Captain Osagawa sipped at his tea and began dictating his Captain's Log.
"Captain's Log, stardate 61054. The discovery of a previously-uncharted wormhole has enabled our speedy return to the Alpha Quadrant; we anticipate arrival at Deep Space 9 within four days. This has proven most fortuitous given the mutinous actions of Admiral Beard. I am afraid my crew, already pushed to the limits, will be called upon once again to go even farther. They have proven to be an exceptional crew; everything Admiral Pike said about them has proven to be absolutely true.
"On that note, I am promoting Lieutenant Commander Tumock permanently to the position of First Officer, with promotion in rank to Commander recommended as soon as his time-in-grade requirement has been met. I am placing Commander Nadira in the position of Intelligence Officer and have expressed my desire that she continue on with our crew until she gains her own command; the intelligence posting will be desperately needed in the coming campaign and will help with Ms. Nadira's career development.
"Commendations are recommended for both officers as well as for Lieutenant Commanders Markos and Carter, Lieutenants Brock and Nige, Lieutenants Junior Grade Haakon, Beckett, Benson, and Brown, and First Lieutenant Artel.
"Under the authority granted me by Starfleet I hereby order a quarantine of the Zinak Cluster until such time as rapproachment may be achieved with the Protectors. It is just as well that we leave the Guardians of Forever alone, and they appear to be in good hands with the Protectors--no doubt as their masters intended. I regret that so many on both sides had to die over a matter of miscommunication.
"Reconstruction of ship's systems continues apace, with the survivors of the crew of the Howard Carter becoming integrated with the Knight's crew. With any luck our replacements should already be waiting for us at Deep Space 9 when we arrive. Requisitions are hereby placed for a squadron of Peregrine-class fighter craft; Ms. Carter has been charged with locating likely pilot candidates from among the crew for training. I have also placed a recommendation with Starfleet Command for a Marine platoon to be posted aboard the Knight under First Lieutenant Artel's command. How long either of these requests take to be processed is anyone's guess...
"Condolence letters are to be sent to the next of kin for nearly 200 personnel; as the ranking Starfleet officer present in the theatre the odious task falls to me. Perhaps tomorrow it will be more palatable than it has so far been today. End log."
With that, Captain Osagawa turned off his terminal and returned to his quarters for his nightly meditation. A visitor to Osagawa's ready room would have noticed a minor addition to the decor: pictures of his long-dead wife and daughter on his desk.