Breaking News

[Cptn_Seiben 0]

THE FEDERATION PRESS

UFP Mourns loss of legendary Captain

Issue: 47 Star Date 9401.09 Vol: 25

 

 

Captain James T. Kirk, killed in action

SAN FRANCISCO (FP) - Millions of citizens and dignitaries from around the galaxy turned out to pay their last respects to Captain James T. Kirk, in a memorial service held at the Crystal Cathedral in nearby Garden Grove, California held in the late captain's honour.

Captain Kirk was killed in action, in what was supposed to be a routine cruise around the solar system. Attending the launching ceremony of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-B ) Captain Kirk was among the invited delegates to attend the launch, of the third starship to carry the Enterprise name.

The cruise, which was slated to take the Excelsior Refit class ship to Pluto and back to Spacedock, went horribly wrong after answering a distress call from two El-Aurian transport ships, the Lakul and the Robert Fox, caught in an energy ribbon.

The only ship within range, Captain Kirk was killed in action when the Engineering Section exploded when a shock wave from the energy ribbon struck the Enterprise directly in the section Kirk inhabited after singlehandedly saving the lives of 47 El-Aurian refugees from the doomed S.S. Lakul.

The Captain was working on the ship's deflector array in Deck 15 in Engineering when the explosion took place. His body was never recovered. His loss is believed to be a factor of inexperience with Enterprise-B Captain John Harriman and the lack of proper equipment installed prior to departure.

"The Federation lost one of its best officers and we are deeply saddened by his tragic – and preventable death" said the President, in a press statement shortly after the memorial service. "We believe that if the Enterprise-B had proper equipment installed before her launch, the Captain would still be here today"

Leaving the San Francisco Shipyards, the Enterprise-B lacked crucial equipment such as the tractor beam, weapons or medical personnel, which would have made the attempted rescue relatively easier. These equipment and personnel were due to be installed into the ship the following Tuesday.

"We didn't think anything like this would ever have happened. The Enterprise was only supposed to go to Pluto and back. So, we didn't think the installation of the tractor beam, weapons or a full crew was needed" said San Francisco Shipyard foreman Chris Vandenberg.

"We regret this tragic error of judgment, and we extend our sympathies of Captain Kirk's loss to his friends and family" Considered as one of the best officers and captains to ever serve on Starfleet, James T. Kirk was perhaps best known for his five year mission aboard the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) during 2264-9.

During these years, Kirk and his crew made contact with countless worlds and battled the likes of the Klingon and Romulan Empires on many occasions, and even literally saving the planet from an alien space probe in 2286 .

Captain Kirk would then go on to command the Constitution Refit class Enterprise (NCC-1701-A) that same year, and proved to be an instrumental part in the signing of the Khitomer Peace Accords last year, and thwarting an assassination attempt on the president.

Changes and Restructuring

As a result of the events of the Enterprise-B disaster, Starfleet Command has ordered that all vessels currently under construction at all of its construction facilities be fully equipped with all equipment and a full crew compliment prior to the vessel's launching.

"We have made this order, to be effective immediately so as to prevent an event like this to ever happen again" replied Admiral Craig Smith. But the move is seen as a controversial one as it now delay the launch dates of the hundreds of starships now in construction, by weeks or even months.

"I'm well aware that this will delay the launches of many ships undergoing construction and refits, but in the long run, it will be worth it as the ships and vessels launching will be ready to handle any situation 'fresh from the factory'" Smith continues.

At Utopia Planetia where some of the new Excelsior Refits are to be constructed, the workload and overtime has increased and more workers are being called in order to meet with Starfleet's demands. "We, at Utopia Planetia pride ourselves in making quality equipment on time and working perfectly" said foreman Bill Bailey. "It'll be a tough road ahead, but we'll meet demands. I've no doubt about it"

Other construction facilities also feel the pinch, and have increased their work time and workers as well.

 

 

 

For more information, turn to page C26.

 

For Captain Kirk's service history and career time line, please see page B1.