By: Brad Fore

Captain’s Log: Stardate: 54702.3. The Bozeman successfully escaped destruction in the Swamp nebula with the Sloane towing us, after an antimatter charge was discovered in the debris of a destroyed Volshin ship. Long range scans indicate the Swamp was completely obliterated in the explosion, and what remains is a highly-unstable area of radiation and energy. The type of energy is similar to that found throughout the Bozeman’s systems; obviously a residual effect of the TON’s detonation. This evidence, along with other data gathered by both the Bozeman and the Sloane, convinced Lieutenant Dennis and Lt. Commander Kestner to rule the Swamp the origin of the TON torpedo.

The full damage report on the Bozeman is as follows: Select here for visual layout. In short, all ship’s systems have been overloaded, including weapons, navigation, warp and main power, auxiliary power, emergency battery power, impulse power, and sensors. The Sloane’s repair teams along with our own have restored life support, communications, inertial dampers, and Viewscreen functions, drawing power off the Sloane herself. The Sloane is towing us back to Starbase 31, where we will repair the ship enough to get her home to Earth. Early estimates put the Bozeman’s repair time at six months, at the least. We’ll know more when we start taking her apart at Starbase 31. End of Log Entry.

Captain Bateson sighed. Six months in dry dock, he thought. Ah, well, at least Starfleet has promised us shore leave. It’s been a while since I’ve seen solid ground.

Suddenly, the doors to his Ready Room swooshed open, and Lt. Commander Kestner walked in.

Bateson said to him, “You could’ve knocked, Kestner.”

Derek replied, “I don’t believe so, sir, seeing as how internal communications have been cut to save on gel-pack energy.”

Bateson asked, “Why not draw more power from the Sloane?”

Kestner answered, “With her having to tow us, along with the damage she received from the Volshins, and the added strain of powering our critical systems, the Sloane’s power is spread pretty thin, sir.”

The Captain nodded. “Very well, what do you have?”

Kestner said, “The Sloane reports that we should arrive at Starbase 31 in one hour, sir, and you have an urgent communiqué from Starfleet Command.”

Bateson cleared his throat. “Thank you, Kestner, I’ll take it in here.”

Kestner replied, “Very well, sir, I’ll inform Wizz to patch it through.” He then turned and left.

Bateson replied, “Morning, Admiral. I trust you are well.”

Owens answered, “Yes, Captain, very well. I’ll bet you’re wondering why I seemed so urgent to your Communications Officer.”

Bateson smiled. “The thought had crossed my mind, sir.”

Owens continued, “I thought it would. I have some pressing news that couldn’t wait until your return to Earth.”

Bateson asked, “What sort of news?”

The Admiral replied, “Captain, it has been a long time since your ship has been recrewed, and, um....”

Bateson interrupted, “I know where this is going, sir, and I don’t like it.”

“Captain Bateson, it is time for a change; for all of us. Most of your younger Officers are showing a lot of potential, and no room to grow. In addition, we have several new ensigns and lieutenants fresh out of Command School and we need somewhere to put them. You’ve already proven to me that you can handle newbies very well.”

Bateson was outraged. “Admiral, I don’t think we need this right now. There’s not a crew out there that, when put together, knows more about the Volshins and how they act. And, besides, one of my Officers, Lt. Commander Foreman, has just lost his wife, sir, he’s going through a lot right now. A crew transfer for him, where he would be placed in an entirely new environment, would only further hamper his development. And, sir--”

Owens cut him off, “Captain, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I had planned to keep your Officers together, mainly because of their expertise in the Volshins. But also because of the strong bond they have developed and how well they work together.”

Bateson began to calm down. He swallowed. “Sir, who will be leaving?”

