Commander Blake Loughty had been fast asleep when he had received a wake-up call from the duty team. Making his way from his very small quarters, he climbed two levels up via the access tubes ladders and eventually made his way into the operations area. Charon Monitoring Station was the lead base for the outer-Sol sensor detection grid. It was the job of twenty-six people on the station to liaise with the other smaller monitoring bases to keep an eye on the traffic coming in and out of the Sol system. Loughty, was the leader for it and had always wondered if he had been assigned here because he had annoyed the late Admiral Maxwell a few years ago while attending a luncheon.

“A subspace distortion?” He muttered as he climbed through the access hatch and pulled himself out to see his night-shift team. The call that had awoken him was over the fact their long-range sensors had picked up large subspace distortion, moving towards the Sol system at an approximate speed of warp one.

The three young analysts, who were assigned to the operations area, were all parked at one of the monitoring stations. The operations area was in a pentagon shaped design with stations based around the perimeter while a small command table sat in the middle of the centre.

Ensign Audrey Westbay, the shift supervisor nodded towards her superior officer. “Yes sir, and it’s getting closer towards our direction, we are now reading it to be moving at sub-light speeds.”

“How big are we talking?” Loughty asked as he pulled up a stool by the pool table and began to access the sensor grid’s readouts.

“Undetermined sir, it keeps fluctuating in size and mass.” Westbay replied, “We’ve got Eris and Hydra Stations sending us their data to see if we can triangulate our readings. They should be able to send it to us any moment now.”

Loughty looked over at one of the other crewmembers. Crewmember Enzo Pillay, who had recently joined Charon Station, sat at the communications board. “Enzo,” Loghty said to grab his attention, “check flight paths to see if it’s anything already planned that’s entering the system that Command has kept quiet from the public.”

Crewmember Pillay looked over from his console, “I already have sir, there’s no logged activity that large at this time. It’s not Starfleet or any civilian traffic.”

Flinching at that news, Loughty looked back to Westbay, “Audrey have we heard anything from Eris or Hydra Stations?”

Westbay just nodded slowly once as she stared at her screen. “Sir, Eris station transmitted their last recording before they went offline.”

Confused at that statement, Loughty looked at the ensign. “What do you mean by their last recording?”

“Eris Station is gone sir.” She replied and tapped her console to bring up the last imagery sent to them by the lone station that sat on the dwarf planet that it got its namesake from. The main screen in the room changed and showed a Romulan Birds-of-Prey opening fire with a green bolt of energy before the transmission was cut from its disruption.

“God damn it!” Loughty shouted, “Enzo, send a priority alpha message to Starfleet Command and all nearby units.” He paused to take a breath, “We’ve engaged the Romulans! Send them the Eris recording.”

“Aye sir.”

“How many ships are we picking up out there Audrey?” Loughty asked as he issued tactical alert across the base. The klaxon went off and it would wake everyone up.

“Commander, sensors are picking up further warp signatures. Five-point-eight kilometres, closing above.” Westbay announced. “I think they’re going after the sensor grid sir. We’ve just lost three orbital arrays.”

“Enzo, did you get that message out?” Loughty asked, now worried they wouldn’t survive this assault and desperate for Starfleet Headquarters to know.

The South-African man nodded. “Message sent and I’m picking up the arrival of the Pandora, it looks like she is taking a defensive position near us sir.”

Loughty was confused, why would the Daedalus-class ship attempt to take on an entire fleet?  

Westbay interrupted his thoughts, “I’m reading two Romulans vessels. Make that three. Four. No, five.” She paused in between breaths before speaking further, “Fifteen Romulans vessels at least. Distance two point one kilometres and closing.”

“Hull polarisation to maximum. Stand by all weapons.” Loughty ordered. The station was only armed with four pulse-phase cannons and a single torpedo launcher with eighty photonic torpedoes. He knew they wouldn’t survive against the Romulan fleet, but he would be damned if they let the Pandora go down without back-up.

“They’re in visual range.” Westbay announced.

Loughty took a breath before speaking up and knowing he will regret what they saw. “On screen.”

“My God.” Pillay whispered in complete dismay as she stared at the main screen to show more than fifteen Romulan ships heading towards them.

“Fire at will, all weapons, make every shot count!” Loughty commanded.

As soon as the base opened fire, the Romulans returned the favour with barrage after barrage of plasma fire and nuclear warheads. Their conviction eventually decimated the base before blowing the Pandora into micro-pieces.

The Romulans had arrived.

The moment the alarm went off besides him, Harvey Rafferty responded by groaning and turning over onto his stomach after trying to reach out to hit the wake up call off. Stopping his tracks, he finally realised  why he had to stop. Bolting up straight in his bed, he looked around his bedroom and smiled big time. He knew what today was. December 8th. His birthday.

Instantly he pushed the covers off his bed and jumped to the floor. Running across the room he picked up the hoodie that was hanging over the armchair and headed straight to the door . As he moved himself across the hallway like a flash of lighting, he pulled the item of clothing over his bare torso. Though to be more precise he was like an excited child on Christmas Day, eager to see what awaited him ahead.  Making his way into the living room he was greeted by balloons and banners up and around the place. Smirking at the effort his father had gone to celebrate his birthday, he turned around and saw his dad standing there with a mug of coffee in his hand along with a huge grin on his face.

“Happy Birthday Harv!” He said before making his way over to hug his son.

Harvey returned the embrace and appreciated, as always, the effort his father went into. Steven Barnes was not his biological father, however for the past three years he had been there for Harvey through dealing with the death of his parents during the Xindi attack and furthermore as he trained to enlist with the MACOs. “Thanks dad.” He replied. Though he missed his actual father, the closeness he had with Steven was just as good.

“Finally twenty!” Barnes said as he returned to the kitchen area and pulled out a wrapped up box. Passing it to Harvey across the worktop, Barnes offered his son his present. “Here, I hope it fits.”

Immediately Harvey sat down at the breakfast bar and took the gift into his hand. It was wrapped in blue and red wrapping paper with a similar colour bow around it. Pulling it across, the cuboid shaped box’s top opened with ease and inside wrapped in black tissue paper was a leather jacket. “Oh my god, dad this is amazing! Thank you so much!” Harvey said as he rose it upwards.

“I know you mentioned in your last letter that you liked the jacket one of your MACO friends had on, so when I visited Earth a fortnight ago I picked it up while in New York.” Barnes explained. “Are you sure it’s okay?”

“It’s perfect.” Harvey replied as he looked more at the leather jacket, taking into account the detail. Instantly he put it on and was looking at how well it fit him. “This is just something else.”

Smiling at his son, Barnes nodded. “Glad you like it.” He took a sip of his coffee. “Now, before I need to head to school, fancy a famous Barnes Birthday Breakfast?”

“Absolutely, plus extra bacon please!” Harvey answered as he took the jacket off and carefully folded it over the nearby stall.

Turning to return to the cooking he had already started, Barnes carried on their chat. “What are your plans for today? Are you still heading to Earth to meet up with your friends?”

“Yeah, I’ll probably stay over at one of theirs for a few days. You’re not mad about that are you?” Harvey checked.

Chuckling, Barnes shook his head. “Harvey, I used to go out drinking with my buddies when I was your age. Just don’t do anything stupid and when you’re back, I thought we could head over to Utopia, there’s a great new climbing experience they’ve got over there. Do you fancy doing it?”

“Yeah sure, that sounds good.” Harvey nodded in response.

“Good, because I don’t want to book it and then you get recalled.” Barnes said.

Shaking his own head now, Harvey sighed. “Unfortunately I can’t see that happening anytime soon. Now that Challenger is back and we’ve all been ordered to take three weeks of shore leave, I don’t think those orders are going to change. Not unless the Romulans attack here.”

“Well let’s hope that’s not going to happen anytime soon.” Barnes stated as he carried on cooking. “Oh I told Principal Donovan you would stop by at some point while you’re back.”

“Sure,” Harvey agreed, “I don’t have much else planned.” He sighed.

Wissant, France, Earth, Sol System

Stifling a yawn as she stepped down the staircase, Ghislaine Dubois placed the back of right hand in front of her mouth before removing it so she could sip on her hot mug of coffee. “Bonjour.” She called out to those who were present in the large family kitchen area she entered. Being back home at her chateau in northern-France was a welcome break. Waking up in a bed she had not been in for months was also a pleasant experience. The Challenger’s quartermaster and chief of the boat was no longer in her Starfleet jumpsuit uniform, instead she wore a simple white long sleeved top and a pair of black leggings.

“Bonjour ma petite fille.” Her mother said from where she stood at the big oven stove where she was boiling a kettle. “Comment ça va?”

“Comme ci comme ça, ma mère” She answered with a slight smile. In all honesty, she was still exhausted and was enjoying adjusting to being back home. Seeing her mother, Bridgette Chardonnet standing in the kitchen preparing breakfast made Dubois smile as she was taken back to her early childhood days of similar scenes happening every morning before she went to school. “Comment ça va, maman?” She returned asking her mother how she was. At seventy-two years of age, Bridgette was a retired marine biologist and instead helped around the chateau that Dubois owned with her husband. Friends of theirs had taken over managing it years ago when they had ventured off to join Starfleet. However one cavat remained which included that a part of the chateau was off limits and was designated for Dubois and her family’s private use. Her mother potted around the grounds, helping with odd jobs here and there. She mainly enjoyed undertaking the upkeep of the gardens or speaking to visiting schools who were there on residentials. Some nights she would help out in the kitchens with the cleaning up or would go into the local fishing town of Wissant and collect a range of goods to cook for her family when they were around. When her daughter had returned home, she had done exactly that.

Fresh croissants, pain au chocolats and broken up baguette sat on the long breakfast table that ran down the middle of the kitchen. Though Dubois enjoyed the food she had eaten on Challenger this past year, nothing would beat her mother’s home made breakfast. Fresh fruit was also available along with freshly squeezed orange juice. Her mother had not changed in over forty years.

After the water on the hob finished boiling, Bridgette took it over to the pot of coffee she was making and poured it in. While she made a new pot of coffee, she answered her daughter, telling her she couldn’t complain about her life. “Je suis toujours en vie et je ne peux pas me plaindre.”

Smiling at her mother’s optimism, Dubois leant forward and grabbed herself a pain au chocolate and started to tear it apart before she began to nibble at it. “Magnifique.” She praised her mother in between mouthfuls before her mother brought over the coffee pot and began pouring it in two clean mugs for them both. “Merci beaucoup.”

Her mother sipped on her own coffee before looking at her daughter. “When is my handsome son-in-law arriving?” She asked in a thick French accent.

Ghislaine loved how her mother was able to move from one language to the next. It had always been something her parents had taught her from an early age. From speaking her native tongue, there would be times her parents would speak in English or German. When learning Vulcan appeared on her school’s curriculum, she had been encouraged by them both to take it. Even if it was just for a year. “The May is arriving this evening. He should be here by ten o’clock.” She answered, referring to her husband. For the first time in over twelve months, both of them would have the same time off and she was looking forward to seeing Antoine.

“And your camarades?” Her mother asked, switching back to her French tongue as she finished that question.

“They’ll be here later this evening.” Ghislaine answered. “Are you sure you’re okay with so many visiting the chateau?”

“Ouais.” Her mother said, agreeing with a nod to her head as well as, shrugging her shoulders as she reached for an orange and began peeling it. “It’s your chateau, your business ma princesse.”

“I know, I saw that we were empty for the rest of the week and up until the weekend and I just thought it would be a good place for everyone to get together.” Dubois explained to her mother.

“How bad is it ma chérie amour?” Her mother asked before popping an orange segment in her mouth.

Knowing she was referring to the war, Dubois’ mood changed. “C’est de la merde.”

“Then having your friends here to get away from it all, is no issue. I will go into town and get the finest food and wine for them all.” Her mother insisted before taking a sip from her coffee.

“Merci beaucoup ma mère.” Dubois said with an appreciative smile before finishing her next bit of the pain au chocolat she had started.

Laguna Beach, California, United States of America, Earth, Sol System

With just a carry-on duffle bag pulled over his shoulder, Theo Metaxas walked up the white steps towards the main gates. The relatively warm California air hit his back. Looking down at the spiral staircase he had just taken up from Laguna Beach  and up towards the villa his parents owned, he looked to see if he could see anyone. So far there was no-one.

The huge black iron double gates that stopped anyone from entering were firmly closed and a quick peep through them revealed to Metaxas that no-one was around. Though it was almost mid-morning, he was expecting to see someone. Sighing to himself that not a single soul was present to welcome him home, he went over to the nearby access panel and put in his personal access code. It was a simple eight digit code, one that his parents had given him years ago. Instantly it recognised him and the magnetic locks on the gates became unsealed. Pushing one of them open he stepped through and closed the gate behind him.

Looking around the courtyard, he smirked to himself at how much not much had changed. Noticing the plants around the patio area had all been cut right back (probably something his father did as he was obsessed with gardening), Metaxas was still on the search for some life.

Wearing a pair of white jogging shorts, a salmon hoodie, a pair of flip-flops and a white baseball cap back to front, he looked a different person from the engineer that he normally was. Approaching the main doors, he once pulled the house bell but after not getting a response from anyone again, he tapped in his access code which was followed by a fingerprint scan. His parents had increased the security of their home a few years ago after his mother had become Deputy-Director of Fleet Operations at Starfleet Operations. Stepping inside he was once again presented with an empty house.

Sighing heavily, he dropped his bag down on the floor and walked over to the nearby circular table that welcomed all of their guests. On it a vase sat with numerous native flowers in it. All sending up a range of welcoming smells. His father, every week, always brought his mother a bouquet of flowers home. She had always placed them in the glass vase. Their romance had never died, even though both of them were extremely busy people in this day and age. He had always admired his parents for the small romantic gestures they did for each other.

That all said, he was kind of pleased he had the place to himself. It was more than likely both his parents were at work and he would be home alone for the rest of the day until they got home that evening. Being alone was something he kind of welcomed. Being off the Challenger for three weeks seemed like a good idea. He had initially returned back with his friends, but after watching both Liam and Niall smooching with one another on the transport down, he had changed his mind in travelling with them to France today. Chief Dubois had invited the entire crew to stay at her chateau for the rest of the week, especially for some it may be difficult to go home or find somewhere so late to take a vacation to. Though he may still change his mind later on this evening, seeing as it was less than an hour trip to get to France, Theo had opted to go home.

Deciding he would head up to his bedroom, Theo was about to make his way up towards the staircase that was before him but then heard movement coming from what sounded like the kitchen.

Slowly he crept through the hallway and approached the entrance to the kitchen. Wishing he had a phase pistol with him, Theo saw someone standing with their back to him bent over with their head in the refrigerator. Straight away he recognised who it was.

“Deacon! What the hell are you doing here?” He called after his brother.

Automatically, his older brother turned around and smirked at him. “I’m raiding the fridge, what does it look like dumbass?”

Rolling his eyes at his brother’s response, Theo walked across the room. “Mom and dad aren’t going to be happy with you.” He remarked.

“Thank you for the advice Starfleet.” Deacon replied, adding a scoff. Deacon was a lot like his younger brother. Blonde hair, blue eyes, though he was slightly smaller in height he had a lot more muscle. Only a year older than him, Deacon and Theo had grown up always having one another’s back as kids. Both of their parents had placed their careers before the family, as a result both boys had spent their time together. However unlike Theo, Deacon had not entered Starfleet and instead was a MACO officer that was currently assigned to Voyager.

“Anything good to eat?” Theo asked as he sat down on one of the breakfast bar stools that was sat in the middle of the kitchen.

“Nothing. Looks like neither of our parents have been home for days. There’s nothing edible in this refrigerator.” He turned to look back at his brother. “I didn’t know Challenger was remaining in orbit?”

Rolling his eyes, Theo nodded before confirming more facts. “The ship is undergoing more repairs and refits. What about Voyager?”

“Yeah, same thing.” Deacon replied before heading over to where their parents kept a kettle and took it off the stove to fill up. “My entire MACO unit is being shipped out to Nevada in a couple of days for training exercises. Thought I’d stay here for a few days.”

“Yeah, I was hoping to get away from everything before meeting up with some of my shipmates in France.” Theo commented.

“Well, enjoy the croissants for me.” Deacon replied after filling up the kettle and placing it back on the stove. “Did you tell either mom or dad you were home?”

“Nope.” Theo answered, popping the ‘p’. “You?”

“Nah, I didn’t have time. From being on constant standby during that entire mission, I was never certain if I was about to jump into a firefight with the Romulans or the Klingons.” Deacon replied. “How’s everyone on Challenger doing?”

Shrugging his shoulders. “Probably the same as Voyager.”

“Yeah, I bet.” Deacon sighed deeply. “Man, I’m starving.”

“Me too.” Theo sat up, rubbing his stomach. “I can’t believe they’ve not got anything in.”

“Let’s head out, that beach cafe we used to go to on the boardwalk as kids may still be open. Fancy breakfast? My treat, Starfleet!” Deacon offered.

“That sounds great MACO.” Theo said, jumping off his seat before his brother walked over and put his arm over his shoulder. Maybe being home wasn’t such a bad thing, Theo thought as they made their way out of their parents’ house and along to the beach they had enjoyed often as kids.

Ayr, Scotland, United Kingdom, Earth, Sol System

“Ange.”

Mumbling back a somewhat affirmative response with just noises, Angela Hathaway kept her eyes closed and instead snuggled further into the strong arms she found herself wrapped in.

“Ange, we should get up.” The deep voice stated.

Shaking her head, she dug her nose further into the chest she was using as a pillow.

“But the boys may come in here.” The voice remarked.

“I don’t care.” She mumbled, opening one eye and looking up at the person she shared her bed with.

Giving her a charming smile, Rupesh Iyer greeted her with a simple “morning” before leaning in to kiss her.

Returning the early morning affection, she placed one hand on the back of his neck and returned the long passionate kiss. Though they had played around on the ship with the odd flirting here and there, plus a few drunken evenings, Challenger’s second helm officer and first sergeant had finally decided to take their relationship further. Returning to her two bedroom flat in Ayr, they had picked up Rupesh’s adopted sons the evening before and had flown back to the wet and very windy Scottish town she called home. Hathaway quite liked how they had their little setup. “Last night was perfect.” She said after letting go.

“Sure was.” Iyer agreed, keeping his hand on her cheek as he admired her beauty a bit longer. “I hope this doesn’t mean you plan to gossip about this with the others?”

Shocked and a bit dismayed to hear that, Hathaway sat up pulling the bed sheet over her chest. The sheet pulled away from Iyer, showing his bare chest and just barely covering his bottom half. “I take great offence that you think I’m a gossip.”

Rolling his eyes while smirking at her, he placed one arm behind his head before responding back. “Oh come on Ange, you and I both know that you’ve been spending more time with Martha and the others. I’ve seen you four in the mess hall, having your lunches together. It doesn’t take much for your gossip mill to get around the ship about how you were all discussing Ensign Reddick’s physique.”

Hating the fact he was partly right about that, Hathaway was slightly pleased that he hadn’t heard about what else they had spoken about. “I promise not to say anything…yet” she added at the end. Leaning back into him, Hathaway placed her head back on his chest and instantly Iyer wrapped his strong arms around her. “That said they are going to ask for an update when we go to France.”

Chuckling and shaking his head, Iyer knew that was coming. “And what are you going to tell them?”

