Elena tried hard to keep the disappointment tucked down deep; the past few days had been, in her opinion, a complete disaster. She had reported to Starbase 72 for command of the Dragonfly, and somewhere in their infinite wisdom, Starfleet had pulled the Dragonfly. In its place, she had been assigned to the Steamrunner-class USS Galileo on a one-way trip to some aging Watchtower-class station, Eos. 

She had been given some line about how the station needed her diplomatic finesse, along with Commander Harris’s engineering skills. Their explanation seemed more like diplomatic ass-kissing than finesse. She sighed, looking out the window of her ready room as the station came into view. “When they said run down,” she sighed, “I think someone was up-selling it.” 

“The station is a century old,” Harris added from the far side of the room as he ordered a cup of coffee. He turned to face the Captain, “Starfleet had forgotten about this place until the fall of the Romulan Empire. Now suddenly, some four-pip Admiral thinks it is fitting to bring this station into the modern era.” 

“It’s going to be a lot of work and patience,” the Executive Officer added. 

Elena rolled her eyes, “polish a turd, it’s still a turd.”  She blushed, “Sorry, something my Grandpa used to say.” Elena still wasn’t sure how this man connected to her husband, and for the time being, neither would talk about it. However, she was confident that, in time, things would be clear. For now, this was going to be a divide-and-conquer. Gab would have to take over the Engineering side of things and coordinate with the Station’s Operations and Engineer Chiefs while she saw to everything else. It wasn’t the best of plans, but their morning briefings would help keep them on track.   

The next several hours seemed to coast by, each Officer tending to their matters, meeting up for the occasionally awkward silent moment. A good working relationship took time; with Eos, time is about the only thing the station had to offer. It wasn’t long, however, and the Galileo had been cleared to dock. Elena now stood on the deck plating of the station, her first command. For the moment, the only thing she had going for herself was that no one knew her. She could mingle about the station, take in the sights, and settle in before she had to assume command officially. It was, after all, only a matter of time before Petty Officer Bryne found her. A good Yeoman was persistent about schedules.  

As with any busy civilian transportation hub, people were coming and going all over the place. Some were travelers simply using the station as a layover point, moving on to destinations unknown. While others, like Elena, had ended their travel on Eos, ready to call the station home. The Captain couldn’t help but wonder if any figures around her were some of her Senior Staff; she hadn’t been briefed yet, so she wasn’t entirely sure.  

The Ferengi delegation will arrive at airlock two and the last call for the shuttle to Freecloud. The loud announcement rang out from overhead throughout the terminal.

Elena nearly tripped over a potted plant as the announcement sounded. While it was delivered in a calm, professional tone, it was very unexpected. “What the heck was that,” she exclaimed, looking around.

“That was our last Commander’s attempt to add a friendly touch,” a soft-spoken voice from behind her replied. Elena turned around, greeted by a warm face with bright red hair and emerald green eyes. This face she knew all too well, “Petty Officer Byrne,” the Captain smiled, “pleasure to finally meet you.”  

Bryne nodded, “likewise, Captain.”  

Elena looked around, “not so loud,” she waved her hands, “I’m trying not to be noticed, yet…”

Bryne smiled and pointed up. ‘That was something our last Commander thought added an interesting touch to the station. Something he read about in an old Earth train station. Oddly, it was done in his own voice. The man had a bit of an ego.’ 

“I’m not sure I like it.” From behind her, Elena could hear the Ferengi delegation grumbling. She could hear something about the lack of a formal greeting. Elena asked the Petty, “Have I officially assumed command yet?”  She gave a slight nod and a grin.  

“Not to my knowledge, Miss Mitchell,” Bryne took the hint almost immediately. The two quickly tucked into a small coffee shop. From behind the counter, a Bolian smiled. 

“Welcome to the Quantum Brew; it’s the Nebula’s Nectar,” the man added, “or at least that is what Admiral Janeway said.” He paused, “what can I get you.”  

“Surprise me,” Elena started to talk but was startled as someone grabbed her waist from behind and shouted. Elena had her doubts that Admiral Janeway ever ventured this far out, and certainly not to a Watchtower station. The fleet had nicer facilities for Admirals on tour.

From behind her, a figure snuck up on the Captain; with a knowing look on her face and a mischievous grin, the woman grabbed Elena, “Lena,” she shouted.Elena let out a small scream but instantly recognized the voice. “If it isn’t my Medical Maven,” Elena turned around, facing the station’s newest Chief Medical Officer. “It’s good to see you, Millie.” 

Emily Rodriguez smiled as she hugged her friend, “Imagine my surprise when I got a communication about a position opening up on your station. “Imagine the trouble the two of us can get into,” Millie grabbed a cup of coffee from the counter and sipped the beverage. Looking up, she blushed, “Sorry, was this yours?” 

“Not any longer,” Elena nodded at the barista as the Bolian started to make another drink. “No trouble this time around, I am,” she leaned in and whispered, “the Commanding Officer after all.”  

Millie didn’t miss a beat, taking every opportunity, “I know, who in their right mind promoted you?” She sipped the drink again, “Were there no other qualified Officers?” 

Elena looked to Bryne, “my apologies, may I introduce Lieutenant Commander Emily Rodriguez.” 

“Commander, Bryne nodded professionally.  

