The Enemy Of My Enemy

A former ally returns to cause mayhem for the Odyssey Squadron.

The Enemy Of My Enemy – 1

USS Odyssey (NCC-80000), Swallow Nebula Region, Delta Quadrant
Stardate: 78758

Like two great armies standing on a battlefield, ready to charge at one another, the Odyssey Squadron stood shoulder to shoulder in front of the Cardassian ships. Though there were only three Cardassian ships (all of them Keldon-class cruisers), the Cardassians were apparently resolute in their steadfastness. They were not intimidated by the seven Starfleet ships that stood before them. They outnumbered two to one and the larger more powerful Starfleet ships, like the Odyssey, Themis and Destiny could easily defeat them. Having the Constitution, Bellerophon, Triton and Orion with them, only enforced the superior hand that Starfleet had in the situation. Instead of opening fire on each other, the two leaders of each group had agreed to meet. There was no need for either of them to attack each other. 

The tension in the room was palpable as Gul Jacet was shown to the conference room with three of his aides. All of them were glinns and did not speak unless he gave them his authority to speak. 

McCallister, Duncan, Horin and Flemen entered a few seconds later. Keli stood nearby with another security officer, while two more stood outside the door, ready in case any trouble ensued. McCallister wasn’t hoping for that, but he could not ignore the uncertainty of the situation. 

After the necessary pleasantries were once again exchanged between each party, they all sat down to start their discussion, the formality of the setting adding weight to the impending conversation. 

“I must admit, Gul Jacet, you weren’t someone we expected to see here,” McCallister shared, his surprise evident in his tone. 

Jacet smirked at that. It was apparent that he had liked putting Starfleet’s nose out of joint. “Hope our appearance hasn’t surprised you too much.”

“Starfleet is committed to peaceful coexistence with all of its neighbours,” McCallister reminded Jacet. He was intent on not letting Jacet get under his skin, especially since he had left the last time they met, stating he was a friend. McCallister wanted to know his intentions. “So, how have you been since we last saw you?”

“Well, thank you,” Jacet said, still with that awful grin. “And you? I see you’ve been promoted. Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” McCallister replied. “So, let’s get down to business. Why are you here, and will your presence be an issue for us?”

Jacet scoffed. “Come now, Commodore McCallister, we’ve fought alongside each other to prevent a terrible biological weapon from being used against your people; we’ve defeated the last remnants of the Dominion. Do we need to be coy with one another?”

“I won’t deny that our previous working relationship was very amicable, and we appreciated your help greatly in saving Divinium Four, but if memory serves me correctly, you did so to correct an omission on your part,” McCallister stated.

“I’ve paid my debt, commodore,” Jacet responded.

“So, why are you here?” McCallister asked again. 

Rolling his eyes, Jacet shook his head in disbelief. “Once again, Starfleet shows its superior than others attitude when it comes to exploration,” He paused as he considered his words. “Exploration.”

“You’re lying,” Horin bluntly said. The Betazoid counsellor had been sat quietly to McCallister’s left. “Your intentions aren’t the same as ours,” She added.

“And your insincerity with the commodore is a delaying tactic. Which begs the question, why is a heavily armed Cardassian squadron here so far from Cardassian space?” Flemen added. 

Chuckling, Jacet looked to his aides and back to his Federation counterparts. “We don’t answer to Starfleet.”

“Maybe not, but you’ve still not reassured us that your presence here is not a threat to our intentions,” Duncan countered. 

“Ah, yes, because your intentions are honourable,” Jacet said sarcastically. His continued amusement was laced in his words. “We’re aware that your ships have been assigned to the Delta Quadrant for some time, commodore. That is no hidden secret.”

“The Odyssey and her squadron are well-known in this quadrant,” McCallister reminded Jacet. 

“All thanks to that former lost ship of yours and the use of the Barzan Wormhole,” Jacet countered. “But that’s changed with the opening of underspace across the entire galaxy.” 

“A new day dawns upon us all,” McCallister said, leaning forward and placing his clasped hands on the table. “We could work together for the benefit of all in our efforts to explore this area.”

