The bridge of the Formidable was as calm as a gentle breeze with activity as each crew member diligently tended to their respective tasks. The gentle hum of the engines, now transitioning from warp six to sub-lightspeeds, was a soothing backdrop to their focused efforts. 

“Dropping out of warp, sir,” announced Ensign Tate Horin from the helm. The young Betazoid pilot was tapping away at the sleek holographic controls before him, ensuring they were not about to hit anything as they entered the edge of the Alcor Sector. 

Looking up from a PADD that he held tightly in his hands while in the centre chair, Captain Jaxxon Horin smiled at his son’s news. “Thank you, ensign; keep us to one-quarter impulse as we begin our next patrol. Begin a standard sensor sweep of the area.”

“Aye, sir,” Tate replied, his voice tinged with pride as he smoothly adjusted their speed. Though Tate was getting better after his last mission involving the Caatati, Jaxxon could still sense at the back of his son’s mind the level of anxiety that rested there. He was proud his son was happy to pilot the Formidable for this mission. He was still one of the finest pilots on Deep Space Nineteen, so Jaxxon knew they were in good hands. 

Besides the captain, Levy tightly hugged a PADD against her chest, her frustration palpable in the air. Though she rarely stepped onto the Formidable, typically leaving command of such missions to Horin or Sturok, Levy insisted she would join them this time. Levy’s knuckles were white with frustration. “Four points patrolled along the border, and still nothing,” she muttered, her tone heavy with exasperation. Like the mother figure she was, she was concerned about the welfare of Hawkins – like they all were. Captain Horin could sense Levy’s low–level frustration. He shared the same feeling. If only they knew how Hawkins was; his mission required radio silence unless he needed to break it. 

Sturok, who was at tactical, span in his chair. “As I mentioned before, captain, the probability of us hearing anything is low.”

Levy rolled her eyes, the irritation evident in her voice. “I know, Commander. You don’t need to remind me.”

The starboard bridge door opened with a soft swish. “Anything?” Parin questioned as he stepped through the threshold. His tone was heavy with the same concern and curosity shared with the others.

“We have only just dropped out of warp, doctor; scans are underway,” Sturok replied almost coldly. “However, nothing as of yet.”

Parin looked at Levy and then Jaxxon. “Ah, Vulcan comfort at its finest.” 

The sarcasm from the young doctor made the two captains faintly chuckle.

“Umm, sirs, I’m detecting two ships on an intercept course,” Tate reported from the helm, his voice tinged with apprehension. 

Jaxxon sat up straight at that news. “Onscreen, ensign,” He ordered.

The viewscreen flickered, revealing two sleek Romulan ships emerging from the blackness of space. Their green hulls shimmered with an ominous glow as they cut through the void with predatory grace.

Jaxxon looked at Levy and Parin, and their shared look of concern was palpable, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the bridge. 

“Aren’t those classes of ship preferred by the Romulan Free State?” Parin asked.

“Indeed they are, doctor,” Sturok confirmed before looking back at his console, his hands moving swiftly over it. “We are being hailed, captain.”

“Put it up,” Jaxxon ordered as he stood up from his chair and stepped a few paces forward so he was stood just behind his son’s chair. 

The screen shifted to show the bridge of one of the Romulan ships. Seated in the center was a man with sharp features and piercing eyes that glinted with barely concealed distaste. He inclined his head slightly, his tone laced with false warmth. “Greetings, I am Colonel Tamalath of the Romulan Free State warbird Vemtoo. To whom do I have the pleasure?” 

Jaxxon clasped his hands behind his back, offering a polite nod. “I’m Captain Jaxxon Horin of the Federation starship USS Formidable, operating out of Deep Space Nineteen. A pleasure to meet you, Colonel.”

Tamalath’s lips curled into a thin smile, the kind that never reached his eyes. “We seem to find ourselves close to our shared borders but in neutral territory, captain.”

“Indeed,” Jaxxon replied evenly, not offering more than necessary. He had decided not to share too much with this Romulan and hoped he could get more out of Tamalath first. 

Tamalath’s smile deepened, though it carried an unsettling edge. “My vessels are conducting patrols in response to increased raids on independent shipping. Tell me, Captain, is that why Starfleet has sent a Defiant-class ship so close to our space?”

Jaxxon mirrored the colonel’s smirk. “As a matter of fact, yes. Starfleet is committed to ensuring the safety of all ships in neutral space.”

“How noble of you,” Tamalath remarked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “I would suggest we collaborate; however, I am certain our objectives are incompatible.”

“An unfortunate certainty,” Jaxxon replied with a hint of finality. “If there’s nothing further, Colonel, we’ll continue on our way.”

Tamalath inclined his head once more, his expression unreadable. “Safe travels, Captain.” The channel closed abruptly, leaving the bridge in tense silence.

“Ugh, what a creep,” Tate muttered from the helm.

“Though Ensign Horin’s description of the colonel is…” Sturok paused to consider his words. “Colourful, I agree with his sentiment that Colonel Tamalath’s behaviour was odd.”

Agreeing with the Vulcan, Jaxxon looked to Levy. “Any thoughts on why there was a stab at diplomacy from the Free State?”

Levy leaned against a console, tapping her fingers thoughtfully. “Could be a test, trying to gauge our reaction. But if they had a specific agenda, I doubt Tamalath would have stopped at pleasantries.”

Jaxxon agreed as he returned to his chair. “I certainly didn’t sense any duplicity from him.”

“That’s rare for someone working for the Tal Shiar,” Parin quipped. 

Realising something, Jaxxon called Levy, Parin and Sturok to join him in the ready room and left Tate in command of the bridge in their absence. The moment they were all inside the small, cramped office, Jaxxon shared why he called them away from the bridge. Their real mission was to provide backup for Hawkins. As it was classified, any conversation about this mission had to be kept from everyone else. The rest of the crew thought they were on a simple standard patrol mission. 

“Didn’t McPhearson share that the Romulan senator shared their knowledge around Radcliffe and his dealings with the Orions?” 

Levy nodded. “She did,” she then paused. “You think Tamalath is out here doing the same thing as we are?”

“This point on our patrol is the closest one to Xandaria. Logically, it does make sense for the Tal Shiar to be here if they are conducting similar operations to ours,” Sturok summarised.

Jaxxon paced the length of his ready room, his thoughts racing. The Tal Shiar’s potential involvement complicated matters. It wasn’t just about Hawkins’ mission now but about ensuring the Formidable didn’t inadvertently blow his cover.

“We need to be certain of their intent,” Jaxxon said, finally stopping to face his senior staff. “Levy, coordinate with Sturok to increase our passive sensor sweeps. I want every scrap of data on those ships—crew movements, energy signatures, communication bursts. Nothing is too small.”

Levy nodded. “Understood, Captain. If they so much as sneeze in our direction, we’ll know.”

“Jowain,” Jaxxon continued, his voice quieter now, “Tom might need medical support. Keep a standby kit prepped and secure a covert extraction plan. If we’re forced to intervene, I want every angle covered.”

Parin smirked faintly. “Always the optimist. I’ll be ready.”

Sturok, who had been observing the discussion silently, added, “Captain if we shadow the Romulans as they shadow us, this will escalate into a game of tactical subterfuge. The odds of discovery grow exponentially with each action.”

Jaxxon nodded grimly. “Which is why we play it smarter than them. Let’s get to work.”

In a single file, they left the ready room, heading back to the bridge, and Jaxxon hoped that whatever they did next would be more support than a hindrance to Hawkins and his mission.