The sounds of loud music filled the machine shop, accompanied by the rhythmic turning of a socket wrench. The cacophony was broken up by the sounds of heels on the concrete.

“Shop opens at 8,” Alex said, not looking away from his work.

“Ah, no Mr. Benson. I’m here about-”

“The answer’s no,” Alex interrupted the woman.

“I’m sorry?” The woman said, confused.

“The only people who call me, Mr. Benson are people looking to harm me, financially or physically. If it’s the first one, extortion hours are between 9:30 pm and midnight. If it’s the second, you might want to take your heels off. Either way, I haven’t had my third cup of coffee yet, so I’m not in the mood for either right now.” He removed the engine’s manifold cover, set it on the ground, and looked inside the engine with a small light.

“I’m not here about any-“

Alex stood up and angrily dropped his light. He turned around to face the woman. “Listen, I sai- Starfleet?” Alex chuckled wryly, “I haven’t told you guys no for a while.” He reached down a cleaned his hands with a nearby rag. “Well, let’s step into my office then.” He threw the rag into a tool rack. “Do you want some coffee? It’s better than the raktajino crap they serve on starbases.”

“You’re a hard man to track down, Mr. Benson.”

“That was the point,” Alex called over his shoulder as he walked away.

She followed Alex to an attached service office. He poured two cups of coffee and handed one to the woman. “All right, let’s hear your pitch, Lieutenant…”

“Breton, Arielle Breton,” She rummaged through her bag. “Yesterday afternoon, Starfleet received a priority message from Sitera. It’s a small planet in the Beta Quadrant.”

“I’ve heard of it,” Alex said, taking a sip of coffee.

“There has been a series of uprisings… terrorist attacks. Until recently, the government has been able to effectively quell them. But a group identifying themselves as Shining Hope has unified the planet’s revolutionaries to a-”

Alex mock yawned, the sound filling the space. “Get to the part where I care. If they want the planet, let them have it. Might be better than the last boss.”

Breton produced a PADD, pushed a few buttons, and handed it to Alex. “We’ve identified one of the main leaders. I trust she’ll be familiar.”

Alex stared at the image. “April…” He blinked back to reality, “I haven’t spoken to April for 10-15 years. What kind of effect am I supposed to have?”

“Quiet ones, preferably. We’re hoping to use this as a springboard for Sitera’s admission into the Federation.”

“I get it. So Starfleet comes in, takes care of business, and everyone throws a big victory party. And the Federation can collect on the debt.” Alex took a sip of coffee. “I have to admit, it’s genius. Anyway,” he set his cup and the PADD on the counter, “good luck with that.”

“What do you think happens to the next person we approach with this? I doubt they’ll be as subtle.”

Alex stopped and turned to face her. He angrily pointed a finger in Arielle’s direction. “See? This is why I hate Starfleet. You dangle a family member in front of me, tell me to take the mission, or the next guy might not care.”

“So you’ll do it then?”

“Yes, I’ll take the mission,” Alex said with a resigned sigh.

Arielle smiled and picked up the PADD. “I’ll inform the-”

“Not so fast, I didn’t say it was unconditional. I’m restored to full rank before my incarceration, with retroactive benefits. And I want my arrest record expunged. And, I want to run the mission with latitude.”

“Sir, that’s… 16 years of back benefits,” Breton said, swallowing hard.

“Then I suggest you get in touch with Starfleet. I’m going to change.” Alex said, walking out of the office.

“The captain will see you now.” The receptionist looked up from the desk.

Alex nodded and entered Captain Mortcombe’s office. The man sat behind his desk but didn’t rise to meet Alex.

“Commander… Benson, is it?”

“Yes sir,” he said, taking a seat across from Mortcombe.

“Commander, you will be assigned to the… Cantabras? Not the most fitting for your service record, but it’s a good start. You’ll be assigned a strike team of four members, including yourself.” He handed Alex a PADD, “You’re to report to the Siteran government. They’ll instruct you further on the situation.” A long pause, “You’re dismissed, Commander Benson.”

Alex took the PADD and walked out of the office. “He’s not one for chit-chat. I respect that,” he said to himself. He made his way through the enormous starbase to the shuttle bay and was directed to the Cantabras. “She doesn’t look like much, but it’ll do.”

He walked up the gangplank and onto the bridge. In the Conn seat was a man sleeping. “Working hard on those system diagnoses?”

“The computer does most of the work,” the man said half asleep. “Anyway who are you to-? Sh-!” His eyes widened and he scrambled out of the chair. “You’re Commander Benson.”

