It had been the two most unexperienced officers on the Cupertino’s bridge that had discovered the potential disaster the ship was heading towards. A debris field that stretched further than anything they had ever encountered, with chunks of a destroyed vessel’s hull that rivalled the size of the California-class vessel. 
Captain Saffiya Nassar had decided to utilise a version of a science-teams suggestion and ha ordered a modulation of the shields to increase friction with the very particles that hampered their navigational capacities, which slowed the ship down to a crawl and would allow their pilot to navigate through the debris field.

“Scan for life signs.”, Saffiya said as her eyes traced the remains of the vessel, knowing very well that she was repeating herself. And that it was futile. No one could survive something like whatever it was that had befallen the other ship, but she would rather continue to hold out hope than to potentially abandon someone in need. “And see what you can find out about that vessel. I am… sure someone is missing it.”

Ensign Karrax gave a nod, and worked his console, and the soft tap of his fingers and the quiet beeps of the readout’s response seemed to be the only sounds present as the whole bridge crew held their breath.

“Passenger liner.”, said the Ensign eventually, his voice quavering. “Federation.” There was another pause. “SS Belladonna. According to our database, it disappeared out of the Trinity Sector two years ago, en-route to Betazed. It-…”

“Thank you, Ensign.”, interrupted Saffiya softly.  
She didn’t want to know how many souls had been on board. Civilians traveling from one part of the galaxy to the other, eager to embark on new adventures or visit friends and family. People who were missed. People who had loved ones who still held out hope that they would return eventually.

“Mister Silveira, any hints as to what happened to the Belladonna?”, asked Saffiya, turning towards the tactical officer. “And can you make a determination as to when she was destroyed?”

“On it.”, he confirmed, and Saffiya returned her attention to their journey through the debris field. She could see them heading towards a particularly menacing part of debris, and noted the sweat that was running down the pilot’s face. So far, it had been a smooth ride, but that was about to change.

“Slow and steady, Ensign Leski. You got this.”, she said encouragingly, even offering the young man a small smile.

Leski nodded, his hands gripping the controls tightly. The ship inched forward, the modulated shields creating enough drag to allow precise maneuvers. Every creak and groan of the hull sent a shiver down Saffiya’s spine, but she remained calm. Outwardly.  

“Captain, preliminary analysis suggests the Belladonna was destroyed by a massive energy surge,” Silveira reported. His voice was steady despite the grim findings. “It looks like it was caught in a subspace distortion, similar to what we experienced. The debris field indicates the ship was torn apart rapidly, and I’d estimate this happened within a few minutes. They-…”, he paused. “They probably didn’t even have time to be scared.”

Saffiya swallowed a lump in her throat, and tried to fight off the rising nausea. This wasn’t a debris field. This was a graveyard. And it was a stark reminder of the fate the Cupertino had narrowly avoided – for now. 

“Should we investigate further?”, asked Karrax. Saffiya shook her head. “No. Let’s focus on getting out of here, and escape this…..”

There were a couple of solemn nods amongst the officers present. As the Cupertino navigated away from the densest part of the debris field, Saffiya’s console emitted a series of urgent beeps. She leaned in to assay the readout, and made eye contact with Leski, who was looking at the same readings.

“Captain, I’m detecting another vessel within the debris field,” he announced, his tone a mix of surprise and … fear. “It’s heavily damaged, but I’m picking up faint power signatures.”

Another vessel. Another section to the cemetery they had unwillingly entered.

“On screen. Can you identify the ship?” Saffiya’s eyes narrowed as she processed this new information, while her crew tried to get a visual on the ship.

Karrax adjusted the sensors, attempting to get a clearer reading. “It’s difficult to get a precise identification due to the damage, but it matches the profile of a Cardassian science vessel. The power signatures are weak, but it’s definitely still operational to some extent.”

Still operational. That was potentially good. And potentially bad.

Saffiya had several unhappy thoughts about Cardassians, but no personal experience with the species. She had, of course, studied the Occupation of Bajor, as it was subject of several mandatory courses she had encountered during her time at Starfleet Academy, as had the Dominion War.

As far as the Captain knew, they were now a shadow of their former glory, but relations with the Federation were predominantly positive – not a surprise considering their joint efforts to rebuilt Cardassia Prime and its several colonies after the massacre when the Dominion turned against their former allies.

Still, even though the Belladonna’s demise had evidently occurred quite some time ago, her first instinct was to believe that the Cardassians had something to do with them. But that was unfair, stupid, and not befitting of how a Captain should think and feel.

If the Cardassians were stuck here, they could help each other. If the Cardassians knew a way out, perhaps there was the opportunity to trade that information for help with their ship.

“Hail them.”, she instructed.

“And get me….”, she paused, frowning. “Who is our Diplomatic Officer?”

“That would be Lieutenant Sydin.”, was the response to her question, and for a moment Saffiya believed to hear a hint of disdain in the speaker’s voice. It was something she kept in the back of her mind, but decided to not address further at this point of time.

“I see. Then get me Lieutenant Sydin to the bridge. Her insights will be invaluable.”