Captain's log - Stardate 2261.528

Everything has been tested and the team that will be staying on Amanda are settling in to their new roles. We'll be leaving tomorrow to continue our mission.

Bones laid a hand on my shoulder earlier and spoke about this being the real beginnings of my Empire. Not much to it yet - an unbuilt space station and a colony of fifteen - but he's right. The first steps have been taken now, there's no going back from here. Not that I want to. Once our mission is complete, our real work begins.