Yeager:Third Mission - Sleeping Dogs

In the Yeager's third mission, the Yeager is sent to the Azure Nebula where Listening Post 10 detected a mysterious signal. Star Base Delta suspected the signal was reading as Star Fleet's old enemy, the Borg, but due to interference from the nebula, needed the Yeager to go out there and confirm the readings. When the Yeager arrives they find a derelict Borg interceptor. But lurking in the mists of the nebula is a ship of pirates who aren't exactly as they seem...

Captain's Logs

Captain Kailani Leigh

Stardate 21506.22

Captain’s log, Stardate 21506.22
Captain Kailani Leigh recording:

The Yeager has been tasked with investigating a mysterious signal detected by Listening Outpost 10. The signal originates from the edge of the Azure Nebula, and it likely would have been a minor note in the sensor logs, except that the signal is in the area where a decade ago a combined Star Fleet / Klingon task force took down a Borg assimilation fleet. The system automatically flags anything remotely out of place and policy requires that someone follow up.

The Yeager was tasked with the job. A scout’s job for a scout ship. No surprise there.

Due to the nebula’s interference, we had limited information on what the signal was. Turns out a Borg interceptor – specifically one that had been tagged Interceptor 9817 – one that the Fleet assumed had been destroyed during the Borg invasion. It appears the ship had drifted free from the nebula, and that backup power was causing an SOS signal to be broadcast. Out scans indicate there are no lifesigns aboard the ship.

As with any Borg vessel after the Invasion, my first priority is to destroy the ship. While the engineer in me would love for us to take the ship back to the docks so that a team from the Corps of Engineers could take it apart, I know that anything associated with ‘Borg’ is too much of a risk. The Corps will have to be content with whatever information our sensors can be picked up before we destroy the vessel.

The Interceptor – even in the derelict state that it is – is no match for our phasers or micro torpedoes. Though we can do some damage to the ship, it’s pretty clear we have to take alternative measures to ensure the ship’s destruction.

And if we had time, I would have simply put in a call to Star Base Delta and requested a ship with a bit more muscle join us to do that job. However, we have also detected another ship on approach to our present location. At this point we aren’t certain what type of ship this is, or who is aboard, but they are attempting to convince us they are Borg. From my past experiences I find this highly doubtful. My instincts given the hodge-podge nature of the vessel is that these are scavengers, which are fairly common in this area of the nebula. That said, I know how dangerous scavengers can be. We need to destroy the Borg ship before the Yeager is in danger, or the scavengers have a chance to get their hands on the interceptor.

I’ve tasked Commander Cameron Parker to lead an away team to the ship in order to set explosives that will destroy the vessel. I’m hopeful we can complete the task and be out of here before the unknown vessel is even within range, but time is quickly running out.

Stardate 21508.05

Captain’s Log, Stardate 21508.05
Captain Kailani Leigh reporting:

The unknown vessel that was approaching us in my last log turns out to be a ship named the Lancaster. Lieutenant Tiran was able to successfully hack the ship’s systems to discover this information, and now it’s pretty clear this is a pirate vessel we’re dealing with. Star Fleet records seem to concur this, as there are reports of this ship in our database. Further digging into the Lancaster has her captain as a man named Adams. Most of the crew are former Star Fleet personnel, most of whom were dishonourably discharged in one way or another.

We’ve tried to stay one step ahead of the pirates, however they seem to be keeping up with us. Our attempts to have a probe broadcast sensor information from inside the nebula to make the Lancaster believe there was a light cruiser out here with the Yeager seemed to work for a bit, but it wasn’t enough of a ruse to scare the pirates away. Unfortunately our hacking attempt also gave the Lancaster a backdoor into our own systems. Though most of our firewalls held, they were able to fool our own sensors into thinking their ship was on the other side of the nebula. Once we ended the link to the Lancaster, though, our sensors clarified and we found the Lancaster right behind us. We are now taking on fire and attempting evasive.

