Drake's Log

Seth Drake personal log
Captain of the cargo ship Condor
2398. June

I’ve agreed to transport a group of 30 settlers and their supplies to a planet at the edge of Federation space. It means travelling on a trade route plagued by Nausicaan pirates and with the Federation stretched on may fronts there is little protection for cargo ships like the Condor. But with that Ferengi bloodsucker Bork on my back about payments on the Condor I can’t afford to turn down a job that pays so well.
We are set to depart in four days.

Seth Drake personal log
Passenger onboard the USS Claymore
2398. June

My fears about Nausicaan raiders were well founded. Three ships attacked the Condor. The nearest Federation ship was engaged in an encounter in deep space and I had to evade the pirates for more than an hour. Fortunately, I was able to use an asteroid belt and nebula to keep the pursuing ships at bay. That said the Condor took heavy damage.
I am now onboard the USS Claymore under the command of Captain Miles Mendoza along with all 30 of the settlers. Despite losing my ship, it is no small consolation that we did not suffer any casualties.
I will stay onboard the Claymore until the settlers reach their destination. After that I am unsure what the future holds. I have no place to call home since the loss of the Condor and all that lies back in the Bajor system is an angry Ferengi who will want the latinum I owe him.

Seth Drake personal log
Passenger onboard the USS Claymore
2398. June

The settlers have been safely deposited and the USS Claymore is returning to Earth. Having been on the starship for several days I have had the opportunity to talk to Captain Miles Mendoza at length. He was impressed by the settlers’ accounts of our encounter with the Nausicaan’s and suggests that someone with my skills and experience as a pilot should consider joining Starfleet Academy. I promised to give his generous offer of a captain’s recommendation some thought.
I have also been spending time with a Betazoid girl called Kari Suter. Her mother, Dr Marial Suter, is the medical officer onboard the Claymore and Kari has been granted special ensign status to assist in the medbay. She will begin her studies at Starfleet Academy next year and she has strongly supported the captain’s notion that I should enrol myself.

Seth Drake personal log
Starfleet Academy, San Francisco, Earth
2399. October

I have been at Starfleet Academy for several weeks now and I am sure that it was the right decision. Perhaps it is the fact that I was born in deep space that makes the Academy’s motto Ex astris, scientia inspire something within me. That said I am finding the workload very difficult as I have not had the traditional education that most of the other students have had. However, due to being a few years older than most (the human students at least) and my experiences in space many of the students look to me for advice and, for want of a better term, leadership. It is hard not to dream of sitting in the captain’s chair of my own starship one day.
After a wonderful summer with Kari Suter, we have made the joint decision to end our romantic relationship. There is so much to see, learn and do at the Academy that it is not possible to dedicate time to a relationship. However, I would not be without Kari as a friend and confidant.

Seth Drake personal log
Advanced Tactical Training Center, Syria Planum, Mars
2400. October

On the recommendation of Commander Vedek I have been transferred to the Advanced Tactical Training Center on Mars. The Academy was tough but it does not compare to the intense workload here at Syria Planum. However, I find myself more suited to the tactical focus of education here and believe this is somewhere I can excel.
My new roomate is Gabriel Grant. We have already become good friends and have a friendly rivalry in all of the challenges thrown at us in our training. He so far has the edge in physical challenges but he has yet to best me during starship simulations.

Seth Drake personal log
Advanced Tactical Training Center, Syria Planum, Mars
2402. July

The day has finally come and I am a graduate of Starfleet Academy. Only seventy persent of the students in our class at ATTC lasted to the end of the course. Gabriel Grant and I both finished in the top ten percent and are looking forward to receiving our assignments. I am hoping to see action onboard a cruiser or escort. But that will have to wait as we are due to head back to earth for the graduation ball. It will be good to see Kari Suter again who, unsurprisingly, finished top of her class. Like her mother, she will make an excellent medical officer.

Ensign Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Sirius Sector Block
2402. July

Things have come full circle. It is a privilege to be serving under Captain Miles Mendoza, the man who encouraged me to join Starfleet. Sitting at the helm of the USS Claymore is exhilarating. I know it is the place I am supposed to be – save for perhaps the captain’s chair in a decade or so. Gabriel Grant has also been assigned to the Claymore as a tactical officer.
At the moment we are engaged with routine patrols of the sector but in the knowledge that at any moment we could be sent into action or adventure. There is a whole galaxy out there.

Ensign Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Hromi Cluster
2402. August

The USS Claymore has been tasked with exploring the Hromi Cluster. There are hundreds of unexplored planets here and I am excited at the prospect of representing Starfleet and the Federation in first contact situations.


Ensign Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Hromi Cluster
2402. August

We have been contacted by one of the two symbiotic civilisations on the planet Naxx here in the Hromi Cluster. It seems the planet was split into two civilisations based on gender who only came together for the purposes of procreation; the Andronaxxians and the Gynaxxians. However, with technology close to our own the Andronaxxians have begun furthering their species via the science of cloning. The Andronaxxians have also begun a process of expansion due to their rising population leading to several “terrorist” attacks by the Gynaxxians who are being forced from their lands and denied producing offspring.


