“We have known little of what is approaching, long-range scans just got back. We don’t know the cause of it. But we know for sure that something has happened with the Vaadwaur or Starfleet”.

“Yellow alert, get me Lieutenant Ze to operations”

The operation central was quiet, focus, worried and afraid of what was approaching them. Lieutenant Ze enters the operations as his eyes gets fixed on the main display, “Status?” He asked, joining his Captain at the operational table as she stood there looking at the bleep.

“Unknown vessel, computer can’t ID it as yet, due to the interference of the blackout. I want you to be ready for anything, we might have to get all civilian ships ready to move away” Sazra narrows her eyes knowing that the damage civilian ships would be unable to escape the hunting Vaadwaur ships. “Get the security teams ready on each deck, I will not go down without a fight”

A solid nod came from Domam as he walks to his own console to coordinate with his teams “Security teams, be ready for breach, we have unknown visitors on route. Protect the civilians, defend vital areas and hold your ground”.

“We have a second signal behind this one….it’s bigger” Tamaz announced with some worry in his voice looking at the data that pass his eyes.

A second? Sazra felt the worry creep up her spine, “Contact Kusanagi and Ukiah to go up front, red alert for them and charge weapons. Prepare for battle” Sazra orders, but her eyes never left the 3D model in front of her where the dots were moving closer to their location. The Kusanagi and Ukiah move forward to take defensive positions between Hecate, the civilians and what ever was coming straight at them.

Time was getting more tense at the Operation Central, everyone was ready for what was going to jump out. Then a ship did jump out, the first one.

“We are receiving a hail?” Tamaz looked confused at the console.

Sazra looked over her shoulder at Tamaz then give him a nod “Put it on” She looked back at the now external camera views that popped up aiming at the incoming ship. The interference of the blackout didn’t help with their vision of what was coming, but one thing Sazra was sure, this was not an alien design.

“This is Wakefield to Hecate Station, I heard you needed some assistance”

A sigh of relief wash over the Operation Central as Sazra smiled and leans on the table “This is Captain Kobahl of Hecate Station, it is good to see a friendly face Wakefield”

“Understandable, Fleet Captain. I brought some support for you”.

A few seconds later the second, larger, ship arrived at the scene and joins in the call “This is USS Saturn, we are here to assist you Hecate”

The sigh of relief that was earlier erupted with joy and cheers across the deck “It’s good to see you here, Saturn, we don’t have any docks available due to the civilian refugee crisis we are experiencing. But it’s good to have you both here” Sazra said, feeling a burden lifting from her heart. The scanners now clearly showed, USS Wakefield, Edison-class and USS Saturn, Sutherland-class approaching Hecate Station.

A day later…

The additional ships that had arrived at Hecate Station provided a well-needed support that was really needed. Civilian ships were getting medical aid, repair support and guidance of what to do next as the situation of the blackout and the Vaadwaur was slowly resolving itself.

Tamaz looked at the console “Captain, we have another welcoming sight” He points at the screen. As the USS Himalaya jumps into the area after a successful warp jump.

Turning towards the screen seeing Himalaya “That is great news, put them on” Sazra walked back to the operations table and saw Adrián appear “Commander, welcome home”

“Thank you, Captain, it is good to be home. The project is a success, but it came with a bitter pill to swallow” Adrián face was rather grim.

Giving a soft nod to that, “Yes, thanks to the communication line, we heard about Archanis Station situation. It is a dire situation, but they manage to retake it” She leans a bit on the table as Sazra continues “I know you have been working non-stop, Commander. But I need you to hold on a bit longer, as you might have noticed we have some civilian ships that need repairs, care to assist?”

Adrián crosses his arms leaning back in his chair “Well, I guess I will pitch in where I am needed” He winks at her “I will get the engineer teams ready to check the ships, send me a list of priority that needs fixing. I will take it from there”.

“You are my hero, please coordinate with Saturn on the repairs”  Sazra blinks as her head turns to the bleep sound coming from Tamaz console.

