Artemis Mission 01: "Rogue Planet"

Rogue Planet
Ship:	USS Artemis, EX-11000
Commanding Officer:	Captain Tyra Crawford
Archive:	Link
Stardate:	2419 - 241911.11
Mission Timeline
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Mission Summary

Arrival

With the decommissioning of the Gettysburg, to become a museum ship, the bulk of its command crew, under Captain Tyra Crawford were reassigned to one of the newest ships in the fleet: the Artemis.

Being an exploratory vessel, the Artemis was tasked with investigating a Rogue Planet. There had already been an archaeological team dispatch by the Star Fleet Science Institute, and the Artemis crew would be supplementing their efforts to understand the phenomenon of the planet itself and to investigate the ruins located on planet.

Upon arriving at their destination, initial scans aligned with the original reports as the only life readings on the planet belonged to those of the already present science team. In addition, having safely arrived the Artemis became the first starship in Star Fleet history to operate at slipstream velocities with a full crew, only needing minor deflector recalibration to eliminate a minor phase variance issue.

Frozen Wasteland

Arriving on the planet, the first objective was to determine whether the Spider-class recon vehicle would properly operate within the planet’s frigid conditions. Commander Jennifer Braggins was able to successfully initiate startup, albeit as the engine coughed and whined. However, the minus fifty-degree temperature meant the vehicle was operating at the lower limit of its optimum conditions. Any colder and it would be possible for the Spider to cease operations altogether.

The first away team were greeted by a small snow vehicle and it’s two passengers. Doctor T’Sonnel was cordial with the Star Fleet members, however she also believed the military arm of Star Fleet wasn’t required on the planet as they were a research team and not an invasion force. Despite a seemingly tense situation, the two sides were able to come to a consensus and await the arrival of Captain Crawford’s shuttle, when they would then proceed to camp.

Having arrived at base camp, they were greeted by the expedition’s commander, Commander Elyssia sh’Thane. Despite attempting to make everything feel normal, there was a tension in the command center as their deployed scout team was two hours overdue. While the Captain began questioning the expedition leader in regard to that, both Lieutenant Commander Maedhros'Ulreil Thrace'Saimara and Midshipman Kit Frost began to hear whispering insider their own heads. An indeterminate number of voices was chattering in an unknown language, but one thing was certain in that they sounded afraid. Just as quickly as those voices came in, they feel silent.

Breaking off into teams, the Artemis crew were now acting as search and rescue with almost next to nothing in terms of intel. Once in the caverns, new challenges emerged in the form of pitch-black conditions that necessitated vision assistance, and the fact that the duranium and various others elements were rendering tricorders unusable further than fifty feet.

As the two teams neared the split off point for the separate tunnels, Commander Edward Gregg was able to pick up life forms coming from either branch in the tunnels. Unfortunately, because of the limited effectiveness of the tricorder, in the current environment, he was unable to determine who those life signs belonged to as well. Captain Crawford led her team down Tunnel A, while Commander Braggins’ went down Tunnel B.

Alpha Team

Inside Tunnel A, the team discovered various desiccated humanoid corpses in the alcoves that they’d approached upon. Tricorders were unable to determine the species of the ill-fated individuals, although the bone structure had similarities to those of a Human. The metallic compound that was coated to said bones, was unable to be identified as well.

In the other tunnel, it appeared that Alpha Team appeared to be heading on the right track to reach the research team. While they hadn’t encountered any of the scientists, they had managed to locate a duffel bag, with the name ‘King, J.’ embroidered on the side. Continuing down the tunnel, Doctor Kelshin Alotharis lost his footing and rolled down the path. Temporarily rendered senseless, he eventually hit something solid after falling from a great height.

Unable to find any signs of the Mirak, the decision was made to traverse down the opposite fork as there was no way to safely follow their ill-fated comrade. Several minutes of descending, the temperature began to rise, and the familiar sound of phaser fire helped to mitigate both the darkness and silence of the tunnel. Reaching the three Star Fleet officers that had seemingly been fighting for their lives, with another one lying unmoving beyond the encroaching individuals. Tricorders didn’t indicate any sign they were alive, however nanoprobes were detected.

While TJ and Elias attempted to fall back, they were stopped by a force field that was impenetrable. On the other side, the impossible was marching towards them. Despite all assurances from both Star Fleet Intelligence and the Federation, the two of them were staring directly at a Borg drone. Despite eliminating the drone with relative ease, a second appeared and seemingly killed TJ.

The remainder of the team began to retreat as some fired on the approaching drones. Removing several drones from the field of battle, Crawford and Briggs were gain enough of a lead to reunite with the other members of the team. While two members additional members of the science team were located, Doctor Michelle Price didn’t appear to be significantly concerned with helping them, and instead focused her attention on the slightly less injured Elias. As Crawford and Briggs approached them, it was quickly determined there was nothing that could be done, as they’d been infected with nanoprobes. Unwilling to allow them to be assimilated, the two of them were given a humanitarian death.

