Stardate: 70310:2000
Title: Dude, Where’s My Starbase?
Author: Executive Officer Abigail Winters
Time: Current
Scene: USS Relentless


After Admiral Foster’s threatening tone in her last message Captain Khavok had given the order for all crew members to take their positions. The plan was simple: to get just out of harm’s way before initiating a jump. With the skilful manoeuvring of helmsman Keller they were able to escape the ships encircling them without firing a single shot.

As the ship entered jump mode, it jerked in a violent fashion throwing most of the crew to the floor. After what felt like several minutes of sickening spinning and lurching the ship came to a full stop and, with as much grace as they could muster, the crew returned to their posts.

"Maxine, are we in our universe?" Abby asked as she looked at the viewscreen and out at the never-ending darkness of space.

The CSO performed a few quick taps on her console before replying in the affirmative.

"Maxine, what happened on that jump?" The Captain said as he removed stray bits of fluff from his jacket.

"I’m just reviewing the data, Sir. It will take a couple of minutes," Maxine replied as she quickly read the masses of information passing over her screen

"Lt. Levi, I want a ship-wide report," the Captain ordered as he looked around the slightly tussled bridge.

The XO looked again at the viewscreen before asking her next question.

"Shouldn’t we be able to see Starbase 9?"

Everyone paused.

"According to the data, just as we jumped the Omega bomb was set off," Maxine said to the assembled group. "That was what caused the disturbance during our jump and, I am going to go out on a limb here, I would say that is why we haven’t landed in our designated re-entry spot near the Starbase."

Abby turned to tactical. "Any other ships, planets or Starbases within our sensor range?"

"No, Ma’am" said the new tactical officer Janwan.

"All sections have reported in; only minor injuries were sustained." The COO delivered the good news.

"Well then, I suggest that since as we aren’t in any immediate danger everybody gets some rest. It may be a long journey home and we don’t want to make it longer by making tired mistakes." The Captain had read his crew well - everyone was exhausted from being on alert all the time in the last universe.

After checking with engineering that the ship had not suffered any serious damage by the Omega bomb or the particularly turbulent jump, Abby headed back to her quarters. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been back here for more than a few minutes and that time was usually spent feeding the cat.

As for Loula, she gave Abby a particular filthy look as she walked in the door but after several bribery treats later the feline was purring, happy to have some company for a change.

The last jump had been a rough ride right from the beginning. Watching the other Relentless effortlessly destroyed had really struck home how vulnerable they all were. It had also shown that sometimes they might not be able to trust those they would trust without question in their own universe. Sleep was a welcome reprieve for what tomorrow may bring.


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Commander Abigail Winters
Executive Officer
USS Relentless
NCC-11966
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