And So Ends Another Day.....

Hello Troops,

It's 11:24 P.M. on the second night of our fifth EdVenture Camp. Its all quiet on the Voyager. Once again, just the sound of the air conditioner. I think the crew must be downstairs with Jon and Zac listening to camp stories.

I've got five of the younger campers in the Odyssey to my left and staff in the Phoenix behind me. They tolerate the light from my lamp. The younglings in the Odyssey are talking, or I should say - one of them seems to be doing all the talking and the others insert a word here and there when he stops to breath. I'm hoping I'll be spare the constant interruption suffered last night. I've structured the camp in such a way the campers should be completely exhausted by now and should sleep soundly so we can all do the same. The kids were kept busy from 7:15 A.M. until 11:10 P.M. with missions, classes, eating, playing, swimming and a video.

I'm trusting the Sandman will not pass Central School as he does his rounds through Pleasant Grove tonight.

Nothing eventful to report, except to say my stock of Trafalgar Ludicrous Passes crew today after negotiating a trade of passes for missions with the management of Trafalgar and 7 Peaks. I picked up the passes this afternoon at 7 Peaks Resort. Volunteers and staff can redeem points from their volunteer cards for these passes. If interested, let me know.

It was cold at the pool this evening. The temperatures dipped into the low 70's accompanied by a moderate wind. We had the pool until 9:15 P.M. but most of the campers were out of the water by 9:00 P.M. I told the manager on duty to blow the whistle. We exited almost ten minutes early. It was all good, that gave us more time for bed.

One of the boys is telling a joke.

"Do you guys what to hear a joke?" he said. "Woman's Rights!"

There was polite laughter. I wonder where that boy got that joke? OK they're off on a joke telling bonanza.

I'm going to bed. The Sandman is here.

Its Pleasant Dreams in Pleasant Grove,

Mr. W.

Yet Another Late Night Post.......

Hello Troops,

Another late night post. It seems like these 11:32 P.M. posts are the best I can do this summer.

I just returned from the school's roof. After spending four camps freezing to death on the floor in front of my desk (the room's air conditioner is set to 68 degrees to ensure the Phoenix and Odyssey are properly cooled) I decided to climb the ladder in the custodian's closet to access the roof and manually switch off the air conditioner. You're wondering why I don't use the thermostat? The thermostat was disconnected when the air conditioner was put on the net and controlled from the District Maintenance Office.

Last week's camp made all the difference. I got five hour sleep and the room stayed at 70 degrees the whole night. What really made the difference was the lack of moving air. A wind always makes things colder and that rooftop unit was built to move air!

There are so many boys on this camp I'm forced to sleep five in the Odyssey. They are all going into the 5th grade this year and get along well. It's a good thing to make new friends at camp. The only drawback to making new friends is all the extra talking late at night that a new friendship produces. After all, these boys have ten years of stories to tell each other as they find their place in their new Space Center Tribe. I can hear at least three of them right now through the closed door. I'll tell them to whisper when I go to bed.

The staff are a bit spread out as well. Three of them are sleeping in the Phoenix near me and the others are in Discovery.

This is our fifth EdVenture Camp. We've two more to go and one Leadership Camp and the season will draw to a close. Over all its been a good summer and I continue to hope for the blessing of routine and uneventfulness (if there is such a word). That is a camp director's dream - a camp with .....

I was just interrupted by one of the Odyssey boys needing to use the restroom. You give them all a chance to use the restroom before going to bed and discover later that some didn't take the opportunity when offered and instead choose to go one hour later. My experience tells me that some of the younger boys are a bit embarrassed to go to the bathroom when the bathroom is crowded with other boys. They wait until the room is empty and then ask. All is OK.

He just returned. "I got lost coming back," he said.

"I'm glad you found the way. If you were any later I'd have to send out the Mounties," I replied. He didn't get it. Again, All is OK.

Funny, One boy is talking about a dream he had about the Space Center. "Last night I had a dream that they put me in the wrong age group for the simulations." He didn't get a response. I think the other boys are fast asleep because he's not finishing the story.

Everyone is settled for the night. It's 11:50 P.M. and my eyes are trying to convince me to let them sleep.

