Everyone knew it was an illusion. We partook anyway. 

My decision to grant sanctuary to Gant, the Vaadwaur claiming that he wants to help us, had changed everything. 

Some for the worse – many of those whose trust we had gained over the past few months, and who had come to us for protection from the invaders, left.  Several members of my crew, in particular those not involved in the initial discussion, doubted that we’d made the right choice. 

But it was undeniable that some things had changed for the better. With the number of refugees reduced, the station finally had a chance to breathe. It was still crowded, but somehow the air felt lighter. 

Sickbay was no longer hopelessly overwhelmed – I believe Doctor Trova finally managed to sleep for more than half an hour at a time – and since new arrivals were unlikely, the triage centers were closing one by one. 

When I visited Little Risa, I saw a future that could be. Valari and Surnek children were playing together under the watchful eyes of their guardians, unaware that their people had been at war for nearly a decade. 

The Esirans and Atriari, who had never allowed us to visit their homeworlds and learn more about their culture, were working with our scientists to update the database on their people’s history.

All of them were eager to learn about the Federation, and wove dreams of future alliances, as if desperately wanting to believe that there would be a future. 

How could I have told them that I didn’t see one? The information we retrieved was valuable – there was no denying it.

But even with detailed shield frequencies, weapon configurations, and attack patterns – all the tactical intelligence we had hoped for – the sheer numbers of the attackers heading our way made  survival a barely visible sliver of hope on a dark horizon.

And when the Vaadwaur came, the dream shattered. Just like that. 

— from Aldris Ceix personal log