They Know it was Us

Stardate: 47022.1

The test of the warp fatigue compensator did not go according to plan– not at all. The first test–the short burst worked perfectly. Then when we engaged the compensator for a longer test, an explosion occurred. The explosion was a result of sabotage not any flaw in the engines or compensator. Unbeknownst to anyone, one of the Utopia Planetia engineers was a Romulon surgically altered to look like a human. One of the engineers that was assigned by Admiral Hawthorne to my ship was a Romulon spy. He was a spy that Admiral Hawthorne, unknowingly, ordered to work on my ship. He was picked by the Admiral as a good officer to work on the Avenger.

Several crewmen were hurt in the explosion, one critically so. The explosion also caused a radiation leak, Commander T’Laan, who was overseeing the test, ordered the evacuation of Engineering. However, Commander Alder stayed and stopped the leak at a cost of doing irreparable harm to his liver–which the Doctor deftly replaced with a replicated one later. I’m not sure if Alder should get a medal for bravery or a demotion for stupidity.

At the same time, a carefully placed sabotage device in the computer core locked out helm control. We were careening toward Cardassian space at warp 9.8. Lt. Yol worked tirelessly for more than 8 hours to restore control. Lt. Jiang removed the device in the computer core with his phaser, a bold move indeed. And with that, the ship was back under our control.

The crew quickly discovered it was sabotage. So, we set out to find the saboteur. We narrowed it done to the three visiting engineers that Admiral Hawthorne has assigned to help with the compensator test. The computer log in the core showed that Lt. Lonaris, the Vulcan, visited there twice that day. Dr. Drex did scan her and determined she was a Vulcan; however, Commander T’Laan offered to mind meld with the younger Vulcan. I agreed. I deeply regret that decision, it was an incredible intrusion, no, violation of Lonaris. I accept full responsibility for this and I accept whatever consequences come of it. I feel so ashamed of my hasty decision, I should have trusted my instinct. I never thought I was use a tactic like that, a tactic worthy of a Cardassian. And it was all unneeded, she had no involvement in the sabotage. Counselor Kubus is working with her.

Next we interviewed Lt. Toth, a Benzite. He was a bit emotionally fragile and my security chief came on a little strong. The result was an inconsolable officer. He couldn’t answer any questions. Later during a search of his quarters, Lt. Jiang found a device that was Romulon. We pressed him hard on this and he again collapsed into sobbing. We were left with only one Hawthorne picked engineer to investigate, Ensign Patton. Before we could do so fully, he escaped from Sick Bay, created a false lead cargo bay 4 and made his way to engineering. In a move of brilliance, Lt. Yol anticipated that the Tal Shiar agent would want to finish his sabotage. The young Lt. got the drop on him and stunned him. However, while in the brig the Romulon poisoned himself, probably with a Felodesine Chip. Dr. Drex, against all odds, stabilized him. He is now in a medically induced coma. Time will tell if he’ll regain consciousness and if he does, will his brain functions be undamaged enough to answer our questions.

But all of this leads me to the conclusion that the Romulons know we stole their technology and that we are testing it. Whether they know it was Alder and I who accomplished the theft, I don’t know, but we are going to have to be keep a more vigilant lookout for the Romulons.

Metaphysical Musings

Personal Log Stardate: 47019.9

On a personal note, I’ve had a chance to get to know our counselor, Lt. Kubus, and I think she is a great addition to the crew; furthermore, she has already helped me personally. We’ve swapped Cardassian horror stories and she wins—hands down. But she has taken that suffering and instead of letting it fester into something ugly she has used it to develop compassion and empathy. We’ve set up a small Bajoran shrine in one of the empty conference rooms. I don’t think anyone would begrudge us Bajorans a little space to ourselves.

Having served among humans all of my career, I found them to be accepting of other’s views, but a little sterile in their religious beliefs. It’s been my observation that most humans shy away from the spiritual–it’s almost as if they feel that if they believed in a religious idea, it would weaken their all consuming worship of science. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in science and the wonders it can work, but there is something more to the universe. At times, I can really feel the Prophets’ hands guiding me, though I freely admit I haven’t always felt this way. In my youth, I didn’t believe in the Prophets at all. I really couldn’t conceive of gods who would allow the Cardassians to commit such atrocities against their chosen people. I still can’t explain it all, but I know that the Prophets are looking out for us and their goal is to help all Bajorans in this life and the next.

