The Ukiah drifted in low-power mode, keeping its signal masked. The bridge was dimly lit, emergency lighting flickering in places. Some consoles were scorched or glitching from the power strain of their escape. The crew was shaken but focused, catching their breath after the harrowing encounter with the Klingons.

Taking a deep breath, Amar looked around. “Alright, folks, give us an update on your station. What’s the status of the Ukiah?”

T’Zel’s calm demeanor reflected her Vulcan nature as she reviewed the ship’s diagnostics. “The Ukiah has sustained minor damage, Commander. The warp coils require recalibration due to recent stress, but impulse engines remain stable.”

Sarin, still rattled by their narrow escape, took a deep breath before responding. “Ship-wide systems are stabilized, and we remain undetected. I’ve masked our energy signature, there’s no sign the Klingons are following us.”

Likika gave him a small nod of approval.

However, Koro was still tense, his fists clenched. “We still have the golden opportunity to chase them down! The element of surprise is ours.”

Likika turned, fixing him with a sharp glare. “I told you, Lieutenant, we are not a warship. If you cannot accept that, you might need to reconsider your place aboard the Ukiah.

Koro exhaled, frustration clear on his face. “But, Captain, surely…”

She raised a hand, her tone firm and authoritative. “Enough.” Likika pushed herself out of her chair, her expression unreadable. “I will be in my ready room. Lieutenant Nisari, you have the bridge.”

Without another word, she turned and walked toward her personal office, keeping her expression neutral despite the turmoil inside.

Amar watched her go but chose not to follow. He could feel the weight of her emotions, but right now, she needed space to process.

“I have the bridge,” Amar said as he sank into the captain’s chair.

Ready Room

The ready room was silent except for the faint hum of ship systems. Likika sat at her desk, staring at the star map, replaying the battle in her mind. She second-guessed her every move.

The chime rang. “Come in,” she said without looking up.

The doors slid open, and Amar stepped inside, observing her before speaking. “You know, it’s good to talk about doubts instead of carrying them alone.”

Likika sighed, turning her gaze from the stars to her XO. “It’s a breach of privacy to sense someone’s emotions without their consent,” she said dryly. “Or is this just a Betazoid excuse to justify it?”

Amar raised his hands in mock surrender. “Hard to ignore emotions when you’re a walking magnet for them,” he admitted with a smirk. “But rest assured, pulling back was the right call. We’re a logistics ship, not a battle cruiser.”

He leaned against the chair, watching her carefully. “Besides, we gathered intelligence that Hecate will be glad to see.”

Likika exhaled, rubbing her temples. “I just wonder if I was too cautious. My Romulan instincts tell me we should have handled this differently.”

“You mean charging in, disruptors blazing, like Koro wanted?” Amar raised a brow. “That’s not strategy. That’s recklessness. Starfleet is about calculated risks, not pointless bravado.”

He paused, watching her carefully. “Look, I’ll get back to the bridge. Just wanted to check in.”

Likika nodded as he left. She leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes for a moment, steeling herself for what came next.

Science Lab

The science lab hummed with activity. Jhaerys and T’Zel worked meticulously, holographic displays projecting energy signatures from their escape. The residual distortions left by the cloaked ship told a story, if they could piece it together.

Jhaerys studied the readouts. “There’s a pattern in the energy residue. I think it might indicate a rendezvous point.”

T’Zel examined the console, running cross-checks. “Your improvisational methods are unconventional,” she admitted. “However, we may be able to extract something useful.”

Grinning slightly. “So, in other words, you don’t approve, but you don’t disapprove either.” Jhaerys gave her a smirk.

T’Zel merely raised a brow. “We should submit this to the Captain.”

Ready Room

Likika sat still in her ready room, reviewing the intelligence they had gathered. The Ukiah cruised quietly, still recovering from their narrow escape.

The doors slid open, and Amar stepped inside. “All data has been compiled, Captain. Do you want it sent?”

She placed her PADD down, looking at him. “Send it to Hecate and Starfleet Intelligence. Then resume our duties, we need to get that cargo delivered. Hecate has been delayed long enough.”

Amar hesitated. “How urgent is it?”

Likika handed him a report. “Hecate Station recently forced the Syndicate out. They need supplies now more than ever.”

Amar smiled slightly. “Then we’d better get moving.”

He paused before leaving, giving her a knowing look. “You handled this well, Captain. You’ve grown in command. I look forward to seeing more of it.”

Likika let a small, rare smile cross her face as he walked out. For the first time, she truly felt like she belonged in this chair.

She stood up, brushing off the lingering doubts. There would be more missions, more choices, but for now, they had work to do.

“Bridge, set course for Hecate Station. Let’s get moving.”

The Ukiah’s engines hummed to life, pulling away from the battlefield. Their mission was complete, for now. The Ukiah disappeared into the void, but in the shadows of the Grim Wall, more secrets waited to be uncovered.