“We got an Underspace rapture on the edge of the Grim Wall” Tamaz announced looking at the data that was coming in, the announcement gave tension to the deck “Incoming ship….what the…” Tamaz looked surprised at what he was seeing.

“Lieutenant, talk to me?”

“Its…. Eclipse” Tamaz looked up at Sazra.

Letting that news sink in for a second, she turned around to the screen “Adrián scrap that order, intercept the Eclipse now! Lieutenant Alavidze, send Wakefield to it also!”

“On it” Adrián spoke as the screen returns to the stars and quickly after that both Himalaya and Wakefield plotted an intercept course to Eclipse to support and guide them back home. It was one hell of a journey that Eclipse had made, but Hecate Squadron didn’t know at what price.

A week later…

It was not much longer that the galaxy thick black cloud would be lifted. The damage was seen all across the galaxy and everyone started to lick their wounds of the pain they had to endure from the Vaadwaur brutal invasion. Gemini was the last ship to return home, they had to endure their own dreadful story during the occupation of the Vaadwaur.

Sitting in the observation lounge, the Captains of Hecate Squadron were there. Sazra took a seat, hearing all members talking to each other. A few new faces had joined the table, and she smiled “Welcome to Hecate for those that are new, welcome back for those that we have missed” A soft voice came from Sazra as everyone looked at her.

“We have seen the ugly side of this invasion from different perspectives. Forced labor camps by Eclipse and Gemini, refugee crisis by Hecate, Kusanagi and Ukiah, creative engineering thinking that is applauded for to this day by Himalaya. And lastly, the coordinated attacks on Vaadwaur patrols by Saturn and Wakefield” Sazra summarized everyone noble deeds during this crisis.

But she saw the pain on her members faces “We bear the weight of our responsibilities as that makes us Captains” Sazra smiled at K’Nala, seeing her ears lowered “I am proud of each of you, even if you are new” She took a deep breath “But that also brings change with it” Looking at Kam.

Kam notice the look and nods as she looked at the group “Captain Min-Yung of the USS Saturn, I am assigned with Command Davince of the USS Wakefield to Hecate Squadron, we will function as the mobile unit that operate further in the field to investigate and research the Grim Wall” a brief nod came from Commander Davince.

Giving a brief nod to Kam introduction, Sazra picks it up “Captain Min-Yung will be leading the Saturn Division with Wakefield under it, additionally she will be my deputy of the squadron. They will leave soon, however, as Starfleet is sending an envoy to the Klingon Empire for humanitarian needs. Starfleet believes that this might be the critical moment to extend that warm hand towards the Klingons”.

Taking a deep breath as Sazra eyes falls onto K’Nala, “The USS Eclipse will be sent back to Starfleet due to the recent ….incident that brought the cadets to a hostile environment.” She saw K’Nala’s sad face. “But do not think you are the cause of this. I will place you as the supervisor dean of the Pilgrim Program aside from your First Officer duties.” She shoves a box in her direction. “I believe that also belongs to you, dear.”

Looking surprised at Sazra, K’Nala looked at the box and opened it, seeing a pip “Captain?”

An all-round applause was given “Congratulations Lieutenant Commander” Sazra let the squadron members give their congrats to the young Caitian as she throws upwards another box at Adrián “Catch” Seeing the surprise reflex of Adrián catching the box “You’re not escaping me either, congrats Captain”

Opening the box, seeing the pip, Adrián sighs and yet smiles looking at the rest of the table as they clap for him “You’re really sticking me on this are ya?”

“Well, you earned it. Starfleet Corps of Engineers agreed very much with this promotion and wishes to see Himalaya continue its engineering exploits in the Grim Wall region. On that note, I might have to send you to the Archanis Station to help with their repairs or send you to Project Wall Protocol. But I will keep you updated for that later on. For now, dismiss and enjoy your off time a bit”.

With that, the team stood up and left the observation lounge, leaving only Silina and Sazra behind. “You seem tired?” Silina asked placing a hand on Sazra shoulder “We really should get home and get some rest ourselves Hun”.

Letting everything sink in, Sazra slowly nodded and stood up, “I am not saying no to that”