"All systems are failing!", calls the young apprentice, their teal-toned fingers frantic as they dart across the console.

As the walls of the small science vessel continue to shudder, so do the occupants housed within. The meagre crew had begun a survey of this particular portion of space, drawn in by unusual readings and strange objects. At first, it seemed the pieces had been rocks or ice chunks of some sort. Yet, what the crew had found were shards of debris. And, whatever had occurred to other vessels here before, seems to now happen to this one.

The trembling quickly worsens, near bone-shattering as it does, and the ship seems to almost fall apart around them.

"We need to abandon the ship!" Through the chaos, a higher-ranked crew member's voice seems to break through.

"There's no time!" A third figure now hollers, as light and sound merge in a blindingly catastrophic clash.

It happens before any of the souls even begin to escape, and the small craft disintegrates into a cloud of metal and dust.

ooo

"Are you certain of this, Nyota?" A hand is placed upon her cheek, so tender and soft in its touch.

"Yes, I'm ready now."

She gazes into his eyes, her mind awash with all they had discussed in the moments before. Of a future, one that they had previously talked about, dabbled in the possibilities, yet weren't quite ready for. Until now, of course.

As she guides him to the bed, with a hand grasping his, that future remains at the forefront of her mind.

ooo

As their love culminates and all motions are ceased, he dismounts from her, and a hand once again gives her face its gentle caress. Their crowns touch and something begins to blossom. Through all the heat and residual ambience, there is an added warmth. Not from the room itself, but from them. And, as that warmth spreads, it almost seems like a new light, with arms encircled and forms held taut.

That future plays within their joint mind's eye, and whatever the possible outcome, a smile is made by her all the same.

ooo

Comfortable within the plush bedding, and with a lengthy figure beside her, the Communications Officer awakens. Her chronometer has signalled the morning's arrival, and the dormant Vulcan had heard it, just as she. He, by nature, is already an early-riser, even more so being First Officer; similarly, while she rather enjoys a good sleep, she too prides herself in an early start.

Both officers meet the alarm seemingly well-rested, and ready for what the day holds.

While their morning rituals are performed with the usual amount of efficiency, there is a trill of a communication screen, and a summons for them both. From none other than their Captain.

ooo

"There have been reports of ships going missing in an isolated section of space not too far from here." Within his ready room, Kirk makes his speech upon their arrival.

"I recently picked up some residual comms signals", the Lieutenant begins her reply. "Scrambled transmissions, most likely from multiple ships: so far, I've only discerned three different languages."

The moment she glides a PADD towards her Captain, the Vulcan by her side studies his own device. With these two officers well learned in their respective fields, it is unsurprising to their commandant that they are already privy to this oddly disquieting situation.

"Sensors have detected some rather...perplexing readings." And now, the PADD of the First Officer is passed along, gliding over the glossy table.

All information gathered by the intuitive pair now within his hand, the Captain reviews it thoughtfully.

There is soon a pause, and his eyes glare at the screens before him. The cogs whirling within his mind, he seems momentarily distracted from the two officers sharing this very room. Then, he glances upward, and his attention returns.

"I want to find out what's going on. While I could send junior officers who can probably handle the mission, I'd like to send you – both of you – instead. I think that, with your combined skillsets, it can be done faster. That's all I'm asking: just a quick in-and-out, find out whatever you can. Gather any clues as to what's causing these disappearances. The moment anything goes wrong, make a break for it. Transporters will be on stand-by if it gets too dicey. Let's just...hope it doesn't come to that. I probably don't have to ask this, but are you two up to the task?"

"Yes, Captain." The Lieutenant is the first to make her response, eager as he to find the answers to this mystery. All those vessels, all those souls...lost to the depths of space itself.

"I also would like to investigate this situation further, Captain." Indeed, the Vulcan would find a scientific interest in these incidents, hoping the answers would lie in that field he knows so well.

And of course, a concern much like that of his two crewmates.

"Alright, I'll have a shuttle ready for you...", soon Kirk rises from his seat, followed by the two officers. Just before their departure, he offers them some final words. Although, they may not need it, he offers it all the same.

"Good luck."