‘Trust only the Fourth Fleet.’ 

These words haunted Aris as he was given his orders. What an odd thing to end with. Nonetheless, they had a job to do. Tapping on his terminal he opened a channel. “Captain Suin to Commander Fenway”

“Go ahead, Captain.” Gin replied from the bridge

Steadying his breathing at what was ahead, Aris swallowed the lump in his throat before continuing. “I need you and the senior crew to report to the conference room in five minutes.”

“Acknowledged, Captain.” Gin replied.

“Oh, and Commander, I really do mean five minutes.” Aris said as he closed the channel.

Gin wasn’t sure what to think as the Captain closed the channel. Whatever it was must be major, but she had caught the ‘order’ in the Captain’s voice and had no intention of being late. Making her choice she opened another comm channel.

“This is Commander Fenway. Lieutenants T’Keterk and Yates along with Ensigns Shan and Malra and Officer Andrews, please report to the conference room immediately.”

Not waiting for a response she turned to face Emma as the channel closed. “You’re with me, Ensign.”

“Yes, Commander.” Emma got to her feet, her station was immediately filled by a junior bridge officer. Entering into step with the Executive Officer she couldn’t help but ask.

“What do you suppose that was about?”

“To be honest.” Gin sighed. “I have no idea. He received an urgent communication from Command about 20 minutes ago. I haven’t seen him since he holed himself up in the ready room.”

“Strange.” Emma nodded as she thought it over. “Must be serious.” she said almost in a whisper to herself. Quickening her pace to again catch up to Commander Fenway the two resumed the short walk to Deck 1.

Elsewhere in Engineering, Joci and T’Keterk looked toward each other across the Master System Display table.

“This can’t be good.” T’Keterk remarked as he signaled an engineering officer to take over. “After you.” he directed to Joci as he motioned toward the door. “It wouldn’t do to make the Captain wait. Approaching the turbolift in the main corridor, he noticed they weren’t the only ones waiting for its arrival. 

“Doctor Yates and Officer Andrews, it appears you had the same thoughts as us.” T’Keterk greeted the pair.

Nora shrugged. “Immediately is immediately I suppose. Whatever we are being called for must be important. Any idea what it could be about?”

The crickets really spoke for themselves as no one could imagine why they needed the urgency. The arrival of the turbolift broke the silence but not the tension as the crew filed in.

“Deck 1, Conference Room.” Joci requested as the doors closed behind them. The brief silence in the turbolift was broken only by the soft hum as it sped them toward their destination. Upon their arrival, they immediately took note of Gin and Emma, obviously waiting for them.

“Thank you for responding everyone.” Gin looked over the crew members standing in front of her. “I’m not sure what to expect from this meeting, but I will let you in on what I do know.”

Once everyone was focused on Gin, she took a breath and continued. “Approximately twenty minutes ago, Captain Suin received an urgent communication from fleet command, in his ready room. Given the urgency to the order and the source of the transmission, I saw it fit to not question anything, but I’m sure we will be made aware of this situation. Any questions?”

With no one speaking up, she turned to face the doors to the conference room and triggered the chime

Aris was damn near pacing a hole in the carpet as he grappled with the information he had received. Why now? Was the treaty still valid? And how? Jumping slightly as the door chime sounded, Aris steadied his breath and straightened out his uniform.

“Come in.” he called as Gin led the senior crew in.

“Apologies for being early, Captain.” Gin offered a small smile. “But you did say five minutes was five minutes.

“Watch yourself, Commander.” Aris fired back in a teasing manner as the crew settled themselves around the table. “Can I get anyone anything?”

Aris busied himself with the replicator and began to deposit trays with everyone’s preferences on the table, with a water jug and tea and coffee on hand for refills should the crew need it.

Taking his seat at the head of the table, he activated the holo-terminals integrated into the tabletop. “Thank you everyone for responding so promptly. Before I begin, are we all familiar with Yadev II in the Deneb Sector?”

“The supply depot and colony world?” Gin asked. “Old mothballed ships are stored there for reactivation or salvage.”

“Correct, and also occupied by Dominion forces in the late 2370’s.” Aris added before accessing intelligence and long-range scanners. As the crew looked over the information, Aris filled in the blanks. “Starfleet Intelligence has become aware of a renewed dominion threat. Due to the proximity of Yadev II to Breen space, our orders are to report directly to the Yadev II Supply Depot to shore up its defenses.”

Bringing up another report, Aris continued after taking a long drink of water. “We don’t know who is behind this renewed threat, but Starfleet does not believe they are operating on their own. A founder must be behind the scenes pulling the strings.”

“Sir?” Joci spoke up. “What of the treaty? Are we in a position to repel this kind of threat?”

“From what I have been told, the Treaty is still valid. It is likely our rogue founder hasn’t linked in a long time so is unaware the war is over.” Aris answered. “On your second point,” Aris bought up the docking manifest of the station. “We are also under orders to assist the Yadev II engineers in repairing and reactivating any vessel still in a usable condition should the unthinkable occur.”

“What kind of ships are we dealing with, Captain?” T’Keterk questioned as he downloaded the information to his padd. Others around him doing the same.

“I’m not going to lie.” Aris began. “They are older vessels, namely Miranda, Freedom and Centaur classes spanning a few decades.”

T’Keterk bowed his head to the Captain as he added this to his notes.

“T’Keterk, I want those ships operational and armed as quickly as we can get them space worthy. These will be our own take on the Texas-class vessel.”

Understanding the implication, T’Keterk had one last question. “Engineering, Tactical and Defense and shipboard operations are to be automated I presume?”

“Nothing gets past you T’Keterk.” Aris replied. “Ensign Malra and Officer Andrews will assist with programing the automation subroutines. This is a joint operation with Yadev II so we will be working closely with their own personnel and as such all input is to be considered.”

T’Keterk, Joci and Damien all nodded in acknowledgment before turning to face Taylor and Emma.

“Ensign Swain, upon our arrival to Yadev II I need you to work with Ensign Shan to determine exit strategies and possible points of incursion into the system. We do not need the Dominion to catch us unaware.

“Yes, Sir.” Emma replied as she began to review the data downloaded to her padd.

“Ensign Shan, please initiate enhanced security protocols on all decks with rotating patrols and identity verification. I don’t want any trouble from anyone once we arrive.” Aris continued around the table. “I would also like you to work with Joci and Damien to include attack patterns and strategies in their programming.”

“Yes, Sir.” Taylor replied with determination. It was go time and this time they were remaining in Federation space.

“Lieutenant Yates, while we are docked with the station, I want you to liaise with the facility’s medical teams to replenish supplies, assist with triage and medical procedures, and any upskilling you feel is required.”

“Very good, Captain.” Nora replied.

“Commander Fenway, I would like you to review the personnel files and shortlist your recommendations for crew members to operate these vessels and maintain the non-automated functions.”

Gin nodded as Aris relayed his request. “I will have those to you as soon as possible.”

Aris downed the last of his water and got to his feet. “I know this must feel like the unthinkable, but we are Starfleet officers, and more important than that, we are the crew of the Auckland. I have complete faith and respect for you all of you and I trust you to do your duty.”

Looking at each crew member, he continued. “Although this was not the news we wanted to receive. Watch each other’s backs and trust your peers. But now I have one question for you. Are you ready?”