Elena couldn’t help but feel a sense of hope and excitement as the two friends laughed. She had been dreading her assignment to Eos, but now, with her trusted friend Millie, she felt a newfound sense of confidence. 

She knew Eos would be challenging but was ready to tackle it head-on. She had a competent crew and a good friend to support her every step of the way. With a smile, Elena looked at her companion and grabbed Millie’s arm. ‘Let’s get you out of here before you start spilling secrets that don’t need to be spilled,’ she said, and Millie smirked, ‘me, never.’ Elena laughed, ‘Perhaps this station won’t be so bad after all.’ 

Millie smirked, “Me, never.” 

Elena laughed, “Millie,” she squeezed the Medical Officer’s arm, “it’s good to have you here.”  From behind the two, Elena heard a cough; she sighed. “I think my chaperone is telling me I have official duties to take to see to.”

“I’m not a chaperone, Captain,” Bryne replied, “merely the keeper of the schedule, and you have a meeting with the Admiral in about 30 minutes.”

“I just got here,” Elena exclaimed. “Seriously!”

“Welcome to command, Captain,” Millie laughed, “you go do you, and we will meet up tonight for dinner.”

With that, Elena gave Millie one last hug, “Dinner it is,” with that, Elena turned to face Bryne, “To Operations, lead the way, Petty Officer.” 

Elena had completed her impromptu tour of the station with Byrne and Millie. Byrne was a professional and outstanding tour guide; however, the Captain knew it was time to get to work. After bidding both Officers farewell, Elena made her way to the nearest lift, “Main Operations,” she ordered.. 

She had relished in the relative anonymity that the tour allowed. A traveling Captain was a dime a dozen for a station of this size. She could do her business, and no one was the wiser. As the lift came to a stop, the doors opened, and Elena knew that the quiet comfort of anonymity was about to end. She took a deep breath, stepping onto the deck plating of Main Operations. 

She closed her eyes for a second, but nothing happened. She opened them, making sure she had arrived at the proper designation. There were numerous Officers, all busy with tasks, but no one was paying attention to Elena. She knew this would change soon, but for now, it was pleasant. She stepped forward but remained silent. 

Coming from nowhere in particular, a loud voice rang out through the room, “Captain on the deck!” 

“Really,” Elena looked over the source of the voice, “We won’t be doing that every time I enter the room,” Elena smiled sternly. 

Elena signed, noticing that everyone in the room had stopped working and was now looking at her. Retrieving a PADD from her duffle bag, she began to read, “To Captain Elena Mitchell, you are hereby requested and required to take command of Deep Space 108, also known as Eos Station, as of this date, signed Starfleet Command, Fourth Fleet.” 

Turning to the figure who unceremoniously announced her arrival, she said, “Please note the date and time in the log. The rest of you stop gawking and get back to work.” Elena blushed. She paused a few steps into her walk, intending to go to her ready room. The view outside the large window offered a stunning display of nearby star systems. 

The loud figure approached her, “Jason Okafor,” he extended a hand. “Head of Psychiatry,” he smiled. 

Elena couldn’t help but notice how accurate the man’s bio file was. His file had described a man who was brimming with warmth and possessed an infectious smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Commander Okafor,” Elena nodded. 

Jason stood beside the Captain, “Many of the crew believe that bright star,” he pointed, “is Freecloud.” 

Elena looked puzzled, “Isn’t that over…” 

Jason interrupted, with a wink, “Don’t tell Petty Officer Byrne; she might have a poor sense of direction.” 

“In the past, these stations were considered the crown jewels of the Federation,” Elena leaned back against the wall behind her, taking in the view. “Eos was Starfleet’s premier defense, a strategic outpost, and a boundary established during the peak of the Romulan War. It’s incredible to think how we’ve transitioned from this to something like a Stardock.” Elena paused, raising a finger, “And for the record, I don’t want to command a Stardock. Those things are too big.” 

Jason nodded, “Just like everything, we tend to find bigger ways to announce our superiority.” 

Elena patted the wall, causing the dedication plaque to fall off its stand. The Captain blushed, trying to put it back in place. “Eos is old, yes, and lacks many modern amenities we’re used to, but her bones are solid. She has a good foundation. It’ll take time, but a good crew can bring it into the modern era.” 

“And don’t underestimate the area; we’re still in a heavily trafficked region. Ships of all kinds pass through this sector all the time, old or not; Eos can still be a hub; traffic will only increase as Eos comes to life,” Jason added, “I guess our proximity to Freecloud doesn’t hurt either,” he gestured to the star. 

“I’m not sure I want Freecloud to be our selling point,” Elena nodded, “that’s almost as bad as putting a station in orbit around Risa. Freecloud is dangerous, in my opinion.” Elena looked out at the large transparent windows, a small barrier between her and the emptiness of space. “You know I’ve seen the inside of many a station, and yet the view from each is still breathtaking.” 

“That view is going to change rapidly,” he stated, “remind me to ask you in a year if it’s still breathtaking. He folded his hands behind his back, “Our Romulan Ambassador should be arriving within the hour. They already sent word asking about their embassy. Her name is Talara T’Vel.” 

Elena’s eyes widened, “Like they Talara T’Vel, daughter of Senate T’Vel, she’s got to be…” 

Jason interrupted; it was a terrible habit but something that he never really paid attention to, “she’s young, inexperienced, and currently the resident Ambassador for the Romulan Government.” 