“That you caved in and we finally admitted that there’s something here between us.” She answered quickly before turning over to look at him directly in his eyes. “I’m not allowed to lie to fellow officers.”

More laughter came from Iyer, “You don’t have to share it with them, or what we did last night.”

“What are you talking about?” Hathaway replied straight away. “Are you saying what we did last night was not good for me to share with my close colleagues?”

“There’s something called privacy, Ange. I’d prefer the rest of the MACOs not to find out, yet.” He replied, pushing a strand of her auburn hair out of her face.

“Oh come on Rupesh, you and I are going to out do Niall and Liam in being Challenger’s new it couple.” Hathaway remarked. “They’ve had plenty of time in the spotlight, I say our reign needs to start soon!”

Shaking his head in disbelief while still smiling, Iyer couldn’t believe how Hathaway was committed in outdoing both Jenkins and Stewart. “Fine, but I’m not having Liam complaining while we are training about Niall’s complaining about you rubbing in their faces.”

“Now there’s the man I fell for last night!” Hathaway giggled as she fell back down on top of him. “This is perfect Rupesh.”

“It is.” He replied, joining her with another big smile.

There was a knock on the door and straight away both of them knew who it was. “Silence has been disturbed.” Hathaway commented as she quickly wrapped herself in the blanket they had over the bed while Iyer leant over to the floor and picked up the underwear he had yanked off from the night before.

“Can we come in?” came the voice of Edro from the other side of the door.

“We head you two up, we’re hungry!” Moaned Roburn.

The two boys they had rescued from Ardana had grown a lot in the last few months while they had lived with Iyer’s parents in India. Now they were home for a few weeks, both Iyer and Hathaway had decided to spend it with them before Challenger was sent back out on its next mission.

The moment they were both decent and somewhat clothed, Iyer called out for the boys to come in. As they entered, Iyer took a moment to appreciate this family he was finally creating with Hathaway. He knew it was worth fighting for and worth putting on the uniform each day.

Heading towards the office of the Starfleet Commander-in-Chief always brought back memories of being sent to the headteacher’s office for Burton. Though he was not troublesome during his youth, the odd occasions he was sent to see them were enough to make him rethink the stupid decision he had made as a child. The security around headquarters had been beefed up quite a bit, especially in and around Fleet Admiral Hathaway’s office. The last time he had been here, earlier on in the year, there hadn’t been any guards posted. Now armed security officers stood by entrances.

“I didn’t realise we were entering a military installation?” Ben-Ami remarked back when they were in the foyer area and were being checked for identification and confirmed they were meant to be there. 

Her words had resonated with Burton in their journey in one of the lifts that took them up to the admiral’s office. While the others had spoken among themselves, Burton had remained at the back of the lift, glaring out of the floor-to-ceiling window. Rodham, Walker, Ben-Ami, and Sandoval were all guessing what the head of Starfleet wanted with them all.

Noticing his captain appearing distant from them, Rodham called for him. “Captain, you okay?”

Burton looked over his shoulder as Rodham approached him while the others carried on chatting among themselves. He nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine, thanks, Alex,” The captain replied. “Just wondering if I made the right call on Krios.”

Wincing at that thought, Rodham didn’t know how to answer it honestly, so it would bring comfort to Burton. “It was a tough call, sir; the Klingons didn’t give us much choice. A second front with another powerful state is not something Earth or the commonwealth could survive.” 

“So we get to survive while the Kriosians have to live under Klingon oppressive rule?” Burton countered back before shaking his head. “Sorry, Alex. I’m not cross with you or anyone else.”

“Just the outcome?” Rodham guessed.

Burton nodded. “Yeah, I suppose I was hoping for something else.”

“Having the Klingons and Kriosians on our side would have changed a lot for us,” Burton said. “And I’m certain that’s why we are all being hauled up to the admiral’s office.”

“She can’t blame us for not trying, sir,” Rodham stated. “You did fight a Klingon general in ritual combat. The Klingon High Council just had other ideas.”

The lift finally stopped, and Burton looked to his first officer. “If only it would be seen in such simple ways.” He then pushed through his team to lead them out and into the office belonging to Fleet Admiral Moira Hathaway.

Sitting in her office, Hathaway had offered her visitors drinks before she started to speak to them all from behind her desk. Rear Admiral Erik Nwakanma was with her, the head of the Starfleet Corps of Engineers. Surprised to see the director, Burton was now confused about why they were all called in.

“I”m sure you are all a bit surprised as to why you are here today, so I will get straight to the point,” Hathaway said after sipping her tea cup. Though old in appearance, the commander-in-chief remained vigorous in her energy. “With Challenger’s recent engagements with the enemy on multiple fronts, we want to bring her refit in ahead of schedule.”

“What refit?” Commander Walker asked, sounding confused by the admiral’s comment. “I thought she was one of the advanced ships in the fleet.”

“She is; we just want to make her better,”  Nwakanma said as he wiped his chin and stood up to head over to the wall monitor hanging to their right. He tapped something into the tablet in his hands and ended up mirroring the image he had on his device onto the big screen for them all to see. “Ladies and Gents, this is the Columbia-class. The next refit proposed for the NX-class.”

The screen showed multiple models of the NX-class design with an additional ventral hull, another deflector and more angled nacelle pylons. Specifications were listed while the diagrams blinked from one angle to another. The words CLASSIFIED appeared in red above the images. 

“Why is it named after the Columbia?” Ben-Ami asked aloud. 

“The refit started on the Columbia first; most of her design aspects were used in the construction of Challenger and her subsequent sister ships. The plan had been to install these major refits a few months ago on Columbia, but with the outbreak of the war, the project never got off the ground. Columbia is on its way home now for work to begin, and we want to get Challenger done simultaneously.” Nwakanma answered before returning to the armchair he had been sitting in before. 

Starring at the diagrams, Sandoval asked the follow-up question they all had on the end of their tongues. “How long will the refit take?” 

“Three to six months,” Hathaway stated. 

“Three to six months?” Burton echoed. “Can we avoid having both Columbia and Challenger out of action for that long?”

Hathaway nodded. “Our tactical analysis of recent engagements with the enemy makes us believe we may have a window of opportunity to regroup, repair and refit the fleet before taking on another offensive.”

“With all due respect, admiral, we’re not actually winning this war, are we?” Walker stated.

“But we’re not losing it either.” Hathaway remarked. “By the end of this month, the Endeavour will be launched, and a few weeks later, the Buran and the Phoenix.” 

“So you’re hoping that by them joining the ranks, we’d have covered the loss for the Columbia and Challenger?” Burton checked. 

“Indeed,” Hathaway answered. “We’re hoping for Enterprise to be next; her refit will take a bit longer as she’s not got the same configurations.”

“What will our crew do for three to six months? Will they be involved in the refit?” Burton asked; he looked at Hathaway, who then turned to Nwakanma. 

The director clasped his hands together, “Most of the work will need to be done by the engineers at the Oakland Shipyard; once it is nearing completion, your crew will be brought in to assist with the final phase and to undergo training on the new systems.”

“You didn’t answer my question, sir; what will our crew do then while they’re not on Challenger?” Burton questioned as he sat on the edge of his chair. 

Hathaway answered, “Use the time for training, take provisional positions elsewhere and await their recall orders to Challenger.”

“You’re splitting our crew up?” Walker checked. “Is there not a ship that needs a crew that we could use temporarily?”

Shaking her head, Hathaway replied to the chief science officer. “Unfortunately not, commander. I did consider one of the new ships from the Utopia Planitia Shipyards, but most of those are now crewed, and we’ve not got the time or resources to waste on training your crew on a new ship.”

“Because by the time we’re done with that, it will be time for us to return to Challenger?” Ben-Ami guessed.

“Indeed,” Nwakanma confirmed. “That said, I’d like Lieutenant Masuko and her engineering team to join us a month after the project has started. She knows the ship well, so it makes sense for her to be there to provide assistance where it is needed.”

Burton looked at Fleet Admiral Hathaway, “When will the refit take place?”

“We’re in the process of moving a few assets around to make room, but we want to move Challenger in about three weeks. Until then, I’m giving you that time to finish off anything on the ship that needs to be done and briefing your crew on what will happen. Their new temporary assignments will be sent to them by the end of this week,” Hathaway replied. “In the meantime, you all will begin your training on simulators on the new systems ahead of everyone else. We can’t have the command crew not know how to operate the latest additions to Challenger. Starfleet Operations will coordinate everything with you in the coming days. I suggest you use the next few days to unwind and rest before this begins.” 

Feeling the admiral was being a bit curt with them, Burton looked at his officers before looking back at her. “Understood, ma’am,” He said with a singular nod. 

“Dismissed.” She ordered.

After leaving her office and returning to the lift down to the foyer, Walker said the same thing they were all thinking. “Was it me, or did it just feel like we were told off without being told off?”

 Burton agreed with another nod. “Maybe our time in the spotlight has come to an end.”

“What do you mean, captain?” Ben-Ami quizzed.

Sandoval instead answered for him. “Bringing Challenger’s refit up earlier than planned means the brass can keep us quiet for a few weeks while the fall out from what happened at Krios blows over with the politicians.”

“You took the words right out of my mouth, Rosa,” Burton confirmed. 

“Seems unfair,” Rodham stated, annoyed at the prospect of undergoing a refit to avoid any more bad press. 

“If that’s the case, it would have been nice if the admiral had just told us off there and then,” Walker stated as he crossed his arms against his chest. 

No one said anything before they reached the ground floor. As the doors opened, Burton eventually spoke up. “It is what it is.” He said before leading the group out of headquarters with a heavy sigh. 

Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa, Earth

Lying on the beach of Hout Bay, almost sleeping, Sakura Masuko enjoyed the warm weather and gentle breeze that caressed her skin. Wearing a bikini and sarong wrap, she was enjoying her break from all things Starfleet. However, this vacation was more than just a holiday. It was the honeymoon she had been promised almost a year ago by her husband. Opening her eyes slowly, she peered over the top of her sunglasses to see her husband, Lieutenant Adam Smith, stepping out of the water. Adam was tall, muscular and had long blonde hair that he usually kept tied back when on duty. He looked like the type to stare at his reflection before getting in the shower. Sakura admitted she found him physically attractive when they first met at Starfleet Training Command many years ago. After getting to know him for several months, she fell madly in love. It took an accident during a training mission, where they declared their feelings for one another. Four years later and before assignment to Challenger, they got married, and since that day, she still loved the fact he would always check himself out in the mirror. 

Flicking his hair back with both hands, allowing the water to drip off every inch of his muscular frame, he strolled over to her while pouting. Shaking her head at his nonsense, which she knew he was doing on purpose to get the attention of others around him, Sakura chuckled at how stupid he was acting. “Lieutenant Adam Smith, would you please stop making a scene just for the sake of making a scene!” She told him. 

As he approached her, he started to flex his muscles, “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Lieutenant Sakura Masuko.”

Laughing further at his stupidity and lousy sense of humour, one of the many other aspects she loved about him, Masuko shook her head. “You are so full of yourself; sometimes, it’s hard to believe we’re married!”

“They do so opposites attract,” He remarked as he picked up a towel lying across his sunbed and started to dry himself off. “The water is amazing; you should go in.”

“Later,” She replied before getting comfortable one more time as she enjoyed the sunshine. “It’s just nice not to have to think about engineering.”

“That’s the twelfth time you’ve said that since we arrived in Cape Town,” He gently teased.

“And it’s true and worth saying a billion times!” She stated. “You gotta admit that it’s nice to be away from the Lexington as much as I’m enjoying being away from Challenger.”

Lying back on his sunbed, putting his sunglasses on and then placing his left arm behind his head, he eventually nodded as he rested. “I suppose you’re right.” He then stretched out his right hand towards her. “And being here with you on our honeymoon is the best thing I’ve done all year.”

Taking his hand into hers, Masuko smiled. “That I can totally agree.”

“I wish we could spend every day here. It’s perfect.” He added as he closed his eyes. 

“Wel,l nothing is stopping us from resigning and settling down,” Masuko replied after a few seconds. 

Slightly turning his head towards her, Smith peered over his sunglasses now, “Are you being serious?”

Looking at him, she shrugged his shoulders, “Maybe after the war is over,” She replied. 

“If we win it,” He added without much enthusiasm.

“We’ll win it,”  She replied with more affirmation than him. Sighing, she realised they were talking about work again, “we did it again!”

He nodded in agreement, “We did; I suppose there’s no way either of us is resigning.”

“Who knows what the future holds.” 

Leaning over towards her, he spoke softly to her. “Let’s just focus on the present.”

“Agreed.” She nodded before inclining closer and kissing him.   

As they kissed, their hands started to hold one another closer until they were interrupted by one of the hotel stewards calling for Masuko. “I’m sorry to disturb you, ma’am, but you have an urgent call from San Francisco. A Fleet Captain Burton wishes to speak with you.”

As he broke away from his wife, moaning quietly, Smith knew this wouldn’t be good news from Masuko’s superior. 

“I’ll be back, I promise.” She said as she got up.

“You better be; otherwise, I’m heading back into that water again!” He replied as he watched her walk back to the hotel reception.

She fired him a cheeky smile before looking back in the direction she was walking towards. 

Hannover, Germany, Earth

After getting out of the taxi, Luis Trommler thanked the driver before pulling up his satchel’s strap to place it over his shoulder. Looking over to his companion, he extended his hand towards Tanisha Avery, who smiled straight away. Taking his hand into hers, they started on the walk towards the large townhouse before them. 

“Are you sure your folks are going to let me stay?” Avery asked, sounding a bit concerned as she wrapped her free arm closer around her. The chilly air had hit her the moment they left the taxi, and she was happy she was wearing a hat. Like most European cities, Hannover was enjoying the winter months, and the cold air was brisk. 

Rolling his eyes, the MACO leader nodded, “Absolutely, I’ve already spoken to my dads, and they’ve said they’re happy for you to join us. They live in a five-storey home with plenty of guest rooms.”

“So we’re not staying in the same room?” She teased him. 

Stuttering, Trommler quickly amended his response. “That’s not what I meant-I meant to say that there’s plenty of room-I, I mean, yes. Yes, we are.”

She chuckled as they approached the front door, which had two guards outside of it. “Why do your dads have armed police officers outside their home?”

Wincing slightly, he forgot to tell Avery one thing. “Did I not tell you that my dad is Doctor Kurt Trommler?”

“As in Secretary of State for Health, Doctor Kurt Trommler?” Avery checked, sounding a bit surprised.

“Ja, the one and only,” Trommler confirmed. 

“Why didn’t you tell me your dad serves in the government in such a high-profile position?” Avery said as she started to make sure she looked presentable by smoothing out her outfit. 

“It’s not as if we’re the first family, Tanisha. My dad is only the health minister for the Commonwealth.” Trommler replied as they approached the guards, and both recognised him. 

“He’s like eighth or ninth in line to the presidency; that’s a big deal!” She complained in a whisper before they were let into the home. 

Mouthing an apology to her, Trommler admitted he should have told her before they walked over the threshold, holding hands. The couple was taken through the hallway, and straight away, they were met by a range of Christmas decorations situated not just on the outside but on the inside too. Inside it was a lot warmer too. 

“Luis!” An older tone was heard from the other end of the hallway as soon as they were shown in. 

Walking down the corridor, wearing smart casual clothing, which included a dark maroon jumper, was Trommler’s father. Hugging his father straight away, Trommler was pleased to see his dad. 

“Dad, this is Tanisha,” He introduced his guest before turning to Avery, “Tanisha, this is my dad-”

He didn’t get a chance to say anything as Avery extended her ungloved hand at the man, “Secretary Trommler, it’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

Smiling at her, Kurt shook his head. “Please, Tanisha, while you are here in my home, please call me Kurt. I’m not the Health Secretary in these four walls; rank and position get dropped when you come through that door.” He indicated towards the doorway they had just come through. 

“Then it’s nice to meet you…Kurt.” She said reservedly and shook his hand.

Turning to his son, Kurt’s smile got bigger. “You’re right, Luis; she is beautiful.”

“Dad!” Luis said, showing his annoyance at his dad for saying such a thing in front of her. 

Tanisha blushed. 

“Hey, if I can’t embarrass my son when he brings home a gorgeous woman, then when can I?” Kurt asked openly; he turned to Tanisha. “We are so pleased to meet you, Tanisha; welcome to our home. I’m sorry, but Andreas, my husband, is still at work and will join us later this evening after his lectures have finished.”

  “That’s fine; I appreciate you having me.” She answered.

As they moved from the entrance hallway into the main living room, Luis took their bags and coats and left them by the bottom of the long winding staircase. 

“Is Pops okay?” Luis asked as he and Tanisha sat down on one of the long sofas.

Sitting in an armchair opposite them, Luis nodded. “You know your father, enjoys the academic life too much.” He looked to Tanisha, “Just a warning now, Tanisha, but Andreas will probe you about your linguistic expertise.”

“Oh, I look forward to it,” She replied sweetly.

“You won’t be saying that after dinner,” Luis warned her jokingly.

Kurt laughed slightly at his son, “Ignore him; his father was only annoyed that both of his sons didn’t follow him into some academic field; instead, they went on to other fields.”

“Fynn took the football field while I took the battlefield!” Luis joked. “Talking of Fynn, his last letter to me said he would be around when I visit.”

“Indeed,” Kurt said with a sigh. “Your father and I know about him joining the MACOs too.”

Luis appeared to deflate at hearing that news. Fynn had asked him to keep it quiet from them until he had fully decided what he wanted to do with his life. “When did you find out?”

“Same way, you did,” Kurt answered, “Several new security updates have been placed on those on the cabinet, and when the check on my immediate family was carried out, they informed me of Fynn being a MACO reserve.” 

 Feeling awkward about it all, Luis started to apologise but was stopped by his father. 

“You’ve got nothing to say sorry for,” Kurt said, “He’s old enough to make his own decisions, that includes the ones around his marriage too.”

Scratching the back of his head, Luis felt uncomfortable talking about it in front of Tanisha. Noticing his reaction, Tanisha placed a reassuring hand on his arm before taking his hand into hers. 

Kurt, peeking up on Luis and his response, smirked. “Let’s just say I think things are okay between him and Ollie. They’re in town for the day, and Ollie is spending the evening here before returning to the Poseidon.”

“That’s good to hear.” Luis said, sounding more confident now. 

“Yes, it is; now I know you both might not be around for Christmas, so your father and I were hoping that you and Fynn wouldn’t mind indulging a couple of old men in enjoying having their boys home along with their lovely partners. We’d like to take you all out for dinner tonight if that’s okay?” Kurt offered.

Looking at Tanisha, Luis smiled before turning back to his dad. “That sounds good. Does Fynn not have another match, though?”

“Match?” Tanisha asked before she remembered what Luis’ brother did. “As in a soccer match?”

Standing up, Kurt shook his head. “Soccer, football, it’s all the same thing, but Fynn is finishing off his footballing career at the end of the month. His final game is in England.” Stretching his back a bit, the older man smiled. “Now, I’ve been a bad host. Let me get you both some drinks. Tea? Coffee?”

After giving him their requests, Luis and Tanisha laid back further on the sofa. 

“Your dad is adorable,” Tanisha said. 

Smirking at her, Luis responded. “Now you know where I get it from!”

With her hands on her hips, Admiral Kameetha was reviewing the simulation of her latest battle plan for when they arrived at Terrha. The moment the results showed her ultimate loss, she threw her plate of viinerine across the room in a rage. For the first time in days, what she had planned, based on the latest intelligence they had received while on their journey, they would end up being defeated by the hevams.  Thankfully her actions were not witnessed by anyone as she was in the private confines of her office. Slumping into her chair behind her desk, the admiral took a moment to control her breathing. 

