Star Trek Voyager: Black Box by: Ed Reilly Author's Note To understand and enjoy this story it is necessary to have knowledge of the Voyager episodes "Equinox" parts I & II. Writing this story would not have been possible without help from Jim Wright's Delta Blues web site. The service he provides for all Voyager fans is invaluable, and I can not say enough to express my thanks! ******************** "Let us have faith, that right makes might, and in that faith let us to the end dare to do our duty as we understand it." -Abraham Lincoln ******************** After the Starfleet vessel, Equinox, was destroyed, a search of the wreckage turned up a black container made up of extremely strong titanium. Inside this box were isolinear chips that contained the log entries (both official and personal) of every crew member. We present this abridged version of these logs, not as to offer an excuse for the horrific actions of these beings, but as a way to possibly understand how something like this could happen, and so we, as Ankari, can prevent a tragedy such as this from happening again. We begin at the point where their vessel first entered the delta quadrant. Captain's log: Stardate 48279.5 While making a routine survey of the progress of Talin IV's ecosystem, the Equinox was struck by what our sensors tell us was a coherent tetrion beam. This beam transported us over 70,000 light years from our previous location, and placed us in the delta quadrant. The damage from the tetrion beam is extensive: Nineteen crewman dead, and many more injured. Most systems are off line, and a warp core breach was barely averted. For the moment the ship is stable, but we are hovering in the shadow of a huge space station that is emanating beams of energy every few seconds. Though we have not yet been able to communicate with any lifeforms on the station, I assume it is what brought us here. As for the crew, they are aware of the situation, but I believe its enormity has not yet hit them. They seem too preoccupied mourning their lost crewmates and repairing the damaged systems to worry about getting home. Attempts at discovering what brought us here, and why, and how we can get back to the alpha quadrant, will continue. First Officer's log: Stardate 48288.8 Our away mission to the space station answered some of our questions, but raised even more new ones. Once aboard, we were greeted by an entity that called itself the "Caretaker." This being appeared to us in the form of an old human male, in what seemed to be some sort of holographic program of a frozen wasteland. Captain Ransom claimed that the landscape resembled the North American Yukon of Earth, where he grew up. The only information we were able to obtain from the old man was his name, and that he was the one responsible for abducting us. Before anyone could ask why he brought us here, or how we could get home, a white light engulfed everyone. Not one crew member can recall what happened next. All we know is that everyone awoke, back aboard the Equinox, over three days later. Another effort at obtaining answers from this "Caretaker" is being planned. Crewman Duroz Mycea's Personal log: Stardate 48291.7 It is hard to believe, but things have actually gotten worse over the last day! Our attempts at contacting this "Caretaker," along with our attempts at transporting onto the space station once more, failed. Our next course of action was to proceed to the fifth planet in the neighboring star system, which is receiving energy pulses from the space station every few minutes, in the hopes that they could supply us with some information. Almost immediately we were fired upon by the space station, and also had our path blocked by unknown alien vessels. With the ship already heavily damaged, Captain Ransom thought it would be better to retreat. We have taken refuge inside a class two nebula, and are making the much needed repairs. On a personal note, I am now the top ranking crewman in engineering, and work side by side with the new chief of engineering, Ensign Gilmore. I wish I could say I was excited, but with the loss of so many friends, and the real possibility of being stranded 70,000 light years from home, all I feel is sorrow. The idea of never seeing Trill again, never seeing my family, or Luzera is unthinkable. The one thing I do have right now is my work, so I will concentrate on that. Captain's log: Stardate 48297.5 While preparing the Equinox for another encounter with the Caretaker, we were discovered inside the nebula by a species that called themselves the Krowtonian Guard. Unfortunately they are less then friendly, and hell bent on capturing this vessel. We are currently involved in a game of cat and mouse with the Krowtonian ships, but it seems as though it is simply a matter of time before we are caught. This new enemy has inflicted approximately a dozen more deaths upon the crew, including Fritz Hansman, my