He shrugged, “at least whatever passes for a government this week.” He could see the Captain’s brain working, “there’s more.” 

“Oh, perfect,” Elena tensed up, “ok, hit me. What do you have?” 

“The aide is accompanying her, “ Jason tensed up, “is an older Romulan, Rempeck.” 

“General Rempeck?” Elena questioned. “That’s not a good sign, but perhaps if the Romulan Republic..” 

“Let us not forget the profound impact of that catastrophic event, which led to the fragmentation of the Old Romulan Star Empire, resulting in our present-day problem. As horrific as this event was, it is vital to acknowledge that a similarly tragic event could serve as a catalyst for reunification, a prospect that may not be favorable for the Federation.” 

“That thought isn’t lost on me, Commander,” Elena replied, “personally, I don’t think we should trust either side. However, our supervisors in the Federation seem to think otherwise, hence the need to revive Eos.” 

“She’s rather old for something so vital,” Jason stated. 

“Her bones are still solid, and her foundation strong,” Elena repeated, looking at him, “I’m determined to get a good crew. With a little elbow grease, we can accomplish a lot.” 

“As you say, Captain,” Jason replied. 

“You say that, but who do you think will be greeting the Ambassador when she arrives,” Elena said, “dress uniforms.” Elena’s gaze shifted from the stars to the bustling activity inside the station. She could feel the responsibility settling on her shoulders, the gravity of what lay ahead. “I suppose we should get to work,” she said, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.  

Jason nodded, his eyes reflecting the determination in hers. “We’ll make this station shine again, Captain,” he said reassuringly. 

As they turned to leave, Elena looked back at the dedication plaque lying on the floor. She picked it up, her fingers tracing the embossed letters. “Eos Station,” she whispered to herself, “aging yet agile, we’ll make you proud.” And with that, they set off to begin the journey of rebuilding Eos Station, one step at a time.

There were times when Gab missed the straightforward task of the Engineer. The hum of the engines and the task of repairs were so much simpler than the responsibility of command. He still hadn’t figured out his new Captain, and a part of him didn’t want to. He had years on her. If someone at Starfleet had actually thought about this, he’d be Captain, and she would be answering to him. But, once again, he was overlooked.

He stepped into Engineering, flagging down the first Officer that passed him, “Captain Bates?” he asked.

The Officer pointed, “Over there, Commander. Can’t miss him.”

“Thank you, Ensign,” Gab replied.

Eli had been working through getting the station back into shape. It was in disrepair before he came back. The discipline of the engineers was pitiful, and he would be taking care of that. He had already assigned extra duty shifts. He drank a sip of his coffee and was interrupted by an unfamiliar voice. He turned to see the newcomer. “Can I help you?” he replied, unsure of what the Officer wanted of him.

“Captain Bates, I assume,” Gab approached the man. “Commander William Harris,” he introduced himself, “Captain Mitchell has asked that I help oversee the Operations and Engineering portions of the station,” he added, “at least till we get things off and running.” He looked around the room. “I am not here to take over; just get an update on our priorities and see what I can do to assist you.” 

“From what I have seen, we have a lot of upgrades and repairs,” he smiled.

Eli shook his head. “This place is a sorry excuse for a station. I’ve seen manure fields in better shape. I have assigned all shifts extra duties and I will make any officer who thinks they aren’t good enough to scrub the jeffries tubes with a toothbrush.”

“Times like this, it’s all hands on deck,” he stated just loud enough that those around heard that their Chief had the support of command. “It’s going to take time, we all understand that but key systems need to be a priority. Security and safety being top on that list.” 

He leaned forward, “the Captain mentioned something about replicators not producing her coffee correctly,” he whispered, “but that can wait.” The XO reached over to the nearest terminal, pulling up the schematics for the Romulan embassy, “there is also the matter of this beast. Our Romulan Ambassador should be arriving within the hour.”

Eli shook his head. “Coffee is important.” He waved to a nearby ensign “The replicators need to be looked at. They are not producing the coffee the Captain likes. Let’s fix that.” he said seriously. The ensign acknowledged and walked away. Eli looked back at Harris “Why are we looking at the schematics for the Romulan Embassy?” 

“Word has come in that Ambassador Talara T’Vel, daughter of Senator T’Vel, will oversee the Romulan Embassy here. Starfleet wants to roll out the red carpet for potential friends in the Romulan Republic. Red carpet, Ambassadors, embassies, it all screams of formal dinners and everything that comes with it.”

Eli nodded he knew that important events like this required the utmost attention “I’m just a wee engineer Sir. What is it I can do to help?” 

“Captain Bates,” Harris stood up, “Let’s not attempt to bluff the other one, neither of us green. I’ve read your file, and you have many accomplishments. What I need is to ensure that a turbolift doesn’t malfunction and kill the Ambassador or that the food replicators don’t accidentally poison a visiting diplomat. We have a lot of problem, tossing crew at them is important but we need to ensure that these kids,” he looked around, “understand how to prioritize projects.”

“That is what we need from our wee engineer,” he nodded.

Eli took another sip of coffee “That can be done, Sir. Though we have lots to do here I can say the team is exceptional. I seem to weed out the bad from the good. I think my reputation proceeds me sometimes.” He smirked “Regardless you can tell the Captain I will make it my mission that the embassy is safe and secure.”

