Captain's Log, Stardate 10306.25

[Cptn Moose 0]

Captain's Log, Stardate 10306.25

 

The USS Yamato has finally arrived at Starbase 36, and the USS Pandora is not far behind.  The starbase will be well protected against further lurking threats, so the Arcadia can begin it's preparations to depart.

 

I don't really believe that things are still lurking in the dark.  The Vogarts seemed to loose interest in us once we discovered their presence.  Lo'Ami's report was able to account for the Vogarts' recent behavior, although no one seems able to explain it.  Least of all the Vogarts themselves, who appear to be so advanced in some areas and so helplessly immature in others.

 

Their treatment of us has ranged from unimaginably harsh to surprisingly compassionate, like a child who doesn't realize that a fly's wings are not detachable and is insistent afterwards about setting it free from the jar.  The Vogarts had no problems with forcing themselves into my body to experience human sensations, but they also reversed my molecular degeneration on their way out, leaving me in better shape than they found me.  They dragged us halfway across the known galaxy to get a look at us, and tossed us back in a moment once they seemed to get bored.

 

Yet in spite of their technical sophistication, the Vogarts were unable to free themselves from the Nexus.  Somehow we managed to help them with that, although try as I might, I still can't recall how.  However we did it, we earned their gratitude.  Even though we still struggle to overcome the emotional and physical wounds of that encounter, we enjoy the gifts they bestowed upon us.  We haven't yet begun to tap the power of the enhanced dilithium crystal they gave us.  And they deposited the Arcadia in the Miren system.  We had to fight hard for it, but Marty Umberti, Kelly Quest, and Samantha Riker have been returned to us.

 

This is one of those times that we are fortunate to have Dr. Telano on our staff.  Ren is reputed to be 'the' expert on Combat Medicine, and the Miren refugees display symptoms similar to people released from the Cardassian labor camps.  His advise has been invaluable to the Starbase 36 medical staff, and his status as the Arcadia's CMO has allowed him to keep several patients under his care as we depart.

 

This is fortunate for my cousin Samantha.  Her family has been pulling every string possible to keep her out of the military hospitals on Earth,  They fear that Starfleet Intelligence would be more interested in the data she gathered than they would be in her recovery.  In spite of how well connected she is, only Telano's personal interest in the case allowed her to remain with us.

 

It's funny, but I don't count myself amongst Sam's connections yet.  Although she seemed to be very close with Ambassador Moose, I barely know my cousin.  I'd only met her once on the Arcadia, and only one other time before that, when she was young.  That was only long enough to untangle her from that horrible diplomatic trouble she caused.  Bill successfully managed to keep us separate for a long time.  He must have had a coronary when she was first assigned to this ship.

 

Ren made the same offer to Kelly and Marty as well.  In spite of his past relationship with Dana Quest, Marty seemed very interested to hear the Marine vessel Pandora was coming to the starbase.  I haven't heard whether he'll be staying with us or not.

 

Kelly has also not stated her intentions.  She worries me.  I would expect her to have changed due to her experience.  But I've never seen her so listless, so withdrawn.  I want her to come with us.  Her family is on board, Dana ... Ziggy ...  And I've been pulling every string I have to try and contact her son, David.  But David is on Paktar with the Ambassador, and Paktar is classified, and I'm as ineffectual at pulling strings as Bill and Picard were about Sam's medical care.  Kelly needs to be with people who care about her, not strangers in a hospital somewhere.  Who is going to take better care of her than us?  It needs to be her choice, and I'm not sure it's one she can make in her present condition.  But much as I want to, I can't make it for her.

 

So once again, the Arcadia prepares to leave Starbase 36.  I remain optimistic that the strife is behind us; that we can go boldly and gloriously into the unknown and  bring untold benefits to humankind.  And I'm ready to kick the behind of anyone who tries to ruin that for us.  A casual observer would think that I'm taking this personally.

 

Cptn Moose

USS Arcadia, NCC-1742-E