Jacet’s amusement now reached a whole new level as he gave out a louder laugh that came from deep down in his belly. “Oh, Commodore, I have missed our exchanges.” He leant forward. “Let’s be honest here; there won’t be any exchanges or working together. What has happened to the galaxy is a menace to everyone. Even your Turei allies aren’t happy with these new corridors being opened.”

“Starfleet Command has noted the Turei’s concerns, but given time, we could all benefit from learning from one another about the use of the underspace corridors. Surely even the Union can see the long-term advantages?” McCallister challenged.

“Oh, we’re quite aware of the long-term implications, commodore, and they don’t give us much hope that things will improve,” Jacet replied. “However, to answer your original question, my squadron won’t interfere with your squadron’s operations. Please go ahead and do your exploration while we conduct our matters.”

Considering his words for a moment, McCallister leant back in his chair. He knew his exchanges with Jacet wouldn’t produce anything more productive or provide concrete reasons they were here. Instead, he just nodded and stood up. “Then I will take your word for it and hope that our past relationship of working shoulder-to-shoulder will ensure we can conduct our separate operations amicably.”

Jacet stood up. “Likewise, commodore.”

“Lieutenant Commander Keli will escort you and your party back to the transporter room,” Duncan advised, giving Keli a motion to show the guests out. 

Jacet bowed his head out of respect, and as he reached the doorway, he turned around and looked back at McCallister. “Commodore, ]your Starfleet is fortunate enough to know this area and have access to the Barzan Wormhole.”

When Jacet was out of the room, and the door was closed, McCallister turned to the others. “Thoughts?”

“They’re up to something; we should tell Starfleet,” Duncan answered.

“If the Union is concerned about the chaos the underspace corridors bring, it wouldn’t surprise me if they try to fortify apertures that lead back to their space,” Flemen added. “We should get our new chief science officer to determine how Jacet got here.”

“I agree with Craigen,” Horin said. “Jacet, though he thinks he is an honourable man, is undoubtedly delivering on a strategy the Union has devised. This is big, as I could sense he was doing his best to hide whatever is deep within his thoughts.”

“And he certainly didn’t seem bothered about our possible plans in making diplomatic contact with the locals,” Flemen stated. “It was almost as if he didn’t care what we did.”

“Yes, I got that too; it’s almost as if he knows we want to make diplomatic ties in the area, but what we’re going to do wouldn’t be a nuisance to him,” Horin theorised. “And his remarks about the Barzan Wormhole, it makes me think he cares we can still use it.”

Duncan looked at McCallister after a sudden lull of silence between the officers. “You don’t think they know how to close the apertures?”

McCallister crossed his arms. “I didn’t think they could be.”

“Perhaps we need to get our new chief science officer to review that possibility,” Flemen suggested. 

McCallister looked at Duncan and nodded to him to get Reddick on it. “This could all be speculation, but I’d prefer not to find ourselves without a way to get back.”

“Especially as we’re so far away from either end of the Barzan Wormhole,” Horin said as she crossed her arms. 

“So, do we just stay here and wait for the Cardassians to do something?” Flemen asked.

McCallister considered his options. “They only have three ships here, so I say we proceed with our plan but leave a few ships behind to guard the aperture.”

“Who gets the babysitting duties then?” Duncan asked.

McCallister turned to Duncan. “Odyssey, Themis and Orion.” 

Duncan chuckled. “Thanks.”

“I know it’s not glamorous, but it gives you all time to study the aperture and the underspace corridor to see if they can be collapsed and determine how the Cardassians got here. Also, all three of you have starfighters that can be launched to help defend the aperture. In the meantime, I’ll start our mission of making some diplomatic overtures with the locals.”

“And if the Cardassians don’t like us staying behind?” Duncan asked.

“Don’t worry, we’ll keep everyone close, as planned so that if anything goes wrong, we can all get back to one another quickly,” McCallister advised. 

“So, who’s ship will you transfer your flag to, commodore?” Flemen asked, smirking. 

“Oh, I’ve got one in mind,” McCallister smirked as they made their way out of the conference room. “But its captain isn’t going to be happy to have their big brother crashing on his sofa!”