Gab didn’t respond; he walked over to a nearby replicator, “coffee, black and hot,” he ordered. As the cup materialized on the padd, Gab reached to grab it but pulled his hand back almost instantly. Gab watched as a thick black sludge oozed out of the replicator, slowly sliding onto the carpet below. “Lots to do,” the Commander simply forced a smile.

“Never enough time to do anything in our profession, Commander.” he chuckled “That’s why I always have the nectar of the gods with me.” he grinned motioning to his cup of coffee. 

“Well, Captain,” Gab nodded, “I think you have a solid handle on things; I’d like to check in with Lieutenant Chen in Operations. I hear there is a coffee shop opening in the civilian district of the docking ring, the Nebula Drew or something like that,” he knew he’d gotten the name wrong, but it didn’t matter. “From what I understand, it’s not that bad.”

Eli scoffed “You don’t need fancy coffee, but maybe I’ll give it a shot. Its been nice talking Commander. I will report when the embassy is set for its new guest.

“Sir,” Gab nodded, noting the man’s rank. “Thank you, Captain Bates.”  Tapping his comm badge, he said, “Computer location of Lieutenant Chen.”  He turned on his heel and headed for the nearby door.

“Commodore, I strongly disagree with this move,” Elena protested one last time. She knew it wouldn’t work, but that nagging need to object before the Commodore cut her off was strong. “This isn’t a good move, not now, at least. I just took over, and we are still neck-deep in repairs and upgrades. If the Ambassador wants an embassy, fine, but to roll out the red carpet,” she sighed, “We are not ready for that.”

“Elena,” the Commodore leaned in, “enough. If the Republic wants the red carpet treatment, we will give it to them. Whatever regime is currently running the Romulan government…”

Elena interrupted, “This week.”

“Captain, this is not a joking matter,” the Commodore said sternly, “enough.” The Flag Officer almost shouted. “The Ambassador and her party have a large-scale event, all the bells and whistles, make it happen.”

“Look, Elena,” the Commodore added, “Starfleet has been keeping their eye on the T’Vel family, especially Senator T’Vel. No one here will argue that there isn’t something going on here. Planting his own daughter as Ambassador it’s a strategic move. However, a move to what, we don’t know.”

“On that, we agree,” Elena replied.

“For now, we are granting the Senator’s daughter full diplomatic courtesy, and she’ll be at your station soon,” the Commodore smiled, “remember to play nice, keep that security ear open, and stay alert. If you discover something, pass it up the line.”

Before Elena could reply, the Commodore reached over and cut off the channel. The conversation had ended, “Well, I didn’t even get to file a formal protest,” Elena rolled her eyes. Starfleet had ruled, and now the staff of Eos had to fix this. Lieutenant Chen would have her work cut out for her and her team. Whatever passed for a conference room on this station would need a fast makeover.

The comm panel on the Captain’s desk alerted her to an incoming message, “Captain, the Romulan vessel Tetam will be docking with the station in fifteen minutes.”

Elena tapped her comm badge, “thank you. Commander Okafor, please meet me in transporter room two.”

Elena and Jason stood there, both of them looking rather uncomfortable in their dress uniforms. Jason smiled, “I wasn’t expecting to do this so soon,” he tried to cut the tensions, “I mean, sure, but now?”

“Starfleet knows best, Doctor,” Elena replied as the Chief coughed. “Energize,” Elena straightened her uniform as she stepped forward when the Ambassador materialized before her. “Ambassador T’Vel, welcome to Eos. May I present Commander Okafor, our..”

“Let’s dispense with the formalities, Captain,” the Ambassador cut her off, “I know you don’t want to be here, and I don’t want to be here. Neither of us had a say so in the matter.” She looked around the room in utter contempt, turning her nose up. “I would have expected a welcome more appropriate to my status. A dingy transporter room is hardly the welcoming an Ambassador would have expected.”

“My sincere apologies,” Elena forced a smile. “Our teams are working hard at,” her attention was caught off guard as an older Romulan came into view. Elena knew the face almost immediately. “General Rempeck, it’s an honor to have you here.”

The Ambassador hissed a quick reply, clearly not afraid to show her frustration, “Rempeck is not a General in the Romulan Republic; my aide will be seeing to my needs,” she waved the older Romulan off.

“I do not need a babysitter,” T’Vel said, looking at the Captain. “My team and I would like to take a look around the station; we will see ourselves at the embassy. I trust it’s in better shape than this transporter room.”

The Ambassador nodded her head, “Good day, Captain.” Before the Captain could even utter a reply, the Romulan delegation turned and headed out of the room. Elena nodded to Commander Okafor, who knew what he needed to do. Turning, the Commander followed the Romulan part out of the room.

Elena looked up; in all the commotion, she’d failed to notice that Rempeck hadn’t followed his team. The man seemed a shell of what she had read out. Rempeck was a well-known military strategist. He was a man who commanded men into battle. Known for his quiet, decisive action, he was not a man to be ignored. However, the man in front of her was none of that. He seemed broken.

“General?” Elean asked.

“Captain, a piece of advice,” the Romulan gestured to the door, “don’t make an enemy of the T’Vel family. The Senator’s daughter might be young and stubborn, but her father has numerous connections.” Rempeck nodded, “I was to remain behind to tend to take care of the lesser work.”

