Crash of the US Attica

"We're hit!" the helmsman blared
As shock waves shook the ship.
"Can't stabilize," systems declared
As her systems failed, the Attica fell
Toward the place from which she sailed.

The sweat stood out on the Captain's brow
Otherwise he was calm, absorbed in the now
He knew his life was nearly at its end
He said silent good byes to his wife and his friends

The Attica was no stranger to the harshness of war
There were so many planets and systems she explored
You could say she was the victim of circumstance
Friendly fire spun her into this cataclysmic dance

She once sailed throughout the stars
Her destination light years away
Her crew learned patience, honor and respect
In their final moments they learned how to pray

"What's the probability of civilian casualties?"
"Eighty-eight percent," the computer replied
"Attica will crash among high population density."
"We can't let those people die."

The Attica was swallowed in furious flames
As she entered Earth's atmosphere
The crewman would soon feel no pain
But right then they were frozen in fear

"Captain Reynolds, sir, what should we do?"
"The answer's clear to me, isn't it to you?
We can't let the Attica go to ground
I order you, Nelson, to begin the countdown."

"Commencing self-destruct process," the helmsman declared
As shock waves shook the ship
"One minute until detonation," all systems blared
As her systems failed, the Attica fell
Toward the place from which she sailed.

The hum of the vents suddenly ceased
As life support went offline
"My beloved crew, we've been through a lot
But as you can hear, we're running out of time."

He switched off the ringing alarms
An uncanny silence fell on the bridge
The only sound one could hear
Was blood running through ones' ears

"Is there anything anyone would like to say
For the final Captain's Log?
Adequate words escape me
I feel as if my mind is in a fog."

The Nav officer stood up and said, "I'd just like to say
That it was an honor to serve under you sir, I'm glad it's how I spent my days.
Now if I truly must die, I'll do so with dignity
With a warriors' will, and a poet's heart."

He softly took his seat, and another took his place at the console
Recording terminal  thoughts for the unknowing masses below
By the time they'd said their peace, there was fifteen seconds remaining
At the projected impact point it was night and it was raining

"This is the final Log of the US Attica.
Captain William Reynolds, signing off."
Steadily time ticked toward oblivion
The seconds fell away, three, two and one...