The door chime then went off. 

Moaning under her breath for the disturbance, she shouted out in response. “Yes, enter!”

Commander Sirrel stepped in and paused as he saw the mess on the floor. “Sorry to disturb you, admiral, but there’s an incoming shuttle from Ki Baratan with a Senate call sign and a heavy escort of Senate Guard fighters.”

Stopping her work, she realised what that meant. “That must only mean one thing.”

“Indeed, the praetor is on his way,” Sirrel stated.

“Damn, he probably wants to know our status,” The admiral cursed. “Inform all decks to prepare for an unplanned inspection.”

“Of course, admiral, anything else?” He asked.

She looked at the mess on the floor. “Have someone come up here and clean that up!”

Moments later, Admiral Kameetha stood to attention with an honour guard and Sirrel beside her in the launch bay of the R’Keth. The shuttle had just landed a set of steps along with a long dark emerald green carpet laid out by its aft hatch. As the door fell down towards the deck, the top part of the praetor’s head was seen along with his advisors on either side. Personal bodyguards walked out first and stood on either side of the hatch with their disruptor rifles in their hands. 

“Praetor D’deridex, you honour us with your presence,” Kameetha greeted their leader with a slight bow of her head. “Welcome to the R’Keth.”

Looking briefly around the room, the praetor acknowledged Kameetha. “Thank you, admiral.”  D’deridex was an older Romulan man with grey and silver hair. His eyes showed a window of wisdom and a sense of calmness too. Wearing the dark navy blue robes that belonged to the praetor, he stepped onto the carpet. “We are here for an update on your mission, admiral.”

Noticing Proconsul Khazara beside him, Kameetha knew they meant business, so she inclined her head and gestured for them to exit the room and head to her office.

After offering a glass of kali-fal to both of her guests (the last remains of the bottles that Sirrel had brought to their senior officer’s dinner a few days ago), the admiral started to present her updated plan to the Romulan leadership. 

“Your plan, admiral, is not without distinction. However, I remain dubious. The hevam will undoubtedly send a considerable force to defend their homeworld. How can you be sure you will succeed?” Khazara said from her chair. The Proconsul, like D’deridex, was an aged politician and was one of the praetor’s closest allies in the Senate. A former capable member of the military herself, Khazara was no fool.

Kameetha remained calm as she answered. “That’s the part of the plan that is crucial. If we can heavily damage, cripple or destroy a good proportion of their fleet, we will strike fear into our enemy.”

“Yes, we’ve heard that before, admiral; those words convinced the Continuing Committee to adopt your plan and pull resources from Valdore’s projects.” D’deridex stated, “But you’ve not actually described to us how you plan to deliver on your promises.”

Kameetha pulled on her jacket and brought up the simulation she had been working on before they entered. “Our first phase would be to take out their outer system detection network. Once this has been achieved, our fleet will break into smaller task groups, all with different targets to undertake hit-and-run tactics. If they can destroy them, they will significantly help us, but even just damaging them will be good enough to disrupt the hevams.”

“And what about the nuclear attack? We’ve spent considerable resources to outfit your fleet with these weapons.” Khazara stated, “how will you get close enough to Terrha or any other target to hit them?”

  Kameetha smiled, “We plan to arm some of our smaller fighters with the warheads, and we will fire several of them against Terrha. Nevertheless, as I said before, this plan is not to conquer them-”

Waving his hand, D’deridex looked like he was about to roll his eyes. “Yes, we know, you want to strike fear into the enemy.”

Kameetha looked at her leader, “Sir, do you not approve of my plan?”

Praetor D’deridex took a deep breath, “I do, admiral; I am just concerned that committing such a large force to one engagement will significantly reduce our advancement.”

 Kameetha agreed with his comment.  “It does possess such risks, but I think it’s worth it. Showing our enemies that we can attack their homeworld will show we are not to be messed with. It is a bold plan, but I believe we need to be more forceful to win this war. The attack against the Vulcan shipyard at Merak showed their allies we can give them a bloody nose.”

“The Merak offensive cost us greatly, admiral if you recall. Most of our ships rammed the thhaei dry-docks to ensure we met our objectives. Our former brothers and sisters had no idea what hit them,” Khazara remarked. “We cannot afford to lose so many ships, even if the outcome is in our favour.”

“I understand that,” Kameetha said. “My plan is to go in and get out as quickly as possible.”

D’deridex looked at Khazara, then back to Kameetha, “Then I wish good luck, admiral.” He got out of his chair, as did the proconsul. “Hit them hard as you can, and then upon your return, I want us to begin working on the next attack.”

Surprised to hear that last comment, Kameetha asked for clarity. 

Khazara answered her. “The attack on those blue devils, the Andorsu.”

“It doesn’t make sense,” Levesque said in between mouthfuls. She placed her fork down on her plate of pasta before reaching for the glass of water in front of her. “Well, as you said, I suppose it’s to keep you out of the limelight.”

Burton nodded as he finished a mouthful. Swallowing it in one fell swoop, he looked at her. “I spoke with Secretary Campbell earlier this morning,” 

Surprised to hear Burton speaking to Earth’s Foreign Secretary, Levesque was impressed he could get through to her. “What were you hoping she would do for you?”

Picking up his own glass of wine, Burton answered her. “I wanted to find out how much damage our mission at Krios had caused the diplomatic corps.” 

“And?”

He sighed. “It was some as we predicted, but nothing too significant that will cause any issues with the Klingons in the long-term,” Burton sipped on the wine a few more times. Enjoying the white wine, a product of the vineyard that Nicole’s sister owned, he eventually put it back on the table. “The Krios officials we saved have set up a government-in-exile, but it’s doubtful they’ll be able to do much in liberating Krios from Klingon occupation. Secretary Campbell tells me that in return for the Commonwealth allowing the Kriosians to stay within our territory, they are not allowed to be involved in placing us or any coalition member in conflict with the Klingon Empire.”

“Ouch,” Levesque said, blinking a few times. “They can’t do anything while here?”

“The original agreement I established with the First Monarch must be honoured. They provide technical assistance in return for their society surviving within our territory. So, expect some Kriosians joining Starfleet Science as consultants and advisors.”

“I’ll look forward to it,” Levesque said before picking up more pasta with her fork, “is the pasta okay?”

“It’s delicious,” He said with another bite about to enter his mouth. “You cook it yourself?”

Levesque laughed, “No, Claudia did.”

“She runs one of the finest vineyards in North America during the day and at night still has time to cook; I am impressed!” Burton said with a chuckle.

“Don’t forget she’s a full-time mother and wife too!” Levesque added.

“A true hero!” Burton said with a smirk. 

From a distance, Claudia called out. “Thank you, Lloyd! Someone who truly appreciates me!”

Both Burton and Levesque burst out laughing more. They were presently sitting outside of Claudia’s home (where Nicole had been staying since her return to Earth), having lunch together meal with an impressive warm sun in the distance. As they were trying to take their relationship to another level, spending time together alone from their Starfleet duties had become complicated lately. Claudia had insisted that instead of them going off somewhere for dinner that Lloyd stayed with them, especially as her house was large enough. The day had been perfect so far, they had caught up, and the conversation flowed easily between them. Levesque was doing well during her pregnancy, and their triplets were doing well as she entered her third month of the pregnancy. Her bump was getting bigger. Her promotion to captain had come through, too, while Burton had been away, so they were celebrating that too. 

“Do you know exactly what you’ll do while the refit is done?” Levesque posed to him as she finished what was on her plate. 

He shrugged his shoulders at first before shaking his head. “No clue,” Burton answered. “I think it might either be assigned to Starfleet Tactical, or I heard they were eager to get some experienced field officers to help teach at Starfleet Training Command.” 

“I can see you as a good guest lecturer or tutor to some of those younger and eager cadets.” Levesque shared as she relaxed back into her chair. 

“Have you not heard that most of the cadets they have at the moment are not that young,” Burton shared. “Alex told me that he heard from his colleague that recruitment for Starfleet has exploded in the past few months. More and more people are coming forward to join the ranks to help with the war.”

“My counterpart in the UESPA advised me that a third of their staff have all transferred over to Starfleet,” Levesque shared. “Anyone with the experience and qualifications is fast-tracked to receive a field commission. Having someone who can share their own time out in deep space would certainly help them. I heard some of them are doing a one-year course before being set off on to starship assignments.” 

“I may consider it,” Burton stated, “I also heard that Starfleet has opened up to give commissions to anyone else in the coalition who wishes to join them.”

“Are you considering poaching T’Plau or Anthi to join our ranks?” Levesque wondered. 

“I can’t see Starfleet Command agreeing to give them field commissions to be captains,” Burton answered. “Anyway, having them close-by as allies is more useful.”

“To you or Starfleet?” Levesque asked. 

“Both,” Burton replied with a smile before they were approached by Mack, Nicole’s nephew and Claudia’s son. “Mack, how you doing, big man?”

The six-year-old boy smiled at Burton, “I’m doing good, thanks, Uncle Lloyd!”

Levesque nervously chuckled at her nephew, calling Burton that, “Mack, Lloyd isn’t your uncle!”

Mack showed a confused expression, “But mum said you two were together, and you’ve made three of my cousins who are in your tummy, Aunt Nicole, so why can’t Lloyd be my uncle?”

Levesque sighed and looked to Burton for help while apologising with a simple expression. 

Chuckling at the boy, Burton nodded before he pulled Mack in to sit on his lap. “I’m fine with you calling me that, as long as your aunt is?” 

Laughing a bit as Burton tickled his side, Mack looked up at his aunt. “Please, Aunt Nic, can Lloyd be my uncle?” He pleaded with her by exaggerating almost every word. 

Shaking her head at her sister’s handy work here, Levesque gave in to Mack’s request and nodded a few times. “Yeah, I’m fine with that!”

“Yay!” Mack called, “Now come inside as we’ve got ice cream! That’s an order!”

“Ice cream!” Burton replied, sounding excited. “That sounds amazing!” He ended up picking up Mack from his lap and putting the young boy on his shoulders before getting up and then holding out his hand to help Levesque from her chair. “Come on, Captain Levesque, we’ve got our orders.”

“Aye, Fleet Captain Burton! Ice cream it is!” She said, smiling. Seeing how good Burton was with her nephew made her fall more in love with him and know that he would make a great dad for their sons. 

Wissant, France, Earth, Sol System

It was late in the evening, and the gathering of a good number of the crew had started only a few hours ago. After putting out a vast spread of food, everyone was now enjoying the fine wine that Dubois’ mother had promised. It was going down exceptionally well. 

Cortez, Habiba, Malone and Payne were sitting outside and around a fire pit. The four women were all wrapped up warm due to the cold French air. Though it was winter, Dubois had placed outdoor heaters everywhere outside the chateaux for her guests to enjoy the outside and the inside. The four women were appreciating the third bottle of wine they had consumed after dinner. 

“This is truly something,” Malone mentioned as she sipped her glass. “I think we need to speak to Montana about getting several crates of this stuff sent to the ship before we head out again.”

“Amen, sister,” Habiba agreed as she raised her glass to Malone’s point before taking a swipe from her own glass. “Though knowing Montana, I’m assuming she’s already done that and is probably speaking to Ghislaine’s mother about her cooking tonight.”

The women all laughed as Lawson was the one who enjoyed sharing recipes and cooking techniques with anyone who shared her passion. It was one of the many things they appreciated about her, especially during their time on Ardana. She had impressed the entire crew with her creativity in using natural ingredients from the tropical island they had taken over to survive on. Her soups, broths and stews had become legendary; that said, her beach barbeques had become something of a story that everyone had shared when they had been rescued by Burton and their Andorian allies.

 Stepping out with another two bottles under their arms were First Lieutenant Alder and Second Lieutenant Javini. Giggling as they did, the two MACO women approached their group as they sat down on a nearby empty bench. 

“Here’s to the liberation of more fine French wine!” Alder said as she showed the group her prize. 

Cortez laughed out loud, “How did you get your hands on more?” She asked as she held her glass towards Alder to fill it up. 

After taking out the cork,  Alder poured it into the armoury’s officer’s glass. “Bridgette is a legend; we just walked into the kitchen to get some more snacks, and she told us to take these two out with us!”

Javini pulled out a plate of crisps and dips and placed it on one of the tables nearby. After taking a handful for herself, she spoke up. “Bridgette is a legend; I can see where the chief gets it from.”

Malone nodded in agreement. “That she is,” She said after leaning over to grab herself a few tortillas. “When Sakura said she was the finest quartermaster in the fleet, I thought she would be good, but she is on some other level of exemplary.”

“She’s amazing,” Payne said as she took a sip from her glass. “I sent Niall to get supplies from storage, and before he got back, she had already delivered it to sickbay. He spent an afternoon trying to work out what had happened to them; he believed he had mislaid them and was worried about coming back to tell Kefira and me he had lost them.” 

More laughter erupted from the women just as a few others walked across the courtyard they were all sitting in. 

“Speak of the devil,” Payne said, indicating toward the group of their crewmates. One of them was Stewart.

“You talking about me again, Hillary?” Stewart asked as he approached the group.

“Only good things, my lovely,” She answered with a sweet smile. 

Stewart rolled his eyes and made a sort of humph noise, showing he didn’t quite believe her. 

Holding his hand was his husband, Jenkins, who quickly came to his defence in a mocking tone. “Do you need me to protect your honour, Niall?”

Hearing the sarcasm and teasing in his tone, Stewart shook his head. “No, but don’t expect anything nice from me while we’re here!” He toyed back.

“Give it a rest, you two!” Habiba called out. 

 “Thank god, someone told them!” Reddick, who had been with the married couple. The ensign moved away from them and took a seat beside Cortez, who gestured for him to sit next to her on the outdoor sofa she was occupying. 

“Are they showing a bit too much PDA, Adrian?” Cortez asked her deputy. 

“A bit is being generous in the description,” Reddick stated.

Rafferty, who had also been with them, spoke up too. “A simple walk around the chateaux turned into a game of hide and seek in trying to find where these two had stopped off to-”

“Yeah, thanks, Harv, let’s keep that to ourselves!” Jenkins quickly interjected, his cheeks blushing a pink shade. 

A few more chuckles erupted from the group as the men joined the women around the fire pit. 

“This is nice,” Cortez said after a while. “It does bring back good memories of those late-night campfires that Major Yu would put up on Ardana.”

Before anyone else could comment, one of the side doors opened, and Harris walked out. The captain’s yeoman smiled at everyone, “Ah, so here is where you’ve all been hiding while I’ve been helping out with the washing up!”

 More giggles went around the group in response to Harris’ comment. 

“No one told you to do it!” Stewart stated. 

Harris picked up an empty glass and went to Alder to top him up; as he did, he answered back. “My mother taught me to always help out when I’m a guest in someone else’s home.”

“That’s very honourable of you, Jamie,” Alder commented after finishing pouring red wine into his glass. 

 “Thank you, Sheridan.” He said before drinking his glass and making his way over to sit next to Malone. “Does anyone know who else is meant to be joining us?”

“Sakura won’t be joining us while she’s on her honeymoon,” answered Malone. “She told me she was meant to have gone before Challenger was launched.”

“Yeah, things changed after Captain Karim’s shuttlecraft accident,” Cortez said solemnly. “What about Theo?”

“I got a message from him earlier today,” Stewart answered, “He’s planning to stay in California a bit longer at his parents’ house as his brother is home.”

“Anyone knows where Angela and Rupesh are?” Jenkins asked before stuffing a mouthful of cheese breadsticks into his mouth. 

Javini answered straight away, “They’re together in Scotland.”

“Scotland?” A number of them asked, surprised.

The assistant MACO commander raised her hands in defence, “Hey, that’s all I heard Rupesh mention about the other day in the locker room.”

“I thought Rupesh said he was heading home to see the boys with his parents?” Cortez questioned. 

Harris nodded, “Yeah, he said the same to me. Angela said she would spend a few days with her aunt before heading to see her fathers.”

“I knew it!” Stewart said with a smirk. “The two of them are hooking up!”

More laughter went around the group as they went on to discuss the potential new coupling up. As the discussion started to die out, Dubois walked out, hand in hand with her husband. The entire group quietened down as she approached them.

“What’s all the noise about?” She called out to them, “Something I’m missing?”

“I promise you, Ghislaine, it’s another one of Niall’s conspiracy relationship theories,” Malone promised the chief.  

“Oh dear,” Dubois said, rolling her eyes partly. “Anyway, I want to introduce you all to someone you’ve heard me speak a lot about,” she pointed to her husband, “Everyone, this is Antoine, Antoine, this is everyone!”

“Bonjour!” Antoine said as he raised and waved his free hand. He was a few inches higher than his wife, with golden short curly hair and a similar coloured stubbly beard. “Ghislaine has spoken to me a lot about you all; I feel like I know you more than I know the crew of the May.”

“The feeling is mutual, chief,” Harris said as he got up and fetched two more glasses for the other married couple now joining them, “The chief always shares with us an ‘Antoine’ story when she’s briefing the enlisted officers.”

Antoine looked down at Ghislaine, who smiled at him before Harris gave them both glasses of wine. “Jamie is making it sound like I’m always speaking about you and nothing else.” She said as they took a seat on a cushioned bench. “The truth is he likes to make something sound more dramatic than it really is.”

“I do not!” Harris said in defence.

“I think he doth protest too much!” Antoine said in his thick French accent.

Jenkins chuckled at that remark, “He certainly does that too!” 

Everyone laughed at that. 

It went silent for a moment among them. 

Stewart then leaned forward, his arm around Jenkins’ waist. “This is when we would hear Jack make a joke about Jamie’s dramatic antics, either by himself or with Luis.”

Mentioning their fallen comrade made everyone nod in agreement. The mood becoming a bit sombre at the missing people from their group.

Raising her glass, Cortez spoke up. “To missing friends,” She said before adding, “to family.”

Everyone joined in with the toast and took a sip from their glasses.

“Where is Captain Trommler?” Rafferty asked no one specifically. The young private had recently become a sort of protege under the MACO detachment command.

 Jenkins answered, “In a couple of days, he’s seeing his parents in Hannover with Tanisha.”

“Another one of these power couples I’ve heard so much about?” Antoine asked his wife. 

She nodded from where she rested against him. “Don’t worry, mon amour, none of them have what it takes to take us on as the original power couple in Starfleet Enlisted Affairs.”

“Très bien!” Antoine said as he sipped more wine, and the group continued with chuckles and sharing of good memories. 

Sitting inside around the long wooden table in the main kitchen, Rodham looked over his shoulder from the laughter he could hear outside. “Sounds like Antoine is becoming a fast star with our lot.”

“My son-in-law is certainly a star!” Bridgette agreed as she went around the table, topping up everyone’s drinks. As she finished Rodham’s, she said, “It’s been a long time since Ghislaine and he were together for an evening.”

On the opposite side of the table, sitting on the bench, was Ben-Amie, who was sipping on her drink. “Ghislaine mentioned to me he only returned to active duty after she took the posting on Challenger.”

 Bridgette nodded again, “He was injured while on a rescue mission, and it took a long time for him to recover.”

“Nothing too serious, I hope?” Sandoval asked, who was sitting beside Rodham. 

