don't know how to tell her.

Well, I'm gonna finish this here. Don't know what I'm going to do from here. Try and patch things up with Julia is priority number one. But quite how I really don't know. But I still have to guard this ship. It's an honor thing now - I'm here, I'm in charge of the troops, and my job is to stop anything bad happening to anyone on here. Whoever the enemy is, Borg, Romulan, human, they have to get through me to do anything.

Well, I'm at my first stop. I'm gonna finish this here. Save log.

Crew Logs

Lt JG David Travis

Stardate 20212.11

LtJg David Travis Personal log, Lieutenant Junior Grade David Travis, Star Date 20212.11, USS Republic.

Why the Borg. Why did they have to return. The romulans i could handle, they have been the bad guys for as long as i could remember, I grew up hating the romulans for what they have done to the federation over the past years and now we are at war with them, But are we, I mean we our mission is to make peace with them so we can fight a common enemy, the Borg. If their is one thing i fear more than a ferengi with a wallet full of money it has to be them. Back when i was a kid on the panther I was told stories of them by my Grandad, General Richard Travis he fought against them when his ship was over run by them which was a long time ago. I used to have nightmares about them fearing that they would one day come and get me. Well i have to say that it has all come back to haunt me. But their not getting me without a fight.

Computer end and save Log.

Lt JG Tepel

Stardate 20201.14

LtJg. Tepel Personal Log, Lieutenant Junior Grade Tepel, Stardate 20201.24, USS Republic.

There have been a lot of things happening recently. One, we got a new commanding officer. It seems that Star Fleet has decided to put a Commodore on our ship instead of a Fleet Admiral. Two, Travis seems to have disappeared somewhere and is running around the ship in circles. This proves very bad for me because the rest of the engineers aren't as distinguished as he is which makes Main Engineering very boring. Three, we are trying to become allies with the Romulans because of the Borg threat. Now this seems all right except for our cloak detection technology. It could prove to be the one thing that keeps the Romulans from joining us. Tactically we need the Romulans help because of the strength of their ships. Oh great, the console seems to be beeping at me I better go.

Computer, End and Save Log.

Lt Havek

Stardate 20301.26

Lt. Havek Lt. Havek personal log stardate 20301.26

It has been a difficult but constructive experience to serve onboard the Republic. The work in the Laboratory is going in acceptable quality parameters but it can be improved. I learned very much under command of Cdr. Kation and now that I’m in charge I intend to apply it in our daily work. Our cloaking detection system is ready to work but now with the Borg attack and we seeking the Romulan help it appears that the priorities changed and we will not be able to use it soon.

The Borg attack in the sector 001 was sudden and deadly turning the situation in the ship very unstable. The humans and betazoids specially are very unstable and emotional and frequently they act irrationally. One example of that is the today’s mental attack of the betazoid FO, LCdr DeLacroix against the human MarCO Mormel and his reaction stunning her with a phaser blast; an unacceptable situation that occurred just during an important meeting with the Commodore.

The Borg research is advancing but very slowly and I wonder if we can get results in time to prevent the Borg to assimilate us or to help the Federation to regain control of sector 001. The loose of some of my staff in starbase 1 was compensated with the arrival of some new workers between them two promising acquisitions: one civilian named Mrs. Rommel and the new Ensign Talek. Lt Speer the second in command in the laboratory although efficient seems to be very unstable even more than the human average.

Another encounter with the 1-LT Velitsa has proven she is a very noxious influence for me, as she tends to make me to loose my balance. I really need to avoid contact with this betazoid female for the sake of my equilibrium.

Now with the Romulans being invited for negotiations in our ship I believe I can convince them to share information and maybe technology to help in the fight against the Borg. It will not be easy but is possible.

“End recording”

Lt Ross Speer

Stardate 20301.26

Lt. Ross Speer Lt. Speer personal log USS Republic stardate 20301.26

I think this is my first personal log since before the implementation of the Armageddon Directive so I'll start from there. It seems someone mixed our wars up, while fighting the Romulans we got attacked by the Borg, they appeared right on the door step of earth. The Romulans aren't so interested in a war with us anymore so we are talking 'peace'. Every ship and Planet in the federation is under lockdown with the Armageddon Directive.

