In the unforgiving void of space, every decision carries weight, and every command leaves an echo. For Caden Jarron, a rising officer in Starfleet, war isn't just a clash of ships and phaser fire-it's a game of intellect, culture, and strategy. From the blood-soaked battlefields of the Cardassian Wars to the tense brinkmanship of the Tzenkethi conflict, Caden forges a reputation as a tactical prodigy, a master of war who can outthink any enemy.
But as he ascends through the ranks, Caden begins to grapple with a truth few in Starfleet dare to acknowledge: victory comes at a price, and not all sacrifices are made on the battlefield. His growing detachment and cold brilliance win him admirers and enemies alike, and with each conflict, he moves further from the idealistic young cadet he once was.
When the Dominion War erupts, threatening to tear the Federation apart, Caden is thrust into the heart of the struggle-commanding fleets, outwitting enemies, and making impossible decisions that could save billions... or doom them. Yet even as he leads Starfleet to triumphs no one thought possible, the echoes of his command reverberate, reshaping not only the course of the war but his very soul.
Can Caden maintain his humanity in a world that demands ruthless logic? Or will he become the very thing he swore to protect the Federation from-a calculating force of power, willing to sacrifice anything for victory?
Echoes of Command is a gripping tale of leadership, sacrifice, and the dark side of tactical genius, set against the backdrop of some of the Federation's most pivotal conflicts. As Caden Jarron rises, so too do the stakes, and the line between hero and tyrant begins to blur. In war, every command echoes through time-and in space, those echoes can reach farther than anyone dares imagine.
Ever since discovering she's one of the mysterious Starborn and developed otherworldly powers, Lex has been searching for meaning beyond the ordinary, hoping to uncover the truth about who she really is. But her quest is derailed when United Colonies SysDef division blackmails her into infiltrating the infamous Crimson Fleet to bring them down from within. Reluctantly, she agrees, if only to get SysDef off her back and return to her journey with Constellation.
However, once aboard the Fleet's chaotic, dangerous world, Lex finds herself drawn to more than just their cause. The camaraderie, the freedom, and most of all, their magnetic leader, Delgado, stirs something in her she hadn't expected. What starts as a mission of deep undercover work turns into a profound war within her, as the Fleet begins to feel less like a target and more like the family she never knew she needed.
Torn between her duty and her desire, Lex must decide: will she risk everything she's ever known for the one who makes her feel truly alive-or is it all destined to fall apart?
CONTENT WARNING: This is an 18+ story and contains content warnings for graphic/sexual content as well as violence.
This story follows the UC SysDef questline in Starfield and beyond. I changed some dialogue to be more concise as well as adding my own spin on things that will be relevant later as the story progresses.