I’ve a few things in my spiritual journey that I would like to do that I think would make a significant impact on me. One is to have an Orb experience. I have known only a few people who have had one, but everyone of them has come away changed. I wonder if Lt. Kubus has had one. I’ll bring it up at our next session. Second, I want to meet the Emissary of the Prophets. It is strange that the Prophets would pick a non-Bajoran to be their liaison–but who I am to questions their choice. The tricky thing is that he is a Starfleet officer–Commander Benjamin Sisko, I hear he hasn’t really taken to his new title. All the same, I hope one of our missions takes us near DS9. It would be amazing.

Testing the Engines

Captain’s Log Stardate: 47020.3

We’ve been at warp 7 for a week heading to Starbase 214 and things are humming along. Our course will take us within a stone’s throw of Betazed, and near the Argolis and Tenderas clusters. The Avenger has performed exceedingly well, all systems are up and running. We are about to test the warp fatigue compensator and Commander Alder is very hopeful about it. This will be quite the achievement for him if it works as well as he says. And I am pleased at the small part I’ve played in all this. I feel honored just to command the vessel that is testing this.

My concerns about our first officer have abated some. She is highly efficient and productive. She is a typical Vulcan, coldly professional and standoffish. The crew is mostly responding to her well, though those unaccustomed to Vulcans are a little scared of her. Maybe that’s for the best. If she is the heavy, then I can be a little more casual with the crew.

My command crew is working out well. Dr. Drex is competent but his bedside manner is typically Klingon. It’s great to hang out with Darren, he hasn’t changed at all. But he is mostly all work, and little play. He doesn’t have much free time with the engine test coming up. Lt. Yol is still a bit of mystery, he hasn’t shared much about himself. Lt. Jiang is a solid officer, eager to prove himself, but I can tell he is itching for assignments that are a bit more challenging. Duty roosters and weapons drill are necessary, but they don’t exactly get the adrenaline pumping. Although I am well aware of being careful about what you wish for, still I wouldn’t mind an adventure just to test out the crew. I’m sure that we won’t have to wait long for one.

The Tether is Long

Captain’s Log Stardate: 47013.4

The Admiral is keeping us on a short leash. His latest subspace message is just more of the same–try out the ship’s systems and let him know how the ship performances. I hardly need to be told this–again. He is ordering us to test the new warp drive last; he wants “to be sure the ship functions before [I] break it.” It’s always great to have the confidence of one’s superior officer (I use the word superior only to mean an officer who out ranks me).

We are en-route to Starbase 214 and our standing orders are the most basic and banal directives: protect the Federation, test the Avenger’s systems, and prevent our technology from failing into enemy’s hands. Well, duh.

So far, ship and crew have performed admirably. I haven’t had much of a chance to talk with the crew informally. I still want to talk to our Klingon doctor, Lt. Commander Drex, about his experiences on Bajor. I wonder when he was there. We might even been on planet at the same time.

Our new Conn officer, Lt. Yol, has performed very well, but I don’t have a good sense of what kind of officer he is. I’m sure he’ll fit in once we get a few light years under our belts.

I was wrong about my security officer, he’s not skilled in mining, but in farming. I’m not certain where he grew up, but I’d like to find out. He was one of the few survivors of Wolf 359–that’s a memory that will stay with you. I have read that he performed well at that battle. I wonder what other races he’s encountered in battle–Klingons? Romulons? Cardassians?

It’s good to serve again with Darren Alder-my chief engineer. He has done amazing work with the warp drive. I’m considering him as my second officer, but I am have a few reservations. He is an excellent engineer, but lacks a bit in the leadership area. I’m giving thought to the security officer, Lt. Xiang, as a possible candidate, but I’m going to need to get to know him better first.

And lastly, my XO. She is a Vulcan through and through. Enough said.

Premature Launching

Stardate 47012.1

Well, shit. I have to take back a bit from my last log. I was wistfully imagining leaving space dock, but it actually hasn’t happened yet. We are waiting for a few last minute crew members to arrive–most noticeably by ship’s counselor. It would be in poor taste to leave with her, after all the work Admiral Verata went through to assign her to Avenger.

I am chomping at the bit to get underway and try out this ship and crew. I am sure we will make Starfleet history.

Settling In

Personal Log Stardate 47011.5

The moment of leaving the space dock is indescribable. The thrill of having my first command under me, the beauty of seeing the stars slide by, the warmth of friendship…I’m not poet. It is a great feeling to be out from under the heavy thumb of Admiral Hawthorne.

