The USS Sausalito slid gracefully out of the docking arm, its engines starting to wind down after a grueling tow. Her nacelles were dimming as she completed the long tow. Behind her, the USS Bell Rock floated into the embrace of Starbase 47, her scorched hull illuminated by the station’s lights. Docking clamps slowly extended and locked with a satisfying clunk. For the first time in hours, the burden of the crippled ship no longer rested with the Sausalito.

On the bridge, the mood was heavy but tinged with a quiet pride. It had been a long journey. Hours of strain had taken their toll. The soft hiss of the life support system felt louder now than usual, a gentle reminder that, for the moment at least, they were all safe. Now the bridge felt unusually quit – just the faint hiss of life support and the low chatter of systems being secured.

Captain Harper stood at the forward rail, watching the viewscreen. The sigh of the Bell Rock, alive but wounded, brought a fleeting sense of relief.

“Docking complete,” reported Ensign Hazel, rubbing the back of her neck. “Starbase 47 confirms full control of the Bell Rock.”

Captain Harper exhaled and gave a small nod of acknowledgement. “Good work, everyone. Stand down from recovery operations. Engineering, begin securing tow systems. Medical, transfer the remaining survivors to Starbase care.”

Around the bridge, the crew moved slowly as if walking through practiced motions and decompressing from the whole ordeal they had just encountered. Engineers shut down emergency power transfers. Medics helped the last injured crew members from the Bell Rock off the turbolift toward the starbase’s sickbay. For a few precious moments, it actually started to feel like the mission was done.

Then the chirp of the tactical console broke the stillness.

“Captain,” Chief Tactical Officer Commander Brady said, his eyes narrowing at the readout. “Incoming. Priority one orders from Starbase Operations.”

Harper straightened. “On Screen.”

The face of a Starbase operations officer appeared on the viewscreen, grim and purposeful. “Captain, excellent work bringing the Bell Rock in. But I’m afraid your mission isn’t over yet. Intelligence has confirmed that the ship’s Diplomatic Officer was abducted by the Vaaudwaur during the attack. We are tasking the Sausalito to locate and recover them. The USS Chawla has also been designated to assist. The crew of the Chawla is being briefed as we speak and they will meet you and your crew shortly. Departure window: one hour.”

The screen blinked to black.

Before anyone could speak, the turbolift doors hissed open. Captain Bernard McCauldy, the Bell Rock‘s captain stepped onto the bridge. HIs uniform was torn and streaked with dirt. He had one arm in a sling. Yet, he still carried himself like a man on duty, his injuries only appearing to be a mere inconvenience.

“Captain Harper,” McCauldy said, his voice steady despite obvious exhaustion. “I know I don’t have to say this, but I’m coming with you.” He met her eyes with his and held them there. His sheer determination was evident.

“You should still be in medical care,” Ensign Hazel muttered softly under her breath.

“I’ll recover en route,” McCauldy replied flatly as he jerked his head in her direction. “I am not sitting here while someone under my command is in enemy hands. I will not be left behind to do nothing.”

Ensign Hazel clearly had not mean to be heard, and she sat with her eyes wide open in shock. She only nodded in response and then diverted her attention to the console in front of her.

Captain Harper took a moment to study the man, then gave him a single firm nod. “Understood. But once we are underway, you must follow my orders. This is our mission now, Captain.”

“Agreed,” McCauldy said without hesitation.

The bridge stirred back to life as orders began to flow. “Tactical, bring our weapons back online,” Harper ordered. “Ops, plot a course for the Vaadwaur’s last known heading. Engineering, run a full systems check. Medical, resupply and prepare for field operations. Department heads, you are with me. Let’s coordinated with the Chawla’s teams. I want us ready to deploy within the hour.”

In the corridor’s below, the Sausalito’s crew snapped out of their brief moments of decompression and returned to duty. Engineers hustled back and forth to finish repairs. Security teams began checking weapons and organizing away teams. Medical officers transferred the last patients to Starbase facilities before restocking medkits for the unknown ahead.

From the observation lounge windows, the USS Chawla was already visible – sleek, gleaming, and pulling into an adjacent berth. Two starships, two crews, and one mission.

Captain Harper glanced out at the damaged Bell Rock, now resting under Starbase protection. “We brought her home,” she murmured. “Now let’s bring her home.” She turned her head toward her officers. “Let’s go meet our partners,” she spoke as she went through the doors and into the Starbase to go meet with the Captain and crew of the USS Chawla.