Captain’s Log Stardate 2402.03. The Paramount and alongside the Victoria, are still in high orbit of Tehitha as we near the end of repairs to their defensive systems. Despite being a good distance from the Triangle, the system houses a substantial population of Federation citizens. In regards to the repairs, we have made excellent progress within in the last few hours. All we need now is to bring the orbital station online, ensure the planetary shield is functional and then train the planet’s defense forces know how to operate and maintain the system.

High above the surface of Tehitha, the Cali-class USS Paramount alongside its Parliament-class sister the USS Victoria are in geostationary orbit of the planet. On board the Paramount the crew was settling into alpha shift as they began the first day of March. Which to the crew’s excitement meant they were approaching a resupply and a short shore leave at Mellstoxx III.

On deck four, the recently promoted Captain Nitus sat in her quarters as she waited for the channel to open. The screen briefly displayed the Federation seal before it switched to show the face of a Human man. “It’s nice to finally meet you…Captain,” McKenzie said, emphasizing the last word as he grinned brightly. Commander Preston McKenzie sat in his quarters as he gazed through the screen at the woman who would soon be his wife. At the beginning of the year, Nitus informed McKenzie about what she had found out about why Lieutenant Zolath was assigned to the Kison last year and the Paramount a month after. He had assured her countless times that he wasn’t on any kind of assignment when he asked for her hand, adding that if he was on an assignment at least his target was beautiful. As what she said sunk in he would become enraged by the fact that Starfleet would accept her into their ranks only to have reservations about her loyalties.

“Ha ha. You’re so funny,” she said in response, smothering a smile that crept at her lips. She had missed talking to him and she needed someone to talk to now more than ever. “Something happened with Zolath… to Zolath rather,” she said hesitantly as she looked around her quarters avoiding his gaze. It had just turned a week since their mission on Telvin IV and she, like many in the crew, struggled with the weight of his death.

McKenzie’s expression softened as he realized what had happened. “I’m sorry to hear that babe,” he said, his voice soft and caring. She didn’t need to spell it out; he understood all too well the look on her face. He himself was no stranger to losing someone under your command. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Nitus looked at her hands as shook her head.

“No, not yet.”

Even after a week the feelings felt too raw and fresh to talk about; and on top of that she blamed herself for what happened. “Anyways,” she said, trying to push the subject away to avoid crying. “K’Tal’s agreed to join as his replacement,” she continued hoping he wouldn’t push the subject anymore as she tried to avoid being pulled into the abyss that was her emotions.

“Really?” McKenzie asked stunned.

Looking up, Nitus looked wounded. “Is that a problem Preston.”

“No no,” he struggled as he gulped, fearing the repercussions of his choice of word. “He had always told me he would never serve aboard a Cali class.”

“Maybe he was saying a Cali under your command, cause he leaped into agreeing to serve under mine,” Nitus said as she looked down trying to cover the smile on her face. “Speaking of command. How are things with Gio?” she asked him.

McKenzie stared blankly at her before he started speaking. “The Captain is as charming as always,” he said as he reached over and picked up a PADD as he adjusted in his seat as he read over it as he confirmed speaking, “He tells me that command is offered him a Typhoon-class.”

“That’s one of those mini-Odysseys, right?”

McKenzie nodded.

“He should take it. It’s not that often he will get the chance to command a class fresh out of the design room,” Nitus said as bright light came from her desk. She looked down as her eyes caught a PADD on her desk. She froze as she read it.

Lieutenant Zolath Arva

Personnel Record

Her eyes narrowed at the PADD as she was absorbed into the chaos that took place on the surface of Telvin IV.

Telvin IV, Telvin System, Talvath Cluster, Beta Quadrant

Stardate: 2402.02 | 19:38 local

Nitus ducked behind a jagged rock, as the sharp crack of projectile weapons from the native militia echoed over them. They had made it out of the city and into the forest now all they had to do was get home. Her heart hammered in her chest as she tapped her combadge.

