Captain's Log
Stardate 8.19.2259

Today the Saratoga left behind the Boleen system. In the twenty-eight days we were there we've gained
tons of fascinating data. Even the accident with the away team yielded positive results because we've
gotten a bunch of new data on toxicology.

Alyen and L'Naym were restored to full duty on the 10th and the rest of the team followed on the 12th.
The crew put together a party to celebrate and of course L'Naym insisted on being in the center of the
preparations. Many have started to call her the 'Heart of the Saratoga.' She's dedicated to bringing the
crew as much joy as posible and with her bright smile, merry laugh and loving heart she brings joy to all
who know her. Alyen is much more quiet about it but he's also a morale booster. It's like there's a quiet fire
within him that makes everyone around him feel warm. If this crew were to ever lose them both it would be
a terrible loss both for the crew and especially for me.

But then the loss of anybody on this ship would be a terrible loss and if there's anything that this has
taught me is to never take anyone for granted. Tolliver once told me that life is from one breath to the next
and things can change in a heartbeat. No one knows that better than him. And I'm starting to learn it as well.

Loss. I've been thinking a lot about that. Loss and change. I've known quite a few losses since I became
Captain. Loss of innocence (funny thinking of me as being innocent!) loss of dreams, the loss of a crewmate
and the near loss of more.

But I've also gained as well. I've gained experience, I've gained a great ship and an even greater crew.
I've gained new friends, I've gained a brother and sister, and hopefully I've gained wisdom. There's a
difference between being brilliant and being wise. That's something that I didn't know before. For most
of my life I knew I was brilliant and proud of it. But unfortunately I wasn't very wise. Since the events
of last year and since becoming Captain of the Saratoga I've hopefully starting to become wiser.
It's wisdom after all that makes a good leader and more importantly a good man.

Life is about change. From loss to gain. From one season to a new. Something dies and something new
is born. A tree falls and something new grows. Something is lost, something new is gained. I lost a ship
but gained a new one. I've lost innocence but gained experience. I've lost a crewmate but gained new
ones. I've nearly lost some crewmates and gained greater appreciation for them. Everything has its season.

Our next stop is the planet Deneva, an M class world and the site of a large Federation colony. It's said to
be one of the most beautiful planets in the galaxy and it's also the center of an important asteroid mining
operation. But what's unusual is that even though there are over a million colonists, over the past few weeks
all communications to and from the colony have been cut off. Starfleet's decided to send someone to check
it out and we're the closest ship in the area.

We're one of the smallest ships in the Fleet but there's no other ship and crew that I'd rather face
the unknown with. Saratogans take a closer look and we stand together whatever comes.

James T Kirk.

END