The Admiral glanced down at a padd on his desk. “Brad Foreman, Derek Kestner, Karl Hayter, Montgomery Scott, Michael Sheffield, Lindsey Q, and Ashley Rickman. Mr. Scott will be transferring to the Starfleet Corp Of Engineers as it’s head, taking over for Commander Perry, who will be back on the Bozeman for her refitting and as a member of her permanent crew once again. In short, I’m returning the Bozeman’s Command Staff to it’s original state upon entering this century.”

Having Chief Engineer Perry back on board lifted Bateson’s spirits. But only slightly. “Very well, sir, if there’s nothing I can do to change your mind....”

Owens replied, “No, Captain Bateson, my decision is final. It’s time the Bozeman got a fresh start. The other transfer destinations will be announced later. Owens out.”

Bateson sat there staring at the Federation Symbol, still in shock at what he had heard. He had grown to know and like his crew. Even if he did miss his old engineer and comrade Perry, he didn’t feel it was worth it to loose all his friends and crew so suddenly. Bateson also knew what crew transfers did to shore leave time, and he hated to see his crew lose that after going through so much for so long without a break.

Bateson sat there in silence, wondering how to tell his crewmates the inevitable.

Brad Foreman sat at his place around the table in the Bozeman’s Observation Lounge. To his left was Derek Kestner, to his right was Scotty, and across from him was Counselor Rickman. Dr. Hayter was also there, along with Lindsey, Michael Sheffield, and Captain Bateson. I wonder why we’re here? Foreman thought.

As if to answer Brad’s question, Captain Bateson stood. “I called you all here to relay to you an important message I received from Starfleet Command.”

Derek asked, “What sort of message, sir?”

Bateson replied, “One concerning the future of this ship and her crew.”

Everyone exchanged looks of dread and anticipation. Michael asked, “What about our future?”

The Captain answered, “I’m sure you all know the need for change. It is what keeps us going in life; keeps us moving. Well, this time, it’s happened to us. I have been given an official order by Admiral Owens himself concerning the seven of you.”

Scotty cut in, “But, sair, what e’er it is, cunna Adm’rl Owens ‘ave told us all in person?”

Bateson replied, “I’m afraid that it couldn’t wait until we got to Earth, or until after shore leave.”

Counselor Rickman said, “Tell, us, sir.”

Bateson swallowed hard. “You seven are to be relocated to another assignment. Off the Bozeman.” Everyone around the table gasped. They had all grown to like their posts on the Bozeman, and the wonderful crew they worked with. Now all that would be gone. Bateson continued, “I have been assured at least six of you will remain together on your next ship.”

Hayter ridged his eyebrows. “If that’s the case, who is not going to be with us?”

Bateson sighed, realizing that this was a lot to take in. “Scotty will become head of the Starfleet Corp or Engineers.”

Scotty replied, “Aye, but, sair, I’d much rather stay with these lads ‘n’ lasses ifn’ it’s atall possible.”

Bateson looked at him. “I truly am sorry, Scotty, I did all I can, but Admiral Owens is intent on his orders. There’s nothing else I can do.”

Michael replied, “We can fight it. There has to be something that can be done about this!”

Brad said to him, “It’s no use, Michael, it’d be like trying to reverse the flow of an antimatter stream without a magnetic field generator.” Sheffield nodded.

Kestner said, “Do we even know yet where we’re going?”

Bateson answered, “Not officially, but there are several key openings on the U.S.S. Cobalt, a Galaxy-class starship commanded by Captain Brandon Blankenship. If I remember correctly, the positions can be filled by the six of you.”

Lindsey cut in, “He was the Commander of Starbase 53, wasn’t he?” Bateson nodded. “I liked him; friendly guy. Always seemed to know what he was talking about. I hope his ship is our destination.”

Just as she finished, Andy Welch came in through the doors. “Sir,” he said. “I was sent to inform you we are approaching Starbase 31 and Admiral Cromer wishes to speak with you.”

Bateson replied, “Thank you, Andy.” He turned toward Foreman and the others. “You had better start packing, you’re scheduled to leave the Bozeman when we reach Starbase 31. This meeting is dismissed.”

