The shipyard briefing room was once again occupied by many of the officers who had participated in the defense of the Vulcan system. Unlike the first time they had gathered, several of the chairs stood vacant as ships had been taken offline thanks to the near fatal damage they had sustained during the assault and their crews having been reassigned for the time being. At the head of the table sat Rear Admiral T’Reln, her Zakdorn Executive Officer sitting to her right with a stern look on his face. Captain Ivar Dasrek had a data PaDD sitting in front of him, situated in such a way as to suggest that whatever was on it had something to do with his dour expression.

“In the interest of efficiency,” the Admiral started, “I believe it prudent to forego social pleasantries and focus on the matter at hand. Ensign Adler and his crew have provided tactical information that will serve as the foundation for our counteroffensive. This intelligence came with a cost, however, as the USS Pulsar will not be part of our strike force given the significant damage sustained during their infiltration into Underspace.”

The assembled officers turned to the young man who had just been named, giving him nods of appreciation before returning their attention to the Admiral. Even Dasrek, who had previously held a great deal of contempt for Adler, offered a shallow nod of acknowledgement.

“Thanks to the Pulsar’s expedition,” the Zakdorn picked up the conversation, “We now have comprehensive tactical data and a firm grasp of the cause of our current isolation. The Vaadwaur have constructed a station within the Underspace corridor network and are using it to generate the subspace interference field that has the Vulcan system closed off from the rest of the Federation.”

Ivar picked up the PaDD that had been resting before him and tapped a few commands that prompted the holographic display imbedded in the table to project an image of the station in question. Several of the officers in the room frowned deeply at the image, their experience telling them that what they were seeing wasn’t some helpless ramshackle construct pieced together but a well-armed fortress built with deliberate purpose.

“Tactical analysis suggests that this station is equipped with multiple layers of shielding, meters thick plating, and firepower comparable to, if not surpassing, the largest Vaadwaur battleship we encountered during their initial assault. Our current compliment of combat-ready craft are woefully insufficient for the task of bringing down this station,” Dasrek explained.

The displeasure at hearing that assessment was clear on the faces of most of the meeting participants. Several looked frustrated, while others took on a more contemplative countenance as if to suggest they were trying to come up with some viable solution to their dilemma. Before the mood in the room could sour too much, Admiral T’Reln spoke up.

“These facts necessitated a discussion with Vulcan High Command,” the woman explained in an even tone, “It was made clear that Starfleet alone did not have the tactical capability to bring about satisfactory results without assistance. Because we were able to provide concrete evidence that, while formidable, the enemy stronghold could be neutralized if we combined our fleet with that of the local defense forces, we have secured cooperation.”

A tiny ripple of relief spread around the table upon hearing that particular revelation. It was enough to stabilize the sharp dive in morale and motivation in the room, though optimism was still a bridge too far for the moment.

“Current tactical projections suggest that we only have roughly six hours before the Vaadwaur are sufficiently prepared to combat any retaliatory offensive we might coordinate,” the Zakdorn Captain announced with a renewed frown, “That means that if we are to conduct this operation, it must be done swiftly. My estimation of our current level of readiness supposes that three hours is likely all the time we can afford to devote to preparations. That will have to serve as our hard stop… any more time and we risk the Vaadwaur defense solidifying beyond even what our combined forces will be able to surmount.”

“I acknowledge that this time constraint will present your crews with certain difficulties,” Admiral T’Reln remarked, “However, it has been agreed upon by both ourselves and Vulcan High Command that an expedient departure will keep the probability of our success above fifty percent.”

“We have collectively accepted that while losses will be higher than is generally considered to be preferable, failure to seize the initiative while we still possess that capability would result in incalculable losses should the Vaadwaur manage to repel our combined fleet and their blockade remains active,” the Vulcan concluded, her eyes moving to each of the officers sitting at the table.

The assembled ship captains returned her gaze with quiet confidence, with Ensign Adler being the sole exception who dipped his head in silent frustration that his ship wasn’t capable of joining the others. When T’Reln had taken measure of their reactions to the news, she turned to the Gorn sitting to her left.