chief medical officer, and has undone most of the repair progress we have made over the last few days. I am an exo-biologist, not a master tactician. Still, I have faced similar situations before and survived. Lieutenant Maxwell Burke's Personal log 48307.9 I do not know if this is good news or bad, but we are now 30,000 light years closer to home. While being pursued by a Krowtonian ship, we came upon a series of wormhole-like corridors that led us well out of Krowtonian space. After about an hour in these corridors we were forced back into regular space by beings called the Turei, who claimed ownership of the corridors. We then realized, in that last hour, we had traveled over 30,000 light years. However, that is where the good news ends. The Turei immediately demanded that they be allowed to board our ship and remove all records we collected on the corridors. We fought them off for couple of hours, but, in our weakened state, they were able to fight their way aboard. There is not much I can recall of watching these aliens penetrate our computer, while holding the entire crew at phaser-point. It was almost as though I was outside of myself, watching it happen to some other crew, on some other vessel. Before I knew it, the Turei were gone, and with them left any chance of us either finding a quick and easy way home, or finding our way back to the Caretaker. This leaves us 40 years from home on a Nova class science vessel that is not intended for long range missions, half the crew is dead, we have no chief medical officer, most of our primary systems off line, and an exo-biologist is our captain. If there is a God, it has one hell of a sense of humor! Ensign Marla Gilmore's Personal log: Stardate 48313.8 I do not know what is worse, the thought of never seeing my friends and family again, or the death and destruction that is everyone's constant companion now. I was able to go one full hour today without crying. Tomorrow I will go for two. Captain Ransom and the crew need a reliable chief engineer. I need to be strong! Captain's log: Stardate 48350.1 Two weeks into our journey home and, for the moment, all is stable. We have been able to repair most of the primary systems to a...reasonable point, and our storage of food is not yet at emergency levels. I wish I could say the same about the crew's morale. We've all been through a lot, but I simply have no idea how to help them. They are looking towards me for strength, and I am letting them down. One further thing, Crewman Mycea has requested permission to use what is left of the holodeck in trying to create an Emergency Medical Hologram. I am familiar with Dr. Zimmerman's experiments with such a program, but did not realize how close Starfleet was to putting it into operation. Mycea, who is extremely knowledgeable in holo-engineering, claims there is enough data in the computer on the E.M.H. experiments for him to create one for ourselves. I have given Duroz permission to use all remaining holo-emmiters for his project. Emergency Medical Hologram's log: Stardate 48439.4 I have just repaired a broken nose on Crewman Lessing after he was assaulted in the mess hall by Ensign Mellisaratos. Less than two months into the journey, and the crew has already begun to crack under the stress. It is a long way home and I am concerned that the crew will break down emotionally long before they collapse physically. They can only take so much! I intend to make a formal report to the captain in regards to relaxing some of the typical Starfleet protocols. Captain's Log: Stardate 48632.2 I have just concluded a meeting with Commander Burke, and I have come to the conclusion that I need to make certain concessions in the day to day operations of this ship. This is a good crew, and they deserve to get home, but they never taught us how to handle a situations like this at the Academy. I am in over my head here, but one thing is for certain, I am in command of this vessel,and it will stay that way! Lieutenant Maxwell Burke's Personal Log: Stardate 49374.8 Even with the emergency rations, we are on the brink of starvation. I often think of the men and women who first left Earth, and journeyed for years at a time to neighboring star systems at less than the speed of light. How did they deal with the loneliness and despair? Back home I was always labeled as an under achiever. Even after graduating from the Academy, and through promotion after promotion, I was always told I was never living up to my full potential. The worst part about it is, they were right! I am better than the first officer aboard some sub-standard science vessel. I am weak! and so is the rest of this crew. It disgusts me! Even before we were drug out here to the delta quadrant, the only emotion I ever felt was anger, and it is still that way, only worse. It is much easier to simply shut down my emotions all together. As long as I am on the