The Wisp Returns

When she returned, she was ordered to report to her commanding officer with immediate effect.

She pressed the door’s chime button, heard its charming sound and waited. When she heard the voice command her to come in, she stepped forward and the doors parted with that distinctive hiss.

In the room sat a being, blue in skin, with distinctive moving antennae, and she stared at them because the last time she saw them, they were caked in its owner’s blood.

He looked up and stood up and then smiled as he held out his hand. She warmly shook it.

“Welcome back Cathy” he said with pride.




“Captain’s Log: Supplemental

It has been two months since our conflict in System 431; that felt like yesterday; the review we had after it…well that felt like years.

It was called for in the aftermath of that sudden firefight; the pirates may have lost but we did not have a clear case ‘victory’; three federation starships including us got a severe mauling and alas over forty Starfleet crewmembers were killed.

I understand the reason for the review; to show to the families and friends of these fallen people that their lost is not vain nor a tribute to stupidity and recklessness.

Our task force was then rescued by Romulans – including a V-27 that was involved in the Kaltach/Solace incident. The fact they annihilated every pirate and then obliterated the Gorn ship has humiliated us. Not because we were as the humans say ‘up against the ropes’ but any details on these pirates and how they got their hands on a Gorn ship – let alone modify it – now are forever gone.

On top of that, my ship was then rescued by another Romulan – and not just any Rommie – we were saved by Commander Tomalur, someone I know so well. However that’s another story for another time.

The review may have been necessary but it was more of my homeworld’s fireworm ritual, or an ancient human drumhead trial than an investigation.

Some wanted blame, something to make the UFP seem smooth and that its smoothness was ruined by someone and not the stupid decision to cut ships and reduce defense; they wanted to make David (Captain Forrester, task force leader) a scapegoat; blame him for rushing it and being reckless.

In my opinion he did a very good job with what he had, and considering that the Starfleet is being either mothballed, cut, and decommissioned in places I am amazed we had a taskforce at all.

Dave fought back, especially against that smug prosecutor. He had valid reasons for not having the Horizon on remote (‘it would warn the pirates’), and why it had to be done; the SS Star Fury would have perished if we were not in the area; and who knows what freighters succumbed and paid the ultimate price.

Then that prosecutor tried to make out Cathy was incompetent, that she was willing to let the Romulans board us, and so forth. Cathy fought back well; the crew were more important, the ship was in a mess; but that slimeball…

I will admit I exploded; my friend Cathy Jensen and what was left of the crew did their utmost considering the situation; and they were being belittled by someone who had no respect; a lay person I understand, so there can be no bias, but he was out of line. I gave him a piece of my mind which made things worse. The review descended into a blur of rage, and was cancelled for two days.

When it did get back to proceedings, we still had him, and he went to task; made Cathy look like a pathetic weakling – something she is not and then had a go at me viciously over my leadership and my skills. We knew the risk of rescuing those stranded fellows aboard the Horizon. We all would have died regardless but luck and judgement was on our side. But it was not enough for him; ‘why did I not spot the battleship?’ ‘Do you know what you are doing?’ He belittled me…if only…

However to my delight the review came to a conclusion five days later, in our favour, and summed up what we knew; Forrester acted proper; there was a situation moving too rapid for long term planning, so he played along. He could not muster a fleet in time and considering our cuts, we were lucky to have any. We did not look for a battleship for those things belong to governments – private interests just could not have them; ‘naïve’ said the review ‘but understandable’. We were just caught short; but there was no incompetence. Everyone did what was expected and in my ship’s case – above duty.

The slimeball wanted to make ‘a case’ but the review asked the families their opinions; they were satisfied. The people died because they went into battle – not of a result of incompetence or stupidity.

That is the risk of being in Starfleet.

As a result, the dead were decorated and honoured, for their sacrifices saved more lives; the slimeball was ignored and made to look a fool; and there will be a look into the role of Starfleet now; after all the cold war with the Klingons may now be over, but there are still the Romulans, and now possible privateers and smaller factions who think they can multiply and monopolise under the peace. Whilst there are people like me and crews like mine about, that is not going to happen.

It was a task to get the people I know back, but it worked. Especially Cathy; I owe that woman my life, we all do. There was talk that she did not want to return, that some wanted her gone. I would respect her choice, but no one else’s. I am so glad she came back.

As for the Wisp, she is fully operational now, refitted yet again; a single proper navigation deflector under the nose, better shields and weapons, more room for sensors, and a better paintjob. Plus windows! Things are turning to a better course.”

Manos spoke too soon, As the Wisp left spacedock, alone in the night, their first duty…was to scan an asteroid belt.

A friend he knew called Drell summed up scouting duty; “Constitutions explore M-Class worlds, Rangers scan rocks.”

Then again it’s the best place to find worms…




Plaudits to for the story and details, and additional plaudits to and for his Ranger model which helped me shape the pose of the Wisp.

Enjoy