T-Rexeter

Mission : TYRANNOSAURUS R'EXETER"

Art by Adrienne Paradis 1993

The contents of the Ship Logs are considered to be a "compilation" under the provisions of Title 17, U.S. Code (known as the Copyright Act): that is, "A work formed by the collection and assembling of preexisting materials or of data that is selected, coordinated or arranged in such a way that the resulting work as a whole constitutes an original work of authorship." As such, it is the property of the ship’s Captain; however, automatic transfer of ownership to STARSHIPS OF THE THIRD FLEET is effected upon publication of this mission by the ship’s Captain ipso facto.

As outlined in Circular 1 (Copyrighted Basics, Library of Congress, Washington DC, USGPO 1989-262-309/12), "copyrighted in each separate contribution to a periodical or other collective work is distinct from the copyright in the collective work as a whole and vests initially with the author of the contribution."

This mission may not be reproduced in any form without the express, written authorization of STARSHIPS OF THE THIRD FLEET.

Prologue

From the Ship’s Log of USS EXETER (NCC-1706), September, 2307

CAPTAIN'S LOG: 2307.25.09

Though we who serve aboard the USS EXETER sometimes feel that our Starship is impervious to any danger, either from within or without, the siege by the Jirzzaques brought us abruptly back to reality. Not only had they successfully taken over the EXETER, but the ensuing battles with the crew resulted in extensive damage to the ships propulsion and transporter systems. Commander Pyatt, in his damage report, tells me that warp drive is at least ten days away and he hasn't had a chance to look at the transporters. Limited to impulse power, it would take months to return to the locale from which the siege commenced. The transporters, though operating sporadically, cannot be used for anything but inert transport. With these facts in mind, my next step is to contact 3FHQ. End Log.

CAPTAIN'S LOG: 2307.26.07

My report of the siege of the EXETER and request for instructions brought a speedy reply from Headquarters. Neither a deep space station nor a starbase is within travel distance from my crippled Starship's location. My only alternative to proceeding under impulse power is to lay over at an unsurveyed system cataloged as UFC 340744. Commander Bacharka informs me that our ETA at the system is 1000 tomorrow. My present intention is to orbit the 4th planet of the system while my Engineering Department nurses my ship back to health. While Engineering is so involved, my other departments will commence a preliminary survey of the planet surface. Landing parties have been drawn up and instructions issued. Shuttles must be used for transport. End Log.

CAPTAIN'S LOG: 2307.27.07, 0900 HRS.

At 0800 this date, while Engineering was testing a recently completed repair, one which required the use of a refabricated part, a sudden power surge wiped out the power on Decks 16 through 20. The force field containing the ten Jirzzaques in the brig on Deck 19 failed temporarily. Those devils, ever ready for an opportunity, overwhelmed the sentry and made their way to the transporter room on Deck 7. Having heard that the Starship was preparing to enter orbit, my guess is that they intended to transport to the surface. Our sensor scans show no space craft within transporter range. Unfortunately, the transporter failed in midcycle. A scan of the beam-down location indicates they didn't make it. I have mixed feelings concerning the death of these beings. I know it's wrong to hate but I lost 16 crew members to the Jirzzaques and many of my crew are showing signs of great stress. End Log.

CAPTAIN'S LOG: 2307.27.07, 1100 HRS.

We achieved standard orbit as projected at 1000 this date. Preliminary sensor readings from the Bridge Science Station indicates life forms like no other ever recorded. One seems like many we've encountered before... more or less humanoid in form... the other... Dinosaurs??? The next few days are sure to be interesting!