Stardate: 203298

A ground team has taken the scavenger down to the planet surface while DuMond sets up an orbiting beacon explaining the situation. I feel kind of bad, but we have to keep in mind that the creature stowed away on our ship and we have no control over white holes. Having said that, Tommy said he would work on an algorithm to detect white holes forming. It’s a long shot and won’t be ready for the foreseeable future, but it’s a start. Gerald, we wish you well.

Stardate: 203297

Coron 9 is one of the most mineral rich planets in the area. Gerald (they’ve got me doing it now) will be like the proverbial child in a sweet shop and hopefully will find it a suitable, if temporary, home. We’re on our way.

Stardate: 203296

The scavenger creature is looking poorly and I fear captivity is harming him. It’s hard to know what to feed him, but thus far he has been most interested in the food containers. We need to give him his freedom and scans of the area are showing just the place.

Stardate: 203295

This question of what we do with the white hole scavenger is proving tricky. We can’t wait for another white hole to appear and return him. It’s not practical to keep him, although some crew are growing quite fond of ‘Gerald’. Can we drop him on a planet and leave?

Stardate: 203294

So, having filled the ducts with some noxious substance that DuMond had concocted, our scavenger friend was forced into a store room that was promptly sealed off. He’s trapped and not particularly happy, but we are recovering all our equipment from various ducts on the ship. Now, what do we do with him?

Stardate: 203293

Well, engineering have come up with an ingenious plan, but we all have to wear our emergency breathing gear for half an hour. There’s a sense of slightly bemused excitement amongst the crew. I just hope we don’t get a call from GE0 while we all look like 3.0 androids.

Stardate: 203292

Ensign Garroud has been released from holding, as it is obvious she was a victim of circumstance. She’s being quite understanding about it all, but I think some added holodeck time is well in order. Meanwhile, engineering are looking at ways of flushing our unwanted passenger out.

Stardate: 203291

Found it! Security reported contact with a creature in one of the supply bays, dragging a deplasma unit into some ducting. It would appear we have a scavenger. The trouble now is, how do we capture it?

Stardate: 203290

Looking back over system logs, Tommy says we gained the extra weight at the white hole. There are theories that white holes could support life. What have we picked up?

Stardate: 203289

We’re systematically scanning the ship, looking for the extra weight. I just hope this isn’t all a miscalculation and a massive waste of time.

Stardate: 203288

Now that’s interesting. DuMond tells me the ship weighs too much. It’s close, but having recalibrated the internal sensors, he says there is slight unaccounted for weight on the ship. The plot thickens...

Stardate: 203287

Security Chief Marr has said the ensign maintains her innocence. He has also received a letter of recommendation from another crew member, saying how unlikely it is for the ensign to be guilty. I don’t like the idea of a thief amongst the crew anymore than he does, but the evidence isn’t looking good.

Stardate: 203286

Sure enough, my pen lit up like a Vornum’s heart. It turned up, along with all the other items, in the ceiling space of an ensign’s quarters. She protests her innocence but we have to confine her to security holding until this is sorted out.

Stardate: 203285

The new recruits have been quizzed but there’s still no sign of the missing items. I mentioned in passing about my pen and DuMond said we could scan the ship for rhodium, as my pen is the only item likely to contain it on the ship.

Stardate: 203284

Stratton is storming in where angels fear to tread. He’s organised a meeting with all staff new to the fleet at the start of our tour, and the Freedom’s crew. Knowing Stratton, it isn’t going to be pretty.

Stardate: 203283

This is now a major issue. Multiple items have now gone missing and as far as I am concerned there is a thief on board. I sincerely hope the arrival of the Freedom crew members is unrelated. Stratton is leading an investigation.

Stardate: 203282

I’m slightly concerned that DuMond has reported a valuable calibration tool missing today, and a few other crew members are commenting about ‘misplacing’ personal items. I seriously hope it is just coincidence.

Stardate: 203281

Really am quite annoyed about my pen. It was a gift from the crew of the Armour after our tour of duty finished. I missed appointments looking for that blessed pen!

Stardate: 203280

Sure enough, the white hole collapsed harmlessly and almost straight away we got comms from GE0. They were deeply concerned about our welfare. It was quite sweet really. Anyway, I’m meant to go and meet some more of the crew now, which I will do as soon as I find my rhodium plated pen. For goodness sake, where is it?

Stardate: 203279

Wow! It is beautiful. We have encountered a white hole. All my years in space and this is the first time I have encountered one of these amazing singularities. It’ll probably be gone within the hour, and it explains why our communications couldn’t reach GE0. These beasts will drag in any passing frequency for miles. Still, we may as well enjoy it whilst we’re here.