Titan Mission 03: "Prime Directive? Who needs it?"
Stardate 20312.02 Captain Tam Otlan, USS Titan, recording.
The Titan crew, along with many of Star Fleet's ships, were given three months of down time after the Borg fight in the Sol System. It was a time for the Federation to rebuild and assess the damages incurred by the Borg occupation, as well as attempt to allow the fleets to reorganize and regroup. To date, there is still a list of MIA's and ships whose whereabouts are unknown.
The Titan was assigned to explore an inhabited world in the Tharos system. The third planet had been scanned by Star Fleet, but they had yet to send a ship to investigate or make first contact. Upon arrival, we were unable to scan the planet as there was a distortion interfering with ships sensors, and all subsequent probes were also useless in determining who or what lived on Tharos III.
I decided to take a runabout down to the planet with a large away team that would be able to retrieve information while remaining hidden from the local population. My hopes were to move in quickly, determine their level of technology and take appropriate actions from there. Unfortunately, the mission was not as simple as I had thought.
The runabout Cochrane experienced a total power failure upon entering the atmosphere and we were quickly heading towards the planet's surface without the benefit of any controls. The ship was nearly destroyed in the crash, leaving only scrap and a few minor ship systems in tact, while the crew suffered a variety of injuries, some minor and some major.
After gathering our wounded and determining how bad off we were, I sent out scouts to check the surrounding areas and we determined that we were on a planet that seemed to at a level of the Terran Dark Ages. We were able to hide our appearances with cloaks that were replicated using what little power we had, and our Engineers were able to create solar collectors that would give us limited use of our technology.
We were able to find lodging in a nearby town, and the populace, while suspicious of outsiders, didn't seem terribly interested in us until a murderer targeted us and brought the authorities attention to us. After much initial suspicion, as well as having to fight with the local authorities to prove our case, we were given limited trust by a man who seemed to be a local governor and with the help of his deputies began searching for the murderer.
The investigation proved harder than anticipated, and we lost several more crew despite our best efforts to apprehend those responsible. Eventually we were able to catch the people responsible for the deaths of our crewmen, and they were placed on an isolated island where they will be forced to live out their days unable to harm anyone else.
Captain's Logs
Capt Tam Otlan
Stardate 20306.10
Stardate 20306.10
The Titan has undergone extensive repairs and refit and she is once again cleared for launch. I met yesterday with Rear Admiral Peter Canto, now Fleet Commander of the Second Fleet and received our orders.
We will be travelling to the Tharos System to perform a cultural survey mission in response to scans performed by a science vessel which discovered signs of intelligent life on the third planet from the Tharosian sun. Their scans were unable to ascertain neither the type of life forms nor their level of technological advancement so the Titan will continue where they have left off.
While I have never been in charge of such a mission before, having come up through the ranks in Security, I must admit to a sense of excitement at the prospects of exploring a new system and possibly making first contact.
We will also attempt to perform a rough shakedown of the ship to see if the Engineers at Starbase Alpha have managed to re-attach everything properly. With any luck, we should have a fit crew and a fit ship to work with.
Speaking of the crew, we have had a few changes to the roster. Apparently Commander Himbog, my former First Officer, has been slated to take command of his own. I can't think of a better officer to come up through the chain of command and join those of us who sit in the center chair.
His replacement is Lieutenant Commander Dade Sykes, formerly of the USS Gettysburg and USS Valley Forge. I have served with the Commander previously and knowing that he served with Captain Wueste, I feel he will be the perfect choice for my First Officer.
End Log.
Stardate 20306.21
'Stardate 20306.21
We are currently on course to the Tharos system and I have briefed my senior officers on what our mission is. While many of them have served with Star Fleet for some time, in many cases this is the first purely Scientific mission they have ever been on.
The war and constant fighting of the past several years has bred more warriors than scientists and while I am certainly one more comfortable in the battlefield than in the science lab, I am looking forward to possibly making new discoveries for Star Fleet and the Federation.
Also I should note that LtJg Roe Gordon has been promoted to CEO and LtJg Vaebn Tei has been promoted to CTO. I think both will do well in their new roles and I will be watching them closely for advancement.
End Log.