It seems our away team is having similar successes as we are. During our hacking attempt, the Lancaster was able to beam a team of their own aboard the Borg ship. They are currently engaging our away team – which had split into two teams – aboard the Interceptor.

It seems as though the pirates only want certain pieces from the interceptor, but I had determined to prevent that at all costs. We cannot allow Borg technology to fall into anyone’s hands.

Stardate 21509.17

Captain’s Log, Stardate 21509.17
Captain Kailani Leigh recording:

The Yeager engaged in a very short firefight with the Lancaster. Apparently the Lancaster’s captain didn’t enjoy the taste of our micro torpedoes. This doesn’t surprise me, as a quick glance at our sensor readings of the ship indicate that it was cobbled together with someone who wasn’t formally trained in engineering—or at least, not a very skilled one. After that the Lancaster moved out of the Yeager’s weapons range, preferring to disengage.

Curiously, at this time it seemed the away teams experienced something similar. After engaging in a firefight with the pirates aboard the Borg interceptor, the pirates then began to withdraw, and were eventually beamed back to their ship.

We were, however, able to get a transporter lock on six of the pirates and they were beamed directly to our brig. Our own away teams were beamed back aboard, after confirming that their mission objectives were completed. Several received minor injuries and, unfortunately, Ensign Xzanarsis sustained more serious injuries that were treated by our medical crew.

With most of their people back on their ship, the Lancaster tucked tail and ran. In speaking with Commander Parker, it seems that the Lancaster crew were aboard the Borg vessel for the same purpose as we were: to prevent the technology from falling into the wrong hands. Initial interrogations of the pirates seem to be pointing to the same reasoning noted by Parker. I find it interesting, however, that the pirates include Star Fleet in those they wish to keep the technology away from.

We were able to destroy the Borg vessel, using a combination of the Yeager’s own firepower and the strategically placed explosives that our away team set. We made a full pass of the debris to ensure that anything of consequence was dealt with using our phasers. I’ve included the full sensors analysis that the Yeager conducted with confirms that the only remaining debris are base metals that are of no consequence. I am confident that any future scans of the debris would have trouble identifying what type of vessel used to occupy the space.

The Yeager has set a course back to Starbase Delta.

[Attachment: Full Yeager sensor sweep of Azure Nebula Section Gamma-49-Tango. Encrypted, Security Rating 5]

Crew Logs

First Officer

Commander Cameron Parker

Stardate 21504.18

First Officer's Log
Stardate 21504.18
Commander Cameron Parker recording

The shoreleave for the Yeager crew is nearing its end. We received a general recall a few days ago and were informed that the Yeager would be departing Delta on 21504.20 for our next mission. I have not yet heard any information about what our next mission will consist of. That however is more my fault than anything else.

This shoreleave has been both amazing and also somewhat disheartening. I will go into further detail about the 'amazing' portion in my supplemental log but it involves meeting and spending a great amount of time with a woman named Kailani. We met on the first day of Yeager's shoreleave and have been nearly inseparable since.

The disheartening part of shoreleave was learning that Captain Mattiana was being reassigned to a desk job. I only worked with Mattiana for one mission but she had proven to be a very capable and skilled leader. Although saddened by her departure I was optimistic that I would be promoted to the Yeager's Commanding Officer. I certainly have center chair experience and know the Yeager.

It was Mattiana who told me she had been reassigned on the second day of shoreleave and she did not know who would be slated for the center chair. I did not hear anything until just today, when I learned that someone from off of the ship had gotten the job instead. I am frustrated and a little hurt.

Thankfully I am suppose to meet Kailani tonight, seeing her will at least make a bad day good.

I plan on reporting in to the Yeager early to ensure everything is ready for launch. Here is hoping that the new C-O is not planning on bringing over their own First Officer. I would sure hate to land behind a desk again.

End log.

