The oval room had not much designed features to it, because it was meant for brief moments. In the middle, there was a tactical display table that served to discuss any information related to the ship’s operations. One viewport showed the daunting, Grim Wall in the distant. The lighting in the room was dimmed, PADDs scattered on the table and the Strategic display showing the route from Hecate Station, through the Grim Wall and into Klingon space.

Standing at the head of the table, Richard had his arms crossed looking at the display “Alright, what you got for me” His focus was on the display.

Lerii shrugs and nods, lifting the PADD in front of her, she opens the tactical information, “We have a few obstacles to deal with regarding this convoy mission. First we got to get safely through the Grim Wall. Based on known and recent updated data from the Himalaya, we need to stay on course in a formation suitable to get through it safely.” She swipes the PADD as the display shows a zoom in of the formation, with Wakefield up front, civilian freighter in the middle and Saturn on the tail. “When crossing over into the Klingon space, we have to change the formation, but I leave that up to you and Captain Min-Yung. I do urge not to deviate from the flight plan, with the Klingon volatile political grounds, we don’t know what we can expect”.

Leaning forward as Kaelin tunes in “I place some weight on those words Commander, the blackout might be lifted, yet reports indicate that there are still…gaps that could temp us to any rescue attempts. Starfleet Security stated that reckless behavior into these gaps might result in lives being lost.” She shrugs a bit, “It feels also kinda like unfinished business has a tight grip on the Klingon side”.

“The ship is resupplied, and new transfers have boarded the Wakefield. Internal and external systems are in the clear and flight path is shared with the convoy” Thorn acknowledges the readiness of the Wakefield. “We are ready to go upon Saturn word”

Rubbing the side of his template, his antenna twitches “The shield arrays are reconfigured to handle the Grim Wall, based on the latest data. I have a new configuration at the ready when we enter Klingon space in case of any radiation pockets that might affect our ship” Arix confirms from his side that engineering was ready as well.

“I do have to steel myself with this, but we should stay in convoy cohesion. We will be a burden to the convoy if we risk breaking formation” Lerii knows Richard longer than today, he rather jumps at any call of rescue request if he could. But she knows that Klingon space is now an unknown factor, no one truly knew what was going on.

A cough comes from Kaelin to get the attention, “Are you saying we are to ignore any plead for help? You do remember our obligation to stand at the ready for those that need help”.

Narrowing her eyes, Lerii rather stays calm than she would do in the old days to jump out, “Understandable, Lieutenant. But if we break formation, we risk in endangering them. At the meeting at Hecate Station, Captain Min-Yung addressed Wakefield duty, that of protection. We are not to go on exploration, rescue or investigate such calls.”

“Yet we need to uphold our Federation principles, help those in need. We can’t relay blindly on protocol if we can act in a degree of mercy and compassion. If we don’t react to such a call, does it mean lives that are wasted could have been saved?” Kaelin counters his command staff.

Raising his hand “Stop” He simply commanded as both of them looked at Richard “Both perspectives are valid in its own rights. But we are the knight, not the hero. We are to follow the Saturn direction, they are the team lead in this operation” Richard shrugs slightly “But, a knight must make judgment calls in the dark. Meaning, we have to evaluate every given situation that is presented”

Some other members wanted to speak more, but “We have to get the ship ready to lead. Based on the information. Wakefield take lead into the Grim Wall. Get your departments ready, dismissed” Richard said directly to them as they excuse themselves from the ready room to return to the bridge.

Bridge

The senior tactical staff was rather tense after that briefing, but everyone was getting ready for the operation to start. Joren sees the nod from Richard and turns to his console, getting the latest information ready. “Navigational points ready, Wakefield instructed to take lead in convoy, Saturn takes tail acknowledge” He taps onto his console and nods “We are now in sync with the Saturn navigational telemetry”

“Good” Richard sat down in his chair looking around, as he’s surveying the crew that was tense of a new mission ahead. Not many were recovered after dealing with the Vaadwaur, emotional scars were still visible, but time was not a luxury they had. “Ensign Malun, proceed with undocking process. Get us in front”.

“Acknowledge, departure protocol active, requesting release of docking clamps” Joren stated and saw the green light from Hecate “Docking port closed, airlock sealed, clamps released” The Wakefield starts to push away from the port “We are clear from Hecate, plotting course to navigation position one” The Wakefield pushes itself forward to travel towards the designated position they were assigned.

As the Wakefield makes way, Richard sits back in his chair, tapping the side of his chair. Did the blackout change his perspective so much that he is hesitated on responding to distress calls? What does it mean, no-one is left behind when you are chained to a convoy? If he didn’t respond to those calls, would he become cold, emotionless, or would his crew look at him as a failure? Questions that weights on him and he had to face while doing this operation.