Stardate 20307.06
Stardate 20307.06
The Titan has reached Tharos III and we have already gathered more information than Star Fleet had previously known. Unfortunately, every probe we launched quickly became useless because of some unknown interference in the planet's atmosphere.
Because of this, I am taking a runabout down to gather more information with a sizeable away team. With any luck, we will be able to quickly gather readings, samples, and detailed scans of the planet and its inhabitants and report back to Star Fleet.
So far this is looking like a much simpler mission that repelling Borg wedges and fighting off Romulan fleets. Let's hope our luck holds out.
End Log.
Stardate 20307.29
Stardate 20307.29
So much for things being simple.
We were on course to land on Tharos III as planned and the runabout was coming in on the night side of the planet, when the distortion that had affected our sensors and probes, did the same thing to the runabout Cochrane.
We were forced to make a crash landing and I was ejected from the vessel due to the crash velocity combined with the lack of power to my gravity compensator and the crash webbing not being able to hold my weight.
Lt Gordon and Ens MacDonald have assisted me in making repairs to my gravity compensator, once I was located by LCdr Sykes, and I am now able to move once again.
We haven't had a chance to properly scout the planet yet and without the aid of our technology, it is certainly going to be a more difficult task to now do so, but I'm sure we will manage and I'm equally sure the crew of the Titan is already working on a rescue operation.
End Log.
Stardate 20309.03
Stardate 20309.03
The runabout is a total loss, and several of the crew have been wounded from both the crash and from malfunctions with the ship and equipment. The most serious is the loss of Lieutenant Roe Gordon who was killed in an accidental explosion.
This planet has already cost us too much and I have just received an emergency communication from Ensign avarQ that he and LCdr Sykes have been attacked and Sykes is seriously wounded. I am sending a team after them, but I fear there isn't much we can do without our technology to help.
It makes me wonder how people survived anything without the very things we take for granted every day.
The sun is coming up and while we will now have more power, we are more vulnerable to discovery. I can only hope that we can find proper shelter and help in the nearby town.
End Log.
Stardate 20309.24
Stardate 20309.24
The survivors of the runabout crash and subsequent explosion hiked to the nearby town where we were given a room at the inn. Within a short while of being there, several of the crew have gotten to know some of the locals and we are finding out useful information.
Unfortunately, we are still without any long term solution to our power issues and equipment lasts a very short time before it dies out. I personally am having a hard time getting around with my compensator not at full strength, but as long as it works partially, I should be able to walk as needed.
If all efforts fail, the Titan will no doubt send a rescue team after us and maybe they will fair better than we did.
End Log.
Stardate 20310.31
Stardate 20310.31
We managed to find lodging at a local inn and the away team had begun to find possible friends in the town. Before long however, we were attacked and several of our people were killed. The suspicion was aimed at avarQ due to his appearance, the local people dubbing him as a werewolf, but we have since proven that he, and the rest of the away team, are innocent of the murders.
Tei and avarQ had thought they apprehended those responsible, but it would seem that there is still a killer loose in the town that seems intent on murdering us all. I'm not sure what the motive for these attacks are, but I intend to find out.
End Log.
Stardate 20311.11
Stardate 20311.11
We have captured the killer responsible for the murder of the away team members. Unfortunately, we don't know whether or not she was working alone and the Chief Monitor seems intent to simply execute the woman, rather than determining her involvement and accomplices.
The Titan has also contacted us and I am hopeful that we will soon be rescued from this planet which has cost us so much. If we are, we will be left with trying to repair the damage we have done to Tharos III.
End Log.
Stardate 20311.27
Stardate 20311.27
The crew of the Titan has managed to find a way to rescue the away team, unfortunately, I was not conscious to witness it as my gravity compensator failed and left me injured and unconscious on the planet.
After recovering in Sickbay, I called a staff meeting to promote several of the crew to the Department Head positions we need, as well as filling the empty First Officer slot.
Tomorrow we will be holding a memorial service in Ten Forward for our fallen crewman, and immediately after, we will set course for Starbase Bravo where I will likely face numerous charges for what happened on Tharos III. Whether or not I retain command of the Titan, I will take full responsibility for what happened, as any Captain should.
End Log.
