"Logs of the ISS Kassandra"
Updated: Mar 18
Captain's Log - Stardate 95361
The Captain's Ready Room is dipped in the dim, red light of emergency power. Minabi is visible in the recording, her hair in a bit of disarray, part of her uniform singed a bandage visible on the left arm. She takes a sip from a glass while staring off to the side, before she focuses on the screen, frowning.
"Captain's Log, Stardate 95361. I knew Imperial Command wanted to send me into a trap. I should specify, not all of Imperial Command of course, but certain elements within it. I saw the trap coming miles away but they maneuvered so cleverly I could not get out of it. So I had to spring it. It is perhaps a twist of irony that the only people who died in the trap are humans."
She takes a pause to take another sip from the glass.
"That does not help us, however. The Kassandra is damaged. Our CHief Engineer is dead. The replacement assures me they will have systems back online within the next 5 hours. That's good. Since we are still looking for the root of this trap. We have a mission to fulfill after all. Even after informing Command of the obvious information leak in top circles, they insisted that I either come back with the mission fulfilled or return to an execution. Just as expected and just as planned no doubt. I'll have to think of who to promote to the vacant positions. Ironically right now the one I am most hurting for is the Chief Science Officer. With the signal we received just before the ambush being as yet undecoded, it would be good to have someone who could take charge of this. I don't like flying the Kassandra into the unknown. Not when we've already been waylaid in such a manner.
So, I have performance reviews to do. Mostly to see who is fit to take charge of a department for the time being at least. The joys of command."
The Trill smirks in the recording and shakes her head, downing the glass before putting it on the desk beside her.
"In the meantime, I have made it clear that whoever actually finds any information about the signal will have a good chance of a promotion to begin with. A bit of 'friendly' competition never hurt anyone...right? I expect some results before we are ready to continue on our way. In either case, we are going to investigate the source of the signal once we are ready to leave, because the Empire does not allow for tardiness.
End Log."
Captain's Log - Stardate 95363.8
"It seems I was correct and the recommendations from DePriest were correct as well. The group of young officers she suggested managed to find the last intruder on my ship and take them into custody, with the added bonus of another prisoner to top it off. The true test of their capabilities of course comes now, seeing how they extract information and how much they manage to discern of our enemies intentions and technology. I have to be honest, this technology of theirs, that allows transport through shields is...intriguing to say the least. The uses, if we can replicate it could be enormous to the Empire. Of course, it is too soon to tell if the tech is actually viable, but, I have high hopes.
The prisoners are contained in the Agonizer Booths. I have left the remainder of the task up to the initial group. We will see how well they coordinate. I expect results soon.
In the meantime, I have assigned Lieutenant Commander DePriest to be acting XO. It should serve as yet another encouragement to the young security squad to angle for the now open position of Chief Security. At least, if they are smart about it. End Log.
Captain's Private Log - Stardate 95363.8 - Personal Encryption and to be deleted on irregular access
I have no intentions of handing this tech over to the Empire. It is too valuable and can lead to too many advantages. I would not trust any other Ship Captain or Admiral to not use it solely to their personal gain. Maybe it's hypocrisy for me to angle to keep it for myself, but I'd rather have it be a secret weapon in my hands than anyone else's.
On that note...what am I going to do with Nalah? Nalah of all people!!! It just had to be someone from my past who comes barging into my ship. I have to play this cool. I already gave away that I know her from before to some of the crew, they must not know more than that. I might be able to play this to my advantage as well. Maybe convince her that we can be good for each other. We did have things in common...maybe, just maybe I can play off of those things and she can lead me to the rest of the rebels and to the tech they have.
For now, I'll just have to make sure my crew doesn't get over-zealous and tries to execute her.
Captain's Log - Stardate 95369
"Captain's Log, Stardate 95369. The attack on the ship is now finally all beaten back. For the time being anyway. With the technology at the disposal of these insurgents, it wouldn't surprise me if we came under fire again. The losses reported so far are not negligible, but manageable.
Furthermore, we have taken two prisoners, courtesy of the Stike Team assembled during the boarding of the ship. This has proven most valuable as the prisoners should give us some insights into what is going on here exactly. As such, the Strike Team's mission was to extract more information for the time being. Sadly, the information they managed to accumulate so far is lacking. No matter, we have the prisoners and we have salvaged some of the tech involved. This will be given for further analysis. In the meantime, the top priority is to repair all damaged systems and to replace the lost senior staff.
This is always the time when young people try to shine the most. I should look forward to seeing who among the crew wishes to climb the ranks quickly.
It is also important to note that one of the prisoners is a previous acquaintance of mine. As such, I believe I have some unique leverage with said prisoner. She has agreed, for the time being at least, to help us with the Insurgency Problem in exchange for continued passage and safe haven aboard the Kassandra. Of course, I am under no illusion as to the prisoner's loyalties. However I believe with a little time, I can make this an arrangement she will be unable to turn away from which should bolster the Kassandra's chances to root out this insurgency quickly and painfully. End Log.
Captain's Log - Stadate 95371.3
"Captain's Log. The operation to retrieve the prototype technology from the Rebels was completed with minimal casualties and maximum retribution however the actual tech was lost in the attempt. We have detected several Rebel Scouts on the fringes of the system investigating, no doubt due to the Call for Aid the rebel outpost broadcast while our distraction was ongoing. I suspect once they see the pile of rubble that used to be the planet their base was located on, they will disperse. I do not believe the Rebels are aware of the fact their precious new technology was destroyed, so they might mount a rescue effort and the Kassandra is still undergoing repairs. A Concerted rescue effort might pose a real threat to the ship.
To that end, I have ordered the Kassandra to set course back to the closest Starbase. Our engines are not fully repaired, so we are travelling only at Warp 5, which brings our estimated arrival to 2 weeks from now. I am sure Command will be happy to hear we have neutralized this threat.
Computer, End Log