For the past few days, the USS Tokyo has been on standby, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their new companion to embark on their adventure in the Delta Quadrant. However, the Tokyo has not yet arrived, and all attempts at communication have gone unanswered in the vast expanse of space. "Any news?" Sazra inquired as she noticed K'Nala entering the room. Sazra had already reported the Tokyo's failure to rendezvous to Starfleet in the sector but had not received any further instructions on what to do next.

The Caitian stood at attention before her Captain desk and shook her head “None ma'am…Starfleet wants to have a conversation about something and an incoming transmission is coming from Starbase 86” K'Nala saw over her shoulder Silina entering and looked back “It concerrrns the attention of yourrr command team it seemed, So I invited Commander Ruslanovna to join us” 

Seeing Silina give a nod to Sazra and now standing next to K'Nala, Sazra nodded slowly in response to the report. She then sat back in her chair as she noticed the blinking light appear. "Let's see if they found my squad's ship," Sazra muttered as she pressed the button, establishing a holographic connection. The figure of Captain Ryoko Takato hologram materialized in the room.

"You certainly make me wait, Captain Kobahl..." Ryoko grumbled.

Sazra glanced at K'Nala, who shrugged slightly before turning back to Ryoko. "My apologies, Captain. Communication systems here in the Delta Quadrant are... not the best, and far from functional when it comes to timing. What can I do for you today?" Sazra redirected her attention to her Task Force Commanding Officer, wondering about the purpose of the communication. Perhaps it was related to their missing ship?

"Right..." Ryoko responded with a shrug to the comment about delayed communication, but she was not in the mood to entertain that topic. "I'll get straight to the point. You are to take the wormhole, which is in a day or two, back to the Beta Quadrant and have your ship docked at Starbase 86."

The command team appeared a bit confused at the sudden change of orders. "I thought Starfleet didn't want us in the Beta Quadrant or near any Federation facility for that matter," Silina stated with bitterness in her voice. She had not forgotten what had happened before when they had to deal with the whole Lost Fleet situation.

“Plus we arrre still missing a ship forrr squadron…” K'Nala pointed out as Sazra stayed quiet letting her command team take the word in this for now.

Taking a deep breath, Ryoko began, "Starfleet Command... internal issues are ongoing, but they are getting resolved as we speak. Yet, I am facing a new problem that collides with the old problem I am dealing with. Captain Kobahl might remember this, but we are experiencing resource and personnel problems, making dispatching ships into the field rather challenging." Ryoko shrugged at her own explanation. "You may not have heard the news yet, but the Klingon Empire is reviving its inner warrior spirit and has decided to go on a rampage... I mean, they are returning to their roots and have decided to expand their territories again. They have not targeted Federation borders, but they are aiming their attention to the Romulans."

"Sounds like a headache," Sazra calmly remarked, wondering why Ryoko was approaching them to return.

Giving a brief nod in Sara's direction, Ryoko continued, "Meanwhile, the Cardassian Union is also facing problems with the True Way and the so-called New Maquis, who are fighting against the Cardassians... again." Ryoko's facial expression revealed her frustration with the situation. "So, the Fourth Fleet Command wants Task Force 86 to reinforce the borders more intensify, and I need every ship to do so... including yours."

K'Nala raised her hand carefully “Ma'am the Marinerrr is not a ship meant for frontal engagement, I don't see us hold out long against the Klingons particularrr…” 

"I'm not going to assign the Mariner to border patrol; however, I will be sending you all to a new colony beyond our borders. The emerging colony, named Mogotis, lies between the Klingon Empire and the Romulan Republic space and appears to be a target for the Klingons. They are currently facing issues with Klingon ships entering their space, with some even daring to attack their cargo ships and plunder them."

Taking a deep breath, Sazra shrugged slightly. "That's essentially the same as border patrol for us, ma'am," she remarked, feeling reserved about the subject at hand. No matter how well you dress up the situation, if it's a mess, it's still a mess. Sazra needed more details on this matter.

