It was weird, the planet had a jungle atmosphere of constant raining weather. But the heat was caused by the sun being near the planet. It created a thick cloud layer that barely gave sunlight to surface. The dim, humid, and cluttered safehouse, with its metallic walls dripping the condensation as an effect of the heat. Faint static buzzes from a salvaged terminal showed information that both Alara and Rhixa had found during their last scout of the area.

The information shows supply routes, a central vein where all mined resources are funneled for orbital transportation. The tension in the room hums low, the cadets were worn and some had sleep-deprived. Meanwhile, K’Nala sat there, arms crossed and tail flicking, looking at Rhixa.

She swallows, voice trembles. But not from fear, but fury “It’s their artery, Lieutenant. If we hit it, we make them go limp.” Rhixa pointed out, tapping on the console, but looking at K’Nala.

Meanwhile, Alara stood against the wall, near Rhixa. She had no real contribution to the given information, as it spoke for itself. The data was there, truth to the bone, and yet it was not the biggest challenge. Alara eyes looked at K’Nala, she was the biggest challenge, convincing their dean.

Stepping slowly forward, the young Vulcan spoke “If we do not act, the window will close, Lieutenant. Logic dictates action” Verrik was not one for action, but saw reason in Rhixa data.

K’Nala face is bathed in the flickering light from a malfunctioning light strip that was on the ceiling. “We’rrre not soldierrrs” It was more a line that she says to herself then to them. But her claw quietly extends, tapping the side of the chair. “But we arrre Starfleet” She saw the fury in Rhixa, wanting to combat her in the wise logic that she gave, yet knew she was right.

The cadets fell quiet by that statement.

Sitting there on the chair, K’Nala looked at a crumpled piece of Federation cloth on the table. A child’s scream echoes in her memory, the civilian casualty that only happened a week before. Her mind wanders off to a flashback of where she sat at her console on USS Mariner bridge, looking behind she saw Sazra sitting there “What do you mean, Captain?”

Sazra gave her a warm smile, “I mean, that command isn’t about being ready, it’s about stepping forward when no one else can. Whatever situation is, or is thrown in your face, we make choices and command carries the consequence. Thus, it is my responsibility, taken no action and it might get worse. So if you see an opening, even if it’s a slim part of it, consider taken it if you know what the outcome will be”.

Her eyes blink, and she looked around, seeing the cadets still quiet, not knowing what to do. The logic of Verrik was valid, they needed to act. But they’re not soldiers, they are Starfleet. Cadets, yes, but no longer children.

Slowly stepping forward, “Lieutenant” Alara began, “We need to do something, we can’t stay in this survival act until the Eclipse is done.” She saw K’Nala eyes focus on her, “We see people die out there, but realize that what we are seeing here is only a fraction of what the Vaadwaur are doing to the galaxy”.

Liss shrugs, sitting on the couch, “How long are we to ignore it?  I’m tired of seeing people being used as just mere tools for their war machine” The emotion was valid, was true and pure for Liss. “You say we are Starfleet, but I also learned that Starfleet is hope” She felt tears building up “I don’t feel Starfleet right now, doing nothing but watch people in agony. I don’t want to know how the galaxy is now, how family is suffering…”

The room goes quiet once more, Shaari comforting Liss as Rhixa spoke up “You think, we don’t understand the loaded risk of this mission? But understand, we’re the ones watching it every single day. Unable to do anything while they beat people. That’s why we want to fight”.

K’Nala eyes slowly scans the room, seeing the fire, the emotion, and fatigue in their eyes. Tail making slow moves from left to right as if a snake was dancing in the air. There was no begging, no pleads in those cadet eyes, only resolve. These cadets were not kids, as she had been treating them, they were thinking like officers. No, they were thinking like Starfleet Officers.

It was a huge risk, but K’Nala tap stops as she mutters to herself “The weight of command” Her eyes looked up at them “Prrrep what you need. We hit it at first light” With that she stood up and walked out of the room, leaving the cadets alone.

Shaari breathes out. Alara’s jaws still tighten by the focus. As Verrik nods briefly. The pulse is still faint… but now it has a beat with the cadets.