USS Explorer - The Journey

by P D Hutcheson

It is time to begin exploring again. The Dominion War is over, the USS Voyager has returned with the secrets of the Borg, and Star Fleet is rebuild with the new technologies. The Federation and Klingon Empire are growing closer and working out a treaty called the Accord. The Federation President has a new project. This is the second book in the Explorer series, The Journey.

1. Introduction

Star Trek Exploration

The Adventures of the USS Explorer

The Journey

© 27 February 2004 by P. D. Hutcheson

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this novel are either fictitious or used fictitiously.

The Star Trek Exploration, The Adventures of the USS Explorer, The Journey by P D Hutcheson

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Created in the United States of America

Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, their respective characters, settings, and stories are property and copyright of Paramount Pictures Inc. These properties are used in good faith by the author to further the human adventure through positive storytelling.

Introduction

The changes in the United Federation of Planets since the Dominion War, over the last ten years, may not seem very great to the normal Federation citizen; however, to the informed members of the Federation, especially those in Starfleet, there have been many.

The new President of the Federation Council, who came to the position just before the assassination of the Romulan Star Empire High Council, would heartily agree with them.

With the help of the Romulan Commander Donatra and Captain Picard, the Federation has avoided the destruction of Earth at the hands of the Romulan Praetor Shinzon.

Thought of as a traitor for helping Captain Picard, Commander Donatra was removed from command of her warbird and made commander of the Romulan Empire Diplomatic Liaison garrison on Earth. The council thought this was a good way to be rid of a perceived troublemaker.

However, as most of these things go, she excelled in the position and made a name for herself in the Romulan High Council as well as in the Federation council. She assisted and advised the Romulan Ambassador to the Federation Council and was instrumental in arranging the exchange program between Starfleet and the Romulan Fleet. Many officers on both sides were serving on each other's vessels; however, there is still tension and deep distrust between the members of both fleets.

During the recent visit by the new Praetor to the Federation Council, the Praetor had two private meetings. One with the Federation President, which was expected and one with Commander Donatra, which was very unexpected.

The exchange program with the Klingons has continued to this day. It had gotten to the point where, in some cases, it was difficult to identify the flag of a ship with its crew complement. Starfleet technicians replaced warriors on many Klingon war ships and released many Klingons to other duties, such as security. Starfleet Commander Worf had shown Starfleet the value of having Klingon Security officers.

Following the Dominion War, many of the border worlds of the Klingon Empire began seeking entrance into the Federation, especially those left to fend for themselves during the war. They had been supported by the Federation during the war. The forthcoming induction of the first of these worlds into the Federation was a very heated topic in the Empire and on the planet. Many Klingon warriors saw this as the beginning of the fall of the Klingon Empire. Thus, on the planets themselves, riots have broken out against the Planetary Governors.

However, the Federation and Klingon Empire continued to work toward full diplomatic relations through the soon to be completed Klingon-Federation Accords.

Update:

Project Icarus is underway. The President is facing challenges in the Federation Council. The completion of the USS Explorer in route and the gathering of the right officers—in her estimation—was the key to success of the project. Trying something new in expanding the exploration of the Alpha Quadrant was not popular.

The acceptance of the first Klingon Empire world into the federation under the new Federation-Klingon accord will be followed closely by three more worlds seeking Federation membership.

The President could only ride the wave of time and look toward the future with the hope that sins of the past aren't visited on her future. She is convinced her future is in the tunnel with the USS Explorer.