The Ulysses cruised gracefully through the void of space. Beneath the ship, Raeya III spun in quiet rotation.

The Chimera mirrored the Ulysses in its orbit a few kilometers off its port bow. Its angular, imposing design contrasted sharply with the more elegant curves of the Ulysses. Together, they had shifted their synchronous orbit to a position directly over the capital, their sensors methodically scanning the city and surrounding areas for any signs of unrest.

Onboard the Ulysses, tension simmered beneath the surface of the ship’s company. While the ship’s corridors bustled with the routine hum of the ship’s routine, the mood had shifted in the last few days. The uncertainty surrounding the political situation on Raeya III weighed heavily on the crew. Officers and crewman stood their watches with quiet determination. Despite the calm on the surface, there was a shared, unspoken awareness that the stakes were rising.

Shortly after returning to the ship from the planet at 2000, Captain MacLeod retreated to Holodeck Two.

The holodeck had been running the simulation for nearly an hour now—a calm, moonlit forest clearing where MacLeod had come to escape the pressure weighing on him. The tall trees rustled softly in the artificial breeze, casting long shadows across the ground. In the distance, the sound of a stream could be faintly heard. It was serene, but MacLeod’s mind was anything but still.

He stood with his hands in his pockets, staring up at the starlit sky above, trying to make sense of the choices ahead. Raeya III loomed below the Ulysses, with its mounting tensions, political maneuvering, and the looming specter of Jarell Korrin. No matter how calm the holodeck’s simulation was, he couldn’t escape the feeling that time was slipping through his fingers.

The sound of footsteps behind him broke the quiet. He didn’t need to turn to know who it was. “Commander Roshan.” he said, his voice calm but expectant.

Roshan approached him wearing her usual composed expression. She had been aboard the Ulysses for just over six months, and in that time, MacLeod had come to respect her sharp mind and steady demeanor. But despite the professional rapport they’d built, there was still a sense of unfamiliarity between them—an unspoken acknowledgment that they were both still figuring out how to work together.

“I didn’t mean to intrude,” Roshan said as she reached him, her voice measured. “The Officer of the Deck told me you were on the holodeck. I thought you might want to talk.”

MacLeod gave a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’re not intruding. I was just… thinking.”

Roshan’s eyes drifted to the forest around them, taking in the peaceful surroundings. “It’s a good program. Reminds me of some of the places I used to visit back home in New Delhi.”

MacLeod nodded, but his gaze remained fixed on the stars above. “It’s quiet. Gives me time to sort through the noise in my head.”

“I wanted to talk about the conference. And Wellborn.” Roshan said emphatically.

MacLeod’s jaw tightened slightly at the mention of Wellborn. He had expected this conversation to come up eventually. “What about him?”

“He’s pushing for action,” Roshan said, stepping closer. “You know that. His patience is wearing thin.”

MacLeod sighed, finally turning to face her. “That’s Wellborn. He’s always ready to dive in headfirst. But this situation on Raeya III… it’s too fragile for brute force. We can’t afford to make a mistake.”

Roshan studied him for a moment, her dark eyes thoughtful. “You’ve been cautious, Captain. And I understand why. But Korrin is exploiting that caution. Wellborn sees it, and frankly, I do too. The longer we wait, the more ground Korrin gains. He’s spinning the narrative, and we’re letting him do it.”

MacLeod frowned, his gaze narrowing. “So, you’re saying we should follow Wellborn’s lead? Go in harder, push Korrin back by force?”

“No,” Roshan replied, shaking her head. “That’s not what I’m saying. Wellborn’s approach is too direct and too blunt. He thinks force will solve this, but that’s exactly what Korrin wants. What I’m saying is we need to find a middle ground. We need to be visible and engaged. The Raeyan people need to see us helping—not just sitting in orbit or waiting for orders from Trelor.”

MacLeod turned away from her again, staring out at the simulated sky. “I’ve been cautious because I don’t want us to make the same mistakes we’ve made before. The Federation has a long history of overstepping in places like Raeya III, and I won’t let that happen on my watch.”

“I know,” Roshan said softly. “And I respect that. But there’s a difference between overstepping and being invisible. Right now, we’re not even part of the conversation. The people see Korrin stirring things up, and we’re the ones who look like the outsiders. Wellborn’s frustration is understandable, but if we act too late, we’ll lose Raeya III without firing a shot.”

MacLeod turned back to her, his expression softening. “You think I’m being too careful.”

Roshan hesitated before answering. “I think you’re trying to avoid the mistakes of the past, but in doing so, you’re letting Korrin dictate the pace. It’s been over six months since I came aboard, Captain, and in that time, I’ve seen how you lead. You’re methodical, in addition to being thoughtful and caring about the people under your command. But sometimes… sometimes, you hold back when you don’t need to.”

MacLeod studied her carefully. He had come to appreciate Roshan’s sharp instincts and her calm under pressure. But she was still figuring out his command style as he was learning hers.

“And Wellborn?” MacLeod asked, his tone quieter now. “You think I should pull him back?”

Roshan’s expression tightened. “Wellborn’s a hammer. He’s ready to strike because that’s what he’s good at. But if we let him take the lead, we’ll clean up the fallout for months—if not years. He’s already pushing to make the next move, but we can’t let him dictate the terms. You’re the commander of this division, and it’s your call.”

