The former crew of the USS Jaxartes gets comfortable with their new and advantaged scientific ship, the USS Damascus. Sazra got her promotion to Captain due to the actions of her kidnapping and was awarded this fine new ship. Starfleet has confidence in Sazra’s skills to continue her journey into the unknown, despite what she had to endure so far at the Typhon Frontier. But an emergency broadcast is sent from her Task Force 17 CO to provide emergency aid in the Delta Quadrant.

Damascus travels with the next batch to the Delta Quadrant to investigate the sudden appearance of the Blood Dilithium. But they have no idea what is awaiting them at the other side of that gate.