Equinox, I am, at best, half a man! Ensign Brian Sofin's Personal Log: Stardate 49522.9 We have come up on a race named the Krynuri, and not a moment too soon. Our dilithium levels have been down to emergency levels for weeks , and the Krynuri home planet seems to have an abundance of it. The only problem is that they refuse to part with any of it. Judging from the Krunuri I have met, it seems as though they treat dilithium with almost religious fervor, and refuse to either share or sell it to outsiders. I hope we find some way to indicate to them exactly how dire our situation is. At this moment, they are our only prospect for survival. Captain's Log: Stardate 49528.4 As we were departing the Krynuri system, it seemed as though we were defeated. All efforts to get through to these thick skulled pacifists had not worked, but, at the last moment, they had a change of heart. We are now on a course back to the alpha quadrant with a fresh supply of dilithium, and some advanced Krynurian technology on how to enhance our warp engines. Emergency Medical Hologram's Log: 49531.1 Though I have no substantial evidence, I believe Captain Ransom and Commander Burke obtained supplies and technology from the Krynuri by means that violate Starfleet regulations. As an acting Starfleet officer, I feel it is my duty to voice my concerns to the captain, and that is exactly what I intend to do. Chief Engineer Gilmore's Log: Stardate 49534.7 Captain Ransom and myself have just completed an overhaul of all the subroutines of the Emergency Medical Hologram. Since the E.M.H. will have to last until we reach home, it was necessary to make some minor changes as to increase its efficiency, and to ensure its continued availability throughout our journey. Crewman Duroz Mycea's Personal Log: 49723.5 I can't help it, but I find myself thinking constantly about Luzera. Does she feel the same way about me? Has she moved on? Does she even still think about me? I am dying out here! But I can't let this obsession for home defeat me. I must keep my thoughts in the moment, because, in the situation we're in, it is simply about surviving day to day, or hour to hour, and, in some cases, five minutes to five minutes. It seems like the only part of the day that I enjoy anymore is my time in engineering. Marla lets me talk her ear off about whatever is on my mind, and she always seems to smile and say something that makes me feel better. She helps me more than she could ever know. She is a good friend! Crewman Noah Lessing's Personal Log: Stardate 50021.4 I transmitted a message to my parents earlier today. I know it will be another thirty-nine years before they get it, but I did it more for myself than for them. You forget what it is like to be human out here, and, even if just for a short moment, I wanted to remember what it was like to do something normal. Crewman Coya Shaar's Personal Log: Stardate 50280.1 I was a nameless, expendable, nobody when I transferred to the Equinox three years ago, but I have now found a purpose. I smell home! I see it in my dreams! I can not afford to think any other way. If this ship had a counselor on board, I'm sure I would be told I am delusional. "You should not get your hopes up like this, Shaar," is what I would hear. I no longer prepare probes to be thrown into useless gaseous nebulas, or analyze pointless data, ad nauseum. The crew counts on me. John counts on me!, and I on them. This is the experience of a lifetime. I don't want to eat, or sleep, or breath until we achieved our goal, our goal to get home! HOME! HOME! HOME! HOME! HOME!HOME! HOME! HOME! Lieutenant Maxwell Burke's Personal Log: Stardate 50532.2 Mental health? Today Ransom brought us all into the broken, empty space that serves as our mess hall, and gave us a lecture on how we need to take better care of ourselves emotionally. This, only a week after rations for each crew member has been cut down to once every other day. I am sure there is some culture in the universe that has a saying, "Full belly = happy person." Ensign Marla Gilmore's Personal Log: Stardate 51115.7 An E.P.S. conduit blew in junction L12 this afternoon. I needed to get out of engineering for awhile, so I took Duroz with me to repair it. While crawling threw the jeffries tubes, he began to tell me about his fiancee back on Trill, and how they had been sweethearts since they went through primary school together. While he was talking, I began to think about Earth, and some of the flings I had when I was younger. None of them serious, of course. There was no way I was going to let a romance get in the way of my career! It was then that I realized this man was opening himself up to me, letting me see how vulnerable he was. I didn't say anything, I just began to unzip my uniform and slowly remove it. Duroz became silent himself as he began to touch me, awakening parts of my body that I had forgotten I had. He continued to