“Sir, I’ve read the report provided by the Cardassians.”, noted Ensign Leski, who was grateful for having to do anything else than spinning around in his chair and waiting for the next debris-field to navigate through. With the danger of imminent demise not being as imminent as it had been an hour ago, the feeling of being useless started to creep up again. So when Captain Nassar had asked him to review the documentation provided by their Cardassian ‘friends’, he had been exceedingly grateful. 

Saffiya turned in her own chair and looked at the young man, motioning for him to report his findings. Of course she had read the same documents, and so had Lieutenant Sydin, who had taken residence on one of the free chairs closest to the Captain. Both women kept track of their two away teams – the medical team headed by Doctor Trova, and the Engineers headed by Hina – but thus far there seemed to be nothing that needed their attention. 

“I’d like to hear your assessment.”, Saffiya said, trying her best to ignore the face Sydin was making at the Captain’s audacious interest in an Ensign’s opinion. Saffy appreciated Sydin’s insights in diplomatic matters and Cardassian customs, but had noticed how terribly hard the woman was making it to actually like her. 

“If the Cardassians are right, and these subspace apertures have opened up everywhere, it will pose a lot of challenges.”, Leski said. He had noticed Sydin’s expression and tried his best to maintain composure, but that was easier said than done with someone being so sure that what you had to say was worthless. “But for us, I… suppose it means that we are very likely not the only ship stuck here, and that there will be ways to get us out. If it’s not just our problem, but a general one.” 

Saffiya nodded, but at the same time noticed how uncomfortable Leski was, and decided that she would have to talk to Sydin about it. It wasn’t something she wanted on her ship, and she didn’t care if reprimanding the woman would once more paint her as the bad guy. By now, she was used to it. “Thank you, Ensign. That’s a good thought.”, she said encouragingly. “You’ve been on the bridge far beyond your actual shift, and I’d like you to take a break. I think the replicators in the mess hall are working again, and it will be good to take some time off.”

“But…”, started Leski, looking a little defeated. 

“It’s not up for debate.”, Saffiya said softly. “I have a feeling the Cupertino needs you caffeinated and rested when we come across the next disaster.”  

That had the Ensign nod, thank the Captain, and leave the bridge for a much-needed break. And Saffiya? She would have to talk to Sydin. 

Once the initial shock of being sent into a break had worn off, Fransix Leski found that he was glad for the chance to clear his mind. The mess hall was crowded and filled with the chatter of everyone else in the blessed with the privilege of getting the opportunity to caffeinate, feed themselves, and socialise. 

“Mind if I join you?”, he asked a group of Ensigns, and upon receiving an affirmative response, he sat his tray of food down at the table, and pulled up an empty chair. He knew some of them, but only one by name. 

„Sure“, said a pink-haired woman from which Leski believed that she was at least partially Denobulan. “We were just talking about what good a Cardassian vessel could possibly be.” 

The others murmured in either assent or dissent. It was difficult to tell, sometimes. 

“You worked on the bridge, right?”, she asked eventually. “Leski, right? You flew us past the debris.” 

That statement elicited a cheer from the others, and had Fransix blush. The Captain had already praised him, but being praised by peers was something very different, and something he definitely appreciated more than he wanted to let on. 

“Yeah. Sorry, I don’t know your name. Uh. Names.” 

“Oh that’s easily remedied.”, said the Denobulan. “I’m Kleo, and these are Dal, Kestutis and S’ilca.” She pointed at two human males, and a female Caitan. Aaaand now that that’s out of the way, you can tell us what you know, right?” Kleo offered a teasing grin. 

“Well…”, started Fransix, but gave in eventually. “I can tell you what the Cardassians said about that aperture we fell into.”

“Yes! All the yes.”, grinned the human called Dal, and the others followed suit. 

“So apparently they appeared everywhere, and they lead into those… uh.. subspace tunnels. Like wormholes but less one-direction.” 

“So what, you can travel from one point to another through them? And like with a wormhole, those points might be days of travel apart?”, Kestutis wanted to know, which Fransix confirmed. “According to the Cardassians, yes.” 

“That is so… cool.”, said Kleo, a little embarrassed at not finding a more professional way to describe it. 

“Haven’t made up my mind about it yet.”, shrugged Fransix. 

“I mean, just imagine what being able to navigate those tunnels would mean for trade routes. Or rapid response. Trouble in the Delta Quadrant? Not a problem, we got you.”, Kleo beamed, but S’ilca shook her head. “There is a lot of potential forrr abuse. Forrr example, if we can respond rrapidly, otherrrs can attack rrapidly as well. Orrr escape.”

“Don’t you mean ‘purr-tential’ Silk?”, teased Dal, which earned him a glare. 

