Act One, Scene One

[Akirapryde]

PROLOGUE

"Acting Captain's Log, Stardate 53829.04"

"Where to begin." Sighs for a moment

"We are one day out of Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards enroute for Deep Space Nine. The USS Thunderchild NCC-63549, has once more risen from the ashes of its near destruction. This time our near destruction was at the hands of the Dominion and their ruthless Jem'Hadar fighters. During the final hours of the Dominion War, we were conducting rapid raids behind enemy lines. During one of our raids when we were jumped out by a handful of Jem'Hadar attack ships. At first the attack seemed random, but as the battle continued it was clear that somehow the enemy knew where we were and how to hit us hard. The attack came swiftly and without warning as they pounced on us from a nearby asteroid field. During the hight of the battle, both Captain Evelyn Hoffman and Executive Officer, Commander Zdenko were killed."

Another shorter sigh

"Prior to the battle, my role aboard the ship was as a pilot assigned to the tactical fighter wing. However due to injuries from a prior battle, I found my post on the Bridge coordinating the fighters with the ship's actions. I wish I was anywhere else but on the bridge during that battle. If I was just in my fighter with my brothers and sisters, I wouldn't be here today to leave this log. But fate had another role for me and now I must fulfill that role, rather I like it or not."

"With our core leadership dead or not on the bridge I was forced to assumed command of the ship. The battle was brutal and the Jem'Hadar once more proved how they can be a very aggressive enemy. With the bridge smashed I was forced to act as both Commander of the ship, Tactical Officer and Helm Officer all at the same time. As the battle raged, there were times that I was the only active officer on the Bridge. We took a heavily pounding during the battle and at one point we lost main power. I remember back during the Academy how it was said that within any military unit is a group of people on the verge of chaos and panic. This may be true, but not for this crew! They ARE the exception to that rule. Despite loosing nearly all of the senior staff, the junior officers held their departments together. I don't think any commander could ever be more proud of any crew during such a situation as I am after the fact. This ship survived that battle because of its junior officers and the crewmen that supported them."

"As the battle continued, engineering was able to restore main power and had beaten the Jem'Hadar fighters back. However this short breathing room came at a heavy price. So many of the ship's crew and our fighter pilots had paid a high price. Still despite our best efforts, time and the battle were shifting against us. Sensors detected a pair of Breen warships closing on our position. We only had minutes till the Breen were to arrive and the Jem'Hadar ships were regrouping to renew their attack on us. I was left with the painful decision. Do I order our retreat or stay and fight. In retreat I save the ship and whats left of the crew. And at the same time I would be abandoning our fighters at the edges of the battle. Staying and fighting didn't ensure that we could save those brave pilots or meant I could retreat later. My God, what a painful choice."

"With our warp engine back on line, I gave the order to withdraw from the area. I remember the moment those words slipped my lips. Those who agreed with my order followed them without question. Those who didn't turned and gazed at me. I felt their pain and knew what was in their minds. I was breaking one of the most important unwritten rules in Starfleet. Never leave your shipmates behind. How could I forgive myself for what I was about to do. I was leaving my own brothers and sisters behind. I could hear their voices as they were locked in a life and death struggle. I didn't have time to think, the window was closing on our escape. I demanded the order be followed and what was left of the bridge crew obeyed it. I never gave that order a second thought at the time. But it is all I can think about now."

"I can still hear the communication channels echoing in my memory when I close my eyes. The voices of my brothers and sisters calling out to me. They begged for us not to abandon them. Pleaded for us to come back and get them. But we didn't have a choice. I didn't have a choice. It was either leave or the whole ship would be lost. I won't lie, I do wonder sometimes if we could have pushed forward and broke the Jem'Hadar lines. And in doing so, allowed our cut off fighters to come aboard. Would we have been caught by the Breen during that attempt. I have replayed the battle over and over again in my mind. Each time, trying to figure out what I could have done to save them. To do something better than what I feel like I had to do."

"I guess the worse is not really knowing if I made the right call or not. I know for a fact that this will become an order that will haunt me for years to come. I can see this in the eyes of those crew members that remained aboard during and after the refit. So many of them look at me with honor and respect, but there are just as many that look at me with hatred and disgust. So many had been lost during that battle. So many friends and shipmates who had perished, could I have saved my fellow pilots? The unanswered question that will also haunt be, this much I am sure of."

"I know that Lieutenant Jenifer Luther, one of our engineers, thought my actions were cowardly. She has made her opinion of my actions and of me personally clear on a number of times during our repairs. I do feel for her loss. Her husband, Lieutenant Markus Luther, was a member of my fighter group who was still fighting when we were forced to withdraw. Both of them had been a pair of my best friends and now he is gone. Jenifer wont speak with me unless it is about the repairs or in regards to official business. I have tried to express my sorrow for her lost but she shut me out. Maybe it is something I deserve. After all, I alone stand by my actions and because of them, he is gone. Markus had been listed as missing in action but after the war his remains were discovered. Now his official status is listed as killed in action. My best friend is dead, and my order is to blame. I am to blame for his death. How could I ever expect her to forgive me when I can't forgive myself."

"If you ask Star Fleet, they think I made the right choice. I have a shiny new medal to prove their thoughts of my actions. 'Showing Courage and Leadership in the true spirit of Star Fleet' is what the plaque reads. Vice Admiral Ross patted me on the back telling me I did a fine job in saving my fellow shipmates and the ship. Some even suggest that I was a hero in my actions. I don't feel like much of a hero. Jenifer requested a transfer off of the ship two months ago. I don't blame her. I know that look in her eyes when she looks at me. I couldn't even bring myself to look her in the eyes anymore. She left the ship with hardly any fanfare. I guess her days of exploring the galaxy are over. She has returned home and started to rebuild her life. I too feel the call of the stars fading in my ears as well. Its time for me to find a new life beyond Starfleet as well. I don't think I have many more battles left in me."

