Personal Logs - Two Year Anniversary
Capt. Myst
Cmdr. Daem
Lt. J.G. Karenek
Lt. J.G. Maxwell
Ens. Sandraian
Lt. J.G. Solasho


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Capt. Myst

Captain's Personal Log
Stardate: 57656.8

Well I didn't forget the toast this year. But I did forget I tour the ship with a companion every year! I have a few minutes to figure out whom to ask still.

I reread my last two anniversary logs before starting this. Three years now, wow. It actually almost feels like it's been that long this time around.

This last year has been interesting, in a good way. Much more along the lines of what the Griffin was overhauled for three years ago. On one hand I'm glad we're doing what we were made for. This ship has the equipment and talent to make a real difference, I want us to be able to do so. But on the other hand, it has meant dealing with more negatives of life- *pauses* -actually I think what's bothered me the most is not being allowed the opportunity to be the diplomat I'm trained to be!

Oh, but I supposed that's alright. There will be more chances, there always is in Starfleet.

*silence*

Crew turnover has been higher than I expected again this year. I'm beginning to think my expectations are off. Then again, it has been Three years. I know that's actually a long time for an officer to remain in the same position on the same ship or assignment. But having lived it, it doesn't seem as long as it sounds. Sure Captains stay in the same job for longer than that, but their officers tend not to. I'm discovering that the hard way. My expectations were off likely because I'm one of the exceptions to the rule! How long was I first officer of this ship? Six years. Almost as long as Captain Christopher was the Griffin's Captain.

I have a good crew now. I've always had a good crew, but this year seems... happier. More entertaining with all the new crew to say the least. I'm pleased at the growing diversity of the crew and how well they were able to fit in almost immediately.

Mostly I'm pleased with how well Jaquelle and I have worked out as a team. I never doubted her skills or ability to be first officer, or I would have chosen her! But I was worried how our dynamic would affect ship performance. Yuri and I were pretty much opposites, whatever one lacked in the other made up for, it was a great team. Jaquelle and I share a lot of personality traits. It makes it easy for us to get along with each other, but I was worried about the possibility of us not being able to cover everything the crew would need. I can safely say there was no need to worry!

I'm very much looking forward to this coming year. We're in a good position personnel wise, such great talent! We've proved our worth again, and I'm hearing rumors of a big assignment in our future. It's going to be interesting to see what else we're capable of as a new crew.

Ah, time for my annual tour.


"Computer, end log."


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Cmdr. Daem

Personal Log Counsel Jaquelle Daem:

It's been three years since I went from a junior officer of the old Griffin to the Counselor of the newly refitted Griffin. One year later I went from Counselor to Second Officer. On the same day Anna Krasinski was promotion to Chief Science Officer. Then last year we celebrated Anna's promotion to Lieutenant. Again this year we moved our weekly luncheon from one of our quarters to the holodeck.

Two years ago Anna had reproduced the Café Singularity of Cocora down to the last detail as a surprise for our joint celebration. The "Café" is legendary with only one table, suspended in space. To one side there was a vast nebula, to the other, a double moon. It is a spectacular café known to provide the greatest eating experience in the galaxy. To get a reservation in the real café takes a minimum of ten years, some say twenty. But each year Anna and I have a reservation in this one. I find myself looking forward to the tradition days in advance, and how lucky I am to have been able to keep Anna's close friendship from the time when we were both junior officers.

This year was even a little more fun. Anna had programed the "staff" to remember us as if we were regulars. I asked Nina Caelford, who had decided to follow her love for cooking after "growing up again," to be the chef. Instead of the regular replicated food that we had in past years, Nina had prepared a special real meal. She had been so excited that I had asked her, that she spent weeks preparing dishes and, being a cook in Ten-Forward, testing them on the junior staff (secrets travel quickly on a Starship). The meal was exquisite. I am going to recommend her to the captain for the next diplomatic dinner.

Anna and I talked and laughed. We also gossiped, something we could do again now that we were both senior staff. Then, she slipped in a good word for Vosh. She knew that crew reviews would be happening soon and he had proven himself well beyond the call of duty.

It was a wonderful anniversary to celebrate an incredible ship and a special friendship.