The Enemy Of My Enemy – 3

USS Odyssey (NCC-80000), Swallow Nebula Region, Delta Quadrant
Stardate: 78758.32

“Ma’am, can you take a look at this, please?” Cadet Scott Florrick politely asked from the secondary science station. His face was quizzing what he was reading on the console before him, and turning to the ship’s chief science officer was the only course of action he could take now. 

Reddick turned around in her chair to look at the young man behind her. She locked her console before she made the move. Remaining optimistic, Reddick hoped that what Florrick asked her to look at would help them. She hoped. “Of course, cadet, what is it?” 

“I think we may be looking at our scans from the wrong perspective,” Florrick shared as he moved slightly to let her see his console. 

Intrigued by his take on their investigation, Reddick moved her chair closer to him to see what he had found. 

Florrick was one of her cadets, and she had brought her from the Kovar campus with her. Florrick was in his twenties, had been born on Kovar and raised there. He was highly intelligent and a keen scientist in the making. She had taken Florrick in as her own protege. In the last two years, he had shown an interest in astrophysics, so having him with her while they tried to work out what the Cardassians were up to was not just a learning opportunity for him, but also a chance for her to show Captain Duncan his trust in her to produce results was well-founded. 

Florrick pushed his dark red hair back as he pointed to the sensor readings he was studying. His holographic display showed a complex map of the local area, illuminated with clusters of brightly coloured data points. Florrick began, his voice steady but filled with a sense of urgency, “I’ve been analysing the tetryon emissions we’ve been detecting in this region,” Florrick tapped a series of commands into the console, causing the data points on the screen to shift and overlay with additional layers of information. “These are the initial scans of the tetryon emissions,” he explained. “At first glance, they appear as random clusters. However, when you overlay multiple scans taken over time…” He gestured to the screen as the data transformed, revealing intricate, recurring geometric patterns. “A pattern emerges.”

Reddick’s eyes narrowed as she studied the display. “What kind of pattern are we looking at?”

Florrick zoomed in on one of the clusters, highlighting its precise arrangement. “These patterns aren’t natural. Natural tetryon emissions, influenced by cosmic events, would be more chaotic. But these are precise and consistent over time.”

He brought up a timeline chart on the screen, showing the stability of the emissions. “These pockets don’t move or dissipate as natural phenomena would. They remain static as if anchored in place.”

Reddick crossed her arms, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Could it be some naturally occurring anomaly we haven’t encountered before?”

“I considered that possibility,” Florrick replied, “but then I conducted a multi-spectral analysis of the emissions.” He pulled up a series of spectral graphs, displaying them on the screen. “The emissions exhibit anomalies that match the signatures of known artificial tetryon sources—technology used in advanced cloaking devices and communication arrays. The spectral fingerprints are too specific to be random.”

Reddick’s expression turned serious. “So you’re suggesting these emissions are artificial?”

“Yes, I think so, ma’am,” Florrick responded confidently. “And I think I know the source.”

“Let me guess,” Reddick asked. “The Cardassians?”

Florrick nodded. “I am detecting faint emissions from their ships based on the partial scans we’ve been able to take.”

“Did I overhear Cardassians and tetryon emissions?” Tomaz asked as he walked across the bridge.

Reddick looked up at the young Barzan strategic operations officer as he approached her. She smiled at him. “Mister Florrick thinks he has found a clue to what the Cardassians are doing here.”

“Well, I can confirm for you what they’re doing,” Tomaz shared as he raised a PADD. “I’ve just heard from Starfleet Intelligence that they’re setting up buoys to manipulate the tetryon emissions from the underspace corridors and are trying to close the apertures.”

Shocked to hear that, Reddick looked at her protege. “Scott, can you determine where the Cardassians are going next in this area? We need to act quickly.”

“I don’t think so, ma’am,” Florrick answered sadly.   

Tomaz looked at Reddick. “Commander, we need to brief the captain about this.” 

Moments later, Captain Duncan emerged from the ready room and approached Tomaz, Reddick and Florrick. “You wanted to see me?” Duncan asked.

Tomaz, as the senior officer, spoke up. “Sir, just as I had heard from Deep Space Nineteen, Commander Reddick has discovered what Gul Jacet is up to.” 

“Actually, Cadet Florrick is the one to discover it,” Reddick emphasised, underlining the importance of Florrick’s contribution. 

