9.3 Official Logs

First Encounter With Klingon Empire (2151)

Hostile alliance of worlds found beyond our frontier. USS Sentry, Advance Class. Francis Benoit, Captain.

On the outskirts of Gamma Demetrius, the Sentry intercepted a distress call from a small warp shuttlecraft of unknown markings. The craft contained a family who asked for immunity from the Klingons, whom the Sentry's captain had never heard of. He heard of them soon enough, as this Log records in this, the first confrontation between the Federation and the Klingon Empire.

Captain's Channel Log:

Sentry: This is the USS Sentry, Captain Benoit commanding. We represent the United Federation of Planets, whose territory you have entered. Please identify yourself and state your purpose.

Devisor: We want the family.

Sentry: Please identify yourself.

Devisor: Return the family or we'll blow you out of the quadrant.

Sentry: The Sentry is a fully equipped battlecruiser with more than enough firepower to answer any hostile act. Please identify yourself.

Devisor: This is the Devisor. I am Korall, Captain. The scum you are harboring are declared criminals of the Klingon Empire, and I demand their immediate delivery.

Sentry: What crime are they accused of, may I ask?

Devisor: They are enemies of the Empire. Inquire no further. I demand immediate receipt of the scum, so that their death sentence may be carried out.

Sentry: Captain Korall, you are in no position to demand anything. You are trespassing into Federation territory and you are greatly outgunned. The family we have on board have requested political asylum, and according to Star Fleet regulations, I am obligated to turn the matter over to a UFP Court for a decision whether to grant it. The Klingon Empire is of course, invited to state their side of the question before a verdict may…

Devisor: Verdicts, courts, asylum. What sort of weak-spined empire do you pretend to be? Justice belongs to the strong. We'll be back, to get the family, to get you, to crush your pathetic Federation. No one defies the Klingon Empire. We will destroy you utterly.

USS Valiant Disappears (2153)

Galactic Exploration Outreach Program now in doubt. Star Fleet Command. Star Fleet Alert.

Subspace radio contact has been lost with the United Federation of Planets Cruiser USS Valiant, NCC 1102.

At last report, the Valiant was heading at warp 3 along celestial warp coordinates 30° mark 175° mark 210°, and had entered Sector 4 of Quadrant III. The only system in the stellar vicinity is Vendikar III, which is thought to be uninhabited and an unlikely destination of the Valiant. Star Fleet Command believes the ship was embarked on an unknown exploratory goal further out in the sector. The USS Valiant is part of the UFP's Galactic Exploration Outreach Program and was in the final year of a five-year mission to explore new worlds.

The Valiant has missed three consecutive reporting periods and is now officially classified as Missing in Action. All Federation ships are put on notice to be on sensor lookout for the Valiant, to monitor all subspace radio channels for distress signals, and to watch for hard evidence of its loss (ion trails, space flotsam, etc.).

Repeat—Star Fleet Alert: Subspace radio contact lost with USS Valiant. Be on alert for starship, distress signals, or wreckage.

Black Hole Explored (2155)

Data indicates presence of alternate universe. USS Orpheus, Kepler Series Telemetry Probe.

With the tragic loss of the USS Kepler in the supernova explosion of Phi Puma, the use of extremely sophisticated unmanned science probes was given a higher priority. In the case of black holes, those voids in space caused by the collapse of giant stars, these automated probes proved expedient, since any object committed to the star-swallowing gravitational field would be inexorably sucked into the hole and likewise “disappear” from our universe. The USS Orpheus was just such a probe, and this readout is the last received before it vanished into the black hole.

Telemetry Log:

Data Parameters: Distance from Black Hole (BH): 1 A.U. (1.495 x 10⁸ km.); Velocity: 79,181 km./sec.; Acceleration due to gravitation: 2.305 x 10 km./sec.²; Committment to BH Descent: Irreversible.

Systems Report: All warp engines off-line. Warp power entirely diverted to telemetry transmission. Sensors still functional—error correction necessary for space-time deformation.

Quantitative Analysis: Estimated Mass of BH, based on gravitational acceleration: 3.8 times Sol System sun. Estimated radius of BH, based on field flux triangulation: 543 meters.

—ATTENTION—ATTENTION— Calibration sensors partially damaged by flux fields. Damage Strategy: Revert to Qualitative Analysis.