Bravo Team

Bravo Team didn’t hadn’t detected much in the way of skeletal remains as they trekked down. Tricorder readings also were still indeterminate on lifesigns. The exact number or location was unknown, however one thing was clear there was life under the surface with them somewhere. The further they traveled, there was a tapping sound that seemed to be getting closer. Unable to determine if the approaching sound was friend or foe, Braggins ordered all flashlights off and readied her P-1 Pistol. As luck would have it, the approaching individual was one of their own, Midshipman Judora Claymore.

After regrouping with the lost Midshipman, the team continued their trek through the tunnel. Tricorder reading began to issue odd readings, as lifesigns were appearing all around them where they wouldn’t normally be present, such as the walls and even the floor. Bravo Team even felt an increase in temperature as they were roughly a kilometer underground.

Corpses lines the walls that the team continued down, however that wasn’t the most interesting discovery. Bravo Team entered an atrium with a prominently displayed obsidian obelisk in its center. It had definitely been created by intelligence life, with a set of runes that were reminiscent of consoles surrounding a warp core.

As the team continued exploring, both Frost and Thrace’Saimara had a return visit from the voice they’d been hearing before. It wasn’t in a language either spoke, but the meaning behind it was clear. It was warm and welcoming and invited them to join whoever it was speaking to them. Claymore was able to determine something had been dragged through the tunnel recently, and Braggins was able to ascertain a new smell of sweat mixing in with the previous smell of rotting flesh and oil. It was evident some form of life was further down the tunnel.

Doctor Liam McConnelly was able to ascertain that the body found by Braggins had, in fact, once been a Borg Drone. Three minutes into Bravo Team’s study of the creatures, the various bodies found began to reanimate and subsequently attacked the team. They were equally learning that the extinction of the Borg might have been exaggerated, similar to Alpha Team.

Having quickly secured themselves from the initial assault of the crippled and barely functional drones, it was just the calm before the storm. From both entrances, Borg drone emerged began entering the atrium, joined by one of Artemis’ own, the newly assimilated Alotharis.

As the team defended themselves, it was only a matter of time before the Borg adapted to their phasers. That left them, effectively, only with the P-1 pistol that Braggins was wielding which only had a limited amount of ammunition. With the phasers ineffective against the drones, a pair of them were set to overload and collapse the tunnel entrance that would prevent the Borg reaching the team.

In an effort to determine whether or not Alpha Team had survived, or to keep heir knowledge out of Borg hands, Braggins and Claymore headed in their direction. Gregg, on the other hand, was ordered to evacuate the planet and if he didn’t hear from Braggins in an hour was to effectively enact General Order Twenty-Four.

Escape

Using the Spider to return to the base camp, Gregg’s first priority was to speak with Commander th’Shane, especially since time was currently a luxury none of them had with the Borg in the picture. Despite the seriousness of the situation, th’Shane didn’t seem to have any interest in speaking with Gregg, and T’Sonnel believed the Artemis personnel were mistaken, or hallucinated, about what they’d seen in the tunnels.

Back inside the cavern, Borg drones were encroaching upon Alpha Team’s location once again. The voice that was speaking to them, wouldn’t permit their leaving the planet and even taunted them further by mentioning that Alotharis joined the Borg willingly, as First came into focus of the Artemis crew. While Alpha Team fired at their former crewmate, Braggins and Claymore were heading down Alpha’s original tunnel.

Stopped by the same force field that prevented the escape of Elias and TJ earlier, the unmoving body of TJ was located on the other side of the field. Luckily, despite his injuries the security officer was alive, but unconscious. Using a Type-3 phaser to drill towards the force field generator, to render it useless, Claymore was able to pull TJ out and make her way back to the surface while Braggins continued further down the tunnel.

Approaching the team, sans Crawford and Ramius, Braggins had them evacuate to the Spider that should be waiting for them just outside the tunnel and made it clear five minutes later they were to return to Artemis. Regrouped with the two remaining officers, the trio managed to make it across the bridge and escape their pursers as Braggins’ handiwork eliminated the bridge.

As Gregg hadn’t been able to persuade the science team, Braggins opted for a more direct approach. With a ‘gentle’ persuasion, the both sh’Thane and T’sonnel seemed to understand their dislike of the Artemis personnel wasn’t worth dying for, and mere moments later began an immediate evacuation. With the personnel aboard the shuttles, the Spiders had to be destroyed as there wasn’t room for both the personnel and recon vehicles and the outpost was destroyed by a single pair of microtorpedoes. As the last shuttle docked, sensors detected the planet’s crust destabilizing and breaking away from the planet itself.

The New Threat

Where a planet once existed now had a Borg sphere in its place. However, scans revealed that it was significantly bigger than any Borg vessel previously encountered. It had enough internal volume to contain smaller vessels inside, including up to Cube sized. As the gigantic sphere began to operate under its own power, numerous Probe and Interceptor-type vessels began to take up escort positions around the behemoth.

The various Borg vessels were attempting to create a Transwarp conduit, which left the Artemis with an extremely short window to even attempt to massive force from escaping, and subsequently neutralize the Borg threat for good. Despite their best efforts, the tricobalt devices fired by the Artemis were unable to reach their intended target as six smaller Borg vessels sacrificed themselves for The Collective. The armada was going beginning to enter the conduit and escape.