“Captain Gar’rath. Given your previous performance, I will be placing our forces under your command. You will coordinate your efforts in tandem with the Administrator being dispatched to oversee the local Vulcan forces. We have not been granted the latitude to direct their efforts beyond tactical suggestions once the Vaadwaur fleet has been engaged,” the Admiral explained.

“Understood,” the Gorn nodded in response.

“Are there any other items we need to consider?” T’Reln turned to her XO.

“I don’t believe so,” the Zakdorn said, glancing briefly at his PaDD.

“Then you are all dismissed,” the Admiral said before turning her gaze to the Ensign in the room, “With the exception of Ensign Adler.”

Corwin felt his heart sink the moment he heard those words. The rest of the officers pushed themselves out of their chairs, shuffling out of the room to tackle all that had to be done in such a compressed timeline. They did not, however, shoot the Ensign any glances as they departed, sympathetic or otherwise. That bothered the young man even more than it had the first time he’d been singled out. He did, however, opt to move from his distant position toward the head of the table this time, though he didn’t go so far as to sit down without prompting.

“I recognize that this appears to be a reoccurring event, and that you may be experiencing an adverse emotional reaction to it,” T’Reln said as she motioned for Adler to sit down, “However, my intent is to have a discussion with you and nothing more.”

“Yes ma’am,” Corwin’s voice trembled a bit as he eased himself into the chair to her left.

“I would like to discuss your performance,” T’Reln began, which caused Adler’s spine to tingle uncomfortably as he straightened up, “You were given a reconnaissance mission based primarily on the capabilities of the vessel under your command. The inexperience of your crew, as well as yourself, was not significant enough to assume that you would fail to produce something of measurable value.”

The Ensign nodded slowly as he listened to her blunt assessment of not only his ship and crew, but himself. He wasn’t entirely convinced that what she was leading up to wouldn’t be some admonishment over his recklessness, or some indictment of his incompetence.

“That particular supposition has since revealed itself to have greatly undervalued what you have accomplished. What was considered to be inexperience has shown itself instead to be ingenuity born from adversity,” the Vulcan continued.

Corwin gripped the fabric of his pants into bundles, trying with all his might not to verbalize his confusion like he had during their first meeting. Part of him wanted to believe that she was being genuine, even if her words were cast through the filter of Vulcan logic and detachment. But his doubts about his suitability and worth were not so easily cast aside, nor could he truly abandon the pessimism he’d had leading into this one-on-one.

The Admiral finally broached the matter at hand, “It is with these considerations in mind that I have no lingering justification to continue to consider your command of the Pulsar as provisional. Until such time as Starfleet Command deems it necessary to transfer you to another assignment, you will serve as her Commanding Officer in an official capacity going forward.”

“I…” Adler hesitated as he took in her words, “I’m… not sure I really… deserve this…”

“Your doubt is understandable,” the Admiral remarked, “However your performance was the metric for which the decision was made. You have on two occasions, whether through conscious effort or a preponderance of coincidental circumstances, provided critical information that has allowed us to continue to advance our plans and preparations following the Vaadwaur attack. A single instance could have been accepted as an anomaly and dismissed as you seem to believe the situation warrants. Repeated examples are difficult to dismiss, and it would be illogical to do so to the detriment of you and those you serve with.”

“But… we almost… didn’t make it…” Corwin choked out through the bundle of nerves assailing him.

“I have encountered that very scenario many times while in command of a starship,” T’Reln shared calmly, “That is in no way a reflection of your capability to command. It is merely a statistical probability that every vessel must eventually experience without regard for who might be in command. It in no way disqualifies you.”

“It doesn’t?” Adler looked up at the Admiral, a mixture of confusion and hope rippling across his face.

“Indeed it does not. Had I believed otherwise, I would not have made your position permanent. While your path has been unorthodox, you have earned your command. The Human emotion of pride is not inappropriate at this juncture, even if it is illogical,” T’Reln said in a sort of dry reassurance.

“I can… be proud…” Corwin whispered softly, his eyes floating downward in contemplation of all that had transpired. Doubt was still lingering in the corner of his mind, but for a moment, it didn’t seem so loud.