Qualitative Analysis: BH rotating on its axis at rapid rate approaching speed of light angular velocity. BH pulsating at rate approaching speed of light: Cause Unknown. Virtual particle detector/analyzer reveals presence of particles from matter/antimatter annihilation. No source of antimatter could come from this universe. Preliminary data indicate possible presence of alternate universe gate at center of BH. ….. Repeating sequence.

Data Parameters: Distance from Black Hole (BH): .48 A.U. (7.176 x 10⁷ km); Velocity: 94,340 km/sec.; Acceleration due to … End Readout.

Back-to-Earth Movement Proclaimed (2157)

Growing numbers throughout the galaxy want to return “home.” Benecia Colony, Terrareturn League.

While the expanding exploration of space continued each year with the consent of the majority of mankind, there were, inevitably, counterforces opposing this trend. The Back-to-Earth movement began with this Proclamation by the Terrareturn League, of the then relatively undeveloped Benecia Colony and spread with surprising force throughout the inhabited galaxy. This movement was a prime cause of the crisis that almost toppled the United Federation of Planets at the Babel Conference of 2177. But like all movements that lack true popular support, this eventually splintered and dissolved.

Proclamation Log:

For two hundred years mankind has been exploring space. For two hundred years we have been looking ever outward. For two hundred years we have been pretending the problems inherent in the human condition would somehow find a miraculous solution in the heavens somewhere, the next planet we find, the next galactic wonder we meet, somewhere. Anywhere but where they only can be found: in the hearts and souls of struggling, imperfect man.

Well, on this bicentennial of spaceflight, we would like to speak for millions of fellow space vagabonds when we cry, Enough! Enough senseless expansion. Enough running from ourselves. What purpose is served exploring new worlds when the world within ourselves yet remains a mystery? Enough, we cry. For all our sakes.

Descendents of Earth, it's time for us to return to our roots, to discover our own world. Back to Earth is our clarion call. Let us go back to a simpler time, a simpler life. For what have we found in the galaxy that we really needed, but new problems. Are not all the best things in life to be found back home?

Home. What does it mean to each of us? Is home starbase 6, or Benecia, or a Rigel outpost? No, we may throw our lives away in distant sectors of space, but home to us all is and has always been but one place: Earth. Yet, instead of using our human potential to make Earth the strongest and most humane planet in the galaxy, we squander our irreplaceable resources on a thousand foreign worlds. This is madness. This is suicide.

Look to your own house, mankind. It needs you. Back to your roots, back to your home. Back to Earth!

Spacejacking of Flying Fortress Biggest Ever (2160)

USS Leonides, Mann Class. Pyotr Mirabella, Captain.

Captain's Log:

We have recovered the stolen booty from the greatest spacejacking in Federation history: the punctured remains of the Flying Fortress, over ten billion credits, and most importantly, the new deflector prototype being transported to Sector 15A for testing. The perpetrators turned out to be Klingon pirates, which should surprise no one familiar with the stories circulated about those barbaric and ferocious aliens. And if the safety of the prototype hadn't been of the highest priority, we would have continued the chase and taken the murderers prisoner before they could retreat back behind the borders of their empire.

The impregnable Flying Fortress, it was billed as. Totally invincible against any possible attack. For years they have coasted on their reputation, and not a single attempt had been made on their precious cargo vaults. Well, now they're 0 for 1. The Klingons figured out the one weak link in the armored ship's defenses: the humans at the helm. I must admit their plan showed more cunning than I would have given the Klingons credit for. They established a “ship in distress” decoy that broadcast urgent appeals for assistance with seriously wounded, an old ploy that the Klingons improved on by camouflaging a Klingon spaceship as an exact replica of a Star Fleet scoutship. The “Scoutship” then approached the Flying Fortress, radioing ahead that they were suspicious of the distress call and recommend the Fortress sail behind the “Scout,” with full aft and flanking shields.

Unsuspectingly, the Flying Fortress fell into formation behind the “Scout.” No sooner had they dropped their forward screens than a hidden Klingon laser discharged point-blank into the unprotected command module. The Klingons then boarded the perforated ship and slaughtered all hands, and ten billion credits and the top secret deflector prototype were diverted into their bloody hands. They towed the crippled Flying Fortress behind them and would have made safely away were it not for the automatic distress alarm that sounded at Starbase 2, when the power to the alarm was severed.