I can’t believe what Hawthorne made us go through. We had two hours of basic skill training, then when I protested he pulled out the old Kobayashi Maru. And of course, when we failed at rescuing the ship, he berates us as unprepared. And he bemoans that we will damage his precious ship. First of all, not his ship, it is mine. Second of all, this ship is built tough, and if it can’t take a pounding then there are serious design flaws.

Worst of all, I have found out who my XO is. A Vulcan named T’laan. Hawthorne said, word for word, she’ll be his eyes and ears on the Avenger. Nothing like having your boss have a direct line to everything that happens on your ship. But I am confident in my abilities and my crew’s. This is going to be one for the history books.

Many Loose Ends

Captain’s Log Stardate 47010.1

Now that it has come down to it, there are so many details to take care of. Having my personal effects transferred to the ship; sorting through last minute correspondence; reading status reports on weapons systems, power systems, sensors, replicators, deflectors, structural power systems, and even turbo lifts. To saying nothing of the 50 or so personal files sent to me today. I was hoping that the Admiral would relent and allow me aboard the Avenger before tomorrow, but he apparently wants to drown me in paperwork instead.

The Admiral still hasn’t met with me. By now, even I, slow as I am, know it’s deliberate. Maybe he’s making a last ditch appeal to Starfleet to have me replaced. I don’t think it’s going to work, but who knows how many favors he has garnered that he can cash in. I am really wondering what he has against me. Is it my Bajoran heritage? My mistake with Captain Verata? Something else in my record? His dislike for non-humans? I have no idea.

It was the best of times. I was the worst of times.

–Charles Dickens

Victorian England

This quote sums up my feelings. The excitement of my first command and the awfulness of waiting on the Admiral’s call. And the slight possibility that the Admiral will succeed and convince Starfleet that I’m not the right person for the job.

Counting Down the Days

Captain’s Log Stardate: 47008.6

Two days until I officially take command of the U.S.S. Avenger NCC 53505. There needs to be a word that describes that feeling of both anxiety and eagerness. I can’t wait to start, but at the same time I’m apprehensive. But I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it.

I’ve heard that I’ve got a chief of security assigned, but I don’t know more than that. That just leaves my helm officer. I need a good pilot with a little daring. I still know nothing about my XO and that is starting to worry me. I’m bit concerned that Admiral Hawthorne has someone special, hand-picked just for me. Which means, I’ll hate him or her.

Supplemental: I’ve just received a dossier on my new security chief. His name is Jiang Zheren and the young lieutenant’s service record is fairly impressive. He has experience in mining–I wonder if he grew up on a mining colony. He has advance credentials in phasers, tactical systems and martial arts. Sounds like a man of action–I like him already.

Unsettling News from Bajor

Personal Log Stardate: 47007.7

I’ve just got a subspace message from my brother Rerku. He is a Vedek at the Mercou Monastery and He wrote to me that Vedek Winn is gaining more support in the Vedek Assembly. That’s not good news. She is, for all reports, a power hungry Vedek who manipulates those who follow the more orthodox path to the Prophets. The last Kai, Opaka, was lost on Stardate 46729.1 under rather mysterious circumstance, and this has spawned rumors about her disappearance which are numerous and strange. The official statement is that she is on a planet in the Delta quadrant ministering to some aliens who are in some sort of desperate situation. Though one rumors hints the Emissary (Starfleet Commander Benjamin Sisko) murdered her. I’ve never met Commander Sisko, but most Starfleet officers don’t murder high-ranking religious figures. Her absence has created a fierce competition among the Vedek assembly to determine who is worthy to be the next Kai. May the Prophets guide us all to the right choice for Bajor.

What’s bad about Vedek Winn’s rise in popularity is that she is staunchly anti-Federation and especially anti-Starfleet. I’m for 100% Bajoran independence but right now we need the Federation’s help. Without them, the Cardassians would swoop in and attack Bajor again–and no one wants that.

Even more shocking was an assassination attempt on the leading candidate for Kai, Vedek Bareil. On Stardate 46952, an extreme orthodox believer, Neela, tried to kill him while he was visiting the Emissary on Deep Space 9. The generally held belief that she was working for some sort of extremist group, but she insists she was working alone. Coincidentally, Kai Winn was also visiting DS9 during the assassination attempt.

The Bajoran Temple at Whipton

As usual, I feel a bit helpless being 50 light years away from home, but even if I was there, I’m not sure what I could do. I will be getting regular updates from my family on Bajor.