A call to arms

Back at Starbase 10, lights had flickered for a brief moment all the way up to Operations.

"The... Artemis has launched, Sir."

Samji closed his eyes, repressing a sigh. He had for a moment made the same mistake that most people did about Captain Kheren; because of his unfailing and unshakable faith and loyalty to Federation ideals, most thought him a "by the book" kind of commanding officer. Indeed he was a firm adherent of Starfleet rules and regulations... but even close associates sometimes failed to realize that he did so only as long as one was there to do the job.

"Never throw the book away until the last page..." he mumbled, quoting the Andorian captain.

"Sir?"

"Never mind, Grok. Has the Alsea been alerted too?"

"Yes, Sir... but they still have to aknowledge. They just logged finishing up on engine modifications..."

"Wake them up again. And patch me to the other ships."

"Channels open, Sir."

The starbase commander took a breath then stood straighter before the viewing screen.

"To all ships; a situation has arisen. The Artemis and the Alsea are sent out immediately to intercept a Romulan dreadnought on course towards our position. USS Lotus, USS Spectre; hasten your preparations. If the Klingons fancy to do the same, we need to find out real quick and be ready. USS McKenzie; we don't need to have the Horizon Children capitalize on this situation... move out as soon as you can."

Taking another breath, Samji then ordered:

"Starbase 10 is now on security alert."

As the condition yellow sign flashed everywhere, he sighed between tight lips, a frown deepening the lines of his bronzed, bearded face. His gaze lost itself in the vista of space beyond the immense transparencies surrounding his command center, the deceptive stillness and tranquility of the stars only deepening in his mind the cold darkness between them that crept into his heart.

He couldn't help but worry about the fact that, while enemies came at them, there was, out there, a fire still spreading.