MacLeod let out a long breath, the weight of her words settling on him. “Wellborn’s been through his share of conflicts. He’s seen things go south when command hesitates. That’s why he’s always ready to move first.”

“And you’ve seen things go wrong when command moves too fast,” Roshan said gently. “That’s why you’re holding back. But, Captain, we need to strike a balance. Wellborn’s right that we need to act—but how we act matters.”

MacLeod looked at her, really looked at her for the first time since their conversation had started. He saw the experience in her eyes, the same resolve he had carried for years, but with a different edge. She had proven that she wasn’t afraid to challenge him when it mattered.

“You’ve adjusted well since reporting aboard at Beta Antares,” MacLeod said, his tone softening. “I’ve relied on your judgment more than I expected to.”

Roshan allowed herself a small smile. “It’s been an adjustment for both of us, Captain. But I think we’ve found our footing.”

MacLeod nodded slowly. “I think you’re right. And you’re right about one other thing—we can’t let Korrin control the narrative. We need to get down there. Show the Raeyan people why we’re here.”

“And Wellborn?” Roshan asked, a touch of concern in her voice.

“Wellborn will be Wellborn,” MacLeod said with a wry smile. “But I’ll ensure he doesn’t get too far ahead of himself. If we move together, we might just pull this off.”

Roshan nodded, the moonlight casting soft shadows on her face. “We will. I know we will.”

MacLeod exhaled, a brief silence falling between them. The artificial wind gently rustled the leaves around them, a serene contrast to the turbulence they both felt inside. It was rare to have a moment like this—time to think, to breathe, to talk about their concerns without the looming pressure of the crew’s eyes or the constant barrage of reports.

“Tala,” MacLeod said, his voice soft but deliberate, “I’ve always valued your judgment. Six months isn’t long, but it’s enough for me to see the kind of officer you are. You don’t rush things, but you don’t let fear guide you either. That’s why I’m listening to you now.”

Roshan’s gaze softened, but there was a seriousness behind it. “And I’ve seen the burden you carry, Captain. It’s easy to lead in clear skies, but when the storm comes, that’s when you really understand the weight of command. You’ve navigated us through some rough waters already. But Raeya III… this situation is different.”

“It is,” MacLeod admitted. “The stakes are higher, and Korrin… He knows how to manipulate every move we make. Wellborn feels it too, but he’s ready to force Korrin’s hand.”

“Which would be a mistake,” Roshan said firmly, stepping closer. “If we charge in now, we’re just proving Korrin’s point-that Starfleet is the aggressor. That’s why we need to approach this from the ground up. Engage with the people. Let them see that we’re not here to take control, but to help them.”

 “We’ll need to be careful. We can’t risk being seen as overstepping Trelor. If she loses face in front of her people, Korrin will exploit that too.” MacLeod’s brow furrowed.

Roshan nodded. “That’s the balance. We work within her government, supporting her, but we need to be on the ground, not just orbiting above like watchful guardians. The Raeyans need to see us in action, not just waiting for orders. Wellborn’s strength is that he acts decisively, but sometimes, we need more than a hammer. We need finesse.”

MacLeod chuckled softly. “You’re not wrong. Wellborn’s used to putting out fires before they spread. But we’re not dealing with open flames yet. It’s all smoke and mirrors with Korrin. The moment we give him the excuse, it all goes up.”

Roshan’s lips curved slightly. “You know, Captain, Wellborn is pushing not just because of Korrin but because he sees himself in this fight. He’s been through his own wars—he knows what it feels like when leadership hesitates, and the whole operation falls apart. He’s reacting to that fear.”

 “You’re right. He’s carrying his own scars. It’s easy to forget that when you’re in the middle of trying to balance diplomacy and action.” MacLeod nodded slowly, his expression shifting as if Roshan’s words had struck a deeper chord.

Roshan crossed her arms, her gaze thoughtful. “The thing is, both of you are right, in a way. We can’t be too careful, but we can’t be reckless either. That’s why you and Wellborn must be on the same page. If he rushes in while you’re holding back, this mission falls apart.”

MacLeod sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ll talk to him. He won’t like holding back any longer, but we need to act in a coordinated way. This has to be a unified front.”

Roshan nodded, her eyes searching his. “You’ll get through to him, Captain. I know you will.”

Before MacLeod could respond, the familiar chime of his combadge interrupted the moment, the soft tranquility of the forest dissolving into the urgency of ship business.

“Bridge to Captain MacLeod.” Lieutenant Kibali called out.

MacLeod tapped his badge. “This is the Captain.”

“Sir, we’ve just received a message from the Federation Embassy. They’ve confirmed the interrogation will occur at the Raeyan Security Forces Headquarters tomorrow at 1200.

MacLeod exchanged a glance with Roshan, the weight of the situation returning with full force.

“Understood, Lieutenant. Inform Chimera and make the necessary preparations.”

“Aye, sir. Kibali out.”

 “This is our next move, isn’t it?” Roshan asked.

MacLeod nodded slowly. “It is. The interrogation… it’ll give us a chance to get ahead of Korrin. But it’s also a delicate step. If this goes wrong, we risk losing everything we’ve been holding together.”

 “Then we make sure it doesn’t go wrong.” Roshan straightened with clear resolve in her eyes.

MacLeod gave her a long, thoughtful look. “Tomorrow will be another long day for all of us.”

 “And we’ll be ready for it.” Roshan smiled faintly with confidence.