Terran Resistance

Alex Chou's Log for: 12/10/2351 18:03

I still haven't gotten any sleep. The Vinak missile attacks keep coming through in varying, but always manageable numbers. The time between attacks seems to be random. The Doc on board is giving us all deep sleep inducing meds. I hate them. They supposedly give you 8 hours of sleep in only 2, but have "undefined side effects under prolonged use".

The ship is staying at alert level 2 as long as it's nothing but slow moving missile blasts coming through and I can stay in my chemical induced nap as long as that's all that's going on. If I hear the level 1 alarm I have to report. This probably hasn't been my mandatory 2 minutes, but I don't care. Good night!

System Command: End Log.

Alex Chou's Log for: 12/10/2351 02:09

4 Seconds. That may have been all it took to seal our fate. About a dozen Vinak probes came through each of the 3 Warp Points the Vinak could come through. I thought that at least one probe from each warp point avoided getting blasted to pieces before going back through the warp point. If I had been right, then it would have meant that the Vinak now know the size and distribution of our defenses. Somebody must have come to the same conclusion because the Constant, along with many of the other cruisers, were ordered to change our positions almost immediately. If the probe was successful, then the Vinak warships would come streaming through within only a few minutes to a couple hours at most.

Well, the probes must not have been successful because the warships never came. What's weird is that about 4 hours later a small number of missiles came streaming through the same 3 warp points. They were few and relatively slow and our defenses easily took care of them all. Anyways, after another 6 hours we came off of full alert and some were allowed to go off duty to get some sleep. However, everyone else is staying at their battle stations just in case. I was one of the lucky first few chosen to get some sleep. I've now been up for 20 hours and on duty for most of that. I'm going to get some well nee- SHIT!

System Command: End Log.

Alex Chou's Log for: 12/08/2351 22:05

I talked to my friend, John Wixom, today. He's been promoted to First Lieutenant and now commands his own wing of fighters. I told him they should've promoted him sooner. He's the best fighter pilot in the fleet. He also confirmed my suspicions that most of the fighters are guarding the Alpha Centauri Warp Point, the only other one that the Vinak could come through. He's responsible for keeping his Wing ready for battle with only a 5 minute notice. Apparently he's Wing is stationed at the Pluto station. I hadn't realized it had been outfitted to accommodate fighters.

I told him how bored I've been the last 2 days after most things came online. He envied me. "I'll take bored over the alternative any day." The alternative of course is hundreds of Vinak cruisers streaming through the Warp Points. I asked about his family. Apparently his nephew just turned 19 and got caught in the Draft. After hearing that I tried to steer the conversation away from that. I know that he never supported a draft. I, however, do. If it had been initiated sooner, maybe we wouldn't be in this mess.

We talked some strategy too. "I don't see how we can lose. We've got practically every ship left in the fleet in 2 small areas of space. Surely, we'll be able to blast anything that comes through." He said.

"The keyword there, is 'Left'". I could tell that was a hurtful reminder to him. He's seen a lot more action than me, and has taken every defeat as if he was personally responsible because he wasn't there or didn't do enough. "I wonder what life will be like under Vinak law?" I mused.

"Hey! Shut the fuck up man. I still intend on winning this war." As if 1 pilot could make a difference. He's a nice guy, but of the 2 of us, he's the ideologue, and I'm the realist.

We promised to try and make a better effort of catching each other off duty. We then said goodbye. Hearing about his family has made me wonder about my own. I wonder what the Vinak will do with a bunch of pacifist farmers?

System Command: End log.

Alex Chou's Log for: 12/07/2351 19:58

I'm tired. I didn't quit my gazing until after midnight then got up 4 short hours later. Thankfully, repairs - is it a repair if it didn't work in the first place? - well they are wrapping up and I didn't have as much to do. I spent most of the time reviewing what's not working and assigning people to fix or replace them. Even that is easier as I have less people to keep track of than I did back when we were still docked at the Earth Ship Yards. I think today is the first time I was in the Command Center the entire time I was on duty. I found it to be incredibly boring. The only thing that makes it bearable is the giant holo device in the center of the room. The tactical display was left on. It was quite mesmerizing to watch all of the different colored circles floating around. Almost as good as looking at them closeup on my PID.