Crew Logs
First Officer
LCdr Dade Sykes
Stardate 20306.20
LCdr Sykes Personal Log Entry, Dade Sykes, First Officer of the USS Titan, Stardate 20306.20, 2236 hours
Life is a vicious circle it would seem, and is never without it's irony and humor. When one attempts to thwart that circle, he or she may do so and think victory...but life always manages to complete that circle when one least expects it to do so. Life....caught me with my pants down.
After the Gettysburg's return to it's own time, I started to find that the weight of what I had seen had left alot of unanswered questions weighing on my mind, as if it had opened a plethora of avenues that were dark and menacing in nature. Not understanding any of it, I turned to the one thing that seemed the bright light in the darkness...Angelique.
I do not understand where I went wrong with you, Angelique...I...
[Recording Ended]
Stardate 20306.20
Personal Log Entry, Dade Sykes, First Officer of the USS Titan, Stardate 20306.20, 2242 hours
Here I am aboard the USS Titan, a long way from what I deemed to be home. I've been assigned as First Officer, a fact I am sure my father would have been proud of. I've yet to even begin looking for answers into his demise, but I know wherever he is...he knows I have not forgotten.
The Commanding Officer of the Titan is Tam Otlan, who oddly enough was my very first First Officer aboard the Valley Forge. He was a quiet man then, and it seems time has not changed that fact one iota. I only hope that I can prove myself to him, and be apart of that inner circle that Captain Wueste had seemed to be a part of.
I miss my old crew immensely, I must admit. Just when you start to make bonds that not even the fires of Vulcan could break, you are moved to begin all over. Dan, I must admit, I miss most of all. Though our talks were few and far between...he was like a father to me, still is I suppose. I hope that he is doing better since awakening. I hope...he takes care of Angelique for me.
[Recording Ended]
Security
Ens avarQ
Stardate 20307.07
Ensign avarQ Personal Log Entry, avarQ, Security USS Titan, Stardate 20307.07, 2218 hours
It would seem I've made my first friend aboard the new ship. Ensign Caffery and I had an adventure on the holodeck, and then had a nice dinner in Ten-Forward. She wishes to join me sometime on one of my training programs on the holodeck, and I've told her I'd join her on more climbs in the future.
She has asked for access to my program that allowed override of the safety protocols, but I'm not THAT ready to trust her yet. Besides, it's one thing if I get caught, but another thing if I get someone else in trouble.
She has promised to introduce me to a few of the others that she knows on the ship.
I still have yet to actually MEET and talk to anyone on board other than her and a few of the others in Security. Of course, I reported to Lieutenant Kali on my arrival. The Lieutenant seems like a good sort, if a bit brash, which is a pleasant change from the over-politeness I've been forced to endure since joining Star Fleet.
I am still having trouble sleeping, only getting a few hours per night. Due to my meditations it hasn't affected me much, but I'm sure over time it will wear on me. I spend most of the night walking the corridors of the ship, learning the quickest paths between any two points, just in case I should need to know them. Of course, I've yet to see the bridge.
Although I haven't met the Captain personally, I did see him the other day in the corridor. What a large man! He's the first I've seen of his species. Others seem to respect him and I can only hope that he's as honorable as I've heard.
Maybe I'm finally finding a place where I can fit in...
Stardate 20309.19
Ensign avarQ Personal Log, Stardate 20309.19, time unknown.
Lieutenant Commander Sykes and I walked the several kilometers to the city, barely speaking. I still don't know exactly how well I fit in here. I feel very restrained sometimes, in that I want to say or do things but being one of the newest crew members am reluctant to take the initiative. The Lieutenant Commander seemed pre-occupied with something, and every time I spoke his responses were brief and curt, so I must have offended him in some way. Normally I would confront such a situation, but I feel that now is not the time or place. If this continues then I shall do so when the current crisis is over... that is IF the current crisis is over.
We are overlooking a city now, and the sun is rising. We can see people moving about and a group of uniformed individuals that we assume are security personnel headed toward our crash site. We are holding position awaiting further orders. Based on what little I've been able to see of the locals, we will immediately be recognized as alien. They are tall, appearing from their surroundings at this distance to average 2.5 meters in height; and they are thin. Their skin, what little I have seen, appears to be a golden-brown. I have not been able to ascertain any details about them other than that they appear to be an early-industrial society and that they utilize chemical combustion for their vehicles and probably their factories; and that they light using some sort of lamps, presumably gas-powered. Their security personnel are all dressed in some sort of uniform. I cannot make out any form of rank indication but there are some who by their actions are obviously commanders of the others. They also carry some sort of side-arm which I cannot identify from this distance.