Goodnight Troops. Remember us as you lay in your nice comfy beds, enjoying the peace of quiet of your home tucked away in some quiet neighborhood. Wouldn't you rather be here, surrounded by 44 kids and a staff of 25?

I've got 57 people I'm responsible for right now. No wonder I can't sleep some nights. I lay on my pad and listen for the slightest sound of someone attempting an escape from the simulator. I'm paranoid. It comes with the job, believe me.

Simply,

Mr. Williamson

P.S. Update

It is 9:54 A.M. It was a restless sleep last night. The young man that asked to use the restroom wasn't finished with me. He woke me up three more times to use the restroom after I'd gone to bed. Later he woke me up again asking for the Happy Bucket (used for vomit). Later still he woke me up again asking to go to the gym to get his book. He was having a hard time falling asleep. The first thing he said when he met me in the gym before the breakfast call was, "I didn't get any sleep at all last night. I was too excited!"

"You and me both," I replied.

So, I'm working on a few hours of sleep today so...... I guess that's it. It's all in a Day's Work at the Space Center.

The Enemy From the Dark. Ch. 13

Hello Troops,
OK, I had a little time today and decided to write another chapter in my new story "The Enemy From the Dark". The last chapter was written months ago. I didn't really like where the story was going and decided to stop until I had it logically thought out. You all know how much I despise plot holes. Well, the rest of the story is now storyboarded and an ending is in sight. That means writing can resume.

Please overlook writing errors. This is being written directly as it pours out the brain with no time for revisions and corrections. I might not continue if I felt I had to get this perfect before posting. My main goal is just to get the basic story written. It can be polished later.

Also, If you haven't read the first 12 chapters, or need to reread Ch. 12 so you can remember what's happening in the story then here are the links to all the Chapters in the Story.

Thanks Troops,
Mr. Williamson

The Index to "The Enemy From the Dark". A New Space Center Story. The Continuation of "The Children of Perikoi".

Ch. 1
http://voyagerslog.blogspot.com/2009/09/enemy-from-dark-new-mission-chapter-one.html

Ch. 2
http://voyagerslog.blogspot.com/2008/12/enemy-from-dark-chapter-2.html

Ch. 3
http://voyagerslog.blogspot.com/2009/01/enemy-from-dark-ch-3.html

Ch. 4
http://voyagerslog.blogspot.com/2009/09/enemy-from-dark-part-4.html

Ch. 5
http://voyagerslog.blogspot.com/2009/10/enemy-from-dark-chapter-5-there-on.html

Ch. 6
http://voyagerslog.blogspot.com/2009/10/enemy-from-dark-ch-6-escape.html

Ch. 7
http://voyagerslog.blogspot.com/2009/10/enemy-from-dark-chapter-7-escaping.html

Ch. 8
http://voyagerslog.blogspot.com/2009/10/enemy-from-dark-chapter-8-tex.html

Ch. 9
http://voyagerslog.blogspot.com/2009/11/enemy-from-dark-ch-9-location.html

Ch. 10
http://voyagerslog.blogspot.com/2009/11/enemy-from-dark-ch-10.html

Ch. 11
http://voyagerslog.blogspot.com/2009/11/enemy-from-dark-ch-10-continues-then-ch.html

Ch. 12
http://voyagerslog.blogspot.com/2009/12/enemy-from-dark-ch-12-discovery.html

Chapter 13

Carick descended rapidly down the turbolift shaft to get to the alien. He could still be alive and Carick wanted to get to him first before he could regain his wits and ready himself to fight.

Several minutes later Carick came within arm’s reach of what appeared to be a humanoid teen male laying up against the outer wall of the turboshaft. He was wearing some kind of uniform consisting of a black shirt which clung tightly to his muscular chest and blue pants with yellow strips down the outside of each leg. The shirt had alien markings on the shoulders and left sleeve. He wore a yellow belt with a pouch attachment. Carick thought the pouch might contain a weapon.

The teen looked to be Carick's age, sixteen - perhaps seventeen in Earth years. His hair was dark blond and hung loosely to mid ear. Carick remembered the reports he’d read about the Perikoi filed by the Science Ship Copernicus. The pictures of the native Perikoi in the report resembled the teen laying at the bottom of the shaft, only a few yards from Carick’s feet.

