The Cost of Tomorrow

Posted on Sun Oct 4th, 2026 @ 2:08am by Captain Taiga Aisaka

1,248 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Kintsugi
Location: USS Temeraire
Timeline: April 7th, 2397

[USS Temeraire - Near the Romulan Neutral Zone]

Captain Rebecca Harcourt, sat on the bridge of the USS Temeraire, one of Starfleet's ageing Excelsior-class starships. She had commanded the vessel for the last eight years, and much of it spent patrolling the Neutral Zone. One leg crossed over the other, she was relaxed for a captain in a time of war. However, the contents of the PADD she was reading was a mixture of bad news.

"Looks like it's true, everyone," She said idly. "The Romulans have joined us and the Klingons against the Iconians. It would appear that the Iconians are invading not just us, but everyone they can find." She let out a sigh. "I guess that means no more patrols of the Neutral Zone."

"Look on the bright side Captain," a young man said with a smile from the helm. He turned back in his chair. Lieutenant Junior Grade Toby Sinclair was one of the youngest officers on the ship, at only twenty four years of age. Rumours had it, he had been growing closer to Lt JG Lucy Hamilton, a young woman down in Astrometrics. "With more of us fighting together, we stand a better chance."

"You are right there Toby, but we still need to be vigilant." Rebecca responded as she placed the PADD down on her knee. "Speaking of which, what have we got out there?"

The Vulcan science officer, Commander Varek looked over from the science console. He also served as the ship's Executive Officer, and had been by Rebecca's side since the day she took command. "Nothing out of the ordinary Captain. No signs of Romulan or Iconian activity within our sensor range." His voice was cool, emotionless and he always responded with accuracy and logic, as one would expect from a Vulcan.

"Just another boring day along the Neutral Zone!" A woman commented. Rebecca looked over at her chief of security, Lieutenant Commander Th’Ressa zh’Vrenn. She was known as a fierce warrior, having served in both the Andorian Guard and Starfleet. One of her antennae twitched slightly slightly as if she could sense something.

"Better boring than being fired upon," Rebecca reminded her. Suddenly the tactical console began to beep loudly. Instantly Th'Ressa turned and her blue fingers danced across the smooth glass of the console.

"Captain. We're picking up several distress calls." She reported.

"Where?" Rebecca asked. She instantly jumped to her feet. She dropped the PADD onto her chair as she hastily made it over to the tactical console.

"About four light years from our position. They're Romulan."

Rebecca wasted no time in her decision. "Red Alert." she called out. The lights on the bridge instantly changed, bathing them in red light as the main lights dimmed. "Toby, get us there. Maximum Warp."

"Aye Captain. Setting a course. Engaging at maximum warp." Toby replied as he tapped on the console in front of him.

"I want sickbay ready," Rebecca ordered. "Have all hands report to stations. How long until we get there?" She asked.

"Two hours, three minutes," Toby replied.

Rebecca nodded. "We have until then to get ready."

[Two Hours Later]

The Temeraire dropped out of warp. Instantly it was greeted with nothing but debris and devastation. The ship was dwarfed by chunks and what was left of what was once Romulan warbirds. Rebecca stood from her chair as she studied the debris on the viewscreen. Huge sections of ships, some on fire, others drifting and impacting each other. The entire bridge was silent as the crew watched.

"Mister Varek. Any survivors?" Rebecca asked. "How many ships..."

Varek was already scanning. "I'm reading zero life signs, Captain. The wreckage is vast, spreading over sixty thousand kilometers. According to my calculations, and the scans of the wreckage I have determined that there were no less than thirty Romulan D'Deridex warbirds present."

"Damn..." Rebecca said.

Toby looked down at the helm console. They had been too late. Everyone knew that the rough crew complement of a D'Deridex was at least fifteen hundred, potentially numbering up to forty-five thousand. Even if they were Romulan and not Federation, they were still lives that had been lost.

"I don't think I need to ask... But..." Rebecca turned to her Th'Ressa again.

"Herald weapons signatures, aye Captain." Th'Ressa replied. "I can't determine how many ships; but they ripped those Romulan vessels to shreds."

"Damn it, we're too late!" Toby said, slamming his fist onto his console. He wasn't known for his outbursts, yet this seemed more like frustration. "If only I could have gotten us here faster."

"There's no need to blame yourself," Rebecca said as she approached him from behind and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We got here, at least we can report this. You did all that you can."

Toby nodded as he seemed to calm at the captains touch.

"Commander Varek. Report to Starfleet the position and..." she was suddenly cut off as the Temeraire was jolted hard to starboard. Rebecca was thrown off her feet and she went hurtling into the guide rail that ran around the centre of the bridge. "Report!"

Th'Ressa held onto her console as the ship was jolted again. "Herald weapons fire!" she called out. "We're under attack!"

"Battlestations! Put them on screen!" Rebecca ordered as she steadied herself. The viewscreen changed, and flickered as the ship took another hit from Iconian weapons fire. Along with her officers she froze momentarily at the sight. The Heralds were here, and it wasn't just one or two ships. The Temeraire could most likely have managed a couple of the smaller frigates, maybe even gone toe to toe with one of their cruisers. However, their viewscreen was now filled from edge to edge with Herald warships.

"Six... No... Seven... Maybe eight..." Th'Ressa said. "I can't be sure..."

"Hundred?!" Rebecca asked as she looked quickly at her Andorian chief of security.

"Thousand."

"God damn." Rebecca turned to look at the viewscreen once again. The ships they could see were advancing upon them. Each one now had the distinct purple glow emanating from the front of their hull, the sign that their main weapon was charging. Rebecca wasn't simply looking at Herald weapons any more; she was looking into the mouth of the beast that was about to devour them. It was like looking into their own hell.

Time seemed to slow as she looked around her bridge, she could see the faces of her people. They all knew what was coming, they knew they stood no chance against the overwhelming forces in front of them. This was their end, and yet, they had all seemed to have accepted that. They had all turned to face the viewscreen, their hands off their consoles. She saw Toby in front of her, he was shaking, but he kept his eyes locked on the Herald ships ahead of them. Slowly she lowered herself into her command chair. She relaxed, sat back and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath in, and even though it was all recycled air from the life support; to her, it tasted sweet.

Posting by:

Captain Rebecca Harcourt
Commanding Officer
USS Temeraire
(Written by Captain Taiga Aisaka)

Commander Varek
Executive Officer / Chief Science Officer
USS Temeraire
(Written by Captain Taiga Aisaka)

Lieutenant Commander Th’Ressa zh’Vrenn
Chief Security & Tactical Officer
USS Temeraire
(Written by Captain Taiga Aisaka)

Lieutenant JG Toby Sinclair
Flight Control Officer
USS Temeraire
(Written by Captain Taiga Aisaka)

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