The bridge of the USS Gemini was quieter now, yet tension still lingered in the air. Dhaillak, scarred but standing, drifted below on the viewscreen. Sensor readouts tracked the retreating Klingon ships, their formation loose but still ominous. Captain Silina Ruslanovna gripped the armrest of her chair, eyes scanning the reports, was this truly a victory?

Cho exhaled deeply, releasing some of the tension that had built up. The tactical display showed House T’Vagh’s fleet retreating beyond sensor range, yet the lingering possibility remained that they could regroup and try their luck again. “Captain, they are out of sensor range.”

“The possibility still exists that they might return,” Drata followed up, voicing the concern that had been lingering in Cho’s mind.

Silina nodded, looking over her shoulder at the two officers. “Keep an eye on them. We don’t know what they might do now that we’ve cracked their pride.” She then turned her gaze to Ko. “What do you make of all this… this ‘win’?”

Ko looked up from her console. “It’s a bittersweet victory. Yes, we won. But the moral question remains, our ethical stance in this conflict, our restraint to do more… might have been a shortcoming for the people on that planet.”

A valid point, one that now rested heavily on Silina’s shoulders. Leaning back in her chair, she sighed. “That is just the harsh truth. Lieutenant Taritt, any word from Starfleet?”

“No,” Drata responded, frowning slightly. “All I’ve received is a message that transmission is delayed.”

Dhaillak – Outpost

Dhaillak’s streets were a ruin of shattered structures and scorched earth. The stench of burning metal and plasma fire lingered as weary Romulan militia sifted through the wreckage. A half-destroyed Romulan Republic banner hung over a collapsed outpost. Survivors watched Starfleet officers with wary eyes, were they saviors, or just another occupying force?

The command post, a damaged administration building, was barely holding together. Inside, Miki stood with his arms crossed, sweat and dirt streaking his uniform. Across from him, Centurion Varek glared, blood staining his torn uniform. The tension in the room was thick, two soldiers from different worlds, both exhausted, both unwilling to back down.

Varek’s face remained cold as he spoke. “This battle should never have reached this point, Lieutenant. You kept us waiting, defending from the shadows while we bled in the streets.”

Miki remained firm, his gaze unwavering. “You’re alive, Centurion. Dhaillak still stands. We fought with you, not against you.”

Varek shook his head. “Fought with us? You held back. You let them fire first, retreat first, always waiting. This is not how warriors fight.”

“That is how Starfleet fights,” Miki snapped back, tilting his head slightly. “We don’t strike unless we must. If we had escalated, there would be nothing left of your colony but scorched ruins.”

Varek narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. “So instead, you let them cut us down while you debated the moral high ground? How many Romulans lay dead because of your restraint?”

Miki clenched his jaw but kept his voice controlled. “And how many more would be dead if we escalated into open war? If we fought like Klingons, you’d have lost everything. We had to play this right, and we did.”

Varek huffed, glancing at the destruction outside. “Right. And now the Klingons withdraw… but for how long? They will return, stronger. House T’Vagh doesn’t forget.”

“Neither do we,” Miki said, shrugging. “And next time, we’ll be ready before they even fire a shot.”

Varek studied Miki for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “You believe that. Maybe you even mean it. But I’ve lost too many to promises.” He exhaled sharply before continuing. “Still… I cannot deny that we wouldn’t have survived without your crew.”

Miki softened slightly. “No, you wouldn’t have. And we wouldn’t have held the line without your militia.” He nodded in respect. “You fought well, Centurion.”

Varek grunted, finally conceding. “So did you, Lieutenant.” Both men turned to look at the battered Romulan flag, still standing against the skyline.

After a long pause, Varek finally spoke again. “Dhaillak isn’t just a colony. It’s the last hope for many of my people. Tell your captain, if Starfleet means to stay, they better mean it.”

“We do,” Miki replied simply.

Without another word, Varek turned, walking off to address his surviving troops. Miki watched him go, knowing this fight was far from over.

Dhaillak – Field Hospital

The makeshift hospital was a cacophony of pain and exhaustion. Romulan medics and Starfleet doctors rushed between cots, tending to the wounded, Romulans and Klingons alike. The air was thick with the scent of antiseptics and scorched flesh. Some civilians glared at the Federation officers, muttering their discontent, while others whispered quiet thanks.

“This is outrageous! You’re wasting resources on the same people who slaughtered ours!” an emotional Romulan woman shouted, her voice rising above the controlled chaos.

Viamame, crouched over a wounded Klingon, exhaled sharply, rubbing the dried blood splattered across her face. Fatigue weighed heavily on her narrowed eyes as she turned toward the woman. “Alright, so we’re doing this again? I’ve lost count.”

She wiped her hands on a worn, bloodstained cloth and tossed it onto a nearby table. Standing straight, she met the woman’s heated gaze. “Listen carefully, ma’am. I took an oath the moment I became a doctor. Now, that might not mean a damn thing to you, but let me make it simple.”