“What is it?” Duncan asked as he placed his hands on his hips. “What is Jacet up to.”

“They’re trying to close the underspace apertures,” Tomaz replied. “And it’s not just here. We’re talking galaxy-wide.”

“Do we know how?” Duncan questioned.

“Scott,” Reddick indicated for her student to now shine to their superior.

Florrick cleared his throat. “They’re manipulating tetryon emissions, sir. Commander Tomaz has shared they’re using buoys to do this and we’re detecting the artificial tetryon emissions in the local surrounding space.”

Sighing heavily, Duncan nodded. “I’ll need to confer with the other captains, but is our aperture back to Kovar secure and safe?”

Reddick shook her head. “I don’t think so, but now we know what to look for, I can begin a more detailed analysis.”

“Get on with it and coordinate with other science officers from the Themis and Orion. I know Abbej on the Themis will be happy to help,” Duncan insisted. 

“Yes, sir,” Reddick replied. 

Duncan turned to Florrick. “Well done, cadet.”

“Thank you, sir,” Florrick said with a sense of pride as he grinned.

“Tomaz, with me, let’s get this message out,” Duncan ordered as they moved back to the ready room to discuss their next steps. 

 As the two men walked away, Reddick turned to Florrick and patted him on his back. “Well done, Scott. Now, go take a break; you’ve been working for almost twelve hours. Have you properly unpacked yet?”

He shook his head. “Not properly, ma’am; I’ve not met my roommates yet.”

“Then go settle in and get something to eat,” Reddick ordered him.

“Yes, ma’am,” Florrick said as he stood up.

“Seriously, Scott, well done again,” Reddick smiled at him before he left.


In their new shared dormitory-style quarters, Alfie and Jordan were enjoying the rare moment of privacy they now had in their new room. The sleek, modern quarters were equipped with four single beds, a small table in the middle, and a wardrobe. On one side was the entrance to the shared bathroom, while a small window showed the port side of the ship. Though they had yet to find out who else they would share the room with, the two young cadets relished not being stuck in the quarters they once shared with their parents.  

Alfie and Jordan were lying on Alfie’s bed, tangled in each other’s arms. Alfie’s fingers traced lazy patterns on Jordan’s back, and Jordan’s lips met Alfie’s in a series of soft, affectionate kisses. Their recent decision to take their relationship to a new level had now only heightened since they had moved in together. The fact they had kept it a secret from everyone added some sort of excitement for them. They were lost in the moment.

Jordan’s fingers weaved through Alfie’s hair as Alfie kissed his neck, their bodies pressed close together. They were shirtless and wholly absorbed in each other, the outside galaxy momentarily forgotten. For the first time in ages, they had time off from their training, studies and work. So, after getting in from an intense physical workout with one of their trainers in the ship’s gym, they continued the workout now in a different way. 

As their kisses grew more intense and they were lost in being together, they didn’t realise until it was too late that the door to their quarters suddenly slid open with a soft hiss. Startled, they pulled away, turning to see who had intruded. In a panicked rush, Jordan grabbed the blanket at the foot of the bed and quickly wrapped it around his waist.

Standing in the doorway was Cadet Florrick, his eyes wide with surprise and a hint of embarrassment. The shock on his face mirrored the other two, who realised they had been caught in such an intimate moment.

“Oh, uh, sorry,” Scott stammered, his face turning a deep shade of red. “I didn’t know anyone was in here.”

Alfie and Jordan scrambled to sit up properly, their cheeks flushed with a mix of passion and embarrassment. Alfie quickly grabbed his vest from the floor and pulled it on while Jordan tightened the blanket around his waist; his shirt, forgotten in the urgency of the moment, remained on the floor from earlier when Alfie had pulled it off him.

“It’s okay,” Alfie said, his voice a little shaky. “We didn’t know anyone else had access to this room yet.”

Jordan nodded in agreement, still blushing. “Yeah, sorry you had to see that.”

Scott shifted awkwardly in the doorway, clearly at a loss for words. “No, it’s fine. Really. I, um, I’m Scott. Scott Florrick. I guess I’m your new roommate?”