Carick thought for a moment before speaking, “Hey,” his voice was barely audible. There was no response. The teen’s chest moved up and down revealing life within. Carick was relieved. Realizing what he would do if put in a similar situation, Carick hesitated to get close enough to let the young man - who might be feigning unconsciousness - reach out unexpectedly and take hold of his foot, yet he appeared to have no other option. The Engineering Level's Tubolift exit door was next to the teen.

“Perikoi,” Carick said loud enough to be heard one deck up. There was no response. Carick watched the alien’s breathing. It was slow and rhythmic. Though not having had proper medical training, Carick thought if the alien were conscious his breathing would be more pronounced as he readied himself to fight.

Carick moved one foot into the boy’s strike zone. He readied his other foot to kick at the boy’s head if needed. Again, no response. Carick was convinced the teen was unconscious, besides he had a ship to retake and couldn’t spare the delay. He jumped down and crouched next to the teen. He lifted one of his eyelids. The eye looked straight up the shaft, showing no awareness. Carick reached into the pouch hoping to find a weapon, instead he took out what appeared to be a scanning device. The teen was unarmed. Carick thought that was odd. He was an invader on an alien ship so why wasn’t he armed? Carick removed the pouch from the Perikoi’s belt and attached it to his own. It was time to open the door into the main Engineering hallway. It was anyone’s guess what waited on the other side.

December 23, 2321
23:00 Hours
McAuliffe Station
Earth Orbit

Thousands of fires, and an atmosphere filling with smoke, was visible to everyone in the McAuliffe Station’s Sick Bay as they gazed out the transparent aluminum windows onto the planet below. Each light was a burning city, the result from the surprise attach launched on Earth the day before by the Gods of Perikoi. The station survived, but was left completely inoperable. The planet’s defenses, with the help of several starships, successfully repelled the alien attack.

In a brief statement issued before the ships retreated, an alien voice was heard on all frequencies saying: “We are the Anouway. You trespassed into our space. You interfered in our affairs and destroyed one of our ships. What happened here is only the beginning. Your planet will become part of our Community, and you will serve us, as do all races that challenge us.”

The Anouway ships retreated in normal space, not using the artificial wormholes used to reach Earth the day before. Starfleet Command sent scout vessels to track them. The USS Lexington attack group was recalled to Earth. All other fleets were given orders to stay on high alert and return to their nearest Starbases. If the Anouway’s parting words were to be believed, then the Federation had to be ready to defend its military bases.

Every bed and all available floor space in the McAuliffe Station’s Sick Bay was occupied. Anyone with medical training tended to the wounded. Sending them planetside was out of the question. Earth’s hospitals were overrun with casualties, besides, the station’s transporters were off line and located in an unreachable section of the station.

There was a small gathering of CTA instructors in one corner of the large room huddled around two of their own. Lt. Perry and Captain Young sat on the floor with their backs to the wall. They were triaged to the far end of the room because their injuries weren’t life threatening. The pair could wait until those with serious injuries were attended to.

“I thought I’d never get out of that turbolift,” Lt. Perry said. “It was the smoke more than anything else that about did me in.”

“Try getting pinned down in a corridor unable to move,” Captain Young said. “And to top that off, my ship is missing. Someone explain again what happened!”

Lt. Stacy Carrol looked into the faces of her fellow instructors. Each seemed lost in the thought of the Voyager disappearing in a barrage of torpedo fire, taking with it the lives of their cadets. Stacy cleared her throat and reluctantly began. “Sir, the cadets made it to the ship. The boarding platform was unstable, so a decision had to be made, we could have waited for you and possibly missed getting onto the Voyager, or we could send the cadets aboard first and worked to stabilize the situation and look for you. The Cadets got into the ship, the platform went critical and automatically disconnected. We couldn’t follow them so we gave them orders to launch and get as far away from Earth as possible. They launched. We watched the Voyager from the view screen. It turned to leave. The Cadets used their training and defended themselves with the ship’s weapons. Then another wormhole open directly in front of them. Another ship was coming out. The Cadets turned the Voyager toward the wormhole. They didn’t have a choice. The Voyager couldn’t jumped to warp. It is our opinion their plan was to escape through the wormhole. Just before entering the wormhole there was a large explosion. When the light cleared the Voyager was gone. They were either destroyed or escaped through the wormhole. That’s what we know.”

