Captain’s Log, Stardate 04.26.2402

Captain Kirok Skyrunner recording…

It has nearly been 36 hours since our fight with the Vaadwaur patrol ship in near orbital space of the planet named Nexarion. Nexarion is the homeworld of the Kyrennei, who are former Borg drones that had managed to regain their freedom and individuality from the Borg hive mind after the Queen was killed by a future Admiral Janeway when the Unimatrix One complex was destroyed in the Delta Quadrant.

We have managed to fully repair the USS Carlsbad and addressed an issue we found with the shield enhancements. After a level one diagnostic, Chief Catersha discovered that the Borg shield enhancements were not completely installed, therefore were not available during the fight we had. The problem resulted from a distraction between Vora and Lieutenant Rodgers. No reprimand was given, but Lieutenant Rodgers was ‘coached’ on paying attention to her duty. Vora also offered herself for punishment as she accepted responsibility. Vora is not under Starfleet jurisdiction and my command, so I can’t reprimand Vora, however Kaelara has assured me that she has properly chastised Vora. So I will have to accept that. I consider that matter closed. No major harm, no one was killed. I would have done the same thing had I been in Rodgers’ place. Given that mishap happened, Kaelara offered me her people and supplies in helping with repairs and upgrades to all major ship systems. Both Kaelara and I anticipate a major battle coming up and we will need every ounce of power I can get from my ship.

I have officially logged into the ship’s Log that Commander Lionel has temporarily stepped down as First Officer and took up the Bridge Operations Officer post. My wife, Captain Sophia Rodriguez, from commanding officer of the USS Thunderdragon, has agreed to take up the First Officer post. He stated that she has more tactical experience then he did and I had to agree with his reason. I don’t know what the regs book says about a married couple in command positions on the same ship, but I honestly don’t give a damn at this moment. We are currently cut off from Command and given standing orders regarding this ‘Blackout’ situation and the Vaadwaur invasion. I plan to give no quarter or mercy to these galactic vermin and will treat them as the galactic rats they act like. I share my wife’s misery with her feelings regarding them. The line must be drawn here, no further…

End Log.

Captain Skyrunner was sitting in his Ready Room, reading over the latest ship status report and smiled. His First Officer, Captain Sophia Rodriguez, sat on the couch, enjoying a cup of coffee with her husband, having a friendly conversation. All ship systems are fully operational and upgraded. Kaelara’s people also managed to give us a way to quickly manufacture replacement Borg torpedoes onboard, to complement our short supply of 20 photon torpedoes that are left. The ready room door chimed, indicating a visitor. Sophia looked up at him, then the door.

“Come,” Kirok said.

The doors whooshed open and Kaelara walked in with Aximo and their security escorts. The Captain waved the guards off and they stepped back out and stood outside the Ready Room. Captain Skyrunner stood up and put the PADD down that he was reading. He offered his hand to them both. Captain Rodriguez also stood and offered her hand as well.

“Kaelara and Aximo, this is my Executive Officer, Captain Sophia Rodriguez. How can I help you, my friends?”

Both Aximo and Kaelara shook both his hand and Sophia’s outstretched hands. Kirok gestured for them to take a seat. Sophia moved to stand next to Kirok. Aximo handed Kaelara a data padd.

“Captains, my people have finished the repairs and the upgrades to your ship. I believe we should advance to the next step of our plan. We should go to the hidden location of where Hugh stashed the independent Borg ships. We have the coordinates of the location.”

Kaelara tapped a few keys into the data padd she had and then handed it to Kirok. He took it and looked at the display for a minute. When he spotted the name of the location, his facial expression looked like he was given the surprise of his life. He handed Sophia the data padd. She glanced at it, instantly recognized the location.

“I was just there six months ago on a standard science mission, per standing Starfleet Orders about that quasar-like electromagnetic phenomenon,” Sophia claimed. “We conducted scans of the planet that Commander Spock and his shuttle craft crashed on. We managed to recover a small hull fragment of the shuttle itself that survived reentry.”

“Murasaki 312! That is where those ships are hidden??? Holy crap!” Captain Skyrunner quickly regained his professionalism and said,” the Carlsbad is ready when you are Kaelara. Is that alternate FTL drive unit ready?”

Aximo produced another data padd. It contained a full status report on the alternate drive unit. Kirok accepted that one, and looked over it, passed it to Sophia. As he examined the design schematics, he recognized what it was.

“A transwarp coil! It looks ready to go to me. How many of your people will be coming with us Kaelara?”