Stardate 21504.29

First Officer's Log
Stardate 21504.29
Commander Cameron Parker recording

Well, the USS Yeager has launched yet again from Star Base Delta to begin a new mission. In my previous log I mentioned two things, first my time with a woman named Kailani Leigh and second, the fact that the Yeager was without a Commanding Officer. As fate would see fit those two things have come together. A few days before launch I learned that Captain Kailani Leigh was named the Yeager's Commanding Officer. I have to admit that I am still a little disappointed that I was passed over for the job. I am also a little anxious to see how Kai and I manage to work together given how close we have become during leave. However, I do trust that she will be an exceptional person to work for and am grateful someone I know got the position over a stranger.

The makeup of the Senior Staff on the Yeager is also quite different than last mission. Not only do we have a new Commanding Officer but a new Chief Medical Officer, Chief Science Officer, and Chief Tactical Officer. Technically all three positions are being filled temporarily by "Acting" officers. This is mostly because Kai ... Captain Leigh ... was only so recently assigned and has not had the proper time to go over the personnel records in detail and make a permanent decisions.

The Chief Medical Officer job is being filled by Lieutenant Eli Hamblin. Doctor Hamblin has been on the Yeager for a few mission cycles now. He is a bit of a cynical man who does not like play by the rules but is one of the more talented doctors I have encountered. He suffered a significant leg injury during the Krynar war, one that could easily be fixed via amputation and leg clone surgery but Hamblin has refused the treatment. While, to my knowledge, this has not hindered his ability to treat patients it does mean that he is unable to pass the required Star Fleet physical fitness test. He has already failed one test and if he fails his next test in three months he will be medically discharged from Star Fleet. I do not foresee Hamblin being our long term C-M-O but I think he will do us well during this mission.

Lieutenant Natalie Thompson will be working as our Acting Chief Science Officer. Natalie is skilled Science Officer. She was not my first choice for the Acting position but she had a little more rank and experience than my first choice and so we gave her the shot. If she does well she could be considered to be the long term replacement.

Ellie Piper was our previous Chief Tactical Officer. The woman was a perfectionist and skilled officer and that is likely why a sister fleet scooped her up for a Second Officer position. Captain Leigh has spoken with MacDougan and asked him to serve as the Acting Chief Tactical Officer. Mac was with me on the Oceanus and is one hell of an tactical officer. If he does a good job at the leadership side of things he too could find himself in the job long-term. Like with Thompson, time will tell.

That means that Cole and Olsen of Engineering and Security, along with myself, are the only remaining senior staff. I will definitely be depending on them to set the tone of what the Yeager requires from her senior staff. We are about to begin our first Senior Officer meeting, I am excited to see how it goes.

End log.

Stardate 21505.03

First Officer's Log
Stardate 21505.03
Commander Cameron Parker recording

Our first Senior Officer meeting has wrapped up and it went very well in my opinion.

As mentioned in my previous log the meeting was attended by Security, Tactical, Engineering, Science, and Medical departments. Normally, logically, a senior staff meeting consists of the senior officer (Department Head) from each of those departments. However, it seems that our Acting Chief Science Officer was ill and our Chief Medical Officer decided not to show. I asked Lieutenant Xzanarsis to fill in for the Chief Science Officer and Doctor Hamblin sent a Midshipman named Rokarr to fill in for him.

While I do not think it is ideal for non-senior officers to attend a senior officer meeting, there was at least a logical reason for it in regards to Xzanarsis and the Science division. Additionally, Xzanarsis is a Lieutenant and a well respected and veteran officer in the science department. Learning that Hamblin simply did not want to attend the meeting and him sending a brand new rookie Midshipman is less acceptable. I plan on having a meeting with him soon to discuss his responsibilities as the ship's Acting Chief Medical Officer.

As for the mission it self ... A listening station, outpost ten, picked up some strange signals coming from the Azure Nebula. We have been tasked to investigate the signals and determine what they are. This area of space is especially unique for a few reasons. First, and probably foremost, it was the site of a battle between the Borg and a joint task force of Klingon and Federation vessels. As is typically the case, there is a lot of spacial debris, from all three types of vessels, in the area. I've learned during my Star Fleet career that anytime a sector of space is attached the the Borg, it generates a lot of interest if things become odd.