Commander Daymont spoke next, having quietly joined the group while Stacy was telling the Voyager's story.

“I’ve got news. I just came back from Emergency Command. Apparently the Anouway forces are gathering near Mercury. Our scout ship reported they are building what appear to be several large round open ended metal hangers the size of our largest ships.”

“Hangers?” Captain Young questioned. “What for? Are they building a base?”

“That’s what I thought, but Intelligence believes the structures are wormhole generators.”
No one spoke for a moment as the meaning of Commander Daymont's words took hold.

“They’re preparing another attack!” Lt. Funk said. Everyone in the circle nodded in agreement.

“A big one,” Command Daymont replied. “We know the Anouway have wormhole generating ships. That’s what they used against us. They are powerful but we drove them back, Right? Now, we also know their weapons are stronger than ours, but did you know that each ship only fired a certain number of times before retreating. Intelligence thinks most of those ship’s power systems are designed to create wormholes. The Anouway didn’t expect to defeat us with yesterday’s surprise attack. They wanted to cripple us so badly we couldn’t go after them. They retreated to build large permanent wormhole generators for ships that can’t create wormholes. Ships that use all their power for weapons.”

“Battleships!” Captain Young whispered.

“Yes, Battleships,” Commander Daymont replied. “Our nearest fleet is five days away. That leaves us with four surviving Starships. Command wants to mount an attack on those generators before they come online. They're looking for crews to fully man the starships.

There was a short pause before Lt. Perry struggled to her feet and spoke. “Well, what are we waiting for?”

Adrian Stevens. Chapter 5

This story is just for fun. Any resemblance to the staff at the space center is intentional. Any resemblance to a real space center mission is your imagination.
Aleta Clegg

Personal Log 2: Adrian Stevens, Entry 5

I stumbled in the grip of a bearded pirate following the other prisoners. He shoved me into the interrogation room, pushing me to my knees in front of a slender man in an impeccable leather suit.

“What is this?” The man stalked behind me, studying me as if I were an undesirable insect.

“Voyager Quartermaster,” Perry answered. “Her name is Adrian Stevens. That’s her assistant, Adam Turner.”

“They are a waste of air and resources. Put them out the airlock.” The man turned his back, his leather duster coat sweeping around his boots. “I am disappointed, Perry. A handful of quantum torpedoes and a box of outdated computer chips. Nothing useful for such a great risk. You have tipped your hand. You are of no use to me outside of StarFleet. You may join the quartermaster in the airlock.”

“It doesn’t work that way, Jon.” She smiled, fingering her comm badge. “I send the distress code and turn you over to the Voyager when they arrive. They have these coordinates.”

Caligula raised one dark eyebrow. “You play games? With me? Arrogant and a fool.”

“A safety precaution, nothing more. The Voyager will be here within the hour, following the trail I left, just in case. Captain Herring has information that Vasha and the Odyssey computer specialist were working together to steal the ship and betray him to the Romulans. StarFleet is looking for traitors. I planted incriminating evidence for them to find.”

Caligula studied Vasha and Evangeline. “Go on.”

Perry smiled, relaxing. “We take them to your base, extract what we need, then leave their bodies somewhere easy to find. You have not only quantum torpedoes to study, but the entire Delphi Protocol. Complete command of all Starfleet vessels, once it is installed and activated.”

Caligula flicked a glance at Turner and me. I dropped my gaze to the floor.

“Lock them in the brig. Set these two to scrubbing floors.” Caligula snapped his fingers at his guards. “And push Commander Perry out the airlock with nothing more than an hour of air.”

“Caligula! Is this how you honor your deals?” Perry rose to her feet.

“You betrayed my position to the Voyager. You wear an emergency locater. Let Captain Herring rescue you, if he so chooses. I will not tolerate even a hint of disloyalty from my people.”

“You can’t do this, Jon!”

“Watch me.” He flicked his hand to the door.

His guards dragged the screaming, swearing Perry from the room.

“Lieutenant Harken.” Caligula turned his attention to the petite brunette. “Do you perhaps have anything to say?”

She pulled the comm badge from her uniform. “What duties do you have for me?”

Caligula smiled, cold and calculating. “Very wise choice. You may assist the Quartermaster and her assistant. I wish the floors of this ship to shine.”

