Captain's Log - USS Astoria

[VADM JT Kerry]

Captain's Log USS Astoria-I
Stardate: 90778.43
Fleet Captain JT Kerry, Commanding

Left the Fleet Embassy two days ago after acquiring the necessary equipment for our rendezvous with the USS Lexington and three other vessels, in the Gamma Orionis Sector Block. Battle Group Omega requested select members of the 7th Fleet to investigate reports of missing ships in and around the NGC-2447 System, and determine the source of an alien subspace transmission.

Upon entering the Mutara Sector, we came across a rogue planet. We had arrived in the sector three days early, and decided to take advantage of the opportunity to investigate such a rare occurrence. As we approach, initial sensor scans reported a variety of plant and animal life. I ordered the assembly of an away team as we entered orbit.

Stardate 90781.16
The away team’s initial findings were amazing. The flora and fauna of this planet seem to have adapted to the wandering between the stars. But the evidence shows that it started as an orbital body around a star or as a large moon around a massive planet. I plan on sending a larger scientific contingent, tomorrow.

Stardate 90782.87
Of the initial ten member team, only one member, Commander Derick Roderiquez, seems to have fallen ill five hours after clearing quarantine. Commander Tavis said, at first, he thought the symptoms Derick presented were unrelated to the away team mission, but within an hour he found a nanovirus had gotten through quarantine. He had been carrying the virus onboard for nearly two days. Tavis also reported that, since the virus came through quarantine, that there is a 42.9% chance that the virus has been passed to others Derick may have come in contact. I decided to cancel all away teams until it is determined that the virus is not a dire threat.

Stardate 90781.16
I contacted the Lexington to request a delay in the mission. Over 75% of my crew has fallen ill. Tavis quickly determined that the virus was airborne, upper respiratory infection and affected those species most closely akin to the Terran variety, which was most of the ship. Those who became infected had delirium and periods of extreme weakness and fatigue to the point of randomly falling asleep. Their body temperature, though not extreme, fluctuated rapidly, causing them chills and sweats. Most had minor secondary infections due to the change in their body chemistry, which Tavis was quickly able to resolve. But due to the nature of the virus, we had to let nature take its course.

Stardate 90797.63
90% of the crew that fell ill has been cleared for regular duties. I contacted the Lexington, to delay another two days for further evaluation. Captain Shackelford set the next rendezvous for SD: 90824.99 at the previously assigned coordinates, with the desire to insure that contamination wouldn’t be spread ship to ship.

Stardate 90816.79
The time allotted to us by Captain Shackelford gave Tavis and his team enough to evaluate the genome of the virus. Crewman Moret Ghayal, one of our biochemists, determined that the nanovirus had come from a carnivorous plant Derick and others had examined on the planet. And, after many interviews, found that all those with the initial infection had inhaled strongly while near the plant to determine the perfume like odor it emitted. The odor was the sensation caused by the virus and was part of the symbiotic relationship with the plant to draw animals in to its area of attack. Knowing the genome of the virus quickly led to the preventive measures for quarantine. Tavis published this in the Federation Database for all ships to configure into their systems, so that a nanovirus of this type can be quickly identified and cleared. Tavis also had time to submit his data for medical review by the Federation Medical Counsel at Starfleet Academy. Their determination concluded that the members of my crew that were infected acquired sufficient immunity to not be re-infected. And that, once the infection ran its course the virus, finding the humanoid forms inhospitable for their existence died away or was absorbed by the immune system of those infected, so further contamination was not possible.

I have place a marker on the planet and recorded its current trajectory, with gravitational influences marked, so further study may occur. It truly is a fascinating planet. Too bad it made us ill on first encounter, but that has been corrected. I had the previous coordinates calculated, so previous trajectory can be computed to determine the planets possible origin.

I relayed all these records to Captain Shackelford for review and was given clearance to make the rendezvous at the appointed time. He also had the medical engineering teams modify the personal shields to filter this nanovirus signature to insure further contamination was not a possibility. This configuration is on review to be published throughout the Federation.

[VADM JT Kerry]

Stardate: 93057.63

While in route to Risa, aboard my Captain's Yacht, to meet some friends I had some encounters...

The Borg was of the unfriendly sort, but I was able to escape and find my way to Risa.

