A/N: Candy’s back as she recalled the time she got to team up with Seven of Nine herself and discover the true threat to the Delta Quadrant.  See the rest of my Star Trek Online characters here.

Fleet Admiral’s Log Stardate 95898.47

This is Candy Marino of the U.S.S. Winchester and Ethan Burgess contacted me about a distress call sent by the U.S.S. Callisto.  Apparently, they were on a research mission to a little explored area of the DQ a.k.a. the Delta Quadrant. Burgess said that they’re not sure what happened to the Callisto, but they need someone to check it out.  He told me that there were a lot of good people on the Callisto, good Starfleet officers and researchers. Burgess ordered me to bring them home.

Thankfully, I was already in the DQ when Burgess called.  So, I set course for the location of the Callisto’s distress call.  As soon as we arrived, Flores told me that we arrived at the location of the distress call from the U.S.S. Callisto.  She said that we’re no longer receiving the distress beacon, but sensors are picking up debris consistent with a Luna class Federation starship.  I told Flores that there might be some survivors, so I ordered her to scan the wreckage. To do that, I needed to bring the Winchester closer to the ship.  I scanned what looked like the remains of the Callisto only for Flores to tell me that there was no luck.

She said that our sensors weren’t reading any lifesigns in the wreckage.  Then she told me that the Callisto had a crew compliment of 350. I just asked if we could identify who attacked her though, from what I can tell, whoever did this was ruthless and didn’t like invaders.

Chris told me that we have an incoming message from the outpost station.  I said that I wanted to hear what they had to say. You would not believe who showed up on the screen, Seven of Nine!  That’s right, I’m actually getting to meet Voyager’s rescued Borg drone herself! She told me that she was part of a Federation research team assigned to the U.S.S. Callisto.  Seven said that her team was investigating this outpost when the defense systems activated and destroyed the ship. Despite my fangirling, I managed to keep my cool and introduce myself as Admiral Candy Marino of the U.S.S. Winchester.  I also told Seven that we responded as quickly as we could. Seven told me that she’s aware of my service record while I was thinking to myself “urge to fangirl rising.” She said that she was able to deactivate the outpost’s defenses, but the system sent out an automated distress signal upon shutdown.  Seven claimed that it’s logical to assume that someone will be arriving to investigate. Then she asked me to please transport her and her team to the Winchester, saying that she will be of more assistance to me there. I said that they have a lot to explain before cutting off communication and flying to the outpost all while thinking “I get to have Seven of Nine on my ship!”

I beamed over the survivors and Seven told me that long range sensors are picking up inbound energy signatures.  She said that they were Voth ships and that they must lay claim to this system. The Voth Commander hailed me and called me a trespassing endotherm, meaning this guy needs to get better insults.  He said that I was trespassing in Voth-aligned space. I can surrender now and they will allow us to live out the remainder of our lives on a prison world. I only scoffed at the guy, remarking sarcastically about how our choices are either to become his prisoners or die.  The Voth only hung up on me with clear offense, so I had to deal with an ambush. I’ll say one thing about these guys, they know how to put up a fight.

I had to summon the Nimbus pirates to stand a chance at beating them. After defeating them, more Voth showed up and said that we violated the Voth facility and will be…  The Voth cut their transmissions short and engaged warp drive, something Seven point out. Which usually means we have a greater threat to worry about. The Voth high-tailed it out of here, which puzzled Seven because, in her own words, it’s not like the Voth to leave a battle they would have clearly won. I pointed out what I already suspected about the greater threat, which is usually how these things pan out.  Chris told me that we’re receiving a distress call from the Turei homeworld.

I ordered the message on screen and saw a weird blue alien say that this is a general distress signal for any ships in range.  He said that this is the Turei homeworld and they are under attack by an unknown force of immense power. He said that they require immediate assistance, meaning I was right.  The Voth are afraid of a bigger threat. I asked Seven who the Turei are and she told me that they’re a space-faring culture that Voyager encountered in 2376. She said that they claim ownership over the Underspace, which are corridors through subspace that significantly shorten travel time here in the Delta Quadrant.  Seven told me that Command has been attempting to contact them without success. She said that access to the Underspace would be a distinct advantage for our fleet. I asked Seven if this bigger threat the Voth were afraid of might have been the ones who attacked the Turei, or the Voth themselves. She said that it’s a definite possibility.  Seven told me that, to her knowledge, the Voth and Turei are not enemies. Then she said that there is still much we do not know about the Delta Quadrant. I told her that a show a good faith might be in order. Flores told me that she already laid in a course for the Turei homeworld. Then said that they’re ready to leave on my orders. It’s an order I wasted no time giving.