End Log.
Stardate 20308.04
LtJg avarQ Stardate 20309.04 Time: Early Morning
Since my last log entry Commander Sykes and I have been attacked by a guard animal of some sort, and he was seriously injured. In an attempt to minimize our contamination of this world, he sent me back to get help, while I left him dying in a shack.
I made it about 1/2-way back to the crash site before encountering a search party trying to find us. Now, in the early morning light, we are looking at the farm and the house, where Sykes lies dying or dead, and there are at least two or three aliens inside with him.
I only hope that we can save him...
End log.
Stardate 20309.24
LtJg avarQ Personal Log, Stardate 20309.24:
We are still stranded on this infernal planet! Sykes is still dying! Now Velius has suffered some sort of medical attack and died as well!
We are exploring the city, trying to find a source for the dampening field, which we are convinced is artificial. MacDonald is suggesting generating a magnetic device, but if we could just find SOMETHING already magnetic we could just shave a small amount, float it in a bowl of water on a leaf, and have a compass.
My idea for this compass is that it will point to the strongest magnetic field in the region, which if my guess is correct, will be whatever is causing this interference.
We have also made 'friends' with a few locals, most notably a blacksmith named "Anvil" and a young woman named "Taylor". Maybe they will be useful in our endeavors.
My frustration with this planet grows. I don't know if it's just frustration over our situation, or if something else is affecting me from the outside, but I feel my more... CARNAL... more PRIMITIVE... desires and emotions surfacing. And I find it harder to control them!
I have been meditating at least a little two or three times each day, but it is not helping.
Patience was never one of my traits, but now it's gone almost all together. If we don't start making some progress soon, I don't know what will happen...
End Log.
Stardate 90311.25
Lt avarQ Personal Log, Stardate 90311.25:
We returned to the Titan from Tharos III. It was a trying mission to say the least. We lost several comrades, and there is a memorial service later today in ten forward.
The murderer who was killing our people was caught, and exiled to an island along with her associates. I believe the damage to the Prime Directive was minimal, but only time will tell. We are placing warning buoys around the system to try to prevent future vessels from corrupting this planet further.
Of the survivors it looks like Lt Kali received the worst of the injuries. She has spinal damage that will mean she can no longer function as a security officer. I have been promoted to Chief of Security and only hope that I can fulfill my duties in a way that will honor her.
Also Lieutenant Tei has been made First Officer, Lieutenant MacDonald Chief Engineer, and Lieutenant Larson Chief Science Officer, moving him from Medical to Science.
Last night I made the mistake of drinking too much bloodwine with a subordinate, Ensign Caffery. We both over-indulged and the entire evening is a fog for me. I woke up this morning with her in my bed, but she indicates that nothing inappropriate occurred. I believe this to be the truth, as I was still fully clothed, even though she was not.
I have appointed her my liaison to the rest of the security staff and my assistant. I believe she will fulfill the duties honorably. Only time will tell. I still have much confusion with regards to females in general and this one in particular.
Now I have to go report in to Kali. I am assuming the Captain has spoken to her, and although I do not look forward to the meeting, I feel it is the right thing to do. I feel it is important that I speak to her to let her know how she will be missed by the entire security staff, and how much she has influenced us all.
End log.
Miscellaneous
Lt Gordon
Stardate 20308.14
Lt. Gordon Personal log, stardate 20308.14, 1120 hours.
We are still trapped on the planet Tharos III. So far everyone seems to be getting along fine, but I fear that in time tempers will flair as the stresses of not knowing when we will be rescued become more pronounced.
It seems that many of the crew have survival skills, possibly through special training or, like me, personal experience. Life is not going to be easy on this planet.
I've managed to repair a few small things using the photocell in some of our tricorders, but their usefulness and reliability are limited. I can only hope that somewhere up there the crew of the Titan are working on a plan to rescue us.
End log.