Their was a brief aberration while entering the atmosphere in my shuttle and had been knocked unconscious.  As I came to, I found that my ship had somehow landed on the surface.  Everything seemed normal, but there didn't seem to be any humans around.  I went to the bar, only to find two humans I had read about in my studies in the Academy.  One I recognized immediately, the famous engineer, Charles "Trip" Tucker the III and only by association his companion Malcolm Reed.

 

I introduced myself and had a few drinks with them, and then went off to find the friends I came to Risa to meet.  Later that night I came across Malcolm.  He and Trip had gotten separated, so I assisted Malcolm in his search.  Out in front of the hotel he handed me a small device with a substance you ignited with a portable flame on one end and inhaled.  I thought it peculiar, but he said wait and you will see what it does.  We continued and found Trip in the lobby with two women.  It was there that we parted ways.

I took an "elevator" to go up the high-rise building to the floor designated on card they called my "key".  I walked through the door, and found myself awaking up in a bed.  It was daylight.  I started to wonder what was happening, and started thinking that I may be phase shifting my way through the fabric of space time.  I came to a great hall full of all sorts, including quit a number of humans.  On the stage was Admiral Sulu.

  

He was talking about the ships he encountered when he was younger and the friends he had early in his career.  There were tables with models of the ships on them.

 

It was very heart warming, funny, and interesting to hear.  After he finished I left the building, to search for my friends once more.  When I returned, I came through one of the largest revolving doors I had ever seen, and the flash happened without the lack of consciousness I experienced before and there were my friends standing before me in front of a waterfall in the lobby.

Once with my friends the phase shifting seemed to abate, returning to the time I belonged.  None of them believed the story, I know it.  Even with the images I was able to capture with my scans.  We went of to have some drinks and see some sights and have some fun in the sun that is Risa.

End Log.

[Wupteedo]

Excellent posts FCpt JT Kerry. 

I hereby nominate the first post for the 7th Fleet "Most Inspirational Forum Post" award. 

Do we have a second?

Qapla'

 

[VADM JT Kerry]

We all had fun.  It turned into a bit of an adventure.  We had a vendor trying to sell us our logo on a beer can - Federation of Beer: Vulcan Ale, Klingon Warnog, Sindicate Larger - by using our patch as the center piece on the can and wanting $5000 to get licensing (from CBS - the very people that said I couldn't use their stuff in the self-same patch). He led us to a Casino to eat at the buffet for $8 after getting and using rewards points for a discount. 

I did see Keating and Trinneer at the bar (just like a scene out of Enterprise), but didn't have a drink with them.  Davis and I did have an encounter with Dominic Keating (Malcolm - Enterprise) at 12:30am Sunday morning, and I'm not going put in writing what happened - but I did ask for the picture.  My daughter wanted it.  Surprisingly, neither of them know much about Star Trek, but Keating said he had been to tons of these events. 

I passed by Harry Kim (Garrett Wang) by the elevators on the first day and he asked for directions to the convention.  I pointed it out as I was going to my room to change.  I came by his table later, saying, "I see you found the convention."  He laughed, and seeing the uniform, he asked to take my picture. 

John Billingsley (Doctor Phlox) was extremely funny.  There were mic's on both sides of the stage, and he held a contest over who could ask him the most embarrassing question.

I had a conversation with Chase Masterson.  She is involved with an organization that my wife and I had donated.  She was asking for donations for a t-shirt.  I told her to keep the shirt.  But, then I asked if she would join the fleet.  So, if you see an app from someone named Leeta, who is Bajoran with a real first name Chase, just accept it.  It's her.

And, I had more photos taken of me than I took.  Or, questions - "Is that from the game?" about the uniform.

Jon Madayag - had a photo taken and I ask that he send it.  He is a real life chef, and the outfit is his real work clothes.  One day he said he slapped a combadge on it and said he was a Starfleet Chef.  It works:

He may apply to the Fleet. 

 

It was just an all around good time.  And, it was really nice getting to know Don, Mark, Mike and his wife, Bill and his wife and John.  We sat and talked about gaming or what we do and just general stuff of life.

I didn't buy much and only got one signature - Connor Trinneer - "Trip" .  We all had went to the same topic on the last day, next year is the 50th Anniversary, which will the Fleet attend - Chicago or Vegas?

 

JT