The two stepped into a turbolift as Elena looked to the Romulan, “I’ll forgive me for the asking, but from what I read about you, I am surprised you are serving in this role. Clearly, someone of your status has earned a spot…”

Without warning, Rempeck turned around, stepping as close as he could to the Captain. “Be very careful, Captain,” he raised a finger, sticking it in her face, “T’Vel isn’t the only one with connections.”

Elena, an experienced Security Officer, reacted swiftly as Rempeck threatened her. With practiced precision, she shifted her weight, planted her feet, and grabbed Rempeck’s right wrist. She then used her left hand to grab his right elbow, applying pressure to force it to bend inwards. Shoving him into the wall of the lift, she locked him in the armbar. Rempeck’s arm was now pinned behind his back, so he could not resist. Elena maintained control, ensuring Rempeck’s compliance. ‘Make one thing certain, General,’ she stated firmly. ‘I am a Security Officer first and a Captain second, at least for now. You will not threaten me on my station.”

Rempeck laughed, almost mocking her, “Peter was right about you; you’re spirited. I see why he married you.”

Elena had expected many things from the man, but this actually threw her off. First, there was Commander Harris and his connection to Pete and now Rempeck. Just what exactly was her husband doing? “How do you know Peter,” she demanded.

“Kindly let go of my arm,” Rempeck looked down.

Elena released the man as she stepped back, “Pete is an analyst on Earth; he reviews reports and looks at survey data. He wouldn’t, I mean couldn’t…”

Rempeck laughed, rubbing his wrist, “You have quite a grip. Did you really think he sat at Earth behind a desk, reviewing logs? A Captain, a man, is his experience and length in his career just sitting behind a desk?”

“I’ve seen his office.”

“You’ve saw what he wanted you to see.”

Before the two could speak or even address the revelation, Rempeck dropped in Elena’s lap, and the lift shook. It wasn’t violent; in fact, he was hardly noticeable; it was just enough to get the Captain’s attention. 

As Elena and Rempeck exchanged worried glances, the lift shuddered violently, knocking them both off balance. Rempeck’s expression turned grim, and he grabbed Elena’s arm, his voice urgent. “Captain, we need to move quickly. There’s more at play here than you realize.”

Elena nodded, her heart pounding. She tapped her comm badge. “Ops, what’s going on?”

“Captain, we have a situation,” Commander Harris’s voice crackled over the comm. “There’s been an explosion at the Romulan Embassy. We need you down there immediately.”

Elena and Rempeck rushed out of the lift and down the corridor without hesitation. The scene that unfolded in front of them was a nightmare. The embassy’s doors were twisted, and smoke billowed out of the wreckage. Emergency response teams were already on the scene, trying to contain the damage.

Elena’s stomach churned as she saw the body of the Romulan Ambassador, barely recognizable amidst the debris. She tapped her comm badge again. “Security to the Romulan Embassy. Doctor Rodriguez, report to the embassy immediately.”

Rempeck gripped Elena’s shoulder. “She’s still in there. My government will handle this. But we need to find out who’s behind this.”

Elena nodded determination in her eyes. “We’ll get to the bottom of this, General. And we’ll make sure whoever did this pays for it.”Rempeck’s eyes narrowed as he turned to Elena, his voice quiet but intense. “Captain, make no mistake. The T’Vel family will not let this slide. They will hold the Federation accountable for this attack on their embassy. The Romulan Republic will not rest until justice is served. You may be the Captain of this station, but you are also a representative of the Federation. I expect nothing less than your full cooperation in this matter.” His words lingered, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.  

In the holodeck aboard Eos Station, Sezra Prad found herself surrounded by the holographic representations of her past hosts. She had been prepping for this session for some time now, but nothing had prepared her for the moment she saw them. It was odd, looking at people that were both her and not her. She wasn’t sure she could describe it to someone who wasn’t Trill.

She walked past Ariella. “I can’t tell you how strange this is,” she said, never taking her eyes off the figure. “She’s me, but she isn’t.”

“Sezra,” a gentle voice called out, pulling her from her reflection. She turned to see Jason Okafor, Head of Psychiatry aboard Eos Station, standing before her. His presence was a reassuring comfort in the midst of the holographic display. “You’ve been coming to therapy for some time now. Are you ready for this part?”

With a nod of acknowledgment, Sezra followed Dr. Okafor deeper into the simulation. As Okafor instructed the computer to activate the program, Sezra prepared for the memories that would follow. Each holographic replica had left a distinct impression on her, but meeting them face to face was something was completely different.

“Did I tell you that I never wanted to be joined?” she stated, still looking at her first host. “Growing up Trill, it’s all you are taught as a child: the duty of carrying on a tradition.”

“Many times,” Okafor replied.

As Sezra continued to look at her first host, the figure came to life. “Ariella Prad, the diplomat,” Sezra started to explain, “she was a voice of peace in conflict.”

Ariella smiled, “Peace is not merely the absence of conflict,” her voice echoed in Sezra’s mind.

“Peace is a lot to think about now, especially after…” Sezra responded

“It is the culmination of understanding and empathy,” Ariella interrupted. 

As Sezra looked past Ariella, the scientist came into view. “Joran, he’s probably the host I least understand. While I remember every experiment, lecture, and theory he tried to study…” her mind drifted off. “It’s all chaos; I don’t understand it.”

