Just as they finished their survey mission along the Breen borders, the Saratoga had already begun to head to their next location when things would take a drastic turn. Azras had just gotten off the channel with Captain Jori about a new situation that had arisen within the Delta Quadrant that has her on her toes. Standing up from her chair she walked over to the replicator to grab a cup of coffee, as she knew she would be here for a while longer reviewing the information that was sent to her before she would share it with her staff.

Picking up the cup from the replicator, she walked back to her desk and sat down letting out a bit of a sigh. Taking a deep breath, taking in the sweet aroma of the coffee she took a sip of her coffee and would begin to read,

“Azras to the bridge set a course for Deep Space 47,” Azras ordered as she then felt the ship alter its course. A few minutes passed by in silence as she sat there, “Senior staff report to the observation lounge in fifteen minutes.” Azras said as she terminated the comm, she turned back to reading the information about the situation.

Once she finished reading everything she gathered the information together onto a padd. Standing up from her chair she walked out of her ready room heading towards the turbolift, that would lead her to the observation lounge. Standing in the turbolift she began to think, she knew that there would have to be a tough decision made which would upset some of her staff. It would be for their safety and that of the rest of the crew.

A few moments later the lift came to a stop with the doors sliding open in front of her, taking a deep breath she stood there for a brief moment before she exited the lift and began to head to the lounge where she was sure her staff was waiting. Upon entry, she nodded to her senior staff that was sitting at the table waiting on her.

Once again silence had begun to fill the room as everyone was curious as to what was going on with the sudden course change. “Why the sudden course change?” Deza spoke up breaking the long silence as she looked at the Captain.

“That is why I called you all here,” Azras began as she tapped a few buttons on the console in front of her pulling up the information on the screen. “I just received word from Command that there has been a situation that had taken place within the Delta Quadrant that we have been dispatched to assist with,” Azras said as the others raised their eyebrows at that statement.

Azras had spent the next few minutes explaining the current situation that had taken place, going over every detail that was given to her. The senior staff listen intently as everything was laid out in front of them. 

“That doesn’t explain why we are going to Deep Space 47,” Ritru spoke up with confusion in her voice.

Azras knew this question was going to be asked, she let out a huge sigh before she responded, “there is something within the Blood Dilithium that has a negative effect on telepaths, which are currently unknown. I have decided that for their safety and this crew’s safety, all telepaths will be staying behind.” Azras said as she looked at the few that were amongst her senior staff. “Not only that, we will likely be running into the Devore Imperium, which is known for its extreme hate of telepaths.” Azras also noted bringing up all known information about them as well.

“Is there a way we can counter the effects of the Blood Dilithium?” Jeesa asked as she looked at her.

“Currently there isn’t much information on how it affects telepaths to be able to come up with a counter,” Azras replied.

Jeesa just nodded, she was disappointed that she and a few others wouldn’t be going with though she understood why the captain was doing what she was doing. “Understood sir,” Jeesa replied as the others did so as well.

“Do we know if it has the same effect on Vulcans?” T’Prel asked looking at the Captain.

“As of right now, that is currently unknown whether or not it will have the same effect, though as a precaution you will be the only one to stay on board,” Azras replied looking at her first officer who just nodded in response.

“Any further questions?” Azras asked looking around the room.

Both Jeesa and Teila looked at each other for a moment before looking back at the Captain, “who will be our replacements while we are away?” Teila asked as she ran the largest medical team on the ship and Jeesa was the chief science officer.

“Sh’esirr will take over for medical and Damir will take over science during this mission,” Azras replied as they both nodded. They were confident that they would be in good hands with the two.

“Understood,” Jeesa replied.

“If there is nothing else you are all dismissed,” Azras said with a pause before looking at her first officer. “T’Prel please inform all those that will be staying behind during this mission,” Azras said as everyone nodded, getting up from their chairs they all headed out towards their stations.

Azras remained in the observation lounge for a little while longer as she stood near the window looking out lost in thought. They have been through a lot in the last few months as a crew, responding to a lot of crises that have taken place from the ion storms within the Paulson’s Nebula to the collapse of the Star Empire.

She began to think about what was ahead of them, she hated the fact that she would have to leave some crew behind. It was a tough decision though she knew it was for their safety that they stay behind. After a few more minutes of standing there lost in thought, her commbadge chirped.

“Sir, we have reached Deep Space 47,” T’Prel said.

Taking a deep breath she tapped her commbadge, “understood.” Azras replied before tapping it again, making her way out of the observation lounge. She made her way towards the bridge. Upon arrival onto the bridge, the ship had already docked and departures were already underway.

“Sir, the crew that is staying behind has begun to depart the ship,” T’Prel said as she stood up from the chair she was sitting in, moving over so the captain could sit in her seat.

“Understood,” Azras replied as she sat down.

A few minutes had passed by as those on the bridge remained silent, Odan had informed her that everyone who was remaining at Deep Space 47 had departed the ship. 

“Take us out,” Azras said looking at Deza who just nodded and the ship began to move away from the space station. Once the ship was clear she gave the order to head towards the Badlands. 

Looking at everyone, “remember to take things easy and keep an eye on key systems while we travel through the Badlands,” Azras replied as everyone nodded. A few minutes passed by, and everyone was at their stations working as they traveled. She didn’t need to be a telepath to see that everyone was stressed and on their toes for this upcoming mission into a territory they had never been to.

Though she kept a cool and collected demeanor, inside she was worried and very unsure of what was truly in store for them. They had reached the Badlands, the Saratoga had dropped out of warp and began to slowly make its way through. 

Silence once again filled the room, though it had been like that for the past few minutes as everyone was once again on the edge of their seats as Deza maneuvered through the treacherousness of the Badlands avoiding the storms that would randomly hit an area.

Several hours of this had passed by until they finally exited the Badlands, “status report?” Azras asked looking over at Jheria who had remained on the bridge during their travels.

“All systems are good, and no damages have been reported,” Jheria replied as she looked over at the Captain from her console.

Nodding she then turned back to Deza who was sitting at the helm, “set a course for the Barzan wormhole at maximum warp.” Azras ordered as she stood up from her chair to stretch her legs after sitting for too long.

“Aye sir,” Deza replied tapping a few commands in her console. “Course and speed laid in sir,” came her reply a short time later.

“Engage,” she replied and a short time later the ship jumped to warp heading for their destination. 

Looking at T’Prel, “I will be in my office.” Azras said as T’Prel just nodded in return getting up from her chair. Azras made her way to her ready room where she would grab a cup of coffee and take a seat near the window. This is where she would spend the next few hours before heading back to her quarters for the night.