—- Starbase 86, Officer’s Lounge —-

“This is surprisingly informal,” Captain Olivia Carrillo said lifting her mug of flat white coffee and taking a sip. It was, obviously, the perfect temperature, a factor of being able to specify exactly what temperature you wanted everything. They used real beans, from what was once South Africa in the shop. She wondered if Vulcans had coffee, or beans from a particular place on Vulcan that they favoured.

If they did Captain Radak did not mention it. He took a sip out of a room temperature glass of water and nodded, acknowledging the particularly informal position they were in. While a number of officers had covered themselves in glory during the recent Vaadwaur incursion the Andromeda’s captain had done just alright. The ship had fought back capably, and saved not one but two worlds but had in the end required the Romulans to send a fleet to save them. While nobody faulted her judgement, or the vastly out numbered nature of the conflict they had found themselves in protecting a Romulan colony and defending a Federation world were two very different things. The Romulans had made appreciative noises, but it was tempered by the fact that the Andromeda had not rode to the rescue of a Starfleet facility.

“The repairs to the Andromeda should be complete later this week,” Radak said, not verbally agreeing, nor disagreeing with Carrillo.

Carrillo thought Radak looked weak. The treatment for his disease had been hard on him, and though Vulcans were generally hardy it looked like he could be blown over by a strong breeze. She also knew that he was private, as were most Vulcans, and it was not her place to ask after his health.

“I told you that the damage would buff out,” Carrillo said, grinning, her joke mostly for herself since the Vulcan predictably did not laugh or even smile.

“I have your next assignment, partially motivated by Captain Hawthorne’s interest in commanding the Andromeda,” Radak said.

“You’re not taking it away from me, are you?” Carrillo said worrying.

Radak shook his head, “No, however having it based out of Starbase 86 is going to make it easier for Hawthorne to put forward a case to Admiralty that you are not seasoned enough for the ship, and should cut your teeth on another class first.”

Radak coughed, and then coughed again. For a while Carrillo was not sure if she should not flag down a medical officer. He seemed weak, and it was obvious that he at least was aware that his elevation of Carrillo to captain and giving her a ship of the Andromeda’s statue was not a fight he could win much longer.

When he finally collected himself and adjusted his uniform, he said, “I’m sending the Andromeda to the gamma quadrant. The Vaadwaur attack reminded us that Starfleet is not always the best at keeping track of threats.”

“What do you mean?” Carrillo asked.

“The Vaadwaur, the changlings, the Borg,” Radak listed, “all major threats that have sprung from the past whose fates we have ignored to our peril. We do not know what the Dominion is up to, and we do not know what chaos may be left in their wake as they’ve contracted following the Dominion War. Exploration in the quadrant by Starfleet has been limited, and even sending you is insufficient.”

“Then send the Falcon too,” Carrillo said.

“It would not be enough, and the Falcon’s repairs are much more extensive. They will be in dry dock for another two months,” Radak explained, “It would delay your departure. So you go, meet some known races, make some connections and report what you can. You are not to engage with the Dominion, remain out of their space. But forward on readings as you collect them. If you can peek into Dominion space, then do so.”

“Will we be taking the diplomatic department?” Carrillo asked. A feature of the Andromeda was that they had a moderately high level diplomatic team onboard.

“Yes, open trade routes, make connections. The Ferengi have been aggressive in opening trade routes, while we benefit from their trade, having our own would be useful,” Radak said.

“So go out, explore, see new worlds, and new civilizations,” Carrillo said.

“And once you’re on a long term assignment to the gamma quadrant it’s hard to call you back to switch commanding officers,” Radak said, adding, “No matter what happens back here.”

He picked a PADD up off the table and keyed in a few strokes before handing it to the junior captain, “You’ll be getting staff at New Bajor. Stop at Opaka Outpost.”

He nodded, stood and exited without another word. It was sudden, but Olivia Carrillo had learned to expect the brusk nature of the Vulcan. He had little time left, that much seemed obvious even to a non-medical officer like Carrillo.