"Yes and no," came a brief reaction from Ryoko. "The Mariner is to dock at Starbase 86 to receive medical supplies that will aid Mogotis in their struggle. We will send you there as diplomatic envoys, but your orders are to avoid any conflict with the Klingon Empire. If possible, try to diplomatically persuade the Klingons to peacefully leave Mogotis space."

Silina blinked for a second. "Wait, you want to send us there to deliver supplies and resolve this problem diplomatically? You just mentioned that the Klingons are there like blood-lusting dogs craving for war. They will not listen to our peace talks... Do we even have protected status with this colony?" Silina shrugged and noticed Sazra's glare. "...Sir," she quickly added. 

Taking a moment to respond, Ryoko eventually shrugged. "I know what I am asking of you, but we can't ignore a plea for help. Get in there, deliver their supplies, and if possible, neutralize the situation peacefully. Starfleet is not in a position to engage in a full-scale war with them." Ryoko was careful in formulating her words.

Nodding to her superior officer, Sazra bluntly stated, "The Mariner will report to Starbase Bravo as soon as possible, sir. But you have not answered my second officer's question regarding the Tokyo?"

"The Tokyo is currently... M.I.A. We have no idea where they are, and the last known location provides little to no clues. Some crew members of the ship were found in shuttles traveling back. However, earlier conversations with them indicate they have no idea where the ship went..." Ryoko shrugged at the idea. "We suspect that the command crew might have gone rogue, so I am assigning a different ship to investigate and track them down. This is no longer your concern, and I apologize for being unable to provide the support you require."

It was quite a shock for the Mariner command team to hear that their new ship, which was supposed to join them on their adventures, had gone missing and potentially gone rogue. K'Nala wanted to ask more about it, but she noticed Sazra raising her hand slightly in her direction. "Thank you, Captain. We will focus on the given mission."

Ryoko nodded. "Good, Takato out." The hologram disappeared.

"Rogue... in a time like this is not something Starfleet can use," Silina eventually stated after the room fell quiet.

"I have read the profile on Captain Yoon-Jung; she and her crew endured quite a lot during their last mission with the Borg. While it doesn't justify their disappearance, we do not know their reasoning. Let Starfleet investigate this. Lieutenant, set a course for the wormhole... I'd rather not be late," Sazra directed her words towards K'Nala.

"Yes, ma'am," K'Nala snapped to attention and left the Ready Room.

Silina looked over her shoulder as K'Nala left. "Are you sure about this mission?" she asked Sazra, turning back to her.

Shaking her head, Sazra replied, "No, but it seems the pieces are being set on the battlefield. Let's see what is going on out there... Captain Takato must have a good reason to send a ship like ours. Get some more information on this colony... Mogotis." Silina nodded to Sazra and left the Ready Room as well.

As her First officer left the room, Sazra tapped on her personal computer and it brought up the last known information on the USS Tokyo. “Where are you? Or better said…where are going towards Captain Yoon-Jung?” Sazra narrowed her eyes as she felt the Mariner jump to warp to get back into the mission that was assigned to them. 

Starbase 86, the pinnacle of trading, defense, and societal diversity. Ships come and go for their repairs, resupply, and any trading they might see value in. The Triangle is, after all, a booming location to find the latest buyers from the Romulan Republic or the independent warlords. Some Klingons show their face on the base to get a good mining deal. But business is going well on the Starfleet base. Operations eyes are focused on the borders as Task Force 86 ships perform their duties from this base. 

Looking outside the window to the docked ships, a small old Niagara-class passes the eye view. "I wonder how much Adrián would be foaming from his mouth if he knew that there is a classic Niagara docked at SB86," Sazra had her arms crossed, looking at the passing Niagara-class that was on its way to get to a docking port.

"Foaming would be an understatement when it comes to the Commanderrr" K'Nala pointed bluntly out standing beside Sazra. It took her a slight second to realize what she had said. "I apologize, ma'am, I was disrespectful about the Commander ...hobby." 

Sazra smiled and looked at K'Nala. "It is okay to be blunt about someone on occasion, Lieutenant. Commander Valerio is no exception to that." She looked back at the ship. “He would be fanboying hardcore if he knew, that is for sure.”