Seven told us when we arrived in the Turei system and said that the Voth ships are in combat, but they’re not engaging the Turei vessels.  She said that their opposition does not conform to any known ship in the database. I told Seven that, whatever they are, they’re packing quite a punch.  I watched the Voth and Turei attack the unknown ship, leaving me to wonder if they’re allies or they just teamed up to exterminate this one threat. Either way, one thing’s clear, I was right about the bigger threat.  Let me tell you, that’s some technology they’ve got. I don’t think even the Borg have ships like that. Flores told me that one of the ships was breaking off and moving in our direction. You want to pick a fight with me, you better know what you’re getting into.  However, I will give these mystery enemies one thing, they make tough opponents.  Flores told me that the debris from the Voth ships is falling and she’s reading massive damage to the planet’s surface. It took awhile, but I managed to defeat that ship. After the battle, Seven told me that the Voth and whomever they are fighting are speaking on an open channel.  She told me that we can listen in on their communications. I told her to do so.

I managed to make out a helmeted bad guy that looked similar to Darth Vader with a woman’s voice, despite the static.  She said to the Voth that their defense of the Turei thieves will be their undoing. So maybe the Voth and the Turei are allies.  Then I saw a clear picture of the Voth commander’s face, who told them that the Turei and Voth have a long standing allegiance.  So I was right about them being allies.  Anyway, he claimed that the Turei’s exothermic nature make them superior to the other feeble races of the quadrant. He’d better have been talking about the DQ. Anyway, the unknown alien told the Voth commander that he will be loyal to the death, and people say I’m stubborn.  These guys aren’t even attempting to negotiate. After that little bit of outer space eavesdropping, Seven told me that the surface of the Turei homeworld is being devastated by the debris from the Voth vessels. She said that the Turei do have a defense network of satellites and shields that is capable of protecting them, but the control network is offline.  Then she claimed that this was intentional — their attackers deliberately targeted the area during the initial assault. Seven told me that there is a secondary command center on the outskirts of one of their major settlements. She said that, if we transport directly there, we will be able to restore the control network. I wasted no time beaming down with my designated away team.

As soon as we beamed down, Seven explained how the invaders attacked this facility but they did not do significant structural damage.  She told me that they were, however, able to take down the control network controlling the orbital defense grid. Seven said that the defense grid is the only thing capable of stopping all of the debris from the battle in orbit from raining down on the planet.  She claimed that small pieces will burn up in the atmosphere and my ship’s weapons can deal with some others, but a significant percentage will get through. Then Seven told me that, until that grid is operational, there will be a widespread devastation. I told her that we need to get the defense grid back online and give the Turei a fighting chance.

We came across a scene of wreckage and a Turei begging us to help him, so Seven and I came to the conclusion that there was a firefight here.  Seven told me that one of the Turei is injured, but his condition is stable. She said that he may be able to give us more information about the invaders.  I told Seven that we’ll help him and maybe he can answer some questions. I healed the Turei, who thanked me, said his name is Bellas and asked if I was from Starfleet.  

