The USS Utopia

Captain's Log Stardate 60371. 34

The encounter with the Phantom Fleet fortunately wasn't of any consequence to us. We have now learned that there might be a slight presence of Dominion Forces in the border of the Beta Quadrant. I couldn't risk putting the Leviathan through another day of fighting, but like Lieutenant Commander Harris, I hate the Jem'Hadar. The day we can totally eradicate them will be a day not soon enough. We have now put many light years between them and us. I would have loved to see the looks on their faces when their Battle Bugs started exploding with the modified torpedoes.

Alpha shift has begun, and most of the senior staff our on the bridge. Lieutenant Rashad and Commander Harris spent the night together, if you will, on the bridge. I wonder what they had to talk about. I know they don't get along very well, but hopefully we can put some of this petty arguing aside and focus ourselves to the mission.

Now the mission has begun and I wonder what is out there! The crew has performed wonderfully. Lieutenant Shaka is still in the sick bay fortunately her Andoran physiology countered the toxins in her system, I would like to know what is going on and why. ***The Shadow*** is now temporally taking her place while she recoups. God! I hope it is soon. He really doesn't know what he is doing except to recalibrate everything. Shaka! Please get well soon! Right now I have placed her off of duty while she gets well, but whenever will not be soon enough.

End of Log

Captain Devore was sitting at his chair staring at the view screen when Lieutenant Toran came in from the front turbolift. He hadn't even walked past the threshold when he announced that he needed to speak to the captain, immediately

"Very well. Mr. Ambrose steady as she goes." Devore said getting up and smoothing down his uniform.

Inside the ready room, Toran had all ready pulled out a PADD and handed it to the Captain as Devore walked in the door

"So what is it Old Man?" Devore said taking the PADD.

"Mark. We have a problem!"

"What is the matter?"

"Chief Cook was doing some test with the transporter coils, and discovered this." Toran said pointing at the PADD.

Devore now started to read the PADD carefully, not skimming information like he usually does. He saw that the report read that someone had been in there tampering with the isolinear chips. "Okay. So what is the importance? A lot of time I have seen Lieutenant Hansen work over time."

"It wasn't Hansen."

"What about the transporter chief from transporter one?"

"There would've have been no reason for Chief Eaves to go there. Besides I asked him, he was in the crew quarters vouched by the other one."

Devore sat down and propped his feet up. He didn't seem too concern with the information unless there was some kind of threat. "Okay old man, so we don't know who but why? Why did he do this?"

"Cook is seeing to that right now. So far nothing."

"Okay. Keep me informed as to what is going on. Right now there doesn't seem to be any reason to be concern."

"Yes sir."

[Captain.,] Devore's combadge beeped. It was Ensign Rodriguez.

"Yes ensign. What is it?"

[We are picking up a faint federation transponder code and a weak distress call.]

"On my way! Old Man. Don't worry too much about unless there is a problem okay. It was probably someone doing some repairs and not recording it. Tell Lieutenant Hansen to.. forget it, I will get Commander Harris to take care of it."

Devore walked out of his ready room with Toran behind him. "Report." Devore said sitting in his chair. Toran took his post.

"Captain," Toran said looking at his sensors. "That distress call is so weak that we can't even filter it out enough to comprehend it. The transponder beacon is as weak, but sir...."

"What, Lieutenant ?" Devore asked.

"It is a Federation Transponder code, a little on the older side, but definitely Starfleet."

"In the Beta Quadrant ?" Devore asked in amazement.

"Aye sir."

" ***Shadow*** take us out of the stream." Devore ordered.

"Yes sir." ***Shadow*** responded. He looked over the panel for a moment to find the right combinations to execute the order. Finally after a moment, he found the right buttons and the Leviathan dropped out of the stream.

"It is about time, Mr. ***Shadow*** ." Devore said sarcastically. "Mr. Ambrose set a course for the signal warp 3."

"Bearing 001 mark three, Aye sir." Ambrose acknowledged.

"Captain. Ship within visual range," Ensign Rodriguez announced

"Very good. Slow to 1/4 impulse. On screen if you would maam," Devore said.

With a smile Rodriguez put it on screen. The view screen displayed a ship totally lifeless, but seemed to be intact for the most part except for burned marks around the neck and a totally destroyed deflector dish.

"Does anyone recognize it?" Devore asked.

"Sir, " Toran began. "The computer recognizes it as the *USS Utopia*, launched from Earth Stardate 2458751."

"8751? You have got to be kidding? What class ship is it?"

"Norway sir." Rodriguez answered quickly. Devore looked at her in amazement. "At the academy I had a fascination with starships and their overall design. The Norway Class is still now under extensive research and development."

"Rodriguez, This ship that is out there was launched over two years ago. If it is still in R n D then what is it doing out here in the middle of the Beta Quadrant?"

"I don't know sir. I just read about it."

"How long have you been out of the academy?" Ambrose asked

"Six months."

"Mr. Toran. I don't like this. Give me a full sensor sweep, I want to know everything we can about this *Utopia*." Devore ordered.

"Yes sir."

"All Senior Officers to the bridge. Mr. Ambrose, bring us within 1000 km of her."

"Aye sir."

* We'll see the secrets that you keep, Ms. 'Norway-Class-unknown-Utopia'* Devore thought rubbing his chin.