Invicta Logs
| USS Invicta | ||
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 INACTIVE STATUS | ||
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Shakedown Cruise
Captain's Personal Log, SD 239206.19 Of course I didn't see it coming. Who would have? Who would have ever thought that he would have by the Architecting President? No one, that's who. Which is why, of course, I thought it was okay to let my mind wander in the first place. No one would've seen it coming because it's ludicrous. One's orders come from one's CO -- in my case, Egan Manno -- or, at the very outside, the CO a grade or two above one's. Not from the president. The Starfleet isn't a military organization and she's not Commander-in-Chief of the Federation Starfleet -- but damned if that stopped her here. At first I didn't know what to think. I mean, it was the rhetoric I dreaded, all about bravery on the frontier and pushing the limits of exploration and the steady hands of diplomacy -- sound bites, little nothings that had zero to do with the Va Wreth mission and the capture of Ross, which is what I finally gathered she was talking about. But why me? I hadn't really done anything special, and most of my senior staff hadn't even been allowed in. By the Architect, Rahman wasn't even there, and her teams had been entirely responsible for finding Ross. But then she came to it, finally. Not only was I and my crew all that she'd said, we were the very best of the Starfleet and of its mission here, including the great experiment that was Astrofori One. The Invicta, she said, and I swear she was looking right at me when she said it, is exactly the sort of vessel Starfleet wants to have at this crucial juncture in the Menthar Corridor. And she, damn it all, couldn't think of any captain and crew she would rather have aboard. [On stopping the State of the Federation address] Not that I was ever actually going to do it, of course. The president's promise was one thing, but Egan Manno's assent? Well, that was a done deal. She'd made it quite clear when she appointed me as the Garuda's CO what my options were (namely, take command or -- nope, there is no 'or'), so I didn't have much hope here. Nor did I have a good reason for not wanting to do as the president said, beyond that initial shock -- though once I started to think about it a little more, I realized that all my previous years of CO experience were vastly different from this. I'd operated alone, as the CO of the single Starfleet starship for dozens and dozens of light-years, in uncharted, often hostile space. And now they wanted me to play politician? It seemed bizarre, but -- as I say, I wasn't going to argue. |
First Officer's Log, Stardate 239206.22 With a total complement of four hundred, preparing the Invicta's roster supposedly should be less work than going through the entire crew of a Galaxy class starship. But whereas normally I'd have been given a week to look over the Garuda's, now I have until the end of today. |
Chief Medical Officer's Log, Stardate 239206.28 Another sickbay to adapt to, another office to decorate. For my first act as CMO of the Invicta I should see to the punishment of one of my officers. Hopefully Gabi learned her lesson also I will prove worthy of my new rank. |
Counselor's Log, Stardate 239207.10 I don’t know where to begin. I suppose I can just go through what happened. It is what I tell my patients. To help them get through the process of grieving. I am grieving. I feel I have lost so much. I lost the Community. They returned to their own kind to share what they learned from me about the Federation and Starfleet. What they learned will factor into the decision they will make on whether or not to apply for entrance into the Federation. For me, it is a deeply personal loss. I became… I adapted to having them with me. A constant presence. Complete acceptance and what felt like affection. Now, I am empty and alone. Inside my mind there is no one to speak to me. To comfort me. Share knowledge. Yet, at the same time, I didn’t realize it at the time, but the buffered me from the minds around me. The roar of the crowd. It will take time to adapt. |
Manhunt
First Officer’s Log, Stardate 239211.30 After Captain Kells had to suddenly depart aboard the captain’s yacht to attend an urgent personal matter, I’ve been left to oversee the cleanup on W Cygni 5C. Per the Prime Directive, we cannot leave any trace of our little… holiday for some future natives to one day discover. |
First Officer's Log, Supplemental We've arrived at the coordinates in Sector Zeta-Three-Gamma where the Al-Leyan freighter reported finding the captain's yacht. I've informed the crew about the situation, and though our preliminary scans have confirmed what the Al-Leyans described, I'm still holding out hope that somehow they're wrong. |
Chief Counselor's Log, Stardate 239211.30 The crew is in shock. The rumors and theories and misinformation have carved a wave of sharp painful grief that is battering at me every second. Aron is well like by the crew. They respect him.. He was approachable. They say the five stages of Grief are Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and finally Acceptance. Most are in the first. Others are firmly in the second. Aron is more than our captain. He is a friend. He is… was… family. |