She clapped her hands together, the sharp sound cutting through the tense air. “Whatever happens out there, it’s awful, it’s tragic, and it should never have happened. But when someone steps into this medical bay, it doesn’t matter what uniform they wear. Here, they are a patient. They receive care. That is a fundamental right.”

Silence fell over the surrounding Romulans as Viamame took a step closer. “If anyone complains one more time about who I choose to treat, I will walk out of here, take my supplies, and leave all of you to fend for yourselves.” Her voice was firm, eyes locked onto the woman’s. “I understand you’ve lost people. The Klingons have lost people. And I have wounded Starfleet officers who died protecting you.”

She turned back to her patient without another word, resuming her work with swift, efficient movements. The woman, stunned into silence, took a step back, her anger fading into something closer to shame.

For now, at least, there would be no more protests.

USS Gemini – Ready Room

Dim lighting cast long shadows in the ready room. A flickering holo-map displayed House T’Vagh’s retreating forces, yet uncertainty remained. Reports piled on Silina’s desk, awaiting her final assessment. The weight of command pressed heavily on her shoulders as she awaited Starfleet’s response, praise, reprimand, or something worse?

Ko entered, noticing Silina’s narrowed eyes. “That bad?” She halted at the desk, crossing her arms. “Well, give it to me…”

Silina exhaled, shaking her head. “Your latest situation report regarding the Klingon incursions and Romulan defensive status has been received. Due to increased tensions across multiple sectors, Starfleet reinforcements have been delayed. They commend our efforts in maintaining a defensive posture while upholding Federation principles.”

Ko sighed as Silina continued, scanning the report. “Orders remain the same, maintain defensive operations, monitor the ceasefire, and assess what resources the colony needs. Relations with the Romulan Republic must remain a priority, and we need to submit a full Klingon threat analysis report.” She paused, then added, “Be advised that diplomatic backchannels with the Klingon High Council remain inconclusive. House T’Vagh operates outside official government oversight, and direct intervention from the Empire remains uncertain.”

Ko rolled her eyes. “So basically, they used the diplomatic route straight to the Empire, and no one picked up the call.”

Silina nodded, lips pressed into a thin line. “Both the USS Eisenhower and USS Java have been dispatched to reinforce the Beta Quadrant patrol network, but their ETA remains indefinite due to fleet-wide resource allocations. We’re advised to hold position and prepare for prolonged independent operations. Starfleet trusts in my leadership.” She scoffed, tossing the PADD onto the desk. “I know for certain that Fleet Captain Kobahl doesn’t agree with that last order.”

Ko smirked. “Let’s hope so, because I’m pretty much done here.”

Silina pushed back from her desk and stood up. “That makes two of us.”

Together, they walked toward the bridge.

USS Gemini – Bridge

The bridge was silent as the crew monitored the incoming transmission. Outside, Dhaillak still smoldered, a stark reminder of the battle fought. The long-awaited message from Starfleet Command finally arrived, its tone measured yet cautious. Would Gemini’s crew be hailed as protectors, or blamed for escalating tensions with the Klingon Empire?

“The remaining ships of KRG1 have fully retreated,” Cho announced as the command officers stepped onto the bridge, taking their respective positions. “They’re keeping their distance.”

“Wonderful, keep an eye on them,” Ko said, settling into her chair.

Drata looked up. “Incoming transmission from Hecate Station.”

Silina smirked, reclining slightly. “Told you so. On screen.”

The viewscreen flickered to life, revealing Fleet Captain Sazra Kobahl standing in Hecate Station’s Operations Center. She folded her hands behind her back, offering a small smile. “Captain Ruslanovna, it’s good to see you and your crew in one piece.”

“Thank you, Captain. It’s been a rough few days,” Silina replied, mirroring the smile, though the tension in the bridge remained.

Taking a deep breath, Sazra got to the point. “Now, you’ve already received the formal report from Command, but I had to deal with them directly since your ship’s actions reflect on the squadron.” She hesitated before continuing. “It is acknowledged that Gemini has succeeded in its mission. However…” Her tone sharpened. “House T’Vagh is now an obvious threat to the region, and this will have political ramifications we’ll have to deal with later.”

Ko, arms crossed, defended the crew’s restraint. “With due respect, Captain, we held back. We kept ourselves in check.”

Sazra’s sharp gaze landed on Ko. “And I fully agree, Commander Yoon-Jung. That’s why I’ve been dealing with Command for the last few hours.” She turned back to Silina. “The Romulan Republic has only a handful of ships available in the sector. They’ve requested that Gemini remain on station until reinforcements arrive. With the USS Eisenhower and USS Java en route, I’ll buy you another two days before I pull the strings from here.”

“Understood, Captain,” Silina replied formally.

Sazra gave a firm nod. “Good work, Gemini. I’ll see you in two days. Hecate out.”

The viewscreen switched back to the planet below.

Before the bridge crew could take a breath, Drata looked up. “Sir, incoming message from the Klingons.” He hesitated before adding, “House T’Vagh is not done.”

Ko and Silina exchanged glances.

“Sounds like HoD Dorvath is still licking his wounds,” Silina muttered, folding her arms. She exhaled sharply, eyes narrowing at the screen. “Well, let him come.”