It had been two weeks since the Knight had been ordered to patrol the former Romulan Neutral Zone, checking for anything out of the ordinary and answering distress calls if they received one. Things were dull, and nothing exciting had happened to the point that the crew had become restless.

“This is beyond boring,” Jerra groaned, her voice laced with frustration, as she reclined at the helm.

“We won’t always get those exciting missions, so we will just have to deal with the ‘boring’ assignments,” Sreivik replied, rolling his eyes.

Jerra huffed as she sat there, not responding. She knew he was right but didn’t need to be so blunt. The others around the bridge just shook their heads at Jerra’s apparent boredom. “You might think this is a boring patrol, but don’t speak for everyone. I am getting some good data from the areas we have been patrolling,” Turi replied with a grin, which caused Jerra to roll her eyes, further deepening the tension in the room.

“Good for you,” Jerra said coldly, turning her head towards the science officer.

Commander Rayu sat in the command chair while Jaiett sat beside her. He was about to try to calm the situation down just as Sreivik spoke up. “Sir, incoming transmission from Commodore Dex,” he replied, looking at the commander.

“Put it through on the view screen,” Rayu replied as she adjusted her uniform and sat up straight. A few moments later, Commodore Dex appeared on the view screen. “Commodore, what do I owe this pleasure?” Rayu asked with a soft smile, noticing Dex’s concerned look.

“The governor of Rhijun has just contacted me,” Dex began, looking at them. “They are reporting strange activity happening that they can’t explain. They have requested our assistance in figuring out what is happening.”

“So you want us to respond?” Rayu asked.

“Yes, given the recent events within the Klingon Empire, I want you to investigate and determine what is happening. Triumph will be on standby if you need to call on them for backup,” Dex replied.

“Do you think Klingons are behind this?” Rayu asked, looking at her with a look of concern. This couldn’t just be random, given what was happening within the Klingon Empire. Things had been pretty quiet on Rhijun since the events of the fall of the Romulan Star Empire.

“There is a possibility,” Dex said solemnly as she had a feeling. Still, without direct evidence, she couldn’t give a definite answer. “It could also be raiders taking this opportunity to cause trouble, so be cautious,” Dex added.

“Understood,” Rayu replied.

“I am sending you the information we have received. Good luck.” Dex replied before ending the comm channel.

“Well, this should be interesting,” Sehl responded from the tactical station.

“Indeed,” Jerra countered, looking at the captain waiting for orders.

“Set a course for Rhijun at maximum warp,” Rayu ordered, looking at Jerra.

Nodding, she turned around and tapped a few controls into her console before looking back at the captain. “Course and speed laid in,” she replied.

“Engage,” Rayu responded as the ship jumped to warp towards Rhijun. “Piyu, you have the bridge. I’ll be in my ready room,” Rayu said with a soft smile as she got up from her chair and saw Piyu nod as he stood up to take over the command chair. Rayu walked towards where her ready room was located and entered, taking a moment to take a deep breath before moving to the replicator to grab a cup of coffee before sitting at her desk. Rayu took a sip of her coffee and read the information that Commodore Dex had sent.

Silence fell upon the bridge as they all sat at their stations, not saying anything as they traveled. The only sound that could be heard was the computer’s beeps and chirps as they tapped controls into their consoles. “What do you think of the situation happening within the Klingon Empire with the disappearance of Martok?” Jerra asked as she looked back at everyone who stopped what they were doing to look back at her.

“I find it strange that a figure like Martok could disappear without any trace or evidence of what exactly happened,” Sehl spoke up from tactical. “Now they are looking for conquest against the Romulans under the rule of Toral.” He added.

“I don’t like any of this,” Turi said next. “It seems the peace between the Federation and the Klingon Empire is in jeopardy.” She added with concern in her voice as others nodded in agreement.

They had been through a lot in the short time they had been together on the Knight, and it seemed like things just kept getting crazier as time went on. “Anyone want to go to the lounge for drinks and poker?” Jerra asked as the next shift began to arrive to take over. She just wanted to wind down before they arrived at Rhijun.

“Sure,” Sehl replied.

“I am down,” Turi countered.

“I have nothing better to do,” said Kisha, who had remained quiet most of the time the others were speaking.

“Why not,” Sreivik spoke.

“Great, meet you all there,” Jerra said with a smile as she got up and headed off the bridge after giving her relief a brief rundown of what was happening.