Alfie extended a hand, trying to break the tension. “Nice to meet you, Scott. I’m Alfie McCallister, and this is Jordan Duncan.”

Scott shook Alfie’s hand, then Jordan’s, his embarrassment slowly easing. “Nice to meet you both. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Jordan offered a small, apologetic smile. “It’s okay. We should have locked the door.”

Scott chuckled nervously, finally stepping fully into the room and letting the door close behind him. “I guess I should have knocked. Lesson learned.”

The three of them stood there for a moment, the initial awkwardness starting to fade as they settled into the reality of their new living arrangement. Alfie gestured to one of the spare beds, offering Scott a place to sit.

“Let us tidy up here,” Alfie remarked as he threw Jordan his shirt. “And please, don’t think we’re always like this.”

Jordan chuckled. “Nah, we’ve only just got together.”

Jord!” Alfie shot his boyfriend a look and sharp word.

“What? I’m only being honest!” Jordan said in his defence, but he soon realised that his old trait of sharing too much once again got him into trouble with his boyfriend. 

Scott chuckled. “Listen, guys, I don’t care. Just let me know if you want some privacy, and I’ll make myself scarce.”

“No, no, this is your room as much as it is ours,” Alfie assured their new roommate. 

“Wait, McCallister and Duncan? Are you guys related to the commodore and captain?” Scott inquired. 

Both Alfie and Jordan looked at one another and nodded back to him.

“Don’t tell our dads!” Jordan blurted out. “They think we’re just best friends.” 

“I won’t,” Scott assured with a slight chuckle.

“Or anyone else,” Jordan added. He was now trying hard to repair his damage since he shared something he shouldn’t have earlier. “Especially any of the other cadets, and especially Beatrice.”

Scott just nodded, still finding the whole situation a bit amusing from his perspective. “I don’t know who that is, but I promise you, your secret is safe with me.”

Alfie rubbed his forehead. For the first time in a long time, he started to feel anxious about keeping his relationship with Jordan a secret. “Thank you, Scott.”

Scott chuckled. “Seriously, I know how difficult it can be to be a cadet and be with someone. In my first year, my girlfriend broke up with me as she wanted to focus on her studies. Last year, I found out my boyfriend was only with me for my class notes and was cheating on me, so I quickly dumped him.”

Alfie chuckled at those stories. “Well, let’s hope we don’t do any of that,” he said, looking at Jordan with a sweet but cheeky flirtatious smile. 

“Hopefully not,” Jordan agreed as he put his arm around Alfie’s shoulders and kissed the top of his forehead.

“Jord, less PDA; I don’t want Scott to feel like a third nacelle,” Alfie remarked, gently slapping his chest.

“Hey, as I said, don’t mind me,” Scott responded as he started to unpack his gear. 

“Let’s at least help you unpack and take you out for something to eat,” Alfie offered. “We owe you that for becoming an accomplice to our conspiracy.” 

“That would be great, thanks,” Scott replied, grinning.

“So, Scott,” Jordan began, trying to steer the conversation to safer territory, “where are you from?”

“Kovar, born and raised,” Scott answered as he started to share more of his background with them. “What about you two?”

“Born and raised on the Triton and later here on the Odyssey,” Alfie shared. “So I’m a Starfleet brat through and through and proud!”

Scott looked at Jordan. “And you, Jordan?”

“A bit of everywhere.” Jordan wasn’t keen to share the whole truth with Scott. His earlier life wasn’t something he broadcasted anymore. “Like Alfie, my dads are Starfleet officers.”

“Wow, so you two must know this ship like the back of your hands,” Scott stated.

Jordan nodded. “We sure do.”

“Then you need to give me the tour,” Scott insisted as he put the final items away.

“Absolutely,” Alfie agreed. “There is so much to know about the Odyssey.”

“Do tell!” Scott sat back down and decided to listen to his new roommates, hoping his initial introduction wouldn’t be the only thing he would know about them.

“Where do we start?” Alfie asked Jordan as he sat in an empty chair.

“Oh, how about the time the ship was trapped in a temporal anomaly, and you met your future self,” Jordan exclaimed. “And your younger selves had to fight against Doctor Chaotica and his evil cybermen of doom?”

