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Personal Log
Admiral Aaron Prentice Stardate 59833.4
Duty doesn't always grant us the luxury of a conscience.
It's an unfortunate truth that we live in a universe where necessity sometimes forces us to commit acts any sane man would consider unethical.
But there's a fine line between necessity and expediency and I can only we haven't crossed that line today.
Because if we are wrong and any of Merik's people die, their blood will be on our hands and duty is little recompense for the loss of innocent lives.
(Cole) Captain
(Cole) Captain Hunter
(Hunter) (Sigh) Go ahead, I'll meet you in the transporter room.
Alright but remember, breathe and count to a hundred.
Ten.
(Hunter) Not a hundred.
Not in your case.
(Cole) You forgot your sealed orders.
(Hunter) I thought I threw them in the trash but if you want to call it forgotten, be my guest.
Captain..
(Hunter) Matt !
(Hunter) The answer's still no.
We can't do this without you.
(Hunter) That was the idea.
If you prefer, we could make it an order.
(Hunter) Funny, I don't see any extra pips on your collar.
I don't need any.
In case you've forgotten, this mission was authorised by the Admiral.
He may of signed off on this..
Mission.
(Hunter) But we both know, he'll never make it an order.
(Cole) Captain. I'm asking you as a friend.
You're asking a lot.
(Cole) I know.
But Navar's right.
(Cole) We have an opportunity, one we can't afford to pass up.
(Cole) Much as I hate to admit it, the ends do justify the means.
You surprise me Matt. That doesn't sound like you.
(Cole) People change.
(Sigh)
Do you trust him ?
(Cole) Sir ?
Navar.
Do you trust him ?
(Cole) Yes.
(Cole) I do.
Alright.
(Cole) There is one more thing.
(Sigh)
Of course there is.
(Cole) Commander Navar wanted me to remind you.
(Cole) Timing is crucial.
There won't be room for any..
Creativity.
You tell Navar.. not to worry.
I know exactly.. what to do.
(Cole) I think that's what he's afraid of.
Where the hell's Intrepid ?
Still no response and..
No other ships in range.
Shields down.
Hull breach on deck 3. (Alarm)
(Cole) Doctor Garren, you shouldn't be here.
(Garren) Last time I checked this was our ship.
We have everything under control.
We're outnumbered and too exposed out here.
Rafe, take us into the ring system. Full impulse.
(Rafe) Aye Aye skipper. Full impulse.
(Garren) What are you and your goons doing here anyway ?
This isn't the time Doctor.
(Garren) Dammit, you will answer me.
Have you any idea what that debris will do to us ?
It's that or the Orion disruptors.
And I'd rather take my chances with the debris.
I don't know, I just think we might be better off with the Orions.
Duffy!
(Scanning)
He's still alive.
We've got to help him.
Cover me.
But Sir, regulations ?
As you were Kendrick.
Rafe.
I can see them Skipper.
That was a lucky one.
And you didn't want to come in here.
Yeah, silly me.
Nicely done Doctor Garren.
(Garren) Well, when you spend your formative years in service to the syndicate you pick up a few things.
In your case, clearly not enough.
Ah ah, I wouldn't be too hasty if I were you.
I have your Lieutenant, surrender and I'll let him live.
(Cole) It appears we have a standoff.
(Orion) It would appear so.
Oh wait.
No we don't.
I have 3 ships outside ready to pound this piece of junk into well, more junk.
Drop your weapons!
If I were you, I'd do as he says.
Vrax likes his work a little too much, if you get my drift.
(Garren) You're just gonna kill us anyway. Personally, I am more than willing to take you with me.
Well, there's dying and then there's dying.
Vrax.
Rafe !
Dammit Skipper, you try and find a way through this junk.
Jago !
It's about damn time!
And the Orions are on the run.
Doctor Garren, Petty Officer Jaden Antos.
Doctor.
(Garren) You son of a.. You planned this.
Yes, I'm afraid it was, neccessary.
I always said Starfleet could never be trusted.
Thank you Lieutenant, for proving me right.
Rafe, take us out of the ring system.
Erik, get Intrepid on the horn.
The helm's a bit sluggish.
This might take a while.
No rush.
(Deep Breath)
And where the hell have you been ?
Just following orders Captain.
What's that supposed to mean ?
(Intrepid Bridge Officer) Transporter room standing by Captain.
Trauma teams are ready to go Sir.
Thank you gentlemen.
Medical and engineering teams are standing by. Just let us know where you need them.
Intrepid out.
You used me.
Put my entire crew in danger. And for what ?
To get back one of your spies ?
What I did, I did out of necessity. I'm sorry but I had no choice.
You had a choice alright. You could have trusted us!
For all we knew, someone in your crew could have been compromised.
Even you.
I couldn't take that chance.
I trust my crew. Each and every one of them.
It's a pity I can't say the same about you.
Are you sure about that Captain ?
Sure enough to lay everyone elses lives on the line, because that's the point here.
The only point I see Admiral, is you put our lives on the line, for nothing.
Nothing.
Your job..
Is to protect the colony and that is exactly what I have done.
Those raiders were a threat to all of us, including you.
I regret the method, but Petty Officer Antos has given us the means to diffuse that threat, at least for a while.
That's no excuse.
I don't need one.
We're alone out here and I have to do the best I can to ensure the survival of that colony.
Sometimes that means making choices that people won't like, but that is the reality of the situation we're in.
This is not paradise and we do not have the luxury of acting like saints out here.
If you cannot live with that, then I suggest that you contact your superiors and find someone who can.
I'll remember that.
But you remember this. Next time you need a pawn Prentice, use one of your own people.
(Title Music)