Joran looked at her, his stoic demeanor revealing a mind full of complexities. “The universe is a symphony of music,” Joran’s holographic image echoed through Sezra. “To truly understand it, one must listen to the harmony beneath the chaos.”

“Easy for you to say,” Sezra sighed; the thought that she was arguing with herself wasn’t lost on her. She looked over at Lirra Prad, who just gave a puzzling smile.

“Everything tells a story; it is up to you to listen and learn,” Lirra whispered.

“I don’t remember myself being so cryptic,” Sezra looked at the Psychiatrist.

“Artistic licensing,” he just grinned, answering the unasked question.

Sezra looked at Lirra. ” She was my shortest host. We were alive, traveling to a newly discovered set of ruins, and then we weren’t,” she paused. “alive.” She added, “The next thing we knew was a new host.”

Further down the line was Tharin, the historian, Etena, the Engineer, and then… her eyes drifted past the two hosts to the figure she wasn’t ready to see. “Kael,” she whispered. His was the face she knew all too well; he was her Captain. The Rome was her first assignment. “I’m not sure I am ready for him,” she spoke, a hint of sadness filling her mind.

“He was a strong leader and a beacon of courage on that day,” she spoke as if he was someone else. It was strange with Kael; she mourned a host’s loss, but that host came with a whole new set of grief. The souls lost when the Rome met the Borg at Frontier Day. Sezra reached out to Kael as if to draw from his strength and determination. “Kael,” she whispered, her voice barely audible in the simulated environment. “Your end was not expected, and…”

But as Kael’s holographic memories began to unfold, Sezra felt a sudden surge of overwhelming emotion. The memories of Frontier Day flooded her consciousness, each moment filled with pain and sorrow. The chaos of that battle, the loss of friends, and the sacrifices made were too much to bear.

With a cry of grief, Sezra flinched, pulling away from Kael’s memories with such force that it disrupted the holographic display. Dr. Okafor rushed to her side, his presence comforting. “Sezra, it’s alright,” Dr. Okafor whispered.

But Sezra could only shake her head, the memories of Frontier Day still fresh in her mind. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, her voice choked with emotion. “I can’t… I can’t do this. I wasn’t supposed to be there, I wasn’t supposed to be any part of this.”

Okafor placed a comforting hand on Sezra’s shoulder, offering comfort in his gesture. “It’s alright, Sezra. This process can be overwhelming, especially when confronting such intense memories. Trills go through extreme training for this,” he reassured, his tone carrying a hint of understanding.

Glancing at the holographic representations around them, he continued, “Testing, training, evals.” His eyes met hers, a silent acknowledgment of the challenges she faced. “What did you get?”

Taking a deep breath, Sezra felt the weight of her experiences bear down on her. “I know, Doctor,” she responded. “I know what we have to go through to get joined.” Her voice wavered, betraying the stress she carried. “But it’s just so much to handle sometimes.” There was a vulnerability in her words, a silent plea for understanding.

“We’ll take it one step at a time,” Okafor assured her, his tone gentle but firm. “Therapy is a journey, and we’re here to navigate it together.”

Just as they were about to resume the session, the entire station shook violently, causing the holographic display to flicker. An emergency alarm blared through the holodeck, indicating an explosion in the civilian district, specifically at the Romulan embassy.

Okafor’s expression turned serious as he quickly assessed the situation. “We need to go,” he said, urgency coloring his words. “We’ll have to continue this later.”

Sezra nodded, her mind already shifting to the emergency at hand. With a heavy heart, she closed the holodeck program, leaving behind the echoes of her past hosts. In the midst of the chaos, Sezra couldn’t shake the lingering feelings stirred up by the holographic reunion with her past hosts. Each encounter had been like revisiting a chapter of her own history, a history meshed with the lives and experiences of those who came before her. 

As she followed Okafor out of the holodeck, her mind raced with unanswered questions and unresolved emotions. The sudden interruption by the emergency only added to her uneasiness. Despite her training and experience, she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the significance of it all.

She took a deep breath as they entered the lift; she knew the Commander would bring her back. She wasn’t sure she wanted to see this again, but only one thing was certain: Okafor was confident that this was necessary to heal and accept the new memories that filled her conscience.

As news of Ambassador T’vel’s death started to filter throughout the entire station, a noticeable tension seemed to fill the air. To the casual observer, this was a tragic loss for the Romulan delegation; however, to Rempeck, it was a stark reminder of the delicate balance between diplomacy and his position. To those who knew him best, his carefully constructed facade was starting to crumble. If his plan didn’t work, losing his position was the least of his problems. 

Yet, among the whispers of conspiracy and suspicion, Rempeck knew he couldn’t afford to be perceived as an enemy of the Federation, not when his own survival depended on maintaining a delicate balance of alliances and deception. With the ever-watchful eyes of the Federation scrutinizing his every move, Rempeck realized his plans would need to be accelerated. If he wanted to secure his future, he would need to act now.

One of the only positive features about a station like Eos was that right now, things were predictable; everything had a routine. Rempeck liked, no, he relished routine. What made Eos even better was the fact that everyone was focused on the Romulan Embassy, and that meant there were sections of the station that were virtually empty. The Romulan slipped into a dimly lit corridor as he took one last look behind him.

“You’re late,” a gruff, deep voice hissed at him.

