Captain's Final Log Entry

CAPTAIN’S FINAL LOG ENTRY

Girad Clacy

Writers Club Press

New York Lincoln Shanghai

Captain’s Final Log Entry

All Rights Reserved © 2003 by Girad Clacy

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher.

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ISBN: 0-595-27198-7

ISBN: 978-0-5958-8013-3(e)

Contents

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CHAPTER 1

As Captain John Powers looked across the stars from his underway cabin window, he was reminded of many family and friends that were waiting for the ship to return to Earth. Family and friends that were many months into the future from where the ship was currently on a star charting assignment. He extended out his right hand and let it slide down the glass’ slick surface.

Sitting down at his desk in his underway cabin, Captain Powers picked up the ship’s operating records for review. The operating records were thorough, being prepared by each department on the ship. The records showed that the ship had accomplished a lot in her twenty years of service to STARCORE.

Since her commissioning in the year 2105, the USS PERFORMANCE had charted more than 500,000,000 kilometers of new space, discovered and categorized more than 500 new worlds. The ship had conducted some 35 rescues, been at a battle station status 14 times. Thankfully, only sustaining minor damage. The USS PERFORMANCE had also participated in 12 law enforcement activities, as ordered by STARCORE and been decorated by STARCORE for Service Excellence many times. However, for John, his greatest pleasures were finding new people to join the STARCORE family.

John set the operating records down and started to scan over STARCORE message traffic. It seemed that there was a new class of battle cruisers in the works. The USS EXECUTIONER, prototype of the new line of battle cruisers, was still in the facilities that had designed and developed her. There were also horrible rumors running through STARCORE about wanting to decommission the entire line of NCX class of ships. To John, the mere thought of decommissioning the ship made his stomach turn over.

For Captain John Powers, this ship had been his home for the past twenty years. His feelings for the ship were running deep. The USS PERFORMANCE had been a record setter in every respect. She had set new charting records, been blown up once and yet refused to die. John also counted the number of occasions where a new STARCORE family member had asked if the USS PERFORMANCE could land. Yes, even this G-1 class star mapping and research vessel had the capabilities to land and take off from the surface of a planet. She was tough, but not immortal. Time would sooner or later claim her as a new toy.

The bridge yeoman brought John the various logs that required his signature. After a quick review, John signed them and handed them back to her. As she was leaving, John wondered how long before the ship turned old and gray. This piece of metal the crew called home never seemed to age.

On Thursday, May 17, 2125, a priority message came into the ship. It carried with it the news that John didn’t want to hear. STARCORE was going to decommission the NCX class of ships as they reached their twenty years of service mark. As Captain Powers was sitting in his underway cabin, he was alerted to the incoming message by the communications officer.

Captain, priority message coming in from STARCORE headquarters.

Is it on a coded channel? asked John.

Yes, sir. Channel 191.7 megahertz.

Very well, replied John.

Placing his hand on the special security pad, the pad decoded and deciphered the incoming message. The image that appeared on the screen was that of STARCORE. That picture changed to the familiar face of Captain Powers’ first chief engineer. For John, it was like a breath of fresh air.

Captain John Powers of the USS PERFORMANCE, it is good to see you.

Yes. What is it that you want?

John, I don’t know how to tell you this, but STARCORE has decided that, at the end of this charting mission, the USS PERFORMANCE is to return to Earth.

For what, another overhaul? asked John.

No. STARCORE has decided that USS PERFORMANCE is to be decommissioned. The USS LEXUS will replace you in about a year.

I knew all along it had to be a mistake. Things were going a little too quietly at STARCORE headquarters.

I’m sorry, John.

What happens to myself and the crew?

You will get back your former rank of fleet captain and a new position.

I don’t want to hear about it.

John, look, they need a seasoned veteran aboard the USS EXECUTIONER to train the crew. There are to be twelve ships in all and STARCORE was hoping you would train them all.

Why choose me?

Look, something is up. I’m the production manager here, and STARCORE wants these ships off the assembly line as fast as I can make them. I’m thinking something is up with the Gardenians.

I think STARCORE is looking to save some money.

Well, however you look at it, your ship is the first one to be decommissioned.

Wonderful. What happens to the crew?

They are to receive the choicest orders to wherever they want.

That’s comforting to know; anything else?

Yes, your weapons offload will be conducted at the Tarquen Weapons Station. You will offload all torpedoes, ion cannons and small arms. The docking facility will take care of you and your main weaponry.

Tarquen, oh my God. Aren’t there any other facilities available? pleaded John, remembering some of the horror stories of Tarquen Weapons Station.

I’m sorry, Tarquen is the only one.

My charts should be done in about a week.

I expect to see you soon, John.

I’m looking forward to it as well. Goodbye.

The transmission terminated as John gathered his senses together. Reaching into the bottom desk drawer, he withdrew a tumbler. Remembering where he had placed a bottle of Johnnie Walker® Black Label Scotch in the cabin, he grabbed it from its little hiding place on the far bulkhead of his quarters. Relishing the moment like a fine steak, John broke the seal on the 120 year-old bottle. Pouring the brownish liquid into the tumbler, John put the lid back on and twisted it tight. John put the bottle in a special pouch, intending on taking it to his main cabin. John slammed the liquid down and proceeded towards the elevator.

Level please?

Deck twelve.

Thank you.

Arriving at his main cabin, John finished off the bottle. After finishing off the bottle of Scotch, he took a sonic shower and was feeling more relaxed. Sitting down at his desk, John started to review the new promotion list.

The chief engineer, after fifteen unsuccessful attempts at making rank, had finally achieved the rank of lieutenant commander. John was going to disseminate all this information tomorrow. The crew was anxious, but they could wait until morning. John’s primary concern at this point was, how much time did the ship have?

John decided that the best way to tell the whole crew was to call an all officers meeting first thing in the morning. The decommissioning process of a ship, from what John could remember, was very complicated and many details had to be looked at. John wanted the ship ready for storage when they arrived at Tarquen Weapons Station. John pushed the button on his console. The image of the communications officer soon materialized.

Bridge, Lieutenant Commander...

Yes, this is the captain, John interrupted. I want a department head meeting at 08:45 hours tomorrow morning in ready room six.

Yes, sir. Anything else?

No.

Good night, sir.

Good night to you too.

John shut off the terminal and went to sleep. The next morning John had the duty of trying to unmat his eyes and face the world with a terrible headache. After a sonic shower, feeling more refreshed than ever, John dressed into his uniform and headed to the bridge. Arriving on the bridge at 07:45 hours, he picked up his customary cup of coffee and walked to his chair. He set the cup of coffee down in the drink holder and waited for the yeoman and her morning report.

Good morning, sir, said the yeoman.

Good morning, lieutenant. How are you?

Fine. How did you sleep, sir?

Why do you ask?

Your eyes are bloodshot, sir.

Thank you, lieutenant.

After signing the morning reports, John left the bridge and headed for the chapel. He needed to talk to Admiral Robbins, the ship’s chaplain. When John arrived at the chapel, Admiral Robbins was already waiting for him.

My son, I am glad to see you, said Admiral Robbins.

Admiral, it’s good to see you too.

Please come with me to my chamber. You look like you need someone to talk to.

Admiral, I have some tough decisions to make. I don’t know if I can make them.

"Captain John Powers,