The annoying part was Commander Peirre kept pacing the whole time. Instead of staying at one of the 4 command stations, he'd circle around the edge of the room watching everyone else do work. First the Security Station, then Weapons, Helm, Comm, Damage Control - my station, scanners, the 2 auxillary stations, and then start over again. I do have to admire the symmetry of the Command Center. They probably never intended to have an annoying First Officer clamping around their perfectly designed Command Center while wearing the noisiest magnetic boots ever. Otherwise, I'm sure they wouldn't have made it a perfect circle.

System Command: End Log

Alex Chou's Log for: 12/06/2351 22:35

I've been staring out into space for the last couple hours. In fact I still am as I record my log. We've taken our position around the Draco-Dresdin Warp points. I think every class of human battle cruiser is represented here. It's like a museum out there. The first human battle cruiser the BC-1 class through the penultimate BC-7 class that first entered service 18 months ago. I like the BC-1 class cruisers best. They're smaller and therefore more maneuverable than the rest.

It's really quite a shame that most of these ships will be destroyed in the up coming battle. I'm not being pessimistic, it's just that if our Cruisers were so effective against the Vinak's cruisers, why do they keep coming up with new models? I'm just saying that I'm glad I'm on board the only class of cruiser that's measured up, the GC-1 or Guerrilla Cruiser. When I first heard the name I thought it was called that because it was huge thinking that it was gorilla, not guerrilla (Which is why I hate English, give me Mandarin any day). The details of the new ship was so secret that I didn't realize it was dubbed guerrilla because of it's revolutionary stealth ability until I came aboard. It's the first ship larger than a fighter to achieve effective stealth, and as far as size, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it's even smaller than the BC-1.

...
I can't help but keep looking at them all. I've never seen so many cruisers in the same spot. I'm not seeing many fighter wings. They must all be at the Alpha Centauri warp point. I could float here in my bunk studying them all night. I've got my PID (personal interface device) hooked into the external sensors so I can see whatever they can show. Technically, I'm not supposed to do this unless authorized, but I've done it before on other assignments and no one ever said anything.

I should put this away and goto sleep.

System Command: End Log

Alex Chou's Log for: 12/05/2351 20:03

Man! Lieutenant Steele is a sore loser. We had a bet about which warp point we'd be sent to help defend. She bet it would be the Alpha Centauri warp point. I bet it would be the Draco-Dresdin Warp pointsss. She reasoned it would be the Alpha Centauri point since most of the other battle cruisers were already at the Draco-Dresdin warp pointsss. I, however, reasoned that it was going to be the Draco-Dresdin warp pointsss because that's what the Captain had told me earlier when we were talking about it.

She was upset enough for losing a weeks worth of dinner deserts in our bet, but I thought the vein in her forehead was going to burst when she found out how I knew. She spent the rest of our shifts trying to get back at me. First she pointed out that, "it's the Draco-Dresdin warp pointsss with an 's', as in 'plural', not singular form. Warp pointsss". Then, she kept saying that the 3D layout for her workstation kept going out. I ran several diagnostics on her station, took it half apart, and then had a couple engineers check the external scanners before I realized that she was just trying to create extra work for me. I guess I could've gotten her into trouble for wasting my time, but hey, give credit where credit is due. She got me back.

System Command: End Log

Alex Chou's Log for: 12/05/2351 01:29

I told the Captain time and time again, that the shortwave wireless was sufficiently secure enough for even weapons control. That's why these ships are not equipped for closed circuit commands, but he kept referring to the infamous "Leonidas incident". "I don't care how many people tell me it's safe, 'The Leonidas incident' shows that any wireless solution can be cracked and if that happens I'll be damned if some Vin SOB starts using my own weapons against me." Usually with his arms waving about messing up his white hair. *sigh* One ship from 50 years ago still dominates this man's philosophy on technology...

Anyways, the problem with the Active Camo was a result of this. No one thought to run an extra wire to the Armor Control mechanism. As soon as we switched the station to wireless it started working. The Captain was so thrilled that it worked he didn't even bother to ask how we did it, and no one told him. The other Engineers and I knew how long it would take to install an additional closed circuit network. There we were, 4 of us, with nothing but a look and a glance basically conspired to disobey orders and left the Weapons control running on wireless. I think we were all too tired to care. Fortunately, Uniform code prevents anyone from ever reading my personal logs.