Things have been quite down in science, the Borg we had to study were beamed off into space, I’ll so no more than that because I’ll land myself in the brig. We are currently studying a 66% complete projection of the new Borg assimilation dart. A few new personal have arrived in science recently as we lost a few at Starbase 1, most namely Ensign Talek whom I haven't had a chance to meet yet.

I have my doubts that we shall get through this, the Borg were bad last time, but now...

End log.

COS Lt Vaurek

Stardate 20305.03

Lt. Vaurek Chief of Security's Log, USS Republic, Stardate 20305.03

The battle for the Sol System, while causing great damage and loss of life throughout the system and the fleets of a half-dozen prominent interstellar civilizations, did relatively little damage to either the Republic or the crew onboard. The shields were apparently more than adequate for their purpose, and failed only in such isolated and miniscule ways to allow approximately twelve Borg drones to be transported onto the ship throughout the engagement. Understandably, the heaviest fighting occurred in Main Engineering, where it seems that at least one-third of the intruders were concentrated. Several more were destroyed on the Bridge, and the rest were beamed into various corridors or rooms, where the emergency bulkheads and forcefields that I had activated from the Bridge sealed them off long enough to be destroyed by the Security Teams. The losses in these various encounters were low, considering the damage done by the same type of drones on Star Base I just before its destruction. Security reports indicate that eight officers have been killed, several more wounded, with the Marines taking slightly less casualties, having only been engaged in Engineering, and one rather unfortunate Engineer seems to have been the only casualty outside of the combat departments.

The overall effect on a ship with a crew complement such as this vessel's has been minimal, and the largest task that seems to be left to me is the responsibility of seeing that the refugees we have carried from Star Base I are safely transferred to the new Star Base Alpha, now having taken its place in high Earth orbit.

Log ends.

Lt JG Shawn Malloy

Stardate 20205.08

LtJg Shawn Malloy “Computer start recording Lt. Jg. Shawn Malloy USS Republic Star date 20205.08

Well that was quite the battle with the borg but we won. A lot of hands lost and my prayer goes out the there families. We are at Star base 1 for leave. There will be some work that needs to be done before we get under way again. We are granted leave for a few weeks. And I am trying to make the best of it. I ran into an old old friend that I thought was dead. Quite a shocker to see Lideah again. She seemed shocked also. I don’t know if she was happy to see me or not. She also seems to be troubled with someone else. She appeared and disappeared a few times. She seemed to have changed I just don’t know how and her wall that I spent so long to get through seems to be back up at least with me. Maybe her feelings hve changed to me over the years. I don’t know. I hope now but you never know. People do change after a while. I do still care for her a lot but does she feel the same? Here is a new twist I have just met a friend of hers and I like her but what am I to do? Do I move on or what? I did meet an Ens. named Sheana. She is quite nice I think I am taking quite the liking to her. I don’t know how she feels about me. I would like to take her to the beaches of Florida. But I cant seem to get the guts to ask and even if I did she just might say no. But what to do? Computer End Recording”

Lt David Travis

Supplemental

Lt. David Travis Engineers personal log. LT David Travis. USS well you guys know this bit already.

Well I said in my last log that they were not getting me without a fight and for once I was right. We had completed our mission of trying to get the rommies on our side of the fight and we headed back to sol to retake sol. I don’t know why I care about it really its not my home. Deep space is my home. I always said I was born in space ill die in space and a few days ago that was nearly true. Any way now that the Romulans were fighting for us we arrived back at sol with a joint fleet of most of the races of the alpha quadrant races and enough ships to send the Borg packing. I was busy doing my work in engineering keeping the ship together when the Borg thought they might drop in for a chat. the next few hours I would rather forget the problem is I can't. A lot of good people died that day and a few were on my hands. I keep telling myself it was to save them from a fate worse than death but I am now starting to question that. Still what’s done is done and I must concentrate on getting the ship ready for the next mission. After some rest.

End Log.

Lt JG New

Stardate 20305.29

LtJg. New Personal Log. Stardate: 20305.29

Our battle went well with the Borg, and though losses were heavy, we were victorious.

On a more personal note, I have set forward plans to pursue the new found peace with the Romulans with an effort to gather some information about my family.

Unfortunately, Lt. Vaurek has left the ship and I have checked with security who have no information about when he is to return. I feel he is important to my plans and therefore I must wait for his return. I have also learned there is a Romulan on board, Raklan. He may also be helpful but I intend to ask Commodore Gage before I approach him.