"Transitions."

[FredM 0]

"Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome." - Isaac Asimov

 

Most species view the concept of war and conflict as something which can be seen as a horrible thing. It is a perception that has been proven correct and been written about more than most. Yet, as with all things, positive developments can result from horrific circumstances. Such was true on many worlds, from the horrors of Earth's World War III to the harnessing of photonic energy during The West War on Andoria. While hundreds of millions of lives were lost during the Dominion War, progress occurred here as well.

 

Above all else, this fact is what had allowed hundreds of starships to remain in service when decades earlier their careers would have been over. With refit and repair taking months, instead of years as had been common not too long ago, Starfleet had been able to get ships seriously damaged in combat back on the front lines quicker than ever before. This fact is what had allowed almost half of all Federation forces involved in the Battle of Cardassia to be ships previously repaired earlier in war. It was this statistic that, above anything else, that was on the mind of Fred Michaels.

 

The last two and a half days had been interesting ones. A cease fire had seemingly appeared out of no where between Tholian forces, even the Supreme Leader and Supreme Commander were apparently in discussions about how to resolve the conflict. The nature of Tholia politics aside, Starfleet Command had confirmed the mysterious "holoships" had seemingly vanished from existence. Rumors existed several had been captured, but like so many things such reports couldn't be confirmed. While concern remained about what had happened to the technology, most were grateful...at least for the moment....it wasn't in use.

 

In the meantime, Captain Fred Michaels had arrived to find his ship a hulk in space. Of the five hundred and fifty souls aboard, recovery teams had located less than three hundred survivors. People sent aboard the Reaent herself had confirmed the majority of those dead had never made it off the crippled ship. All told, over fifty-seven people remained missing...likely condemned to float in space for eternity. What upset the Captain of this ship most was the simple fact he hadn't been there to do anything about it. All told however, he had been preparing himself for a fight of another type...political.

 

Even though the conflict was over, several facts went against the Reaent. Though she was a capable ship, the keel had been laid over four decades earlier. This was a fact present with all ships of the Ambassador Class. While even if they had not all gone thru extensive refits prior to the Dominion War, a task that had resulted in the NCC-3345-G coming into existence, it was likely the conflict that had caused so much death would have resulted in extensive upgrades anyway. In fact, fifteen previously decommissioned ships of the class had been brought back into service during the war. By it's conclusion, thirty-two ships of the design were still in active.

 

In a time when focus now existed with designing newer designs, such as the Akira, Luna or Sovereign, it was logical for one to question whether or not resources would be put into the resurrection of the Reaent. Yet as he had sat down in a private office to discuss what the future would indeed hold, shocking revelations had become known. A decision made half a year earlier, half a quadrant away, would not only save the aging ship from oblivion but make it one of the more unique in the fleet.

 

All the buildup towards a fight that never came had given Fred Michaels an excuse....an excuse to avoid doing what he was now. As he leaned back in his chair, he sighed and activated the recorder once again. Never in his wildest dreams had he, someone who just wanted to be an engineer, would be spending most of trip back to Earth doing this....so many times.

 

Begin Recording:

 

"Mr. & Mrs. Jacobs;

 

I deeply regret the need to inform you that your daughter, Ensign Christine M. Jacobs, was killed in action while serving aboard the U.S.S. Reaent near the Tholian border in the performance of her duty and service to the Federation. Please accept my most heartfelt sympathy in your bereavement. Your daughter was a valued member of the ship's science team and was highly respected by all who knew her. Her death, the result of enemy fire while engaged in peacekeeping operations, is a loss to Starfleet and the entire Federation. Efforts are currently underway to ensure the prompt return home of your daughter for burial in accordance with her wishes.

 

Signed,

Fred Michaels

Commanding

U.S.S. Reaent, NCC-3345-G"