The Price of Peace

“Captain’s Log: Stardate 35499.29

USS Triton, NCC-2201: Captain B. Schmidt recording.

It has been ten years since the battle of StarBase 102 and the attempt by rogue Klingon houses and dissidents to provoke us into war with the Empire and at the same time remove what they considered a weak government from office.

Ten years since so many starships of the Fleet were motivated into conflict. A decade where in the Canopus belt was ablaze with explosions, weapons fire, and disintegrating hulls of destructing spacecraft, and slain crews.

Of course, the plan did not turn out as they had wished; we were aware they would come back, we were prepared as best as we could be; and we fought like cornered tigers. The Klings who fought there perished in phenomenal numbers. This combined with other failures within our space and their attempt at a coup, and the rebellion collapsed.

Even though it’s a decade since, I lost a lot of good friends there. A lot of people (not Klingons) need not have died there; but that is what arrogant patriotism generates – a belief in one’s indestructibility based on blind glory resulting in stupid ideas that cost lives.

Since then, not much if anything has happened here; we rebuilt, we maintained, we watched. The planned mass emigration of Klingons never came to pass; the radiation from the Praxis explosion dispersed faster than anyone predicted. Combine this with the failed coup, the Klingon race walked away to rebuild themselves.

Ironic is it that of now we need to demolish what we set up to keep the peace, to keep the peace. Starbase 102 is going to be a dedicated research facility. We are being wound down. Many, including myself complained that there are the Romulans, but they too have retreated; the UFP see this as a new season for peace and exploration.

So now we are being re-located, the fleet to be split up. So for the past year we have been clearing the “wrong personnel and materials” making it ready for the “right resources”, and now its time for us to go.

Captain’s Log – supplemental

This is it.

As we leave, I am told that I am being promoted to Admiral when I get back to Earth; The Triton is one of a number of ships considered too warlike and will be dismantled considering she has great space for science equipment.

The fact my dorsal warp drive had to be replaced after the battle and that huge parts of my ship remain jury rigged and still in need of proper overhaul emphasise the point.

I think some peace bureaucrats want all the war machines gone, and us fighters sidelined and seeing the Triton in the state it’s in is an excuse.

Now I know how Captain Kirk felt over the Enterprise “it’s old” nonsense.

As we leave, I am escorted by ships that have been with me or passing by to pick up staff and stock.

Captain Arcass finally got the Miranda he always wanted to command; apparently the Constellation he was commanding kept failing due to poor power issues; the cause of Captain’s Sumner’s and the Colossus’ death. Arcass was lucky.

The other ships are the usual suspects, and are here to pick up; there is a Sydney Class Liner – a real tub of a ship; an Excelsior, an Oberth, and a Merced class – the latter has been slated as a terrible ship.

I was however surprised to find that the USS Wisp made an appearance, with two Rhine Class Transports – excellent carriers they are. The Wisp is no longer commanded by Captain Mason but has been handed over to a Commander Manos. Mason is in command of the Excelsior class USS Crazy Horse.

I am planning to have dinner with Mason later. But for now, I am looking at the Canopus belt being lit up with the right lightsource – that of the systems’ star, and as we sail off into that sunset, my thoughts think of the future and the past.

Farewell Starbase 102.”



The Trek stories are now coming towards a conclusion. This is the price of peace - someone has to put the gun down, pack away the sword, and think other things. Just wanted to do a sort of "Undiscovered Country" ending.

I like to thank for the Rhine Class Tender - fabulous design and a tribute to a great artist. Please check out his fantastic artwork - handofmanos.deviantart.com/

Enjoy