It was a dark and stormy night

[Atragon9 0]

Meritorious Achievement Award

 

::Walking into an observation lounge on Deck 3, A9 pauses and looks out at the hull, pressing a membrane button on his arm casing::

 

Begin personal log, Admiral Atragon-9, commanding officer, USS Manticore, NCC-5852-A, password *********

 

[whirr, click]

 

Pacing the ship... I haven't completed a walking tour of the entire ship in one continuous walk for a long time. I guess it hearkens back to a King walking the battlements of his castle on the eve of battle. Then again, the battle doesn't really start tomorrow and I'm definitely not a King. However, I can understand the need to examine the layout in the hours of calm before the ... storm. I know that I had a hard time believing that all of this was real, was necessary, was Right. That process is all part of my acceptance and I realize now that this is a just war, a proper war. I am putting my crew and my ship at grave risk, but if we can do any small part of protecting and defending the Federation against this terrible threat, it will all be worth it.

 

::he looks out one of the aft windows and looks up at the top rear of the saucer::

 

Looking out at the Dorsal Mod cannons and the hull enhancements, I wonder if it will strike the same fear into the Arcturan heart that it does in mine. If I looked up and saw this ship bearing down on me, I would give very serious thought to being anywhere else, right away.

 

::he turns and walks out of the lounge and continues to walk the ship::

 

She is such a beautiful ship, frak, I hope nothing serious happens to her or to her precious cargo. Hmm, it's funny, Jami knows I am walking the decks and she knows it's a solitary quest. Of course, she knows exactly where I am and can track my every step, yet I have yet to encounter anyone outside of designated work spaces and I have to wonder if she is clearing the halls for me. I can't be the only person who cannot sleep tonight, yet I haven't found a single member of the crew, sitting up late or walking the decks, besides the 3rd shift crew at their stations. I wonder if the crew is avoiding me and if they are doing so, is it because they have been warned off, because they don't want to engage me in any conversations or because they are truly holed up, enjoying the last few hours of calm.

 

::He reaches a ladderway and climbs to Deck 2. As he walks down the hall, he hears the faint sound of a group of people behind one of the doors and leans in to try and make out any details, then shrugs and moves on::

 

Eat, Drink and be Merry, eh?

 

::pressing the button on his arm casing::

 

EOM, EOT [whirr, click]