touch and kiss me for what seemed like hours. All the time nothing was ever said. While he was on top of me I closed my eyes and allowed myself to enjoy the feel of him. He made me feel like a woman. I haven't felt like that for a very long time! When we were finished, we stayed in one another arms. Each of us fearing the moment that we would have to let go. And then he began to cry. He sobbed tears of emotions that he had not let himself feel for almost three years. It was then that I realized, as much as I needed to feel like a woman, Duroz simply needed to feel! Crewman Coya Shaar's Personal Log: Stardate 51455.4 This will be my final log entry. I am going to instruct the computer to forward this entry to every member of the crew once I have left the ship. I am going home! I figured it out, and it is so simple. The best part is, once the crew sees how this has worked for me, they'll recognize that this is the way home for them too! Hell, nightmares, fear, hate, horror, loneliness, shame, despair. Friends, respect, honor, bravery, family, love, peace,...and heaven! Please don't cry for me. Envy me! Captain's Log: Stardate 51456.4 Both the crew and I are deeply saddened by the apparent suicide of Crewman Coya Shaar. Evidently he walked into an empty cargobay two, and just opened the doors, exposing the entire bay to the vacuum of space. Shaar had blocked all transporter controls beforehand, so the emergency transporter lock, that would normally beam someone back onto the ship in a situation such as this, was not operable. Let the record state that Crewman Coya performed admirably under extraordinary circumstances. Finally though, he was taken by an illness. The rather disturbing, and at times incomprehensible, suicide note that he left behind asks that we not mourn him, but envy him. His pain is over! On a personal note..., how could I let something like this happen? With a crew this small I should have seen Shaar's problem. How many other members of the crew are on the edge? I am responsible for these people, and the only way to prevent another incident such as this is to get home! Plain and simple! ...I hate myself. Crewman Angelo Tassoni's Personal Log: Stardate 51459.8 A pseudo-memorial service was held today for Shaar. John gave another touching eulogy. In it he said that Shaar was our friend, and that we should grieve our loss by doubling our efforts to find a way home. I was surprised to hear that from the captain. Afterwards I overheard Burke tell Chang that Ransom has, "come around to the truth." Knowing Burke's tendency for ruthlessness, and lack of remorse, his statement disturbs me. Coya's suicide is a wake up call, but I don't know if everyone heard it. Lieutenant Maxwell Burke's Personal Log: Stardate 51812.1 Both crew morale and our day to day quality of life has increased since John has...relaxed his usage of the Prime Directive. There are no other options, not if we want to get back to the alpha quadrant. What is the worst thing that Starfleet could do to us? Throw us in some penal colony, complete with sonic showers and three meals a day? I'll take that over the hell I'm in now. I want to live. Is that a crime? Captain John Ransom's Personal Log: Stardate 52320.3 Steal, run, hide. Steal, run, hide. That is all we do anymore. We are not living! We are merely surviving! The Equinox needs some luck. Hell, we deserve some luck! First Officer's Log: Stardate 52426.9 An alien race called the Ponea threw a celebration tonight in honor of our first contact, and I'm not ashamed to admit that we ate like pigs. Due to the Ponea's peaceful lifestyle, they put up minimal resistance. We were able to secure some much needed belitrium, and some sort of entertainment device. Captain John Ransom's Personal Log: Stardate 52433.2 These synaptic stimulators we got from the Ponea make me realize how much I miss the holodeck. Still, it is nice to, even if it is only temporary, escape to a snow covered cliff, or a sandy beach. I think I better keep this thing with me, so I can limit the crew's exposure to it. Only having one could lead to problems. Crewman Noah Lessing's Personal Log: Stardate 52918.8 The crew was treated to a special evening by the Ankari, a race of pacifists that we have opened up negotiations with. After a much appreciated meal, they called upon their "Spirits of Good Fortune" by using an instrument that creates some sort of rift in space. These "Spirits" that emanate from the rifts, resemble flying dolphins that frolic peacefully in mid-air for a short while, then exit back through the same rifts. All in all, a unique experience! The evening was cut short though, after John ordered us back to the ship. He has called a meeting that is scheduled to begin in five minutes. Captain's Log: Stardate 52919.0 Max has discovered that the Ankari's "Spirits of Good Fortune" admit a high level of anti-matter. We were able to "trade" for