I'm back with the second chapter of my fic. I know the first chapter was kind of slow, and so is this one. But not all ships can start out like the Enterprise now can they. Anyway, please R&R it helps me out. If I forgot to mention this story started on March 6th 2363. I keep the stardates roughly accurate but don't check my math. It is approximately 1 year before TNG started. I kit bashed the names of the main crew from a mixture of other shows, my friends, and random cities in a road atlas of the United States. A rough history of the class is in my other fic. This story will follow it and included all of that information as the timeline progresses. Slight changes have been made to this chapter thanks to Julia and Tania. I have updated this chapter along with the others to change the stardates to later times.

I do not own Star Trek. I never have and never will.

"Captain's log stardate 40182.1. This is my first log as captain of this ship. The crew has already shown its dedication in the preparations to leave spacedock. We will be leaving within the hour." Captain Jackson finished the log and thought silently in his ready room. He was preparing himself for when they were to leave when the ready room hatch chimed.

"Come," Jackson said to the door.

Through the sliding doors came Commander Rem Norland. She was holding a small pad.

"Commander, have a seat." Jackson offered.

"Thank you sir. The department heads report that they are all ready to leave spacedock." She stated as she sat down.

"Very good. I suppose that it is time to depart." Jackson spoke as he stood up and straightened his uniform.

"Yes sir." Norland stood and departed after the captain. She was somewhat excited to be the first officer. Although, she would not say that out loud.

As the two officers entered the bridge, they examined the crew that was there.

"Captain on the bridge," Lt. Commander Alex Blizzard called out. His position as Chief of Operations gave him the privilege of being in command when the captain and first officer were gone. At the moment, he was at his station. His German ancestry gave him a slight accent but it was hardly noticeable. He stood about 1.82 meters tall with short dirty blond hair and ice blue eyes.

Lieutenant Nicholas Evergreen, the ships Chief of Security was at the tactical position. His Scottish decent was quite evident when he spoke because he had a heavy accent. His muscular build and 1.91 meter height helped him appear intimidating. His reddish brown hair was slightly longer than how most men kept their hair aboard a starship but it was still within regulation. His dark green eyes always seemed focused.

Lieutenant Silver Stryfe was sitting at the navigation station. She was shorter than all of the other bridge officers. She was only 1.6 meters tall, but she had a fiery attitude. She kept her silver shining black hair short and her auburn eyes showed both excitement and determination.

The captain walked from the ready room door directly to his command chair and sat down. Looking at the main view-screen, he gave his ship careful thought.

"Open a channel to spacedock," he calmly commanded.

Lt. Evergreen tapped a few controls. "Channel open sir."

Captain Jackson stood up and stepped forward on the bridge. "Spacedock this is the USS Australian. We are requesting permission to disembark."

"Permission granted USS Australian." Came the reply from the female voice at the other end.

"Helm, ahead thrusters. Once we are clear go to one half impulse power and take us out of the system." Jackson turned around to sit down. He noticed that Commander Norland had already taken her chair.

"Clear of spacedock, ahead one half impulse power." Lt. Stryfe repeated as she took the actions.

"Once we are clear of the system, let's see what this baby can do." Jackson had a slight smile on his face when he said it.

"Aye sir," Lt. Stryfe said with eagerness in her voice. The entire crew was like this. This new starship design still had to be tested.

As the ship started out of the Sol system, everything seemed to be in working order. The ship slid through space passing the planets in the solar system. It had all of the grace that any Starfleet ship had, and it was about to get better for the fresh crew.

"Clear to test the warp engines sir," Lt. Stryfe reported.

"Bridge to Engineering," Jackson was speaking into the ships intercom. "Mr. D'Kut, are we ready to go to warp speed?"

"Yes sir. We have full power to the engines." Came the mellow voice of Lt. Commander D'Kut.

"Very well. Helm, ahead warp factor 6." Jackson commanded.

"Heading sir?" Lt. Stryfe was slightly confused without a heading order.

"Your discretion. Pick a direction."

"Yes sir. Heading 216 mark 315 engaging at warp factor 6." She never had this opportunity before and had set a course for her home planet without thinking about it twice.

"You're taking us to Risa, Huh Lieutenant?" Commander Norland commented.

"Yes sir." Lt. Stryfe realized her mistake now.

"Good choice Lieutenant." Norland finished. Stryfe had started to panic but had calmed down somewhat. She was still very nervous about this new position. "Now that we are under way, I want to meet with the senior staff in the observation lounge." Jackson began. "Meeting is in two hours. You have the bridge Commander."

"Yes sir. May I ask where you are going?" Norland was a bit curious why he would want to leave the bridge now.

"Of course, I'm going to tour the new ship." With that he stepped off of the bridge into the turbo lift.

Two hours later the senior staff was in the observation lounge. Each member had taken their place and was waiting for the captain to start.

