Growing instability caused by the fractured and imploded former Romulan Star Empire and the indefinite hold of the Odyssey Class sees many Aquarius Class craft, scheduled to reassignment as independent operating craft assigned to patrolling the Romulan Neutral Zone. The crew learn of their assignments. The newly commissioned USS Aquarius, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Dustin Cummins, makes best speed from the San Francisco Fleet Yards to Starbase 10 to begin operation as a Federation Boarder Patrol along the Romulan Neutral Zone.