Personal Log: Adrian Stevens, Quartermaster - Entry 6

This is just for fun. Any resemblance to people who work at the space center is intentional, although these characters aren't really them. Any resemblance to an actual mission is your imagination.

Personal Log: Adrian Stevens, Quartermaster - Entry 6

The hot, humid air of the dilithium mine sucked my energy. I slung the bucket of waste rock into the crusher, pausing only long enough to wipe my face on my dirty sleeve.

Fredericks tripped over his own feet, spilling his bucket across the tunnel. The guard kicked him. Herring picked him up while I scooped the rocks back into the bucket and dumped it for him. The guard grumbled and shoved us towards the mining face.

Fredericks stumbled badly, barely walking with the captain’s support.

“We have to move tonight,” I whispered once we were past the guard.

“The three of us don’t stand a chance yet,” Herring whispered over Fredericks’ head.

“Another week here and Fredericks won’t need rescued. Maybe not even that long.”

“I’ll be fine, sir.” Fredericks tried to walk by himself. Herring caught his arm before he fell on his face.

I grabbed Fredericks’ other arm. “I’ve got enough wire and small crystals hidden to rig a bomb. It should distract them long enough for us to get up the chute to the surface.”

“I don’t like it,” Herring whispered.

“I know you don’t but what other choice do we have? They have to have communications. We break in and send a message. If Delphi works the way you say it will, Bradley should have control of the Voyager. He should be somewhere close.”

“I know all that. I just don’t like the plan. I need more intel.”

“You aren’t going to get it.” I shifted Frederick’s bucket to my own shoulder. It clanked against mine. “I’d like a full squad of marines and the weapons to back them up. We’ve got some stolen wires and dilithium crystals too small to be marketable.”

“You’re sure you can make them explode?”

“I just need a power source and five minutes.”

“And I thought you only knew how to cook.”

We reached the rock face. Piles of crushed and broken rock littered the tunnel. We let Fredericks sit while we scooped all three buckets full. I picked out three more tiny crystals, tucking them into my pocket as I worked.

Herring squatted on his heels, watching Fredericks. “Tonight, then, after the guard shift change.”

I nodded, slinging the full bucket over my shoulder.

The day crept by, marked only by the shouts of the guards and repeated trips from the crusher to the rock face. Fredericks staggered beside Herring. Those who collapsed disappeared with the guards. Herring kept him on his feet, I hauled his bucket of rocks along with my own.

The guards finally herded us into the inactive tunnels, locking the gates after delivering supper.

The three of us crawled into our corner. I picked at the stale crust of bread I’d managed to grab before the other slaves took the rest. They were mean and tough, they had to be to survive the dilithium mines.

Herring gave his crust to Fredericks.

I shifted rocks away from a small crevice. The pile of stolen wire inside was pitifully small.

“You’ve got about an hour,” Herring said.

“I need a distraction so I can get into the power box near the gate.”

“I’ll pick a fight with the Klingons.”

I glanced at their group while I twisted wires around crystals. The five Klingons had been in the mines only a month, two weeks longer than we’d been there. They stayed to themselves, mostly. No one dared approach them. They radiated anger and menace. Even the guards kept their distance.

The Klingon leader caught my eye. From the glitter on his torn tunic, he had to be high-ranking. He strode across the tunnel to our nook.

“Starfleet?” His voice was deep, almost a growl.

“Captain Herring of the USS Voyager.” Herring stood. The Klingon towered over him.

I surreptitiously shifted the wires and crystals under my leg.

“You are planning escape. We wish to escape, also. I am Hruk’Tal of the House Tu’Garath. My ship was captured by subterfuge by these honorless Fellucian pirates.” The Klingon spat into the dust. “I shall return and avenge my honor.”

“I’ll settle for getting out alive,” I said.

Hruk’Tal turned his glare on me. “It is better to die with honor than to merely live.”

“You die, then, and I’ll survive.” I twisted wire around another crystal.

“She’s useful, and she does have honor, of a sort,” Herring spoke quickly.