one of the instruments that were used to summon these lifeforms, and we are currently running tests to see if the energy they emit can be used to power our warp drive. If it can, then we will make every effort to contact and negotiate with these creatures for their aid in getting us home. First Officer's Log: Stardate 52925.2 We have constructed a containment field that prevents the creatures from vanishing so quickly, but these lifeforms throw themselves so violently against the force-field that they die within a few seconds. The good news is that the E.M.H. has found a way to extract enough anti-matter from these creatures so that, even if they are dead, we can increase our warp drive output by.03%. This discovery is incredible. It very well could be the key to getting us home, but it is too early to get excited. Even if I remembered how to get excited. In another matter, we have obtained enough food from the Ankari to, with strict rationing, last a couple of weeks. Captain's Log: Stardate 52950.1 These anti-matter beings keep insisting on invading the Equinox, and assaulting the crew even though we have made every effort to deal with them peacefully. We lost Ensign Szyslak and Crewman Mycea during the latest attack, bringing the total to six fatalities they have caused. I have no other alternative but to assume these beings have declared war on the Equinox, and we will retaliate accordingly. I have no pity for these creatures. Ensign Marla Gilmore's Personal Log: Stardate 52953.2 When I woke up this morning I thought it was all a dream, but I quickly realized that I was in sickbay. It was certainly a nightmare, but no dream. Duroz and I were cramped into an access conduit together, trying to boost power to the shields, when one of the creatures opened up a rift directly behind Duroz. He had no were to go, and that quick he was taken from us. The creature continued to try to get to me, but, even in death, Duroz was looking after me. The thing couldn't get by Duroz' body. I never remember being so scared! Here I was in this cramped, dark space with this murderous lifeform only feet away from me. The last thing I recall is beginning to hyperventilate. I must have passed out, because the next thing I knew I was waking up in sickbay. I can't believe he is gone. I have to keep repeating it to myself because I refuse to accept it. He was to good to be true! With all the pain and the hate aboard this ship, he always remained the same sweet and innocent person that was so easy to get along with. Though we only made love that one time, we most certainly continued to be intimate. All he would have to do is flash me one of his warm smiles and my heart would melt the same way it did when he was inside of me. I used to think these anti-matter creatures were simply protecting their fellow beings. Secretly I hated kidnapping and killing them. I thought it made us worse than the being that stole us from our homes, but I was too frightened to state it aloud. Things are different now. They have taken Duroz from me and I want to make them suffer! If that makes me a small, petty woman, than so be it. When we return home, and I'm remembering how Duroz needlessly lost his life, I will at least be able to take some satisfaction in the knowledge that these same creatures were used to get us there. I know that will not bring any comfort to Duroz' fiancee, but it is the best I can do right now! There is, however, one thing I know for certain, I will never be able to be in a confined space again without seeing Duroz body have the life literally sucked out of it, and hearing that arcane high pitched squeal of those evil creatures. Emergency Medical Hologram's Log: Stardate 52962.8 The procedure I created to convert the energy emitted by these creatures into useable fuel seems to be working fine, if you discount the fact that these same creatures keep killing the crew. Rest assured though, I will be here working on the project. All the crew has to do is stay alive, and keep bringing me those creatures. Captain John Ransom's Personal Log: Stardate 52985.0 Earlier today I actually fell asleep for about an hour. During that time I had a dream that the Equinox returned home, but nobody knew who we were. We were treated like outsiders, like intruders. To tell you the truth, being home in my dream felt as lonely as it does here in the delta quadrant. Since there seems to be a temporary lull in the creatures attacking, I'm going to spend some quality time with the synaptic stimulator. Lieutenant Maxwell Burke's Personal Log: Stardate 52987.4 Never in my life have I had more clarity, or more purpose. There is only one thing in my life now, and that is getting myself and this crew home. This is not new, it has been this way for almost five years now. What is new is that success or failure does not matter anymore. If we do get home, perfect. If I die trying, than that is fine