“What do you mean, ‘trouble’?” Bateson asked from his desk in his Ready Room.

Admiral Cromer sighed. “The Volshins don’t like the fact that the Swamp was destroyed. They blame the Federation for it’s destruction. They-”

Bateson interrupted, “But we didn’t blow up the Swamp, their own antimatter charge did!”

Cromer continued, “I know, Captain, but that’s not how they see it. There are reports of several Volshin ships massing near the Klingon-Volshin Border. The Klingons are forming their armada nearby, to try and keep the Volshins at bay, and Starfleet feels the Klingons can hold them off.”

Bateson didn’t seem so sure. “How many Volshin ships are there?”

Cromer replied, “We don’t know for sure, fifteen or twenty at the most. We thought there’d be more than that, but apparently something is keeping the Volshins elsewhere.”

“Hmm,” Bateson said. “I wonder what could possibly be holding off the Volshin fleet?”

“I don’t know, Captain, but whatever it is, let’s hope it doesn’t let up.”

Bateson nodded. “What does Starfleet want me to do? My ship is grounded.”

The Admiral replied, “We are going to do all we can do: sit and wait. The Sloane isn’t exactly up to specs, either, Captain.”

“I see. Admiral, most of my Bridge Crew is leaving once we get to your Starbase.”

Cromer looked puzzled. “What do you mean, Captain?”

Bateson replied, “Admiral Owens has officially ordered the transfer of six of my crew to the U.S.S. Cobalt, and one to Earth, effective immediately.”

“Who are they?” Cromer asked.

Bateson answered, “Derek Kestner, Karl Hayter, Ashley Rickman, Michael Sheffield, Montgomery Scott, who will be head of the Corps of Engineers, Lindsey Q, and Brad Foreman.”

Bateson thought he saw the Admiral’s eyes flicker for an instant, but the moment passed as she said, “Oh, I’m sorry, Captain, I know how much your crewmates mean to you.” Bateson nodded in agreement. Cromer continued, standing, “Well, if there’s nothing further, Captain, I must be on my way.”

Bateson said, “Very well, Admiral.”

Cromer said as she turned to leave, “I’ll keep you posted.”

Brad Foreman stared idly at his now-bare quarters. The Bozeman had been docked at Starbase 31 for an hour-and-a-half, and he had been packing for most of it. Heh, he laughed to himself, Seems like I just cleaned out Whitney’s half of our quarters, now I’m finishing the job. He stood. Much too soon, I might add. He looked at his bags laying next to the door. That reminds me, he thought. “Computer: check quarters for any non-standard items.”

The monotone voice replied, “There are no non-standard items in your quarters.”

Good, Brad thought, I didn’t leave anything. Just then, his door chime rang. “Enter,” he said.

The doors slid open, and Admiral Kayla Cromer came through them. “Hey, Brad,” she said. She walked over to where he was standing, grasping him in a hug. She stepped back, and said, “I heard about the transfer, I’m sorry.”

Brad shook his head. “It’s all right. The price you pay for advancing in rank, I guess.”

Kayla continued, “I, uh,” she shook her head, as if fighting some mental image. “Noticed that the Cobalt doesn’t pass by Starbase 31 very often, does it?”

Brad took her hand. “I’ll still come to see you, every chance I get. I was skipped this shore leave, but I’m sure there will be others.”

Kayla nodded. “I know this must be hard for you, having to leave all your friends and crewmates you’ve grown to know and like.”

Brad replied, “Aw, it’s not that bad, after all, five of my friends are coming along with me.” Foreman looked up at the bulkhead above Kayla’s soft brown hair. “But I will miss this ship.”

“She was your first assignment, wasn’t she?” Kayla asked.

