Sorry it took so long to review this, but time got away from me. This is Star Trek as it should be written. Pretty straighforward without the over-the-top reliance on technobabble to get the characters out of jams. The characters become central to the plot and its conclusion rather than the technology. Well done.

Aw! The poor captainy person...
I like the story and the idea for the name for the aliens. I'm tired neough now that I'll go and check if you've written anything else.
Think I've got the hang of masochism.
Write more!

This was a very good and deep update. More please.

That was... moving. I enjoyed it throughly, and look forward to future installments. Your view of the Trek universe reminds me of my own in a way - though yours is far more eloquent. This is what Star Trek Enterprise should have been.

Thanks for the great ride!

-FT

As usual, fantastic job. Can't help but to like LCDR Lester though. She's just too danged eager to NOT like.

Eagerly looking forward to reading the next installment!