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Lt. J.G. Karenek

Vosch entered his quarters after a long, tedious day of scans and evaluations in the science office. He climbed out of his environmental suit and grabbed a warm hot chocolate from the replicator. He took the mug and relaxed in his favorite chair.

"Personal log... it has been another year on the Griffin. As I reflect upon the events of the past 12 Earth months, I have learned a lot about dealing with my crew mates."

He sipped from the mug and chuckled slightly. The one he had learned to deal with the most was Ensign Dumas. It was actually her who introduced him to this beverage. She referred to it as a delicacy.

"Terri has become the closest thing to a family member that I have. All of my shipmates are family, I suppose, but she has become the closest. Still sometimes I feel the loneliness of being the only one of my race. Nobody really knows how I feel, and sometimes I wonder if my efforts are even noticed or appreciated."

After another sip, he placed the mug down and wandered over to the console in his room. "The newest ship members do bring a lot to the table, but they seem to know so much more then I. They are also, much more readily accepted by the senior staff."

Vosch then pulled up his parent on the console. He looked and stared. His parent was so much a part of his home world, and Vosch in turn was destined for great things they would say. Vosch, however, chose Starfleet as part of the SP-G program. How he longed to tell others some of what he really knew, but the program was a secret and only those with proper clearance new what it truly was. As part of his acceptance, he was told not to divulge anything.

The life of secrets. He knew those who would be the enemy of his people would also be his enemy. They would look for him and try to do things that would bring his loyalty into question in an attempt to drive a wedge between his race and the Federation.

"Is that what I am, a pawn?"

As he stared further at his parent, the image appeared to speak to him. "Vosch, you know I am proud of you. What you are doing is important, but yet you still sell yourself short. Why?"

Vosch responded as if the image was truly speaking to him, "The new people know so much more then I. They know all of the technical aspects of the ship without trying. They have the ears of the important people..."

Before he could continue, the image looked sternly at him, "Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Didn't you provide important information time and time again? So you don't know everything about Federation technology. So you don't know about all of those who would oppose them. Don't feel sorry for yourself, I didn't raise you to be like that and your mentor did not wish you to do that. Learn what you need."

Vosch sighed as the image returned to just that, an image.

Vosch was about to continue with his log when the door to his quarters chimed. "Come in," he said in response.

Ensign Dumas walked into the room. "I was on my way to 10 forward to relax for a spell. Would you like to join me?"

After a deep breath, "I don't think so. I think I am going to try to learn more about the warp drive system so that I can better understand our own technology. Understanding that, could help us when dealing with our enemies, especially if we run into someone else who has the same technology as the Caramani. If they had the technology, then someone else may also have it."

Ensign Dumas chuckled and shook her head and a slight smile came across, "Good ole Vosch, always working. You try to hard and don't know how to enjoy. Everyone has the specialties to contribute to the ship to make things work. You can't know everything." She watched his head hang as the realization of what she said began to sink into his mind. "Tell you what, come to 10 forward for some fun, and tomorrow after our shift I will go with you and help you research the warp systems. Maybe we can even hook up with a free member of engineering, if there is such a person."

Vosch nodded and got back into his suit. "Terri," he began, "do I contribute anything worthwhile to the missions?"

Dumas paused and looked at him and began to laugh, "Let's see, do you think that Lt. Krasinski and Captain Myst would keep aboard if you didn't?"

Vosch nodded, "Thank you."

Dumas tugged on his arm, "Come on, silly... chess awaits us."


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Lt. J.G. Maxwell

{Ten Forward}

Tovaal entered Ten Forward and headed for one of the tables next to the windows. There wasn't much to see at the moment, but that was alright; he had always enjoyed the view of the stars as they shown against the infinite blackness that was universe just as it was. There didn't have to be anything going on in the galactic neighborhood for him to love it.

He had just settled in and was reviewing the contents of one of the Padds he had been carrying when one of the waitresses came over to take his order.

"Carrot cake, please," he said, "and a Warp Core Breach."

The waitress looked at him askance as she commented, "Not exactly a combination wired for traditional Vulcan taste buds, Lieutenant."

He chuckled at that. "Madam, I have faced down the Jem Hadar, was very nearly assimilated by the Borg, and have proven that a Vulcan can indeed smile without breaking anything. If my choice of cuisine is a heartier risk than that which I have already seen, then I truly have not yet lived."

