“Commodore’s log stardate seven-nine-two-seven-oh point two-one-five. For five days now, we’ve worked closely beside the Talaxians with patching hulls, repairing damaged systems,  tending wounds, listening to the accounts of the survivors. In those quiet moments, as they speak of the ambush, of the suddenness and savagery of the Vaadwaur attack, I’ve seen something I recognise all too well: the look of people whose world has shifted, whose safety has been torn away in a single heartbeat.

It reminds me of the early years of my career, when the Dominion War taught us how fragile the line between peace and chaos is. I was a much younger man then, with an idealist’s heart, barely able to comprehend how quickly the values I swore to uphold could be tested. This feels familiar. And I don’t like how easily I’ve settled back into that mindset.

Commander Tomaz has confirmed that the Vaadwaur are back. No longer a rumour, no longer a shadow in deep space. Their attack on the Talaxian convoy is proof enough. And while we don’t yet know their purpose, we know their history. This is a species that sees patience as strategy and devastation as justification. Though this is the only attack we know of so far, I cannot help but sense this is bigger than we know. Staying within this cluster of protostars and pulsars has prevented us from learning more. That will change soon. I’ve ordered the Triton to attempt to make contact with Starfleet. Corella believes they can use one of the pulsars and a tachyon beam to create a micro-wormhole that is directed towards the communication relay near the Barzan wormhole entrance in the Takar system. 

The crew of the Bellerophon and Astra have completed their investigation of the long-abandoned Vaadwaur outpost. The remains of an entire battalion were discovered. It was a chilling sight. I’ve seen the aftermath of too many battles, too many forgotten dead left beneath the dirt of distant worlds. You start to wonder if anyone remembers them or if they were remembered at all.

The Vaadwaur fighters left behind, relics of a lost war, were gathering dust, but I couldn’t risk them being used again. I’ve authorised for our Talaxian allies to take them. Some might see it as payment, others as a diplomatic token. For me, it’s something simpler: a way to give them some power back. When you’ve been blindsided, you need to believe you’re not helpless anymore. The Talaxians have spent the last few days retrofitting what they could salvage, and Commander Rosle, along with her pilots, have enjoyed playing cat and mouse with the Talaxians and their new toys. 

In contrast, there’s a small victory to note. Our mining and refinement of benamite crystals have exceeded expectations. All ships in the squadron now have operational quantum slipstream drives. Though the benamite crystals may not last long enough, they are enough to get us where we need to. Home. However, that reality needs to wait. I can’t order a retreat from the Delta Quadrant without knowing what the Vaadwaur are up to. Captain Duncan keeps reminding me that every decision I make is based on one idea: What would Admiral Janeway do? Knowing her legacy and those that came before us has made me sure we are making the right choice here. This area of space is vulnerable, and we can’t let the Vaadwaur get a foothold here. I only hope we have others nearby who could help us. 

Encouraging news has also come from Rakosa Five. The Themis and Constitution have secured a trade deal with the Rakosans. Captain Cambil also reports progress in building lasting relationships with neighboring systems. It’s the kind of work that often goes unnoticed, quiet victories built on trust instead of firepower. The Destiny successfully rendezvoused with them following a flawless QSD test and is now returning with the Constitution. Their cargo holds are full with supplies that are needed for everyone. Bexa has requested that the Themis remains at Rakosa to continue to support their efforts in fostering regional stability. With the news of the Vaadwaur attack on the Talaxian reaching the Rakosan government, they wish to prepare for any similar attacks on their worlds. Bexa thinks she and her crew can make a difference. I trust her judgment implicitly, and it’s a step, in my opinion, in the right direction.

As for us, we’re preparing to escort the Talaxians home. The news of the Vaadwaur assault must be shared with others, including their oppressors, the Haakonians. I’ve offered our services to act as a neutral third party. I can only hope the Haakonians listen to our warnings. 

I don’t know what the Vaadwaur want. But I know this: we’ve been here before. And we’ve always chosen to stand, to hold the line between tyranny and compassion. If the Vaadwaur are returning, then we can only guess the devastation they can bring. We can’t allow it to happen again. We’re wiser, stronger and know better. I can only hope the inhabitants of the Nacene Reach can stand up for what may happen to their homes.” 

After days of running simulations and diagnostics, Reyas relished this rare silence. She missed this. Her ship back in space, a good book in hand, and a mug of coffee that hadn’t gone cold. It was almost enough to ignore the ache of missing James or how her life had changed since becoming captain of the Bellerophon. Her boys were all grown up now. Two of them lived on Cestus III, and the other was not so far away from her on the Astra. She missed them, but this new chapter in her life was different. She knew her boys were enjoying the start of their adulthood, and James was always off dealing with some issue in commanding the Odyssey Squadron. Things were different for them all, but what didn’t change was her love for her family. 

That said, having a quiet moment to herself was a godsend. Reyas was pleased to be alone in her quarters on the Bellerophon and enjoying a steaming mug of coffee. Now that the Bellerophon had finished its work to its quantum slipstream drive and had tested it, she was pleased that they were now space-bound. However, over the past five days, she had not stopped unless it was to grab something to eat or sleep. 

When the door chime went off, it mildly startled her. She had been sitting on one of the couches, mug of coffee in one hand, book in the other, and her uniform jacket thrown over one of the nearby armchairs. The sudden, unexpected interruption almost caused her to spill her coffee. Sighing at the disturbance, Reyas wondered if it was someone arriving to give her a status report. “Come in, ” she finally said. 

