We Go Again

Posted on Sun Jan 4th, 2026 @ 12:25pm by Captain Nycolas Temple & Admiral Audra Milne

Mission: A Dawn on Drax
Location: Deck 1 - Ready Room

ON:

Temple stood in his Ready Room, watching the shuttles make their way into the ship’s docking bay. It was only a matter of time now before the Pandora would be launching and a new mission would begin. He had those nerves in the pit of his stomach - a churning mix of excitement, trepidation, and the hope that it goes well. It felt both like yesterday and a decade ago that he was stood on this same ship awaiting his very first orders as the new Captain of the Pandora. Time had passed both in an instant and an eternity.

Whatever the new mission entailed, he just wanted to get everyone back safe. He had welcomed so many faces onboard the ship, inducted new and experienced officers alike into this flying home of theirs. Many had gone on to have illustrious careers, families, and happy memories of their time onboard the Pandora. Some - thankfully only a select few names - had never returned. As Captain, Nyx held the responsibility and the privilege of shepherding his crew through whatever Starfleet and the universe held in store for them. He had the burden of bringing them home safe again, too.

As he was lost in his thoughts of reminiscing, a chime from his computer broke through the silence. It was a call from Starfleet HQ. He turned and accepted the transmission.

“Captain.” Admiral Milne was in her office in the San Francisco daylight, beaming broadly. “How are you liking the refurbished Pandora?”

Though Nyx had not initially felt like he could trust the Admiral, he had soon come to learn that she had his best interests - and those of the true Starfleet - at heart. He had grown to view her as a mentor for his career, and someone who would work tirelessly to uphold the values of the Federation. When everything was a cloudy fog of grey agendas, she had been the one few sources of light. Nyx owed his continued career to Admiral Milne, and he was happy to serve under her once more.

“It’s beautiful, Admiral.” Nyx smiled in return. “I can’t wait to get back out there again.”

“Agreed,” The Admiral nodded, “The Pandora has been out of action for too long. With that in mind, I have your orders.”

Nyx sat down in his chair and swivelled the screen to face him. “I can’t wait.”

The display changed to the outer rim of Beta Quadrant, in an area called the White Diamond Nebula. Nyx saw this and raised an eyebrow.

“White Diamond… isn’t this…” he began to say.

“The location of the Drax home-world, yes.” Milne finished his sentence. “As I’m sure you are aware, the Drax and the Federation have been in a long, constant series of talks regarding formalizing our relationship with them. However, those talks have always stalled or delayed - usually, because the Drax get cold feet and pull away before we make any genuine progress.”

“From what I’ve heard from Lieutenant Kaleri, that doesn’t surprise me.” Temple remarked. “They are isolationist by nature and distrusting of non-telepathic species. However, that has kept them safe from being involved in most major conflicts over the years, including the Dominion War, so it makes sense. It’s smart.”

“Be that as it may, the Drax are now facing an imminent threat.” Admiral Milne continued, as the map on screen moved to a nearby red planet, “The Chalnoth have become increasingly territorial and are attempting to claim passage to the White Diamond Nebula as their own, threatening to destroy any craft that doesn’t pay them in tariffs or -“ she shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “Sacrifices.”

Nyx turned up his nose at the suggestion. The Chalnoth were barbarians, capable of heinous violence and bloody murder. Starfleet has had on and off again conflicts with them, mostly due to their aggressive hunting tactics, and thirst for warfare. But they were not technologically advanced enough to pose a real threat to a modern Starfleet vessel. They knew better than to try to take on the Federation.

“Due to the nature of the nebula around Drax, and their numerous telepathic defences, the planet itself remains safe.” Milne explained, “But they are being effectively cut off from the Federation and other neighbouring regions, putting their trade, travel, and freedom in jeopardy. Just as we were getting closer to a deal, we may lose contact with them altogether.”

Nyx took in the news with a solemn nod. “What can we do?”

“A show of Starfleet support will help suppress the Chalnoth threat.” The Admiral stated, “We are sending multiple ships through the region as a show of force. Our strategists believe they will withdraw their blockade of the Nebula once Starfleet arrives. They will not dare engage with us in a group. Once clear, we need the Pandora to head directly to Drax.”

Nyx raised an eyebrow, “For what purpose?”

“We need a deal, Captain.” Milne said with a sigh. “Without an official treaty or protectorate, we are operating outside of our sovereignty. The Chalnoth and others will take this as a sign of Federation interference and expansion. Intel already suggests the Chalnoth are looking for an excuse to initiate gorilla warfare. They will deliberately use our helping the Drax as a trigger to attack and start a conflict. The legal folks in the Federation want a firm Casus Belli for providing military support to the region.”

Temple leaned back in his chair, “Will the Drax cooperate with such a plan?”

“Even if we clear the blockade, the Chalnoth will return, and they will continue to target the Drax. We will need to show them that it’s the only way they’ll get sufficient support to keep their trade and passage routes open, or risk being essentially occupied by the Chalnoth.” Milne replied, “That’s why we’re sending the Pandora, and the only serving Drax member in Starfleet.”

“Lieutenant Kaleri.” Nyx nodded, “I have faith that she can convey the seriousness of the situation. But I don’t think the Drax will be rushed to a decision - not when we have failed to reach an agreement so many times before.”

“I agree.” Admiral Milne said, “We’re not expecting a membership application. Just something that recognised the Drax and the White Diamond Nebula are under the Federation’s protection. I have a simple treaty already drafted by the Federation’s department of the Exterior for you. We can only continue to negotiate if the Drax are freely able to talk with us, and we cannot let the Chalnoth to take hold of the Drax’s freedom.”

“Understood.” Nyx replied, taking in a deep breath. “We will strategise our approach to convincing the Drax that the Protectorate is the only way we can help them, while we’re en route. I’m sure Lieutenant Kaleri will know how to approach them.”

“I know you’ll come up with something good.” Milne smiled, “That’s the other reason I’m sending the Pandora. Your crew knows how to adapt in difficult circumstances.”

Nyx gave a shrug, “It’s what we do best.” He laughed a little.

Milne nodded, “I’m counting on it, Captain. I’ll send you the full data file so that you may brief your team. I’m expecting you to get underway by 0900 of your ship time.” She glanced off screen then nodded. “We’ve got the all clear from Luna Shipyards now.”

Nyx had been longing to hear those words for so long. The Captain firmed up his stance, feeling his nerves and excitement make way for his more stoic professionalism. It was time to get his mind clearly fixed on the mission. “Aye, sir. We’ll be ready. Pandora out.”

As the screen went blank again, Temple adjusted his uniform shirt by pulling it down. He took in a breath before hitting the comms button on his console, sending out a ship-wide announcement.

=/\= Attention all hands. Prepare for departure at 0900. All department heads, meet in the Briefing Room in ten minutes. =/\=

Nyx stood from his chair, a smile forming on his lips. “Here we go again.”

OFF