U.S.S. Repulse Ship's Log U.S.S. Repulse Ship's Log
Contains the current log entry of the Captain's Log aboard the Repulse.
Stardate: 35732.0
Captain's log, recording. This shipday has seen the finish of the third sweep of our assigned patrol area; as instructed, I have opened the second set of our mission orders. I am frankly at a loss to explain their contents; they order me to violate so many Starfleet regs that I am unable to even begin to list the charges that could be brought.
(SILENCE IN RECORD - 9.65sec/terran)
In any case, ours not to reason why. In consequence, I have instructed the Ranger and Surak to form up, and we are proceeding across the Neutral Zone at best speed, currently Warp Factor 9.6. Ranger has indicated that she may be forced to drop velocity within ten hours due to engineering constraints; if this should occur, we will remain together.
I am disquieted by the fact that despite our being now more than two hours into the Neutral Zone, we have yet to see any indication of any other shipping. Several small contacts have been identified as Romulan sensor and weapons buoys, now inactive. Although my orders did not permit the leeway, I should have dearly liked to dispatch a probe to determine their current condition. I've been through this area on our side of the line before- and every time we've come through, it's lit up over here like some kind of beacon contest. Every available weapons and tracking sensor is used to both track our position and (presumably) create enough noise to mask the emissions of more secret, sensitive systems. Now, however, it's just- dead quiet. Unnerving.
(LOG PAUSE - 7.69min/terran)
Continue log. We have just passed a derelict Romulan patrol vessel, drifting with not power or lifesigns detectable in the short sensor window our course and speed permitted. It is a F'nau'vierren class patrol scout; crew of ten to fourteen. There is no visible trauma to the outer hull, although the vessel is tumbling rapidly in an apparently random axis. As ordered, no hails were made; however, scans for lifesigns are negative. Curious. I-
(LOG PAUSE - SHIPSTAT/chg/ALERTCON/REDONEREDONEREDONE - LOG
OFF)
(TimeStamp 35732.045; CO Zimmerman rec. enditenditendit)
Stardate: 35648.3
Captain's log, recording. We have completed our final warpdrive, weapons and sensor tests, and the crew is prepping the ship for departure from the Sol system area. I have opened our sealed orders, and view our coming mission with both enthusiasm and trepidation. We have been ordered to proceed at best possible speed to Galactic Coordinates (CLASSIFIED) in order to rendezvous with the Surak and the Ranger. At that point, Repulse will assume the position of ComShip, Task Force REPULSE-04. Our orders are to utilize the task force for patrol coverage, and sweep the area from (CLASSIFIED) to (CLASSIFIED). After our third patrol run, I am to open the second sealed section of our orders and proceed as instructed.
Although I am enthusiastic about commiting my crew and ship to the leadershio of the task force, I remain cautious about the circumstances. Sealed orders I can understand, but two sets of them in which the first part obviously places our vessels in harm's way without the knowledge of the situation contained in the second is new to my experience. I must say I'm not very happy with it. However, we will do our jobs to the best of our abilities, and prepare relentlessly in the expectation that whatever situations do arise will be within our capabilities to handle.
Technical Note: Commander Baker reports as slight fluctuation in the primary Warp core output levels. He assures me that it is within design tolerances; however, I have instructed him to keep the core under close observation. Our patrol sweep will take us past Starbase 478; if necessary, I will request a warp core replacement be made ready there as a precaution.
Close log.
Stardate: 35545.5
Captain's log, recording. The Repulse has completed Acceptance Trials in the Sol System Confined Starship Test Range. We are presently enroute out of Sol System to conduct final tests of the warpdrive, weapons and sensor systems in free interstellar space, following which we will decrypt our mission orders and depart as indicated therein.
A somber note: our recently arrived Comm officer, Lt. Commander Gabe Wiener, is deceased. [NOTE: THIS IS NOT FICTION.] Gabe, a friend of mine since early high school, was found dead in his apartment in April, of natural causes. As he was aged 26, this is an untimely tragedy. His presence in the world will be sorely missed, especially by his family and friends, as well as by the professional audio industry. This latter he helped reinvent in his few short years here, and the turnout at his memorial service, as well as the response on Usenet, indicate that those who knew him from this field will miss him sorely.
Gabe, the rabbi read aloud from your homepage at the service (said it was the first time he'd done that) and God, man, we miss you. Requesciat i pacem, and I'll see you when I see you.
Close log.
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