Acting Captain's Log, Stardate 239212.08 Our 16-hour intensive scan of the region for verteron particles has led us to Syrene Station in orbit of Darvo V, a desert planet on the edge of Sector Zeta-Three-Gamma. Whoever attacked the captain's yacht came through here. I've sent three away teams to investigate our current leads: Alpha Team is led by chief science officer Lt. Cmdr. Alora DeVeau and includes engineer Ensign Nikki Ryan, medical officer Dr. Raj Blueheart, and acting chief of security Lt. JG Hanar Tuk. They have beamed to the surface of Darvo V, to an alien marketplace, to follow up on their findings from their investigation of the yacht. They are attempting to locate any traders who are familiar with the unique weapons signature -- something that appears to be employing gunpower of all things! -- and a blade that matches the cuts DeVeau and Ryan discovered in the interior of the yacht. Although our preliminary survey of the planet and marketplace reveal it to be the perfect home for the unscrupulous, I trust the instincts of my officers. Bravo Team is led by historian and archaeological specialist Lt. Cmdr. T'Lea and includes science officer Ensign Shurimal Vex, intelligence officer Cmdr. Tracey Townson, and Counselor Raissa Moonsong. They have beamed over to Syrene Station, attempting to find records among any of the station engineers and staff of our mystery ship with its wormhole technology and any signs of where they were coming from or where they went. Finally, Charlie Team is led by chief engineer Lt. Cmdr. Tristam Core and includes diplomatic attache Ensign Ceilidh Riverview, chief medical officer Dr. Saveron, and our guest from the Inspector General's Office, Lt. Cmdr. Vyrenna. They have also beamed down to the planet's surface, but to a different location from Alpha Team. They are investigating an unusual energy reading we picked up once we entered orbit of the planet. It appears to originate within an elaborate cave system on the northern continent and doesn't match the rest of the technology on the planet. We've seen these readings before: on 83 Leonis II. Dr. Saveron's previous experience on that ill-fated mission will be invaluable in determining what the connection is, if any, but as I've told my cadets in the academy, I don't believe in coincidences. Remaining aboard the ship with me for now are fleet liaison Captain Nia Calderan and Ambassador Della Vetri. As the two captain-ranked officers aboard Invicta, there is an urgent matter I must discuss with them. |
Chief Counselor's Personal Log, Stardate 239212.10 It was bad enough to learn he was gone. It was harder to make it real with a funeral. Despite Saveron identifying the body, it’s still hard to believe. I guess I’m still in denial. But there is still some unfinished business. Those responsible for Aron’s… his dea… I’m not ready to say it. I want answers. We all need answers. It won’t bring him back, but I pray his spirit will rest when we bring those who did this to justice. Though I would be happy with giving them a taste of vengeance instead. |
Acting Captain's Log, Stardate 239212.28 With all away teams now back aboard--along with a few new guests--we've begun to sift through the evidence and data they collected. There are a few obvious connections, most notably, Nairi Demirjian and Syrene Station's records of the unknown ship that attacked the yacht. The gunpowder and the ambush of the shopkeeper on Darvo V encountered by Alpha Team and the Starfleet equipment found in the caves by Charlie Team have only added further to our mystery. |
Acting Captain's Log, Stardate 239301.05 After a harrowing voyage through a particularly dense asteroid field, we've arrived at Van Gelder Medical Research Station. Judging by the reaction of the station's crew, they don't get many visitors. |
First Officer's Log, Stardate 239301.17 I can only hope my record of this crew's performance does justice to the skill and level of professionalism with which they have handled such recent distressing events. Both teams to the medical research station have since returned, unharmed, and the rest of Commodore Chase's staff is under arrest, along with the commodore himself. I suspect Lt. Commander Vyrenna will be quite busy over the next few days. Meanwhile, a clean up team has been sent to secure the station and find out the full extent of Chase's illegal experiments. There still remain questions, but for now, I've ordered the department heads to take it easy on their staves. These men and women have been through a lot of turmoil, some physically like Counselor Moonsong and Ensign Ryan, and nearly all emotionally. |
Mayday
Counselor's Log, Stardate 239302.16 I think it is safe to say that the Trill Festival of Life celebration on the Invicta was a success in more ways than one. If we had not recovered the Captain, it could have been more of a wake. I believe it is safe to say that much of what was being celebrated was his safe return and a successful mission. Despite this, I am recommending that Captain Kells take some time off to recover from his experience. I also recommend that he do it away from the Invicta. I am fully confident that a short leave of absence will give him the time to regain himself. |
Acting Captain's Log, Stardate 239302.20 Engineering's managed to push us up to warp 9.7 for the next twenty-five hours, though I don't envy the repair crews that will have to clean up the mess down there when this is all over. The Tiger should have reached the Lindbergh by now, though they may have elected to drop out of slipstream early to reach her on impulse and under stealth. Whoever's hijacked the Lindbergh still hasn't made any demands or even a claim of responsibility. I'm hoping one of my teams has found something--anything--that we can use. |