Second, this area of space is very near the Federation/Klingon border. Although the Federation's relationship with the Empire is fairly strong at the moment, strange readings could be tied to Klingon's testing something in our space or simply straying too far and into our space. While this is not likely, and certainly no one wants to engage in conflict with the Klingons, if it is them, we must find out. If you give the Klingons an inch, they will want a lightyear.

The other two possibilities could be some sort of pirate scavenger attempt or something else entirely unknown. Thankfully the Yeager and her advanced sensors should be up to the task, not matter what it is.

It should take us a few days to reach the Nebula and I am excited to use that time to get to know some of the new crew in greater detail.

End log.

Stardate 21506.02

First Officer's Log
Stardate 21506.02
Commander Cameron Parker recording

Borg ... Just saying that word outloud sends shivers down my spine. I looked at the crew roster earlier and the vast majority of our crew were still in primary school the last time the Borg were a threat. I however remember it like it was yesterday.

When we reached the nebula we seemingly confirmed that the signal was Borg in nature. We proceeded through the nebula for a few hours and continued to gain more information. As we activated active sensors and moved closer to our destination I kept hoping that we would discover that the signal merely appeared Borg but was something, anything, else. Unfortunately that was not the case.

After traveling for two additional hours we reached visual range of the source of the signal and our eyes confirmed what our sensors had been telling us. A Borg Interceptor is a seven decked ship that was used to scout, assimilate, and call for cube and spheres to assimilate when needed. It is therefore likely that the signal is a "come assimilate" signal. This is a horrifying thought but is comforted slightly by the hope that the signal has been active since the battle near this nebula and was simply being masked all these years.

Currently the Borg vessel has drifted free of the nebula, which is likely why we can now detect the signal. We need to figure out what to do with the ship and soon. It seems we are not the only ones interested in it as our long range sensors picked up an unknown vessel heading this way at warp. That ship is still two hours away but until we know who or what they are, I will not be breathing easy.

End log.

Stardate 21506.22

First Officer's Log
Stardate 21506.22
Commander Cameron Parker recording

We have decided that leaving this Borg vessel intact is a threat to the security of the Federation. Not only do we want to avoid any possibility of it coming back online but we also want to avoid anyone from scavenging the technology, which could have disastrous consequences.

We initially attempted to destroy the Interceptor with a volley of torpedoes but found that the backup emergency generator, which is powering the signal we detected, is also providing some very powerful shielding to the core of the vessel. It is possible that releasing our full load of torpedoes would be enough to destroy the ship but that would leave us in a very vulnerable place with the incoming Unknown.

Speaking of the Unknown vessel, scans show that it is a Frankensteined vessel with a mixture of Klingon, Federation, and Cardassian parts. This leads me to believe it is a pirate vessel but even if that is the case it appears to be a heavily armed one. My goal is to get that Borg vessel destroyed and us on our way back to Delta before it reaches us.

To that end I am assembling an away team mostly made up with engineers and security officers in order to take down that forcefield and planet explosives and transporter transponders and blow that Interceptor to hell.

End log.

Engineering

CE LCdr Trever Cole

Stardate 21509.24

Chief Engineer’s Log
Lieutenant Commander Cole
Personal Log: Away Team
Star Date 21509.24

The away mission was an overall success and in some regards a failure. With the discovery of the Borg interceptor came the promise of technology gain. But the mission was to destroy it. To that end it was a success.

However, raiders, including, by their own admission, former star Fleet officers, came to reclaim some of the advanced technology that kept the ship powered for so long. They claim it was an effort to keep the technology out of the hands of governments including the Federation. I think otherwise. I think it was to corner the market.

Commander Parker divided the team at my suggestion. I believed that half of the team should go to the command center of the ship in case we needed to hack the controls. I took a team to the power source to try and destroy the ship from there. We were interrupted by the raiders. That along with attacks on the interceptor, we were able to place a significant amount of charges and remotely blow the ship.

