((USS Sacramento, Conference Room))

At Warp, the room that rested alongside the bridge was full of the top officers onboard the Sacramento, the senior staff filled the conference room. At the head of the table stood the ship’s acting Commanding Officer, Commander Calvin Eickhoff.

“Good evening everyone, this ship along with seven other vessels are being deployed to the Tholian border” said Eickhoff as pointed to the display behind him that had the border map on it. “There has been some political turbulence and our presence is needed to keep everything in order, we’ve been assigned to patrol alongside the USS Salvation a Rhode Island-Class vessel under the command of Captain Ishreth Dal. We will be patrolling along the border and leaving buoys at 1 light year intervals. We are to remain within close distance of the Salvation, to support them where necessary. Any questions?”

Each of the officers, focused on the words of the Commander, remained in silence briefly. Lieutenant Singh stared at the display behind Eickhoff before asking “Sir, are we expecting conflict?”

“Stay on alert, we are not aware what might be lurking.” responded Eickhoff.

“Aye, Sir.” acknowledged Singh.

The room was silent other than the odd chair shuffle and cough. Lieutenant Tak did not seem impressed with the mission, he joined starfleet to discover new planets and life and was left on border patrol duties. 

The Commanding Officer, unimpressed with the attitude of his senior staff, asked “Commander Sh’raleq, can you prepare the buoys? We only have a few days before we reach the border and begin patrol so the faster you can do it the better.”

“With help from Operations and Lieutenant L’Priss we should be ready in time, Sir.” responded Sh’raleq and she turned to look at L’Priss who had now quickly looked up from her PADD, confused and embarrassed, after hearing her name.

“Fantastic, let’s get to work.” said Eickhoff, prepared for the room to be cleared. After a few seconds of silence and confusion Eickhoff, astonished, let out “Dismissed.” leading a scurry of officers fleeing the room to get on top of their now assigned tasks.

((USS Salvation, Bridge))

“Purring like a kit-ten.” Lt. Commander Ibanez offered a smile and a thumbs up, which was more emotion than Captain Dal could muster in a fortnight bubbling up in less than two seconds. “I love these new engines.”

“Gonna marry ’em?” Dwasina Roix asked in a impish tone, casting her dark Betazoid gaze towards the Salvation’s 2O

Ibanez huffed. “Universe, no. The last thing I need is the divorce settlement with a warp manifest. This is purely platonic.”

It earned a relaxed chuckle from the bridge. Even Captain Dal, who did not chuckle, didn’t bristle either. He enjoyed the fact that the crew had started bonding again, the humor and banter was returning after the fight against the Vaadwaur and the change to a new ship. Still, he was the Captain and had to direct focus. “That said, to the matter at hand.”

“Border patrol. Tholians. Protect the Sacramento. Dig out whatever shenanigans are going on and stop ’em” Ibanez offered, looking pleased with himself.

With a tilt of his antennae, Captain Dal gave an assent. “At base, yes. This is following a period of political turbulence and Starfleet intelligence has determined there are some suspicious movements along the border.”

Jason Ibanez offered a merry smirk. “So basically water is wet, the snow is cold and Starfleet border patrol is Starfleet border patrol.”

“Yes.”

Commander Roix and Captain Dal said it in unison, unintentionally, and then slowly each of them turned towards the other with a glance.

Jason snickered. The bridge smiled. Well, at least the Salvation was in high spirits going into this search,

((USS Sacramento, Bridge))

“Status report Helm, how long until we reach the border?” spoke Eickhoff from the central chair of the bridge, tired and frankly bored.

Ensign T’pre looked down at her station to retrieve the information then reported “We are two days and eight hours out, Sir.”

“Thank you, Helm” responded Eickhoff as he stared into his PADD trying to perfect what he was going to say to Captain Dal upon their arrival, stuck between introducing with ‘Hi’ or ‘How are you’.

Lieutenant Singh, exhausted from staring at his station screen, turned around to Lieutenant Tak and stared at him for a few seconds before asking “Lieutenant, have you been down to the Outpost yet?”

Lieutenant Tak startled and turned around “Pardon?”

“I said, have you been down to the Outpost yet?” Singh asked again.

“The what? I’m sorry, can I help you?” Tak responded back, a little confused at why this upstart Lieutenant was acting so non-chalant on the bridge.

“It’s the bar down in one of the cargo holds. Also I’m Lieutenant Singh, the Security Chief, thought I’d just say hi but if you’re busy then carry on.” replied Singh, he thought Tak was a little interesting – perhaps attractive. 

Lieutenant Tak, now interested, shut down Singh “No no, I’m Lieutenant Tak, your most humble Science Chief. Is this your first chief post too?” 

“Yup, just finished a stint over at Starfleet Command as a Protective Officer.” responded Singh before being, rather rudely but appropriately, interrupted by their CO.

“Quiet on the bridge please, you can chit chat in your spare time.” Both Lieutenants rolled their eyes before returning to their tedious tasks for the shift.

A few hours passed, with a new shift on the bridge, as an alert went off at the tactical station “Sir, I’ve picked up a distress signal – its about a day off course.” alerted the Ensign who was now the on shift tactical officer.

“Understood, set a course. Inform Commander Eickhoff and send a message to the Salvation that we’re diverting course to respond” ordered Commander Sh’raleq, the now on duty officer at the conn.