"After the battle, the ship was in shambles and main power failed not an hour after we made our escape. For nearly three hours we were dead in space and the crews' nerves were on edge till a pair of Romulan Warbirds showed up. It was lucky for us that they did, they were able to tug us back to Deep Space Nine. To think, that I would have been so grateful to see Warbirds. It was under the orders of Vice Admiral Ross, that I would remain in command of the Thunderchild as we limp our way back to the Fleet Yards for repairs. He tasked me with an amazing mission. To command the complete refit of the ship. The vision of Admiral Ross and Admiral Tate was remarkable. An honor that I don't think I deserve. The repair crews couldn't believe that the ship had survived. By this time, we realized how badly our ship was damaged. But the Thunderchild was a proud and strong ship. She had survived the Battle of Sector 001 and she would also survive this. During the nearly year long repairs, I was promoted to Commander as I continued to over see the repairs and refit of the ship."

"During our repairs, I had to replace Lieutenant Luther as she departed the first chance she got. I was lucky to stumble across a upstart fresh Lieutenant Kiera Medart. Smart kid but she has no real idea what is beyond the Sol System. I caught wind that she was looking to leave the shipyards and we needed to new Chief Engineer. Who knew that my pretty shiny new medal won me some favor with Star Fleet Command. I went to Admiral Ross and spoke with him about her request to joining our crew. I mentioned how she was leading much of the repairs and the installation of the new engines. I pointed out that no one knew this ship better than Lieutenant Medart. Next thing I knew, she was promoted to full Lieutenant and her transfer was approved."

"For all of her smarts though, she has failed to be able to locate the problem with our warp engines. It would appear that we are bleeding off energy via our warp field. She has sworn up and down that her engines are operating at peek efficiency, however the loss of energy is still there. The problem started to show its self right after we left the Fleet Yards. During the last few hours, I have made a point to dog her about her new engines and the loss of power. I know it is getting under her skin but I need to see where her breaking point is. I plan to push her even harder tomorrow if she can't correct the problem by then. Hell we only been out of the yards for just over a day. There is no reason why the engines should be bleeding power like this."

"The energy bleed off is enough of a problem but there is also the annoying problems with our computer have been plaguing us since we left the ship yards. The good news is that the random false alarms are giving the security teams a run for them money. It is good training if you ask me. Still, I would like to deliver the Thunderchild to her new Captain in prefect working order. If only Lieutenant Medart can fix her engines or she better have a good reason as to why we are bleeding energy. That or I all give her some close personal combat training with our resident Klingon exchange officer."

Laughs a bit, "Lieutenant Kinchlirah seems like a fine officer. Her combat record is rather impressive. She brings to the ship a whole new point defense system that is singly designed to protect the ship against small ships like Jem'Hadar fighters. A massive power drain on the ship, but creates a interlocking network of micro phasers that can track and engage these fast moving targets at close ranges. The system is remarkable if it will function as Lieutenant Kinchlirah claims. On a personal note, when the rumors came down that I might be assigned as Executive Officer Lieutenant Kinchlirah and I had to end our personal relationship. We have assured ourselves that this is only temporary. Once I deliver the ship to Deep Space Nine and her new commander, I have my own plans."

"Ensign Arendse made a bothersome comment to me yesterday. He said that he was inspired to serve under a hero like me. I will give the young ensign credit. One day he will make a fine Tactical Officer, but his current judge of character is off. I am no hero. A hero would have been able to save those pilots before we withdrew from the battle. No, I am just that guy that made that call. For right or wrong, I must accept what I ordered. And because of that order, my best friend is dead. My fellow pilots are dead. Would Captain Hoffman or Commander Adolfs had made the same call? No, I do not see myself as a hero. I don't think I ever will."

"Currently we are enroute to Starbase 74. Limping along due to computer and warp field problems. The Thunderchild is operating on a skeleton crew and will be picking up the rest of her crew once we arrive. At that time we will also be picking up our new fighter wing along with their fighters. I had had the flight crews stationed at Starbase 74 to continue with their training. I managed to hand pick most of the pilots that would make up this ships new wings. Some of them are combat vets, while others are fresh from the Academy. Together they make a strong mix of skills, experience and fresh ideas. I am sure that our new captain will be impressed with these men and women."

"Speaking of, tomorrow morning we will be rendezvousing with the USS Intrepid to pick up our new Captain and Executive Officer. I personally know Captain Campbell. He served aboard as a Operations Officer during the war, before joining Admiral Tate's staff. He is a good officer and a friend. I can't think of a better officer to lead this fine ship and her crew. As for the new XO, there are only rumors about who that might be. My own guess is that Captain Campbell already has one in mind. As for my role, I have fulfilled my duty. I have seen the ship from space wreck to rebirth. Today, the USS Thunderchild has become the first official carrier in Starfleet. This along with my own long term plans, I have to say my career couldn't end on a better note. That considering how I reached this point in the first place. This is much more than what I dare ask for."

"After our short stay at Starbase 74, we will be departing for Deep Space Nine where our ship will take part in the promotion ceremony of Admiral Ross. I have it on good authority, that the Admiral has personally requested our ship along with a few others to be part of his ceremony. The Thunderchild was his Flagship during the invasion of the Velos system. While that invasion failed, the aftermath of that operation put this ship on the path that turned it in to what the Thunderchild is today."

"Commander Addison Bonham, acting Commanding Officer, USS Thunderchild, End Log."