At once, a Federation Piracy strike Fleet was dispatched at emergency warp speed. We quickly picked up the ion trail and soon caught up with the towing Klingon battlecruiser. At the sight of five approaching Federation starships, the Klingon craft released their tractor beam on the Flying Fortress and sped back toward the borders of their empire. Once we established the deflector prototype was in our hands, we gave up chase, as per direct orders from Star Fleet Command. I don't believe that the Klingons knew the value of their plunder, for I can't believe they would have given it up without a fierce struggle. So the secret of the prototype is safe, and the greatest spacejacking case in history has been closed.

Superconvoys Open New Era of Trade (2161)

Billion ton ships are boon to industry. USS Muletrain, Provider Class. Alberto Sabella, Chief Engineering Officer.

Engineering Log:

It's working! Warp effect is being engaged, and this superconvoy is rolling! Next stop—Centauri Spaceworks. I'll let the boys upstairs take the glory, but the truth is old greasemonkey Sabella down here in the Engine Room is who straightened this whole mess out, I must admit in all humility.

Problem: how to transport raw materials from whistle-stop asteroid belts in the boondock sectors to the space factories of the UFP? And I'm not talking a freighter or two here. I'm talking about the billions and billions of metric tonnage needed each stardate to feed the Federation's ravening industrial plant. Star Fleet is stymied.

Solution: Sabella to the rescue. It's elementary, I patiently explain, what we need are warp convoys of a hundred freighters and more. It can't be done, sneer the design baboons. No ship could produce a warp effect that great. Who said anything about one ship? I reply.

So I spelled it out for them. At the head of the convoy, assemble a configuration of heavy warp-drive tugs, say eight of them in an octagon. Lock their controls together and use the whole pile as the inertial driver. Next, string out a dozen or so of those new kilometer-long cargo cans, coupling them with tractor beams. Then—and here my brilliance staggers even my own modest self—plug in another configuration of warp tugs, four should do it, and knit the rest of the convoy with the same pattern, synchronize it all with subspace radio so that all warp engines engage simultaneously, and ride into the sky!

It can't be done, cry the designers.

An interesting conjecture, muses Star Fleet.

It can be done, admit the designers in wonderment. Maybe only warp 2 or so, but this would save years of travel time, and trillions of credits.

Trillions? asks Star Fleet. Maybe we'll consider it. They considered it, they did it, it's done.

Merely brilliant, Sabella, I say. Merely brilliant.

Largest Spacelift Evacuates Doomed Planet (2165)

USS Endurance, Mann Class. Okuru Nelson, Admiral.

Admiral's Log:

Our flagship Endurance has run a final sensor scan of Bayard's Planet, and I can report with certainty that not a single inhabitant has been missed by this, the largest spacelift in history. None too soon either. The shock wave from the supernova explosion that destroyed the Kepler will reach this system's sun in less than three stardates, and it is 100 percent probable that it will initiate a chain reaction nova.

And the nova will destroy all life in the star system. All oceans will boil away; the gamma ray bombardment will scorch the surface; the planet itself may undergo an internal disruption and blow apart. It was imperative that Bayard's Planet be evacuated. But how to evacuate ten million inhabitants? With the biggest spacelift ever.

Every starship within a fifty light-year radius was pressed into the effort by special request of the UFP. And I am just amazed by the response. Cruisers, destroyers, scoutships, corvettes, all rendezvoused. Also trading clippers, low-warp tugs, even pleasure crafts of every type all rallied to the cause.

But all these valiant volunteers twice over could not have removed ten million people in time. Then an engineer in Star Fleet Merchant Marine named Sabella came up with the novel idea of refitting those new super-convoys with life support and jury-rigged decks. And that turned the corner for us. Starbase 5 renovated two superconvoys to accommodate passengers in an amazingly short time, and after weeks of impossible logistics and unmeetable timetables, we have succeeded in evacuating the entire planet. The galaxy has never seen an operation of this scope before. And I for one fervently hope it never has to again.

Water World Discovered (2167)

One of the galaxy's most beautiful planets becomes Federation haven. USS Poseidon, Mann Class. Stephan Stephowsky, Recreation Officer.

Recreation Log:

Our shore leave to the newly discovered Water World of Hydra II in Sector 16C, has been one of the most profoundly beautiful experiences of my life. Entirely covered by ocean, the planet itself is one of the natural wonders of the galaxy, but nothing in the unbroken vista of sea gives a hint at the wonders lying beneath.