As a last-ditch effort, Crawford ordered the Artemis to pursue and follow the Borg into the Transwarp Conduit. It was a risky maneuver, as while technically possible not having the proper navigation and propulsion system meant there was no guarantee whether they would emerge in one piece. Or, if they did where exactly they would end up.

It was all for naught, however, as despite the best efforts of the Artemis computer safeguards kicked in and shot them back into normal space. All that remained was for Star Fleet Command to be informed of the renewed Borg threat.

Captain's Log

Captain Tyra Crawford

Stardate 241905.20

Well, it is official. I am the new commanding officer of Starfleet's newest ship in its newest line of ships, the USS Artemis. She's designed to essentially be an exploration vessel with enough firepower to hold her own if needed -- a perfect compromise on many levels.

And we already have received our first assignment, courtesy of Aunt Liz's research program. We will be assisting with the researching of a Rogue planet that seems to have come from Breen space. An expedition is being dispatched slightly ahead of us but should merely be setting up base until we arrive with the big guns and equipment.

To be honest, I'm not particularly fond of this project's direct manager, a scientist with little regard for some of the non-scientific considerations needed when planning a large scale expedition, but I think that's partially why we were sought out. I think Liz's hope is that we will be able to minimize some of the problems out of sheer hardheadedness, a speciality of mine as she pointed out. Personally, my tolerance for arguing with scientists is minimal but perhaps that works to our benefit in the long run.

Regardless, it should be a good test run for the Artemis and her crew. I look forward to see what tweaks need to be made.

Personal Log

Bryan and I attended Jamie and McKenzie's graduation ahead of the Artemis' launch. Both girls are very excited for their first big assignments, though I doubt Jamie was super thrilled when she found out that the expedition she was being assigned to would be chaperoned by yours truly.

Mac, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be upset that her first assignment is aboard Starbase Alpha. She's doing well on routine patrols from what I've heard and Lieutenant Daris is attempting to get her assigned to Alpha permanently. I don't think that's something Mac wants but there is something to be said for having officers wanting you in their rosters.

Hopefully, the twins find their footing sooner rsther than later. I know it took Bryan and I both a long time to wiggle out from under the shadow, for better or worse.

End log.

Stardate 241906.01

Well... we are off to a wonderful start.

Instead of doing the coordination meeting to get all ground components on the same sheet as to what Artemis' is offering in terms od support, we're launching an S&R for a research team that launched prematurely and hasn't reported back in.

If my faith was limited in the project manager, my faith in the expedition's commander is near zero. She's indecisive and unsure of where her people are or general capabilities. There are likely jello mixes with more spine than she has.

To make matters more complicated, one of the base's tactical officers, a Midshipman Frost, picked up a telepathic communication of some sort. She described it as pleading or desperate. Not something I'm overly excited about but hopefully, it's whispers of a dead race or something inert.

Either way, we're splitting in into three teams to tackle the issue. The ball busters will be looking for a way in from a more creative stand point while Jenny and I each will be leading a team to search the two possible tunnels the research team went down. For better or worse, I've got a younger, more inexperienced team as to allow each team equal department dispersion and an equal amount of department heads. Hopefully, that doesn't present an issue.

Personal Log

Jamie is on the missing team.

End Log.

Stardate 241909.27

I think this is it... for real this time.

And while I never imagined I would be chased through a tunnel system, in the galaxy's slowest footchase, by a Borg drone, I feel like I've faced far more insurmountable odds before. I've been trapped behind enemy lines, I've been betrayed and handed over to the enemy, I've come moments away from being skinned alive and yet, I have managed to claw my way through each of those. Even in those bleakest of moments, I have never felt the feeling of hopeless inevitability that I feel coiling around my heart.

Here though... there is nowhere for my hope to rest. My team is a group of officers that apparently shouldn't have graduated the Academy, headlined by a security officer that ran from a fight and left half the team behind and a doctor that refused a direct order to treat two patients, preferring a nice foot injury over a suffering soul.

Yes, Briggs has been more than loyal and capable as has the security officer we inherited from the research team. Jamie and Ben'Soon are as capable as science officers can be in this situation but a team is only as good as their weakeat link and ours is almost inevitably fatal. Elias... well, the verdict is out but guilt by association is definitely at work here.

But all those times I managed to survive... it was because I had a team at my back that I didn't question for a second. Even the weakest link, I would trust my six to any day in any situation. I would die for the man next to me without hesitation, knowing he would do the same. Right now... I can't even trust that they'll carry out a damn order and I have little doubt left that it will be our undoing.

And I'm just... mad. Mad that officers are coming into the field woefully unprepared and it is going to get people killed. Mad that my life may very well end due to no wrong doing on my part but the stupidity of the person next to me. And the fact that they're my crew still makes their stupidity my fault...

And I'm mad that I'll likely end up laying it all down for people that don't deserve it and won't appreciate it but that's what I signed up for, to the bloody, bitter end.

At this point, I don't think survival is an option or can be the main goal. Someone needs to get to the surface to warn the others, someone capable like Briggs. And I need to make every effort to ensure that Jamie makes it out in one piece. Beyond that, everything else is in Fate's hands... maybe he'll shine some mercy down on us but mercy is more than what is deserved.

With that said...

Thomas, I'm sorry. I should have listened because you were right. I love you and I am sorry about so many things.