"First off, I want to thank you all for being here. Second, I know there are a few questions regarding this ship and her crew." Captain Jackson began. "As most of you have noticed this ship is a brand new design. And you also probably noticed that more space has been dedicated to shield generators and weapons. Your assumptions are correct in thinking that this is a combat oriented vessel. Now onto your questions."

"Why a combat vessel sir?" Commander Barbara Hewett chimed in.

"Starfleet has been receiving reports of several incursions into federation space. Most of which are baseless or mere bluffs. The Federation council wanted the fleet to begin employing, in small numbers, combat vessels to prepare for any type of attack. They also wanted them to be out exploring in case any new threats come about." Jackson slowly explained. "Starfleet is trying to keep this as quiet as possible. Which is why this is the only ship in the class until we prove the design, both in combat and exploration."

"Most of the crew has never served on a starship before. Why? We have a rather inexperienced crew aboard." Commander Norland added with concern lining her voice.

"I don't know the answer to that one. I'm confused why I was chosen for command personally. However, that is out of my hands and we will make do with what we have. Experience will come in time. I have full confidence in this crew."

"Captain, about the..." Lt. Commander D'Kut began, but the intercom sounding cut him off.

"Bridge to Captain Jackson."

"Go ahead." Jackson replied. He was slightly annoyed at the interruption.

"We are picking up a distress call from a small freighter."

"On my way," Jackson stood up. "Looks like we will have to finish this meeting some other time. Dismissed."

All of the officers stood and filtered out of the room. Most of them were heading for the bridge.

"Report." Jackson ordered as he exited the turbo lift onto the main bridge.

"The ship is one trillion kilometers from our current position. We are the closest ship Captain." The lieutenant said as he headed for the back part of the bridge to man his station.

"Helm, plot an intercept course and engage at best possible speed." Jackson wasn't quite sure what speed that was, but he decided to leave it open for Lt. Stryfe to inform him of it.

"Course laid in and engaging at warp 9.5 sir." She didn't realize that that was how the Captain had planned it.

"Sir, we are receiving another distress call from the freighter, audio only." Lt. Evergreen announced.

"On speakers." Jackson ordered. 'This is a great way to start the cruise,' Jackson thought. He wanted the first trip to be uneventful so the crew could work all the bugs out. 'This seems pretty standard though. Render assistance or evacuate. Should be smooth.' Jackson finished his train of thought before the speakers began playing the distress call. It came in seemingly half over.

"...we have lost most of our main power and are beginning to lose life support. We..." there was static overrunning the channel along with what seemed to be fire and panels shorting out in the background. "...ease assist us we are at coordinates..." The channel cut out.

"Security and emergency medical staff to the transporter rooms. Lt. Commander Blizzard, what is going on with that ship," Jackson suddenly had a need for information.

"Hard to say Captain. Anything could have happened. I can't tell until we are closer."

"Ok. Helm ETA." Jackson sat down in the command chair.

"34 minutes sir." Stryfe responded.

"Attempt to contact them. Tell them we are coming to help." 'I hope we make it in time.' Jackson thought. He did not want to report a ship lost. Not on the first day out.

The Australian approached the derelict vessel. It looked like the standard trading vessel in use by multiple species. The ship was only 250 meters or so long and appeared to be powerless and lifeless.

"Beam all survivors aboard. Sensor report," Jackson requested. He felt he knew what it was going to say.

"Sensor readings show minimal power outputs, significant damage and breaches of the external hull, interior damage consistent with fires and electrical explosions, it looks like life support is the last operating system. Correction, life support just failed. Looks like we got here in the nick of time sir." Lt. Com. Blizzard reported.

"How many survivors did we get and what was the crew compliment?" Com. Norland asked.

"Estimated crew of 156. We have 35 survivors aboard." Lt. Evergreen solemnly reported.

"Continue sensor sweep of this area. I want to know what did this. I'm going to question some of the survivors. Norland, you have the bridge. Notify me when something comes up."

"Yes sir." Com. Norland knew this was a bad way to start the ship's life.

Captain Jackson stood outside sickbay pondering what he was going to ask the surviving crew. He had never dealt with a situation quite like this before. 'I guess that this is what I should expect with my own command.' He entered sickbay not quite ready for what he would see.

Sickbay was a disaster to say the least. There were 12 people on the biobeds. It was hard to tell what species they were because most of their bodies were burned and distorted. Although it looked like there were several different species involved. The remaining 23 people had varying cuts and bruises. Mostly humans, but a few other species mixed in.

Captain Jackson asked the entire crew his first question. "Who is in command of your ship?"

"I am," came the somewhat labored words. Jackson looked over at a female Kriosian who was walking towards the ships captain.

"What happened?" Jackson began.

"We were on route to Earth when we were hit by some kind of distortion. It tore into the ship's hull and caused multiple fires. But it disappeared as quickly as it had shown up. We don't know what it could have been." She began. "What is left of my ship Captain?"

"Not much. It is salvageable. We could tow it to the nearest facilities. You could gain transport to Earth from there." Jackson offered.

