The Theft of the USS Iliad
The USS Iliad was to be Captain Ilya Karasov's first command. However, the day before he could take command both he and Commander Nathan Hunter were arrested and put on trial for causing the destruction of the USS Pacifica.
Destruction of USS Pacifica
USS Pacifica was on patrol when it was reportedly attacked by a stray Borg cube. Pacifica was taken by surprise and quickly disabled. The last transmission received by Starfleet Command appeared to be from Captain Abba Chai of the USS Pacifica who seemed to lay the blame for the attack at Commanders Hunter and Karasov (Karasov was promoted to Captain before this transmission came to light during the evidence at the trial). Commanders Hunter and Karasov were unconscious in a shuttle, when questioned neither could recall why they were not on board Pacifica. Consequently, both were arrested and put on trial for causing the destruction of the USS Pacifica and the death of her crew.
The Trial
The trial was instigated by a shadowy figure from Starfleet Command known only as "Burke" who held a grudge against both Hunter and Karasov. The defendants were defended by Ambassador Sovan. During the trial however it soon became clear that not only was evidence being fabricated but also vital evidence was being with-held. Witnesses who had been recalled to Starbase 32 to speak on behalf of the accused were being intimidated and indeed during transfer from the trial to his holding cell an attempt was made on the life of Captain Karasov.
At around this time, news started to filter through to the defence team that the crew of USS Pacifica had not perished in the Borg attack as at first thought. It appeared that Captain Chai had ordered the Pacifica's evacuation in time, although some crew had died (including Chai and Hunter's wife, Lieutenant Fleur Hunter) most had been picked up by Satarran Slavers and were incarcerated in mines on Satarra. This new evidence was however not considered by the Court. As the trial entered its final stages with the defence not yet having put its case all looked bleak for the defendants.
The Theft
However, the defendants and their legal team were not the only ones who thought that this new evidence was being taken lightly. Help was at hand and with some "outside" assistance, an escape was engineered. Feeling that they had nothing to lose, Captain Karasov and Commander Hunter escaped their holding cells. On board USS Iliad at that time was her Chief of Engineering, Lieutenant Dorvan who had served with both Officers aboard USS Pacifica and had been one of a handful of survivors picked up by Federation ships. Dorvan had been transferred to serve on Iliad. He was also to give evidence at the trial. With little persuasion, Dorvan agreed to assist in the rescue mission of his former comrades and Iliad set course for Sattaran space.
The Chase
Burke was not however prepared to let his quarry escape from under his nose. Docked at Pier 17, adjacent to the USS Iliad was the USS Lexington under the stewardship of Captain Gordon Baines. Burke boarded the ship and took control, setting course to follow the USS Iliad. The Chase was on.
Cat and Mouse
Over the vastness of space, Lexington hunted down Iliad. Iliad had the benefit of surprise and a head start but slowly and surely the Lexington with its greater speed caught up. As Iliad prepared to cross into Satarran space, Lexington moved into range and the order was given by Burke for the Lexington to fire on Iliad. However, a minor revolt on board gave Iliad just enough time to cross into Satarran space. Rather than follow, Burke noticed that a fleet of Satarran warships was homing in on Iliad's incursion and Burke, content in the knowledge that Iliad would suffer the same fate as the Pacifica, gave the order to head for home.
On board Iliad, Captain Karasov gave the orders for battle convinced that this was a fight they could not win. However, he had not counted on a further revolt onboard the Lexington. Now back under the command of Captain Baines, Lexington followed Iliad into Satarran space. The two Starfleet ships barely survived and both limped ever onwards. With the assistance of the Tennarns, a race already at war with the Satarrans the Iliad and Lexington reached their goal and Away Teams were beamed down to rescue the prisoners. Of the crew rescued, many are now serving aboard USS Iliad, Lieutenant Commander Scott Davis and Lieutenants Susan Keiffer, Eric Douglas and M'Dray Kelly amongst them.
Armed with new and unequivocal evidence proving that Karasov and Hunter were not behind the destruction of USS Pacifica, the trial was declared at an end and finally, USS Iliad could be launched. It is unfortunate however that the true cause of the destruction of the USS Pacifica will probably never be established although those who did survive believe that it was the Satarrans who attacked the ship looking for slaves and that the official files were doctored. It is however very unlikely that this will ever be proved beyond doubt.