Evie, you are the best thing that happened to me. I love you immensely and I wish I was going to be there to teach you everything you need to know to face this world. I have no doubt that you'll move mountains...

'Til Valhalla because I will not be assimilated, one way or another.

End log.

Senior Officer Logs

Commander Jennifer Braggins, First Officer

Stardate Unspecified

This was meant to be a milk run to get the crew working together, test the Artemis' systems, and maybe get a quick peek at a phenomenon that we've never seen before; a Rogue Planet.

The milk has soured...

We arrived to find that a team had gotten themselves lost in the catacombs beneath the surface, and somehow had either awoken or resurrected a Borg Queen. Star Fleet lied to us, they said they'd killed the Queen and wiped the Borg from the face of the galaxy; yet here they are. Alotharis was assimilated, which doesn't bode well for the rest of his team. Tyra wouldn't have allowed him to be taken alive if she'd had anything to say about it, which means she's probably either dead or worse.

I've sent Ed Gregg back to the surface to contact the Artemis and start evacuating the scientists. I'm taking Juice to try and find the others, to rescue any survivors or deny them to the Collective; too many of them know too much about modern protocols, Quantum Slipstream Drive, and so on to be allowed to fall into enemy hands. I'll have to ensure to save a bullet or three for Alotharis; I had standing orders from Intelligence to terminate him if required to prevent his supposedly-repressed knowledge being used, this qualifies.

Ammunition is going to be an issue; I have a few magazines left for my pistol, Juice has my rifle, and I don't trust the modified Phaser Ed gave me to last for more than a shot or two before the Borg adapt. This may be a one way trip, but I have to ensure no actionable intelligence falls into Borg hands; that includes my genetic makeup, meaning I may have to overload this phaser and sit on it if it's the only way to keep Augments out of the Collective...

To anyone who finds this... please tell Bryan I'm sorry. He made me feel Human at a time when I could only see the monster lurking beneath the surface. He makes life liveable, and deserves better.

Any other messages can be found in my computer terminal appended to my will...

End Log.

Commander Edward Gregg, Chief Science Officer

Stardate 241906.01

New vessel, mostly usual crew. The Artemis is a Vesta class. Equipped with a slipstream drive it looks like we've been used to give the drive its inaugural run, Or is that maiden? From personal experience it can certainly move. Can’t currently recall the distance travelled, but we got from Star Base Alpha to a spot between Cardassian and Tholian space in ninety minutes.

Our mission is to examine a rogue planet that has been drifting along and determine its point of origin. We’re meeting up with a civilian science team who had been sent by Starfleet to start work on a survey of the planet. Haven’t checked the makeup of the team, but I hope we can communicate and I can translate when needed.

The rogue planet in question is about a third the size of Pluto, but only –50 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold, but not as cold as it could be. There’s also the matter of high levels of tritanium which have hampered scans below the surface. Mysteries to solve. We’re assisting with the survey and I’m on the first shuttle down. Definitely fun and games ahead.

End log.

Stardate 241906.06

There’s times I wonder about Starfleet. The Away Teams landed on the rogue planet, but we got a reception as chilly as the surrounding atmosphere from one of the scientists who came out the meet us. Matters weren’t helped by our CMO and Chief Engineer. I of course tried to help, but didn’t get much of a response except for revelation that the team had discovered an entrance to a tunnel network. Also had to help Midshipman Ben'Soon avoid potential death-by-Braggins.

The Middie who accompanied Doctor T’Sonnel was a little more chipper and seems to have taken a liking to Jenny. Not sure what the cause of that is. Upon arrival at the Science base we were greeted by Commander th’Shane who is supposedly in charge of the expedition, despite a lack of confidence or command ability. Some of that I can sympathise with.

According to another Middie who turned up as introductions were being made their scout team went off on a potential wild goose chase two hours ago. All because some Admiral’s daughter thought she detected signs of life. Tyra is less than happy to discover this from a Midshipman and not the Commander herself. It surprises me that this lot haven’t experienced a fatality, yet.

Just to up the ante Midshipman Frost (the Middie who was part of the ‘welcome’ party) and Lieutenant Commander Thrace’Saimara (our Chief Engineer) have experienced some kind of telepathic event. Apparently it was like a thousand voices cried out in terror at once and were silenced or something to that effect. Now the Away Team really needs to find that scout team.

Jenny is currently making sure that the rest of the Away Team is packing a sidearm or a type-3 in the case of the Security Officers present. If it’s an entity like that ****** I ran into on the Gryphon phasers won’t make a difference, but I do agree with better well armed than sorry. There’s also the matter of analysis of objects that were found by the Science team. Once we know who’s doing what I’ll get Midshipman Ben’Soon to take a look at said objects. He might have an inkling of their origin.

Save and encrypt.

Stardate 241910.16

It’s not safe out here. It’s wondrous, with treasures to satiate desires both subtle and gross. But it’s not for the timid.

These are the words of a being known only as Q to Jean-Luc Picard after he arranged an impromptu first contact with the Borg. Not easy words to digest, but it still doesn’t stop us from going to see what is around the next corner.

