Captain's log, USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), 2269

In 2269, numerous log entries were made on the Captain's log for the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701).

Entrants

 * James T. Kirk
 * Spock

Entries

 * The Starless World (TOS novel)
 * "Captain's log, Stardate 6527.5. The awesome spectacle of the Galactic Core continues to weave a spell over the ship's crew, even those veterans who've passed this way before.  For me, the hushed atmosphere aboard ship is more nerve-racking than relaxing; I'm accustomed to the steady hum of constant activity.  So far, a total of fifty-seven black holes have been charted.  It's my guess that the proximity of these mysterious objects plays a major role in the mood of the crew.  As for our assigned mission, evidence continues to be negative.  We're apparently alone here in the Core.  There's been no sign of Klingon activity."
 * "Captain's log, Stardate 6528.4. Our mysterious guest, Thomas Clayton, has now been awake and alert for nine hours.  I have twice visited his cell in sickbay in hopes of getting him to shed some light on the reasons for his presence here.  Unfortunately, on both occassions he refused to respond to direct questioning.  When asked to explain his whereabouts since his reported disappearence, he either ignored the question or else spoke of different matters entirely.  For the most part, Clayton raves like the worst immaginable religious fanatic.  He insists that he is the chosen son or favored profit of a deity named Ay-nab.  According to him, the human race (my assumption: his actual phrase is "the people") will be destroyed in the very near future.  I've tried to get him to explain what makes him so sure, but he just ignored me and went on spouting nonsense as before.
 * A couple of times, he did make better sense. He admitted owning and operating an interstellar trading ship.  He told me the terror he had felt while adrift in the void.  Unfortunately, when I asked him to elucidate he went on to describe how he was rescued by the passage of Ay-nab and went to dwell in the paradise of Lyra under the watchful eye of the god.  He said nothing concerning the USS Rickover or how he came to be in possession of one of its shuttlecraft.
 * As a result of these conversations, I've decided to leave Clayton under the personal care of Dr. McCoy, hoping he may grow more lucid with the passage of time. If not, when we leave the Core, Clayton will be committed to Starbase 13, where the psycho-computers may be able to unravel his story."


 * "Captain's log, Stardate 6532.2. I have now ordered an end to yellow alert status and an immediate return to normal duty, as it has become increasingly apparent that the Klingon battle cruiser that precedes us in orbit fails to possess the ability to transform the threats of the crew into action.  To confirm my evaluation, I ordered an engineering analysis of our own weapons system and discovered that the ship's phasers were no longer functional.  I assume that the same force that continues to control the ship has also chosen to render us - and the Klingons - weaponless."
 * "Captain's log, Stardate 6533.9. This is being recorded by Science Officer Spock, temporarily in command of the ship.
 * Contact with Captain Kirk and his landing party continues at frequent intervals. At the present, it is nighttime in the village of Tumara, a temporary phenomenom caused by an eclipse of the sun by one of the planet's twelve apparently artificial satellites.  It is my intention once this has passed, to speak again with Captain Kirk.  In the meantime, I have ordered the crew to assume a light-duty status.  Primary among my own endeavors has been an attempt to obtain a computer projection capable of solving the major paradoxes of this planet.  Unfortunately, my results have been more disturbing than illuminating.  The computer stubbornly insists that any total solution must be predicated upon the assumption that the internal sun of Lyra is a conscious and powerful deity.  It is my hope that additional input will force an alteration in this projection."


 * "Captain's log, Stardate 6537.7. A short time ago, accompanied by several of my senior officers, I watched on the bridge viewscreen as an entire inhabited planet disappeared inside a black hole.  The event was no more cataclysmic than the snuffing out of a lamp.  One moment Lyra floated in space; the next, it had vanished.  As to what actually transpired, opinions differ.  My chief physicist, Lieutenant Commander Gregory, mentioned several hypotheses.  The most intriguing theory holds that black holes may be gateways to other parts of the universe or to entirely separate universes.  Naturally, this is only speculation.
 * I have spoken to Ola concerning her future. Upon the completion of our mission, I intend to take her to the nearest starbase for permanent relocation.  Ola says she very much looks forward to finding a new home, an attitude that pleases me.  Lieutenant Uhura's recovery continues to proceed at a satisfactory rate.  According to Dr. McCoy, she will retain few memories of her ordeal on Lyra.
 * Shortly after the obliteration of the planet, I accepted a call from Princess Kyanna, who informed me that she would soon be returning home. Once the Klingon ship leaves this area, I intend to follow it at a safe distance.  I still have no way of knowing how much of Princess Kyanna's story of treachery and rebellion is true.  From her eagerness to return home, I'd guess that most was told me as a lie."