As an Efrosian, the captain of the Federation destroyer U.S.S. Justice is required to conduct something called a reaffirmation ceremony within a week. (Klingons have something like this. Vulcans have something this. Do all the races besides Humans have something like this?) However, the suitable planets for this are all in enemy space save for one in Klingon territory. The captain orders a course to this particular planet, Deb. The crew is somewhat apprehensive despite the recently signed Khitomer Treaty, but the captain proceeds undaunted. Unknown to U.S.S. Justice is that the Romulans and Orions have taken an interest in expanding into Klingon territory on this planet and have established a secret base there. Derivation ensues. A familiar story unfolds: beam down to a planet, run into some enemies on the surface, the ship has to break orbit, landing party gets clear, ship comes back and defeats enemy in orbit and beams up landing party safely. These are well worn plot elements from TOS episodes "Friday’s Child," "A Private Little War," "Errand of Mercy" and "Amok Time."

Some nice things: The U.S.S. Justice is decently realized. The orbital shot of the planet Deb looks good. The snowbound surface establishing shot of Deb was also decent. The Romulan vessel also had an interesting design – a cross between a D-7 Klingon vessel and a TNG Romulan ship. I also liked the use of the title theme of the well-done but often overlooked 1984 film, The Last Starfighter, as the one for Tales of the Seventh Fleet. It appears that the annoying food jokes were shelved, and the blue screen work has improved from what I have read in the other reviews on the Orion Press site. The costumes were adequate.

This is the first episode of Tales of the Seventh Fleet I have watched. I must say that it left me with little desire to view the first two. The acting was subpar even for a fan film. We learn little of the characters. The sound was a little uneven and the voices boomy. The blue-screen method gave a static air to the proceedings and often was not very realistic. The virtual sets came off as video game-like, although their design was intriguing such as in the case of the briefing room. The stock shot of the Justice was used repeatedly to the point of tedium as well as the snowbound shot of the planet surface. There were numerous references in several scenes to the Data-like character "Enigma," but strangely the editor did not cut away to show her. {Editor's Note: Thank God.} Commander Stein is still wearing glasses in the 23rd Century. Maybe he is allergic to Retinax, but you would think that Lasik surgery would have survived into the 23rd Century. This show seemed longer than its 24 minute runtime.

I assume that the U.S.S. Justice Star Trek fan club has had fun putting this series together, but I don’t see its appeal going any further than its members. I agree with other reviews that this show does have a long way to go. I suggest concentrating on the characters and the story since realistic, physical sets and more and varied special effects are apparently beyond the resources of this production.

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