Bridgette nodded, “He was pretty much paralysed, but thanks to some Denobulan doctors and lots of rehabilitation, he was able to recuperate. Et voilà!” She took a deep breath, “Talking of recuperating, I’m not as young as I used to be. So I will bid you all a good night’s sleep and call in myself.”

“Thank you, Bridgette, for having us all,” Rodham called out as she started to make her way out of the kitchen.

Turning to him, she smiled. “mon plaisir!” She said as she touched her chest where her heart would be before leaving the group to themselves. 

“An incredible woman,” Lawson said as she walked across the kitchen and sat beside Ben-Ami. 

“Indeed,” the doctor agreed. “And if we ever need a new chef, at least we know she may be available!”

“Ouch Kefira, very ouch!” Lawson said with a mocked sense of hurt. 

Ben-Ami chuckled and assured their chef they wouldn’t want to replace her. 

“So anyone wants to bet on where Starfleet will send us next?” Sandoval asked as she picked up a bit of cheese their host had left for them to enjoy with their wine. 

 Rodham shook his head. “Your guess is as good as mine, Rosa.” 

“I suppose it depends on how long the refit will take,” Ben-Ami remarked. 

“You honestly think they’ll let us all come back together after the upgrade is complete?” Lawson checked as she picked up a piece of camembert and popped it into her mouth. 

“The admiral did promise us that,” Sandoval said. “Why would she go back on that?”

“The war could change it,” Ben-Ami stated. She sighed, “Let’s not think about it for now. Let’s just enjoy this time away from the frontlines for now.”

Rodham nodded in agreement, “You’re right, Kefira.”

“So, Alex, are you planning to see your folks at some point? I’m assuming your mother must be busy?” Sandoval asked before sipping on more wine.

Shaking his head, Rodham explained his reasons. “No, things get too hectic at The White House whenever I return. I’ve spoken to my mum and said I’ll try and be around for the new year.”

“God, are we that close to the end of the year, already?” Lawson asked, shocked at that fact.

“It’s scary to think it’s going to be almost a year since the ship was launched,” Ben-Ami stated.

“And what a year!” Lawson added.

“To the Challenger,” Rodham said as he rose his glass, “may her refit be swift so she may return to the frontlines again!”

“Here, here,” Sandoval agreed as she raised her glass with the other two women to clink their glasses with Rodham’s. 

“At least we get to take her into her port and get to unpack before they start work on her.” Lawson said after sipping her wine again. 

“That’s true,” Sandoval. “When was it again?”

“I think I read they were hoping we do a bit of patrolling of the Sol system first and then head in for the last time before New Year’s Eve.” Rodham answered. 

“Well, that’s one way of seeing the new year in!” Ben-Ami stated.

“I think I’ll call it a night,” Rodham said after a brief yawn. “Cooper said that he and the captain were planning to arrive tomorrow afternoon, so I’d like to get a bit more rest before we start talking about ship business.”

Standing up, Rodham said his goodnights to the three women before he left and made his way over to his own chalet that he had been given by Dubois to use. As he got into the small cabin, he turned on the light and looked down at the small desk and smiled the moment he saw the photo frame he had placed there earlier. It was a picture of him and Michael from their wedding day. Smiling at it, he sat down on the edge of the double bed and started to talk to it. Sometimes at night he would talk to Michael and keep him informed about his day before he called it a night. It was his way of still feeling like Michael was there with them.

“I thought you got another twenty-four hours?” Whined Fynn Trommler from the other side of the living room.

“I’m sorry, Fynn,” Campbell said as he picked up his long field jacket and put his arms through it. “The Poseidon’s maintenance schedule has been completed ahead of schedule. We’re returning to patrols of the home territories this evening.”

Luis walked into hearing his brother having another argument with his husband. Commander Oliver Campbell was a tall, muscular, Scottish man with thick curly brown hair and pale blue eyes. Though slightly older than Fynn, both of them had got on like a house on fire when they first got together. Nevertheless, their marriage recently had turned into a burnt-out house. Fynn has dropped the bombshell that he didn’t want to be a Starfleet widow and had threatened to divorce Oliver. The only thing that saved the young Starfleet officer was the fact his ship, the Poseidon, had recently been assigned to patrols of the home core territories, including the Sol, Alpha Centauri and Terra Nova systems. Being closer to home meant they could speak in real-time via subspace, or when Oliver was close to Earth, he could return home to see one another in person.

Fynn had wanted his husband to take a post on Earth, but Oliver wasn’t prepared to give up his current position with the war on. Being the chef helm officer and first officer on the first Poseidon-class starship was almost as prestigious as serving on an NX-class. Though similar in design to the Challenger and its sisters, this class punched more in firepower but was slower. The fact that Oliver had served in the British Royal Air Force and was an exceptional pilot, it didn’t surprise Luis that Starfleet wasn’t going to accept transferring such an asset from active field duties. He knew how lucky Fleet Captain Burton had been after losing Lieutenant Conrad to get Commander Rodham. Exceptional and gifted pilots were rare now. He just hoped that Fynn would eventually appreciate Oliver’s position.

“This is ridiculous, Ollie; we’re barely surviving in our relationship. Our marriage is falling apart, and you’re rushing away from it in the opposite direction,” Fynn complained once more.

“Hey, Fynn,” Luis interjected, “give the guy a break. He’s lucky he got the extra time he was given.”

Shooting his brother a glare, Fynn snapped back. “Stay out of this, Luis!”

Oliver mouthed a ‘thank you’ towards Luis while Fynn looked away. “Babe, I’m back with you for the end of the month for a few more days. Then we’ve got those two weeks on holiday in February planned. You, me and a beach in Hawaii.”

“A holiday isn’t going to sort out our problems,” Fynn mumbled back.

Rolling his eyes as he did up his coat, Oliver sighed. “Fynn, I’m trying here.”

Shaking his head, Fynn shrugged his shoulders next. “Okay, sure,” He sighed again. “Have a safe journey.”

Oliver echoed a similar sigh and then said goodbye to Luis before picking up his duffle bag and heading out into the cold German winter afternoon.

Once the door was closed, Fynn turned to his brother. “You see what I’m dealing with.”

Pausing before he answered, Luis, scratched the back of his head and winced. “Fynn, the last couple of days we’ve been able to share with you and Ollie has proven to me you two have a great relationship.”

“Except when he isn’t around to have one with me.” Fynn countered back as he sat down on the nearby sofa.

“Fynn, brother, I love you, but I’m going, to be honest with you,” Luis replied as he sat down next to him. “You’re expecting too much from Ollie.”

“Jesus, you sound like the therapist we saw,” Fynn said annoyedly. “I was told I don’t understand what it’s like to be a starship officer.”

“You don’t,” Luis answered bluntly. “Until you see what Ollie has to deal with, you won’t get what he is doing and why it’s bigger than him and you.”

“Bigger than our marriage?” Finn asked rhetorically.  as he stormed away from his older brother.

Spinning on his feet to try and stop him, Luis found himself not only facing his brother, walking away from him, but also Tanisha standing in the distance, witnessing the entire event. Fynn walked past her before she closed the distance between her and Luis.

“You okay?” She asked quietly.

Luis nodded, “Yeah, it’s nothing new with Fynn flying off the handles like this.”

“He’s hurting a lot,” She mentioned with a sympathetic look.

“He is, but if he just saw that Ollie is such a good guy and one of the best things that have walked into his life,” Luis replied as Tanisha placed her hands around his neck. “Sort of like you coming into mine.”

Stifling a chuckle at how romantic he was trying to sound, Tanisha shook her head at how cheesy it sounded. “Maybe that’s the problem,” she suggested, “maybe, as you said to Fynn, he doesn’t quite understand that when you put the uniform on, things are different in a relationship. You said he joined the MACO reserves; has he told Oliver yet?”

Shaking his head in response, Luis spoke up. “I don’t think he has, but I’m not sure that would make a difference.”

“The problem isn’t just with the uniform,” spoke Luis’ father from the other end of the room.

The sudden arrival of Kurt Trommler slightly surprised the couple as they turned to face the older man. “The problem Fynn is facing is not what Oliver is doing but what Fynn is doing with his life.”

Confused by his father’s remark, Luis edged him to elaborate further. “What do you mean, dad?”

Holding a mug of hot coffee, Kurt took a sip before responding. “Fynn’s footballing career is coming to an end, and his trying to find something else to belong to. He sees what you and Oliver do makes a difference in your lives, and he wants the same.”

“I think your father is right, Luis,” Tanisha said.

Raising his mug towards her as a sign of gratitude, Kurt bowed his head slightly towards the young woman. “Thank you, Tanisha; I took my cue from you though,” He turned to his eldest. “Luis, go and speak to your brother and let him see sense.”

Sighing, Luis agreed with a nod after receiving a kiss of encouragement from Tanisha. After he left the room, Tanisha turned to Kurt.

“Do you think he’ll get through to Fynn?” She asked.

Chuckling somewhat as he took another sip, Kurt soon answered. “Fynn can be stubborn with his relationships, but if anyone might get through to him, it’s Luis. He may succeed in just planting a seed.”

“Let’s hope so,” Tanisha stated.

“There’s that too, my dear,” Kurt said before asking if she would join him in the kitchen, followed by offering to make her a mug of coffee which she accepted gracefully.

Napa, California, United States of America, Earth

Throwing his son up in the air and then catching him as he landed in the water, Cooper Walker laughed loudly as Mack knocked him backwards into the swimming pool. Spending quality time with his son was a welcome change from being on the Challenger. It had felt like a long time since he had been home, but he was not going to miss out on being with his family. Initially finding it somewhat weird that his sister-in-law was now with his commanding officer, he had eventually come accustomed to seeing Burton around his home. Claudia, his wife, had insisted on Burton remaining with them for longer while he and Nicole spent some quality time together while she took a couple of days of leave. The two were on the poolside having breakfast while Cooper splashed around with Mack.

“Come on in, Lloyd!” Mack called out after surfacing to the top of the pool.

Lloyd looked over from the table he and Nicole were at, eating breakfast, and smiled at the kid. “Soon, Mack!” He replied.

At that point, Claudia walked out of the patio doors with someone else behind her that Cooper didn’t recognise. Wearing a Starfleet jumpsuit uniform and a light field jacket, Cooper wondered who the stranger was and then feared that she was here for him and Lloyd to return to active duty sooner.

“Lloyd, you have a visitor,” Claudia stated, indicating at their guest one step behind her.

Looking over at the woman, Lloyd appeared surprised, but he knew her from his follow-up expression.

“Commander Hanson,” Lloyd said after getting up from his chair and walking towards her, “what do I owe this out-of-the-blue visit for?”

Cautiously she looked at the others, first at Claudia, then at Nicole, followed by her giving Cooper and Mack a gaze before returning her focus on Lloyd. “Sir, may we have a word in private?”

“Umm, sure,” He answered before seeking permission from Claudia if he could use her study, to which she agreed.

After the two left them, Cooper swam over to the edge and pulled himself up. Walking over to Claudia, who was now with Nicole, he picked up a white towel draped over one of the chairs.

“Who’s that?” His wife asked.

Pulling the towel around his wet body, he tied it around his waist. “No idea, Nicole?”

“I recognise her,” Nicole answered, “I think.” She paused. “I can’t be certain.”

“What could she want with Lloyd?” Claudia said as she poured herself a glass of orange juice and took the seat that Lloyd had previously occupied. “She seems really serious.” Looking up at her husband,  “Coop, maybe you should go in and see if Lloyd needs back-up?”

“Maybe,” Cooper mumbled.

“I wouldn’t,” Nicole advised, “She’s with Starfleet Security; didn’t you see her arm patch? It said Special Investigations on it.”

“And? Cooper is Lloyd’s second officer, plus he holds the same rank as her. What other clearance could he need to know? The same goes for you; you are the deputy director of Starfleet Science, Captain Levesque!”

“Claudia has a point,” Cooper admitted as he looked in the direction of the window where Claudia’s study was.

“And I know Lloyd, if he wanted one of us there, he’d invited one of us,” Nicole answered back.

“It doesn’t make sense as to why someone from Starfleet Security would see him,” Cooper stated, “we’ve just been ordered to take the ship for one more trip around the block before it undergoes a refit. I’m going in.”

“Cooper, honey, I love it when you go all macho, but seriously put a top on as your abs are too distracting.” Claudia pointed out; she even gestured with her right index finger about his near-naked body being out on show.

Rolling his eyes at his wife before smirking, Cooper picked up his black vest and pulled it over his chest before heading inside.

Approaching the study quietly, he could slightly make out Lloyd’s conversation.

“Are you certain about this?” He asked Hanson.

“I am,” She confirmed, “I verified the authentication myself; it’s intelligence that we can firmly rely upon.”

“I’m not sure my brothers or sister would agree with that,” Lloyd countered back before he took a long sigh. “Thanks, Alexa; I appreciate you sharing this with me.”

“I thought it would be best it came from you instead of me. I know the fleet admiral has been keeping her distance from our recent covert operation to avoid any questions from others on the command council, but this information can’t be sat on.”

“Not at all,” Lloyd agreed with her. “I’ll leave for San Francisco immediately.”

Hearing them heading towards the door, Cooper swiftly entered the kitchen to avoid being heard. From there, he listened to Lloyd say goodbye to Hanson before going into the kitchen himself.

“Everything okay, Lloyd?” Cooper asked immediately.

A bit startled to see him there, Lloyd stuttered out a yes before stopping in his tracks and turning to him. “Cooper, I’ve got to head to San Francisco at once, but can you call Alex and tell him to prepare the crew for immediate departure.”

Concerned to hear that from him, Cooper wanted to question what was happening, but something inside told him not to. “Certainly, most of them are at Ghislaine’s place; it won’t take too much effort.”

“Thanks, let me just go say bye to Mack, Claudia and Nicole,” Lloyd said in an appreciative tone.

Then it hit Cooper how white and grey Lloyd had gone. It was almost like he saw a ghost, and the whole world’s fate was now resting on his shoulders. Whatever Hanson had told him, it was clear it wasn’t great news.

Starfleet Command Headquarters, San Francisco, United States of America, Earth, Sol System

“How certain can we be that this is true?” Fleet Admiral Moira Hathaway asked as she studied the information on the large wall screen.

“Agent Minerva confirmed it’s legitimate, ma’am. On my way over, I confirmed that the message came from Utopia too.” Burton explained.

Somewhat impressed to hear that, Hathaway uncrossed her arms as she looked up at Burton. “It would seem your father’s connections with this bureau are not completely burnt out than we expected.”

“Indeed,” Burton answered, sounding annoyed at that notion.

Returning to her desk, she tapped on the intercom and called for her executive assistant and adjutant to come in. Moments later, Commander Jane Astley opened the doors to Hathaway’s office and entered. “Yes, ma’am?”

“Jane, tell Admiral Clark that I need to see her now. Then call Doctor Hurst, Secretary Vanderbilt, Prime Minister Samuels and President Littlejohn; I need to brief them all on something vital to the war effort as soon as possible.” Hathaway commanded.

Astley bobbed her head with an affirmative nod before returning to her desk to make the calls.

Hearing Hathaway’s request to see her deputy followed by the names of the UESPA Chief Administrator, the Defence Secretary, the head of government and the head of state, told Burton that what he had just shared with her was going to be taken seriously.  “Is there anything else I can do, ma’am?” Burton asked his superior.

She nodded, “Yes, you can come with me and while we’re on our way to see everyone, tell your first officer to get preparations underway to launch Challenger.”

“It’s already being taken care of,” Burton answered, “I’ll just give him the green light to get going without me.”

“Make it so,” She ordered as Admiral Elaine Clark, the Commander of Starfleet Headquarters, soon appeared. “Ah, Elaine, we’ve got some news to share with you,” Hathaway said, gesturing for Clark to sit in the chair opposite her.

Clark, who looked a lot like Foreign Secretary Madilyn Campbell, was tall with dark auburn-coloured hair, styled into a short bob that rested under her chin.  She also had piercing brown eyes that made her have a reputation as being intimidating and impressive at the same time.

After Hathaway shared what Burton had presented to Clark, she stood straight away. “I’ll start work on preparing defences. Have we got a rough timeframe?” Clark asked her superior.

“Not yet; it could be days or weeks. Either way, suspend all future planned refits and cut what maintenance schedules we can. I want everyone in the Sol system ready for whatever comes our way.”

“Consider it done.” Clark said as she started to make her way towards the door.

“And I want hourly updates,” Hathaway called out after Burton finished making his call to Rodham.

In a very uncharacteristic way, Clark responded with a thumbs up in the air as she made her way out.

“Ready?” Hathaway asked Burton.

He nodded, “Alex has everyone returning now; Challenger should be back in orbit within a couple of hours.”

“Good, it gives us time for you to go and brief everyone about that recovered Klingon sensor log,” Hathaway stated as she picked up the tablet with the intelligence report that Burton had presented to her moments ago. “Let’s hope that this time, Klingon credibility towards the Romulans is on our side; otherwise, we’ve just placed the entire Earth defence fleet on high alert for nothing.”

“I hope so too, ma’am,” Burton said as they walked out of her office and towards the lift that would take them to the hangar bay below. “That said, if the Klingons have picked up a Romulan armada slowly making their way towards Earth, then at least we’ll have an opportunity to meet them face on.”

“Yes, but at what cost?” Hathaway asked him after they stepped into the lift and before the doors closed on them.

Scratching his beard before he picked up his mug to sip it, Lloyd Burton nodded as he confirmed what he was now sharing with his sister. “Believe it.” He then drank his tea. “I was just as surprised as you.”

“It’s hard to consider, Lloyd,” His sister, Madison, said as she read the tablet he had just handed her. Sipping on her mug of coffee, the elder Burton sibling shook her head in disbelief. “Dad, was really behind this intelligence report?”

Shrugging his shoulders, Lloyd rested back in his chair from where they sat in his office. For the first time in a week, he could somewhat relax instead of being on tenterhooks waiting for the Romulans to arrive. A week had gone by, and still nothing. “Well, I can’t be sure he actually found out about it, but he definitely got it delivered to me.”

“And now, a week on, the entire fleet is deployed, ready for whatever may come our way,” Madison said before exhaling, “but it has been a week and nothing yet.”

“Enterprise and its little scouting group will know for certain in a few days if the Romulans are really coming,” Lloyd said in between further sips. 

Settling into the armchair after resting the tablet on the arm of her seat, Madison raised her mug. Before the hot contents hit her lips, she asked the one awkward question she wanted to know, “Have you heard any more from dad?”

Lloyd shook his head. “Nothing more than just that report.”

Since their covert investigation to Mars, which revealed their father was working as an undercover researcher on Earth’s Warp Seven Project, Lloyd and his siblings had decided not to remain in touch with him. The fact he had faked his death and got himself involved with a clandestine group within Starfleet that would do whatever it took to defend Earth and the Commonwealth’s security interests had been enough for all four of them to call it a day and cut all ties with him. Their mother didn’t even know. 

“I heard from Roman the other day,” Madison shared, “he said that a Denobulan doctor from Interspecies Medical Exchange had come through with a possible treatment solution for Nathan.”

“That’s great news!” Lloyd smiled, “I thought they said that Nathan’s condition wasn’t treatable?” 

“Roman mentioned that the Denobulans have dealt with a similar condition. It will take several treatments, but the delusions and hallucinations have stopped.” Madison reported. “You should get in touch with Roman.”