Acting Captain's Log, Stardate 239303.14 By now, I must assume the Tiger has begun their infiltration of the Lindbergh. Meanwhile, Secretary Ventu has begun implementing Lt. Commander Vyrenna's plan to tell Cariño what she wants to hear. Whether it buys us any time, especially after we've apparently had an open comline for them to spy through, I don't know, but I'll take anything we can get. For the rest of us on Invicta, it's time to deal with these unknown ships, lurking like serpents in the shadows. |
Acting Captain's Log, Stardate 239303.22 We're still picking up the pieces in the wake of the crisis aboard the Lindbergh. Excellency Kthria was recovered without incident, and fortunately, she only had minor injuries from her ordeal with her captors. All told, casualties were light aboard the starliner, mostly among the ship's security staff and command crew. The investigation into just how the hijackers managed to get past security is still ongoing. The crew are now on shore leave, and we're making our way to Deep Space 10, along with the Garuda, to drop off the Lindbergh survivors along with Secretary Ventu. |
The Unturned Stone
Captain's Log, Stardate 239304.13 Initial away team reports show that not much has changed at the site of the Gateway, which itself remains inaccessible and presumed destroyed following a cave in. The archaeology team however alerted us to a new site on the other side of the planet they had yet to investigate, and so we're now in orbit above what we've labeled as Site B. The site is located below nearly 85,000 tons of magnesite that has rendered transporter use impossible, so a team led by Commander Saveron and consisting of Lieutenant Tuk, and Lt. Commanders T'Lea, Jolara, and Walker was sent down via shuttlecraft. They have discovered an elaborate set of ruins of nearly 30 square kilometers beneath the rock and are documenting what they can. Meanwhile, another team led by Lt. Commander Venroe and consisting of Lt. Commander DeVeau, Commander Dickens, and Dr. Blueheart took another shuttle to investigate the north end of the ruins. There, they have discovered a large artifact with inscriptions still intact. Lt. Commander DeVeau has requested it be brought back aboard for further study and the shuttle should be returning shortly. |
Captain's Log, Stardate 239305.10 With the Repository returned to the surface and out of range, the crew's memories and control of their bodies quickly returned, but I've ordered light-duty for all crew members as they reacclimatize themselves. There were a few injuries but no casualties during the apparent holy war we had found ourselves drawn into. While the scientists and archaeologists aboard are eager to return, I've ordered the site where the yacht landed on the surface off-limits for now. Based on both Commander Core and Saveron's experiences, it seems certain species or individuals with highly-disciplined mental control could study the artifact without succumbing to its effects. Proposals to create artificial hosts or enlist the aid of the Trill or other species with symbiotic relationships are certainly intriguing, but I await Commander Saveron's analysis before allowing any one from Invicta to go back down. We cannot afford another repeat of what happened. |
Atonement
Captain's Log, Stardate 239306.08 With Lohti now returned to the surface of Nygel II with her own holodeck, we've left the system to head onwards to the Darlenix cluster. It's still too early to say what the Federation Science Council ultimately will decide to do with the Repository--or Lohti herself for that matter--but they've at least assigned a research team to learn more from her. Perhaps Invicta will be permitted to revisit later on to check on their progress. Meanwhile, with the light duty restrictions during shore leave, repair times were nearly doubled, but engineering reports that all systems should be repaired by next week. I've called for the senior staff to assemble in the forward lounge for some long-overdue acknowledgements. I've asked for Commander Rahman of the Syracuse to assist me. |
Chief Counselor’s Log, Stardate 239306.09 After the incident with the Nygellian Repository, I wish to express my pride and appreciation of the Counseling Staff on the Invicta. Lieutenants Bryha Yva and Aramantha Payne and Mr. Scott Walker. There was a lot of trauma suffered by the crew from not only the general memory loss but the possession by the Nygellian Katras. It has also been expressed to me by more than one individual that there is something of a disconnect between members of the crew, most notably among the senior staff. Merging crews are not an easy matter and without unity, the ship’s ability to function could be compromised at a critical juncture. I am still observing to see where the disconnect is and how it can be alleviated. |
Captain's Log, Stardate 239306.17 We've arrived at Adova and were greeted by Arc Nen Mur Diiv, the leader of the Adovan people. The senior staff had been briefed by Crewman Gupta regarding what little we know of Adovan history and culture, but the situation on Adova has turned out to be a bit more complicated than the initial reports suggested and the request for help a bit more extensive. As such, I've assigned three away teams to help on a particular aspect of the problem. The away teams are as follows: Team One is led by Invicta Expedition Commander Fleet Captain Aron Kells. He has selected
They have beamed to the Adovan capital to meet directly with Arc Nen Mur Diiv and her chief of staff Ila Ker Raav. Their mission is to meet with the Adovan leadership and learn more about the history of these weapons, the conflict that surrounded their creation, and the conditions of the planet and populace today. Team Two is led by first officer Lt. Cmdr. Tristam Core. It consists of
