The New Oberon

Begin log entry: The final stages of Shuttlecraft Oberon's long overdue maintenance and refit prior to the ship's reassignment are nearly complete, and I am looking forward to a break from this hectic schedule. If I could find the luxury to muse on it, I suppose I could very easily immerse myself in a self-indulgent, melancholic sentimentality attached to one's 'first command'; but I have deadlines to keep, or else my pips are slag!

When the old Oberon is through here at McKlinley, she will not only have a new skipper and crew, but a new name and mission. She will be redeployed as the USS Ohana, a Federation Runabout stationed at the recently completed deep space outpost, Starbase Everest-Omega, along the touchy Cardassian/Alakarai corridor. I have no doubt that the maintenance technicians will appreciate the delicate subtlety and creative resourcefulness demonstrated by the emergency installation of that Calistoga bottle to shunt/toggle the transporter's Biostatic matrix transducers. A pod of Bynars assigned to rehab the old Oberon's computer core have apparently uncovered an unusual logic-chip in the navigational system that kept overriding each right turn with three lefts - no wonder the old Oberon seemed to keep taking the scenic route while carrying out its missions. Two of the six Bynars experienced a cascade-catatonic fit when they discovered the logic chip was of Pakled fabrication, and since Starfleet has banned all such Pakled components as "dangerous security risks", the Commandant of the Fleet Dock Yards has launched a full-scale investigation that has virtually shaken-out every Ferengi within a few dozen light years from the area.

On my off-duty shifts, I gaze out the viewports of the "Galactic Halo" lounge and see, still moored to its dry-dock, the newly completed vessel that I and the former Shuttle Oberon crew will be transferring to. She hovers gracefully suspended amid the stars, gleaming like a swan, looking at once familiar and exotic in its golden skin. Captain Morgan has already given the stem-to-stern exterior inspection by special shuttle before assuming command of this new USS Oberon. The Captain won't give away much of the extended capabilities of this new breed of Galaxy-Class vessel, but the faint cues from the Captain's expressions tell me clearly that this Oberon, and all associated with her, will have a unique career. There is much to this Oberon that is still a mystery - Starfleet may be using the USS Oberon as an opportunity to "push the envelope", as it were - that is if the unusual number of Fleet and Federation dignitaries on hand for the launching may be any indication. Of course, with so many important "eggs in one basket", McKinley is on maximum security footing, I just wish that some of those Gold Shirts could manage to nab that annoying little Andorian Fleet Psych-Services Officer, who has been dogging me for days now, studying my every move, hiccup, twitch and itch - and refuses to say why!

The new Oberon was rebuilt from what survived of the USS Paladin. I have scanned the logs of the Paladin's final action at Wolf 359, and its efforts to shield escaping lifeboats from two crippled starships. A more impressive and proud bequest of steadfast courage could not be imagined.

In a few hours there will be a general meeting of the USS Oberon's senior staff, as officers and crew locate their new quarters and everyone settles in. Soon after that, the USS Oberon will be underway on a diplomatic assignment that will serve as its shakedown cruise. The Oberon's capabilities will become known as it proceeds on its mission.

I can't wait to see what she's got...

End personal log, Commander Renee M. Bowe, Executive Officer, USS Oberon NCC-71820.