“I will,” Lloyd agreed, pleased to hear that news. Their joint mission with the Discovery had left his brother’s boyfriend ill after going through Challenger’s transporter while escaping from a micro-singularity. He had suffered from a sort of breakdown of neurochemicals which no human doctor had been able to help him with. Roman had stepped away from his duties as Discovery’s chief engineer to help care for Nathan after they believed he would suffer from his condition for a long time. “Is he planning to return to duty?”

Madison nodded, “He said once Nathan was better, his been offered a position at the Starfleet Corps of Engineers to oversee supporting the construction of the next batch of NX-class ships.”

“Wow, I thought he’d return to the Discovery or apply to one of the other NX-class ships?” Lloyd said in surprise.

Madison shook her head and explained how Roman had told her he wanted to remain planetside until Nathan’s treatment was completed. “I think Roman is considering settling down.” She added.

“Seriously? Our little Roman wanting his own family?” Lloyd mocked somewhat before showing his support for his brother, “No, in all seriousness, good for him.”

  “Talking about family, how’s Nicole and the impending arrival of my three new nephews?” Madison said as she finished off her coffee.

“She’s well, and the triplets are doing fine, thanks.” He replied with a smile before his door chime went off. Looking over his shoulder from his chair at his desk, he answered it. “Come in.”

After the door had swooshed open, Lloyd’s first officer entered. “Captain, here’s our latest scan from our patrol.” Rodham handed a tablet before pausing and realising the captain had a guest, “Ah, sorry, sir.”

“Alex, it’s fine; come on in, and thanks,” Lloyd answered as he took the device. “You remember my sister?”

“Captain Burton, it’s good to see you again.” Alex extended his hand out towards her.

Standing up and opting to hug Rodham instead, Madison pulled him in. “It’s good to see you too, Alex.”  

“And that’s Captain Braddox, now,” Lloyd said, correcting his first officer.

After they let go and Madison sat back down in her seat, she explained that she had changed her name to take her husband’s instead. “I know it’s old fashion, but I was getting annoyed at always having to explain I’m not Fleet Captain Burton.” She glared mockingly at her brother, “Plus, Captain Madison Braddox sounds more kick-ass when I’m introducing myself in an opening hail.”

Alex chuckled at that last point, “Michael and I once discussed hyphenating our surnames, but then we realised Rodham-Stanton sounded more like a law firm than two senior Starfleet officers.”

Madison laughed at that as Lloyd looked over the scan report. “Well, nothing exciting for us to consider right now.” He passed the device over to Madison as he looked up at his first officer. “Voyager has joined our little patrol group, so make sure the data we exchange with the others is shared with them as well.”

Alex nodded in acknowledgement. “Are they replacing anyone?”

“The Poeisedon needs to head back to Jupiter Station for a quick maintenance issue. They’re still having trouble stabilising the guidance thrusters on their port nacelle.” Lloyd mentioned. 

“We’re no Poeisdon-class, but we’ve got guile in being smaller and quicker!” Madison interjected with a wry smile.

“And I hear a recent refit has given you additional forward pulse phase cannons?” Alex said.

“Yep, the engineers at Copernicus also improved hull polarisation by twelve percent. We’ll be able to hang in a firefight a little longer.” Madison said with some pride about her vessel. “Talking of Voyager, I should really return to her.” She stood up from her chair and handed her empty mug to her brother. “Thanks for the coffee, Fleet Captain Burton.”

“Anytime, Captain Braddox.” He teased in response, using her new name as he got up and gave her a hug. 

After letting go, she mocked him back with a salute and then said goodbye to Alex. 

Burton and Rodham watched her leave before turning to each other. “How’s the crew holding up, Alex?”

“They’re all fine, just itching to do something more than patrolling the home system,” Rodham replied. 

“I understand, but we can’t let our guard down when the Romulans are breathing this close down our necks,” Burton stated as he sat back down. “If morale becomes an issue-”

“Don’t worry, it’s not, but I’ve already spoken to Montanna; she’s planning to do a quiz night tonight, and tomorrow night, the plan is to screen A Christmas Carol with mulled wine and mince pies,” Rodham reported. 

“Wow, I had completely lost track of time and didn’t realise we were so close to the holidays,” Burton sighed. “Speak with Montanna and see if the galley can do something almost every night on the run-up to Christmas.”

“Well, Cooper and I were wondering if it would be acceptable to bring in a tree and put it up in the mess hall? Rosa and Rachele have also offered to decorate the hall too.” Alex said with a slight smirk. 

Chuckling at the idea, Lloyd nodded in agreement. “A bit of Christmas joy wouldn’t be a bad thing around here. Whatever you all thinks would be best, as long as it doesn’t detract from our duties.”

“Thank you, sir; I promise it won’t,” Alex assured him before leaving.

Day 22, Month of Sharveen

Imperial Battle Cruiser ChR R’Keth en route to Terrha

“Admiral, I have just received a communique from the Tal Shiar,” Commander Sirrel announced as he stepped into her office with a tablet in his hands.

Starring from her viewport at the starfields whizzed by them at warp, Admiral Kameetha turned with her hands still clutched behind her back at the base of her spine. “Interesting,” She said, not sounding too bothered about the Romulan secret police and their latest exploits, but she was curious to know why they were contacting Sirrel. “What news comes from our shadows?”

“It’s possible, admiral, that our task force has been discovered,” Sirrel reported before handing her the device. “One of our agents deep with the Klivammsu has alerted us that one of their ships reported detecting us, and this data may have been shared with Rheijiha trader.”

“Do the Hevammsu know we are approaching their world?” Kameetha checked, now worried that her plans were about to be ruined. 

“Our agents cannot be sure if the trader has sold this information on, but long-range scans show a small group of Terrha vessels heading in our direction,” Sirrel reported. 

Slightly enraged at that news, the admiral turned back to glaring at the starfield. The view showed the forward section of the R’Keth and their escorts. “Tell our commander to drop to warp two and to implement our alternate attack plans.”

“Admiral, if we break up the fleet and arrive at our rendezvous at different times, we will delay our attack,” Sirrel warned her.

“I know, commander, but if we want to keep our attack a surprise, a few extra days won’t harm our plans,” She kept her focus on the outside of the ship before finishing the reasoning behind her decision. “And I intend to see these plans through. Whatever the cost.” 

After finishing his final pull-up with a massive sigh of relief, Commander Cooper Walker gently dropped himself to the floor. Covered in so much sweat, he took a moment to relax and grab his breath. 

“For a science officer, you’re built more like a MACO,” Luis Trommler remarked as he sprinted on the nearby treadmill. 

Chuckling at that comment, one he had heard the MACO leader say many times before when they trained together, Walker picked up his water bottle and sprayed himself with it before sucking on the last remains. “Luis, the recruitment campaign isn’t going to work if you keep using the same lines.” 

Trommler laughed back at the chief science officer as he started to slow down. “I mean it, commander, in the last week and a half, you’ve smashed any training my lot have undertaken.”

“It’s better than the alternative,” Walker stated before picking up a towel and dabbing the back of his neck and face from the dripping sweat. “Stuck on the bridge for double shifts isn’t even helping with the boredom.”

“Isn’t there some science project or research you could undertake?” Trommler suggested. 

Walker shook his head in response and explained why that was a bad idea. “If I start something, then I guarantee the Romulans will show up, and I won’t get to finish what I started.”

“I understand that frustration,” Trommler acknowledged as he came off the treadmill. Challenger’s gym was empty, except for the two senior officers, which was expected as it was late at night. “If I have to run another drill, I may go stir crazy.”

“The waiting is unbearable.” Walker agreed. “Even trying to do something Christmasy didn’t help.”

“Well, let’s hope that New Year’s Eve isn’t spoiled,” Trommler stated as he sucked on his water bottle, almost like a toddler enjoying their sippy cup. 

Agreeing with the MACO commander’s sentiments, Walker called it a night and thanked Trommler for their shared gym session. He had found himself actually enjoying spending time with Trommler; though the two of them were different in their personalities, they got on well. Just as he reached the doors to leave the room, Trommler called out.

“Are we still on for our morning run tomorrow, commander?” 

Walker turned around and gave a smiling nod. “You betcha, C deck, section one, oh-eight hundred hours. Don’t be late!”

Trommler put his thumb up to confirm their arrangements, and Walker made his way out. 

Challenger’s corridors were pretty quiet, and most of the ship’s non-essential systems were now deactivated. Power reserves were diverted to the tactical systems for now. It wasn’t bright, but it was dark enough for everyone to note the difference.

“Sir, was Luis in the gym?” Ensign Avery called out from the opposite end of Walker’s corridor. 

Looking up, Commander Walker nodded before responding. “Yeah, he was Tanisha,” He answered before noticing that the communications officer was wearing her uniform still. “Don’t tell me you’ve just come off duty?” He asked as they met one another in the middle of the corridor.

Avery replied, “I’ve just pulled three shifts to ensure the updates to the transceiver array were completed in time.” She stifled a yawn. “I was hoping to see Luis before I called it a night.”

“Well, I’m sure he’d appreciate seeing you, Tanisha,” Walker said before he excused himself to carry on his journey back to his quarters.

A few minutes later, he stepped into his room and threw the damp towel he had used into the nearby washing bin before heading over to his bed and slumping down on its edge. He slowly pulled off his clothes before making his way into his bathroom to shower. As he walked in, he called up the latest communique from Earth, the most important one being from his son and wife. While taking a shower, he listened to his son recounting their trip with the rest of his wife’s family to a cabin in Alaska. Mack, his son, shared a story about how he had taken a snowboarding lesson and couldn’t wait to show his father how good he was. Hearing that he had missed another moment with his son, Walker gently hit his head against the shower wall as the heavy downpour gently caressed him from above. 

Squashing a yawn with the back of her left hand, Avery walked into the ship’s gymnasium and was confronted with the pungent odour of stale sweat combined with the sudden loud noise of workout music. The ship’s environmental controls had not yet responded to the late evening workout that her boyfriend and the chief science officer had just undertaken. Alongside that, she was surprised no one on the bridge could hear the music. It was deafening. Turning her nose up to the lingering odour, she saw Trommler standing with his back to her, lifting individual hand weights while lunging. All his movements were in time with the music, but as he moved, he wiggled his hips. She concealed her chuckling at seeing him in this ‘mode’. He was facing the one wall with a set of mirrors; his eyes appeared close, so he was utterly oblivious to her entering.  He was in his world, humming and almost singing to the music. Appearing to be in a rhythm she dared not disturb, she slowly made her way over. As she got closer, she saw he was covered in sweat from head to toe. Just in a pair of black shorts, the MACO leader was breathing in and out harshly every time he lifted one hand weight before putting it down and doing the same in the opposite hand as he moved forward and backwards. 

“Luis!” She called to him as she walked across the room.

He heard Avery’s shout and stopped what he was doing, and placed the weights down carefully on the workout mat he was on. He smiled as she walked over and picked up a tablet that turned the music to a much lower level. “Hey!” Realising the disgusting state, he picked up his towel from the floor and quickly wiped his face.

“Commander Walker said you were still in here,” She mentioned as she got closer. “I hadn’t realised you enjoyed working out to dance music?” Giggling at saying that, it was something new she was learning about him. “I never thought you were the type!”

Blushing that she had discovered a side of him he hadn’t shared with anyone else, Trommler shrugged his shoulders. “Hey, don’t mock my inner dance diva!” He teased with a smirk before he opened his bare arms to pull her in for a hug and quick kiss.

After kissing him back, Avery winced and pushed him back on his chest lightly. “Ewww, gross, Luis.”

“I kiss you, and you say gross?” He asked in a mocking upset tone.

“I’ve never kissed you before when you’ve been sweaty!” Avery defended her response. “You’re all clammy and sticky!”

“You mean manly?!” Trommler flirted back with. 

She shook her head, “I’m not sure what century you’re from, but that dancing you were doing over there,” Avery pointed behind him, “ it was far from anything manly that I’ve seen before. I didn’t realise ballet lessons were part of the MACO training programme?”

Rolling his eyes at her further ridiculing his workout, he pulled up his water bottle and squirted some over himself before drinking the last remains. “So, have you just come off duty?”

“Yeah, I was hoping to see if you were free to grab a midnight snack from the mess hall or maybe go back to yours to finish off that movie from last night?” Avery responded. “Or are you all too in the zone with your workout?!” She mocked further.

“That all sounds amazing; how about you let me finish off here, and I meet you in the mess hall in about an hour; I hear that chef made a ton of Christmas cookies,” Trommler suggested.

“Fine, but make sure you take a shower, as I don’t want you smelling out the mess hall.” Avery agreed before kissing his sweaty face one more time. “Now go back to wiggling that cute behind, so I can enjoy the view as I leave!” She winked as she said that.

“I’m not some sort of object you can drawl over, Tanisha,” Trommler jokingly said. “I have feelings!”

“Yeah, yeah, twinkly toes! Hurry up, or I won’t save you any cookies!” Avery countered as she made her way out of the gym. 

Trommler smirked as he watched her leave before turning his music loud and returning to finishing his workout.

The mess hall was unusually busy for a late Sunday night. Most of the crew were in civilian attire, so Avery felt a bit out of place when she walked in and found that she wouldn’t have much privacy with Trommler once he turned up. 

“Tanisha!” Lieutenant Malone called from one of the circular-shaped tables. 

Smiling in the direction of the second engineer, Avery waved and walked over to see the engineer was sat playing a board game with Doctor Payne, Ensigns Dalton and Reddick. “Wow, it’s busy in here tonight.” She commented as she approached the group.

Payne nodded in agreement, “Chef Lawson started an impromptu games night just after dinner; most of the crowd has stayed.”

“The cookies have kept most people,” Dalton added as he threw the dice in his hands before moving a blue token around the board.

 “Where have you been all day, Tanisha?” Malone asked as she grabbed hold of the dice to take her turn. “You haven’t been working on those updates to the transceiver array?”

Avery nodded. “I wanted to get it done before we go into battle.”

“You should have called; I would have helped.” Malone said as she shook the dice in her hands and released them across the table.”

“Seven!” Reddick said after quickly counting up what the engineer just got. “Tanisha, why don’t you join us? We’re almost finished here, especially as Hillary is about to win this!”

“Don’t be a sore loser, Adrian,” Payne smiled slightly.

“That’s really kind, but I’m going to have to decline as Luis is about to join me to grab some cookies and then we were planning to have some quality time with each other,” Avery replied. 

“Let me guess, Luis is doing one of his ‘private’ dance workouts that he thinks none of us knows about?” Dalton quizzed her before taking a bite out of a cookie he had on a plate near him.

At first, Avery hesitated in responding before her smile crept through. “How do you know about his dancing?”

Dalton chuckled, “You can blame Liam and Niall for walking in on him doing it a few months ago; they told Angela and Rupesh, who pretty much told everyone else. I’m certain the captain even knows.”

“Poor Luis,” Avery said before chuckling a bit. “I hope no one has teased him for it.”

“Teased?” Dalton repeated, “I’m pretty sure Niall mocked him for several days before Luis challenged our favourite senior nurse to see if he could keep up with his stamina. They had a gym-off, with Luis being declared the victor by Lieutenant Cortez. His winning has only encouraged Luis further. Apparently, your dear boyfriend made Liam and Rupesh undertake his workout as part of the MACO exercises the other week, and rumour has it he’s going to try and encourage Commander Cooper to join in.”

“Well, I caught Commander Cooper leaving the gym only a few moments ago,” Avery stated.

“Then we are all doomed!” Dalton stated with a smirk. “Luis may pull others into his circle of dance fanatics!”

“At least it is keeping most of us occupied,” Payne stated. “I’ve never felt so bored in all of my career then I do now.”

 “I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve re-aligned the targeting scanners,” Reddick added. 

“I wish the Romulans would attack,” Malone agreed.

“Be careful what you wish for, Colleen; they may turn out true,” Avery warned her before excusing herself from the group and heading to the serving hatch. 

“At least you guys are keeping yourselves useful; try being a science officer with not much happening in your department,” Dalton whined after Avery left them.

Taking her turn, Payne moved her final piece, annoyed she didn’t get enough moves to win the game yet. “Are you that bored, Seb?”

“He’s not bored; he’s just annoyed he got assigned to engineering to undergo further training.”  Malone teased as she took a sip from her mug of hot chocolate. 

“No disrespect, lieutenant, but I never signed up to be an engineer,” Dalton stated as he drank from his beverage. “That said, at least it’s something.”

 “It wouldn’t surprise me that we’ll see action soon; just hold your breath, Seb,” Reddick mentioned as he rolled the dice. “Twelve!” He called out as he got a double six and ended up passing over Payne’s final piece and getting to the last place on the board. “I win!”

Payne sighed while the other two congratulated him. 

“Let’s just hope that the Romulans see how large of a defence force we have and decide to call off their attack,” Malone said as she cleaned up their game. “Otherwise, Seb, you and I will have much work to keep us in the fight.” She paused, “We all will.”

“So when do you think Poseidon will be leaving Jupiter Station?” Burton asked his guest as they continued on their tour of his ship.

“Later today, in fact,” Captain Paulsen answered as they turned a junction. Diane Paulsen was in her mid-forties and had long auburn hair. Known for her wicked sense of humour and dry wit, Paulsen was someone Burton had known for some time, thanks to his sister. Paulsen had been at Starfleet Training Command simultaneously, and they were good friends. Now in command of Poseidon, Paulsen had overseen its construction and knew the ship inside and out, just like Burton was familiar with his vessel. Poseidon was primarily a cruiser. Originally the design had been one of the plans submitted for the NX-class but had been unsuccessful. Instead, Starfleet had decided to pursue the ship as a vessel to help defend the home territories. The ship had been built and launched a decade ago with a warp-three engine, but with the declaration of war, it had been given recent upgrades to achieve speeds of warp four. 

“The more ships we have on patrol, the better our odds are,” Burton stated. 

Shaking her head, “Lloyd, for as long as I’ve known you, why are you always serious?” Paulsen teased. “Come on, the threat of the Romulan invasion force has not been seen for days now. All of this prep may be for nothing.”

“I’d prefer to be ready than not,” Burton countered. “What do you suggest we do then?”

“Honestly?” She asked, of which he gave her a silent nod as they turned down into another corridor, “Take the fight to them. They started this war, we shouldn’t be afraid to give them a bloody nose or two.”

“Defending the Home Territories of the Commonwealth is no bad tactic, Diane.” Burton reminded her. 

Raising her hands in defence, Paulsen smirked at him. “I know, I know, I’m no tactician, but just an exceptional engineer turned captain.”

 Chuckling at her humility, or lack thereof, Burton shook his head as they approached the docking port. “I’m sorry I couldn’t give you more of a tour of the ship,”

“Next time, Lloyd.” Paulsen replied, “Anyway, I need to get back as we need to head back to Earth to pick up the rest of my crew, including my first officer.”

“Talking about first officers,” Burton said as he noticed the arrival of his right-hand man approaching them from the other end of the corridor, “Alex, I want you to meet Captain Diane Paulsen. Diane, this is Commander Alex Rodham, my first officer.”

Rodham smiled as he extended his hand to meet the captain’s guest. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

Shaking his head, Paulsen grinned back. “Likewise, commander.” She let go of his hand, “Wait, are you the same Alex Rodham, son of President Rodham?”

Rodham showed a bit of uneasiness at hearing the mention of his mother, the President of the United States of America. “I am,” He replied.

“The same Alex Rodham who beat my first officer at STC’s flight range for getting the quickest time on the Jovian Run?” Paulsen questioned further.

