Bgen Bretam Keylor Captain ==== Keylor sat at his desk in his living quarters. The lights were dimmed to a minimum. The only sound was that of the ships environmental systems and the slight vibration of the ship in motion. Outside of his windows the stars zipped by in unfamiliar fashion as the ship traveled at maximum warp to make up for lost time. With his eyes still focused out the window, he called out. "Computer, begin captains personal log." the computer beeped in compliance. "Captains Personal log Stardate 240507.01, Brigadier General Bretam Keylor reporting. It has been 24 hours since the USS chimera has left the starbase, and it has not been a smooth one. Even before we get in to the think of danger, I start getting reports from the ships chief medical officer about the number of injured engineers that are starting to fill up her sick bay. This cannot be a good sign form the prophets. Most of the injuries happened right before leaving Bragg, thankfully nothing happened that would delay our departure any longer. And shortly after departure, one eps conduit exploded placing one engineer in critical condition, and the medical staff scrambling to perform emergence surgery to remove a small shard of bulkhead that dislodged in the explosion, Doctor Summers says he will recover. The chief engineer is also complaining. Not only have the modifications been difficult, and caused many unexpected mishaps. But it has also reduced his staff by a third due to all of the injuries. I know it has been a tough fit for him and his team, but when i receive a viedo report form the cheif engineer where he is yelling, I have to wonder what SSF command had in mind by placing the prototypes on the ship. No matter, I figured the stress of the fit was getting to him and will let it pass, this time. I wonder if we could have accomplished this mission sooner and faster if we had not been encumbered by the prototypes and taken our chances. With the reduction of engineering staff, and the chief engineers instance to triple and quadruple check the new systems, crew from other departments have been helping out where possible. One example of this is the science department. With their repairs from the last mission complete and Lieutenant Oriana's incessant attention to detail, they have found time to assist with some of the minor component installations to assist with the engineering shortage. Just the other day a Cadet Terek Weranis, a fellow Bajoran, helped install a spectral analyzer in the medical labs. I had seen the transfer request for the cadet several weeks ago, but as of yet had a chance to meet him. I would be nice to talk to a fellow Bajoran. I will have to make a point to meet him, especially to congratulate him on graduating the academy and his promotion to ensign." Keylor paused for a moment as the stars zipped by. "I had a chat with Athena about her telekinetic powers and the use of them in the briefing. I swear that woman will be the death of me some day, or at least the cause for many a gray hair. I can understand her playful nature, after all aren't most Batezoids like that. But the distractions are most annoying when the mood needs to be serious. Only time will tell if she will learn to control herself, and her abilities. Computer Pause recording." He called out. The computer beeped in compliance. Standing up in the near dark room he slowly walked over to the replicator. Tapping a few commands in, he ordered up his usually cup of coffee. Keylor picked up the cup and gave it a careful inspection with his nose, smelling the brew making sure that neither Jack and his strange sense of humor, nor Athena's whimsical playfulness had switched the drink in to some thing else. Confident that the cup contained what he requested, he took a sip and walked over to the window. "Computer, resume recording." The computer beeped in compliance. "The Major has been unusually quiet lately. I hope in some way I have gained an understanding with him and his behavior of late. I have never doubted his abilities on the combat front, it is only his ability to perform under orders is what I fear. If the trend continues, he might just get some one hurt needlessly. May be a good old fashion Frontal assault against a powerful opposition is just what he needs to scratch what ever itch he has forming. We will have to wait and see." Taking another step he started out the window. "Well no call to second guesses not. We are on our way to the marsh to confront what ever demon that awaits us there. The helms officer , Harker, last reported a 4 day travel time at our current warp speed before we reach the last known location of the Gott. In that time I hope all of the crew get the remaining issues smoothed out and ready for combat. I still feel that we are headed straight in to something dangerous. Samantha Palmer has been less than helpful in that respect. She really does not know more than she does, and SSF command has placed her here as a precaution, or She is really good at keeping secrets. I have been half tempted to have her watched, but then that would only play in to the paranoia of the intelligence section. " With a sigh, he took another sip and then continued. "Some times I wonder why I stay in Starfleet. After all I have traveled parts of the Galaxy that Most Bajoran only read about. And some times I miss the simpler days of the short cargo runs between the DMZ and Bajor. But then If that was the case, why did I join Starfleet? Why did I take the battlefield commission and eventually a starship command? ::Pause:: I miss Jaxa. I miss her constant harassment for me to return to Bajor. I miss the hills of Dakur Province. I." Keylor stopped and continued staring out the window. After a few seconds the computer beeped. [Recording Paused] it chimed in its usual voice. Snap[ping back to reality Keylor turned back around. "Computer replay the last 30 seconds." The computer beeped... [Some times I wonder why I stay in Starfleet. After all I have traveled parts..] the computer replayed Keylor's voice. Keylor interrupted. "Computer. Delete last 30 seconds of recording. Save personal log and file." He ordered. The computer beeped in compliance. [Request completed. Captains personal log saved and filed.] Keylor nodded. Placing the coffee cup on the desk he turned back to the window. {Lets see.. Where is Bajor now.} He thought as he scanned the heaves of streaked stars.