Most of the raiders escaped, with little or nothing to show for their effort. I was able to download a copy of the ship’s schematics to try and discover what allowed the power supply to last. I believe that the Corps of Engineers would like a crack at it as well. The tech could help us advance our systems.

On a personal note, Olsen seemed to disagree with many of the decisions I made on the mission. I am not sure if it is a lack of respect is the case or maybe a simple disagreement in methods is the case. Regardless, it was not productive but perhaps necessary. It was a lesson about command that I will have to remember.

End log.

Lt Blue Tiran

Stardate 21509.26

Engineering Officer Log
Lieutenant Blue Tiran
Personal Log
Stardate: 21509.26

I got to hack!

I suppose I should start more from the beginning but the fact that I was allowed to hack into a computer system on another ship was truly the most enjoyable portion of my mission. I so rarely get to use my skills. Most of the time I am checking engines and keeping us going. Checking power and diverting it here and there depending on necessity.

It was a nice diversion.

I was stuck on the Bridge. I wished I had been picked to go on the Borg ship. That .. would be a dream come true. Surrounded by so much technology. I'd have loved to get my hands on all of it. It would be nice to get in there and poke and prod.. bring some back with me.

I'm not above stealing alien sh*t to boost my own tech.

So anyway, I got to hack into the pirate ship. I wasn't able to do everything I wanted. They had someone good on their end stopping me and even getting past my skills to make a play at our own systems. I have never been so embarassed but yet.. I still got a lot of good information though and helped out the Bridge crew.

The pirate vessel was cool but it was not nearly up to Federation par. Their system was just shy of a cake walk so I enjoyed my time getting into their systems and poking around. In the end I was able to stop them from beaming our crew and theirs back onboard their ship and we beamed them to ours instead.

Overall, the mission was a success. We blew the Borg ship to bits. Now there is sh*t to repair down in Engineering so I better get to it.

Blue out.

End Log.

Medical

Mid Jake Taulson

Stardate 21505.12

Personal Log
Stardate 21505.12
Doctor Jake Taulson recording

It has been four days since we left Star Base Delta. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind. Final exams, graduation from the Academy, then learning about my posting to the USS Yeager; the trip from Earth to Star Base Delta and now finally on board the Yeager. I can't say it is what I expected as I really didn't know what to expect. The Yeager is a standard Scout Class vessel, she is a good ship with what I can tell so far is a good crew. Sickbay can be a little crowded and with only 5 decks the ship feels cramped considering their are almost 70 souls aboard.

I'm sharing quarters with another Midshipman doctor. Rokarr is a Caitian and nice enough. We are still getting to know one another. I never had any pets growing up and it seems weird to have a giant talking cat for a roommate. We certainly are an odd couple. I just hope he doesn't sleepwalk and mistake me for catnip one night.

I haven't had a chance to meet many other members of the crew other than the medical staff. Doctor Hamblin is my Chief Medical Officer, like myself he has Israeli ancestry. He seems like an alright doctor and supervisor. I think I rub him the wrong way and I am not sure that he exactly likes me. I've only seem the captain and first officer in passing. They have a good look about them and I believe they will do a good job.

All in all everything has been quiet since we left the base, but that all changed today. I learned that we are heading to investigate an unusual sensor reading from a nebula. According to Doctor Hamblin the signature of the sensor readings could be Borg. Hamblin told Rokarr and myself to prepare for possible medical responses to us engaging some active and alive Borg. No easy task. I am not sure what we can come up with, but I know we will do our best.

I never thought two weeks ago I would in space on a star ship, much less possibly facing the Borg. I wanted action and adventure, I just hope it doesn't get me assimilated.

End log.

Stardate 21507.13

Medical Officer's Log
Stardate 21507.13
Doctor Jake Taulson recording

The last few hours have certainly been interesting. I have come face to face with the Borg. At least a dead one. We have encountered a dialect Borg ship and while an Away Team was sent to investigate it, the corpse of a Borg drone was beamed to Sickbay for investigation. I have been able to determine that the drone is a Romulan male, named Maelrok S'Ten who was reported as killed sometime during the Borg War. Had he actually been killed that would probably have been more merciful than being assimilated.

