Star Trek: Nexus

Captain's Log, Stardate 88020.

"We have finally arrived and are in high orbit above Kobali Prime, a Class-M moon orbiting a gas giant. After decades of bloody war, it is my hope that we can help close the book on the Kobali-Vaadwaur conflict once and for all. My senior staff and I are assembled in the boardroom for our mission pre-brief, with our resident Kobali, Lieutenant Keten, leading as liaison officer."

In the boardroom, Lieutenant Keten stood by the main viewscreen, his face solemn as he introduced the planet displayed on the screen.

"Kobali Prime," he began, "was a desolate planet before my people found it. Back in the 2320s, the Kobali were a nomadic society. When they discovered this world, it held vast, empty cities—fully intact but abandoned. We claimed it as our homeworld, building a new life among the remnants of another civilization."

He took a steadying breath before continuing, "By the 2400s, our society was well-established. When a great plague decimated our population, the Necro Virus was discovered—a grim solution, but it saved us from extinction."

Chief Medical Tegris gave a curt nod. "A virus that reanimates the dead of other races, transforming them into living Kobali," he remarked, his tone clinical. "Crude. Less efficient than assimilation, but effective."

Commander Neil O'Reilly leaned forward, looking from Tegris to Keten. "The Vaadwaur aren't exactly popular in the Delta Quadrant, but why this blood feud with the Kobali?"

Keten's face tightened as he explained, "When the Vaadwaur were awakened by the Voyager crew, they intended to reclaim their former territories. Unfortunately for them, one of their planned homeworlds was Kobali Prime."

Neil nodded. "So, they woke up to find someone else living on their land. And they want it back."

"More than that," Keten replied, his voice subdued. "Kobali Prime was one of their primary hibernation worlds. There were literally millions of Vaadwaur in cryogenic pods when we settled here. The systems went unattended, and they died. With no one to stop us, we... used their bodies to rebuild our numbers."

Lieutenant Veirik broke the silence that followed. "So the Kobali didn't just take their land," he said grimly. "They took their dead."

Keten nodded, visibly uneasy. "Exactly. The surviving Vaadwaur accuse us of abandoning the hibernation systems intentionally, of committing a slow genocide. They believe we killed them off as a species."

Lieutenant Heluna shivered in her seat. "Brutal on both sides. No wonder the war's lasted so long."

Captain Anzyl Praxas straightened, looking around the table. "Thank you, Lieutenant. That brings us to our mission. The Vaadwaur can't replenish their numbers like the Kobali. Every battle lost weakens them, while the Kobali merely reanimate their fallen. At long last, the Vaadwaur have agreed to a ceasefire. Our job is to assist in the peace talks as a neutral third party."

He looked to Keten. "Lieutenant Keten, Dr. Kayuli, and I will attend the peace summit. The rest of you will be stationed across the capital and surrounding settlements to help with reconstruction."

He turned to Eroga and Tey'un. "Eroga, you're in charge of coordinating the operations teams. Tey'un, you'll handle restoring their power grid. Everyone else, report to Eroga for assignments."

With a final nod, Captain Anzyl dismissed them. "All right. Let's make it count. Dismissed."

—

The sky over Kobali Prime was hazy with ash and streaked with mist, hues of blue and violet deepening into warm pinks, reds, and oranges along the horizon. A towering gas giant loomed overhead, its turbulent clouds casting shadows over the mountain-studded landscape.

Kobali City stretched out before them, a mix of gleaming concrete structures and neon-lit towers. The architecture, sharp and geometric, was softened by the pastel reflections of the gas giant. The scene would have been beautiful, were it not for the lingering smoke and haze—a reminder of the war that had scarred this world.

The Nexus crew materialized in the heart of the city's main square, white flashes dissipating as they took in their surroundings. Keten inhaled deeply, but the smell of smoke and burnt debris made him cough. He straightened quickly, nodding to Captain Anzyl.

"Just… not as clean as I remember it," he managed, trying to smile.

Beside him, Neil observed the war-torn cityscape, his voice low. "Years of conflict will do that to a place. Let's hope this is the last of it."

As the team gathered, two Kobali women approached them. The older one greeted them warmly, her face breaking into a smile as her eyes met Keten's.

"Keten!" she exclaimed, drawing him into a warm embrace. "It's been too long."

"Jhet'laya," Keten replied, smiling as they stepped back from each other. "It's good to see you."

Jhet'laya turned to Anzyl and Neil. "Welcome, Captain, Commander. My people are deeply grateful for the Nexus's presence here. My daughter Q'Rel and I are honored to have you with us."

Anzyl looked at the younger Kobali woman beside her, who appeared only a few years younger than her mother. Unlike Jhet'laya, Q'Rel's features were subtly different—slightly pointed ears and a more subdued pattern of Kobali markings, suggesting mixed heritage.

"Greetings, Captain," Q'Rel said, her voice calm, with the characteristic detachment of a Vulcan. "It is gratifying to see both you and Commander O'Reilly again."

Anzyl raised an eyebrow, glancing between Jhet'laya and Q'Rel. "Jhet'laya, forgive me, but… you said Q'Rel is your daughter? She doesn't look much younger than you, and she… well, she doesn't look entirely Kobali."

Neil added, studying Q'Rel's features. "You also sound familiar, Q'Rel."

Q'Rel and Jhet'laya exchanged glances, both bearing a solemn expression.

"That's because…" Jhet'laya began slowly, choosing her words carefully. "She was once someone else."

Q'Rel stepped forward, her voice steady. "I am Lieutenant Kinvolk, in my former life." She looked directly at Anzyl and Neil, her expression unchanging. "Along with 1,800 others of my now Kobali brothers and sisters, I died on the Nexus. Under your command."