They have beamed down to one of Adova's biomedical research centers to meet with the Adovan's chief scientist Gof Mirin and her colleague Kisax. Commander Core's team will work with the Adovan scientists on tackling several biomedical issues that have plagued the population since the introduction of these weapons three centuries ago. Team Three is led by operations officer Lt. Cmdr. Pandora. It consists of
They are meeting with Dergon Zerx, advisor to Arc Nen Mur Diiv, along with Nirxa Dinn, an Adovan scientist, at the decommissioned weapons command center to find the best way to dispose of the weapons safely. One of the most daunting challenges is finding a way to disable the heavily armed and shielded aerial and orbital drone units that were used to disperse the weapon. Though the drones lay dormant now, the Adovans have not found a way to approach the drone units to disable them without reactivating them. It seems they were deliberately designed to resist any attempts at shutting them down completely once they were activated as a fail-safe countermeasure. All three away teams have now beamed to the surface. Though this mission presents many challenges for the crew, I'm confident they are up for the task. |
Captain's Log, Stardate 239307.30 With the reactivated drones from the surface destroyed, the immediate threat to the Adovans has been neutralized. The orbital drones that had been previously erased from Adovan records have also been deactivated thanks to the work of Lt. Commanders Pandora and Walker, and our engineers have since been able to successfully apply the same technique to disable the remaining stored drones. They've all now been destroyed except for one. Though the actual bioweapon itself has been removed, the shell of the drone has been preserved at the request of the Arc and is to be placed in a museum so that this dark page of their history is never forgotten. The members of the away team affected by the virus as well as their Adovan guides are recovering with an experimental treament devised by Doctors Blueheart and Rosalee. Whether this treatment can help the Adovans who have suffered the chronic consequences of these dreadful weapons remains to be seen, but early results show promise. We've apprehended a number of Vassily's associates who were involved with helping Biren's small faction attempt their coup, but Vassily himself is still out there. Upon further scans of the debris, we detected residual tachyon particles--evidence that he escaped in the explosion with his cloaking device. I doubt that's the last Starfleet will be seeing of him. Though peace has returned to Adova, it has not come without a cost as number of Adovans lost their lives in a settlement near the Arc's personal residence, the final victims of senseless hate thought vanquished years ago. Senseless even more so because we have discovered that there was never a distinct "deviant" gene that gave some Adovans telepathic abilities over others. All Adovans harbor the ability, and though some of their scientists and physicians had long suspected, it was not until one of the "awakened" had assumed the place of Arc that the truth came out. I'm not sure if I agree with how the Arc chose to enlighten her people--forcibly awakening the ability of others--but perhaps now with the truth laid bare, they can as a people begin their next chapter of reconciliation and atonement. |
Museum Ship
Captain's Log, Stardate 239308.07 As I had discussed with Commander Dickens and the being known as Kelrod who inhabits his body, I have insisted that Kelrod no longer remain a secret among his shipmates. Starfleet Command and Starfleet Intelligence have agreed with my stipulations for Kelrod and Commander Dickens to remain serving aboard the Invicta, and with the mission on Adova now concluded, holding a briefing with the crew to reveal Kelrod's presence is my first priority as we continue our journey back to Astrofori One. |
To Boldly Go...
Captain’s Log, Stardate 239309.17 With the celebrations now over, the Invicta and the other ships in the parade are returning to their respective areas of operation. The skeleton crew of the Venture and I are heading back towards Federation space to rendezvous with the USS Artemis, which will transport the Venture back to the Sol system. Currently, the twenty officers of the “Venture crew” have been assigned to the following duty posts and stations: Bridge:
Main Engineering:
Sickbay:
As I reflect on the past few days, I still have questions left unanswered about what Chatok had said about this ship’s place in history. All evidence points to him being mistaken. The Venture, under the command of Commodore De Luca--who has no relation to me nor my parents’ families on Earth--was operating on the other side of the quadrant at the time of this supposed incident. And as Chatok noted, there are no other records to back up what he claims. Kinan and the other Federation officials have advised to just nod politely and treat it all as an imaginative Klingon poet who enjoyed the chance to tell a tall tale in front of such a high-profile audience. Still, he met with me later that night, and what I felt from him was genuine and not just a legend or story he’d heard. He truly believed that this ship and my ancestor played such a fundamental role in history. Well, I suppose it’s at least something to ponder and perhaps some part of me wants to believe as well. |
