Rescued

The U.S.S. Sovereign dropped from warp, scything through the skirmish like a thunderbolt. Two Galaxy-class starships followed, the pair flanking their successor, and the three turned every Jem'Hadar ship they engaged into scrap. In the center chair in the Sovereign's bridge Captain Sarah Reaves watched with satisfaction as the routing of Federation forces instead turned into their victory.
"Target the battle cruiser. Full spread."
A volley of quantum torpedoes, the projectiles a bright blue compared to the streaks of orange and purple, flew from their launchers to slam into the large enemy vessel, cracking it open like an egg.
"Sir, one of the bugs is rabbiting. The U.S.S. Pandora seems to be in pursuit but she's heavily damaged."
"Engage on an intercept course." Reaves settled in the chair, hers until the Sovereign's actual captain was healthy enough to be in command. "We'll destroy the attack ship and then save the Pandora."

The Sovereign sped away from its escorts, easily catching up with and then overtaking the smaller Pandora, and there seemed to be a moment of anti-climax when the Jem'Hadar attack ship was blown apart. Looping back Reaves ordered that the Intrepid-class vessel be caught in a tractor beam, the manoeuvre making the viewscreen switch from showing space to showing the Pandora's bridge.
"What the hell Sovereign?"
The woman who'd spoken was at the conn, a trio of gold pips on her turtleneck's collar, and Reaves scowled.
"Show some gratitude Commander. We just saved you."
"We had everything under control."
The small screen built into the arm of Reaves' chair lit up and she glanced down at it for a moment, reading the information being displayed.
"Your weapons are off-line, there are multiple hull breaches, and you have less than a third of a standard crew complement. How is that having everything under control?"
The commander visibly deflated, glancing over her shoulder at the only other living person on the bridge before facing the screen again.
"My apologies sir. It's been a long day."
"And now it's time to rest. We'll beam you and your crew aboard and assign guest quarters."

Reaves was waiting in the transporter room when the Pandora's bridge crew were beamed aboard, straightening when two columns of light began appearing on the pad. The columns solidified into two women and Reaves stepped forward, glancing down at the padd in her hand.
"Welcome aboard the Sovereign Commander Pressfield. I'm Captain Reaves and this is my first officer, Commander Ward."
Pressfield turned to Ward, pausing as she took in the other woman's appearance. Her uniform bore the wine-red of the command division but it was of a style used over a decade ago, the skant coming down to barely halfway down Ward's toned thighs, and Pressfield quirked an eyebrow.
"Captain Reaves runs an informal crew Commander Pressfield. It's all legal when it comes to the dress code."

Ward was assigned to escort Pressfield and Cain to their temporary cabins, the trio walking through the corridors as the Sovereign made its way towards the nearest repair facility. After making sure the two officers were settled Ward travelled up to the bridge, instantly making for the ready room when she saw that Reaves wasn't in the center chair.
"Pressfield and her crew have been housed and Engineering reports that the Pandora is still holding together."
"Good." Reaves turned to glance at the stretched-out stars. "Tugs have been dispatched to collect the most damaged vessels and our escorts have been assigned as their temporary replacements. Captain Patterson and his crew have also been cleared for duty."
"Back to home then?"
The captain nodded, tapping a button on the ready room desk to activate a wall-mounted display.
"I've been told it'll either be waiting for us at Starbase 836 or will be arriving a day or so after us."

The U.S.S. Aurelian was indeed waiting when the Sovereign dropped from warp on the edge of Starbase 836's defence perimeter, the sleek Excelsior cradled within one of the facility's spacedocks. There was a fierce pride within Reaves as she beheld her ship, better than the Sovereign despite the newer vessel's improvements, and she rose from the center chair, wishing she was already aboard the Aurelian. Handing the Pandora over to a tug Reaves glanced at Ward.
"Tell our guests to prepare to disembark. Best spread the word that we're disembarking too, just to avoid the mad scramble when I make it official."

The commander went first to where Pressfield had been quartered, pleased to find the surviving senior staff gathered around her.
"Commander Pressfield. As you might have guessed we've arrived at Starbase 836 and you'll soon be asked to disembark."
Pressfield tipped her head in acknowledgement, gesturing at the three officers around her, and they quickly filed out, leaving the two commanders alone.
"I have to thank you for the intervention against the Jem'Hadar. I was letting grief and a desire for revenge get the better of me."
Ward shook her head when Pressfield had finished, roughly understanding what had driven the other woman to the drastic action only the Sovereign had prevented.
"There are plenty of officers, and no doubt also civilians, who share what you felt. It was a perfectly natural reaction."
Pressfield smiled as she accepted Ward's comments, turning to grab the little duffel bag she'd beamed aboard with, and then the commanders both left the quarters, splitting up to corral their separate crews.

Reaves stroked the arms of her chair as the Aurelian came to life around her. Glancing up when she sensed a presence at her side the captain accepted the padd Ward was offering, scrolling through the text on its screen.
"Helm, plot a course for Starbase 375 and engage when ready. We've been assigned to the task force that'll retake Deep Space 9."