Stardate: 203398

I have sent text only messages to the Captain of our copy. Apparently their Boswell came up with exactly the same theory yesterday. I’m very uncomfortable with the whole thing. Still, we now know we are looking for the duplicate Armour coming to claim the Delta. Let’s hope forewarned is forearmed.

Stardate: 203397

I would say Boswell has a pretty solid case. An alien race without a home world. They scan and duplicate a ship including crew. A deliberate flaw in the DNA means the crew die a few days later. The duplicators inhabit that ship, approach a very confused original ship and, using inside knowledge, destroy it. They then move on to find another ship to scan, copy and destroy. That being the case we need to talk to the Forge. The other Forge.

Stardate: 203396

Tragically, we were correct. The entire crew of the Delta had expired. We have to keep reminding ourselves that they were duplicates and the original crew are out there somewhere. Boswell wants to see me with a proposed theory of what has been happening. I can’t wait.

Stardate: 203395

We hailed the Delta this morning but got no response. I’m sending an out-team across to investigate, but I fear the duplicates reached their limit.

Stardate: 203394

The other Forge is hailing us. I refuse to take it though as I am seriously concerned about our psychological welfare in seeing ourselves, especially knowing a duplicate’s lifespan. Our copies should know roughly what’s going on, they are us after all.

Stardate: 203393

With impeccable timing, Captain Smith has informed us that his crew do not wish to sit around, waiting to die. They would rather do something constructive with their last moments. I say, ‘with impeccable timing,’ as a ship with the exact same signature as the Forge has just appeared on our scanners. Here we go.

Stardate: 203392

A senior staff meeting has thrown up some ideas about what is happening here. A lot of good theories, but nothing we can prove. Captain Smith has asked for a private conference that I’m just about to leave for.

Stardate: 203391

Captain Smith has taken the news with the stoic professionalism that I would expect from Captain Smith. I feel terrible, knowing the chances are the original Delta has been destroyed and their duplicate doesn’t have long. We need to end this.

Stardate: 203390

Yung has gone to the Delta to share her findings about the DNA failure. I can’t imagine what it’s like to tell an entire crew that they have days to live.

Stardate: 203389

I fear the damage has been done and our copy is already being built somewhere. We find ourselves in the very disconcerting position of having to start scans…for ourselves!

Stardate: 203388

Well, we found the scan signature we were looking for, mainly because we were scanned half an hour ago. Whoever they are, they’re coming to get us.

Stardate: 203387

Doctor Yung has shown me some rather worrying scan results of the Delta crew. The copied DNA cannot hold together and it’s a matter of time before their bodies start to fail.

Stardate: 203386

We have a reference in the logs to an active scan made on the Delta while we were being repaired at SP0. No other references are made to it but it could have been the lead up to the duplication. We’ve taken notes of the details so we can look for a similar signature.

Stardate: 203385

Under very close supervision, we are reviewing the Delta’s logs looking for clues to their duplication. The logs have been duplicated back to day one. This technology is frightening.

Stardate: 203384

The fake Delta is willing to cooperate with us, up to a point. As far as they’re concerned, we randomly started shooting at them. This is all very bizarre.

Stardate: 203383

It’s early days, but even the crew seem to have been duplicated, with complete memories and knowledge. So what made the Storm attack us way back when?

Stardate: 203382

Yes! Boswell was right. The fake ship had been copied in such detail that we knew their frequencies and algorithms, lowered their shields and shot their engines out. A security crew are preparing to board.

Stardate: 203381

The ‘Delta’ is very well matched to us and we’re presently just outside each others weapons’ range, probably recharging shields if they’re anything like us. But Boswell has come up with a brilliant idea.

Stardate: 203380

It’s confirmed, the ship is a duplicate. We’re going to simultaneously raise shields and open fire. Boswell checked that I was going by protocol and aiming to disable not destroy. I’d be lying if I said it hadn’t crossed my mind.

Stardate: 203379

Engineering are double checking the scanning algorithms. I don’t want to open fire on one of our own. We have the slight advantage but must get this right.

Stardate: 203378

We have met with the Delta. I spoke to Captain Smith via the main screen. My main concern is that the entire ship and its crew are reading as duplicates.

