Gathered around the aft stations of the Odyssey’s bridge, Commodore McCallister had assembled the Odyssey’s senior staff and the other squadron captains for one final mission briefing. Beyond the translucent blue of the holographic display, the faces of his officers were set with determination. Their entire squadron was racing ahead of the allied forces, intent on securing the asteroid field before the Vaadwaur could stake their claim. Hovering in front of them, the asteroid field’s terrain shimmered in soft gold tones based on the scans originally captured by Voyager three decades ago. McCallister’s jaw tightened slightly. A lot had changed since those first forays into the Delta Quadrant. This mission would demand everything from them.

Like a seasoned general briefing his troops on the eve of battle, McCallister’s gaze swept across his gathered officers and the hovering images of his fellow captains. Flickering in soft blue light, Captains Banfield, Cambil, Reyas, and the others stood in their respective bridges, holographically linked in real-time. “Alright, everyone, listen up,” McCallister said, his tone sharp but measured. “Operation: Beachhead begins shortly. I want every captain and department head clear on the plan. We need precision to get this done right.” His eyes briefly locked with Captain Cambil’s image as she gave a single curt nod. “We don’t know exactly what we’ll find when we arrive, so Phase One is a rapid reconnaissance sweep of the field. No unnecessary risks; we gather data first and fast.”

“Triton will take point,” Captain Banfield confirmed, her clipped tones underscoring her usual tactical precision. “Our probe launchers are configured to deploy an array of modified sensors. Lieutenant T’Liana has recalibrated them specifically to detect fluctuations indicative of underspace apertures if the Vaadwaur try to breach our defence grid, we’ll have early warning.” Beside Banfield’s projection, the Vulcan officer inclined her head fractionally, her expression impassive but assured.

McCallister gave a small nod of approval. “Excellent. The sooner we have eyes on potential Vaadwaur movements, the better.” McCallister shifted his stance slightly. “Where do we stand with securing the field?” 

Commander Rosle stepped forward with quiet efficiency, her fingers gliding across the holographic controls. The display shimmered and zoomed in, the jagged contours of the asteroid field sharpening into focus. Pale blue icons blossomed across key sectors, strategic points where platforms would soon be anchored.

“Our support craft are prepped for immediate deployment upon slipstream exit,” she reported crisply. “Each shuttle, runabout, and fighter will carry modular weapon platforms for rapid setup. We estimate one hundred and eighty platforms active in the first wave.” A second layer of icons blinked into existence, doubling the spread. “By the second wave, we’ll have three hundred and sixty pulse phaser cannons operational.”

On the Odyssey’s side of the projection, Captain Duncan arched an eyebrow appreciatively. “That’s an impressive spread.”

Even through her holographic projection, it was clear  that Captain Cambil’s brow was furrowed, especially as her Bajoran earring glinted as she tilted her head slightly. “Are we certain that’ll be enough coverage?” she asked, her voice edged with concern. “The Themis and Odyssey’s industrial replicators could produce more if needed. We’ve run large-scale fabrications before under tighter timelines.”

Rosle glanced up. “Our projections suggest adequate density for early deterrence, Captain,” she offered cautiously.

McCallister held up a steady hand, his voice even but firm. “We don’t want to drain our reserves unnecessarily,” he cautioned, meeting Cambil’s gaze with a measured look. “Let’s stick with the original plan. Once the first two waves are deployed, we’ll analyse sensor telemetry and determine if further deployments are justified.”

Beside him, Rosle inclined her head in silent acknowledgment, her fingers already poised to flag the contingency protocol. Across the holo-display, Banfield offered a curt nod, evidently satisfied by the cautious approach, while Cambil exhaled slowly and folded her arms, conceding the point.

“Those platforms won’t withstand a prolonged Vaadwaur assault,” Duncan pointed out, his fingers tapping a location marker near the asteroid’s edge. “Based on past encounters, their fighters can neutralize a single platform in one or two concentrated strikes.”

Across from him, Tomaz’s lips thinned, the Barzan strategist clearly running silent calculations in his mind. The stark reminder of the Vaadwaur’s agile firepower added an undercurrent of urgency to the room.

“But they’ll last long enough to make some damage,” McCallister said after noticing the slight concern across Tomaz’s face. “Okay, next point of Operation Beachhead, the dilithium crystals. We need to determine why the Vaadwaur may want this area. Any thoughts so far?”

Reddick was the first to break the brief silence, her tone steady and analytical. “Besides the obvious, that they’ll need the dilithium for their fleets, I don’t have any alternative theories yet. There has to be a more specific reason why they want access to this asteroid field. I’m not sure what their plan could be.”

“We might,” Tomaz interjected, his voice calm but intent. He gestured with his head to the two women beside him, Tierra and Dalen. He tapped swiftly on the PADD in his hands, transferring the data to the central holographic projectors. The image shifted, resolving into stark schematics of an imposing space station. Its angular, almost predatory design was unmistakably Vaadwaur, bristling with sensor arrays and energy conduits. Across the display, red CLASSIFIED tags pulsed ominously, underscoring the sensitivity of the intelligence.

“Starfleet Intelligence believes these installations are behind the subspace blackouts spreading across the Alpha and Beta Quadrants,” Tomaz explained, his gaze sweeping across the gathered officers. “These stations have been positioned at key intersections of underspace corridors. After deeper analysis, Commanders Tierra, Dalen, and I concluded that if these bases gain access to these particular dilithium deposits, it will allow the Vaadwaur to sustain and expand their network indefinitely. The higher warp frequencies might help them permeate subspace further with their devices.”

Dalen folded her arms, her brow furrowed. “It’s clear the Vaadwaur have been orchestrating this as part of a long-term strategy. If we can cut off their access, we’ll tilt the scales, and maybe give everyone back home a real fighting chance.”

Tierra stepped forward, her expression focused and deliberate. “Then perhaps we shouldn’t stop at just denying them access. We should exploit it ourselves. Establishing a mining operation here could give both us and our coalition allies a critical advantage.” She expanded the holographic display to highlight the densest mineral deposits within the asteroid field, subtle energy signatures flaring along the contours. “While Voyager never perfected their warp ten engine, unless anyone here wants to relive the amphibian incident, they did use these crystals to sustain high warp velocities for extended periods.”

McCallister turned to Flemen, his tone decisive and direct. “Craigen, I want you to open talks with the allied leaders. See if we can get them onboard with establishing a joint mining facility.”

Flemen nodded confidently, the hint of a smile tugging at one corner of his mouth. “I’m certain we can find common ground, sir. This project could make a difference in maintaining the coalition.”

“Good,” McCallister concluded, his gaze sweeping the assembled officers. A sense of guilt washed over him as he took a breath. The Odyssey and her squadron was not meant to be a tactical group. They were meant to be explorers. Instead they were once again teaming up to fight for a just cause. He hoped it was a just cause. “I wanted to say to you all that I know this isn’t exactly what we ever envisioned our exploration of this quadrant would be. I never wanted to command a fleet in a war situation, but we need to make this work in the here and now. We’ve got the support of the Constellation and her squadron along with our new allies, so I know we can do this. Now let’s get to work.”