First Officer’s– er, uh, Captain’s Log, Supplemental.

I, Commander Tumaini Calumn, have temporarily taken command of USS Constellation while Fleet Captain Taes is under anaesthesia and is in surgery. Doctor Pimpinellifolia will only tell me that Taes remains in critical condition but that her condition is not worsening.

Taes was injured in the violent uprising of the Pralor on the surface of Rakosa Five. Constellation Squadron continues to amplify a counter-signal that freed the Automated Personnel Units from the carrier wave controlling their every movement. Between the reports of Pralor Automated Commander Seventy-Four and Lieutenant Cellar Door, the carrier wave commands contained the same fascist undertones detected in the false intelligence reports the Vaadwaur Supremacy fed to the Pralor before. If the Vaadwaur learned of our intentions, they had every reason to destroy the coalition before it could begin.

But they failed again.

The Delta Quadrant coalition has formed around Constellation Squadron, including vessels from the Talaxians, Haakonians, Vidiians, Trabe, Kazon and even the Rakosans. We are currently providing all ship captains with the coordinates for the asteroid field, which we believe to be important to the Vaadwaur. Within the hour, we will make all haste to rendezvous with Odyssey Squadron, who have secured the system for our arrival.

“How is she?” Captain Elbon Jakkelb asked insistently. He appeared as little more than a holographic bust on a desktop LCARS panel, but even Calumn could pick up on the nervous energy. The way his blue eyes couldn’t focus on anything. The way he fidgeted with small starship maquette, tossing it between his hands.

“You are familiar with Doctor Nelli, captain,” Calumn said, offering the only certainty he could grasp. “Her anticipation and contingency strategies are nearly without parallel.”

Calumn tried to smile, but he felt it came out flat. “Eleven prehensile vines don’t hurt either.”

Elbon scoffed at the weak attempt at humour. He dropped the maquette on his desk.

“You should have brought her to Almagest’s hospital,” Elbon chided him. “We’re practically equipped like a starbase.  Trade with the Rakosans means we’re well-stocked again.”

“You could order me,” Calumn said and then took a breath. “To interrupt her surgery and transport her despite the risk to her safety. In Taes’s absence, you have that authority as Squadron Commander.”

Elbon rolled his eyes. “You know I won’t. I’m scared for her. Ignore my bark.”

Not letting it drop that easily, Calumn asked, “Would you question Commander Rayco the same way, were he in my boots?”

“I wouldn’t need to.”

Calumn cleared his throat at that and straightened his posture.

“I understand your hospital is full of the victims of Rakosa Five,” Calumn said, returning to the business at hand.

Inclining his head, Elbon said, “We’re doing our best to ensure the rest of the Delta Quadrant coalition are in fighting shape for whatever the Vaadwaur throw at us next.  The Kazon sects seem invigorated by the Pralor attacks.  They’re armed and ready to go. We have engineers aboard the Vidiian ships working on their warp efficiency. Every percentage of improvement we can muster will allow us to increase the coalition’s cruising speed. What’s your status?”

“Constellation is ready to depart, captain,” Calumn answered. “Commander Yuulik and Lieutenant DeVoglaer are studying the Vaadwaur’s interlink frequency to determine if we can locate its point of origin. Constellation mapped one of the Underspace tunnels through the Nacene Reach and Gradin Belt last year. This may offer some insight into the location of a Vaadwaur control centre or home base.”

Showing more engagement with a significant nod, Elbon said, “Could be our first real clue to the Supremacy’s current location in the Delta Quadrant.“