"Is that a Niagara-class? Does Adrián know?" Silina approached the two from behind and looked at the class docking now. "I believe we would be stuck at SB86 until they leave." Silina shrugged, knowing all too well her good friend's obsession.

Giving a quick nod to that statement, Sazra turned to Silina. “So let's not tell him. Are they ready?”

Looking at the Niagara again before looking at Sazra, "They are ready; recent developments have been hectic. Which will affect our mission for sure." Silina started to walk in the direction of the operation center."

"You mean the Klingon's sudden change of aggression, Commanderrr?" K'Nala followed her senior command staff. "I have seen reporrrts that Starfleet ships can't interferrre with any Klingon aggression acts." 

Giving a brief nod, "The Klingons have been pulling raids over their borders at Romulan independent worlds. Starfleet can little do something about it. We act, giving the Empire a reason to declare war on us. Something we can't use right now, seeing the condition we are in after dealing with the Dominion, Founders, and the Borg." Sazra counted with her fingers the things they had endured in the last few months. 

"You mean ourrr resources?" K'Nala blinked at the given information and saw her Captain nod in her direction.

"Ahh, Captain Kobahl, my sincere apologies for taking some time to meet with you." A young lieutenant commander in a yellow-collar uniform walked to the small group. "I am Lieutenant Commander Alixion. I am one of the strategic operations officers here." The man looked Human with Bajoran features. 

Giving the nod in the commander's direction and following him to an available operations table, Sazra quickly stated, placing her hands behind her back, "That is okay, given the situation. “This is Commander Ruslanovna, my First Officer, and Lieutenant K'Nala, my Officer of the Watch on the Mariner.”

"It's a pleasure to meet you, but you are right. The situation has been ...complicated," Alixion pointed out, bringing up the Triangle area map. Traffic here has increased with refugees from independent planets that were raided by the Klingon Empire since the newly appointed Chancellor Toral declared aggression.

Dots of more north of the Triangle appeared, "But most of the raids happened to Romulan planets. Yet the House of Korath is making daring raids, closing in on more neutral areas and moving in our direction. Which brings us to this..." He taps a few times as a zoom-in happened to a system and showed a planet with a moon: "Mogotis, a jungle class planet that got recently into the early stadium of second-phase colonization. The House of Korath has been pushing their luck and jumping in and out of the system. Enough to make the colonists nervous, and they are asking for a Starfleet present asap." 

Giving away a shrug on the information, "Meaning we will be there for symbolic reasons?" Silina crossed her arms looking at Alixion.

For a moment, Alixion didn't know how to respond. "Well, Commander, it is a fragile situation, and this is where you guys come in." With a tap, the Pathfinder form appeared in orbit of the colony. You are to load up supplies from here and bring them to the colony. Stay there for a few days to make a statement to the Klingons. Then come back to Starbase 86."

"If we arrre send in for showing muscle, is a biggerrr ship not better? The Marinerrr is not meant to do such a thing. We are no match for a well-armed Klingon ship." K'Nala stated while looking closer at the colony data.

"That was a good observation there, Lieutenant. Tell me what you want to achieve by sending a science ship there." Sazra needed to get the bigger picture of the mission. As K'Nala bluntly stated, it was a valid question; there was little to no reason to send a science vessel there, but Sazra could think of one reason.

Alixion shrugged and looked at the planet's holographic display. “We are out of resources, and Starfleet Operations and Fourth Fleet Command deem the specific operations in Delta Quadrant a lower priority at this time. We all have to face the music. Mariner is part of Task Force 86, and our primary duty is the protection of our borders. But in your case, another objective can be checked off: developing and maintaining relationships with local governments and communities.”

Narrowing her eyes, Sazra looked at the colony display and shrugged with slight irritation. She was right to think that Starfleet would use that card "When are they up there gonna stop wasting material...." She mutters and looks at Alixion. “We shall perform as requested.”