Beneath the waves are the towering, kilometer-high underwater cities of Hydra II, seascrapers of sculpted coral connected by bridges draped in multi-colored seaweed. Among the spires swim the friendly Hydrans, who have been unfailingly hospitable to us, even inviting us to witness their most sacred social ritual, the Hydran Water Ballet.

And I'll never be the same for having seen it. Composed of a thousand and more swimming performers, the water ballet moves through graceful dances of incredible complexity, weaving hours of unrepeated patterns into an epic of exquisite beauty and power. We were overwhelmed, though the Hydrans dismissed the performance as a short piece of fluff. Some of the epics last days. I can't imagine it.

The Hydrans are eager to have more Federation visitors, and I cannot recommend this planet highly enough. Theirs is surely one of the greatest cultural achievements in the galaxy. The Hydran Water Ballet is an unforgettable experience.

Daystrom Introduces Duotronics (2171)

Great advance in computer capability forseen. Starbase 6. Dr. Richard Daystrom, Research Physicist.

Science Log:

I'm introducing in this Log what I believe to be a revolutionary new concept in computer theory. I have termed it duotronics and have applied to the UFP Patent Office for a Galactic Patent.

Previous computers have relied on essentially binary process: Yes/No—On/Off. No matter how sophisticated the microcircuitry, data storage has been built on pathways of Yes/No information bits. But the growth of galactic knowledge has been outstripping the capacity of standard processing; even at the speed of light there is a limit to how much can be done in a linear pathway.

I believe I've found the answer to this problem. Instead of a binary, Yes/No information bit, I propose a basic bit that is Yes or No or all the gradations of maybe in between these dualities. It is Yes and No in a calculated ratio, and the number of possible ratios is theoretically infinite, though processing materials will place a limit to the duotronic capabilities of a single bit.

But that limit is just for a single information bit. A pathway of two bits squares the number of possibilities; a three-way pathway cubes them, etc. Now a typical program may involve millions of bits in sequence. With the duotronic bit of d gradations, a million bit program would have possibilities of: (d x 10^?)^? or (d^? x 10^?) = 10^?!

Since 10^? alone is a literally astronomical number, and a million-bit program relatively modest nowadays, duotronics has the eventual theoretical possibility of processing information concerning every atom in the galaxy.

Of course, duotronics would only be a mathematician's pipe dream were there no material available to realize this duotronic potential. But certain of the new generation of space-made, super-density synthetic crystals have internal structures that would be excellent duotronic conductors in the properly designed computer configuration. Such configurations, along with the mathematical theory behind duotronics, can be found in the patent application that follows as an ancillary transmission to the log. (Deleted: Ed.)

First Human Transported (2174)

“Impossible” theory becomes reality. USS Moscow, Baton Rouge Class. Henry Winthrop, Captain.

Captain's Log:

I have been designated by Star Fleet Command as Official Observer to the Verification Test of the Transporter Demonstration Project. This project will attempt to provide conclusive evidence that the transporter can in fact discorporate a human being, beam a transmission containing his encoded molecular structure to another location, and reassemble him with absolute fidelity.

For this test, Science Officer Winslow has volunteered to act as Transporter Test Subject, and I can attest that he is presently standing on the transporter unit. As an additional control, Medical Officer, Dr. Covey, has taken an independently certified tricorder reading of Mr. Winslow's unique brain wave pattern and his vital signs. These will be correlated with a tricorder reading to be taken of Mr. Winslow when he reappears on the USS Tehran.

Chief Engineering Officer Chu is at the transporter console and will energize at my command. Now, Mr. Chu.

Mr. Winslow is beginning to shimmer, and flashing bits of light are replacing his fading form. With flickering intensity, these flashing lights are likewise fading. And now Mr. Winslow has entirely disappeared. I hope this works. I don't want to lose a good officer.

USS Tehran, Baton Rouge Class. Luigi Pirelli, Captain.

Captain's Log:

As designated Official Observer in the Transporter Demonstration Project's Verification Test, I await the expected arrival of the Moscow's Science Officer. Dr. O'Leary is with me to take a certified tricorder reading of the transported officer.

Wait, there's something happening. A tube of glittering light has appeared in the test area center. It's assuming a man-sized contour and is becoming an opaque human being. The transmission is completed, and the Test Subject has stepped off the target. Dr. O'Leary takes his tricorder reading, and he signals to me that they correspond exactly to those taken on the Moscow. The Verification Test has been concluded successfully. Man has been transported.