I told him that I was and then asked him what happened here. Bellas told me that the ships emerged from the Underspace, and they were too close for their defense grid to stop the launch of drop pods.  He said that, in minutes, they had knocked out the grid controls and they were defenseless. Then he claimed that they barely had enough time to transmit a distress signal. I asked Bellas what Underspace was, but he said that I’m not Turei so he cannot reveal their secrets.  It didn’t matter if Bellas did or not, because Seven answered my question. She told me that Underspace is a network of subspace corridors that extend through much of the Delta Quadrant. She explained that Voyager was pulled into one when its warp field interacted with the corridor’s radial wall.  Seven said that, at the time, they speculated that the corridors would speed their journey back to Federation space. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible for them. It would be like Starfleet saying that the wormhole should only be used by Federation officials which, thankfully, we haven’t gone that far.  I asked Seven, if Underspace is a Turei secret, how were these attackers able to use it? Bellas explained that the attackers were Vaadwaur and that Voyager did indeed interact with one of their corridors. Then Bellas got all bitter about how, instead of deleting the information as they requested and going on their way, Voyager revived their greatest enemy.  Bellas went on to blame all of the destruction and death on Voyager. So you can guess he’s not one of their biggest fans. I asked about the Vaadwaur. Seven froze up and insisted that it was impossible, it couldn’t be the Vaadwaur and said that she would know. I turned to Seven and asked her who the Vaadwaur are. Seven talked about how it was all her fault.  She said that, when they first encountered the Vaadwaur, they were in cryostasis. Then Seven told me that she foolishly awoke their leader in a moment of curiosity. She said that she didn’t know their history and explained to me that they were conquerors, despots. Seven talked about how the Vaadwaur used Underspace to rule the Delta Quadrant for decades. She said that it was only when the other races banded together that the Vaadwaur were defeated.  Seven explained that, at the time Voyager encountered them, when she awakened them, Captain Janeway said she probably would’ve done the same thing. Seven then said that it wasn’t Janeway’s choice, it was hers and she is responsible. Seven explained that the Vaadwaur they encountered did not have the level of technology like what we face here. She said that this is far beyond anything that the Vaadwaur are capable of developing in such a short amount of time.  I said that now we need to form a plan of action. Seven told me that her analysis remains unchanged, we need to restore functionality to the defense grid. She said that there are four nodes located on the edge of the complex. Seven explained that we must restart these nodes and re-align them to the central tower to re-establish the grid. I agreed with Seven and told her to keep an eye on the Vaadwaur, because they won’t like what we’re trying to do.

Bellas told me that he’ll go to the central tower and start the initialization sequence.  We followed him to the next location as Seven said that she blamed herself for the return of the Vaadwaur and claimed that it was a door best left unopened.  I made a remark about how Seven should’ve known that the Vaadwaur were screwed up before she decided to act like a good Samaritan. Before Seven could respond, we came across the Vaadwaur and had to defeat them.  I have to say, they don’t seem as tough on the ground as they did up in space.

All right, the technician near the first node was tough, but that’s only because he’s got a shield that makes it almost impossible to do any damage to him.  Eventually, we defeated him and I got to work on the first node. Seven gave me the info to get it started up, which I can summarize as reboot, update and align. I kept repeating that over and over, to Seven’s chagrin, but how else was I supposed to remember that? 

We managed to establish the uplink and made our way to the next node with more Vaadwaur blocking our way. Seven said that, when Voyager first rescued the Vaadwaur, they thought they could be allies. I told Seven to trust me when I say that she’s not the only one who makes bad judgment calls like that.  She asked me to elaborate but all I told her was that, sometimes, you can trust the wrong people. We made it to the next node and Seven gave me the instructions, which I once again remembered by repeating the keywords over and over.

We made our way to the next defense node, having to fight more Vaadwaur on the way.  Seven told me that, when Admiral Tuvok asked her to leave her post at the Daystrom Institute to assist the Callisto, she thought the possibility of seeing the Vaadwaur was statistically insignificant.  I just said that it’s a small galaxy and listened to Seven say that, whatever happens here, we must inform our superiors of the Vaadwaur threat. Then I followed Seven’s instructions about how to activate the third defense node successfully.

We went to the final defense node and had to fight even more Vaadwaur on the way.  Seven told me that they had to ally themselves with the Turei to escape the Vaadwaur.  Then she gave me the instructions to activate the final defense node. After that, I activated the defense grid and I really hope the Turei appreciate everything we’ve done for them.  

It wasn’t long until I got a call from Bellas, but the message wasn’t really a thank you, more like a cry for help. Apparently, he needed assistance at the central tower. We made our way to the landing pad and Bellas told us that we did an excellent job getting the defense nodes back online and realigned to the central hub.  Not exactly a thank you, but it’s better than what I would’ve said in his place. Bellas said that the restart process will take some time, but the defense grid will be active in about two minutes. Then Bellas said that they’d be in good shape, if the Vaadwaur hadn’t launched more assault pods. He told me that these are mobile transporter pads used to bring more troops to the surface rapidly.  Bellas assumed that they’re coming to stop us from restoring the defense grid. I told him that we need to hold them off until the defense grid has completed the restart sequence. Then Seven told me that the Turei took control of Underspace after the Vaadwaur were defeated. She said that clearly, the Vaadwaur objected. There was little time to comment as we had to repeal swarms and swarms of Vaadwaur.  If that weren’t enough, Seven told us that Vaadwaur reinforcements were approaching. They just kept beaming in to the point that Seven said that the Vaadwaur are relentless, and the probability of our survival is slim. I told her that a slim chance is better than no chance at all. After a while of fighting more Vaadwaur, Seven said that they’re tenacious fighters so we must be more so.