Giving a nod in Sazra's direction, the young commander looked at them. "I have to state that any violent interaction or actions against any Klingon ships is prohibited. Respond only if you need to defend yourself," Alixion pointed out.

Silina nodded in his direction. "Understood, thank you for your time." With that stated, the command group left Alixion behind to resume his duties. "This is not gonna be fun..." Silina finally said that when leaving the Operation Center, 

"That is an understatement," Sazra shrugged and looked at Silina. "Get the supplies on our ship and deal with any change of guard." Looking at K'Nala, "Get the ship navigation plotted and get Security updated on our situation. Follow Miki's advice, but keep the strict order of hostility in the back of your mind." 

They both nodded as they continued their walk back to their ship. 

The ship was en route to Mogotis with the supplies they received from Starbase 86. Everyone was getting the ship ready for whatever was going to happen next. The command team had given out the orders for battle ready and kept the ship on high alert because they might be entering a hostile situation quite soon. But overall, the crew was in good spirits as they had enough fate in each other and the command team to pull through this diplomatic issue. 

Stretching out, Adrián was happy that the final administrative work was done and could now focus on being a chief engineering officer. He also filled the second officer position for a long time, but K’Nala stepped up to get trained for this position. Now, he was standing in the science labs, helping out with some replacement requests for panels that broke down. 

“Get the conduit replaced, Ensign. It’s the cause of the panel being funky,” Adrián pointed out, placing his arms over each other. He saw the ensign nod in his direction, starting to replace the conduit as he crossed his arms. “Watch out that you …” A spark comes from the panel as he shrugs. “Don’t touch the regulator while replacing it. You should know the basics Ensign.” 

“Yes sir, sorry sir! I will pay more attention to it.” The Ensign shrugged a bit as he quickly resumed his duty. 

Nodding with a sigh, Adrián knows that these training moments are vital for onboard operations, but that doesn’t mean he is enjoying them. 

“Do not be too harsh on the boy; he is still learning,” a voice said from Adrián’s side, startling him a bit, seeing Suto standing there. “Did I surprise you, Commander?”

She looked surprised briefly at her direction but not by her sudden standing there. Adrián was captivated by Suto’s beauty as he snapped out of it and looked at the Ensign. “What the…” He mutters to himself and looks back at her. I… need to be harsh. These are basic repairs, and when it matters, my team needs to be ready to do the task without fault and minimize error.” 

Suto looked at him for a few seconds until she broke her silence, seeing that Adrián was getting uncomfortable. “Are you well, Commander? Do you need medical aid?” 

Looking back at Suto, a bit confused, “What do you mean?” Adrián didn’t know quite what Suto was aiming at.

“Your cheeks are getting red. Are you experiencing any discomfort? Do you have a fever? I can use my tricorder to check if you like.” Suto was already grabbing the tricorder to get it ready for a scan.

Blinking a few times, he saw a slight blush on his cheeks as he looked at the panel’s reflection on the wall. He sighed, shrugged simultaneously, and placed his hand in Suto’s direction. “No need Lieutenant. I feel perfectly fine. It’s…just hot here,” Adrián tried to get out of the topic, feeling embarrassed. “You know…working on placing heavy panels does heat the body, so it’s normal.” 

“But Commander, I have taken most of the equipment here,” the Ensign replied with a smirk in Adrián’s direction.

Adrián narrows his eyes. “Yes, that is why you are sweating like a pig. You should get a shower after this task, Ensign. Representing your department is quite important.” He smoothly counters the Ensign. 

Giving a brief nod, admitting his defeat, the Ensign resumes his duties on the panel.

“Commander,” Suto kept quiet in this interaction until now, “I would like to thank you for repairing these panels. I know you have been quite occupied with your work. I hope I can provide service to you in any other scientific regard.” 

Giving a nod in her direction, she said, “You…are welcome. But you do not need to do any service of such sort. It is, after all, my duty to provide engineering assistance.” Adrián looked back at the Ensign, who was grinning. Why did he feel a bit awkward? This conversation felt like a flirt. When he thought that, he looked briefly at Suto, who was looking at the panel, and looked back when Suto noticed him looking at her. 