as well. Either way I'll be at peace. And this constant, insidious, high pitched shriek will finally be gone. Captain's Log: Stardate 52994.4 I am filing this log entry from aboard the USS Voyager. No, the Equinox did not make it back to the alpha quadrant, but we did come across another Starfleet vessel that was abducted by the Caretaker. That is the good news. The bad news is the anti-matter creatures staged their most destructive attack yet, and took five more of my crew. Bill, John, Dorothy, Ed, and Dave are gone, and, if it were not for Voyager answering our distress call, the entire crew would most likely be dead as well. Voyager is commanded by Captain Kathryn Janeway who took in a ship full of Maqui, who were taken from the alpha quadrant in the same way, and has integrated them into her crew. Since Voyager is an intrepid-class starship, they are much better equipped to handle the journey, and, therefore, is in much better condition than the Equinox in all aspects. This crew is much better fed, and their morale seems extremely high. It is amazing what a holodeck and a sonic shower can do for a ship! Janeway has made it a point to follow Starfleet protocols in all of her ships day to day activities. As much as this fears me, I do find it somewhat comforting to, at least temporarily, be aboard a Starfleet vessel with a solid command structure. Janeway has offered to aid in repairs to the Equinox. I need to speak with the rest of my crew to decide how we will handle this situation. Lieutenant Maxwell Burke's Personal Log: Stardate 52994.9 If coming in contact with another Starfleet vessel was not bad enough, Their chief engineer, B'Elanna Torres, is a former girlfriend of mine from my old life. I must admit that the delta quadrant has done wonders for B.L.T.'s looks. I would go as far to say that she is much hotter now than she was ten years ago when she dumped me. Still, she, and the rest of the crew of Voyager, disgusts me. They try to give an appearance of a lost crew who faces insurmountable odds, but sticks to their Starfleet ideals. In reality they are as bad, or worse, than us. Their crew is made up of fifty percent criminals. Their captain has abducted a borg drone from the collective, and has the audacity to tell us that it is a member of her senior crew. They have also coerced a being, that is indigenous to the delta quadrant, into being their "native guide". Who knows how many other countless ways they have spit upon the Prime Directive? What really gets to me is, if they knew about our plans to get home, which I will do everything in my power to ensure they do not, they would no doubt judge us, and consider us murderers. Only because we can use and abuse Voyager's considerable resources, will I be able to fake my way through this sham of a partnership. Come to think of it, B.L.T. cut me lose because she said I had no aspirations, no passion. It is a shame she will not get to see the new me. Captain's Log: Stardate 52998.1 So far, this tentative partnership has produced some positive results. The borg and the Vulcan aboard Voyager have created a "field generator" that will produce a force field around the anti-matter creatures as soon as they enter either ship. Needless to say, this provides much needed protection from these murderous beings. Max has assured me that he was able to download all the information we will need about it from Voyager's chief engineer's command station. Ensign Marla Gilmore's Personal Log: Stardate 52998.3 I don't enjoy deceiving the crew of Voyager. They seem like decent people, especially the handsome Commander Chekotay, who has been more than understanding about my situation. But all things aside, they are an obstacle that must be overcome for us to get home. I would love to share our secret with them, but almost certainly they would demand an end to all that we have done, and back it up with force if that is what it came down to. For now though, the rest of the crew, and myself, will enjoy their hospitality, and take full advantage of all they have to offer. Part of me would not mind staying on Voyager. Does that make me crazy? Crewman Noah Lessing's Personal Log: Stardate 53001.5 Any minute thought of joining the crew of Voyager was squashed by John today. He accused us of, after enjoying a few hot meals and some time in a sonic shower, becoming soft. I am glad that the captain brought us back to our senses. Getting home means making some tough choices, and staying on Voyager would be taking the easy way out. We owe it to ourselves, and to the members of the crew that gave up their lives, to get home. Captain's Log: Stardate 53004.9 There are a lot of events to bring you up to date on, and I don't even know them all myself, but here it goes: Janeway has found out about our experiments and incarcerated both my crew and myself. It was then that the E.M.H., that is Equinox' E.M.H., passed himself