Captain Fontana sat at his ready-room desk. The clock continued to count down to their arrival at Deep Space 419. He’d done a quick review of the station’s commanding officer. She was an interesting case of the intersection of talent and challenge. That she had been placed in command of the station was one thing, but she had now found herself amid a complex diplomatic scenario. He tapped his console, and the hailing frequency opened.  

Astrid had been sent to the station as punishment for her hotheaded nature and the way she treated command would be considered as insubordinate to most, but in her case somehow she has still made it through her Starfleet career. The diplomatic nightmare that had opened up was not something she had encountered and she had asked for support from the Federation. It was to her surprise that they had dispatched a ship to the station. 

She saw the request for comms to open and acknowledged it seeing it was the Captain of the ship coming to the station.

The screen turned to the face of the commander, Commander Astrid Fleming.  He greeted her, “Commander.  Captain Geronimo Fontana of the Valkyrie.  We’re about an hour away from the system.  I’ve forwarded my crew dossiers for your review.  What’s your read on the situation?”

“It is nice to meet you, Captain.” Astrid shook her head. “Nothing too major as of this moment. I have been getting reports of some minor protests, but nothing that has escalated too much. It seems currently they are content to just cause some minor protest, but if things keep going, it could get much worse. The communication networks haven’t seen any issues, and everything there has been normal.

Fontana mused, “I know your station is the first real presence Starfleet’s had in a long while…how do they feel about you and our crew?”

Astrid thought for a moment, “All indications have shown they are ok with us, but sometimes the outside of the situation is deceiving.”

Geronimo could understand that.  The Federation was still a sterling example of the better way to do things in the universe.  There were parts that had let down entire sectors and swaths of people.  Whatever they did here, they needed to make a lasting impression and investment.  “Let’s hope that holds.  What can we help you with, Commander?  You’ve got a small crew with a small station – can we help you with anything?”

Astrid nodded “If you could come to the station I could use some assistance the replicators have not been working properly and my engineers have been trying to get this resolved. Perhaps a fresh set of eyes would help.”

Fontana noted on his PADD, “We’ll start a list.”  He glanced at his clock, “We’ll be there in good time.  I’ve still got some work to do here, Commander.  We’ll see you shortly.”  He tapped the channel closed and sat back in his chair.  There was still much to learn and prepare for – whatever it was that would face them on arrival.