Lt JG Velius
Stardate 20308.19
LtJg Velius Personal log, stardate 20308.19, time unknown.
There was no time to react. My first assignment has been a disaster. We were on a routine exploration mission to Tharos III. The runabout Cochrane was under my delicate piloting touch. Then as soon as we hit the atmosphere we lost all power and began plummeting to the surface. There just wasn't any time to react. I tried to get to the atmosphere generators during our descent, so that I could blow them out and soften the landing. Before I could do anything, the runabout hit the ground. It hit the ground. We should be dead. The wreckage was terrible, and to make matters worse, we came in over a populated city full of primitives. Once we made our landing, the medical crew went to work on the numerous casualties. My back is spasming at random and it feels like I've torn some kind of muscle back there, but I have yet to allow any of them to treat me. My senses are somewhat dampened on this world, and I can't perceive my environment with the ease that I normally do. It may have something to do with us landing in a swamp, the thick air and noxious smells may be overloading me. The Captain has definitely proven his toughness beyond my belief. He was thrown from the runabout during crash and survived. The odds against such a feat are phenomenal. Once he was located, he quickly got the disheartened crew working as a cohesive unit again. He approved my plan to rig a solar cell to collect enough power for some small ship's systems. I will be able to get the replicators, medical tools, and most engineering supplies active again. Everyone seems to be worried about setting up a camp and exploring the area, and not too worried about contacting the Titan. If I can power those systems, I may also be able to power a jury-rigged communications array and figure out a way to work together with the ship and get us off of this technology-forsaken rock. I managed to find a good foundation for the solar cell, and have set it up. Now I'm going to concentrate on getting the good systems from the runabout and helping the others break it down. It needs to be hidden before any of the locals can get a good look at it.
So far, no one has noticed me do anything unusual, but it's becoming increasingly difficult not to arouse suspicion. I can't let anyone catch on, it could have disastrous repercussions.
I managed to find a spare Lt(JG) pip in the wreckage that I have attached to my collar, since my time frame for automatic promotion through the second pay grade has passed. I wonder if anyone else will notice?
Since I'm recording this log largely in my head, I'm not even sure if this will get to be a real entry. I only hope we get back before I forget any of it.
End log.
Lt JG MacDonald
Stardate 20309.04
LtJg MacDonald Stardate 20309.04 Time:Unknown.
It has been slightly hectic over the past while. Certain events have happened. The runabout has crashed on a planet. The name I don't even know.
All the crew has pulled together to work towards surviving on this planet.
However, there was an accident in which Lt Gordon was killed. I did a rough scan but found no evidence of whether it was an accident or not.
The death of Lt Gordon is a big blow to me personally. All the engineers that I worked with on the Titan have either been transferred or in Lt Gordon's unfortunate case, been killed.
End Log
Stardate 20309.24
LtJg MacDonald Stardate 20309.24 Time: Day
I start this log with some bad news. We have lost two crew members. One of them was the Chief Engineer and a Lt that I didn’t really know. The mood of the away team is still upbeat and optimistic. I do not know if this can last while we remain stranded on this planet.
We are still trying to come up with ways of beating the dampening field that is in place. After careful scans we have concluded that the field appears to be man-made in origin and is not a peculiarity of this planet. However, detailed scans are impossible as the only source of energy at the moment is provided by solar energy. This is sufficient to charge the tricorders for a few minutes use but it only allows about a minute of scanning time.
My main concern at the moment is a way to generate more power. As I am the only remaining engineer a great responsibility rest with me.
I am ultimately concerned with the Captain. If anything happens to his compensator. Then we will be in big trouble. Not only would it be a bugger to move him without it. We would end up violating the prime directive big style. So far we have been lucky as the people of this town think we are foreigners from a far away place. Thankfully they have no idea how far away.
From my observations I gather that the planet would appear to be a pre-industrial society. We have seen no indications of any technology other than the energy dampening field. They have a black smith who would appear to be the most advanced technology for this town.
I have started to formulate some ideas of how we may produce energy specifically electrical energy. However, I am at a loss on how to proceed. Hopefully I will have some inspiration. I know that watching the blacksmith is stirring something in my mind I just do not know what. Hopefully I will receive inspiration somehow.
End Log.
