The Romulan "delegation" marched out of their shuttle pod, weapons raised and ready. V'hlas stepped through after them, a wicked smile displayed on his face. "First Minister, I must say it is an honor to meet you." The sarcasm dripped off his tongue, his grin growing.

T'pau observed him with trepidation, "your crew are armed".

It wasn't a question, more of a statement, perhaps a warning.

V'hlas didn't appreciate warnings, they conveyed threats, and threats were hardly appropriate in the Vulcans situation. His leer grew dangerous. He would need to teach these fools a lesson. "Yes, my crew are armed, and you're not." And with that he raised the disruptor, a burst of energy knocking the Vulcan off her feet…

Aboard the Enterprise:

"Captain, incoming message, it's from Captain Hernandez!"

"Put her through Ensign".

Explosions could be seen on the bridge as sparks flew."This is Hernandez, we are under attack, I repeat, reinforcements needed, respond, res-"

The message gurgled and screeched, before the screen went blank, leaving them to look at the endless stars.

Trip felt a panic take him, the overriding sensation flood through him as he realized the only possible explanation. The Ares had been in friendly territory, that meant-

"Hoshi! Put me through to all human ships, emergency broadcast!"

She nodded to him, his orders completed.

"This is Tucker, retreat, the Romulans have found us, I repeat, get the hell out of here, rendezvous at backup coordinates!"

He tried to soothe himself, to no lasting effect. "Helm, take us out of here, warp 5, now!"…

The remaining Captains that had managed to escape were in the conference room, yelling at each other. Once again, their numbers were lowered, and they found it possible to fight amongst themselves. Trip finally lost it, these squabbling morons would have to wait for their vocal competition.

"SHUT! UP!"

They all stared at him, Captain Tucker had never lost his cool. He was always the calm, reserved, one in charge.

"Now that I have your attention." He spat, rage bellowing behind every word. "I have decided, the Enterprise is going to find the Xindi."

Even Tucker couldn't stop the outcry that broke out after that. People were shaking their heads, banging the table, a few even got up and left.

"Tucker, you can't do that." The agreements rung throughout the room.

Tucker stood up and glared, every member in the room glared right back at him. He felt the tingles of doubt begin to seep through his mind, but he stomped them down, viciously.

"You assholes aren't going to save our race, but I sure as hell am gonna try. Now, if any of you has a problem with that, you'd better do something about it." Each word was growled with menace, no one said a thing.

"Good, dismissed"…