The Away Team went out to the tunnels and we found what lured the Scout Team into the tunnels. A Borg Hive. Based on the dimensions of the rogue planet it was possibly a Cube, but there’s no way of telling how old it is. The Borg were supposed to have been wiped out or fled to the furthest part of the galactic disc after the last war with the Borg. There isn’t much in the way of general agreement, but they’re very much here.

Considering how deeply their vessel is buried it is to be expected that the Science Team weren’t expecting to find an active Hive. It could go some way towards explaining the high quantity of metals in the planet’s crust, but it does not explain where the telepathic attack came from. I’m under orders to inform Star Fleet of the discovery, evacuate the Science Team to the Artemis and turn this dirty snowball into fine powder.

Hopefully the remainder of the Away Team will make it out of the tunnels safely. Yet again we’re down one CMO and this time it’s the fault of the Borg. Safe to say that the rogue planet we were sent to investigate does constitute a distinct threat to Star Fleet and everyone else in the Galaxy.

Save and encrypt.

Stardate 241911.19

The rogue planet has been revealed to be a Borg Sphere. Certainly larger than any Borg vessel in recent knowledge or experience. Its diameter is roughly 600 kilometres and with the whole whoever discovers it gets to name it, after some discussion it is now referred to as the Megasphere. I sincerely hope it is the only one of its kind out there. The Megasphere had been covered in a layer of ice a kilometre deep. Initial attempts to scan what had been thought a rogue planet were hampered by tritanium deposits in the ice.

After the reveal of the Megasphere the tritanium deposits were discovered to be its hull. The defensive system belonging to the Megasphere is strange. At this stage the only known defence is a layer of small vessels designed to intercept any torpedoes fired at the Megasphere. Hopefully the Borg have left for somewhere very far away. Our allies in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants have been made aware. Further afield is unknown.

There are some mysteries that are now out of reach. The two damaged Borg discovered by Team B indicated something separate from what could be considered normal Borg behaviour. The same with the desiccated and decaying Borg in the alcoves. Their implants had been removed and it looks like they were left to die. Whether this will impact the Hive on the Megasphere might never be discovered.

On a separate note Midshipman Ben’Soon has decided to rescind his commission. After his experience with the Borg I can’t entirely blame him. The experiences on what was thought to be a rogue planet has affected the crew in different ways. If we can pull together after such an experience I feel it will make us stronger. I certainly have some interesting projects on my desk after the experience.

End log.

Lieutenant Kelshin Alotharis, Chief Medical Officer

Stardate 241910.02

You know there are some days where nothing seems to go right for you? Well, I ran into an ethical problem today with my knowledge of genitronic replication. I was running a simulation for a colleague on Cait, and the samples he provided me with showed signs of genetic defects. A replicated heart had a defect that would lead to increased stress on the pulmonary system. I could have used my knowledge to correct it, but where is the line to be drawn? Where do I end up going the route of the Kzinti, and travel down the path of Khan?

I have sent my colleague the results, unedited, but I have also submitted a report to Star Fleet Medical. In that report, I think I destroyed whatever is left of my field of genitronics, but then again, I am the only major researcher in that field in Star Fleet now. The report contained a recommendation to halt all research in Star Fleet on genitronic technology, on the grounds that the line between genetic engineering and medicine is too thin to be on the right side. I believe that even though it ends my life's work, it does so for the better. In a century or two, maybe someone will resolve the ethical problems, but right now, the technology has exceeded our ethical and cultural morals. Its time to let the rest of society catch up to the technology I've helped develop.

I guess after this mission, I will figure out what to do with the rest of my life. I could always go into the approved genetic therapies of the Federation. But we'll see how things go again. The shuttle ride could always be my last.

End log.

Stardate 241910.31

Well, I can't believe I'm recording this. The stardate as I record this is 241810.31, to be released to Star Fleet in the event of my death or should I go missing in action.

I......well, it's best to start at the beginning. I'm Dr Kelshin Alotharis, formerly of the USS Columbia and certain redacted ships. Heck, even should this be released in the event of my natural death, certain redacted ships will likely stay redacted. I'm also about to engineer a retrovirus that will wipe out most of my memories, and as such, this message can't be opened except at the above conditions. If you don't like this Braggins, then redact what you want, but I hope most of this gets through without any redactions.

I wish I had been able to retire to a nice quiet life, but evidently, this isn't the case. I remember as a youth, taking my Trials, hunting through a field, and longing to be the one tending the field. But, the MIS made sure that wasn't my life. I didn't like the life on a habitat. The views were impressive, but it felt unnatural. I could run through a holodeck, but there were still six walls around me. Freedom only came when there was a conference to attend on Oranth. And then came my defection after part of the MIS went rogue. Or rather, was already rogue. Turned out, my education, habitat childhood, all of that was part of an unsanctioned operation. I wish we had known earlier, but no use looking at a dead Mirak's past. My habitat home was destroyed when the rest of the MIS cleaned up their mistake, and I was granted Federation citizenship rather quickly after that, along with my parents. They're living on Cait now, I think. Something about trying to raise another family. I wish them well, and hope I don't forget about them.

