The failure of Operation Return and the loss of most, if not all of the assault fleet hit morale hard, and would continue to be hit hard in the days to come. After Operation Return there was the loss of over five hundred klingon and Federation ships at the Battle of Starbase 357. Then there was the defeat of Chancellor Gowron's "Grand Armada" over Qo'nos, and the genocide of the Klingon people. The breaking point came when a fleet of cloaked battlecruisers from the till then neutral Breen Confederacy ambushed and burned the 1st Fleet within five minutes, and the Dominion marched on Earth itself.

That last thing heard from the Federation was Admiral Picard's quadrant-wide order of Case: Burning Citadel. The order for all Starfleet ships to scatter, to run as far as they could and ensure that some part of the Federation survived. Nothing has been heard from Admiral Picard or his 19th Fleet since then.

Since then nothing's been heard but unconfirmed rumors. Apparently Gul Dukat was discovered conspiring with the Romulans and has been executed. Damar is now the leader of the Cardassian Empire and the Romulan Empire is being crushed by the might of the Dominion. Any day now you expect to hear of Romulus' fall.

You have gathered in a nebula with sensor dampening properties. Despite being in unclaimed space between the pre-war Federation, the Klingon Empire, and the Cardassians you're safe from patrols because of how far you are from the frontlines. As far as you know you represent the last of your respective navies and have gathered in this temporary haven to discuss what to do next.

So, what's next, captain?