"Wait for it," she smiled back. "But don't complain if you suffer intestinal distress from this."

"I am duly warned."

As she moved off, he switched Padds and began to write.

"--Dearest Shannon:

Thank you for the wonderful program you sent me; it was a fantastic thing for me to fly with some of the greatest pilots of Earth's past. I especially enjoyed breaking the sound barrier with Charles Yeager for the first time. Truly, an amazing experience. You did a brilliant job with your recreations.

I am finally settled in onboard the Griffin. She is a great ship, and the crew is as good as everything that I had heard. Though I believe that I would have chosen a more ...auspicious occasion for my shakedown cruise; we were sent to rescue the USS Braithwaite, which I am sure you have heard had been missing for some time. As we progressed in our search, we encountered the Caramani. It appears that your suspicions were correct, and The Kitty Hawk did not halt their Gate project when we destroyed the one that we found. I am sure I do not have to tell you what a completed gate would mean for the future of the Federation, given how badly the Caramani want to destroy us. Especially if this new gate has the capabilities that I believe it to possess...

We are currently on patrol in the sector, and are soon to be joined by three other ships. I have not heard yet which they are, but I certainly would not mind if the Ticonderoga were part of our force; it has been almost a year since I have seen you, and to tell you the truth, I miss you a great deal. It felt rather odd to be drawn into action and not hear your voice behind me at the Tactical station, as it was on the 'Hawk. And I hear your voice in my head, telling me to put it to rest, and for the most part I have. But you know how much family means to me, you in particular. I realize it is not a very Vulcan way to think, but when have you known me to be very Vulcan?

At any rate, if you are not a part of this group, I still intend on seeing you for your birthday, as always. I am not completely sure what to get you, but at least I have until then to think about it. I can see you in my mind, wrinkling your nose at the thought...yes, I am still aware that you still do not understand the desire to give gifts, and yes, I will probably get you something that is in no way practical or useful...or logical. but such is the nature of the giver, after all.

So, dear sister, until I see you again, prosperity and long life...and, I love you.

Tovaal--"


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Ens. Sandraian

It had been six months since she had joined the crew of the Griffin. It had been a learning experience.

"Personal Log.

I've been a member of the Griffin for six months and the crew contintues to baffle me. Lieutenant Vosh intrigues me. For I just don't understand him. For the rest of the crew. I haven't really gotten a chance to get to know them. Partly because they are so darn old and I'm just out of Star Fleet. I don't really have much in common with my crew mates. Hopefully in the next year I will be able to form some friendships.

End Log."

She headed down to ten forward to socialize.


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Lt. J.G. Solasho

Aiden rose from the waterfall's steaming base pool and wrung the water from his hair. Holodeck time, while not exactly hard to come by, was to be savored. He had run a traditional Earth marathon distance up the varying grades of red Vulcan uplands in the familiar chill of an Andorian summer to reach this place, modeled on a grotto from his time on Qo'noS. Perhaps it was too much at once, but he felt centered in this jigsaw place of his invention... at least physically. After the trial of seeking the Braithwaite, he had needed more than just a long trip to the gym.

Despite the friendly crew, he felt a bit isolated... as if some dark spirit hung over him, rendering him somehow untouchable. Perhaps it was the emergency....

The lieutenant at the next station... she seemed friendly... and - more importantly - unattached. He was not a home wrecker by nature, despite what some of the senior officers seemed to think. Perhaps there would be time to meet with the captain and repair his reputation....

"Ugh... my mind is everywhere today. Goran would have struck me twice with my focus so poor." He smiled to recall the one-eyed Klingon who had begun his instruction in the bat'leth. "I will do better, old warrior, I promise...." After a brief toweling off, he donned the fighting togs that had ridden in his pack all this way and unlimbered the staff sword that had been his graduation gift.

"Computer, begin phase two."

From out of the rocks, the Cygnan-complexioned Andorian-Klingon hybrids came at him, their dark eyes seeking his life... or at least to score points against his tired flesh. His expression blanked as he assumed a defensive stance. He would leave the dark spirit here, beneath a pile of simulated enemies....


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