I still can barely believe it. Over two years have passed since I left the Gibraltar. I've gone through so much... I've witnessed clones of mine being created and destroyed, I've tried to escape from a madman's prison many, many times, and due to genetic experimentation, for a while I couldn't die.
But all of that is over now. All of that is in the past. Starfleet Medical has given me a clean bill of health, and the counsellors have approved my return to duty. So, when I reported back to the Admiralty a week ago, requesting an assignment, I had no idea they'd put me here.
The USS Gibraltar. My old ship. It's been too long... and yet it immediately feels like home. I missed this ship. And while the crew isn't the same - except for Rich: it would seem I just cannot get rid of him, though I wouldn't dare to try - the fact that there's a crew on board again, fills my heart with joy.
We've received a mission, though. A mission to investigate some strange readings coming from a planet near the Romulan neutral zone. The planet's name is Goran II. Not much is known about this planet: the Federation Starship USS Calhoun had visited it a while back, but only found an M class atmosphere and the remains of an extinct primitive society. Nothing to write home about. So why was it sending out signals?
I'll report back in once we arrive.
Captain's log, supplemental.
We've arrived at Goran II. I know we did: our sensors showed the planet dead ahead, as did the viewscreen. Seconds after arriving though... the planet vanished. It was there... and then it wasn't. I'm letting my science officer run a set of detailed scans, but... so far nothing. No sign of the planet. What could have happened?
Captain's log, supplemental.
Our theory that someone put a cloaking field around the planet was shattered, when the probe we sent out, flew straight through where the planet once was. We quickly confirmed our location: we haven't moved, neither in space nor in time. The only logical conclusion was that the planet itself had moved. But how? What can move an entire planet, without leaving any readings? What...
Hang on, a ship has just arrived... out of nowhere? Perhaps that ship had something to do with the planet's disappearance? Time to find out...
Captain's log, supplemental.
We're on our way back to the Starbase. The Gibraltar has suffered some severe damage, when the alien ship attacked us. Its weapons depleted our shields quickly. We stayed and fought them, but it was no use: a Federation Intrepid class starship which hadn't been updated with new technology for over two years, was no match for this large, powerful alien vessel. We received quite a beating. Upon finishing our full scan of the alien ship, we fled, determined to warn Starfleet about this encounter. An alien race which makes planets disappear... that's new.
Computer, switch to Captain's personal log.
When the ship lurched under the weapons fire, I... fell. And according to the Bridge crew, I broke my neck. My FO was certain I was dead: I wasn't breathing anymore. And yet, after about a minute appearance, I drew breath again. I cannot explain it... my genetically engineered immortality should have been temporary. Apparently though, those bastards did something to me to make it permanent. Does that really mean I cannot die? I don't know. What I do know though, is that it's impossible to go after those 'doctors' who did this to me: I just read a report that the USS Malta took care of M'Tang's cloning operation. All the scientists who worked on the project, are dead. Those imprisoned, don't know enough for me to try to undo this.
Some would see this as a gift. They haven't walked a mile in my shoes. If I cannot die... what will happen to me? What will I become? How will I react to danger in the future? What...
*Sighs*
I guess I'll need to talk to the counsellors, once again... hopefully Starfleet will send another ship out there, to deal with this planet-taking alien race. So far, it's just one backwater planet... but it could be a populated world.
Even after everything I've been through, I find myself worried. And... I don't really know why. That's the most frightening part of all.
Computer... end log.
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