The doors parted with their usual swooshing noise, and Reyas was surprised by the figure in the doorway. Her husband stood with a massive bouquet of roses in his hands.

For a second, Reyas just stared at him. There he was, her James, standing in her doorway as if the universe hadn’t been pulling them in opposite directions for weeks. She blinked fast, surprised at the sting behind her eyes. 

“You okay?” he asked, stepping in. She nodded quickly, smiling it off. 

“Yeah. I just didn’t realise how much I missed you until right now.” Reyas answered. She placed her mug and book on the coffee table before her and rose to move toward him. “I didn’t know you were beaming over.”

McCallister smiled at his wife as he stepped in, passed her the flowers and kissed her on the cheek. “I know it’s been ages since we’ve been together, and I’ve got a spare hour before we move out with the Talaxians, so I thought I would come over and see you.”

Reyas grinned at him, placed her flowers down on the side and pulled him in for a kiss. As soon as they broke away, her smile remained. “Look at you getting all romantic and sentimental in your old age.”

“Old age?” McCallister protested. “I’m not old.”

“Well, compared to me, no, you’re not, but don’t think I’ve not noticed those silver highlights breaking through the usual blonde streaks,” She teased as she rubbed her hand over his hair and cheek. Her hand drifted down to his, pulling him further into her quarters. The doors behind him closed. “So this is just a flying visit?”

“I’m afraid so,” McCallister answered. “I need to be back on the Odyssey before we depart.”

Leading him over to the couch, Reyas insisted he sit down. “You know you could pull rank and have the Bellerophon redesignated as the flagship for the squadron.”

McCallister considered that idea for a second. “I could. You’re right.” He leaned in and kissed her again. “But then I couldn’t surprise you with all of these romantic surprise visits.”

“I’d prefer my husband to be with me all the time,” She replied after another shared kiss. “However, we both know that command would frown on such things.”

“Spoil sports, hey?” McCallister remarked.

She nodded and sighed. “I love the roses,” Reyas said, smiling as she went to where she had placed them. She picked them up and put them in a nearby empty vase.

“Grown in the Odyssey’s arboretum, I picked them myself,” McCallister shared.

“I’m impressed,” Reyas replied with a chuckle before ordering the nearby wall replicator to slightly fill the vase with water. “So, is this what our marriage has become now that our boys have flown from the nest? Surprise flying visits with big, incredible romantic gestures?”

“What’s wrong with a bit of romance?” McCallister asked as he got up and placed his arms around her. 

Reyas turned around and put her hands around his neck as she considered his response. “I suppose it does bring back the early days of our relationship.”

“It sure does,” McCallister said. “Talking of the boys, have you spoken with Alfie?”

Reyas shook her head. “No, but I’ve had the privilege of having Jordan on the Bellerophon these last few days.”

McCallister squirmed. “Karyn, please tell me you that you didn’t let on that we know about them two.”

“Well, um, not quite directly,” She responded. “Plus, I am Alfie’s mother; I would like to know what intentions Jordan has with our boy.”

McCallister chuckled at that. “Well, did you find anything out?”

She shook her head. “I couldn’t get anything out of him without having to pull rank.”

“You didn’t?”

“I didn’t,” She insisted with a chuckle. “I swear, I couldn’t do that to Jordan. He’s too much of a nice guy.”

“He still calls me Captain Reyas every time I walk by,” she said, chuckling. “Even in the mess hall when it was just the two of us there, I told him just to call me Karyn, but he practically saluted me mid-bite.”

McCallister laughed. “That’s Jordan, respectful to a fault. He’s certainly Max and Tobias’ son with manners like that. ”

“He certainly is their son without a doubt. Thoughtful, loyal, a little too formal when nervous. Alfie could do a lot worse.” She paused, her voice softening. “I just hope Alfie realises that.”

“Sounds like you’ve made up your mind on him then.” 

Reyas nodded. “He gets my approval to be with Alfie.”

“Good, because Max and Tobias have already given their blessing,” McCallister stated.

“So it’s just the big old commodore who needs to authorise it,” Reyas teased again.

“Why does he need to be old?” McCallister asked, feiging a fake-upset expression.

“It comes with the territory in being the boss,” She replied, getting closer.

“Well, your boss orders you to give him another kiss before he leaves,” McCallister said seductively.

“I’m afraid that’s abuse of power there, commodore,” Reyas said, pushing back towards the sofa. He landed with a soft thud.

“Damn, that wasn’t romantic, was it?” McCallister checked.

Reyas shook her head as she leaned closer to him. “No, so for that, your wife will need to teach you how to behave.”

“Oh come on Karyn, now that line was pure cheese,” McCallister groaned at her attempt.

“And you can do better?” Reyas said, snuggling into McCallister’s arms beside him.

“Maybe we are getting too old for this,” McCallister said as he pulled her closer. “Perhaps we need to ask Alfie and Jordan for tips.”

“Never. We’re the original romantics, don’t you ever forget it!” Reyas said firmly. “Plus, Alfie needs to admit he is with Jordan. That in itself is a challenge.”

“And I thought mining benamite crystals was a challenge!” McCallister remarked. 

Both of them gave out a short laugh just before the computer chirped. “Captain Reyas, you have an incoming report from Engineering.”

Reyas groaned. “Not now.”

“Should I come back later?” McCallister teased.

“Don’t you dare.” She looked into her husband’s eyes for a moment and smiled sweetly at him. “Promise me something,” Reyas said quietly.

“Anything.”

“Don’t let too many weeks go by without another surprise visit.”

McCallister kissed her forehead. “Not a chance.”