Beneath the Mantle

[Cptn Corizon 0]

Corizon placed his hands on the arms of the Command Chair and leaned back into the soft maroon leather. The stars streamed by as the Excalibur hurdled towards Sigma Alpha VI. The low lit bridge hummed with inconsequential activity.

 

Shrouded beneath the mantle of the Romulan Cloak, the newly refitted Excalibur once again went into the breach. Corizon couldn’t help but be nervous on this mission, but he tried his best to hide it beneath his steely façade. They were heading into a hornets nest blindly, and the One could only know what lay before them.

 

Corizon sighed. The Admiral hadn’t been much help in assuring the crew everything would be all right – he’d spent the entire trip locked in his Ready Room trying to write notes to the families of the dead. Corizon, however, had to tend to the living.

 

It felt good to be back on a starship. His few weeks as Commander of Camelot would have given him grey hairs – if he didn’t already have them. Being back on the Excalibur had been an unexpected boost for moral. After all his years of service, both on Earth and sporadically in the ‘Fleet he’d yet to fully grasp the human predilection to their vessels; at times it was down right…disquieting. Though, at the moment, Corizon was rather happy about the passion.

 

Begin Recording,

 

Executive Officer’s Log, SD 0603.06 Supplemental.

 

We’re en route to Sigma Alpha VI, the closest of the Dominion Planets to be attacked. The crew seems to be adjusting well to the new vessel, though I do not believe they have completely recovered from the Battle.

 

Sleep has been a luxury that has not been afforded to most of the over the last few days, including myself, but such is the job of a busy Starfleet officer in the midst of a galactic crisis that threatens the balance of power in the Gamma Quadrant.

 

I have to admit, after reviewing the summarized transmission from the Vorta Attaché, Weyoun, I am even more troubled by these attacks.

 

Medical has been ordered to setup triage and refugee centers in the cargo bays, should we find any survivors at Alpha Sigma VI. Though the prospects of that do not look good.

 

Our last contact with Alpha Sigma VI was just over 20 hours ago, and they have not responded to any attempt to communicate, though the Dominion CommNet still appears to be only partially working.

 

Current ETA is just over 12 hours to Sigma Alpha, with any luck the lingering questions in my mind will soon be answered.

 

End Recording.