Stardate 59776.98 - Personal Log - Rear Admiral Rahlin

Rear Admiral Rahlin, Personal Log, Stardate 59776.98 (Oct 11, 2382)
- Audio Transcript -

I gott'em.

I just came out of the meeting and Command has relented and agreed to give me six Peregrine Fighters to shut me up. Starfleet has been drawing down the number of active fighters in the fleet while they develop the next generation, and I realized that was my in.

I had drinks with Stacy last night. She always had the practical mind… between the two of us I mean. She was right. It's easier to convince the brass to refit than build.

So. Step one is complete, and I've got a green light. I'm about to head a project that can revolutionize search and rescue craft in Starfleet or it's going to sink my career.

Ending my career isn't what weighs on me. If I wasn't an Admiral anymore, I could fly again. What worries me is that if this doesn't work, I doubt Command will find the guts to try something like this again. Everything we're doing right now is focused on rebuilding. And I get that.

But all the advancements we've made since Voyager's return need to be used for more than just replacing what we lost. So the next part… is I need a Starship. And a crew that I can support and count on. This is going to be tough. The fleet is still being rebuilt and there's no chance in going to the drawing board. The Ross class has already been greenlit and that's going to be their focus for the next half decade.

Damn. Yeah… I can't get this taken seriously without field tests. I have two years to show them something. It's not enough time. No way are they going to give me one of the ships in the fleet. I'd have a better chance trying to drag one out of moth balls.

Wait.

Better to refit than build… Computer. Show me all the currently active vessels in the Reserve Fleet.

Of these ships, show me each ship that has an expansive shuttle bay capable of deploying a small squadron of Peregrine Fighters.

The USS Pride… Computer, status of the USS Pride.

COMPUTER VOICE: The USS Pride, NCC -2574, is currently stationed at Earth Station McKinley pending final assessment for decommissioning.

That's it. That's it! Perfect. Pride, old girl… I think you've got one more cruise in you. Just need a crew and someone to fly my prototypes…