"Marshal, did you see any bodies in the area where we came through?" Starwind asked.
"Well..." Nechiev thought, "I heard reports a Cardassian patrol captured a Federation officer from that system free-floating in an environmental suit with about two minutes of oxygen left. He's probably at Terok Nor. And our Starfleet spies have told us that Captain Riker's ship has a science officer they found in that system, but that's rather nonsensical."
"Tell me about the guy the Cardassians found." Starwind leaned forward with interest.
"Human. Federation. Put up a fight. I don't know a lot." Nechiev shook her head.
"Arrogant?" Starwind asked.
"Yeah. Why?" Nechiev finally asked.
"That's my first officer. He fell through the vortex durrind a temporal distortion resulting from the original explosion of the Tabernacle." Starwind tried to explain to a confused Nechiev, "Let's change the subject."
"Captain, can I ask you something?" Nechiev stood and looked out at space.
"Shoot." Starwind stood as well.
"Do you think we're doing the right thing?" Nechiev said calmly, "My Interplanetary Defense Legion... we claimed, quite correctly, the 'Might for Right' adage back then. Now I'm worried this war, which we now can only simply wait for the dawn of, I'm worried that by doing this I've compromised the ideals I once held dear. Is this war a last resort? Is this kind of violence right?"
"Aleena," Starwind stood still, "Were I where you are, I would do the same. Is is a last resort? It is the only resort. Diplomatic channels weren't working and until they recognized you as a nation, they wouldn't work. Is it right? That is a more weighted question."
"And what will you do here?" Nechiev asked.
"Try to find a way home, and try to stay alive." Starwind answered.
"That's it?" Nechiev asked.
"Marshal, you're fishing." Starwind said, sitting down.
"Look, we need all the help we can get, Victor." Nechiev said bluntly, "Starfleet is more powerful than our coalition by about five times."
"And you want us to fight alongside you." Starwind said.
"Yes."
"You know, that could be considered treason."
"I know."
"As long as you know." Starwind stood again, "I must go back to my ship now."
"Thank you, Vic." Nechiev sat down at her desk.