Aoife Mackenzie plucked a doughnut from the tray. It was a simple glazed, but fluffy and chewy with the right amount of sweet. Taking a bite she chewed thoughtfully on the pastry. After consuming half of the doughnut she set the cresset on her plate. She placed the tips of her fingers into her mouth and sucked the surgery glaze from the digits. “So, how does the Andromeda look Commander?”

Commander Nicholas Halstead set his coffee down and licked his lips. “With the help of the Val the hull has been repaired. According to Commander Choi they’ll have full shields and phasers by the end of the day.”

Aoife drummed the desk with her manicured nails thinking. After a fashion she spoke, “That’s good news, and of our crew? How are they holding up with all of this?”

Halstead found himself lingering on the captain’s delicate fingers. Looking away he chastised himself. Aoife had made her intentions clear, and it was his job to honor them. “They are holding up so far. They are trained Starfleet officers, I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

Aoife nodded and lifted her tea, English breakfast, and sipped the scalding liquid. She noticed Nicholas staring at her and she spun her chair away to face the window and the vacuum of space beyond. She only hoped her reflection didn’t expose the flush of cheeks. After a moment she discreetly turned halfway back to face Nicholas.

Did she turn away from me? Nicholas asked himself. What’s that all about? Out loud he spoke, “Commander Talon reports strong resistance to evacuation. Since our ships cannot accommodate the entire colony he is issuing a lottery. There has been some unrest because of this.”

Aoife swore under her breath. With her fists balled she fought for composure, the struggle etched into her face. “Damn the Dominion! And damn Starfleet for pretending this is some stupid Breen skirmish. We need a Galaxy or even an Odyssey class for this mission. Here we are stuck with these two small ships doing a job that took a whole damn task force back in the war.”

“And while we are damning things,” Nicholas said a bit more composed than his captain but no less irate. “Damn Captain Barrington for giving us that order.”

Aoife nodded and sighed turning back to the window and space beyond. After an extended silence that hung over the ready room thick like fog, she spoke. Her voice carried a defeated tone, soft and filled with pain. “We need some form of early warning that the Dominion fleet is on the move.”

Nicholas was looking down at the floor and didn’t look up when he spoke. “What are you thinking Captain.”

“I’m thinking we should send a runabout out to observe that fleet. Sitting at the edge of their sensor range they could remain undetected. When the the Dominion does go the move they can radio back and warn us.”

“Not a bad idea. Who should we send?”

Aoife shrugged, “That’s more your department Commander.”

Nicholas sat back to think for a moment. Blowing air through his lips he finally spoke. “Most of the crew is busy, but Lieutenants Shrin and Talon have been sitting on their hands of late.”

“Shrin and Talon?” Aoife asked mulling it over for a moment. “Not sold on Talon. He’s a bit immature, but he has done a lot of growing. Captain Murphy praised him following the Blood Dilithium fiasco.”

“He has,” Nicholas agreed.

“Yeah, that’s who I would send,” she said with decision. She pressed a button embedded into her desk. “Lieutenants Shrin and Talon please report to the ready room.”

 A few moments later Anthony and Shrin entered the ready room.  They stood before the CO and XO at attention.  Aoife looked up from her PADD. “Thanks for coming.”

“Ma’am,” Anthony responded.

“Lieutenant I want you and Ms. Shrin take a runabout and observe the Dominion fleet at the edge of your sensors.”

Anthony and Shrin glanced at each other. “Aye Captain,” the Andorian replied.

“Ma’am I want an engineer along?” Anthony spoke up.

“An Engineer?” Nicholas demanded.  “Wouldn’t you rather have an tactical officer?”

“No sir,” Anthony replied.  “If it comes to a shooting fight I will mot be wishing for a tactical officer.  It will be an engineer.”

Aoife and Nicholas glanced ar each other and nodded in agreement,  “Okay, but Marcus isn’t going with you.”

“That’s fine.  Ensign Taylor will do.”

“Very well. You better get to it.”

“Yes ma’am!” Anthony said with a grin.

19 hours later…

“You like her don’t you?’” Shrin asked as she looked up from her novel, “The Aenar and the Impetuous Pirate”.

“What? Who?” Anthony said. 

“Sara!” Shrin exclaimed in exasperation.  “Who else do you think?”

“Oh… I uh.”

Shrin grinned at him. “’Oh’ is right. So?”

Anthony didn’t look away from his sensor data. The Dominion fleet was steadfast in their position. After completing the scane he stated a diagnostic on the runabout’s engines and shields. “Look, I know nothing about her.”

“So?” Shrin said. 

“Look there’s stoic and then there’s stoic.”

“Who’s stoic?” Sara asked as she returned to the cockpit.  She was finishing up buttoning her gold tunic.  As always the engineer was put together.   A lot of times officers would let things slip while in the field.  Ensign Taylor wasn’t one of them.

“Uh…” Anthony stalled.

“You,” Shrin said returning to her book. “Oh this is good. D’shin has met the pirate captain on his ship.” Looking up and glancing around her antennae twisting. “Why do they always depict the love interest as shirtless?”

 “I’m stoic?” Sara demanded ignoring Shrin.

Anthony looked sheepishly into his display while giving Shrin a dirty sideways glance. “Uh… sorry? I don’t know anything about you. Where did you come from? What are your folks like? It’s like you didn’t exist before Starfleet.”

“Oh you’re sorry? Why do you even care?”

“He likes you,” Shrin said stoking the fires without looking up from her pages.

 “My reasons are my own Tony,” Sara seethed, “and it’s none of your buisness.”

“Sorry,” Anthony replied.  “You’re right. It’s none of my buisness.”

“Sir,” Sara said not acknowledging the apology, “It is my watch now.”

Anthony glanced at Shrin for help, but got none, “Very well,  Ensign.” As he was standing up from the pilot’s seat and alarm blared. Dropping back into the seat with Shrin sitting upright in her own their fingers danced over the consoles.

“What is it?” Sara asked.

“The Dominion is on the move… Heading for Arkan II.”