Minutes have turned to hours, hours to days, and days into a week. Since the ‘Lost Fleet’ launched dozens of devastating assaults on locations throughout the Deneb sector, the Fourth Fleet has mobilised in defence of the region.  After initial strikes against enemy targets, Hathaway has become embroiled in a game of cat and mouse with a Dominion attack wing. A timely intervention by the starship Nogura provides respite for the crew, until an unexpected visitor with orders from Starfleet Command changes everything. Captain Nazir, under strict orders from 4th Fleet command, usurps command of the Hathaway for an important mission with ramifications for the entire sector. Ordered to hunt down and locate the dastardly mastermind responsible for dozens of Breen attacks, the crew begin the search for Thot Rodyn. After days of searching, a showdown in the deadly Void of Ichor (colloquially known as the Black Cluster) brings their pursuit to an end, only for the crew to be rocked by a devastating betrayal…