Though Fransix did consider the Caitans point. “I guess you’re not wrong. Then again there is potential of abuse in basically everything.”

Kestutis shrugged. “I wonder what it would mean for easy things like… civilian travel.”

The image of the graveyard that were the remains of the SS Belladonna came to mind, and Fransix quickly gulped down some of his tea, hiding behind the raised mug to squeeze his eyes shut for a moment. 

“Right now, it’s too dangerous. But if it could be made less dangerous, civilian vessels could use the tunnels, yes.”, he mused once he had regained composure. 

“I don’t think everyone will like that.”, mused Kleo. “My dad is the captain of a passenger liner. Long distance, high warp. His ship wouldn’t really be needed any more if people can just hop into an aperture.” 

“What about explorrration.”, asked S’ilka. “It’s ourrr goal, isn’t it.”

Kleo nodded. “We could actually travel to those far reaches of the galaxy, and be back home in time for dinner. Well, maybe not that quick, but you get what I mean.” 

“True.”, nodded Fransix. “But I do agree with what was said before. I mean why do you think the Cardassians are here? They claim to be on a research mission, but I am fairly sure it’s a warship. Do you think they are here to… research?” 

“Probably researching the best way to use the tunnels and invade some unexpecting planet…”, Kestutis said darkly, and Fransix sighed. He had thought the exact same thing.

“And that’s only when the tunnels are under control.”, frowned Dal. “I mean right now, they are definitely dangerous. And stupid people do stupid things.”

“Like making cat jokes.”, glared S’ilca. Dal nodded. “Exactly my point. Dumb and dangerous things.” S’ilca grinned, showing her sharp canines. 

“So what’s the alternative? Close the apertures?”, wondered Fransix. “Would that even be possible?”

“Probably.”, suggested Dal. “I mean if they are all opening to the same network of tunnels, they can probably all be closed. Unless there are several tunnel system, then its a lot more difficult, but still possible.”

“And what about the ships stuck inside?”

“Like… us?”

“Starfleet wouldn’t just leave us stuck here.” 

“Okay.”, argued Kleo. “But that same principle applies to every other ship stuck in these subspace tunnels. How can anyone know they are entirely clear?”

“Probably can’t.”, nodded Kestutis. “But there might be a situation where closing the apertures is still for the greater good. Which sucks for the people stuck in them.”

“Like us.”

“Pretty much.”

Fransix sighed. “Starfleet isn’t going to do that. But then again, I don’t know. I think if given the choice between my homeworld being attacked by a Cardassian fleet that randomly appears out of some aperture, and being stuck here forever, I’d probably choose the latter.” 

Kleo rolled her eyes. “I’d rather have your home attacked by random Cardassians than being stuck here.” 

“Very mature.”, sighed S’ilca. 

“I just don’t like this line of thinking.”, Kleo argued. “If you look at the historical leaps of science, they often happened because the military sponsored them. And no matter how good something is, there’s always someone who finds a way to use it for evil. And the Cardassians – honestly, I don’t even blame them for anything any more.”

“… You don’t blame them?”, asked Dal incredulously. 

“Cardassia Prime is essential a desert and they have no real resources. They started conquering other planets because their own doesn’t even feed their own people. And even now they are still trying to recover from the Dominion War. So of course they are here to make use of the apertures, but that doesn’t mean they’ll go ahead and… I don’t know, try to conquer Earth.”

“Maybe we just find them a nice new planet far away from us. I hear the Delta Quadrant is nice. Very hospitable.”

“Like the Vidiians. They really make an effort to become part of your culture!” 

“I think some scales and neck-ridges would go great with your one blue and one green eye!”

“You people are awful.”, laughed Fransix. 

“Looks like Starfleets need for Security Officers will increase quite a lot if these apertures remain open.”, Kleo said. 

“I call that career opportunities.”, smirked Dal, who evidently was a security officer. He had all the charm (meaning, none) and all the muscle of one. 

“Either way…”, sighed Fransix. “I am somehow glad that question is way above my pay grade.” 

“Same.”, nodded Dal, and the others seemed to share his sentiment. 

“I just hope we get out before they close the apertures. Or open them up for commerce. The one thing we have going for ourselves right now is that we haven’t run into any Ferengis.”, shrugged Kleo.

“Kleo!”, huffed S’ilca. “Why did you have to say that?”

“What?”

“The F-word.” 

Kleo rolled her eyes, getting up. “Well, I better get back to sickbay.”

“And I better get back to the bridge.”, nodded Fransix. It hadn’t been much of a break, but now he had the inexplicable fear that he’d have to navigate the Cupertino around the Grand Nagus next.