“And you’re Ensign Carter. Now that’s out of the way, is anyone else here?”

Logan eased himself back in the seat. “The Chief Engineer is here. He’s wound up pretty tight, wanted to get right to work.”

“I’m glad someone on this crew does.” Alex said, “You’re the only dedicated bridge officer, that means you’re pulling Ops and Conn duties. Act like it.”

“I understand sir.”

“I’m going to talk to Ensign Mear,” Alex said, walking away. “Wheel’s up in 10, Carter. Commodore Jalian will be mad if we paint the walls of the shuttle bay with the Cantabras,” he called over his shoulder.

Before he reached Engineering, Alex already heard Ensign Mear hard at work. The Trill man’s head was darting back and forth between the readout and intermix displays.

“I don’t think it changed from the last 10 seconds you looked,” Alex said, leaning against the doorframe with a smirk.

Priam turned his head away from the displays to the sound of the voice. “Oh, Commander!” He stiffened up with a salute.

Alex chuckled and waved away the formalities, “As you were, Ensign. Please, continue.”

Mear sighed and released the tension in his body. “Sir, if you think my time could be better spent elsewhere…”

“Not at all. If your record’s to be believed, you could fix this thing with duct tape and a wad of bubble gum. I’m going to refer to your judgment.”

“I don’t understand the reference, sir, but thank you for your trust.”

Alex turned to leave, “By the way Ensign, have you seen Commander Veva?”

“I don’t believe so, sir. But I arrived shortly after Ensign Carter, she may have come after.”

“All right, thanks.” Alex walked out of Main Engineering. “Computer, locate Lieutenant Commander Veva.”

“Lieutenant Commander Veva is in the Astrometrics Lab.”

Entering Astrometrics, Alex found a woman hunched over a console. “I’ve always found it beautiful in here. You’re able to be amongst the stars without the whole lack of oxygen thing.”

“I’m learning more about the Sitera system. I’ve never been in the area.”

“I guess being on a Nova-class vessel, spending months studying a planet’s every rock and leaf for 17 years, doesn’t get you around the galaxy much.”

“It’s far better than turning a wrench 8 hours a day for 11 years.”

“Seven hours,” Alex said.

“What?” Tani looked up from her console.

“Seven hours. We had an hour lunch. When you’re done with your research,” he motioned toward the astrometric display, “see if you can find a better attitude out there.”

“I’ll do that, right after I find a better commanding officer.”

“I knew I’d like this assignment,” Alex said sarcastically and walked out of Astrometrics.

“The target’s name is April Seidman,” Alex said, projecting the image on the wall display. “She’s the leader of a terrorist organization known as The Shining Hand. They, and by extension her, have been a huge thorn in the side of the Siteran government. We’re here to stop them.”

“Stop them how?” Priam said worryingly.

Logan put his hands around in throat and made a choking noise. “He means we gotta kill them.”

“I didn’t say that”, Alex shot back. “But if it comes to that, we’re authorized to.”

“I don’t get it,” Tani said, her arms crossed.

Alex turned her direction, “It’s pretty straightforward-”

“Not about the mission, about this team.” She pointed to Logan, “He’s a hotshot pilot with charisma that can get us into, and out of, almost any situation.” Tani pointed to Priam, “He can deal with any electronics we encounter and probably rig up some nice equipment. I,” she pointed to herself, “can develop chemical agents. Make things go boom without making us go boom.” Tani crossed her arms, “But what about you? What do you bring to this team?”

“My charming wit,” Alex shot back.

“Yeah, you just ooze that,” Tani replied, “It smells purulent.”

“As fun as an image that is,” Alex looked at Tani, “what I bring to the table are the orders. I’m the commanding officer of the team. Like it or not, I couldn’t care less. Any other questions that are mission-relevant?” Pause, “Good. I’ve downloaded your mission assignments and information about Sitera. I suggest you read up on it, we’ll arrive in an hour. Dismissed.” The three of them stood and left the room, leaving Alex to his thoughts.

Alex entered the Science Lab, exactly where he expected Tani to be. “Diplomacy.”

She looked up from her work, “What?”

“You asked what I bring to the team, diplomacy.”

Tani rolled her eyes, “Every Starfleet officer knows how to do-”

“I was a Diplomatic Officer, Chief actually. Before they threw me in a penal colony.”

“Starfleet?”