Stardate: 203377

We’ve made audio contact with the Delta and Captain Smith says all has been quiet since we left. No sign of the duplicate Storm. We’re going to physically meet tomorrow when we can receive search patterns and scan results.

Stardate: 203376

I’ve checked and the scanning algorithms for picking out duplicates are fully operational. I just need to settle on an attack plan, if it proves necessary.

Stardate: 203375

We’re making excellent speed and should be with the Delta in a couple of days. Commander Boswell did a sterling job yesterday, although I must admit seeing the male members of the crew fawning over her really is quite amusing.

Stardate: 203374

We’re heading out of the solar system and heading towards the GE-Delta’s coordinates. I’ve given the Bridge to our new First Officer, Commander Boswell. Let’s see how she does.

Stardate: 203373

Everyone’s done an outstanding job and we are ready to launch. GE Command asked if I needed a mission, but they know as well as anyone, I have some outstanding business to attend to.

Stardate: 203372

Stratton has just informed me that he has been offered his own command and will probably take it. I have no doubt in his ability. I just hope the crew under him know what they are letting themselves in for. I wait to hear who our new First Officer will be.

Stardate: 203371

Spent today with the ship. Some areas show very little change while others have been almost completely revamped. New chair. Not sure I like it.

Stardate: 203370

It may be because The Gates of the Galaxy is one of the most beautiful operas I’ve ever heard, or it may be because I’m getting older, but I confess to wiping a little tear from my eye last night. I should check in on progress.

Stardate: 203369

The GE engineers are wasting no time in repairing and upgrading the Forge. I’ve been given a time scale of four days, which I feel is a little optimistic but all credit to them for trying. Meanwhile, I have an opera to attend.

Stardate: 203368

Home. We’re home.

Stardate: 203367

Catching up with necessary work before we dock. And by ‘necessary work’ I mean booking tickets for the opera the day after tomorrow.

Stardate: 203366

Worrying moment when the engines nearly cut out, but we’re back on track and should limp our way into SP0 on schedule.

Stardate: 203365

GE0 have offered to send out a maintenance vessel to escort us the rest of the way. I have gracefully declined and just hope it was the right decision.

Stardate: 203364

The ship is rumbling and groaning and I’m a bit worried that we’re going to end up being towed into Space Port #0. That would just be embarrassing, but I have every confidence in Hanson and his team.

Stardate: 203363

Stratton says he has conducted an enquiry and is satisfied that no protocols have been breached. I want to give everyone awards and he is satisfied that no one need be punished. Humans are fascinating.

Stardate: 203362

I’m not quite sure how he’s managed it, but Hanson seems to have got us going faster than we were before the blow out. He estimates arrival at the end of next week.

Stardate: 203361

In a feat of manpower and efficiency, we’re moving. I don’t care what happens, what mayday calls we receive, what planets explode in our path, we’re going home.

Stardate: 203360

Stratton wants an enquiry into how Mr. Wilson ended up floating free. I’m more concerned with getting us moving again, but I do have to let him have his own way sometimes. For now, Hanson is fixing the plasma issues and getting us mobile.

Stardate: 203359

So, having calmed down, allow me to explain. All we saw was the plasma flooding out of engineering, closely followed by a floating airlock suit. In one of the quickest and smoothest operations I have ever seen, Chief Engineer Hanson overrode the safety lockouts and expertly beamed the loose crewman back into the ship. It was, quite honestly, phenomenal.

Stardate: 203358

>error-indistinguishable speech, please repeat

Sorry. I’m still shaking. That really was very, very close. Our floating crewman owes his life to Chief Hanson. Let me calm down and I’ll report back. Wow.

Stardate: 203357

Credit where it’s due, one of the trapped men has volunteered to make the walk outside the ship. I was never happy with spacewalks. The simulators always made me feel nauseous. Still, it’s not me, so here we go.

Stardate: 203356

What is it with this ship?! Hanson can’t redirect the override controls, presumably as the plasma has burnt out a necessary junction. So one of the men will have to go out a small airlock and make their way round to the manual release. We’re talking about going back to plan A – just vent the plasma internally.