“Well, Commander, thank you for doing this. I will not keep you up any longer.” She gave a brief nod in his direction, and with a short glare, she returned to her duties and walked away.

Looking over his shoulder as Suto walked away, she had quite the move and suddenly heard the Ensign talk, looking back in his direction.

“I think she might like you, Commander. Maybe you should accept her request for aid in scientific matters.” The Ensign smiled in his direction. “She is a good-looking woman, sir.”

Rolling his eyes, he clicked against his teeth. “Get back to work, Ensign. ” Adrián ordered him as he saw the young man get back to work and then stood to activate the panel, seeing it come back to life. “Good, get ready to leave.” He turned around and walked to Suto. Taking a deep breath, he said, “Lieutenant Scott?”

Suto looked up from her PADD in his direction. “Commander Valerio, what can I do for you?” 

He points over his shoulder. “We finished the repairs on the panels; I just wanted to report that.” Adrian awkwardly nods, scratching behind his ear as he looks toward the Ensign, who looks back at him with expectations. Adrián shrugs and looks back at Suto. “Additionally, I was wondering if you…are interested in a dinner?” 

Looking surprised and confused at the same time at Adrián, she thought for a second, “I am thankful for your services, Commander, but I am in no position to go …out on a dinner for you. This would be impossible scientifically as we have slight compatibility.”

Gasping for air in surprise, Adrián said, “Right… yeah…sure… understand.” Adrián felt instant discomfort and nodded in her direction, “I better get going. I don’t want to keep you from your work.” He tried to recover from this embarrassing moment. Clapping his hands together and turning to walk back to the Ensign, “Good day, Lieutenant.” When he reached the Ensign, he gave a stern look. “Not a word…” He exits the lab with the Ensign following him.

Suto looked at Adrián leaving the lab and blinked a bit. But looking back at the PADD, she came to a halt in her thinking process as she wondered why her heart was going fast. Suto wondered why this was happening as she started to leave. “I will be at sickbay for a moment; if anything is urgent, please ask Lieutenant Bruno.” Not waiting for an answer, Suto left the sickbay. 

Returning from the sickbay, Suto looked puzzled, tapping her lip with her finger while holding her elbow with her other arm. She stopped at her desk and sat down. Not knowing what had happened to her, she felt a sudden rush of unknown discomfort in her body. Was it comfort? 

“Suto, are you okay?” 

A familiar voice came from Suto’s side. Her concentration broke, and she looked at the voice and saw Vaikan standing there. “I don’t know,” 

“You feel unwell? Is that the reason you went to sickbay?” Vaikan narrowed her eyes a bit, trying to figure out what was wrong with her friend. “You do not seem unwell; I do not see you in any kind of distress.” 

Was she looking back to her front in distress? Mmm, no, that was the feeling she was having. She learned to control her emotions as they were part of her DNA, well, half of it. Suto took a deep breath. “I do not know. Sickbay stated they only saw an elevation of heart rate, which can cause discomfort.” Rubbing her chin a bit, she said, “Yet the cause is unknown?” 

“Placing her hands behind her back, Vaikan thinks briefly. “It might be the cause of stress. Did you meditate today?” 

Giving a slight nod, Suto said, “I did. I got a regular interval of twice a day to do meditation. It is the best moment for me to get scientific solutions or a direction to look into.” Suto crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. “I do not experience stress or have no experience with it.” 

“Stress can be the direct cause of your heart rate spiking up. When did this happen? If we look scientifically at it, it needs to have a cause. So logically speaking, if something happened at the moment of your heart spike, that would be the cause of it?” Vaikan pointed out. 

The theory did have merit: Every reaction is caused by an action. She thinks for a brief moment, thinking back to the moment when her heart started to beat faster. 

“Additionally, I was wondering if you…are interested in a dinner?” 

The words of Commander Valerio shot in her head, and she placed her hand on her chest, feeling the same heartbeat taking a spike. Suto blinked, a bit confused. “It raised again when I thought of my interaction with Commander Valerio.”

