"So how long is the journey again?"

"Six and a half months"

"Do you know if we're being followed?"

"Not sure Ensign but I think we're safe for now"

For the next six months Ashland taught the Ensign what she could in the escape pod and finally they made it to Coruscant

"Sentinel Portland to Coruscant control come in"

"This is Coruscant control go ahead Sentinel Portland"

"Requesting permission to head directly to the Jedi temple"

"Negative, head to the Senate, Federation representatives need report, they said that they haven't heard anything from their superiors in five months"

"Five months!? I understand control heading directly to the Senate"

Ten minutes later the two officers were being escorted to where the representatives currently were, which was with two new Senators

"Ah, here are two Starfleet officers Senators, they should be able to explain their organization better than we are unfortunately"

"Sorry Representative Sola but we need to talk in private"

"Surely you have time to explain how Starfleet works, sadly we've been doing poorly in our explanations, seeing as how you're here you can take over"

"Situation Omega 9"

"Oh, sorry Senators but you can't stay, you don't have the right clearance to hear what they are about to say, maybe they can explain Starfleet later?"

"Actually, seeing as how the Ensign is new to the whole thing how about he explains Starfleet to the Senators while I explain the current situation to you"

"But Sentinel..."

"That's an order Ensign"

"Yes Sentinel"

Two hours later Ashland tapped her commbadge

"Sentinel Portland to Ensign Delgado"

"Ensign Delgado here go ahead"

"We've finished the needed conversation you can come back with the two Senators now"

"On our way"

Five minutes later everyone was together again and Ashland explained some of the other things about Starfleet that they asked about, seeing as how according to them Ensign Delgado apparently couldn't explain some of what they asked about

"I'm honestly not surprised he didn't know any of that information especially because he graduated before other Jedi started to join"

"You know Sentinel these two will have to know some of what brought us here in the first place when we go to the Senate meeting tomorrow"

(Sighs) "I know but only the essentials and that's for everyone except our Representatives because they deserved the whole story"

"But considering what we're asking of them..."

"I know, and honestly I'm hoping beyond hope that some of my plan tomorrow works because otherwise...well it won't just be you listening to my orders Ensign and you know why"

"You're right I do"

The next day the Senate talks about several other things but finally the Federation Representatives were called forward and Portland was standing next to them

"Representative Norway why is there a Starfleet officer with you?"

"Because Senator she has critical information that I didn't give you yesterday when I requested being the main speaker of this meeting"

"Then can the officer state her name, rank and why she is here?"

"I am Freshman Sentinel Ashland Portland of Starfleet and I come here before you today to tell you that the Federation has most likely fallen, though I am hoping with your permission to use Senate equipment to try and reach any surviving ship. My ship the Texas was attacked six and a half months ago, one and a half months before the Representatives lost contact with the President of the United Federation of Planets, that attack was swift and precise. I escaped with Ensign Delgado per my orders after taking a Force inhibitor that Starfleet made when I first joined them that lasted for forty-eight hours due to the fact that the enemy was targeting Jedi for unknown reasons. I am requesting that due to the loss of Federation space you allow the Federation to start rebuilding here in the Republic, even if it only starts with the Ensign and I at least it's a start"

"I will of course allow that, now then who do you want to contact so that you have more than just us fighting back?"

"I am going to contact the flagship of the Federation. Freshman Sentinel Portland to USS ENTERPRISE come in please...Sentinel Portland to Enterprise respond...United Federation of Planets USS ENTERPRISE please respond"

Finally they get a response

"This is Captain Picard of the Enterprise go ahead Sentinel"

Ashland lets out a huge sigh of relief before responding

"Captain how many ships are still in existence?"

"Only three of us are still able to fight, and that's because we're either lucky or have managed to stay alive through strategy"

"Are there any planets still free?"

"Just Cardassia and they aren't even part of the Federation, plus they are close to falling as well"

"And the Dominion?"

"They too were conquered"

"I see, can the three surviving ships make it to Republic space in decent time?"

"Describe decent and why Republic space?"

"Decent would be within eight months factoring in any engine damage, and Republic space because quite frankly that's where I am right now and it's the only safe place I could think of"

"Wait, where's your ship?"

"Captain Picard, I thought you knew that the Texas was the first ship to fall"

"Sorry Sentinel I didn't know, things happened so fast I didn't get full reports"

"Understood Captain"

"We'll be there within seven months Sentinel I promise"

"Thanks Captain Picard, in the meantime I think the Republic is going to start drills so that when you arrive all we'll have to do is integration drills so that we can all work seamlessly"

The conversation ends and then other issues in regards to the loss of the Federation was discussed

"Sentinel why don't you lead our forces in battle?"

"Only until Captain Picard arrives, once that happens I will turn command over to whoever has the longest term in rank, which most likely will be Captain Picard"

Seven months later she would turn out to be correct because the other two ships, the Melbourne and the Mississippi were actually being commanded by two officers with the rank of Commander

"Captain Picard I officially hand command of our fighting Forces to you"

"Thank you Sentinel Portland, you've been fighting a lot these past seven months haven't you?"

(Sighs in exhaustion) "I have Captain, how did you know?"

"Your eyes, tell me has the enemy that destroyed the Federation made their way here?"

"They've tried but failed every time sir, the most recent battle was two days ago...I think"

"You think?"

The Chancellor speaks up