off as Voyager's E.M.H., and freed us. I am not really sure how he accomplished this, but bottom line is he did. We were then able to take back the Equinox, along with securing the field generator for our own personal use, but our E.M.H. was unable to make it back to the ship, and his condition at this time is unknown. Another problem is we have two stowaways from Voyager currently on board, their E.M.H. and the borg drone. We were about to bring our enhanced warp drive on line, and put some distance between us and Voyager, but the borg locked us out of all engineering controls. I have taken Voyager's E.M.H. ethical protocols off line, and he is currently attempting to access the borg's cortical array, so we can obtain the codes that will allow us back into the engineering systems. We tried to convince the borg to give the codes up voluntarily, but she refused. For the time being, we are taking refuge in the parthogenic atmosphere of a class M planet. This will prevent Voyager from locating us while we make repairs. Also, Max has discovered generous amounts of deuterium deposits on the planet's surface. I have sent an away team, led by Noah, to see if the ore can be localized. The Equinox is on its way back home, again! First Officer's Log: Stardate 53008.2 We are back on the road towards the alpha quadrant, but we still have some work left to do to free ourselves from Voyager. My subtle charm did not work in trying to get the female borg to undo her sabotage. Janeway's brainwashing techniques must have been extremely effective to gain such loyalty from a borg drone. For now, I have brought us in orbit of a planet that will shield us from the despot Janeway. Ensign Marla Gilmore's Personal Log: Stardate 53011.3 I had come to terms with the lifestyle of robbery, deceit, and murder, that is necessary for us to get home, but I never thought I would have to turn against fellow members of Starfleet. We are supposed to be family! History though, favors the bold. I have to remember Duroz, and all the brave soles that gave their life. I still owe it to them to get home. That should be enough to counteract the doubt that clouds my mind. Shouldn't it? That little girl on Voyager reminds me of my nephew on Earth. I hope those creatures have spared her life. Lieutenant Maxwell Burke, Acting Commanding Officer: Stardate 53020.1 It was just a matter of time before it came to this, with the full backing of what is left of the crew, I have taken it upon myself to relieve Captain Ransom of his command of this vessel. In the end, Ransom proved that he did not have the courage to lead this crew home. This crew will now finally have the leadership it deserves. This is a great day for the Equinox. Captain's Log: Stardate 53020.2 This will be my final log entry, and there is not much time, so I'll make this brief. I am not proud of the atrocities that my crew and I have committed, but, better late than never, I decided to put a stop to our plans, and find another way home that is not morally reprehensible. It was then that Max decided to stage a little mutiny. Fortunately for me, Marla reached the point where she was unable to live with herself as well. Together we were almost able to take back the ship, but we were only able to access transporter control. I was able to transport everyone off the ship, except myself, Max, and a couple other crew members. All this time we have been relying on these creatures to get us home, yet we never bothered to give them a name. This nightmare is about to come to an end. I can not think off anything more to add, other than, I am Sorry. The following is not a log entry from the Equinox, but a sub-space message we received from the captain of the Starfleet vessel Voyager shortly after the situation was resolved. I hope this message finds the appropriate officials of the Ankari. This is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. I am sending this to inform you that the threat to your "Spirits of Good Fortune" is now gone. The Equinox was destroyed, and its two commanding officers were killed. I know the crimes committed by the crew of the Equinox were unspeakable, but before you render judgment on Starfleet, and the United Federation of Planets as a whole, let me remind you that it was another Starfleet crew that took it upon themselves to put an end to these tragedies. Also let me tell you, for what it is worth, at the end, Captain Ransom realized the error of his ways, and sacrificed his own life so the suffering of these dignified creatures could end. It is the top priority of Starfleet to peacefully seek out new life and new civilizations. The crew of the Equinox was put in an extraordinary situation, and, for a time, lost sight of those ideals. As a fellow Starfleet captain, please accept my sincerest apologies. ******************** The end justifies the means. But what if there is no end? All we have is means. & |