“Nah, that’s covered by the temporal prime directive,” Alfie said. “Do you want to know about the time the ship dealt with the Tkon Empire?”

“Or when the ship landed on a Romulan colony and was attacked by the Remans?” Jordan suggested. “Or when your dad had to stop the Qomar from stealing the Emergency Command Hologram? Or when it fought against a baby telepathic pitcher plant infused with blood dilithium?”

“Jeez, what hasn’t the Odyssey dealt with?” Scott asked aloud.

“Umm…” Alfie considered his response carefully. “The Gorn!”

“The Gorn?” Jordan and Scott both asked in unison.

“Yes, the Gorn!” Alfie confirmed with laughter. “And the Q!”

“Is this going to become a list of who the Odyssey hasn’t dealt with, or are we going to show Scott some of the juicy parts of the ship?” Jordan probed. 

“Definitely show the juicy parts, so how about we all get ready, go out and enjoy ourselves tonight?” 

“Who would stop us?” Jordan asked.

“The Gorn?” Scott asked cheekily.

“Yes, the Gorn!” Alfie replied, giving Scott a smirk back.

The Enemy Of My Enemy – 8

USS Odyssey (NCC-80000), Swallow Nebula Region, Delta Quadrant
Stardate: 78761.2

The Odyssey hung silently in the vast expanse of space with the Themis, Constitution, Triton and the Orion surrounding it. The once active underspace corridor aperture was now a dormant relic in their rearview.

On the Odyssey’s bridge, Dalen sat at the operations console, her fingers dancing over the controls with practised precision. Despite her shift having finished over five hours ago, Dalen’s commitment to her work was unwavering. The bridge was quiet, a sharp contrast to the bustling hive it had been several hours ago as they monitored the Cardassian withdrawal, and the aperture had closed. 

The only sounds were soft murmurs from the crew and the steady hum of the ship’s systems. Dalen’s sharp eyes scanned the data readouts one final time, ensuring every piece of information was securely logged and transmitted to Starfleet Command. Her dedication to duty was unwavering, a hallmark of her quiet, diligent nature. 

“Commander Dalen, I appreciate the extra dedication to work, but your duty shift ages ago. Isn’t it time you finish up and let those on beta shift finish whatever you’ve not done before gamma shift starts?” asked Commander Court behind her.

Dalen looked over at her shoulder at Court. She blushed at his question. Tobias Court was handsome, and she could see why her new captain had married him. He was polite, charming and kind in his manners. 

“I’m almost done; thank you, commander,” she replied. 

Court looked at her with a soft expression, but his words were firm. “Fifteen more minutes, and then I want you out of here—that’s an order.”

Dalen smiled at him and nodded. “Fifteen minutes, aye, sir.” She quickly returned her focus to her work. She had one final diagnostic to check, and then she would be done. As she waited for the results to load up, Dalen looked up at the viewscreen, staring at the blankness that was now the space they inhabited. The vast emptiness of space stretched before her. Stars glinted like distant diamonds. She allowed herself a rare moment of stillness, her mind drifting.

A brief memory surfaced: her childhood on Bajor, her parents taking her to a service being held in the labour camp they were in. She remembered the strong sense of community and faith that once surrounded her. Immediately, she recalled the day she removed her earring, deciding that her path lay in the stars, the tangible and the provable, not the spiritual. She didn’t understand why her parents believed in the Prophets. They did nothing for Bajor, in her opinion. They were wormhole aliens. 

“Reddick to Dalen.”

Her thoughts were interrupted by the intercom and Commander Reddick’s voice. Instinctively she tapped her combadge. “Go for Dalen,” she replied. 

“Darling Marjo, a few of us are meeting in the Auditorium for drinks. I wondered if you would like to join us?” Reddick offered.

“Thank you, commander, but I’ve got some work I want to finish before we leave tomorrow. Perhaps another time,” Dalen replied, trying not to insult Reddick.

“Understood, we’ll be here if you change your mind,” Reddick responded before closing the channel.

After finishing her work, Dalen swiftly left the bridge. As she stepped into the turbolift, she reconsidered Reddick’s invitation. In the end, she threw the idea out of her mind. Preferring the solitude of her quarters or the comfort of her work. Today was no different. Her place was not in the company of others but in the solace of her private quarters, where she could find peace in her own way.