Kaelara replied to Captain Skyrunner. “Yes, it is a primitive transwarp coil design from that time. It is functional but only a one time use. It will create an artificially created energy conduit that is similar to a transwarp corridor the Queen controlled.” Kaelara glanced at Aximo, who whispered in her ear how many people they will need. “Captain Skyrunner, we will need to bring at least 500 people to prepare the Cube. Our plan requires us to reactivate the Cube into a semi remote status. Then use its tractor beams to secure the Carlsbad, both Type IV’s and the three remaining Probe ships and use the Cube’s transwarp coil to come back here. Once we get back here, the rest of my people will board our ships and prepare them for battle. My research specialist, Sorvath, has been working nonstop in finding out how to detect and enter the Underspace tunnels and the one Probe ship we recently lost had managed to map out the Underspace tunnels in this sector and the surrounding sectors. We strongly suspect that there is a Vaadwaur station in the area, in Underspace, that is directly responsible for this ‘Blackout’ phenomenon. Aximo has devised a tactical plan, that exceeds Cardassian standards, for how we can enter the Underspace tunnels, seek out the Vaadwaur station, and destroy it.”

Aximo added to what Kaelara stated. “However, there is a danger that when we use this coil, it will give off a locator signal, and any surviving Borg ships that are still part of the Collective, they will detect this signal. So there is a danger.”

Captain Skyrunner looked at Kaelara and Aximo intently, considering what they said seriously. Captain Skyrunner glanced up to his Executive Officer. They are already at war with the Vaadwaur and the Federation definitely does not need another Borg incursion right now. After considering the risks versus the rewards of this plan and asking his XO a silent question through eye contact, and her subtle nod of approval, Kirok asked Kaelara a very important question.

“Do you know if the Vaadwaur can detect usage of transwarp corridors?”

Aximo and Kaelara glanced at each other, then Aximo answered.

“Honestly, we do not know. It has been about 20 years since we last used a transwarp drive. It is a serious risk, but I believe it is a reasonable one, given the situation we are in now.”

Captain Skyrunner looked at his wife one last time, again asking the silent question of ‘what is your opinion?’ She simply gives Kirok a solid, confident nod, giving him her and the crew’s full support. Kirok then glanced at Aximo and Kaelara both, doing a final quick risk assessment. He sat up straight when he made his decision.

“Let’s do it. I think the risk of the Borg threat is worth the reward of gaining the independent Borg ships to combat the Vaadwaur invasion. Kaelara, we can start bringing your people up when you are ready.” Kirok looked at Sophia, giving her orders, “make the necessary arrangements Number One. I’ll inform the crew of the visitors.”

“Yes sir,” First Officer Rodriguez said, walking out of the Ready Room to carry out her orders.

Captain Skyrunner looked at Kaelara and Aximo again. “Is there anything else I can get you and your people when they come? Sleeping arrangements?”

“That would be unnecessary, Captain, but thoughtful of you. You and your crew are exceptional in their duties. A testament to your leadership and command style,” Aximo stated, in the command tone of a Cardassian Gul.

“I agree with Aximo Captain. Your crew have been nothing but warm and friendly to me and my leadership team since we became friends and allies. I look forward to the future where both our people can prosper and work together,” Kaelara said softly.

As Kaelara stood up, her signal that this conversation was over, Aximo joined her. Kirok notes that Aximo has a facial ‘tell’ regarding having feelings towards Kaelara. He made a mental note to speak with Flummox later, as news of Flummox and Kaelara have a ‘thing’ going. He can’t afford any internal problems within the Carlsbad crew and Kaelara’s people. Kirok stood up with Kaelara and Aximo, shaking hands with them both again, as they initiated the gesture.

“On behalf of the USS Carlsbad, we also look forward to future joint missions and a stronger friendship. I’ll certainly vouch to Starfleet Command on your behalf when we get home,” Captain Skyrunner stated. “Do you need to beam back to the planet Kaelara?”

“Not necessary, Captain. May I use your ship’s communication system,” Kaelara asked for permission.

“Of course. Let’s go to the Bridge and do that,” Kirok answered.

He stepped from behind his desk and led both Kaelara and Aximo onto the Bridge. He led them to the Tactical station and asked his Tactical Officer.

“Lieutenant Bradley, can you hail the planet please, so that Kaelara can contact her people?”

“Of course sir,” Lieutenant Bradley immediately started tapping keypads. “Channel open Captain.”

Captain Skyrunner nodded at Kaelara. She took a few steps forward. “My people…”