The Fallen

Posted on Sat Nov 20th, 2010 @ 5:38am by Vice Admiral Iluvar

[[Ready Room, USS Pandora, Prior to Mission Day 01]]

Begin Log:

It has been over five months since the Board of Inquiry handed down its verdict and I cannot help but feel as if every day has been a trial unto itself, not only for myself but for those under my command as well. The effect that the inquiry has had upon my reputation and, more importantly, the reputation of this vessel has been a noticeable one. There is no denying that our assignments have carried much less importance of late and seem to be more ‘busy work’ than anything else.

As it turns out, Starbase 386 came under attack from a large Elyshan force at about the same time the inquiry proceedings were beginning. We learned of the attack only after the final decision had been handed down, nearly a week after the actual event. Granted, it would have taken us a full two weeks to reach the station, but such a delay only served to reinforce the sense that more than rank and title have been lost as a result of this inquiry.

The Pandora was ordered to rendezvous with a relief task force bound for Starbase 386 and accompany them to the station. Thankfully, we found the station to be in relatively good condition upon our arrival, despite the reports we had received regarding the engagement itself. Then again, we had arrived nearly three weeks after the initial event. We spent a period of about two weeks conducting system patrols and assisting in various relief operations within the Aldani system.

Once it was clear that the Elyshans no longer posed a significant threat to the station, Starfleet Command began to reallocate their resources to other assignments. It was around this time that I truly began to notice a subtle change in the type of mission assignments the Pandora was receiving. In hindsight, perhaps, these changes do not seem quite as subtle as I originally thought and there have been moments where I have questioned whether or not my continued command of this vessel has not had some negative impact upon those who serve aboard her.

Our assignments of late have been rather routine and I have noticed the effect that this has begun to have on the members of my crew as we continue from one overly simplistic assignment to the next. In the past seventeen weeks, we have made numerous long-duration cargo runs, mapped extensive areas of little interest within the Eighth Fleet patrol zone, and provided transport for dignitaries from no more than three worlds. It feels like we haven’t been all that productive and I fear that it has had a significant impact on crew morale.

Speaking of the crew, it seems as if Starfleet Command has taken a much greater interest in my staffing assignments as of late. The most notable instance remains their appointment of Commander Fala Awen as executive officer less than twenty-four hours after the conclusion of my inquiry. Though I can hardly argue with her qualifications for the position, the manner in which she was appointed is a reminder that I have lost the trust of Starfleet Command. The second major appointment that has occurred since the inquiry has been that of Lieutenant Commander Joseph Thompson as our new Chief Security/Tactical Officer. Once again, I cannot bring myself to challenge the man’s qualification for the position, but it pains me to think that the effects of the inquiry continue to overshadow this ship and her crew.

Pause

The Pandora has arrived at the outskirts of the Black Cluster, a region of space known for its volatile anomalies. This is not the first time a vessel under my command has been dispatched this close to the border of the Breen Confederacy. I cannot help but feel a sense of déjà vu as I think back to my first mission as commanding officer of the USS Tethys. Once again, we have been ordered to investigate continued raiding on merchant shipping in the area. Starfleet Command has made it perfectly clear that this is a fact-finding mission and that we are to collect as much information regarding the situation as possible.

END LOG