Long Day's End "
By: Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.30 0100

Hunter had just finished reading the last of the initial reports. He saved them away and leaned back, rubbing his eyes.

It had been a long day. The ship survived a battle against high odds.

He stood up and walked slowly toward his portal. He stood for a moment collecting his thoughts as he stared out into space.

"Computer, record log."

The computer chirped.

"Captain's Log, Stardate 58205.31. It's the end of a long day. Most of us are alive to talk about it. " Hunter crossed his arms, "It's been a good day, we saved a world from the Federation's clutches. But it hasn't been without sacrifice."

He turned and picked up a padd from his desk. "We are currently on a heading of 345 mark 0. Destination, Qul Tuq. We left Qul Tuq only a month ago to transport prisoners to Rura Penthe. Since then a lot has happened. " He exhaled sharply, that was an understatement.

He intentionally eluded to the incident in which Gordon Birkoff made a mess of his ship. Enough detail existed in previous reports and logs.

"The USS Zion," he continued, "will need to undergo extensive repairs."

It went with out saying that the dry dock chief, Hard-Luck Harry, would have a few choice words to say about bringing a ship barely 3 months old back in the shape it was now.

Hunter cracked a smile, "The Zion has earned her red badge of courage, she destroyed 2 Galaxy class ships, the Wellington and the Gates were destroyed when we engaged the Armada. She destroyed 2 Steamrunners, the Rockwell and the Redmond, not to mention 2 Galor class Cardassian ships."

It was regrettable, thought Hunter, 44 members of his crew would not be returning home. Then again, many Federation boys would not be either.

War was hell.

Taking a sip of his tea, he cleared his throat, "I highly commend Mason as well. The former Federation officer provided us with insight which helped us defeat the enemy ships which held Pacifica hostage. The ease which we were able to detect the Cardassian's as they were cloak provided an opportunity to quickly reverse the Federation's grip on that planet's government.

While we were surprised to find the Federation had a previously unknown Sovereign class ship, in the end, it too was destroyed."

Hunter paused and reflected on the ramifications of the Yamato. If the Federation were able to continue building Sovereigns unhampered, it could perpetuate the war. The Maquis Sovereigns where what was finally making a difference in the cold hard edge of combat.

He set his tea cup in the replicator and watched it vanish.

"The Klingon ship, D'Kuul is escorting us to rendezvous with several ships from Tango Fleet which were also damaged in their engagement of the Federation armada. Tomorrow night they are inviting us to join them in celebrating victory. "

Hunter looked through the files on his PADD, "A few names have come forward whom, in addition to the senior officers that will be invited to come along because of their heroic bravery."

Hunter set the PADD down.

"End log," said Hunter.