“I have heard tales of you, Captain Herring.” Hruk’Tal turned his attention to Herring. “Our warriors speak highly of your honor. Though our people are enemies, we both seem to be caught in this trap.”

“This is the time to put aside enmity. Perhaps extend an offer of alliance?” Herring smiled his polished smile as he held out his hand.

Hruk’Tal deliberately ignored the outstretched hand. “Until we are free of this place, we shall work together.”

“Then let us plan.”

“There isn’t much to plan,” I said. “We blow up the gate, then we run for the lift and beat up anyone who gets in our way. We get to the surface and find a communicator. Steal it if we have to, then signal Starfleet. After that, it’s a matter of waiting.”

“There is a Starfleet vessel waiting?” Hruk’Tal lifted his eyebrow skeptically, a very impressive expression with his ridged forehead.

“There should be,” Herring answered. “If Vasha and Delphi work.”

“Not Bradley?” I twisted another wire into place.

“On my honor, Hruk’Tal. You shall be given an escort to Klingon space if you help us win free.”

“On your honor, I accept your terms.”

“On three, you need to start a fight so I can set these up.” I waved the handful of cracked crystals. “I just hope it works.”

Herring smiled at the Klingon and his warriors. “Three?”

“Three.”

“You miserable, rotten excuse of a Klingon!” Herring shoved Hruk’Tal.

The tunnel went silent, the other slaves watching in horror as the slender captain attacked the Klingon twice his size.

Hruk’Tal spat a Klingon insult. It sounded like a very large cat hacking up an extremely large and juicy hairball. He allowed Herring to push him to the center of the tunnel.

“Come on, Fredericks.” I grabbed his sleeve in one hand and my crystals in the other.

We slipped around the edge of the crowd gathering to watch the Klingons smear Captain Herring across the rocky floor. They shouted worse insults, pushing and shoving each other. Several of the spectators got stepped on and joined in the fight. Within moments, they’d started a riot.

“Hold these.” I pushed crystals into Fredericks’ hands.

He nodded, eyes wide. He kept up against the side of the tunnel.

I grabbed the bars of the gate. “Hey! They’re slaughtering each other in here! You have to come!”

The guard I shouted at took one look at the fight inside and swore. He shouted for his friends to come help. They shoved their way through the gate, leaving just one outside.

I twisted wires to the metal of the gate. The wires for the lights ran right outside. I tugged one loose. Half the lights died, plunging the tunnels into gloomy twilight. I jabbed the loose end of the power cable under the bare wires wrapped loosely around the bars of the gate and the crystal.

“Duck!” I grabbed Fredericks, pushing him back to the wall.

The crystals spat sparks before exploding. The entire gate collapsed. Dust filled the air.

Hruk’Tal and his Klingons charged the opening, guttural war cries adding to the noise and confusion. They fired weapons at the guard still standing outside. He collapsed.

I hauled Fredericks after them, Captain Herring taking rear guard.

We ran for the lift. The lone guard didn’t stand a chance against the Klingons. He fell at his post. Hruk’Tal grabbed his weapon, tossing it to me.

“Inside, now!” Herring shoved the lift door open.

We crowded on and started it moving, up towards the surface.

“Get down and hide,” Herring ordered.

“We do not hide!” Hruk’Tal shouted. “We are Klingons!”

The five of them shouted a war chant.

The lift jerked to a halt. We hung fifty feet below the surface tunnels.

The Klingon war chant died. They traded looks.

“Climb, for your honor!” Hruk’Tal leapt to the cables holding the lift. He swarmed up, the others on his tail.

“Come on, Fredericks,” Herring lifted the other man to his feet. “We’re almost out.”

“I hate climbing,” I muttered as I followed them up the cables.

We paused at the sound of weapons firing.

“That’s a Federation phaser!” Herring said. He climbed faster, leaving me to keep Fredericks moving.

The sound of fighting faded as the two of us reached the top, crawling over the edge.