Brad nodded. “Yes, and it won’t be easy to leave her.” Silence fell on the room, lasting for several seconds. Brad broke it by saying, “I fell in love with her, the Bozeman, almost to the point of putting my life on the line for her.” He chuckled. “When you’re an engineer, and you’re so close to the reactor, you can just feel the power and energy flowing through the conduits.” He sighed. “It’s ironic that the Volshins destroyed every power generating device on the Bozeman, it’s as if she died. And to me, that’s what it feels like; like she’s dead.”

Kayla embraced him again, resting her head on his chest. She whispered, “The Bozeman will go on, Brad, and so will you.”

He replied, near a whisper, “Maybe so, but we won’t go on together.”

Kayla looked up at him. “No, but you and I will.” Foreman leaned down and kissed her. She returned the kiss, but Brad backed off. He said smiling, “Why is it that your kisses can always lift my spirits?”

Kayla replied, also smiling, “I don’t know, but let’s not stop to ask why.”

He didn’t.

Bateson looked around his beaten and battered Bridge from his command seat. This ship and her crew have been through a lot together. He sighed. Now we’re about to lose seven of the best. This won’t be easy.

Wizz suddenly pivoted in his chair, saying, “Sir, Starbase 31 reports that the Cobalt is entering the system. E.T.A. in twelve minutes.”

Bateson stood, saying, “Are internal speakers operational?”

Dayton replied, “Through the Starbase, yes, sir.”

The Captain continued, “Then put me on.”

“Aye, sir, on speakers.”

Bateson cleared his throat, “This is the Captain. I have been informed that the U.S.S. Cobalt has entered the system. Now for those of you who don’t know what’s going on, I’ll tell you. At ten-hundred-hours this morning, I received a message from Admiral Owens, our fleet commander, concerning seven of the Bozeman’s crewmembers.

“This message had to do with the future of this ship, her crew, the Cobalt and her crew, Starfleet Command, and also the lives of these seven men and women. The message was that they would be leaving the Bozeman.” Bateson paused. He could almost see the responses of his crew. Some would gasp in surprise, others would pay it no mind. Some would ask “why”, while others would be glad. Whatever the reaction, Bateson knew, the news would come as a shock.

He continued, “I want the seven of you: Captain Montgomery Scott, Lt. Commander Brad Foreman, Lt. Commander Derek Kestner, Lt. Commander Karl Hayter, Lt. Michael Sheffield, Lt. Ashley Rickman, and Ensign Lindsey, to know that wherever your careers may lead you, wherever your ships may take you, wherever your dreams may carry you, that this ship and her crew will always remember you and cherish you for as long as we exist. May you have good luck and Godspeed in whatever you attempt. Bateson out.” He stood there in silence.

To his left, Counselor Rickman shook off tears.

Behind him, Security Chief Sheffield stared intently at his console.

In front of him, Ops Officer Kestner smiled with pride.

In her quarters, Ensign Lindsey admired his emotion.

In Sick Bay, Doctor Hayter stood in front of a patient, still paused in mid-sentence.

In Engineering, Captain Scott smiled as a tear welled up in his eye.

And in his quarters, Engineer’s Mate Foreman held Kayla in his arms, rocking slowly back and forth on his feet.

“I wonder where everyone is?” Brad asked Derek as they walked toward the turbolift.

“I don’t know,” was Derek’s reply as they rounded a corner. They were carrying their things down to the Transporter Room to be beamed over to the Cobalt.

Brad said as they continued on, “It’s really gonna be hard to leave her.”

Derek replied, “I know. The Bozeman was our first assignment, and it will always be the best.”

Brad stopped. “You don’t know that. I hear Captain Blankenship is one of the most promising Captains Starfleet has to offer. And the Cobalt, can you imagine serving on a Galaxy- class starship?”

Derek nodded. “I must admit that the Cobalt herself has quite a reputation to live up to. Fine ships like the Yamato and the Enterprise-D were Galaxies.”

Brad picked up his things and continued on. “Yeah, and her engines are like a dream. She may only put out 9.2, but Galaxy class engines have been proven to out do any other engine class to date as far as reliability and effectiveness goes. And the weapons systems are fantastic. She’s like a flying fortress.”