“If some imbecile hadn’t set off the device in our lobby, that wouldn’t be a problem,” Rempeck replied. “You had one job, Klingon.” Rempeck hated dealing with the Klingons, but the means justified the ends, or at least he was trying to convince himself of that.

The Klingon stepped out of the shadows, his teeth bared. He growled with his left hand on his weapon, “You’d better watch your tongue, Romulan. Or else, I will cut it out and hand it back to you. It wasn’t my plan; it was yours. Besides that new Security Chief, the Trill,” the Klingon added, “I couldn’t…”

“If I wanted excuses,” Rempeck interrupted, folding his arms behind his back, “I would have stayed in my own embassy. Look, we don’t have to like each other, but we have mutual goals. Neither of us wants that child, Toral, in a position of authority, and I don’t want to see the Romulan people attacked. This mutual plan…”

The Klingon growled as he spat on the ground, “House Korvak,…”

“House Korvak is the forgotten child of the Empire. The Council probably doesn’t even realize you still even exist, and if they did,” Rempeck grinned, “Toral, son of Duras, would come for you as well.”

Rorg, Son of Korvak, puffed his chest out, “Then let him come. House Korvak was loyal to Martok. But Toral is a..” Rempeck laughed, not even attempting to hide his hatred for the Klingons. “Toral is a child, commanding things he doesn’t understand,” Rorg finished.

“Enough about Toral,” Rempeck snapped, his tone firm. “We have more pressing matters at hand. T’Vel’s father, the Senator, is coming to Eos. We need to ensure his ship never makes it here!”

Rorg’s expression darkened, but he nodded. “Consider it done. But remember, Romulan, this favor comes with a price.”

Rempeck raised an eyebrow. “Name it.” There had been several prices to pay along the way, but everything had been minor up until this point. However, something in Rempeck’s mind told him the price was going to increase dramatically.

“We want access to the latest Romulan cloaking technology,” Rorg demanded. “And not just access, we want full schematics.”

Rempeck though for a moment, considering an alternative offer to satisfy the Klingon’s greed. “I can’t provide you with Romulan cloaking technology, but there’s something else I can offer,” Rempeck proposed. “Information. I have intelligence on several high-ranking officials that could prove useful to House Korvak.”

Rorg’s eyes narrowed with interest. “What kind of information?”

Rempeck leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Names, locations, weaknesses. Enough to effect several sectors of Federation influence and maybe strengthen House Korvak’s position within the Empire.”

The Klingon’s lips curled into a toothy grin. “That could be valuable indeed.” Rempeck wasn’t wrong; House Korvak needed some leverage. Their standing wasn’t all that great in the empire. 

“Consider it a gesture of goodwill,” Rempeck said. “We do you a favor; you do us a favor.” 

Rorg nodded in agreement. “Very well. We’ll make T’Vel’s father disappear, and in return, we’ll expect this information within the week.”

“Agreed,” Rempeck confirmed, extending his hand. Rorg grasping it firmly, sealing the deal.

Rempeck couldn’t shake the feeling of concern as they went their separate ways. He knew that dealing with Klingons always came with risks, but for the sake of his people, he was willing to take them. The Romulan allowed a thin smile to cross his lips as he contemplated the exchange. “And one more thing, Rorg,” Rempeck interjected before the Klingon could leave.

Rorg turned back, a questioning look in his eyes, “What now?”

“I want certain assurances that once T’Vel’s father is gone, there will be no obstacles in my path to assuming the role of Ambassador here,” Rempeck stated firmly.

The Klingon nodded, saying, “I understand your plans, Romulan. They don’t matter to us, and I won’t stop you. Actually, it helps us too.”

Rempeck’s smile widened. “Excellent. Then we have an understanding.”

With that final agreement in place, Rempeck watched as Rorg disappeared into the shadows of the station. He knew that with T’Vel’s father out of the way and the Klingon as his silent partner, nothing would stand in his way. Well, nothing except for a pesky Captain recently assigned to the station.

He tapped his comm badge, “Captain, may I come speak with you?”

Elena Mitchell stood in the middle of operations, her eyes glued on the viewscreen as reports of increased tensions flooded in from across the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. The political landscape had swerved once again, leaving Starfleet in a shaky position. She may not have understood it all, but she knew that Starfleet didn’t need any more issues; they had barely recovered from the events of Frontier Day. Trouble with the Klingons was the last thing the Federation needed.

She’d heard whispers around the station, people talked. It was normal. Many people on the station felt the Romulan Ambassador had gotten what she deserved. It was almost as if people thought her death was a price paid for all the suffering Romulans had caused. Sure, the Federation was duty-bound to protect their Romulan allies, but it was a tough pill to swallow for many. Many had the same feelings in the Dominion War when the Federation came to the aid of the Cardassians. However, they couldn’t dwell on the past if the Federation wanted to move forward.

She sighed as she looked down at the padd in hand, shifting through the flurry of incoming messages. Her mind raced with all the possible problems this new Klingon Chancellor Toral could cause. The fledgling Romulan governments that had formed in the aftermath of the last few years had now found themselves at the mercy of several Klingon houses seeking to use the chaos to their advantage. Meanwhile, whispers of a new Maquis threatened to reopen old wounds. She shook her head at the realization that the Federation was getting hammered on both sides of the galaxy.