FILE CORRUPTED

Dr Kelshin Alotharis recording, stardate 241904.16. Apparently I have a death log that I can't look at, but I can record into. Well, to update and set the record straight if it wasn't already known, I'm gone from the Artemis, from Star Fleet, possibly from the rest of the universe, and I think I'd be happy. It's been a rough set of ups and downs, a stroke and a childhood I barely remember. Well, I've set aside some money for Mom and Dad; 3 bars of latinum worth of money at that, but it should keep them good for a time, as well as some for my siblings. Old enough to be an uncle, and yet I have brothers and sisters that are a year old. I would have liked to have been able to see my family one last time, and I would really, really appreciate it if my body wasn't given a Star Fleet burial and instead was sent back to my parents for the funeral rites of the Hunt. I don't want my spirit to endlessly wander the stars, when I could be hunting till the Calling of the Hunters. I know I won't have any power to enforce this, but if you do fulfill my wishes, I'll sign off post-mortem on your physical report, since as far as I am aware, I'm still as bulky as ever.

For the rest of the Artemis that see this, I was happy to have served with you, even for such a short time. I would leave a warning for SCPO Ragarri to relax and remember to eat his veggies, as its not natural for a Caitian to not follow his species in dietary requirements. Not to mention he should get out of security and go work somewhere more peaceful. You've been a marine for far too long, though considering his diet and his stubbornness, you'd think there was some Mirak or even Kzinti in him. Pureheart, take care of the ship while I'm gone, at least I hope you're still there. Personally, I doubt I'd have fit in with the Artemis for long; it's a young kit's ship of optimism, not meant for ex-MIS like me. Hopefully, the next CMO isn't quite as jaded, and is younger.

Well, I guess that's it. I'll update this part if I survive the planet we're heading to, otherwise, may your Hunts be successful, and your life be long.

End....

Dagnabbit, why am I crying? I'm not dead yet.

End Log......

Crew Logs

Lieutenant Eliana McKenna, Security Officer

Stardate 241907.02

So many incredible things have happened since the last time I did a personal log and now I finally have the time to sit down and reflect on it properly. Mainly because I have a lot of time to think, especially being away from the ones I love. Yet I wouldn't change a single moment of what has felt like someone else's life and that I have to pinch myself every now and then to realise just how lucky I am.

My last log was filled with doubt and uncertainty in both my personal and professional life, especially with the prospect of being single mother and the worry of loving someone who may not love me. How wrong was I? and now I'm married to a wonderful and loving man, something I only ever dreamed of, but its become my reality.

Reuniting with Mike at Christmas, led to him proposing to me and us planning the most perfect wedding which was held on the Gettysburg. A ship that held a lot of meaning for the both of us as that's where we first met and we got share that with the people who equally mean a lot to me, especially Nathan, Ben and Leah.

They're my family and I would do anything for them, the same goes for any of the old Getty crew and I wouldn't be the person I am without their friendship and guidance. I will always remember my wedding day, not only because I married the man I love, but also because of my friends being in attendance and just as importantly the birth of my son.

Born two weeks early, William Micheal made his entrance on a ship that will forever stay in my heart and he's absolutely perfect. Although it was very difficult for me to leave him and his Father when it was time for me to return to duty. This was more profound than usual as we also said goodbye to the Getty and welcomed the Artemis. A brand new ship for us to continue serving Starfleet and along with it came a promotion and a medal.

To say I was speechless was an understatement but it showed just how much faith the command staff have in me and even though I felt guilty about leaving William with him being so young. I admit I was looking forward to experiencing this shiny new ship and wherever it took us.

The Captain helped a lot with me being able to confide in her and I know that I did the right thing. Of course I miss him and Mike like crazy, but I'm glad that I can at least speak to him and we're already planning a family trip once I return to Pioneer and I can't wait to have that time with my two favourite boys.

Until then, I still have my duties to perform and that includes my first proper away mission to investigate and meet up with a team of Scientists on what is known as a Rogue Planet. This is definitely going to be a unique experience and one that I probably won't forget for a long time. But now I need to go and meet up with Nathan, then get my backside to the shuttlebay, I'll probably record again when I get back ......

End Log ....

Stardate 241911.19

As promised, here's my follow up log, however instead of sharing my thoughts about what I thought would be an exciting mission and getting to take part in some archaeological dig, it was the complete opposite. Getting down to the surface was pretty straightforward, if a little cramped due to sharing a shuttle with one of the Spiders and upon arrival, it was breathtaking, despite the cold.

However it soon became a rescue mission, when we discovered that a group of Scientists were missing, after they failed to report in to those in charge. So we came up with a plan, once we were given a rough idea of their last location and entered a tunnel system. Immediately it gave off that creepy feeling as if we were in some kind of old Earth horror movie, especially when we then split into two groups and followed different paths. How I didn't fall I never know as it became icy and slippery, but that seemed to be last of our worries, as we came across, well skeletons in these alcoves.

I won't lie, I got scared, until Commander Braggins stuck one of the glow rods in a skeletons chest and it certainly lightened the mood a little. Then we moved on into some kind of atrium with more skeletons and a strange obelisk. We didn't stay long before I left a few glow rods almost like a guide for our return and followed the team through a half collapsed tunnel.