“Commander Valerio?” Vaikan raised an eyebrow as she looked at her side to the panel that had been fixed. “They were here earlier, no? Did something off-set you by what he said?” 

Suto lowered her hand and shook her head slightly. “No, not really. It was a normal question. He was asking if I was interested in a dinner with him. Logically, I declined him as there would be no material or subject to discuss.” Suto looked at Vaikan’s “Science and Engineering topics are quite different.” 

“Right, that might sound logical,” Vaikan replied, trying to piece the puzzles together. But it might also indicate that he wishes to get to know you better. He showed interest in you.”

“Interest in me?” Suto looked confused. “As an academic and prime in my field, I guess anyone would be interested in conversing with me. Now I feel I am bragging.” Suto shrugged, a bit confused about the whole ordeal. “If he had a scientific question, why not just ask? I mean a dinner is not needed for that question to be answered|  

With a sigh, Vaikan tried to choose her words more carefully: “There is a difference between work-related interest and personal one, Suto. We are friends, that is personal related interest. It might be possible that Commander Valerio showed a personal interest in you.” 

Shaking her head as if she denies it. “I do not think so. It wouldn’t make any sense. We are friends because we have spent time together in the academy, on assignments, and have a similar interest field. But what interest would be in alignment with Commander Valerio and me? I know little about engineering.” 

Vaikan took a deep breath. “Suto, he showed interest in you. It is possible that he finds you attractive and interested. For someone who has brains, you do not tend to see your own favorable assets.” Vaikan looked briefly at Suto’s chest and then back at her. “You have always been obsessive about your work, ignoring the obvious flirts and attention from men around you.” 

Feeling a slight blush coming up, Suto placed her arms over her chest to cover it a bit and looked at her desk. “It is not like I do it on purpose; my body is of its own making.” She placed her hand on her chest. “But why does my heart beat faster?” 

“It might be a chemical reaction of your body to him,” Vaikan pointed out. “You might be unknowingly interested in him as well.” Take a moment to think, “Did you have this reaction to any other person who showed interest?” 

Lowering her arms a bit and placing them on the desk, Suto said, “No one showed interest in me?” She couldn’t remember anyone who had shown interest in her before. 

She raised her brow again. “David, Samual, Tatjana, T’Lain, Rain, Amber…did you really not notice their advantages?” Vaikan wanted to smack herself in the forehead, but her inner Vulcan heritage prevented that. 

Looking confused at Vaikan, “Wait, they were interested in me?” Suto never realized that they showed that interest in her. “Am I that blind? Is my passion for my work overshadowing compassion?” 

Vaikan shrugs. “You only found out about that right now? Suto, if I know anyone who is obsessed with their work, it is you. You are a prime role model or even the definition of being addicted to your work. You should reconsider Commander Valario’s offer; it could be healthy for you.” 

“How? I already rejected his offer.” Suto looked a bit sad at Vaikan.

“What do scientists do when their results do not give the promised results? Or worse, reject the parameters of the injected criteria?” Vaikan needed to level with Suto.

Rubbing her head, she said, “You change the factors? The parameters of the research that could bare fruit. Why?” Suto tried to understand the direction of what her friend was trying to tell her.

“Maybe you should then try to change the parameters of this offer. Yes, you rejected him, but you can always counteroffer his offer. Are you interested in him? Maybe you should approach it in your own way.” Vaikan smiled softly to Suko. “If you like this man, you should at least try. It is not often that I see you struggle or be flustered about something.” 

Suto took a deep breath and nodded softly, “Right, it might be something. But what if it’s not? What if I misunderstood his interpretation? What if I do not feel anything for him? Or am I interested in him?” A lot of questions boiled up for her.

“That is what scientists do, Suto. They answer the questions they are pondering.” Vaikan pats her on the shoulder and walks away to resume her work. “Good luck, Lieutenant.” 

“I…” Wanting to continue the discussion, Suto needed help dealing with this experience. Was she too late to find out? How would she approach the commander now? What if…Suto looked puzzled behind her desk, trying to figure out what to do next about the situation.