We kept on fighting to the point where Bellas said that we can’t keep this up forever.  Seven saw a few guys in machine suits land and asked what that was. I recognized it as Voth mecharmor and, let me tell you, I never thought I’d be so happy to see those Gundam knockoffs.  They helped us defeat the remaining Vaadwaur, which makes them our big damn heroes. After that, Chris told me that he was receiving a message from the Winchester. He told me that the Vaadwaur are retreating to Underspace.  Then Chris pointed out that, even with their defense grid online, the Turei couldn’t have defeated them. Then he asked why the Vaadwaur would leave before they finish the fight. I agreed with Chris that it was odd. The Voth commander said that it wasn’t because Voth reinforcements have entered orbit.  Then he claimed that these Vaadwaur do not want to do battle with an obviously superior force. I turned to the commander and asked him that, if he’s such a superior force, how did the Vaadwaur tear his ships apart so easily? Instead of answering, he told me that, while he did sustain great losses, they have made good on their agreement with the Turei.  Then told Bellas that they restored the defense grid. I corrected the a**hole commander by saying that Seven and I are the ones who restored the defense grid. Bellas told us that he’s not interested in petty squabbling about who did what. He said that the grid is restored and we are safe, that is all that matters. Chris told me that the U.S.S. Voyager has entered orbit.  Then he said that Admiral Tuvok is requesting to beam down to my position, which I immediately granted. It’d be cool to see him again.

Tuvok beamed down and greeted Seven.  Then he said that they detected the destruction of the Callisto and was about to ask a question when Bellas interrupted him.  He claimed that it was his fault, because his ship invaded the Voth outpost and they woke the Vaadwaur. Really, this again? Tuvok was confused, because Starfleet Intelligence did not consider them a threat.  I don’t know if Section 31 feels the same way, but that’s one of those things I’ve learned to keep my mouth shut about. Anyway, Tuvok said that they believed their numbers were few and their technology outdated.  Bellas got on Tuvok’s case about how they were wrong, because the Vaadwaur have returned and no one is safe. I said that you make this guys sound like monsters out of a horror holodeck program. All Tuvok could say was that he sees and told Seven that Voyager could use her expertise again.  Then he asked her if she would return to the ship. She said that it would be acceptable. Tuvok said that they would take the other survivors of the Callisto as well. Then he stopped to thank me. Seven beamed up to Voyager with Tuvok. Flores told me that Seven of Nine has safely arrived on Voyager and the Vaadwaur threat on the ground here is over.  She told me that the Voth commander has indicated his forces will deal with any remaining hostiles. Then Flores said that we’re cleared to return to the Winchester on my command, which I immediately gave.

I soon as me and my away team beamed back to the Winchester, Tuvok contacted me and thanked me for assisting Seven and lending aid to the Turei.  Then he said that the discovery that their old foes, the Vaadwaur, have made such a leap in technology and are now threatening the entire quadrant is… troubling.  I told Tuvok that no one gets that advanced that fast, so this seems more than just a tad bit suspicious. Then I got a call from Seven, who thanked me. She said that, without my help, she and her team would’ve been killed by the Voth.  She said that she has to turn her attention to the Vaadwaur. Seven claimed that, since she is responsible for their return, she must assist in their defeat. I told Seven that it was really awesome to meet her and cut the channel. Chris told me that we’re clear to depart as soon as I’m ready.  Trust me when I say that I was ready. I contacted Commander Burgess who said that he read Admiral Janeway’s mission logs from Voyager. He claimed that it would be troublesome enough to have the Vaadwaur return in force — they’re an aggressive and difficult species but, if they have technology and forces that can defeat the Voth…  this does not bode well. First of all, way to stereo-type an entire species. Second of all, I think this danger goes without saying. Oh well, at least I got to team up with Seven of Nine. That will be a story I tell my daughter… if I ever get to meet her.

A/N: So, what did you think of Candy and her mission to expose the threat while fangirling over Seven of Nine?  Feel free to request a Captain’s Log or team up with one of my characters for a Star Trek Online mission that I haven’t already done.  You can request or team up with me to do a Star Trek Online mission I’ve already written if it’s from the point of view of another character.  For example, feel free to request for me to recap this mission with a different character.  You can also Role-Play in the comments with your own Star Trek created character, if you wish.