Not knowing who she was referring to, Rodham looked at Campbell for help and then back to Paulsen when he received none. “Who’s your first officer, ma’am?”

“Oliver Campbell,” She answered with a smirk.

Rodham copied her grin and nodded with some pride, “OC is your first officer?”

“Indeed, and you wouldn’t believe how many times in the past I have heard him go on about how he was cheated out of winning that race.” Paulsen chuckled.

“Well, I’m glad to hear that my reputation proceeds me,” Rodham said as he crossed his arms against his chest. “How is OC doing these days?”

“He’s well, in fact,” She turned to Burton, “did you know that he’s married to the brother of your MACO leader?”

“No?” Burton replied and looked to see if Rodham knew, but he shook his head. “Luis has never mentioned it.”

“Well, probably not, as his brother is some famous soccer player, and their father is the Health Secretary for the Commonwealth, so he’s probably keeping a low profile,” Paulsen said. “But, yeah, it would seem our two first officers go way back, Lloyd. Maybe we should let their rivalry resurface and see who can fly their ship the fastest around Jupiter and Saturn, for old time’s sake?”

Burton chuckled at that idea. “Maybe,” He answered, “however, we have a warp five engine, so it won’t be fair for you.”

“What a letdown, Fleet Captain Burton.” She replied with a smirk before making her way towards the docking port. “Once this war is over, we should at least pit them together to see who makes the finest first officer?”

“Maybe, but who’s to say that one of them, if not both, will be captains by the time this war is over?” Burton said as he made his way over to the controls for the docking port. 

“Well, I suppose you could be right; I mean, Starfleet did make you a fleet captain; things could only go down from there!” She teased as the door opened for her. Turning on her heels, she turned back to her host. “Next time I get to show you the Poseidon,”

“I’ll hold you to that,” Burton said, still smiling at her and then shook her hand. “All the best, Diane.”

Winking at him before the door closed, she replied. “Likewise, Lloyd. It’s nice to of met you, Alex.” The door then closed on her. 

Burton turned to Rodham, “Sorry if that was a bit uncomfortable, Alex.”

Shaking his head, Rodham replied with a simple no. “How do you know the captain, anyway?”

“Mainly through my sister; they were roommates at STC, and then when I was the deputy construction manager for Challenger, the Poseidon tested some of the systems we were planning to use,” Burton answered as they started to walk away from the docking port, side by side. “Diane is one of the finest captains in the fleet.”

“If she has Oliver Campbell at her helm too, then she’s pretty lucky too,” Rodham mentioned as they started to walk away. 

“Oh, how comes?” Burton asked. 

“He was a pilot before joining Starfleet.” Rodham explained, “He was in the British Royal Air Force and was on the fast track at STC. The guy was exceptional, he didn’t make many friends for only having to do the last year, but due to his skills, I got to admit it pushed me to better myself. Michael would wind me up saying that I had a secret crush on Oliver whenever I spent more time at the flight test centre.”

“Sounds like Michael, alright,” Burton commented on his former first officer and Rodham’s late husband. “That said, if we ever get into a competition with Poseidon, then I expect you to beat him again.”

“Don’t worry, sir, Challenger’s honour is in safe hands!” Rodham said with a smirk before realising why he had originally tracked the captain down. “I also got word from the San Francisco Orbital Complex about Endeavour.”

“And?” Burton asked, hoping to hear some good news on the sixth NX-class ship. 

“No good news, I’m afraid, sir,” Rodham shared. “They’re still experiencing technical difficulties with many secondary systems, plus the rumour is that Starfleet Operations has delayed some of her crew reporting to her for at least another week.”

“Are you kidding me?” Burton said in disbelief. “We’re meant to be trying to get as many ships out of dock and part of the defence force, not creating more problems. Do we know what’s holding them up?”

“The technical issues appear to be similar ones that Enterprise encountered before its launch, but it would seem that a good number of the crew are being delayed due to them finishing off their training on Mars,” Rodham answered. 

“Mars?”  Burton repeated.

“Yeah, apparently, they’re training at the new facilities at Utopia,” Rodham said.

Grumbling under his breath, Burton wondered if his recent experience on Mars was linked to this delay in some way. Instead of getting further angry over this, he ordered Rodham to break orbit from Jupiter and for them to head straight to Mars at once so he could resolve the issue in person. 

Utopia Planitia Construction and Research Base, Vastitas Borealis, Mars 

Reeling at the fact he was now returning to the one place in the universe he had hoped to never see again, Lloyd Burton looked around the massive hangar he now found himself in. Only two months, he had stood here after discovering the plot carried out by his former commanding officer and his father in building a secret fleet while also developing Starfleet’s research into a warp seven engine. After calling for help from Earth, Fleet Admiral Moira Hathaway arrived with a large contingent of Starfleet Security and MACO forces to find out what he and his siblings had found. A sense of Deja vu fell over him as he got out of the shuttlepod he had used to bring him down from Challenger; however, it was him and not the Starfleet Commander-in-Chief making his way across the hangar.

Looking above him, he could see that the many Daedalus-class ships that had been built were nearing being launched. There were only a few left now, compared to what he had uncovered months ago. Initially, he had come to Mars based on a lead while investigating his father’s mysterious death.

While undertaking it, he and his siblings found out about the existence of a section within Starfleet that would do whatever it took to defend Earth and its commonwealth. His youngest brother, Seth, had given the group the designation of Section Thirty-One, based on the section of the Starfleet charter they were using to defend their actions. From what Burton had unveiled, his father had been recruited by Captain Karim, the original skipper of the Challenger, to help them. Karim had captured Burton and his siblings to prevent the truth about their group from becoming public knowledge; however, she had underestimated the Burtons and fled from the base they had built on Mars. Now it was under the joint control of Starfleet and a civilian company. Hathaway had moved many of its assets to other areas across Starfleet in an attempt to avoid any public backlash for the actions undertaken by this group.  The illegal construction of the base was one action she was able to deal with, thanks to the help she received from certain government officials. Still, to avoid it becoming a conspiracy, some truths were made public knowledge while others were kept quiet and classified to avoid word reaching the Romulans. Burton had wondered just how much he didn’t know about this group and what others things they had done for the greater good for the security of Earth. 

He was reminded of the argument he had with Karim when she tried to show off to him what they had built. Her point that if it was alien, then it was theirs rang through his ears. Reverse engineering technology to help Earth was not the only thing they were up to. He was all for doing what was needed to win the war, but losing their humanity was a price even he didn’t feel comfortable losing.

“Fleet Captain Burton,” A strong male voice said from across the hangar. “Welcome back to Mars.”

“Director Stark,” Burton said as he approached his welcoming party with a professional smile, “it’s good to see you again, sir.”

“Likewise, Lloyd,” The former Defence Secretary for Earth said as they shook hands. “I wasn’t expecting a visit or to see Challenger in such a close, direct orbit above Utopia.” 

“I want to see him,” Burton sternly said, emphasising his last word.

Stark knew exactly what Burton was implying and nodded before signalling him to follow him out of the hangar bay and into a nearby lift. 

Moments later, Burton was shown to a laboratory guarded by several armed officers. Entering the lab, Burton was confronted by the one man he had promised himself (and his sister and brothers) he didn’t want to see again.

“Dad,” He said, grabbing the older man’s attention after the door had closed firmly behind him.

Looking up from his work, wearing a typical white lab coat, Doctor Fraser Burton immediately sat up straight at seeing his eldest son before him. “Hello, Lloyd,” He said calmly. “I’m glad you got my message.”

“Your message of holding back vital personnel and technology for the war effort isn’t the type of message I expect to get from you,” Burton said as he threw a tablet along the desk his father was working on. “That’s the latest update on the Endeavour, the ship you’ve delayed from helping defend Earth.” 

Deciding not to pick it up, Doctor Burton stood up from his stool. “How else do you expect me to get your attention? You didn’t respond to my last one.”

“Sending my encrypted messages about an impending invasion force isn’t what I was expecting to hear from my dead father,” Burton snarled. He shoved his hands into his field jacket, “I’m here; what do you want?”

“I didn’t raise you to speak to me like that, Lloyd,” His father firmly replied. “I’m still your father; I deserve the same level of respect just like your mother.”

“That’s rich coming from the man who left his family and faked his own death so he could go and gallivant with some mystery organisation on some ‘greater than though’ quest to save humanity with his research.”  Burton snapped back. “I told you before I didn’t want to hear from you.”

“And if I hadn’t reached out, then Earth would be on the even of being overrun by the Romulan attack force,” The older Burton said. “I don’t expect you to understand my decisions, but I won’t have Earth fall if I can prevent it.”

After a brief lull of silence, Burton kept his hands still in his jacket pockets and repeated his earlier question. “So what do you want with me?”

“Here,” Doctor Burton pulled out a data chip from his pocket and pushed it down the same table his son had used to send the tablet to him earlier. “Thanks to your efforts in bringing those Kriosian engineers and scientists to us, we’ve finally developed a solid countermeasure against the Romulan telepresence-capturing device. The plans include how to defend your vessel from any takeover virus they try. I suggest you implement it across the fleet at the earliest convenience.”

 Taking the chip and looking at it, Burton wondered if what his father had just shared with him was a way for his group to gain access to Starfleet ships; it wouldn’t have surprised him if that was the case. “Why not share it with Director Stark? Why all the drama of getting my attention?”

“Because Lloyd, even though you may never understand my decisions understand that they come from a deep place of love for you, your brothers, sister and mother. I don’t want to see any of you hurt,” Doctor Burton answered. “Plus, I’m leaving Mars, and this may be the last time we see each other.”

“For how long?” Challenger’s captain asked. 

Doctor Burton shrugged before answering, “I can’t say, but for a long time. I won’t be coming back.”

Lloyd didn’t know what to say. His father had lied to him too much recently for him to honestly believe him. 

“If anyone asks, the Cochrane Institute on Alpha Centauri team developed the countermeasure. I will also ensure the necessary personnel and equipment will reach the Endeavour tomorrow.” Doctor Burton said before calling for one of the guards to join them. “Would you escort Fleet Captain Burton back to his shuttlepod? I believe his trip to Mars is over.”

Glaring at his father, Fleet Captain Burton shook his head in utter disbelief before placing the chip into his pocket. Following the guard out of the lab, Burton returned to the hangar and got into his shuttlepod.

“Shuttlepod One to Challenger,” He said after lifting off and heading back to his ship.

“Go ahead, sir,” responded Ensign Avery over the channel. 

“Tanisha, I want you and Sakura to meet me in the command centre after I dock.” He ordered as he pulled out the chip his father had given him moments ago. “Make sure you set up a separate computer system, independent from the ship’s network.”

“Aye, sir,” Avery replied.  

Challenger NX-03, in orbit of Mars, Sol system

“Well?” Burton asked from the chair he was sitting in as he looked at his chief engineer and chief communications officer. “Is it legit?”

Lieutenant Masuko looked up from the station she was using and nodded at her superior. “Based on what I know about the telepresence-capturing virus from our various encounters, I would say without a doubt this new coding and the adaptions to our computer systems would protect us from how the Romulans have been trying to take control of our ships. I would even go as far as to say it could be used on the Vulcan, Andorian and Tellarite fleets too.”

“I concur with the lieutenant’s assessment, sir,” Avery said. “Though I thought the Starfleet counter-measures were almost not needed? Especially after we destroyed their base in the Bassen Rift.”

“If this brings the Vulcans, Andorians and Tellarites back into the fight, then I’m all for it,” Burton stated. “And would the coding cause any other issues for us? Would it allow anyone else the ability  to try to take control of the ship?”

Masuko shook her head, “Absolutely not, sir, but the hardware we would need to create would ensure that most of our systems almost become independent and would give us significant redundancy.”

“How long would it take to implement the changes?” Burton asked.

“The coding would be an easy upload, but it would require us to change our operating systems. That would be the best part of a day, if not two. For the additional hardware to work, we would need access to a dry dock to help with the installation. We would need to be connected to their systems to avoid total computer failure. I’d say a week at least.”

“Damn, that means our fleet would still be vulnerable,” Burton muttered.

“For a while, sir, but once our engineers know what to do, then it wouldn’t take as long,” Masuko assured him. “You said that the egg-heads at the Cochrane Institute developed this?”

Burton nodded, remaining silent that he was lying to her. 

“They’ve done a great job then; it will save many lives,” Masuko said with a hopeful smile. 

He was about to say something, but Burton was interrupted by the intercom going off. Getting up from his chair, the captain headed over to the communication panel and answered it.

“Sorry to interrupt you, sir; however, we’ve just lost contact with the Charon Monitoring Station and the Pandora,” announced Commander Rodham. “Before the station went down, it relayed one message.”

“What was that, commander?” Burton asked, fearing the answer.

There was a longer than usual-pause from Rodham’s end before he spoke. “The Romulans have arrived, sir.”

Burton cursed under his breath. 

Their enemy was finally here.

It was finally the evening, and Starfleet Commander-in-Chief Fleet Admiral Moira Hathaway was pleased to be packing her gear for the evening. Her husband, Patrick, had already sent her a message asking how long until she was home. He had planned a dinner for them both, one they would share alone before the rest of their family arrived ahead of the New Year’s celebrations. However, with the war on, she wasn’t in the mood to be partying, especially with the number of men and women who were putting their lives on the line against the Romulans.

Standing in her personal office, she had picked up her handbag and made her way over to the coat stand that sat by the door. She took down her overcoat and slung it over her shoulders before reaching for the scarf. As she pulled on the navy-blue long coat and scarf of the same colour, she heard her communicator go off. The noise was the tone she had only heard in her nightmares. Pulling it out of her suit jacket’s left pocket, she opened it up and spoke into it.

“This C-n-C Fleet Admiral Hathaway,” her executive assistant, Commander Jane Astley, burst into the room as she spoke. She would have received the emergency call and was helping the admiral take off the items she had just picked up as she gave her clearance code. “Hathaway-Charlie-Delta-Three-Three-Niner-Seven. What’s going on?”

On the other end of the call was Admiral Elaine Clark, the Commander of Starfleet Command Headquarters. She spoke the words Hathaway also had dreaded hearing since the war started. “Early warning satellites have detected multiple Romulan ships entering the system, ma’am.”

“What?” Hathaway almost hissed back. “Are we certain?”

“Positive, ma’am, we’ve just lost contact with the Pandora, Charon monitoring station, and the entire outer-system detection grid has gone down,” Clark reported.

“I’m on my way down now, Elaine,” Hathaway said and closed her communicator. She looked at Astley as she made her way out of her office and towards the lift that would take her down to the ‘Hub’, “Inform the President, Defence Secretary and UESPA Administrator at once, Jane. Tell them the Romulans are here.”

Astley was already putting the call together as Hathaway was moving.

Moments later, Hathaway walked through the glass doors into the ‘Hub’. The ‘Hub’ was the designation for the central management area where, deep within Starfleet Headquarters, the complete day-to-day of Starfleet’s operations occurred. It was a large oval-shaped room that was sunk into various sections. Around the edges, different Starfleet officers operated various computer stations. They monitored other areas of the United Earth Commonwealth and kept in touch with Starfleet assets in and around them. Then on the edge of the middle of the room, more stations were located to oversee other operational matters. Finally, in the centre of the room was a vast oval-shaped table with an interactive display. Known as the ‘pool table’, it was where the most senior officer would work from and deal with all matters that required command authorisation.

Fortunately for Hathaway, she was greeted by a close friend and colleague, Admiral Elaine Clark, the Commander of Starfleet Headquarters. She reported directly under Hathaway, and since a few changes on the Command Council, Hathaway relied on Clark as a close ally and someone she could trust. Clark was responsible for running Starfleet Headquarters and having overall command of the number of bases and assets in the Sol system.

“We’ve confirmed reports that a Romulan flotilla has arrived; it’s less than a light year from Earth,” Clark stated from the pool table.

Hathaway gave out a sigh as she took in the scene. “Do we know how many Romulan vessels?”

Clark tapped a few buttons and brought up the recent transmissions from the outer-system sensor grid. “We can’t get a clear reading, but we think we can detect at least forty-seven ships have entered the system.”

Snapping out of her short trance of staring at the partial readings, Hathaway turned to her executive assistant, who had taken up a position near her by the command table. As she gave out her orders, she began to punch into the console before a set of coordinates, “Commander Astley, I want every ship in range to converge on these coordinates in orbit of Mars now.”

“Understood, ma’am,” Commander Jane Astley said and began her work putting the message together to the ships that would take on the Romulans.

“Admiral Clark, place every single Starfleet installation, ship and officer on full tactical alert,” Hathaway said as she began working out in her brain what she needed to do in this crisis. “Inform all civilian traffic they are grounded and to keep out of the battle zone.”

“Already done, ma’am, but we’re going to need to appoint a fleet commander,” Clark said from her side of the station.

Hathaway considered her choices and quickly made her decision. “Is the Challenger still in Mars orbit?”

Nodding in acknowledgement, Clark replied. “I think so”.

“Then put me through to Fleet Captain Burton at once,” Hathaway ordered and looked to Astley, “Jane, get me the President too.”

“I’ve got Burton,” Clark said as she indicated to one of the large wall monitors.

“Fleet Captain Burton,” Hathaway said, greeting the commanding officer of the third warp-five capable ship.

“Admiral, Challenger, is preparing to get underway now,” Burton said from the comfort of his command chair as he was handed a tablet by a member of his crew which he fleetingly looked down at. Around him, his crew rushed around as the ship entered tactical alert.

Hathaway smiled briefly at the young skipper. He had proven to her several times that he could be trusted and capable. “Lloyd, I’m giving you command of the fleet.”

That remark made Burton spontaneously look upwards to look back at the admiral. “Come again, ma’am?”

“I’m giving you command of the fleet; do you understand me, fleet captain?” Hathaway said.

“Oh…yes, ma’am,” Burton said, sounding a bit shocked still before snapping out of it and returning to his professional demeanour. “We won’t let you down.”

“Godspeed,” Hathaway said and signalled for the channel to close.

Clark had moved around the table and was now standing at Hathaway’s side. “Are you sure you want Burton leading our forces?” She asked quietly.

Hathaway turned to look up towards her friend and grinned. “The last time I sent Burton in command of the fleet, he saved an Andorian world and took out a secret Romulan base. I’m sure he’ll do whatever it takes to save his homeworld. Plus, we don’t have anyone else up there who can do the job. While Archer and Hernandez might be on their way back, they won’t reach us in time.” She looked over to Astley, “Jane have you been able to get me the president?”

Astley nodded, “She’s currently on Global-Defence-One heading to the Snowdon Mountain Complex.” Global-Defence-One was the president’s transport operated by Earth’s military. The fact that the president was heading to the bunker in Mount Snowdon meant that the government continuity plan had been activated.

“Can you put her through?” Hathaway asked. She briefly spoke to Littlejohn in the lift on her way down to the Hub when the alarm from Charon Station had been raised. The president had declared a system-wide state of emergency and had moved all of the Commonwealth’s forces to DEFCON One. The old state alert level system used by the United States of America had been adopted by the Commonwealth, and it had only been raised to the highest, critical level back when the Xindi attacked Earth. Now the Sol system was preparing for the worst to happen.

Astley pressed a couple of buttons, and the image of President Lydia Littlejohn appeared on the screen that had just held Burton.

“Madam President,” Hathaway greeted their commander-in-chief.