Stardate: 203355

The trapped men are happy for us to flush engineering through open bay doors. It should get us back moving within a couple of days, but it will be a rough ride for them. Hanson has gone to override the doors.

Stardate: 203354

There are two ways of getting engineering back. One allows the plasma to gently flow away, but will take days. The other gets done in seconds but is a little more dangerous with personnel inside. Hanson is talking the options over with the crewmen.

And, as a note to any non-technical staff, no, we can’t just ‘beam’ them out. It’s a well known fact that plasma gives false readings for a transporter lock. We’d ending transporting half a person and a crate load of plasma.

Stardate: 203353

OK, bad news first. There are people in there. Two crewman. Good news, both are well. We know this because Hanson has hacked into one of their logs. He said it’s taken him over 24 hours to do it after the junior lieutenant blocked him at every turn, but he’s in and passing messages backwards and forwards. Let’s get this fixed.

Stardate: 203352

Hanson says he has an idea but doesn’t want to elaborate until he has proved it works. Tommy would have told me anyway, but you have to respect the man.

Stardate: 203351

Hanson has been running diagnostics and says that a weakened plasma conduit has probably ruptured and taken out the largest sensor processor on board. He’s redirected flow away from the leak, but that has shut down the engines. We need to resolve this, but can’t get anyone in to engineering until we clear the plasma. I hesitate to say it, but I almost hope someone is in there.

Stardate: 203350

The ghost of the Storm attack continues to haunt us. Engineering has just gone into emergency shutdown. All the blast doors have shut, effectively sealing it off. We’ve also lost internal sensors, so we can’t tell who, if anyone, is in there. We didn’t deserve this.

Stardate: 203349

I’m just setting off to the Sports Lounge for the TDC final. Those who can are meeting in the holodeck after for…let’s say, a debrief. Let’s not call it a party, eh.

Stardate: 203348

There’s a very positive atmosphere amongst the personnel at the moment. Heading home, a real sense of camaraderie, we seem to be going a little bit faster every day. Roll on that gorgeous blue planet.

Stardate: 203347

For the record, Gwen Garroud and Herman T are in the final, to be held the day after tomorrow. It was wonderful to hear everyone shouting and cheering. I am so proud of this crew.

Stardate: 203346

We’re making quite a big deal out of completing the SLC, or TDC. The crew desperately need something to focus on, so we’re going to operate a skeleton crew while everyone else is ‘strongly recommended’ to attend. Semi-final tomorrow.

Stardate: 203345

Sometimes, I enjoy being surprised. Commander Stratton suggested that we complete the Sports Lounge Championship. What a good idea! Then he suggested we rename it the Thomas DuMond Cup. That just knocked me off my feet.

Stardate: 203344

We’re making best speed home; still, it’s a steady stride rather than a sprint. Captain Smith is giving us regular updates on the Delta’s search and most of the crew are just trying to keep busy. It’s incredibly frustrating to be on a ship that’s capable of so much more.

Stardate: 203343

I'm torn whether to go looking for the fake-Storm or make our way home. We're not going to be up to full working capacity without a refit at GE0, so I think I know what we must do. Captain Smith has said he will start a search pattern for the rogue duplicate, but I secretly hope he won't find it. I have a personal score to settle.

Stardate: 203342

The more I learn about what happened to the Storm, the more worried I get. A technology that copies, not only physical structures, but particles to such a degree that security algorithms get copied, is obviously in the wrong hands. However, if we meet the 'Storm' again, we now have the advantage of knowledge.

Stardate: 203341

'Amazing' is right. Hanson hasn't quite mastered the Chief Engineer's trick of simplifying a complex subject but, from what I can gather, the Storm was duplicated. Every bolt, every plasma module, every fabric. Hanson suggests I look up 'photocopying' in our historical archive.

Stardate: 203340

Hanson has asked me to join him in Engineering for some 'amazing, amazing, you have to come down here, amazing' results. I just hope it doesn't involve time travel.

Stardate: 203339

Our combined Engineering departments are running all shifts trying to work out what happened to the Storm. There is a conspiracy theory amongst the junior staff that the Storm's crew cracked time travel and it drove them all insane. If that proves true I will personally suit up and hand wash the outside of this ship!