Adrian Stevens. Chapter 4.

This story is just for fun. Any resemblance to the staff at the space center is intentional. Any resemblance to a real space center mission is your imagination.
Aleta Clegg

Personal Log 2: Adrian Stevens, Entry 4

I sprawled in a medical bunk, watching Vasha mutter over the captain’s handbook. Turner snored in the bunk below me. Commander Perry worked at the Operations station doing something with the power systems. She occasionally talked with Lieutenant Harken over the speakers. I had yet to meet or hear Computer Specialist Evangeline. I toyed with the idea she was imaginary and Vasha was just insane. It really didn’t matter. I was in deep trouble if the Admiral ever found out I’d helped steal the Odyssey.

“Arrival at destination in approximately one minute, three point seven four seconds,” the computer announced.

Turner’s snores choked off.

Vasha frowned. “Destination? We should have another six hours to Delta Base.”

Perry smiled. “We aren’t going to Delta Base. We’re meeting up with Caligula, Del Brugado’s second, at the Federation Border.” She lifted a phaser over the console. “I want all three of you on the floor, by the main hatch. Now.”

I slid from the bunk, nudging Turner on the way.

Perry jabbed the phaser into my middle. “Watch it, Adrian. I know your reputation. I’m watching you.”

The hatch opened. Lieutenant Harken pushed a blond woman through. “The ship is secure.”

“Very good, Harken. We’re due to arrive any second now. Keep them covered while I fly us in.” Perry stepped over Vasha to reach the pilot’s controls.

“Delphi! Activate!” Vasha shouted.

“Unable to comply. Delphi Protocol is listed as a dangerous virus and has been quarantined by this computer.”

Evangeline, the blond woman, squirmed. “Sorry. It was messing with my system. Lieutenant Harken said it was a virus planted by them Marauders.”

“Quiet, you!” Harken kicked Evangeline. She aimed her phaser at Vasha’s head. “If we didn’t need the knowledge in your head, I’d shoot you now. This phaser is not set to stun.”

I wriggled backwards.

Harken waved the phaser my direction. “Em, do we have anything to tie them with?”

“Use the sheets.” Perry shifted to impulse speeds, then slowed further.

Harken nudged Turner, the one she judged least dangerous. “You, cook, rip the sheets in strips and tie them up.”

“Weak-spined traitor!” Vasha spat as Turner pulled a sheet from a medical bunk.

An alarm hooted. The computer spoke, “Warning. Power systems are out of balance. Dilithium stress levels are rising. Recommend adjusting at Operations station.”

Perry swore. She pulled a phaser from under her uniform. “Deal with it, Harken.” She took out her frustrations by kicking us while Turner tied our wrists to the desk supports. “Tie them tighter, imbecile.”

The sensors station beeped. “New contact on sensors.”

“Scan for identification, Harken.”

“I’m busy trying to adjust the power. You scan.”

Commander Perry swore and kicked Evangeline. “Get over by the hatch. Now.”

“But we’re tied to the desk.” I couldn’t stop myself.

She kicked me. “You, idiot cook, tell me what ship just arrived.”

The lights flicked red. The alarm shrieked. “Warning! Detecting marauder vessel approaching. Weapons are armed. Marauder vessel is scanning for target lock on this vessel.”

“If you move, I will kill you!” Perry glared, twitching the phaser our direction. “And you, imbecile, tie yourself up.” She climbed over the captain’s chair to the communications station.

The lights flickered, plunging the ship into gloomy twilight.

“What now?” Perry demanded.

“The crystal is cracked. Power levels are dropping.” Harken set her phaser to one side of the desk while she worked the controls.

“Now hailing on General Use Frequencies. Broadcasting equipment malfunction codes.”

Perry used even more colorful terms.

“Power systems shutting down. Securing to shutdown mode.”

The stations blacked out, followed by the lights.

I yanked at the strips of sheet tying me to the desk support post. The knots wouldn’t come loose.

“Tractor beam has been attached to this vessel. Preparing to dock.”

“What do we do now?” Harken asked.

“Wait, and hope Caligula doesn’t kill us all out of hand.” Perry slumped in the captain’s chair. She raised her phaser. “Have a nice nap.”

I’d found the traitors on the Voyager. It did me little good. The beam swept over me, knocking me unconscious.