“Nitus to Paramount! We need an emergency transport now!” she yelled into the earpiece.

A burst of static followed before the strained voice of Ensign Tiala Lovar cut through the weapons fire. “Captain,” she said, her voice tense. “We can’t get a lock! Something is interfering with the transporters. It’s scattering the signal. We’re going to have to send a shuttle, but it’s going to take three minutes to reach you!”

Three minutes. Nitus groaned in response. “Copy, Ensign. Nitus out.”

She gripped the weapon she had picked up from a dead militia member as the bark of a tree exploded nearby, showering her with pieces of wood. A scream tore through the treeline as one of the science officers clutching his arm as crimson stained his uniform. “Lieutenant,” she called out, catching the attention of the Bajoran chief tactical and security officer. “Covering fire!”

Lieutenant Zolath and the other two security officers shifted position, laying down a line of suppressing fire toward the source of the attack. As Nitus rushed over to treat the injured officer. The natives, clad in mismatched combat gear and wielding primitive rifles, were relentless. Nitus knew they didn’t understand what they were dealing with. They saw alien technology as an existential threat.

“Captain!”

Nitus turned at the sound of Zolath’s voice. He crouched down beside her, his weapon raised. His hair disheveled with sweat and exhaustion, his breathing quick and shallow.

“Their flank is exposed. If you can draw fire I can…” he stated before Nitus interrupted.

“No,” Nitus snapped. “We fall back so we can be out of view when the shuttle arrives.”

Zolath’s gaze sharpened. “With respect, Captain. This is my job.” Before Nitus could react he vaulted over the rock, firing in short, controlled bursts as he advanced toward the enemy line. His shots struck true, forcing the militia to scramble for cover.

“Lieutenant, fall back!” Nitus shouted. But her shout fell on deaf ears.

Zolath ducked behind a fallen tree, firing from the other side. Nitus’ breath caught as she spotted one of the militia soldiers stepping around the tree weapon raised to Zolath.

“Arva!” she yelled out to him.

A single shot rang out.

USS Paramount (NCC-75570), high orbit of Tehitha, Dewa System, Alpha Quadrant

Present Day

“Babe.”

“Nitus!?” McKenzie said his voice increased in volume as he looked frantically at her. Her eyes were looking at him but even across subspace he could tell she was lost in thought.

“Cap-!”

Nitus snapped out of her thoughts as she settled back into the present. She felt a cold sweat across her body as her breath was labored. Returning her eyes to the screen she could see McKenzie’s worried expression. “I’m here,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper as she spoke, trying to bring herself back to the present.

Silence.

“Preston.”

The screen switched to display a message:

Signal Lost

That’s strange. She thought to herself as she tried to recompose herself, pushing the thoughts of the mission on Telvin IV to the back of her mind. As she was about to tap her badge, her quarters intercom crackled to life and the familiar voice of the ship’s XO filled her room. “T’Soni to Nitus,” the half Vulcan said in her usual monotonous voice.

Nitus stood from her chair as she spoke. “Nitus here. What’s up and whats happened to communications?” she asked as she went into her head to try and cool herself off. She was hot the memories of Lieutenant Zolath’s body falling limp in the forest still player in her head. She knew it wasn’t entirely her fault he was died but the guilt was still their none the less.

“We are trying to figure that out Captain. I request that you make your way to the bridge.”

Nitus exhaled slowly as she tried to settle herself. “I’m on my way, Number One. Nitus out,” she said as she stared at herself in the mirror. Her mind was still racing with the thoughts of Lieutenant Zolath that she struggled to push away and with the theories she what could have happened to the transmission. Xyston was in the core territories and even though the Paramount was along on the otherside of the Azure Nebula there shouldn’t have been a signal lost unless multiple relays had gone down instantly but that was highly improbable.

Once again she pushed the thoughts of Zolath and the theories of what could have happened to McKenzie. She needed to focus on her crew. For what was coming next she had no idea.