Yet, in the middle of it all, Captain Mitchell had long taken pride in her knack for determining friend from foe. It was a skill that had developed over the years in the security field. However, as recent events unfolded, Elena couldn’t shake the growing feeling of unease. Everything hinted that something here might not be as it seemed. With General Rempeck blocking her people at every step, there were too many unanswered questions. The Romulan was too insistent on doing this his way; it wasn’t adding up. Any man in his position would welcome the help, yet Rempeck seemed to push the Federation away at every chance.

Captain Mitchell’s internal thoughts were interrupted by the call of a nearby Ensign. “Captain, incoming message from the Romulan transporter vessel, the Batak. They claim to be under attack by several Klingon vessels.”

“Contact the Galileo and have them intercept,” Elena replied.

“Captain the Batak says they are transporting Senator T’Vel…,” the Ensign was cut off.

“Transporting him where?” Elena demanded, almost dreading the likely reply.

“Here, Ma’am!”

“Get whatever we have in that area; we need to protect that ship at all costs,” she ordered. She couldn’t afford another incident with the T’Vel family.

Whatever the response could have been, it was met with absolute defeat. Incoming chatter had already suggested that the Senator’s ship had been destroyed. To make matters worse, the communications also hinted that House Korvak was responsible for the attack. It didn’t make any sense, two members of the T’Vel family being openly attacked in such a short time. This wasn’t random; it screamed of something more.

Elena moved to her ready room and pulled up the sensor logs and data that were being transmitted from the Galileo. Watching the attack unfold on the screen was sheer horror. The Klingon vessels swarmed around the Batak like predators, their weapons tearing through its defenses. Even for a Klingon, the event was overkill. This lacked honor. This wasn’t a glorious battle.

As Elena watched the chaos unfold, a knot formed in her stomach. This wasn’t just an attack; it was a calculated strike. The precision with which the Klingon vessels targeted the Batak spoke volumes. It was clear that this wasn’t some random act of aggression; it was a planned assassination attempt. 

But. why would House Korvak target Senator T’Vel? Elena couldn’t understand. The T’Vel family had been vocal advocates of peace between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. They had no known enemies within the Klingon Empire, or at least none that Elena knew.

As she considered the situation, a disturbing thought began to take shape in Elena’s mind. What if this wasn’t just an isolated incident? What if there was a larger scheme at play? A plot that reached far deeper than she had expected at first. How many people knew of the Senator’s travel? She didn’t. How could the Klingons have known? She looked out into Operations as the possibilities began to grow in her mind. As Elena reflected, the doors to Ops opened, catching her attention. 

In walked a figure she didn’t expect to see: Rempeck. Given the recent events involving the Romulans, his presence alone sent a shiver down Elena’s spine. She had no evidence or anything beyond a gut feeling, but she knew Rempeck wasn’t innocent.

“Captain Mitchell,” Rempeck’s voice echoed throughout Ops, his demeanor carrying an aura of authority. “I trust you are aware of the situation regarding the attack on the Batak.”

Elena’s eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at the Romulan. “Yes, General Rempeck. We’re currently assessing the situation and coordinating our efforts,” she responded.

Rempeck stepped closer. “Good. I just received communication from my superiors. In response to Ambassador T’Vel’s death, I was appointed the acting Romulan Ambassador. My government made one thing clear: We need to get to the bottom of this attack. My superiors demand answers, and they will not tolerate any delays.”

Elena’s mind raced. Rempeck’s sudden appointment and aggressive behavior raised suspicions. Could he have directed this attack to further his own agenda? Why did he now want help? It seemed too convenient. He appeared at the perfect moment. How could he have known about the attacks so soon after it happened?

“I assure you, General, I’m doing everything in my power to investigate this attack,” Elena responded, careful to keep her tone impartial. She wanted to mention House Korvak, but something in the back of her mind screamed that she should keep that to herself, at least for now.

Rempeck’s expression changed, and his eyes narrowed as if he could see through Elena’s lies. “See that you do, Captain. My government will be watching closely, and we will not hesitate to take matters into our own hands if we deem Starfleet’s response insufficient.”

With that disturbing warning, Rempeck turned on his heel, leaving Elena with a sinking feeling in her stomach. She couldn’t shake the idea that Rempeck’s motives were far more wicked than he let on; he was playing a long game. But what was the game? Regardless, without proof, there was little she could do. She didn’t like this helpless feeling.

As Rempeck exited Ops, he briefly looked at the young Ensign who had relayed the distress call from the Batak. In that brief glance, a silent understanding passed between the two; it was something in their eyes. It confirmed something Elena had feared. There was a mole within her station, and it was someone close, someone trusted. Rempeck’s need to push for control, coupled with the timing of this new attack, now seemed more than coincidental. Elena knew she had to act carefully; the enemy was not just at their doorstep but possibly hidden in plain sight.

Elena had to consider her next move carefully. She decided to dive deeper into the background of her crew, specifically the Ensign in question. She’d hoped that something might shed light on the situation. A chilling realization hit her as she scrolled through the Officer’s file. The Ensign’s father had been stationed on Utopia Planitia when the Synths attacked. Could his involvement have been nothing more than a personal vendetta against the Federation? What else could lead them to such a betrayal? Elena couldn’t be sure, but the facts increased her feeling of anxiety. With the hint of betrayal at her doorstep, she knew her next move would have to be calculated. She couldn’t afford to slip before she had the evidence to take down Rempeck. But was that even possible now?