Returning to her quarters, Dalen dimmed the lights, ordered herself some Deka tea and retrieved a Bajoran lute from a storage compartment. The instrument belonged to her mother and provided a link to her heritage that felt personal and authentic. It was untainted by the rituals and beliefs she had left behind. She ran her fingers over the strings, feeling the smooth wood and the delicate tension.

Sitting down, she tuned the strings with practised fingers, each note resonating softly in the quiet room. The first notes filled the air, a soothing melody that echoed her inner thoughts. The simple act of playing the lute connected her to a part of herself that she rarely acknowledged—a balance of logic and emotion, science and art. It was her own form of meditation. Dalen closed her eyes; the echoes of the lute’s melody resonated in her mind. 

At that moment, she was free from everything and everyone. 

Perfect bliss.


“To the Cardassian withdrawal,” Flemen toasted as he raised his drink into the air, a gesture that was met with agreement and clinking glasses from the rest of the group. 

“Here, here,” Tomaz agreed, clinking his glass with his friend’s drink and the others in their group.

“So tell me, how often does the Odyssey senior staff get together for drinks or other social events?” Reddick asked the group.

Duncan, Hunsen, Slyvexs, Horin, Tierra, Keli, Paynkor, and Rosle were standing around the bar side of The Auditorium. 

After taking a sip of his drink, Duncan was the one to answer the questions from their new chief science officer. “Not often.”

“Well, that has to change!” Reddick said in a giddy response.

Slyvexs smirked at Reddick’s energy level. “The problem is some of us are too old for all-night partying, and others have family commitments!”

“Talk for yourself, doc; I’m young and have no family commitments!” Flemen declared.

“Likewise,” Paynkor added, which earned him a cheer from Flemen.

Tierra chuckled. “Unfortunately, the doctor is right. A good number of us can’t always escape other matters.” 

Horin agreed. “I’d love to pull an all-nighter, but I already do them with our son,” the counsellor looked at her Imzadi. “Isn’t that right, Commander Hunsen??”

Placing his beer down on the bar, Hunsen nodded in agreement. “Absolutely, Captain Horin.”

“What about you, Captain Duncan?” Reddick probed. Her enthusiasm levels remained as she cheekily challenged her commanding officer. 

“I’m in the same boat, commander,” Duncan responded before sipping his drink. “But that’s not to say we can’t do this with enough notice.”

“So you can make sure Tobias is on duty?” Hunsen playfully asked. 

“No,” Duncan insisted. “Anyway, it’s my first officer’s job to complete the roster.”

Hunsen looked conceited at that. “True,” he nodded. “so you best be nice to me!”

The group all shared some laughter. 

“So, did anyone think we would fight the Cardassians so far from their borders?” Rosle asked aloud in between sips of her cocktail.

“The thought did cross my mind,” Keli responded. “However, Jacet was too focused on his mission. I just wished we knew his intentions sooner.”

“Yeah, losing the underspace corridors is a real shame,” Horin agreed. “I was hoping we could have easier access to home.”

“I think we all were,” Flemen stated. 

“Has anyone heard from the commodore?” Tomaz questioned. “Is he coming back from the Constitution?”

Duncan nodded. “He said he was going to spend another day over there.”

“So the Duncan reign has begun!” Slyvexs remarked, raising her drink. 

“And long may it reign!” Hunsen added with joy. 

Everyone burst into laughter as they clinked their glasses against each other. 

“Well, at least until half of us get home, we’ll have to check in on the kids!” Tomaz added with a smirk.

“To family,” Duncan toasted. “Whether it be those at home or our crewmates, let’s never forget this is more than just a ship. It’s home.”

“You’re definitely getting sentimental in your new position, Max,” Hunsen said quietly into his friend’s ear as the crew shared more cheers. 

“I had a good mentor,” Duncan said with a wink as he sipped his drink. He was glad to finally enjoy the perks of being the commanding officer of the Odyssey. He didn’t know what awaited them around the corner, but after this brief mission, he started to feel that his crew were starting to fully settle with the recent changes.