Hoping to gain some information from the drone's mechanical components I deployed a Subdermal Bioprobe into the body. While I was able to recover some minor information such as the drones designation number and a few basic command codes, the biggest surprise was that the probe began to lose power due to some mechanical components draining energy from it. So while biologically the drone is dead, some of its mechanical parts are still active and I assume trying to repair or reactive itself.

After studying all the available information about assimilated Borg anatomy, I have removed the neural transmitter and have injected the drone with supercharged nanites. I am curious as to what affect this will have on the mechanical components of the Borg. Is it possible for the drone to be resurrected and function just on its mechanical components while its biological functions are terminated? If so I think I would have an undead or zombie drone. That would be something to write up in the Star Fleet Medical Journals.

End log.

Mid Rokarr

Stardate 21506.28

Medical Officer’s Log
Midshipman Rokarr
Personal Log
Stardate 21506.28

So much to say, so little time.

I have had the incredible fortune to be chosen by Commander Parker to join the away team in their visit to the Borg ship…

Well… Fortune might be the wrong word…

...In any case, yes, I, Rokarr, have been chosen to visit the Borg ship. What we will find over there is anyone’s guess, but as far as we can tell so far, there are not signs of life. That being said, there’s no way to really know what’s going on on that ship until we get there. At least my first mission will be interesting.

Thinking about it, it’s pretty likely that someone is, at the very least, going to get injured in some way - with all of the Borg, and this new . Who knows - someone could even be assimilated…

(A moment of silence)

...I hope not…

(Another moment of silence)

Obviously, my job will be support. I’m there to treat in the even that someone in injured… or worse. It will actually be pretty interesting. Who knows what kind of medically - or even randomly scientifically - relevant information I might find on the ship.

(Yet another pause)

You know what, fortune was a perfect word, because it can be both positive and negative.

We’ll just have to see which way our fortune goes.

End Log.

Stardate 21507.21

Medical Officer’s Log
Midshipman Rokarr
Personal Log: Away Team
Star Date 21507.21

This has been a long mission already.

While Cole, Olsen, and the rather large and apropriatly named ‘Big Guy’ examined the engine room ahead of us, I was instructed to examine the Borg laboratory more thoroughly, to try to get more information out of it.

For the most part, the rest of the room had a few objects of interest, most notably the odd... whatever it was... in the tanks. I scanned samples for further analysis when we get back on the Yeager.

I tried to do other scans before approaching and inspecting the corpses in the center of the room. However, really quickly, I realized that I wouldn't be able to avoid it, so I went over to look them over and try to figure out what had happened.

I’ll just come right out and say it: It was horrible.

Had it just been a simple science room, I would have been fine. Had there simply been bodies, I would have been fine. There were corpses, but it was their state when we found them that made them horrible, that combined with the fact that the Borg had apparently done it.

I’m a doctor, I’ve seen death. I’ve worked during battles, and dealt with a number of tortured people. I've even had to examine horrifically distorted bodies. Still, this isn't the kind of thing where you become cold to it. Violent, torturous deaths don't become less horrible. The sickness you feel when you see the desecrated bodies doesn't lessen with time.

I shudder to think or speak the words “What else could go wrong.” But I figure, after seeing those poor souls treated like that.

Science

Lt JG Valeria Xzanarsis

Stardate 21505.14

Science Officer’s Log
Stardate 21505.14
Lieutenant Junior Grade Valeria Xzanarsis recording:

For the last couple of days while on our way to Azure Nebula where our mission awaits us, I’ve made my best to settle in on the life aboard the ship once again and had successfully developed a rather comfortable routine that allows me to work and have fun afterwards.

