Horizon waiting for the attack

Between the orbits of the the third and fourth inner planets of the Eden star system, the imposing stardrive section of Lotus Fleet's flagship waited. But the outward calm of the massive vessel was in sharp contrast with the frenzy of activity shaking the entire lenght of the ship as red lights flashed over every door and on every control panel.

Within the spartan yet fully equipped battle bridge, Commander Joey Day Sisko sat in the command chair not looking at anyone, deeply concentrating on what was about to come next while he just felt the readiness agitating all around him. In his mind, there was no doubt the Horizon, even deprived of her saucer and even her bridge and escort ship, was more than adequate to face any one enemy vessel. What was worrying was not as much the outcome of such a confrontation but the cost of it.

Despite all civilians and most of the crew hiding behind Eden III in the huge saucer section, there were still a thousand lives at stake on this stardrive section; and there were those aboard the incoming starship as well. Even if his first priority was to those hidden civilians and then to this crew ready and willing to sacrifice themselves to the last person in order to protect them, the loss of life from even a hostile party was not something to look forward to.

But he knew his duty and was resolute to uphold it.

"Lieutenant Aron'Son; if Captain Kheren is... unable to secure a peaceful agreement with those Draxx... how do you recommend we deal with them if they come in guns blazing?"