If I thought the other rooms were bad, nothing could compare to what we found next ...... bodies on what looked like beds, then all hell broke loose and we became face to face with the Borg. If it wasn't for Juice, I would of been one of their victims. Nothing quite like near death to get the adrenaline pumping as a fight broke out and we managed to make our way back to the weird Atrium. Then we ran when a phaser was overloaded to block any would be pursuers. After that some of us were sent with specific orders to contact and warn the Artemis and evacuate the scientists whilst Jenny and Juice went to find the other team.

Even that simple order didn't go to plan when the scientists refused to believe me, Ed or Frost, a middie who was part of the team on the planet and we also didn't have any luck with contacting the Artemis either. There was some good luck as the other team returned and I saw that Nathan was injured .....

I apologise, its still very much raw but saying all of this out loud, is helping and I'm here to do this as I managed to contact, our other team and the ship, which resulted in all of us, returning to the Artemis. I imagine its going to take some time for us all to recover and that wasn't the end of it, in terms of me anyway and what was to come.

It turns out that my soon to be ex husband was a deserter, who abandoned his fellow crew to save himself and left me and William, to suffer because of what he did. Anger was the main emotion I felt after getting the news and then humiliation because of the mistake, I obviously made in marrying him. I fell under his spell, believing everything that he told and promised me and I will never do that again, because I never knew him at all.

So I'm now left to pick up the pieces and try to put my life back together again, starting with ensuring that William, is safe now and when he's older. Steps have already been taken to revert back to my maiden name and William will also become a McKenna, to protect him until the time is right to tell him the truth.

I was always scared about being a single mother and feeling unwanted, but not now and I will become stronger because of this. In fact a lot of that has to do with the support network, I have here on Artemis, they're my family and I know that I'll be okay.

Anyway, I've spoken a lot and I think its time for me to end this, especially as I want to go see Nathan, Ben and Liam as some time with friends is definitely needed.

End Log .....

Ensign Benjamin Elias, Engineering Officer

Stardate 241908.10

So, it's been a bit of a busy day so far. The launch of a new ship is always busy, especially when it's a brand new class, as well. The Artemis is a terrific ship, and I can't find a single problem with her. Maybe it's just because I'm not sued to new ships, but that bothers me more than it should. I'm used to coming aboard and finding a problem or two I can sink my teeth into to try and fix; instead everything is just... new. And shiny.

Fortunately, I didn't have a lot of time to dwell on it. Captain Crawford called all senior staff to a briefing and then told the DH's to bring their assistants with them. Evidently, since my promotion I qualify for that, so off I went. We were heading to a rogue planet on the Breen/Cardassian border to assist a research team that was already there, and had been told to use the slipstream to get there. That was the fun part.

The less fun part was that I was gonna have to go down to the planet, and that the planet was perpetually 50 below. Fun! But luckily, Cera sent me a care package with all of the gear I was going to need. She left a hand-written note on top, which is a little more than was strictly necessary, but I was happy to see it. Fortunately, I got to see her in the shuttlebay before I shipped out with Commander Braggins and thank her for everything. It was... I don't really know. It was good to see her, and we made plans for dinner later by way of a thank you. I wish I could've stuck around, but then I really didn't want to make Braggins any more angry at me than she already was.

At least, I think she was angry with me. It's hard to tell with her sometimes.

Anyway, made it planetside, made sure the Spiders - terrible name for a wheeled vehicle, but no one asked me - worked in the cold, which they just barely did, and met up with the team here on the planet. It wasn't that bad driving (the cold was terrible, obviously), but of course things started to go to hell pretty quickly. Commander Braggins told everyone to get ready to move out on a search and rescue, and that was when I found out that I had dropped my phaser somewhere. Most likely location was back in the shuttlebay, but that doesn't help me. Unfortunately, Nathan couldn't help, so I was sent to go and check inside the camp, see if they had a spare.

Of course not. They never do. I should've known better before I walked in.

However, the captain took pity on me and gave me one of her spares. I don't know whether to be mortified that I had to admit to her that I had dropped my phaser, or scared that she apparently carries two rifles and a couple of handguns as a matter of course. I'll go with the former; at least I'm on her side, so that arsenal isn't something I should be scared of. Side note - never **** off the captain. Ever.

Anyway, properly armed, we set out for the tunnels. Evidently the scientists had dispatched a team to explore the nearby tunnel network, and the team had then promptly failed to check in appropriately. They'd been missing for several hours now; fortunately, we were here to find them. I've just made sure that the Spiders can still communicate with the base camp, and hopefully we won't lose comms once we get further in. Also, hopefully we'll find the team without any other problems.

Given the track record for today, I don't think that'll pan out. But I can still hope. Anyway, we're heading out. More later.

Stardate 241911.17

This is at least the fifth time I've tried to record this log. I just don't even know where to start, is the problem. So much happened after I sent that last log from the surface, and every last bit of it is crazy. This log may end up classified, but I've got to talk about it all sometime. [sounds of a glass and bottle clinking, liquid is poured]

That's better. Where did I leave off last time... oh, right. We were heading down into the tunnels. It was icy, but somehow still warmer than it had been outside. At the time, I chalked it up to simply being inside rather than exposed. It wasn't exactly fun, but it was what it was. We kept going in the dark, trying to stay hidden as best we could, until we discovered something in the walls. Turned out it was metal skeletons in alcoves; we never did figure out what type of metal it was, as we had to move on quickly and on our way out we didn't have any desire to take the time. I put my plan for keeping in contact with the surface in motion, using tricorders and padds to make a continuous connection, though it didn't work extremely well. It was better than nothing, though.