“Quartermaster Stevens and Ensign Fredericks? I’m Commander Carroll of Section 37. We have the Galileo standing by.” Commander Carroll pulled me to my feet.

Another officer in Starfleet uniform helped Fredericks up, escorting him out of the mine.

“Sorry it took us so long to track you down,” Carroll continued. “The Fellucians have an entire navy on the border.”

“So, you’re here to rescue us?”

“Not exactly,” Carroll said. “The Galileo can’t take passengers. We’re here to help you steal a ship from the Fellucians. Admiral Williamson is expecting you to bring it to Starbase 14.”

We caught up to Herring and the Klingons at the entrance. The planet outside was a howling mass of swirling snow and freezing cold.

“The supply ship is due tomorrow. With the help of your new friends, we’re taking it.” Carroll smiled, like a manic chipmunk.

“And who will fly it?”

“We will. The Galileo has a new unit that will allow us to operate the ship remotely. We just need you on board to keep things running. We’ll be in touch the entire time. Special ops Warner and Taylor will see you have the proper equipment.” She marched past me, out into the frigid wind.

Hruk’Tal threw his head back and howled defiance at the storm.

“Rabid Klingons and gung-ho Starfleet ops.” I shook my head. What happened to my nice quiet retirement? I shouldered the rifle stolen from the Fellucians. I was a cook, not a marine.

I was also freezing, but at least we were out of the mines.

Red light streaked over our heads to explode against the mountainside behind us.

“Take cover!” Carroll shouted as rocks rained down.

We ran into the blizzard.

From the Voyager's Galley

Hello Troops,
This is Aleta's universally famous Fruit Pudding Parfait, served on board the finest Starships in the fleet (and a few of the Space Education Center's Camps). For an 'Out of this World' taste sensation give it a mix.

Mr. Williamson


Fruit Pudding Parfait

1 big box vanilla pudding mix
4 16 oz cans fruit (pineapple, mandarin oranges, peaches, pears, fruit cocktail, etc.)
1 8 oz tub whipped topping

Drain juice from pineapple and one other can (about 2 c. juice). Stir in pudding mix, whisk until smooth. Drain other two cans of fruit and discard juice. Fold whipped topping into pudding mixture. Add fruit, mix just until fruit is coated. Refrigerate at least one hour before serving.

Aleta

The Leadership Camp. Another Viewpoint.

By Taylor Thomas

I don't have too much time to write this but I thought it would be cool to have two totally different viewpoints on the Leadership Camp. To make sure this happens, I have not read Megan's review yet. So here I go.

Day 1
Megan and I had a little final "cram session" (for lack of a better term) for 2.5ish hours before the camp started. Amazingly, we got the most important things done. During this time we finished the Magellan mission rewrites. Yes, I know you shouldn't be finishing rewrites the day of the camp but that is how it turned out. The basic idea of each mission was finished months before that though so I wasn't too worried. Actually, I take that back. I was worried. So Megan and I finished up what we could and went to set up sign ins. We finished setting those up around 4:35 (a tiny bit late) and let the campers in. Luckily for us the last spot on the camp was taken just as the camp began (which caused some confusion), bringing us to 35. We started off with a brief schedule overview of the camp and then started assigning sleeping areas. All of the boys were put into Odyssey and Voyager and the girls were down in their normal area. While we took them in groups, Jon played a really fun get to know you game where the kids had to pass their names, along with 3 answers to questions, to someone else. It ended up being lots of fun. Once everyone was situated, the campers got themselves into groups for the class sessions. The class sessions were taught by Stacy (who did communication skills or something like that), Emily (who did something...I can't exactly remember. We told them to get something together and trusted they would do it.), and Megan (who had a little help from me, but she was the main teacher. Oh, and she did a class on Leadership and Military Bearing). The class sessions went really well and the kids liked them. Plus, we had our good old traditional dinner of Chinese food graciously put together by Aleta. After all of the class sessions, we gathered the kids in the gym for the overview briefing of what they would be doing for the rest of the camp. The speech that followed was incredible and was done essentially by the seat of our pants (we had gone over what we wanted to talk about but nothing terribly specific). I really, really wish we had a recording of it because it turned out amazing. Megan started off with her sheepdog, sheep, and wolves analogy (much to large to discuss here, but really cool) and gave the campers a sense of how serious we were. I have never heard so much silence before. Then I finished off by talking to them about how they were in charge of thousands and thousands of lives. I have never seen campers get so into it before. Right after we finished we sent the campers to bed and told them we would get them up at 7:15.