Our journey to the nebula has been quiet, however I had a lingering suspicion that the quietness would not last and I was proven correct with my suspicions. As soon as we arrived at the nebula and I did the routine passive scan around the area, the sensors immediately identified the signal that they were sent out to investigate to be a Borg distress signal. I immediately felt some sort of tension around the bridge as soon as the information about the identification of the signal got out. But who can blame them? The Borg doesn’t really hold an affectionate page on Federation’s history or any other culture’s history for that matter.

To add to that, we had also detected another vessel around that seems to be headed the Borg ship as we are. Because of our distance and the nebula’s interference we couldn’t exactly identify the other ship, but I’m quite sure that it’s not from Starfleet since it’s ID does not match any Starfleet ship on the database. Besides that there’s a big possibility that the Borg ship might be bigger than the Yeager. I’m not usually one to judge strength by size, however I am hoping that we won’t have to engage any Borg today. Really, the thought of being assimilated does not sit well with my to-do list.

During the last mission I had learnt that I have not been fully prepared to face the new challenges that the kind of life I chose would present, therefore I tried to amend that throughout the whole shore leave and every time I am alone. I had meditated extensively and harder to reorganize my thoughts and to prepare myself to the stress that I might face in the future. I’m finding that choice to be quite rewarding today. Although I am worried with what might happen I know that if needed I can properly function under extreme circumstance without having to deal with the emotional hindrance that usually could affect my line of thinking.

Well…we’ll just have to cross our fingers and see what happens eh?

End Log.

Security

Ens Khrag-Cadet

Stardate 21506.16

Security Officer, Khrag-Cadet, Personal Log Entry 21506.16, 17:00.

Four days gone from Star Base Delta and .‘,.’,.:,.’,, we stop at the Azure Nebula.

It did not take long for us to discover a Borg probe that appeared to have drifted to just outside of the nebula, and identify it as Interceptor 9817. It is a relic of the Borg War of 2403. Rumor has it that that particular vessel was instrumental in the assimilation of over 600 Star Fleet personnel, and the destruction of three Star Fleet vessels, before Star Fleet presumed it destroyed.

(Yes, I have my sources.)

Now, another vessel approaches, possibly a privateer. Captain wants the Borg probe destroyed, as it should have been 12 years past, but it seems that crew of the “privateer” hurries to its rescue.

Now, we will destroy Interceptor 9817.

Funny—in the Human technical sense of the term, if there is such a thing; not actually funny—we leave to board the Interceptor, meanwhile, I hear, Medical invites their dead aboard.

I would almost bet my honor that we are making a mistake.

.‘,.:,.’, .:,.’,.’,.

Stardate 21509.19

Personal Log Entry, Khrag-Cadet, Security Officer, Stardate: 21509.19, 08:00.

Success! We have destroyed Borg Interceptor 9817, but our mission to destroy it was not so easy as it might have seemed. I know I certainly believed I would be cooling myself under the blue reflection of Acamar’s quarter-moon by now.

Also, I believe, we were only partially successful in destroying all Borg technology—and the reason for that was entirely my fault.

I learned afterward that our initial attempts to destroy the probe by means of the Yeager ship’s weapons fire did not succeed. What! In my opinion, it was a feeble attack. It was just like when Mother used to wound for me prey that was greater than I was—she did not kill it outright. Neither did we destroy Interceptor 9817 outright! But we did destroy it, eventually. Actually, it rather seemed that we risked reinforcing the probe’s core defenses with every attack as it transformed at least some of our attack energy into useful energy. The probe’s automated systems were apparently able to revive, at least partially, some of its core shielding because of our attack.

Exactly why we did not simply attack the probe with all of our strength at the outset, I do not know. Nevertheless, the employ of our feeble attack strategy afforded us the opportunity to learn about the probe’s weaknesses and it spared us useful resources that we later required. How did Captain Kailani Leigh predict the correct strategy to employ? I have been meaning to ask Lieutenant Junior Grade Bryan MacDougan about that, as soon as opportunity affords.

Captain Leigh opted to send two teams into the Borg drone. Our mission? Destroy it from inside, out. And that, we did!