Stardate: 203338

The Delta has just found the log module, but Captain Smith has graciously let our crew take it for decompiling. The first report I get is that the log stopped recording 23 days ago. That’s not possible. The log stays recording until the very last second, so how did the Storm get destroyed before it attacked us?

Stardate: 203337

We’ve just found the GE-Storm. It’s in a million pieces, floating in space. I must say, I am devastated. Relieved that we don’t have to face them again, but this is no way for a ship and its crew to end. We’re scanning for the log module to find out what occurred in its last days.

Stardate: 203336

We’re making good progress. Every day we get a little faster and the crew’s spirit rises. Thought a lot about Tommy today.

Stardate: 203335

Repairs have sped up considerably as the crew of the Delta are coming over in shifts to assist us. Captain Smith and I have been discussing the Storm incident and trying to work out viable scenarios. Even if the captain went insane, he couldn’t do what he did on his own. It would take the cooperation of almost the entire crew. What happened on that ship?

Stardate: 203334

The GE-Delta has arrived. I have to say I am relieved. We were in no condition to fight off another attack, so a friendly face is very welcome. Captain Smith (a Hargan whose actual name is unpronounceable using a human tongue) has offered to accompany us back to GE0, both by way of technical support and defence. I have gladly taken him up on the offer.

Stardate: 203333

Our scanners are partially operational and the first thing reported is that a GE-class ship is bearing down on us; we just don’t know which one. I swear by everything I hold dear, if it’s the Storm, ready or not, I will blow it out of the sky.

Stardate: 203332

Today has been an odd day. Decommissioning a crew member is hard at the best of times, but when it’s a close friend…I don’t know. The service went well, I just feel really weird about the whole scenario. I’ve booked some time with Counsellor Fxarga.

Stardate: 203331

We have arranged a service for Tommy tomorrow, after which his escape pod will be released. Stratton and I agree that Lieutenant Commander Hanson is more than capable to take on the Chief Engineer role. He has kept repairs on a steady track and we stand a chance of being mobile next week.

Stardate: 203330

Even worse than the damage to our ship has been the damage to our crew. A fight broke out in engineering today. I doubt disciplinary action will be taken but I’ve left Stratton to deal with it. I am less than focused at the moment.

Stardate: 203329

This morning, Stardate 203329, Chief Engineer Thomas DuMond lost his final fight. I have never heard a ship as quiet as ours is today.

Stardate: 203328

Crew are pulling double shifts to get the Forge back in shape, but we took a serious beating – it’ll take a while. Tommy’s stable, but Yung says it could go either way over the next day or so. I’ve delegated as much as I can to Stratton so I can spend my time in the medical bay. I’m not sure Marisa approves but lets face it, if I hadn’t made us fight, he wouldn’t be here.

Stardate: 203327

I will attempt a legible entry today. Tommy’s hurt. Eight personnel ended up in the medical quarters. Five were discharged the same day, one has left today. That leaves two in a critical condition and DuMond is one of them. The Doctor is giving me regular updates. I’ve left Stratton to appoint an acting Chief Engineer.

Stardate: 203326

I can’t……I didn’t know the……

No.

Stardate: 203325

The Freedom has saved us again, although indirectly. One of their crewmembers who joined us after the wormhole incident has been keeping his light under his proverbial bushel. I have never see anyone execute an attack run like he did, especially considering the state we are in. The Storm has shot off and left us in peace, at least for now.

Stardate: 203324

I’m tired of running. Fellow GE craft or not, at the next uninhabited planet, we’re turning and fighting. I fear it may be our last stand, but it must be taken. In the event of catastrophic failure or destruction, the emergency message pods will fire our farewell messages home. Let’s hope we don’t need them.

Stardate: 203323

We're breaking all the rules just to try and stay ahead of the Storm, but they're kicking the plasma out of us. I don't understand! We need something to happen in our favour because, as things stand, we won't last to the end of today.

Stardate: 203322

The GE-Storm is firing on us! Since yesterday, we have been in a defensive pattern, trying to evade it. Surely the crew have been overcome by some hostile force, and yet whoever is firing knows exactly where to hit us to cause most damage and what pattern we will fly. Just like a GE Captain would.