Ensign Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Hromi Cluster
2402. August

Gabriel Grant and I have the honour of being including on our first away team accompanying Captain Miles Mendoza and Chief Medical Officer Dr Marial Suter to meet with President Teebor Lutz and the Andronaxxian High Council.

Ensign Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Naxx, Hromi Cluster
2402. August

President Lutz has explained the situation to us here on Naxx. Three months ago having perfected their cloning technology, the Andronaxxians withdrew from the annual Procreation Markets that are held throughout the planet. Relationships between the two civilisations or genders had already begun to deteriorate, and to hear the Andronaxxians you would think the Gynaxxians were creatures of nightmare like old Earth stories of vampires and werewolves.
There have been several bombings at cloning clinics that have been attributed to the Gynaxxians and reports of men being abducted from the streets to be forced to procreate.
Captain Mendoza has assigned Gabriel Grant and myself to observe the Gynnaxians in secret to see if we can find any information that could resolve this situation.

Ensign Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Naxx, Hromi Cluster
2402. August

Regrettably I have been captured by one of the Gynaxxians we were observing. Their hunting and physical abilities are formidable. She told me her name was Sun Bakk and I have been taken to the settlement of Moon Rexx.


Ensign Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Naxx, Hromi Cluster
2402. August

As an outsider I have been challenged to combat as the only way to defend myself for my transgressions. Of the several modes of engagement offered to me, I have chosen aerial combat using small flying vessels the Gynaxxians call ethergliders. My opponent will be Sun Bakk.


Ensign Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Naxx, Hromi Cluster
2402. August

I was victorious in my trial of combat with Sun Bakk. I am relieved that I did not pick a more direct form of combat as I am convinced she would have bested me. However, my seemingly innate skill with flying machines gave me the slightest of advantages.
Since the combat, Sun Bakk has become a lot more receptive to my questioning. She has offered to take me to a private place tonight where she will answer my questions. This is my best chance of obtaining the information the Captain needs to negotiate peace between the Andronaxxians and Gynaxxians.

Ensign Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Naxx, Hromi Cluster
2402. August

Sun Bakk talked to me at length last night in one of the crystalline caves above Moon Rexx. It seems the Gynaxxians are desperately worried that the cloning technology of the Andronaxxians will push them to extinction. They are simply fighting for their right to keep their race and culture alive.
Once we had finished talking, it was clear that Sun Bakk had other intentions. It seems that in besting her in combat she was in some way beholden to me and expected me to mate with her. I told her that concept was alien to me and tried to explain what we humans call love. However, that seemed to add fuel to the fire and I was unable to hide the attraction I have felt towards this woman since meeting her.


Ensign Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Naxx, Hromi Cluster
2402. August

I spoke to Sun Bakk again this morning. I have managed to convince her that any obligation she feels she has to me could be met by joining Starfleet. I am convinced she would make an exemplorary tactical officer and I have asked her to accompany me to the Andronaxxian High Council to speak on behalf of the Gynaxxians. I will then request that, in recognition of her efforts, the captain give her a recommendation to Starfleet Academy.



Ensign Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Naxx, Hromi Cluster
2402. August

I am delighted to say that negotiations between the Andronaxxians and Gynaxxians have gone well. Hostilities have ended and the Andronaxxians have offered several measures, including lifting the ban on men attending the Procreation Markets. If numbers fall short, genetic material will be made available to the Gynaxxians from the cloning clinics.
There is even talk of shared schools and cultural exchanges which, when we first beamed down, was more than we could hope for.
Sun Bakk spoke very well on behalf of her people and Captain Mendoza was suitably impressed to make the recommendation to Starfleet. The captain relieved me of my duties for an hour to say goodbye to Sun. I wonder if the next time I see her she will be in a Starfleet uniform.

Lieutenant Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Sol Station
2402. September

The USS Claymore has returned briefly to the Sirius Sector to pick up new additions to the crew. Among them is Ensign Kari Suter who will be working under her mother Dr Marial Suter as a science officer.


Lieutenant Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Riverside, Iowa, Earth
2402. September

Ensign Kari Suter, Gabriel Grant and engineer Lieutenant Horatio Chen have taken advantage of the few days shore leave and have returned to earth. We are staying in the town of Riverside, Iowa, the birthplace of Captain James T Kirk. We hope to enjoy some rock climbing and horse riding over the next few days. Although we have yet to convince Horatio that a horse is a viable or comfortable form of transportation.


Lieutenant Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Riverside, Iowa, Earth
2402. September

We have returned to Sol Station. My new friend Lieutenant Chen is still complaining about the tumble he took from his horse White Lightning despite the fact that Ensign Suter took care of his abrasions immediately with her medical tricorder.
I was surprised to be met in the shuttle bay by Captain Miles Mendoza. He informed me I was to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant at a brief ceremony on the station before the USS Claymore departed once again for the Hromi Cluster.
I am greatly honoured that I have been promoted and look forward to the challenge of meeting my new responsibilities.