However, we encountered resistance from the crew of the Lancaster. I was able to capture one of their crew, a Human Man. He was good and fast, but I caught him! And a good thing it was too. He had shot Lieutenant Junior Grade Valeria Xzanarsis, our key Science Guy—actually a female, I think. If only I had moved quicker, perhaps I could have prevented Valeria’s fall, but I was so focused on capturing conscious the Human Man.

I wish, however, that I had not captured him.

Like the Captain, I too did not attack with all of my power at the outset. I should have stunned him with my phasers and then moved swiftly forward. .;,.:,.‘, .‘,.’,.;,! I let one escape because I trifled with this Human Man! The other one, the one that escaped my grasp, I sensed something of the Borg about it.

I am certain that the escapee has escaped with Borg technology, perhaps even exactly what it was that they wanted!

I suppose I might never know for certain what it was. Believe me—I was tempted to employ my latent powers as Telepath and discover the truth. Thankfully, I never will acquire the sthondat, besides, I am not certain that I could bring myself so low as to do such a thing to myself or another creature, even an enemy.

The worse part about it, however, was not the escape of the one with Borg technology. It was the words of the Human Man that I captured awake. Even afterward, in interrogation, he insisted that the Lancaster and its crew worked only to prevent Borg technology from falling into any “wrong” hands, and he included us in his censure!

How could anyone come to believe that any one of us could be the “wrong” hands? I do not believe that I have served Star Fleet for as long as Curtis Webster, the Human Man—I learned his name to be—but I doubt that he sees things correctly, as I most certainly do.

Imagine that! Star Fleet—the “wrong” hands.

Now, however, with Valeria Xzanarsis recovered but no longer in active duty, because of her injuries, I have begun to assist the Science Department.

And, guess what! It has a certain unholy appeal. I have come to view the scientific instruments of the Yeager-ship itself as an extension of my range of senses. With them, I can satisfy my natural urge to resort to senses and telepathy, without actually resorting to it or to sthondat. Yes, I know, I am disgusting! It feels so unnatural—but I like it. It seems that my mental aberrations, that is, my predisposition toward telepathy, has found a natural outlet in the field of Science.

Now all the department needs is a capable leader.

But I cannot stop thinking about the words of Curtis Webster. Surely, he lies! What ever could he have possibly meant by: “Star Fleet—wrong”?

.‘,.:,.’, .:,.’,.’,.!

Tactical

Ens Taylor Sakkar

Stardate 21509.25

Tactical Officer's Log
Ensign Taylor Sakkar
Personal Log
Star Date 21509.25

Yet another one of the Star Fleet’s ever interesting missions has come to an end. Once again, it was not quite as satisfying in its conclusion as I would have liked, but at least an entire planet wasn’t destroyed and an entire set of species – save the one that was potentially the cause of the entire incident – hasn't been wiped out of the universe.

No, instead of dealing with the balance … we found the Borg.

We had the wonderful privilege of joining the ranks of Star Fleet that have experienced the Borg – not something too many in my generation of Star Fleet can say they have experienced.

Admittedly, it was not an active Borg ship, and I was not one of those lucky souls to get to board her, but the entire crew was most definitely on edge in the proximity of the evil ship. Luckily, it was found to be inert. Unluckily, we suddenly found ourselves dealing with a pirate crew made up of ex-Star Fleet.

After a number of issues, we managed to get our crew off of the ship, and destroy the Borg ship once and for all – it is now an unrecognizable cloud of debris – though we did lose the pirate ship.

Now, though the mission has finished, things have not returned to normal. There is something strange going on, though I have not found myself privy to that information. I’m sure I will learn of it when it becomes relevant. However… it is quite eerie. There’s almost no one here.

Who would have suspected that we would have left one horror movie situation only to end up heading into another.

What will happen, I can’t particularly say.

All I know is that I highly doubt I will have the opportunity to contact my father during my shore leave. I can't decide if I'm disappointed or relieved about that.

End Log.