Personal Log — Lieutenant Junior Grade Deezell Vox, Acting Chief Engineer, USS Essex

Posted on Mon Mar 16th, 2026 @ 11:26am by Lieutenant JG Deezell Vox

365 words; about a 2 minute read

The Essex remains stationary at the edge of the Conduit. From an engineering standpoint, we’re holding steady — power distribution is stable, shields are at full, and the ship is as ready as she can be for whatever comes next. But readiness doesn’t make the waiting any easier.

Our colleagues are somewhere on the other side of that swirling aperture, deep in the Delta Quadrant. All we can do is sit here, monitor the Conduit, and hope they come back through it in one piece. I’ve never liked feeling helpless, and this situation is testing every ounce of patience I have.

To make matters worse, we’re not alone out here. Several Borg vessels are sitting just beyond sensor range — close enough to remind us they’re there, far enough to pretend they’re not watching. I keep telling myself that if they wanted to engage, they would have done so already. But logic doesn’t do much to quiet the instinctive chill that runs down my spine every time their signatures flicker across the tactical display.

And then there’s… everything else.

A few days ago, I found out I’m just under four weeks pregnant. I haven’t even had time to process it properly. I've managed to tell Jaxon maybe telling him whilst I'm here surrounded by the Borg, wasn't the best idea.

I keep thinking about Starbase 400. About home. About how far away it feels right now. I’m trying to stay focused, to be the officer the crew needs, but every time I rest my hand on the console, I’m reminded that I’m responsible for more than just this ship’s engines now.

I’m not afraid for myself. I’ve faced danger before. But the idea of bringing a child into the galaxy — this galaxy — while staring down the Federation’s most dangerous adversary… it’s a lot.

Still, I’m here. I’m doing my job. And as long as the Essex is holding the line, I’ll keep these engines humming and this ship ready for whatever comes through that Conduit.

For now, all we can do is wait. And hope.

End log.

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