"Shake-Down"

Cast:

Captain Ian Hunter Commanding Officer
Commander Jonathan Wright Executive Officer
Ensign RiaanOps Manager
Ensign Kelly ForresterOps Manager
Ensign Jeff WestfallTactical Officer
Lt. SarikChief Science Officer
MirandaCivilian Bartender
Ensign Patia ZoeiShip Counselor
Lt. Charles AtwoodIntellegence Officer
Melissa JarvisSecurity Officer
Brittany LindseyFlight Officer
Dr. Teilani DaneChief Medical Officer
Ensign FavorMedic/moral officer



With the USS Kittyhawk delayed, it meant the USS Zion would also be delayed in starting her shakedown cruise. With most of her senior officers on board the Kittyhawk, Hunter sought to expediate matters by intercepting the Kittyhawk. Shortly after leaving Bajoran space, the USS Zion lost contact with the USS Kittyhawk. On Stardate 58202.28 The crew's deepest fears were soon realized when they encountered a debris field. Scans confirmed it was the USS Kittyhawk. As the ship went into alert, Westfall coordinated rescue operations after finding a number of survivors in the vicinity. The first survivor, was 28-year old Giuseppe Silvio, the Zion's incoming Chief Engineer. Also rescued was one of the USS Kittyhawk's medical officers, 33-year old Dr Teilani Dane.
Giuseppe SilvioDr Teilani Dane

In the debris field 12 survivors were rescued. Also rescued was the Zion's chief medical officer, Dr. Wilks, who died several months later at Qul Tuq undergoing a neurological regeneration proceedure. Silvio was the sole member of the Zion's senior staff which survived. It was soon learned that the escape pod was counterfiet and that Silvio had been severely tourtured at the hands of Cardassians. The man behind all this was none other than Captain Hunter's former mentor, Jenkins. The escape pod, which was fabricated by a Cardassian replicator, also contained a message for Hunter. It stated that the rest of the bridge crew had been captured and provided coordinates to get them back. It was discovered too that the pod began emitting a homing beacon sometime after Sarik activated a containment field around it.

The ship ventured cautiously to the coordinates. A plan was devised to attempt a rescue of the senior staff. Flight Officer Brittnay Lindsey flew a runabout into an astroid field as part of a diversionary ruse. During her flight she recovered a 13th survivor. Ensign Johnson.

Meanwhile, Dr Teilani, whose injuries were minor took up station and began assisting in Sickbay. A personality conflict soon grew between her and the Risan born medic, Ensign Favor. Teilani continued to suffer from post tramatic stress as a result of her tourture. Counselor Zoei continued to assist her in dealing with her emotions.

On Stardate 58203.1 the ship did not encounter a trap as expected, but instead, a single shuttlecraft. On board, the slain and tourtured bodies of the Zion's incoming senior officers along with another personal message for Captain Hunter. The Zion left the area immediatly, however, enroute back to Qul Tuq, a major engine malfuntion occurred. This left the Zion with only impulse power.

It took almost a month to get back to the station. During this time, Silvio recovered from his injuries and returned to active duty. The crew continued to mend their emotional and physcial wounds. Others forged friendships and resolved personal issues.

Still, something of a mystery persisted. Hunter ordered Lt. Charles Atwood to investigate. This would take Atwood into a deep cover operation.

On Stardate 58203.29 the Zion finally arrived at Qul Tuq where repair operations got undeway. Some of the crew were able to relax. Silvio and the rest of the engineering crew had their work cut out for them. Captain Hunter was asked to Server as prosecutor in a court martial stemming from an incident involving a crewman from the USS Atlanta which had also recently docked at Qul Tuq.