The president, who was in her late forties and had long shiny black hair, was strapped into a chair on board her presidential transport. “Moira, tell me what’s the latest.” She said in between gritted teeth. It was obvious that her transport was making rapid manoeuvres to get her to her destination as quickly as possible. She was holding onto her chair’s arms for dear life.

Hathaway started her explanation as reports began to pour in of the Romulans taking a shot at the civilian ships moving away from the outer edges of the Sol system.

Snowdon Mountain Complex, Snowdonia National Park, Wales, United Kingdom of Great Britain, Earth

Rushing through the corridors of the bunker inside the large Welsh mountain, President Littlejohn had never thought that when she ran for office, she would actually be dealing with an enemy on their doorstep. This was it; if the Romulans won today, the entire war was over. Already Earth’s outer-system detection grid had been wiped out, and Starfleet had lost one ship. Not to mention half a dozen civilian ships had been destroyed too. After getting off from the call with the Starfleet Commander-in-Chief, Littlejohn was now preparing herself for decisions she knew she would have to make, some of which she and others may not like.

Walking beside her was her chief of staff, Roberto López, who was issuing his directives to other executive team members. He was hampered with his work as members of the president’s security detail kept close to her. When the call from Hathaway’s administrative assistant had come through, Littlejohn had been on her way back from having lunch with the British monarch at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Her presidential transport quickly changed its course from heading to London towards Snowdon instead.

“Rob,” Lydia said as they entered a lift that took them further into the complex, “any word on the Prime Minister?”

Checking a tablet in his hands, López found the answer he was looking for. “Yes, ma’am. He and Secretary Romanoff are being taken to a secured government facility under New Berlin.”

She shook her head at the madness they found themselves in. Her Prime Minister, Nathan Samuels, had insisted on going to the re-opening ceremony of the Orpheus Mining operation on the Moon. He had felt it was his personal responsibility to ensure the events from last year’s Terra Prime crisis were seen as over, and they were now moving on. He and Secretary Nikolai Romanoff, their Business and Trade Secretary, had taken the trip together; it was more of a media publicity stunt to show that Terra Prime was no longer a national threat.

She nodded an acknowledgement and crossed her arms as the lift continued to fly down the shaft. “And the Vice President?” She added.

Again, Lopez looked down at his computer device as he was getting live information as it came through. “Global-Defence-Force-Two just landed; Vice President Reynolds is being escorted down here through the northwest entrance.”

“Good, and Thomas is on his way too?” She asked as the lift stopped and the doors opened to show them the entrance to the Presidential Emergency Operations Centre.

Littlejohn led the group out, still surrounded by her protection detail and López by her side.

“The defence secretary will arrive any moment, ma’am.” Her chief of staff reported. “Ma’am, with you placing all of our forces on DEFCON One, you should appoint an acting Chairperson of the Joint Chiefs as per the recent re-structuring under the Wars Act passed by Parliament. As you’ve not named a candidate for approval by the Senate, appointing someone in an acting capacity would alleviate any backlash. Can I suggest you consider General Petroski? He is the chief of staff of the Global Defence Force.”

Littlejohn pushed her way through the corridor and approached the main entrance. She tapped in her access clearance codes, had her hand and eye scanned and stepped through the giant blast doors that were starting to open up. “No, I don’t think Petroski should be it.”

“I beg your pardon, ma’am?” López asked as he followed her in after going through similar checks.

Inside the Presidential Emergency Operations Centre was a large round table. At the same time, other stations around it were all crewed, and their operators, members of the Global Defence Force, were reviewing the data as it came in. “This is a matter that I want Fleet Admiral Hathaway to handle.”

López appeared to wince, “Then you’ll need to appoint Administrator Hurst to Acting Chairperson, ma’am. He technically outranks the admiral as he is her superior. Starfleet is a division of the United Earth Space Probe Agency.”

Becoming tired of what she could and couldn’t do, Littlejohn approached the centre table and was pleased to see the Commonwealth Security Advisor, Attorney General and Foreign Secretary there. “Rosa, Annika, and Madilyn, do you think it’s okay if I issue an executive order federalising Starfleet forces into the military, so I can override the chain of command of our space agency, effectively meaning I can appoint Fleet Admiral Hathaway as our acting chairperson of the joint chiefs?”

Annika Naidoo, the attorney general, smirked at the question being asked of them by their president. She had known Lydia for some time now. “In our current situation Madam President, you have the legal authority to do so.”

“And it makes perfect sense with what is about to occur for Starfleet to take the lead on this.” Foreign Secretary Campbell assured her.

“However, Madam President,” García spoke up, “You’re going to upset a few generals.” She added in hush tones.

Littlejohn took off her suit jacket and shrugged her shoulders as she sat down at the head of the table. “I’m sure a few hurt feelings will be the least of problems.” She looked at Roberto, who had sat down next to her, “Give the order that Hathaway is in charge.”

López nodded and began his work.

It didn’t take long for everyone heading to the bunker to arrive, including General Petroski of the Earth Global Defence Force and General Casey of the Military Assault Command Operations, with UESPA Administrator Hurst and Vice Admiral Black of Starfleet in tow. “Gentlemen,” Littlejohn announced as she saw their arrival, “As your commander-in-chief, I am informing you that as of this moment,” She looked down at the tablet with the executive order that had just been written, “I am removing Starfleet out of the organisational structure under the United Earth Space Probe Agency, and I am at this moment federalising it as a formal branch of the Commonwealth’s military. And along with that order, I am placing Fleet Admiral Hathaway in charge as Acting Chairperson of the Joint Staffs.”

The four men were surprised by the news, but Casey just chuckled. “Sounds fine with me, Madam President.” He said as he took his seat at the table. It was no public secret that he and the admiral got on exceptionally well. Since MACO teams were now working closely with Starfleet assets, the two high-ranking officials had developed a friendly working relationship.

General Petroski, though, did not appear happy with the news as he looked at her with deep concern, “Madam President, I expect this to be a temporary executive order that would need to be either ratified by Parliament or it will be revoked in fifty days?” He asked in his thick Russian accent. It was apparent he was not pleased with being usurped like this.

“I’ll have a copy of the executive sent to both houses, and I will call for a joint emergency session if we survive this crisis to have the order ratified,” Littlejohn replied sternly.

“Ma’am, the whole purpose of Starfleet was not to be a military arm of the Commonwealth, though.” Spoke up, Hurst. Hurst was a middle-aged man of American descent who was balding. He had been the UESPA Administrator for almost a decade now. Littlejohn had always appreciated his counsel and friendship, but she knew this move would likely hurt it.

“I understand what you’re saying, Gordon, but the Romulans are about to rain nuclear warheads on us unless we pull ourselves together and fight them off. I don’t have time to lead us to victory if we don’t have the organisation to do it. Starfleet is now separate from the UESPA until further notice. That’s final.” Littlejohn finished glaring at her joint chiefs of staff. “Rosa, what’s the latest?” She asked her Commonwealth Security Advisor; she wanted to get on with the business at hand and not have a debate with her high-ranking officials.

Endeavour NX-06, docked at the San Francisco Orbital Complex, Earth orbit

“There, the intermix levels are stabilising.” Captain Krischnan Demetriou stated with satisfaction. He looked over to his chief engineer, Commander Anthony Prado, “we should finally be able to reach warp two.”

Prado scoffed at the captain’s comment, “Isn’t the idea to get her up to warp five?”

Shrugging his shoulders, Demetriou gave out a sigh. “One step at a time, commander, we-” he was interrupted by the ship’s tactical alert going off. The Greek captain of the sixth NX-class ship looked to Prado, who shrugged his shoulders.

The two of them were in engineering, along with many engineers and technicians, working hard to get the ship ready for its launch.

Walking over to his command console, Prado flicked a few switches and turned to look back at the captain. “Tactical alert was issued from the bridge via the shipyard.”

Confused at what could happen, Demetriou hit the nearest intercom and spoke into it. “Engineering to the bridge, what’s going on up there, Commander Chambers?”

Norah Chambers was the ship’s new first officer and chief science officer. “Captain, all Starfleet forces are being placed on a fleet-wide tactical alert; the order has come directly from Fleet Admiral Hathaway at Starfleet Headquarters.”

“Why?”

“The Romulans have entered the system, sir.” Chambers answered.

Moments seemed almost like an eternity for Captain Demetriou as he left engineering and ran to get to the bridge. He rushed out of the lift once it had arrived on A deck.

“Any more news?” He asked through his Greek accent.

Chamber, sitting at her science station, reviewed telemetry coming into them from Starfleet Command. “We’ve just received another message,” She answered by looking up at the captain, who had made his way over to stand behind her. “President Littlejohn has just federalised Starfleet to become a military branch. Fleet Admiral Hathaway is assembling a fleet in Mars’ orbit, led by Challenger. All available ships are responding to the call to arms.”

Scratching his head as he considered his options, the two were the only ones up on the bridge. He dropped his hand and made up his mind. Walking over to the helm, he gave out the orders he knew he would eventually regret. “Send a secured message to Fleet Captain Burton that the Endeavour will be joining him shortly. Once you’ve done that, you’d better get to tactical. We’re going to have to defend ourselves.”

Chambers’ eyes almost popped out of their sockets after he finished talking. “Are you kidding me, Kris?” As it was only the two of them on the bridge, and they had developed a close bond over the last year since construction had started on the ship, she knew she could get away with saying it. “There’s barely enough of this ship operational to get to Mars, much less wage a war.”

Demetriou looked at his first officer, “We’ve got a ticking clock. Engines are working, weapons systems are online, and the hull polarisation system is working. I say we launch now, hope for the best and make the Romulans regret they placed a footstep in the Sol system.”

“Kris, that is the stupidest thing I have heard you say. Half of our crew don’t arrive until next Tuesday, and we don’t have every system up and running. Hell, even life-support is not working on two decks.” Chambers stated.

“Commander Chambers, I’ve issued an order; either carry it out, or I’ll get someone else to do it.” He looked one more time at her and then tapped the intercom to open a ship-wide channel. “All hands prepare for emergency departure; senior staff report to the bridge at once.” He closed it and looked at Chambers one more time. “What will it be, Norah?”

Shaking her head in disbelief, she got out of her chair and made her way over to the tactical station. “Charging phase cannons, arming torpedoes and bringing the hull armour online now.”

“Let’s go!” Demetriou said as he began the sequence to unlock the umbilical cords from the ship.

Endeavour was underway.

Poseidon NP-01, approaching Mars

The sudden realisation that this could be one of those moments in history where everything either turned out right for them all or went to pieces suddenly struck Commander Oliver Campbell. As he pulled back on the ship’s throttle, he brought the vessel into the formation that the Starfleet armada was assembling into. Knowing that Earth would fall to the Romulans if they lost the upcoming battle was a considerable weight to carry on their shoulders. Nevertheless, they had to win this fight. Campbell took a deep breath as he tried to concentrate on what awaited him. Trying to forget the last twenty-four hours when he had fallen out with his husband, Flynn was now wanting a divorce. All of that seemed trivial with what awaited them ahead. His regret at leaving things with Flynn the way he had now made him feel guilty. Another breath, and he focussed his concentration on the work ahead.

Captain Paulsen stood behind her first officer and pilot with one hand resting on the back of his chair. She had been a close friend and mentor to him; only moments ago, they had shared a brief, casual moment in her ready room, where she had shared her sympathy at hearing the news of his divorce. They barely had time to speak about when the announcement of the Romulans arriving had interrupted everything.

“Mister Schott put Starfleet frequency one four eight six on audio.” She ordered, still staring at the viewscreen that displayed many ships assembling.

Austin Schott, the ship’s communications officer, held his earpiece in place with his right hand while using his left to carry out the captain’s order. Schott had recently been made a lieutenant junior grade and was a fine officer. Campbell had taken him under his wing when he joined the ship at the start of the year. The two of them often trained together in the gym and shared their passion for playing the guitar. As a result, they held a concert a few months ago in the mess hall playing a range of music. Campbell had even sung, something he rarely did in public, but Schott had told him to do it. They had even joked about putting a band together. If they survived this day, Campbell planned to do it.

“Channel open, ma’am,” Schott answered, and there was a beep which automatically switched the channel on to the bridge’s speakers. What followed were numerous voices talking on top of each other as the fleet prepared to engage.

“Challenger to Discovery. Standby to engage at grid A-fifteen.”

“…Surrey and Yukon, fall back to mobile position one.”

“…Acknowledged.”

“…We have them in visual range. A Romulan armada on course zero point two one five, speed full impulse.”

Then there was a signal that seemed to override the voices of the various Starfleet officers talking to one another. Fleet Captain Lloyd Burton, the British captain of Challenger, spoke with a stern and commanding voice. Campbell had never met him, but his reputation alongside the likes of Archer and Hernandez had been growing in the past year.

“Attention Romulan fleet, this is Fleet Captain Lloyd Burton of the Earth starship Challenger; you have committed acts of aggression against the United Earth Commonwealth. If you do not withdraw your forces from our space immediately, we will unleash the full might of our military.”

There was a lull of silence. Campbell took one breath, and then Burton got his response.

Challenger NX-03, in orbit of Mars

“The defender of Ursa Major, the liberator of Docana, the rebel of Delta, the failure at Krios – seriously, Fleet  Captain Burton, you are getting a reputation for yourself.” A noise followed that sounded like a sigh, “Why don’t you order your pathetic excuse of a fleet to surrender now, and we will forgo the execution of your crews.” 

Burton remained cool and posed in his chair while listening to the deep masculine voice over the bridge speakers. Feeling everyone’s eyes on him, Burton gave his response. “If you know me so well, you should know I don’t respond well to threats.”

“Then don’t dish them out yourself, captain. Your Commonwealth is about to collapse, and your precious Earth will fall to the Romulan Star Empire.” The Romulan leader closed the channel abruptly.

Nodding to Avery to give him a channel to the entire fleet, Burton spoke up. “All units, pair up and open fire!”

Teaming up with Voyager, as planned, Challenger was chasing down a Romulan Bird-of-Prey above the red skies of Mars. Barely touching the atmosphere, both vessels scored multiple hits as the ship attempted to flee from them. 

“Stay with him, Alex,” Burton commanded as he gripped tightly to the arms of his chair, “Rachele, hold back on torpedoes; fire forward pulse phase cannons.”

Working in tandem, both Commander Rodham and Lieutenant Cortez had trained for this moment over the past few weeks, ever since Burton raised the alarm about the Romulans planning to attack Earth. Now their hard work was paying off. Several shots from the NX-class ship were enough to take out the enemy’s aft shields, and then a barrage of fire from Voyager resulted in them destroying their port nacelle. The green wing exploded, and then the chain reaction of detonations followed suit. Finally, their target was gone after one massive eruption. 

“Tanisha, tell Captain Braddox the honour is all hers in picking another target,” Burton told his communications officer. 

“Aye, sir,” Avery replied as she relayed the message.

“Cooper, what’s it looking like out there?” Burton asked his chief science officer. 

Walker’s main priority was keeping Burton updated with the status of their fleet and the battle at hand. “Several Starfleet ships are damaged, but the Romulans have lost a lot of fighters and six vessels. Mainly their Birds-of-Prey. Our forces are having a tough time dealing with drones.

“Are they operating them remotely?” Burton asked next.

Shaking his head, Walker stated that these were manned. “Apparently, the whooping we gave them at the Bassen Rift has forced them to change their tactics slightly; however, I’m not detecting many life signs on each vessel. Ten at best. They must be relying on the automated systems still.”

“They’re highly manoeuvrable, though; I can only imagine how much power is being put into their inertial dampeners,” Rodham stated as he tipped the ship into a slight spin to port. 

“Good guess, Alex,” Walker confirmed the pilot’s suspicion. “My scans show that most power is being channelled into engines and inertial dampeners.”

Cortez looked up briefly from her station to ask the one question the captain was thinking too. “What about weapons and shields?”

“Weapons are at standard power levels, but their defensive systems aren’t as strong as they could be,” Walker answered. “I’d imagine it’s down to the fact power is being used for other systems to support their crews.”

“So they’re sacrificing everything else to ensure they can hit us hard and fast,” Cortez stated. “Sir, if we can slow them down, they’re ripe for the picking.”

“Agreed, lieutenant, but how do we slow them down?” Burton asked his crew.

Sandoval then spoke up. “Gas,” She said.

Burton looked over at his officer-of-the-watch, “Come again, Rosa?” He asked.

“Gas, sir,” She repeated, “that might not be what the Romulans call it, but on their ships and ours, we all have a plasma exhaust for our impulse engines.”

“Yeah, and?” Burton wanted more clarity from her. He knew she had a past in engineering and flying, so he hoped she had an idea.

“When Discovery captured that Romulan drone while in the Barrens, one of the things we did was analyse their systems, including their engines. Their engines are similar to ours, so if we can restrict their gas flow, it should cause system malfunctions,” Sandoval explained. “The fact they are shunting so much into their engines means that they would already have a build-up of EM residue. We need to push that level over the top so it’s  enough for the residue to clog up their exhausts. The backflow would then affect other systems.”

The ship shook from the outside fire just as Rodham questioned the commander. “Great, so how do we stop them from purging their manifolds and keeping their exhausts clean?” 

“We increase the EM residue,” Sandoval suggested. “If we fire some powerful EM pulses in their direction, it should overload their exhausts. The effect wouldn’t be immediate, but it would eventually do the trick within minutes.”

“How do we protect our ships, though?” Burton asked.

“Close the exhausts off momentarily and redirect their energy into other systems. Have everyone shunt the power into other systems like hull plating.” Sandoval answered. 

Knowing that Sandoval’s idea was risky, Burton considered it for a second as the ship rocked again from more enemy fire. Looking back at her, where she sat at the engineering station, he nodded and gave the plan his blessing before having Avery send an encoded message to the rest of the fleet.

“If we do this, sir, then we should regroup the fleet,” Cortez advised. 

Burton agreed with that idea too. “Inform the fleet to fall back to,” He looked down at his pop-up console in the chair’s arm, “to Deimos; we’ll activate the pulses there.”

Day 21, Month of Sharveen

Imperial Battle Cruiser ChR R’Keth 

Walking out of her private office and onto the command deck of the R’Keth, Admiral Kameetha glided across the deck, plating as she took the centre chair and looked around the busy room. Taking command of the R’Keth had been an accomplishment in itself; the ship was brand new and was the prototype of her class. The praetor had not yet liked the idea of sending what would be designated, at some point, the flagship of the Romulan Star Navy into battle. However, Kameetha had been able to convince him otherwise. Her orders had been simple. Attack the Hevams’ home system and cause as much damage as possible without losing too many ships. So far, she had been pleased with their results.

“Commander Sirrel,” she said as she looked over to her adjutant, “When you spoke with Fleet  Captain Burton, did I hear a tone of excitement in your voice? As in, you were enjoying teasing him that this would be his last battle?”

Sirrel, who was only a decade younger than she was, turned away from the main screen that showed them how well the battle was going. He smiled wryly at his superior. “Only slightly admiral,”

Kameetha smirked at the response. She looked over at the main screen and was pleased to see that, at the moment, a bulk of her forces could keep the Hevams fleet bottled up around that ghastly fourth planet that looked like their ancestors’ former homeworld. The sensors picked up something after making a beeping noise. The enemy fleet was moving towards the outer satellite of the fourth planet.

“What are they doing?” Sirrel questioned aloud, looking for answers from those around him.

A lone centurion nearby answered him. “Sir, the enemy fleet is regrouping above one of the moons.”

