The First Space
Official log of Commander
Trey H. Larson, USSA ID#6694-90-0001, Captain frigate U.S.S.A. American Dream.
Launch Week 00, Day 01,
Ship's Time 0800
So it begins once again. After 6 months of dock time for
refitting and inspections, we are embarking on our journey to the American
colony on Alpha Centauri. This time, we are assigned to escort the U.S.S.C.S. Haul Ass (LC Brett Andrews, Commanding)
and her shipment of stationary, pencils, and toiletries. We are accompanied by the corvette U.S.S.A American Football (Lt. Ulrik Fava,
Commanding).
The protests on Alpha have increased. The American
government representative issued a state of emergency and initiated marshal
law, last we heard, but that was almost 8 months ago. I personally feel no
fear: the permanent garrison and Alpha defense fleet can easily put down the
petty rebellion that seems to be fermenting. Undoubtedly by the time we reach
the conclusion of our 18 month trip, the conflict will have been settled and
the colony once again working prosperously.
I've decided to place the Football on the aft-port end of the Ass, and we shall assume the fore-starboard position. There have
been reports of increased pirate activity in Jupiter's moons, so I want to
place myself between them and the Ass.
As we pass Jupiter, I'll fall into the aft-starboard position and push the Football forward. –Comm. T.H. Larson
28.17.0800
No sign of pirates, and we are now well past Jupiter. We
are now 27 degrees counter-spinward of Uranus. The crew have once again taking
to playing pranks on the Ass, due to
this. Lieutenant Peterson wished to discipline the men, but I dissuaded him. He
has much to learn yet of the trials of taking care of one's men in the solitude
of a 36 month voyage away from Earth. –Comm. T.H. Larson
35.27.0800
We have just passed 145 degrees spinward of Pluto. The
fusion generators have been final-tested, showing green all across the board.
At 0835, they will be engaged. Ship's Engineer Arleson has determined that an
acceleration of six gravities should be maintained on five hour shifts, for the
next five days, for maximum efficiency. We will then maintain one gravity of
acceleration for 27 weeks. –Comm. T.H. Larson
45.14.1750
Commander Larson has taken ill, in what Ship's Doctor
Perry has determined to be nothing more than a flu virus, but full quarantine
measures will be maintained for no less than 3 weeks. The Football has resumed position in the aft end of the Haul Ass. –Lt. K.S. Peterson, Executive
Officer
60.17.0800
At 0835, we will reverse and begin seven gravities of
deceleration at four hour shifts, for two weeks. We will then once again invert
and begin the orbital approach to Alpha. We have passed five beacons, and been
hailed by all five. It is good to know that they know we are coming, for I know
Rear Admiral Trudeau quite well, as well as his affinity for fine bourbon. I am
sure a warm welcome is waiting for us. –Comm. T.H. Larson
65.23.1512 !!AUTOMATED LOG ACTIVATED
WITH OPENING OF INTERSHIP COMMUNCATIONS!!
"This is Comm. T.H. Larson of the American Dream, hailing cruiser American Constitution. Captain
Albertson, I show you leaving orbit. What is your status?"
"Greetings Comm. Larson, although I fear they are
not pleasant ones. This is Admiral Terry of the United Centauri League. You are
in violation of our space, please depart at once or be fired upon."
"I would like to speak to Ambassador Charles, Mr.
Terry, before I take any action."
"Charles, Albertson, Trudeau, and all other
representatives of American imperialism have been executed. I repeat, turn away
from Alpha space or be fired upon."
"We must refuel and restock, Mr. Terry. Please allow
us to do so before departure."
"Depart now, or be fired upon. This transmission is
at an end."
!!END LOG!!
At
While the Dream
engaged the cruiser American Constitution
(later renamed U.C.L.N. Nova Freedom),
the Football used the cargo ship Haul Ass as a shield. Remotely
overriding the controls on the Ass,
Lieutenant Fava led the duo around the side of the Constitution. Radiation enhanced pellets from the Constitution ripped apart the Ass and its crew, but its purpose was served.
Leaving its protection, the Football
unloaded five 700 pound HE armor-piercing missiles at close range into the
reactor of the Constitution. Rolling,
the Football drove perpendicular
(upward) to the axis of planetary rotation, distancing itself from the frigates
American Star and American Hope (ren. U.C.L.N. Locke and Rousseau).
The Constitution, its nuclear reactor breached, was intact but with a dead crew. Half-immobilized by Constitution's first volleys, the Dream attempted to keep the hull of the Constitution between it and the Star and Hope until the Football could get back into an attack position. The maneuver was in vain, as the Star and Hope split around the Constitution and caught the Dream in a pincer. Under assault from missiles and radiation-enhanced pellets, the Dream fell apart, its bridge splitting down the center.
In the time that the Star
and Hope exhausted to take apart Dream,
Football looped around and came
up on Star's aft. Executing much
the same maneuver it had on Constitution,
and now protected from Hope by the
hull of its first victim, Football
immobilized Star, but with no loss
of life on their part. This maneuver brought them past Constitution, however, and finally under guns from Hope. The light armor and large engine
of the corvette made it a very vulnerable target, and was immediately wasted.
Commander Larson and Lieutenant Fava were both posthumously
awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross, once the recorders
were recovered, and based on the reports by captured UCL officers who participated
in the battle.