Day 2
We woke the campers at 6:45 with revelle (that is not spelled right but oh well) and told them to get ready fast. They took a little while but eventually got to the gym and we sent them to breakfast. Breakfast was great and had tons of different foods to choose from. After breakfast we divided them into ships, gave them their briefings all together (so that they would know what everyone else was doing), and then sent them to their ships. Mr. Williamson was worried about the missions and Megan and I were worried as well. We had not extensively tested these but we went forward with confidence. The first rotation lasted 5 hours and went pretty well. The campers achieved most of their objectives but that was the last of the happy news. During lunch the crews debriefed each other and got a sense of what was going on. The second rotation fast forwarded 6 months to the part of the war when we were failing. In fact this part of the campaign was termed "The Epic Failure" for a good reason. Lots of bad things were supposed to happen and the decisions the crew made only made it worse. To complicate matters for the crew, a spy among the campers was able to get a message to the Dominion telling them exactly where the new, shiny battleship the Prometheus was at. Because of this almost the entire battle group was destroyed along with the Prometheus. There was much more than that but I do not have time to go over it all. With dinner came the crews debriefing each other and a little chat from Megan and I. They were taking their losses really lightheartedly so we told them how many people they just killed and to put themselves in the families (of the ones who had died) shoes. The cafeteria had never been so silent during a meal before. Swimming time came afterwards. During most camps the staff either goes swimming or goes home. Not the case with this. 4 of our staff members had to go to help Mr. Williamson with the campers. The rest of us stayed behind to set up the ASA (after swimming activities). When we proposed this idea, Mr. Williamson asked why. We told him that we needed it and he gave us that doubting look like "ok, if you say so." Turns out that we did. All of us who stayed behind worked for 2 straight hours to have the ENTIRE school ready when the campers got back at 10. When the campers arrived, they were told to obtain information from inside the Voyager which was protected by key cards that they had to obtain. They were given 2 hours to complete these objectives and be back to the front of the school. Unfortunately, 2 hours and 8ish minutes later they showed up with the information and ended up failing. Right after we debriefed that, we sent the campers to bed--dead tired. We told them that we would wake them up around 7.

Day 3
Revelle was played at 6:00 and the campers got ready, had breakfast, and prepared for their inspection (to make sure everything with their cots was exact). The inspection took 30 minutes and we got on our way to third rotation. Third rotation was 13 months (I think) later and was the Federation counterattack. Unfortunately for the campers, they did not do so well this rotation. Voyager completed their objective but was then captured (which was not expected). Magellan was able to take back their station, but just barely. Galileo and Odyssey did a pretty good job. Phoenix made a big mistake and called in the 3rd fleet way too early. As a result most of the 3rd fleet was destroyed. At this point thigs started looking bleak. Fourth rotation was supposed to be the final battle for Cardassia Prime. Problems occured when no other ships were acting on intelligence from the Galileo. Additionally, the Magellan didn't get into the Cardassia solar system until far too late and they were unable to stop a Dominion superweapon from exiting the system and heading to Earth. So when time ran out the Starfleet forces were losing pretty badly and they failed the campaign. That in no way means that they did not have fun or did not do good things, it just means that they failed. That is one big difference about this camp was that we weren't afraid to fail them. It happens. Anyway, I thought it was a very successful camp and the kids (and at least me, if not the rest of the staff) learned a lot.

Hope this was somewhat enlightening for you and maybe even a bit entertaining.