Derek nodded as they walked on. “Not to mention the science facilities and labs onboard. There’s just so much more that the Cobalt has to offer than the Bozeman.” Derek paused a moment, then asked, “Why are you so enthused about leaving the Bozeman in the first place?”

Brad smiled as they came up on the turbolift. As the doors opened, and they stepped inside, he said, “Let’s just say I was...’persuaded’ by a higher ranking officer to look on the bright side.”

Derek smiled. “You know, some people may look on your relationship with Admiral Cromer as a plot to advance in rank.”

Brad replied, “Maybe so, but I still love her. I told you about that night in Buenos Aires a few years ago, didn’t I?”

Derek nodded. “Yeah, but you weren’t married to Whitney though, were you?”

Brad answered, “No, of course not, I’d heard about Whitney and had seen her, but I’d never met her in person. But, Derek, until I saw Kayla that first time we pulled into Starbase 31, I had forgotten how much she captivated me. I still don’t know why I left her that night in Buenos Aires.”

Derek said, smiling, “I do, you had classes the next day.”

Brad shook his head. “Yeah, but I could’ve at least gotten in touch with her, Derek, and I didn’t.”

Derek replied, “Yeah, but just think, if you would’ve stayed with Kayla you probably wouldn’t have finished Starfleet Academy, and therefore wouldn’t have been on the Bozeman, which means you wouldn’t have married Whitney, and besides all that, you wouldn’t have stayed with me.”

Brad said as the turbolift slowed, “I guess you’re right, Derek. After all, I have had a good time on the Bozeman and-” He stopped in mid-sentence as the doors opened and he saw what they revealed. There, in the corridor was the ship’s crew, lined up on both sides of the corridor as if ready for inspection.

The Ensign closest to the door said, “Sirs, Captain Bateson wishes to see you in Transporter Room One.”

Derek managed to say, “Thank you, Ensign,” through his surprise. The two friends made their way down the corridor.

The entire ship must be here, Brad thought as they walked. He looked around, seeing many familiar faces as he continued on. I’ll proably never see most of these people again, it’s like leaving school for the last time. They two finally came up on the doors leading to the Transporter Room. Brad said, “Well, this is it.”

Derek only nodded as he stepped into the Transporter Room. The entire Command Staff was there: Captain Bateson, Commander Bush, Andy Welch, Wizz Dayton, and Mike Dennis, along with Dr. Hayter, Michael Sheffield, Ashley Rickman, Lindsey, and Scotty. As the doors closed behind them, Dennis, Bush, Andy, Wizz, and Captain Bateson walked over to them, shaking their hands and bidding their good-byes.

Captain Bateson spoke, “Now that you’re all here, I want to say a few things. Captain Blankenship is a fine captain, I’m sure you will adjust quickly. And you’ll need to, because the Cobalt will be Starfleet’s only ship specifically assigned to Volshin matters. But, right now, you all need your rest before the Cobalt departs Starbase 31 tomorrow morning. So, I’ll quit rambling on and wish you all the best of luck and I give you my blessing.”

Brad said, “Thank you, sir, you don’t know how much this ship and her crew have meant to us.”

Bateson answered, “And you don’t know what an asset you were to us. I wish you and your friends the best of luck.”

Brad replied, “And also to you the best.” He picked his things up, and followed Derek, Karl, Lindsey, Scotty, Michael, and Ashley onto the transporter platform.

Bateson ordered as they turned around to await transport, “Attention: Salute.”

The remaining officers in the room all raised their hands above their eyebrows in the time-honored salute. Brad stood there admiring at how much they cared for him.

Bateson cleared his throat and said plainly, “Energize.”

Foreman watched as the place he had called home for so long, the ship he had grown to love, and the Captain who he had fought side-by-side with all these years, vanish in a blue haze, to be replaced by the unknown.