We finished the remaining tests, it's late, and now I'm going to bed.

System Command: End Log

Alex Chou's Log for: 12/04/2351 17:32

I don't believe this.
...
...
...
We're shipping out tomorrow.
...
...
...
I was rudely awoken early this morning by loud knocking and someone calling my name. I mumbled the command to open the door - I have no idea how the computer understood me enough to do that. Some poor ensign stuck doing gofor duty for the Captain came into my cramp 8x5 room. He told me the Captain wanted to see me right away. Almost as a zombie I pulled out my uniform from under the bed unfolded it, put it on, and went to see the Captain.

The idiot - the Captain, not the Ensign - canceled the engine tests so we could work on getting the ships active stealth ability, and he wanted me to start right away. When I got a chance I asked Commander Pierre why the Captain was changing my priorities. That's when he told me the news. AND, not only that we're shipping out tomorrow, but the Captain wants the Constant's Stealth Ability to be working before leaving. So, now instead of sleeping tonight, I, and the Station's Engineers are going to be up all night trying to figure out the problem.

I don't know why it isn't working. It's worked on the other 4 cruisers, but it isn't working on this one. Wait, that's not entirely true. The Stealth Material is working. The experimental Active Projection is working. The only problem is what I've coined the "flipping" mechanism. When the command center's tactical station hits the button, the active Projection turns on, but the outer armor never flips over from the Armor side to the stealth side. We've got half the engineers out in space suits checking each individual node, and the other half checking the software for bugs. If I didn't physically see him hitting the switch, I'd be accusing the tactical officer of not hitting the right button. But, it's like he's pressing nothing at all... not... wait... no... I wonder... no... I think I know what the problem is, but I hope I'm wrong.

System Command: End Log.

Alex Chou's Log for: 12/03/2351 21:00

I am exhausted. Today we tested weapons, magnetic shielding, and our engines. Everything went well. The H.A.F. Constant might actually join the fleet soon. I think it was the first time I've seen the Captain smile since I was assigned to the Constant. I hope he'll still be smiling tomorrow when we do some more stringent testing of our Engines.

A few other divisions are still complaining that their equipment still isn't working. They keep going to the Captain whining about their division not being a priority. I don't know what Harris tells them, but I know what I'd say. "Of course the Mental Health and civilian communications isn't a priority! We're in the middle of a god damn war." I don't know why I let them get to me. I should be in a good mood that we've finally got the primary systems working.

Of course tomorrow will be getting internal sensors and security systems online. I don't think it'll ever be finished. I wish I was back on a space station. The Charlie2 station, now that was a plush assignment. Everything already worked, personal showers, and the Commander of the station actually listened to me. **sigh** Why did the Vinak have to blow it up? I think that's the one thing I'll never forgive them for doing. I haven't had an assignment that good since then.

System Command: End Log.

Alex Chou's Log for: 12/02/2351 20:00

Did I miss something? Did I enter a parallel universe when I wasn't looking? Did all the news agencies not call today, "Earth System Under Siege: Day 47"? No? Okay, if we have all that to worry about, then why the hell does the Captain care whether or not one of his lieutenants keeps personal logs?

"I'll tell ya what, Once everything on this ship is working, and the Vinak invasion has been repelled then I will be more than happy to keep well detailed personal logs in addition to my official logs." That's what I told Commander Pierre.
That's when he told me that my official logs were "lacking" as well.
I calmly and cooly explained to him what total horse shit that was. I submit my official logs daily.
He told me that, "I fixed shit that was broken.", is not a detailed enough official log for the ship's Engineer Coordinator.
I told him I was very busy and tired yesterday. That's when he started to read back my logs for the last week...

"More crap broke today, I told people to fix it. They did."
"Testing of the Power supply went well. Then I helped fix crap that never worked in the first place."
"Captain Harris insisted on an Active Camo Test. It didn't work just like I told him it wouldn't."

That's when I stopped him and said that I'll keep better official logs.
He said good. He also said that if I spent at least 2-3 minutes keeping personal logs that that was all it would take to satisfy the Captain's policy. Fine, if that's what it takes to get 'em off my back. Speaking of, I've now gone over my 2 minutes.

System Command: End Log