Lieutenant Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Hromi Cluster
2402. November

The USS Claymore is continuing its assignment to chart a section of the Hromi Cluster. The crew has observed or encountered several new species and civilisations and discovered new plant species that may be of use to Federation science. It has not been trouble free and we have had several engagements with the Klingons, Orions and Nausicans. Captain Mendoza noted that I appear cool and collected under fire and I replied that I have been following his example.


Lieutenant Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Hromi Cluster
2402. November

The USS Claymore has discovered a strange anomaly here in the Hromi Cluster. It is the subject of much excitement among Commander Marial Suter and her science team. As part of the tactical team, we have a watching brief in case the anomaly shows any signs of endangering the ship and her crew.
Several probes send into the anomaly have produced inconclusive data but suggest that we have encountered a temporal anomaly.


Lieutenant Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Hromi Cluster
2402. November

The USS Claymore has been pulled into the anomaly. We had little warning as the anomaly opened to form what I can only call a rift in space and time. Despite the best efforts of myself at the helm and the rest of the crew, the Claymore was unable to get clear. The ship now appears to be in an uncharted sector of space
Dr Suter and her team are a hive of activity but as yet we are no closer to knowing where or when we are.

Lieutenant Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Unknown area of deep space
2402. September

I cannot believe what I am about to write but we have encountered the Borg. We were engaged by a Borg cube and the USS Claymore has sustained extensive damage. Due to Captain Miles Mendoza’s experience and leadership we have managed to take shelter in a gaseous nebula and it appears the Borg are unable to detect us. However, are situation is still dire. Life support systems are damaged and despite rerouting all available power we cannot last more than a few days at most. Equally, we cannot attempt to leave as we are limited to impulse engines and would be an easy target for the cube.
Several of the senior bridge crew have been lost, including First Officer Commander D’Lan. I did not know D’Lan well but without her Klingon bravado in the face of danger I feel our hopes of survival are slim.


Lieutenant Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Unknown area of deep space
2402. September

If possible our situation has become more dire. Trill science officer Lieutenant Drezden Lux has made a startling revelation. In a previous host, the Lux symbiont served as a science officer with the Klingon Empire. He has spent hours in stella cartography to confirm his belief that he has been to this part of space before after the Bird of Prey he was serving on passed through a similar rift. It is his theory, taking into account the Borg cube’s trajectory when we encountered it, that it was on course for Federation space.


Lieutenant Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Unknown area of deep space
2402. September

Captain Miles Mendoza delivered a solemn but inspiring speech to the crew of the USS Claymore. Our position is clear. We cannot allow the Borg cube to make use of the anomaly to quicken its progress to Federation space. Our only hope is that the nebula that is currently shielding our location has prevented the cube relaying the rift’s whereabouts to the rest of the Borg.
Captain Mendoza says we have but one course of action. To engage the cube. He has asked us to follow him into hell and every man and woman aboard this ship will do it gladly.
The captain has given the crew two hours to present him with options to engage the cube.

Lieutenant Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Unknown area of deep space
2402. September

In the absence of senior bridge crew; myself, Lieutenants Nilmar Dexter, Horatio Chen, Drezden Lux and Janet Stockwell and Ensigns Gabriel Grant and Kari Suter were assembled in the captain's ready room to discuss the plan of attack against the cube. Lieutenant Chen outlaid a plan to use the properties of the gaseous nebula to mask a shuttle to allow it to enter the cube. Once on board, Lieutenant Dexter would construct a plasma bomb within the cube with the aim of causing a chain reaction to ignite the nebula and destroy everything within it. The USS Claymore would have to draw the cube’s fire and it would have a small probability of being able to escape the explosion.


Lieutenant Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Unknown area of deep space
2402. September

The captain has agreed to the plan. I have volunteered to pilot the shuttle Amazon to take the team to the cube. The team will be led by Lieutenant Nilmar Dexter. I have spoken to him a few times and his confidence and lust for adventure would suggest he was a tactical officer if not for his reputation as a field engineer. He might not have the technical brilliance of Lieutenant Chen but he has a reputation for carrying out repairs and fabricating devices in the heat of battle.
The team will also include tactical officer Ensign Gabriel Grant, engineer Lieutenant Janet Stockwell and science officer Lieutenant Drezden Lux. Of these there is only Lieutenant Stockwell that I have limited knowledge of. She is quietly spoken and seems thoughtful. But Lieutenant Chen endorses her abilities and for me there is no higher recommendation for an engineer.


Lieutenant Seth Drake personal log
Helmsman, USS Claymore, Unknown area of deep space
2402. September

I spoke to Ensign Kari Suter briefly before making my way to the Amazon, which has been modified by Lieutenants Chen and Stockwell to generate the signature of the gas nebula in a bubble around the vessel. Kari is a little frustrated that she has not been selected for the away team and suspects her mother Dr Marial Suter wants to keep her from danger. I did not tell her this but, with Lieutenant Drezden Lux’s field experience, I believe the captain made the only choice possible in selecting the science officer for this team.
There is something else too. I can’t quite explain it but, despite my respect for Kari’s skills, I am relieved she will not be on this dangerous mission.