“Yes, I can see that, but why?” Sirrel spat back. 

Had they forced the Hevams to retreat so early? Kameetha was impressed but knew they had to strike now before they lost their advantage. “Tell our ships to pursue them; I want that fleet destroyed, now!”

“As you wish, admiral,” Sirrel said with a slight bow of his head before issuing the orders for their fighters and drone ships to pursue first. Everyone else was to follow behind. 

Challenger NX-03

“Captain, the fleet is in position,” announced Walker from the science station. 

“The deflector is charged and ready,” Sandoval shared.

Tapping his intercom button, Burton called engineering, “Bridge to engineer, Sakura, status?”

“Plasma exhausts are closed down, sir, and the excess energy has been redirected to the hull plating; we’re ready.”

“Tanisha, inform the fleet to fire their pulse when the drones are within range,” Burton commanded.

Avery nodded again as she relayed the message.

Almost seconds passed before the Earth ships stood together, almost in a formation that looked like a massive wall protecting the Martian moon behind them, and then they fired their pulses. 

Multiply energy bursts went in all directions against the Romulan drones. Pulses hit all of them, but nothing happened to them initially.

“Burton to the fleet,” Spoke the fleet captain in an open channel to his forces, “break formation and engage targets!”

Immediately both sides clashed as their weapons poured out against one another. Crimson red pulses from the Earth side while green energy beams left the Romulan ships. 

Challenger’s bridge rocked hard as the ship was hit from multiple angles, while it returned the favour from its phase cannons against its enemy ships.

“Rosa, anything yet?” Burton asked, hoping that their tactic would work.

“Nothing, yet,” She said as she monitored the outcome of their attack while sparks blew above their heads. 

Then within a few more seconds, several of the drones started to explode or slow down from system failures. Burton rose from his chair, witnessing what was happening on Challenger’s main screen with the enemy ships. “All ships, open fire!”

Within seconds what was left of the drone fleet was smashed into pieces as the Starfleet ships fired everything they had to take them out. 

Poseidon NP-03

Captain Paulsen had tapped a button on her chair and closed the channel. “You heard the captain; let’s do this! Take us in Number One, attack pattern alpha-one!”

Poseidon teamed up with the Intrepid as they went forward to engage the Romulan flotilla.

The first few seconds of the fight went exceptionally well for the two Starfleet ships. Coordinating their attacks together, they were able to take out eight Romulan drone ships along with half a dozen fighters.

The deck plating beneath his teeth was shuddering like crazy. Commander Oliver Campbell felt like he was more on a rollercoaster ride as he kept his hands moving at almost warp speed to keep the ship from taking too many hits while it delivered its salvos from its phase cannons. Though the Romulan ships had lost power to their engines and some other systems, most still had their teeth. 

“Keep her steady.” Lieutenant Commander Pearson remarked from the tactical station towards the pilot and first officer.

Smiling to himself, Katrina had always moaned at him for not being able to keep the ship still so she could get a decent weapon’s lock. “Come on, Kat, keep up!” He said and turned quickly to give the chief armoury officer a grin.

“Status of the Intrepid?” Paulsen asked as she gripped her chair tightly.

“They’re still with us,” Campbell reported as he glanced down at his sensor readouts. The smaller ship wasn’t taking as much damage as they were.

“Keep firing; let’s get rid of as many of these drones as possible,” Paulsen commanded.

“I’m trying!” Pearson said as she concentrated on her firing patterns.

Imperial Battle Cruiser ChR R’Keth 

Shocked to see her ships being ripped apart like that, Kameetha couldn’t believe it. What had the Hevams done to them? Those EM-pulses shouldn’t have affected their systems as they had. 

She was enraged, annoyed and infuriated. The admiral knew what she was going to do next. “Sirrel, I think it’s time we launched our payload.” She said sinisterly.

Nodding in agreement, he issued the orders and a moment later, several missiles were launched from the belly of the R’Keth.

“Let’s see if they can save their homeworld from those,” Kameetha said as she relaxed into the grand chair to watch the scene unfold before her.

Snowdon Mountain Complex, Snowdonia National Park, Wales, United Kingdom of Great Britain, Earth

Starring at various screens with her arms crossed, President Littlejohn had felt like she had been holding her breath for what seemed an eternity. Starring at one of the monitors that showed Starfleet ships moving towards a squadron of Romulan drones, Lydia deeply regretted not being up there with the countless brave men and women serving to defend their homeworld.

“Lydia,” spoke her Vice President in a low tone.

Turning her head to look over her shoulders, Lydia’s gloomy mood was lifted slightly at seeing Elisabeth Reynolds standing next to her with a mug of coffee in her hands. “Bess, you must have read my mind.”

Reynolds smiled as she passed the warm mug over to the Commander-in-Chief before she sipped on the other cup she was holding. “We’re not going to be leaving this bunker anytime soon, so we’ll need all the caffeine they’ve stored down here.”

Smiling further at the light-hearted comment, Littlejohn tasted the beverage before she gazed back at the screen.

“It’s funny,” Reynolds said between sips, “when we ran a few years ago – I never once imagined we would be witnesses to this.”

Nodding in agreement, Littlejohn remained focused on the screens. “When it was passed through Parliament and the Senate about our manned deep space exploration programme, I never thought we would have an empire trying to destroy us so early on.”

“Were we wrong to explore the stars? Should we have listened to the Vulcans more?” Reynolds asked.

Littlejohn looked back at her VP, “Absolutely not.” She shook her head slightly and answered in hush tones so no one else heard.

Reynolds smirked slightly, and both women looked back at the screen. Littlejohn was happy that Reynolds had been able to make it to this bunker. There were several like it dotted around Earth for government officials to use to ensure the continuation of government if something terrible went wrong. Reynolds, only a few years younger than her, had short blonde hair bobbed under her chin and dark blue eyes. Before being the Vice President of the UEC, she had held the office of Prime Minister of Mars. Many believed that Littlejohn had asked her to join the ticket to ensure the Mars vote went in her favour, which would provide support from many of the other colonies in the Sol system. Reynolds’ past had a mixture of military and political elements too. After attending university, she served a few years in the Martian National Guard before being asked to teach as a political science and ethics teacher at McKay University, Mars. She was later asked to run as a senator for Mars, which she successfully won. After a few years in the UEC Senate, she moved back to Mars and joined the Parliament of the Confederated Martian Colonies. Her party won an election, and she was made the Prime Minister. After six years as the PM, she joined the Littlejohn ticket as the VP candidate. She was a valuable member of the administration.

One of the screens read ‘Tactical Cartography’ and had a bird’s eye view of the asteroid belt, Mars, Earth and Luna colonies with the two fleets fighting it. A beep came from it before new readings appeared from the Romulan lines.

“What’s that?” Littlejohn wondered aloud.

Reynolds looked further as Vice Admiral Black and Secretary Campbell joined them. Black quickly answered the president’s question. “Madam President, that’s another wing of Romulan fighters launching.”

“They’re persistent with their assault, aren’t they?” Campbell rhetorically asked. She looked to Littlejohn, “Lydia, isn’t it time we activated the defence grids and began fighting back more?”

Littlejohn sighed heavily. She had avoided activating the defence grids in fear of an allied craft being hit by it. Admiral Black had strongly advised not bringing the multiple orbital manned stations online yet. Several stations were equipped with pulse phase cannons and photonic torpedo launchers—each crewed by two Starfleet officers. Along with the space-based defence network, the verteron arrays were installed planet-side on Earth, Mars and Luna. And if all of that failed, Earth’s old missile silos from the third world war had been upgraded and re-stocked.

“Let’s do it,” Littlejohn said as she watched the Romulans unleashing smaller sub-light ships for a few more seconds.

General Casey stepped forward to a nearby console and started tapping directives into it. He brought up the activation system. “Madam President, it requires authorisation from yourself followed by confirmation from either the Vice President or the Defence Secretary alongside the Joint Chief of Staff.”

“I’ve got Fleet Admiral Hathaway back up.” Reported Vice Admiral Black, who had gone to another console and had established a video link with the Starfleet Commander-in-Chief and recently appointed Joint Chief of Staff.

“Madam President, are you sure you wish to bring our defence network online now?”  Hathaway asked immediately. “Our fleet has just crushed the drone contingent of the enemy fleet.”

“I know, Moira, but we can’t let this go on any further,” Littlejohn replied as she approached the station that Casey had been working on. Pulling out of the pocket on the inside of her suit jacket, she took out the small piece of plastic card that had her clearance codes on them. She pressed her left hand against the hand scanner, and the computer beeped, awaiting her response to provide the activation codes. “Confirm, Sierra-Tango-One-Nine-Six-Six.” She said as she read from the small card in her hand.

As Defence Secretary Vanderbilt had yet to arrive, Vice President Reynolds pulled out her card with her clearance codes. She approached the station and pressed her hand against the other scanner. After it beeped, she read from her card. “Confirm, Bravo-Foxtrot-two-zero-zero-three.”

“Confirmation codes accepted,” replied Hathaway. “The defence network will be active momentarily. I’ll signal the fleet to be aware, ma’am.” 

“Thank you, admiral,” Littlejohn replied. She looked at Reynolds and gave her a single look that just read: I goddamn hope I was right.

Challenger NX-03

“Sir, the Endeavour is heavily damaged; they’ve got multiple hull breaches!” Walker announced from science above the commotion of them still fighting the Romulans. 

“Signal, Voyager, to break off and protect their flank as they retreat,” Burton commanded as more explosions erupted behind him, and the bridge was filled with more smoke. 

 “Captain, the Romulans are launching nuclear warheads towards Earth. I’m detecting multiple bogeys!” Rodham reported from the helm.

Burton didn’t have time to reply as Avery spoke up immediately after Rodham. “Sir, incoming message from Starfleet Command. The President has activated the defence grid. Orbital platforms are coming online to assist and the verteron arrays.”

“Damn,” Burton cursed under his breath at the latest developments. “Acknowledge the message from Command, then inform all ships to break formation and engage everyone one of those warheads. They are not to reach Earth, whatever the cost!” 

“Sir, if we engage the warheads too close, we could lose ships,” Cortez warned. 

“Just do it,” Burton barked as the ship was hit again. 

Imperial Battle Cruiser ChR R’Keth 

Admiral Kameetha grinned like a joyful saavik as she watched the Hevams fleet become embroiled in her plan to decimate their homeworlds. Looking at the two planets before her on the main screen, she could see some resemblance to ch’Rihan and ch’Havran. However, the large red planet in the Hevam system span on its axis, while ch’Havran always faced the home-suns of Eisn and Ket-cheleb B. ch’Havran was also littered with akhoii’rhaaer which the Remans mined so well for the good of the Empire.

Sat in her chair on the command deck of the R’Keth, leaning to the left side, Kameetha stopped grinning and looked over to her adjutant. “Commander Sirrel, I believe we’ve done all we can here. Order our fleet back to Romulan space once, but inform our fighters to ram as many enemy ships as possible.”

“Yes, admiral!” Sirrel replied and gave out the commands to follow the admiral’s orders at once.

Challenger NX-03

Pushing the ship into a nose spin and performing a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree turn, Commander Rodham could feel himself almost flying out of his seat as he drove the Challenger beyond her limits. The battle with the Romulans intensified as he tried to dodge each fighter and every shockwave from the warheads they were taking out. However, the status display to his left told him the ship was sustaining heavy damage. 

“Captain, the Romulans aren’t making this easy for us,” Rodham declared from the helm, “request permission to try something unorthodox to get us out of this jam.”

“Permission granted, commander,” Burton ordered.

“Then buckle up, everyone!” Rodham ordered as he pressed the button to activate everyone’s seatbelts on the bridge. 

Within a few seconds, everyone’s harnesses flipped over their shoulders and then buckled them into their seats. Once Rodham heard multiple clicks that people were secure, Rodham told everyone to hang on as he pushed the engines further than ever before. The ship was starting to rumble at his actions, but it was working. He was avoiding some of the damage they were previously sustaining. 

“How many more warheads do we need to take out?” Burton asked, as his grip around his chair got tighter and tighter as the ship manoeuvred more at high speeds.

“Six,” Walker announced while holding onto the safety bars in front of him. 

 The ship then shuddered hard on one side, and a massive explosion ripped through the consoles in the aft section of the bridge. The entire situation room was up in flames as more smoke filled the bridge. 

“Report!” Burton bellowed at the top of his voice, even though he could barely see a thing.

“Six Romulan fighters rammed us, sir,” Walker announced. 

“Helm control is sluggish,” Rodham shared. “I’m trying to take evasive action.”

“Rachele, do we still have weapons?” Burton asked, turning to look at where his armoury officer should be. Seeing that she wasn’t at her station, the captain then realised where she was. He took off his seatbelt and ran to the deck plating where Cortez lay. She was unconscious but was breathing. Calling over Harris, who was supporting a cut along his forehead, Burton asked his yeoman if he could carry Cortez down to sickbay. Nodding profusely, Harris picked up the armoury officer and made his way to the lift. 

Burton took over at the armoury station. It appeared offline, so he thumped it hard and was pleased to see it come back online. Noticing that several more fighters were heading for them, Burton tried to get a  lock with the phase cannons but couldn’t get the targeting scanners to work. “Damn it,” He cursed. Burton was about to tell everyone to brace themselves for more kamikaze attacks, but the proximity alarm went off, and a smile crept across his face as the fighters were dealt with swiftly. 

“Sir, it’s the Enterprise!” announced Rodham. 

A round of cheers erupted around the bridge with the flagship’s arrival.

“Captain, we’re getting a message from Enterprise,” spoke Avery, “Commodore Archer is requesting your permission to assume command of the fleet.”

“Permission granted,” Burton said after a slight chuckle. 

“Sir, you’re not going to believe it, but the commodore has brought some allies with him,” Walker said as he turned the main screen to show the joint task force Enterprise was leading. One of them was the Jarok, and the other was the Avenkerev.

“Incoming call from the Jarok; it’s Commander T’Plau,” Avery said with a smile.   

“Onscreen,” Burton said as he rose from the tactical station and gestured for Sandoval to take over for him. Flickering to show the clean bridge of the Jarok with its skipper sitting gracefully in the centre, almost like a queen on her throne, the familiar face of Commander T’Plau was a welcome scene. 

“Fleet Captain Burton, I am sorry we were delayed getting to you. Can we be of assistance?” T’Plau asked her former commanding officer.

“You’re here now, T’Plau; that’s all that matters,” Burton said as he stood behind Rodham and caught his breath. “Help to clean up the garbage the Romulans have created for us.”

“Very well, Jarok out.” The Vulcan woman closed the channel. 

“Sir, the bulk of the Romulan armada is retreating, but they’re leaving their fighters behind,” Walker reported. “However, the last of the warheads have been destroyed.”

“Then let’s finish what we’ve started and secure the system,” Burton ordered as he smoothed out his jumpsuit and sat back in his chair.

With five minutes left until midnight, Lloyd Burton sat quietly, staring at the Solent as a soft breeze caressed against him. 

“There you are,” spoke a familiar voice.

Gazing over his shoulder, Lloyd welcomed his brother, Roman, in joining him from where he sat on the bench by the waterside. “You okay, Roman?” Lloyd asked his brother.

Nodding, he passed a glass of whiskey towards Lloyd before sipping on his own. “I will be, you?”

“Likewise,” Lloyd solemnly said. “Did our mother send you out to find me?”

“She did wonder where you went; I’ve got Seth covering for us,” Roman answered. 

The two Burton siblings were quiet for a moment. Sitting wearing full tuxedos, both men could hear from where they were seated the various other New Years’ Eve parties going on in the busy city of Portsmouth. All sorts of noise and music were being played. Several yachts docked at the nearby harbour were also hosting their celebrations. 

“It was nice for her to invite your crew to the party,” Roman commented.

Lloyd just nodded before sipping on his drink. “Madison would have hated it, though.”

“Yeah,” Roman agreed. “She was someone who kept her personal and professional life as two separate entities.”

“I almost insisted that mum call off the party, but she insisted it went ahead. It just doesn’t feel right to celebrate,” Lloyd said seriously. “Especially with what has happened.”

“I keep seeing those images coming through the sensor feeds in my mind of the battle,” Roman said after drinking his beverage. “And I’m just expecting her to turn up.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean.” Lloyd agreed. “I can’t believe she’s gone.”

“Just like that,” Roman added.

During, what was now named the Battle of Sol, Voyager took heavy damage before the Coalition fleet arrived. After several fighters rammed Challenger, it could not keep up with the rest of the fight. Sensors were compromised, so it missed what had transpired as the last Romulan nuclear warheads had been dealt with. While Poseidon had been able to take out one, heading straight for the Luna colonies, Voyager sacrificed itself to destroy five warheads that had almost reached Earth. Their sister had given her life to save their homeworld. She and her entire crew had been praised as heroes, along with every other soul that had been lost that day. The casualties were in the thousands, and a large proportion of the defence fleet was lost. Also, those ships that had survived, every single one of them, were heavily damaged. Hundreds more were injured. Starfleet’s victory came with a bitter taste. Coalition forces had caught up with the Romulan attack force, and only a few had escaped their eradication. Now the job of rebuilding, repairing and regrouping was at hand. 

Unable to deal with the loss of her daughter and in a very uncharacteristic way, Lloyd’s mother insisted that her New Year’s Eve party go ahead. She ended up inviting the entire crew of the Challenger, along with the family and close friends that had lost someone on Voyager. She felt it was appropriate to show those that they had lost that their deaths had meaning and that they should be celebrated. Not having the strength to argue with her, Lloyd had gone along with it. 

Lloyd turned to his brother, “I heard you’re returning to the Discovery as its new first officer and chief engineer?”

He nodded, “Yeah, Starfleet wanted me to join her again. Her chief engineer has been reassigned to take command of one of the smaller ships that lost its captain. They need someone who knows the systems well enough to sort out repairs.”

“I’ve been told the same for Challenger as well. We’ll get repaired but the refit has been put on hold. Starfleet wants us out and back on the frontlines.” Lloyd said as he swished his drink around in its glass.

“Understandable; with Endeavour losing its entire bridge crew and Discovery taking heavy damage, I’m not surprised that Starfleet wants as many NX-class ships out there defending the border,” Roman said as he took a swig from his glass. “I’m planning to visit Captain Müller at Starfleet Medical before I ship out. The doctors say his prognosis looks positive.”

Lloyd nodded, “Let me know when you go; I’ll come with you to see Frank.” The mention of his old classmate from STC and the skipper of the Discovery made Lloyd feel even more down. During the battle, the Discovery had also been rammed by a Romulan fighter. Müller had been coordinating the ship’s battle repairs when an EPS conduit exploded near him. He was now at Starfleet Medical, in a coma, recovering from head injuries and severe burns. He wouldn’t be returning to the centre chair anytime soon. 

Just then, walking down to them with a cream-coloured silk shoal covering her shoulders while wearing a long black evening dress was Nicole Levesque. “Lloyd, Nathan, I’ve been sent out by Seth to call you back to the party before Big Ben chimes at midnight. He’s also said he is certain your mother will start singing if you’re not there to help prevent it!”

Smiling at his girlfriend as she approached them, Lloyd found himself depending on Nicole more and more in the last couple of days. Her small bump was starting to come through, her pregnancy could no longer be hidden away, and for once, Lloyd felt like there was something worth protecting, something worth defending. 

Whatever the cost, he would protect his family.