Operation Lewis and Clark
Mission log, Stardate 58847.23. Rear Admiral Sitak recording.
As of 0026 hours, the fleet has crossed into territory unknown except by surveys from the Pathfinder Project.
It has been eight months, six days since we have embarked, and so far have lost only one ship to its own poor maintenance. All those aboard have moved to other ships, and the USS Edison salvaged the derelict. The previous owner of the ship, one Samuel Trait, has expressed outrage at our treatment of his property as nothing more than resources to be hoarded. I issued a statement via my attache regarding the illogic of wasting further resources towing a ship that would not be reparable without a dedicated stardock, and the further illogic of leaving it behind. He has been silent in reply, but I expect him to react unfavorably. He has been volatile thus far.
The USS Endeavor's crew has been using our refueling stops to correct an issue of logistical concern amongst the civilians within the fleet. Many settlers did not adequately prepare their ships for accomodating so many, and we have converted the entirety of the auxiliary pod cargo bay into a... hostel, I believe Captain Amasov called it. Hostel Bay 1, as it has been come to be called, now houses almost one hundred settlers, to take pressure off of the civilian ships' systems. It is the belief of the Endeavor's crew that we can maintain that bay indefinitely, but should more settlers require emergency accomodations, we will begin sharing junior quarters to free up space to family units.
The USS Schirra has been serving as rearguard since an incident with the Cardassians two weeks prior. They are approximately four hours behind us at cruising speed, but have received no indication of further threats. After tactical analysis, it appears to be an isolated incident. Nevertheless, I have sent a report to Starfleet via subspace.
I have issued orders to Captain Alexander of the USS Intrepid to increase speed and begin surveying local space and relay their findings back to the fleet. The assignment will put them several days away from the fleet, further still if they utilize the USS Hubble. I must accept that they will be able to complete this task without support, as fleet resources are not capable of being stretched further.
Mission log, Stardate 58913.57. Rear Admiral Sitak recording, 20 LY beyond Federation Space, 700 LY travelled.
The last of the fleet, a trio of civilian ships carrying primarily industrial equipment, has finally been escorted through Melorak territory. We return to the unknown.
The last four weeks have tried the fleet's patience, as many civilians had hoped to trade or at least put down in Melorak territory. Honoring the agreement the USS Intrepid struck, we have been forced to utilize the entire contingent of Runabouts aboard the USS Endeavor as checkpoints, pulling officers from multiple posts to serve aboard them temporarily. If any ship misses a checkpoint, the USS Schirra and the IKS Hegh'ta have been on station to locate them. So far, the only ship that has attempted to stray was a ship belonging to a compatriot of Samuel Trait, who has been insisting on allowing his group to separate from the greater fleet. I have issued another message, personally this time, detailing the tenuous peace forged with our new neighbors, and that I will not allow a handful of people to endanger the entire fleet. He is quiet for now. Now that we have finished our passage, the Endeavor has retrieved the support craft and we prepare to continue on our way.
Though our contact with the Melorak was brief, it did provide us with star charts of the areas beyond their space. Their sensor technology is not as advanced as our own, but their ships have ranged much farther than our sensors have. The Endeavor's science officer makes mention of a Class J nebula that carries a significant amount of deuterium within 40 light years, though out of our direct intended course. Given that our tankers are within a month's travel of empty, I have decided to take this opportunity to gain resources without intruding upon another sentient species' territory. The Schirra will accompany three of our four tankers and our three mining barges to the cloud, and the Endeavor and Intrepid will remain on station to protect the bulk of the fleet. We have set a rendezvous in the next sector for the Schirra and the civilian ships to meet us. Lieutenant Commander Corbin will be separated from the fleet by approximately 10 days at maximum warp. I expect no particular issue, but Captain Amasov is uncomfortable with the idea. He does not believe the Schirra is equipped to defend itself against the unknown. I am patient with his concerns, but in truth, I believe that Captain Amasov sees our tactical escort as another ship to shepherd over. Given that the Intrepid handled first contact admirably without support, I trust that Corbin will have little trouble with escorting miners.
Amasov has grudgingly accepted my orders, however, and the fleet will press on. The Schirra is scheduled to depart with its followers within the hour.
