The Edge of Freedom #68"
By: Favor, Medic / Morale Officer, [PST]
Riaan, Operations Manager, [PST]
Jeff Westfall, Tactical Officer, [PST]
Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]
Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58204.14 1058

Hunter stepped out of the Commodores Office and signaled the Zion transporter operator to beam him aboard. He began to briskly walk toward his ready room. Commander Wright, there's an emergency we're leaving right away. Can you meet me in my ready room?"

"On my way," came Wright's reply.

Stepping into the turbo lift he tapped his com badge again, "Forrester, Riaan, this is the captain, we are leaving in 30 minutes, please do what you can to make the ship ready by then."

Understood Captain everything should be ready in 20 minutes, Riaan, out

--1100--

Stepping off the turbo lift he sat in the captain's chair and pressed the intercom, "All hands, this is the Captain, we are being dispatched to an emergency situation. We are departing in 30 minutes."

Hunter walked over to Westfall who had been the only officer on the bridge. "Westfall, go to yellow alert."

"Aye-aye Captain, Yellow Alert," Westfall said to the empty bridge. The emergency klaxon sounded, muted in the background, the status light flashing

"Sir, Incoming message. 200 Marines have boarded the Zion, Deck 14, Shuttle Bay two.

"We're about to confront some hostiles, you have 8 hours to prepare," said Hunter.

"Qul Tuq Station, this is the U.S.S. Zion. We request priority one departure clearance in thirty minutes".

Please advise Qul Tuq Security we are departing to cross reference our personnel are not left behind"

--1105--

Westfall activated the cross-link to the other stations, and began checking status boards. "Sir, 95% of all personnel have reported, and will be aboard in twelve minutes". Of the Bridge crew, Forrester has not responded".

Hunter nodded his acknowledgment, "We can't wait, and if you can't locate her shortly we will need to leave without her." At that moment Wright entered the bridge, "Westfall, you have the Bridge," said Hunter walking toward his ready room.

"Aye, Aye Captain". Westfall transferred the Captain's panel to the tactical station, and continued running the departure protocols down one by one.

In the ready room Hunter briefed Wright of the current situation. "Any concerns Number One?"

"Only one Sir, I sure hope we can get there in time,", said Wright.

--1125--

Captain all personnel, and systems are ready for departure, five crewmembers including Charles Atwood and Ensign Forrester are not onboard and are unaccounted for, also last minute supplies have been loaded. All weapons needed have also been beamed to cargo bay five, BeThal standing guard till they can be stored properly. We are a go other then the missing crewman Captain. I am on my way to the bridge now, Riaan out.

Hunter nodded at Wright, "Ok, lets go get 'em. Conn, clear the station and then take us out full impulse."

The Zion maneuvered out the station and powered up to full impulse, after 10 minutes the ship was clear to head into warp.

--1135--

A message was displayed on Wrights console. Wright turned to Hunter, "The Atlanta has signaled that she is coming out of dry dock, they'll have warp capabilities in 30 minutes. They advise that we go ahead. They will catch up."

Hunter leaned forward, "Conn, lay in a course 080 mark 010, warp 9....engage."