"No thank you Captain. I would prefer you destroyed it where it is." This answer shocked the Captain.

"Why would you want it destroyed?" Jackson asked.

"It is none of your business, Captain. We do not want it repaired." She responded coldly.

"I will consider your proposal." That comment only gave him reason to doubt her story. 'I have never heard of a crewmember that wanted their ship destroyed. It doesn't make sense.' "Security will assign your crew quarters until we drop you off."

"Thank you Captain." The female walked from sickbay to follow the security guards. The crew allowed to leave followed as well.

Jackson walked over to Com. Hewett. He felt he could get some better answers from her.

"Doctor, what happened to these people?" Jackson was looking over all of the people in sickbay.

"Some have third degree burns with heavy scaring and tissue damage. Some have lacerations and broken bones that are consistent with collapsing bulkheads. However, the strangest injuries look like phaser burns and puncture wounds. I can only guess that these were from deliberate actions." She reported. "It looks like some of them have been fighting."

"Are you sure? With whom?" The captain was beginning to become concerned.

"I'm not entirely sure. I'd like to perform autopsies on the bodies of the remaining crew that didn't survive. It would answer some of my questions."

"It will answer some of mine too. I'm going to send an away team over to that ship to restore life support and survey what has happened. This just doesn't feel right." Captain Jackson started for the door.

"Josh," Hewett called out. He was startled by the use of his first name.

"Yes?" He turned around facing her before leaving.

"I didn't get a chance to congratulate you. I haven't seen you since the Academy."

"We can catch up later. Right now, we have a minor problem to solve." He exited sickbay and started down the corridor for the turbo lift.

'He hasn't changed since the Academy. He hasn't changed one bit.' She thought as she sat down to make her log entries.

"Captain's log Stardate 40187.7. We have remained at the site of the transport vessel for two days. Lieutenant Commander D'Kut has led an away team to the freighter. Our research has brought some startling conclusions."

Lt. Com. D'Kut asked the captain to call a staff meeting to go over what his team had found on the transport vessel. The Captain, Com. Norland, Com. Hewett, and Lt. Com. Blizzard were the only ones present.

"We were able to reestablish the ships life support systems. Afterwards we proceeded to investigate the damages. We found that 65 percent of the ship's interior was badly burned. However, there were also signs of disrupter fire and damages caused by means other than what was described to us." D'Kut began. "Along with Doctor Hewett's logs on the survivors and the autopsies, we have concluded that the crew of the ship had been attacked by a boarding party."

"What information did you pull from their data banks?" Capt. Jackson asked.

"We were able to bypass security lockouts on all of the systems, however, since most of the computer memory banks were destroyed during whatever happened, the information is unreliable."

"What about personal logs?" Com. Norland asked.

"Some of the logs from deceased members of the crew were accessed. Those logs only contained information until stardate 39817.5. The rest appear to have been erased."

"So, we have a damaged ship that shows signs of fighting externally and internally, crew members dead from phaser and puncture wounds, erased log entries, and the ships captain wanting the ship to be destroyed. This just doesn't add up." Capt. Jackson was speaking his mind.

"Could there have been a mutiny on the ship?" Lt. Com. Blizzard asked. He suddenly had the feeling he should not have made that comment. All of the officers were giving him a strange look. D'Kut saved him some embarrassment.

"It is quite possible. In fact, all of the evidence could point towards that theory. We could investigate it further Captain. However, it is only a theory that could possibly fit the facts."

"Thank you Commander." Captain Jackson still had questions that needed to be answered, but he was going to move on. "Suggestions on a course of action for our little group of 'survivors'."

Lt. Com. Blizzard chimed in again with more confidence this time. "We should place them all under surveillance. If they did mutiny, they may want to start something here."

"However, we still need to express courtesy in regards to their rights. We only have a theory, that isn't enough to convict them on." Com. Hewett commented.

"We can't place them all under guard unless we have sufficient cause to take those security measures." Norland finished.

"While I am inclined to side with Mr. Blizzard, I must follow protocol." Lt. Com. Blizzard was about to object when Capt. Jackson continued. "However, at the slightest notion that this theory is true, and they do try to begin something on my ship. We will take all necessary precautions and actions to protect this crew and this ship. Is that understood?" He was trying to be firm and open-minded in his decision. He looked at each officer. With their silence he finished. "That settles it then."

Before Jackson could dismiss the officers, the intercom sounded. "Captain Jackson, our guests are causing a ruckus in ten-forward."

"Dispatch security personnel. I'm on my way to the bridge." Jackson responded as he looked at Lt. Com. Blizzard. "It seems we now have the proof we needed Commander"

I left you with a cliffhanger. Kind of. You have already supposedly read the story so please review it. The more reviews I get the more inspired I am to continue.

If any of you want to see the Australian, email me at silverado6000hotmail.com and I will send the scanned picture of it to you. If not, just let your imagination run wild with it.