As we kept pressing on, the first major misfortune hit us. Lt Alotharis, the doctor... He lost his footing and...

He fell. We tried to catch him, he tried to stop himself, but none of it helped. He slipped straight on down the tunnel, and disappeared down a pit. In his efforts to catch himself, he managed to lodge a claw straight into my foot. They've fixed it now, but I swear it still hurts some. Still have the claw, actually; he managed to wrench it out in my foot. No clue what to do with it now.

[audible sigh, sound of a glass being set back down]

We continued on, though. We couldn't do anything for him other than hope that we found him the deeper we went. As we went, though, we eventually heard a firefight. Turns out that the missing scientists found an enemy down there. We weren't sure what the hell they were at first, but as I helped hold the rear, a forcefield snapped on, and we were attacked ourselves.

It was Borg. No clue how they came back. No clue if they were ever really gone. But there they were, bearing down on us. We - well, TJ more likely, but I tried - he managed to take down the first one or two, but then they got to him and... I swear, I thought he was dead. The thing tossed him into the wall like a rag doll, and I heard some violent cracks or snaps. He was laying there so still...

I cracked and tried to fall back. One grabbed me, but luckily it got my pack and not me proper, so I managed to get away. I warned the captain, and she held them off for a minute. Then she told me to run.

I'm ashamed to say I did. Not like a soldier or an officer. I ran like... last time I ran like that, I had a caroylin chasing me through the woods when I was seven. God, I haven't felt that helpless in a long time. I must've spooked the rest of the team, because Nathan and Michelle ran with me. We only stopped when we reached a cavernous room and realized that no one else had followed us. Fortunately, the captain and the others had come fairly quickly, but in a more ordered retreat.

Remember that note I made last log about not pissing off the captain? Yeah, I think I ****** that one up.

Fortunately I got my feet back under me, mentally anyway. I was ordered to do what I could to modify our weapons, since the phasers were already having problems against the Borg. Having a problem to work on helped a lot, helped me to focus and work it rather than thinking about what could happen if we failed, or if I panicked again (which is not a good thought when you're already on the border of panic). Fortunately I was able to get it done just in time for the collective to find us and attack. Oh, and we found Alotharis.

He was leading the Borg assault.

We managed a fighting retreat. Lost one of the station security people on the way. [pause, glass settling on table again.] He probably saved my life. I was hit anyway, a graze on my shoulder that melted the fabric. Note to anyone listening: if you don't know what 'debriding' is, don't look it up and pray you never find out. Commander Braggins, having evidently gotten her team out, came in for us and helped the captain out on the rearguard. We all got out, got back to the base and evacuated it, and I went to sickbay while the captain and command staff dealt with the Borg. From what Whitby tells me, it didn't go well.

I don't know what to say. I'm not a soldier. I don't like horror stories, or anything like that. This wasn't my finest hour, and I pray I never have to go through anything like this again. That said... maybe I need to really dig in to more training, learn how to handle situations like this. I didn't sign up to be a soldier, but if things like this are going to happen more often, I should learn how to deal with them. That's how you deal with life, right? You recognize your failings, and then you strive to correct them.

But that's something I'll have to talk with someone about later. For the moment, I think it's time for sleep. Tomorrow's going to be a long day.

End log.

Midshipman Ben'Soon, Science Officer

Stardate 241906.04

I write this log while en route to one of the most fascinating scientific discoveries of my career - a rogue planet.

Four years I spent at Star Fleet Academy, learning the ins and outs of military life, putting my decades-long civilian career to the side. I do not know how long I plan to serve in this illustrious organization. Years, certainly. Perhaps decades. But could I commit a century of my long life to such a restrictive lifestyle? Only time will tell. It is a great blessing for my people - one that I try not to forget, despite the mundanity it holds for us - that we are a long-lived species. We count only a handful of races among our peers - the Vulcans in particular - and fewer still as our elders, only the scattered El Aurians coming to mind. As an Aurelian, I have the opportunity to oversee centuries worth of scientific advancement in my lifetime, and Star Fleet will certainly be an excellent vehicle for seeing these advancements up close.

This rogue planet will be the first link in that chain. Drifting in space with a stable atmosphere, far from any stellar body, one can only wonder how this planet survives. The civilian team that came ahead of us report evidence of a once thriving civilization on the planet, but not other life has been found on the surface. The planet is seemingly barren.

But no planet could sustain an atmosphere of this type or a surface temperature so high (humanoid needs notwithstanding) without some extensive geothermal activity in the planet's core. For now, tritanium deposits in the crust prevent us from scanning the internals, but I have no doubt that we will unlock these secrets once we are planetside. Will we find life tucked away underground? Perhaps even remnants of those peoples who once lived on the surface? It is an exciting prospect. I trust that if we do find people down there, that our intrepid security team will keep us safe.

We are now entering the atmosphere, so I must cut this log short. I hope that the records of this expedition may be used to help all great minds in the quadrant better understand our galaxy and the small part we play in the wider universe.

End log.