Commodore's Log, Stardate 2461838.
The Hornet has docked in Docking Bay 1 of the newly reconstructed Supply Base 901. It is amazing to see, the station is almost three times the size of the original station. Construction is nearly complete except for a few upper sections. We have docked almost four hours ago. I have ordered a Senior Staff meeting at 1630 hours. I grow more tense as the hour nears.
The Hornet is a beautiful ship. She seems to be the finest ship I have ever been on. You can still smell fresh welding and carpet. The weapons systems are top of the line and state of the art. The ship is also equipped with a Federation cloaking device.
I have been given a full complement of Officers and crewmates. All total, 700 crew. Some of the crew have brought families I understand -- about 32 families are going to be calling the Hornet home for the next several years.
The crew is a very interesting crew, I have an Engineer that has lived through five christenings of the starship Enterprises and seen policies shaped and formed over the past 80 years. I have requested that Commander Carter and Banshee Squadron be assigned as a support role in case we encounter hostile races, since we will be a long way from help. The ladies seem to be enjoying their stay.
The most interesting crew member is Ensign Myron Okul. A Cardassian who completed the Academy with quite an impressive record. He seems to be a very quiet and well mannered man.
Today we will actually start our grand adventure. This something that every Command officer wishes for.
End Commodore's log.
Richard sat back in his desk chair and took a deep breath, and then walked over to the sink in his office. He splashed some cold water on his face and then looked in the mirror. He saw in the reflection the glowing planet of New Canada. Upon seeing that he felt a little better. Upon drying his face he placed his tunic on and zipped it up, walked over to his desk and picked up a few PADDs. Richard then turned and walked out of his office and headed towards the Senior Staff Lounge.
He walked in to see the table was almost completely full. He saw some faces he hadn't seen in little over a year. It kind of made him feel uneasy. These people were at one time his superior officers, now the tables were turned. He paused to have a look over their faces. He saw they appeared to be ready and willing to take this mission. The crew began to stand in respect of Wallace's rank.
"At ease. As you were," Wallace replied taking his seat at the head of the table. The table was long and seated ten easily. To the left of Wallace was a display case with five ships made of gold. The ships were all the previous ships to bear the name Hornet. Behind the Commanding Officer's chair was a 31-inch computer screen.
Next to Wallace and to the right was his Executive officer. To the left was the Intelligence officer. To Commander Wolf's right were the senior officers and department heads, Commander Chee, Commander McAllister, Ensign Okul. To the left of Captain Lataro, the former Virgo XO and now chief Intelligence officer, was Lieutenant Chee, Lieutenant Redinium and Commander Carter. They were senior officers but not in the command level. Warrant Officer Matthews was not at the briefing -- he was overseeing the supplying of the Hornet. At the end of the table were two civilians.
"Afternoon, I am Commodore Richard Wallace. Some of you may or may not know the nature of this mission. And that's why I've requested you all here. Our first mission is to help resettle the second colony in this sector -- Morristown.
"The first attempt at settling the Colony ended in complete disaster. The Mulluran conflict started there and that was also the site of our first offensive action during that conflict." Wallace paused to shuffle through a PADD and Commander Chee was the first to ask.
"What is left of the original colony?" Chee asked and was answered by Wallace.
"Nothing. The colonists were either abducted or killed. It is a mystery. Major Boyle's fighter squadron detonated the colony's power source and cause massive radiation contamination. We will help James Adama here decontaminate the planet. The new colony site will be approximately 12 kilometers northeast of the old site.
"Commander Chee will take Doctor Redinium and lead the away mission. You will be unable to beam down, so Mister McAllister will ferry you and the thirteen colonist that'll be accompanying Mister Adama to rebuild the colony.
Above the planet is a old communication relay. Really not old -- just abandoned. I want Ensign Okul and Mister Matthews to get it up and running and see if it can be used by the colonists in any way." Wallace handed a few PADDs to Commander Chee and Ensign Okul.
"Sir, may I accompany the second away team?" Captain Lataro asked.
"I don't see any reason why not. I must tell you there isn't anything of value in that relay," Wallace replied knowing Lataro's true reason for asking the request.
"With all respect sir, I'd like to be the judge of that," Lataro replied making a note on a PADD in front of him.
"Mister Adama, you're excused. I have some other information I need to go over that needs to be heard only by my officers." Wallace paused and waited until the two men left.
"Another matter of importance. This must not leave the room. We are equipped with a Federation cloaking device. For two reasons. One, to avoid conflict with the Mulluran Empire, since we will be nearing the DMZ in the years to come. Second, to gain information about the Mulluran Empire. We have been allowed by the Romulans to build and use it despite the Treaty of Algeron only if we give them information relating to the Mullurans or any other hostile species."
It was quiet in the room for a few minutes. Then Captain Lataro spoke. "Sir, when do we depart for Morristown?"
"Nineteen hours. You're all dismissed." Richard got up and walked to his office and headed towards the replicator and ordered a cup of coffee. He was feeling a little uneasy still. Wallace was a brave man, but wasn't too sure of how to interact with a crew he once was a junior officer to. Then the door chime beeped.
"Enter." Wallace saw Lieutenant Commander Chee walk in. Wallace walked over to his desk chair and took a seat. "Yes Commander?"
"May I speak freely?"Chee asked.
"Granted," Wallace said in his harsh tone.
"Sir, how are you holding up?" Chee asked this because he had read the actions over the past eight months in this sector. He knew Wallace had led many battles and lost many people.
"Fine. Just a little tired, but that's okay," Wallace replied motioning for Chee to take a seat.
"Well, just Colonel Tarik said that after Az'reel, you've been really reserved." Chee noticed the look of discomfort on Richard's face. He quickly changed the subject.
"Hey, when I was on earth I picked up all my family relics to take with me, and you won't believe what I found in a trunk." Wallace walked over to a stand in the office and pulled out a couple of old photographs. He handed them over to Chee. The photo's were black and white of two Marines. Chee thought that the two people looked like the two in the room. Chee smiled and asked. "What is this of?"
"The person on the left is Corporal Harold Wallace, and the person on the right is Private First Class Gregory Chee. I did some research. Harold Wallace was my great, great, great grandfather. He was a Marine in World War II. Gregory Chee is your great, great, great, great grandfather.
During World War II the Marine Corps used your native language as a code..." Wallace was interrupted.
"Yeah, I know. Every Navajo knows about the code talkers from World War II. Just, my family never told me about this." Chee was now looking very deeply into the photo.
"My great grandfather was his protector. Interesting, isn't it?" Wallace took a seat and leaned back.
"Well, my people say we have a predestined life and it's already been laid out for us," Chee said putting the photo on the desk.
"Keep it. There are two. You can have one. I think it's only right."
"What happen to them?" Chee asked.
"Harold Wallace was killed in a place called Hue in very unpopular war called Vietnam. He was a Major when he died.
Gregory Chee stayed in the Marines until a shell took his leg off in a place called Dung Ha; he was a Lieutenant Colonel then. His Marine Corps records are in the ship's database."
Chee walked out with a great sense of pride knowing that he was serving once again with a friend. A friend that ran back about 400 years.
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