09:00 – 11:00

The ship had barely made it as it was saved by the valiant efforts of the USS Ukiah. But the chaos was still shown on the live feeds in the Ledger Hall. People were debating and arguing with each other, refugees were scared unknown what to do as the council was clearly divided on the next move. Due to the crisis in space, Palema had to leave the table to take care of diplomatic matters.

“We need to help these people! They would do the same for us” A trader raised his voice.

Another followed, standing up from her chair, “And what about us, we barely recovered from the cruelty of the Syndicate. Our stocks are depleting, and we barely can keep our shops open” Fear was crawling into the room, people were acting on their own survival, rather than to look at others.

Hirni tried to hush the chamber, “We need to get out of this situation by working together, this should be a humanitarian response to people that come for help. Unity together with Starfleet will push us through” She did her best to plead to work together.

“Starfleet?!” Pash stood up, the older Ferengi of the Grim Window shop snatch back, “We saved ourselves from the agony of Starfleet! They were the onces that abandoned us, they were here but mere ghost and looked away while the Syndicate took our profit, blackmailed our workers, and now you say we have to work with these people.”  He got some traders to nod, but not all.

Rubbing the side of his head, he took a deep breath “I don’t think we can weight the words of one that did business with the Syndicate that heavy” Torr counters Pash agreement, before Pash could response “I understand your perspective on Starfleet, but give credits were needed, they did act when a new command got placed”

Pash crossed his arms in defiance, “Well I acted in survival mode, it’s not like I wanted to do business with those criminals”

Rolling his eyes “We can provide limited aid, that is what I propose, these people are in bad conditions, but it shouldn’t be at the cost of Hecate merchants and business owners” Torr sits back in his chair and looked at Hirni.

“I keep being reminded of the days of Syndicate shadow ruling” Hirni started getting slowly everyone attention “Thomas was being caught, tortured right in front of us and still missing” She remembers the day as if it happened yesterday “What did he do, he discussed the terms of the price that he rightfully had rights to” She stood there before them all “Sarah, K’Lajn, Rativokash and Mirilia to name a few, but barely scratch the surface of what was done to us” Hirni points at the screen with ships on it “Are we really going to bow so deep to whatever enemy is out there hunting innocent people. Or are we going to help, bit by bit, manageable for us and yet rightfully what they deserve right now.” Hirni felt the emotions building up in her, “If I have to do this alone, I will… I will sell everything I have to provide those that need it. Because I have a heart, profit…yes, but a heart first and foremost”.

The emotional speech let something go into the room, because it got quiet, the discussion had to quiet down as everyone listened to Hirni. At the end they slowly nodded to each other, Pash still defiance, but perhaps there was profit in helping these people? Long-term? Torr narrowed his eyes and nods to Hirni. “The Council calls for a vote, to support chairman Hirni to provide basic needs to these refugees with support of Starfleet” Torr spoke up.

Aye’s came one by one, few said nay and yet the choice was made. Torr shrugs and looks at everyone, “Aye from BMC, the Ayes have won the floor. We shall provide manageable basics to these refugees” Seeing Hirni smile softly and nod in Torr direction.

11.30 – 13:00

Refugee families were squeezed like rats in every open space to provide some form of shelter until Engineering was able to convert cargo holds into decent shelters. Security did their best to keep the calm within the area, but it was more of them than those of Security. Nirech had just manage to calm down some people as he walks to the side of Domam “I got the east calmed down, this is getting out of control”.

Taking a deep breath, “You don’t say” Domam was feeling it, like everywhere he looked was a fuse ready to blow up right in their face. He had endured much so far, dealing with the Syndicate or the Klingons was easier than dealing with scared and frustrated refugees that were pushed and pulled into the positions far away from their comfort zone.

A discussion, pulling and fighting eventually started to occur near a food replicator “Let’s go” Domam signals the security to move in as he pulls people away from each other. “Calm down!” The small riot was escalating and for what, scarp of replicated food.

Nirech manage to get a child away from the stampede, “Hold on kid, I get you into safety” The child was crying as Nirech walked away from the riot.

A flash of anger crosses Domam as he jumps onto a box “EVERYONE STOP NOW” He yelled, and fired his phaser at a lamp that splash in sparks and broken pieces. It caught everyone attention, “Look at yourselves, a child just got almost crushed by your idiocy, if you want to fight then do so on your own ship. Security gladly escorted you to it, and you can fend for yourself” It was no empty threat, he got fed up with this behavior.

“Or listen to security, to the people of this station, and we shall provide help and support when and where possible. We understand that you endured horrors out there” Domam points to the window where many ships were, broken, damaged or missing parts “But don’t let that horror take over and make this station a living hell. Now please get to your assigned location and wait” He jumps off the box as everyone breaks away from the riot.

“Well done” Nirech complimented.

Looking around, “My speech only let some steam out, but it will boil over again” Domam shrugs.

13.30 – 14.30

Dim lights controlled the operation central, constant flashing alerts held a choking grip on every officer and enlist in that room. They were showing exhaustion and even Captain Kobahl who was leaning on the main operations table was awake for three whole days. “How many ships we got in orbit of Hecate, Lieutenant Asipa?”

The Ferengi looked up from her console to Sazra “Forty-seven ships ma’am.”

She was loosing grip, grip over her command, the chaos that was boiling over, the people were scared, the officers were tired, Hecate had reached its limit yesterday. But here she was, trying to provide everyone a supportive hand. Was she being the idealistic, too generous to reach out her hand to anyone that needed it? Sazra closed her eyes for a brief moment, she missed the warmth of Silina, her cuddles, her love. Opening her eyes, she took a deep breath, “Open the channel to all ships and Hecate”.

“Yes, Captain” Asipa responded as she opens the channel “Done” Giving the confirmation.

Every ship in orbit of Hecate could hear this, every deck on Hecate could hear her voice, some points didn’t work proper, static interference. “This is Fleet Captain Kobahl, if you hear this, know that you are not alone. Know that we understand your position, your fear, your survival instincts. I don’t blame you” She pushed herself from the table, looking up at the 3D model of where all ships float.

“The Vaadwaur are doing horrible things, our sensors can’t reach beyond the curtain of darkness. Our engines are taken from us. Communication is broke. Our homes. Our friends and family, missing or scattered across the stars” She took a deep breath “Help is not coming. We are the help” She rubs her arm, feeling the tiredness creeping up her body.

“But, we are not just a station. I do believe that we are a beacon. A lighthouse of sorts in a galaxy drowned by a heavy storm that is clouded our vision. Look at your side, now look around. You see that you do not have to be Starfleet to protect your neighbor. You do not have to carry a phaser to stand for hope. Help each other, lift a crate, share a meal, guide a child. Like it or not….you are part of this survival”.

It became quiet on the bridge, everyone looking at Sazra, who was not noticing it “But you know, I understand you are afraid, guess what, so am I” Sazra didn’t hold back on her emotions “I don’t know what is happening out there, I only know I have to protect, I have to help. But I can’t do it alone, together, we will be that light out there in the darkness”.

She catches herself onto the table as some officers moved to capture their Captain, but stopped, “Hecate stands. So please…stand with us”  The channel closes as officers support now Sazra to the floor, whose exhaustion took over, “I need to….stay”.

“No, Captain you are barely functioning” Asipa replied “Bring her to the command office, lay her on the couch” She orders. Meanwhile, throughout the station, everyone let the speech of Sazra sink in. Some civilians openly weep. Some merchants whisper to each other to fight against Starfleet decision. Other refugees cling to this new-found hope, how fragile it might be.