Captain Kirok Skyrunner and his wife, Captain Sophia Rodriguez, were sitting down to a romantic dinner in the private quarters of his starship. The soft hum of the vessel’s engines provided a gentle background noise, and the viewport displayed a breathtaking vista of stars and the planet they were in a stationary polar orbit.

The table was set with a clear Andorian crystal statue that slowly changed colors, ranging from red to purple. Next to it is his favorite holopicture of his wife, Sophia, the one she sent him when she got her fourth pip. Two plates were placed on the round glass topped table. Captain Skyrunner’s quarters were sparsely decorated, as it is his first mission on his first command. Candles flickered, casting a warm glow over the intimate setting.

As they savored each bite, they talked about their love for each other and their future. Sophia can see worry and doubt, deep in his eyes. She knew that those were killers for a Captain. Captain Skyrunner couldn’t help but feel grateful for this moment, this chance to reconnect with the woman he loved.

“Sweetheart, I can see that this whole Vaadwaur situation is stressing you out. Talk to me please,” she politely asked, taking a bite of food off his plate.

Kirok took a bite of his food, slowly chewed, taking his time to get his thoughts together.

“It’s just the whole thing itself. The ‘Blackout’ has effectively cut off all help from Starfleet Command. Can’t use warp drive much. It is just frustrating. Now, we are currently playing hide and seek with a Vaadwaur patrol ship around this planet. I helped build a friendship and alliance with these former Borg drones, however there is this psychological fear that everyone has from the Borg in general. I see it in my crew, but they put on a brave face for me and this ship. Honestly honey, I am scared of failing this ship, this crew, and the Federation over this whole Vaadwaur situation.”

Sophia saw the fear in his eyes. She reached over to hold his hand.

“That is part of being in command babe. To make the hard decisions. I know you studied all of Admiral Kirk’s missions, even taught Tactics classes based on his exploits. Channel your inner ‘Kirk’ here,” she said softly.

He listened to her intently, taking her words to heart. As he thought it through, his fears and doubts he was feeling started to dissolve somewhat. Those fears and doubts didn’t go away completely, because those are needed for everyone to grow. She saw in his eyes that his doubts and fears were simmering down. He looked into her eyes, a loving smile on his face.

“You always seem to know what to say baby,” Kirok said to her.

She smiled at him. “Thank you for that compliment, sweetheart.”

The dinner was a welcome respite from the demands of commanding a starship, and Kirok felt rejuvenated by the love and support from his wife. As they finished their meal and the candles burned low, they sat together, hands clasped, watching the stars out the viewport.

Suddenly, Kirok’s comm badge chirped. Kirok rolled his eyes and Sophia laughed. Kirok tapped his comm badge.

“Skyrunner here.”

Lieutenant Bradley reported over the comm channel. “Sorry to disturb you Captain. Data from the probe has shown that the runabout is on its way back to the planet. The Vaadwaur ship is approaching the horizon of the planet and will be able to see the runabout in about ten minutes. I’m also reading a beacon from the Thunderdragon’s recorder. I highly suspect that the Vaadwaur can too.”

Sophia gave him a curious look. He held up a finger, indicating to her to wait a second, as he replied to Bradley.

“I’m on my way to the Bridge. Skyrunner out.”

He looked at her, leaned over, and kissed her softly. She gently pushed him back.

“What’s going on babe,” she asked.

“I sent a salvage team to the wreckage of the Thunderdragon to recover its flight recorder. Hopefully your ship managed to get some good scans so we have some good intelligence before we deal with this Vaadwaur ship,” Kirok replied, as he quickly cleaned up the dinner dishes and placed them back in the replicator.

“Interesting. I never knew that. That’s a good idea. Whose idea was it,” she inquired as she stood up, feeling much better, quickly grabbing one of Kirok’s spare uniform tunics.

Kirok, puzzled as to what she was doing, raised an eyebrow as he watched her grab his uniform. “It was an Ensign’s idea. That’s mine. What do you think you’re doing?”

“You need a senior officer. You got one right here.”

She stared at him in his eyes, daring him to challenge her. He held up his hands in mock defeat. She smiled at him and gave him a quick kiss.

“Let’s go,” Kirok said.

They both exited his quarters and headed straight to the main turbolift. When they entered the lift, he started moving upwards without any command, testament to the advanced computer systems on starships now. Seconds later the lift stopped and opened. Kirok rushes out onto his Bridge first, Sophia right behind him.

“Report?” Kirok ordered as he sat in his command chair, Sophia taking the First Officer’s. “This is Captain Sophia Rodriguez, my acting First Officer right now until Commander Lionel returns.” Captain Rodriguez looked at him. He felt her eyes on him, glanced over and whispered to her, “I’ll explain later.”

“The runabout is heading towards the planet sir, ETA is twenty minutes. However, the Vaadwaur ship is just about to clear the planet’s horizon in a few minutes,” Bradley reported from his Tactical station.

“Yellow Alert! Shields and weapons stand by!” Captain Skyrunner ordered.

The Carlsbad’s computer chimed in, announcing the Yellow Alert status throughout the ship. The bridge crew’s eyes snapped to attention, their faces set with determination.

“Caution, Yellow Alert. The ship is now on Yellow Alert,” the ship’s intercom system broadcast.

The crew rushed to their duty stations, their movements swift and practiced. Those off duty hastened to report for emergency assignments, their footsteps echoing through the corridors.

On the bridge, the current Bridge officers called out status reports to Captain Skyrunner.

“All systems nominal, Captain,” Lieutenant Bradley, the tactical officer reported.

“Helm, standing by,” the helmsman said, eyes fixed on the navigation display.

Lieutenant Commander Amara has her eyes locked onto the ship’s sensors and scanners, as they begin to sweep the surrounding space, gathering data on the unfolding situation. The crew worked with precision, their training and experience guiding them as they prepared for whatever lay ahead.

“The Vaadwaur ship is now clearing the planetary horizon and is scanning the runabout now,” Lieutenant Bradley reported, as he continued to watch his tactical display. “The Vaadwaur are now increasing speed and set an intercept course with the runabout, ETA is twelve minutes.”

“Red Alert! All hands to Battle Stations! Repeat, Red Alert! All hands to combat stations! Full impulse power. Chase down those clowns before they get to the runabout. Hail the runabout and warn them to take evasive maneuvers.”