“Yeah, I uncovered a conspiracy and was promptly punished for it. They don’t like it when you air out their dirty laundry. I even knew at the time what would happen.” He chuckled wryly, “I was so damn ambitious back then, so noble. I would probably be captain of an Intrepid-class or maybe a nice Akira-class.” He shook the thought away, “I don’t know if it’s Starfleet’s joke to make me captain of one of the smallest vessels in service. Maybe it’s to lend credibility to this team. ‘Look, we’re going to try diplomacy first! We even have a former diplomatic officer’” he said with mock pride.

“I didn’t see anything about a prison record in your file.”

“That was a condition of return: Sealing my prison file. They couldn’t fully expunge it, which probably would take too much grease, but they could make it highly classified. It’ll keep enough prying eyes away from it. Anyway,” he turned to the door, “it gives you one less reason to hate me.”

“I don’t hate you,” Tani said, stopping Alex. She sighed, “Do you know what I was doing before I was called up to come here?”

“You were on the Mendel, a Nova-class-”

“I was on the verge of a scientific discovery! I discovered a microbe that will radically change the way we think about cellular biology. Now it will either be shelved or one of my colleagues will get all the accolades. I know exactly who will too: Lieutenant Commander Liam Marska. He’s such a sniveling piece of-”

“It looks like we both got shafted,” Alex said. “We could trade notes sometime.”

“Yeah, maybe… But now I’m stuck here, creating chemical compounds so we can stop terrorists. Something I couldn’t give dick all about.”

“For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re here.” He patted the bulkhead. “Hopefully you have this crap wrapped up in an hour,” he said with a smirk and walked out.

“Governor Lifaeal will see you now, Commander,” came the reedy voice of the governor’s receptionist. The Siterian people were humanoid, on the shorter side, most weren’t much taller than five feet. Their turquoise skin had random colorations of red and orange. On their neck were vertical slits, a testament to their underwater origins. What unsettled Alex the most was they blinked vertically, a trait left over from their evolution.

Alex and Tani stood up and straightened their uniforms. They followed the receptionist to Governor Lifaeal’s office and entered. 

Behind the desk sat a rotund man, he slightly brightened at the sight of the two Starfleet officers. “Ah good, yes, yes. You must be the team Starfleet sent to handle the Shining Hope.” He motioned for them to sit, “They have been a terrible thorn in my side for some time.”

“That’s what we’re told,” Alex replied. “Any information you have of them would be helpful.”

Lifaeal produced a PADD and handed it to Alex. “I’m afraid there’s not much to go on. They have been launching several attacks on our infrastructure: transport vehicles, electrical facilities, our mining operations, and the like.”

Alex read over the PADD, “The reports show they only attack in groups of 3 or less. Why not place guards in critical areas? They can’t be too difficult to overpower.” He handed the PADD to Tani.

With a burbling noise, Lifaeal looked dismayed. “If only it were that easy Commander. I’ve placed the military on a rotational assignment. It seems no matter where I place them, the Shining Hope strikes elsewhere.”

“It says here you have several major felmite mining operations. What would you have use of a mineral like that?”

“It’s a very useful mineral. We refine it for energy and fuel, but it can also be adapted for textiles. It’s quite valuable on Sitera.”

“What do you know about the group itself? Do you know how many members it has? Have they made any demands? And why call themselves Shining Hope?”

Another burble from Lifaeal, “They consider themselves freedom fighters. What they’re liberating I’m not sure. I pride myself on having a fair and judicial governing body. They don’t make any demands and we’ve identified at least a dozen group members.

“We should start at the felmite mines,” Tani said, setting the PADD back on Lifaeal’s desk.

The governor looked confused, “Why do you want to see the mines?”

“I want to see a mine that Shining Hope has attacked.”

“Certainly!” Lifaeal said and stood up. “The nearest mine is roughly an hour from here. I can have transport arranged.”

Alex and Tani stepped off the transport outside of the mine. The two of them stepped out and walked toward the entrance of the mine.

“I’ll wait here for your return Commander,” the driver said, shutting down the transport’s engine.

“So what’s the play here Commander?” Alex asked once they were out of earshot of the driver.

“Something didn’t sit right with Lifaeal. The melting point of felmite makes it a poor fuel source. And using it for clothes? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“You’re right! They use a mineral in unusual ways so that does make them suspicious,” Alex said sarcastically. “You know, not every world has the luxuries Federation worlds do. Some are using what they have available to get by.”The two arrived at the entrance and were met by a military guard. “Command Benson and Lieutenant Commander Veva,” Alex announced. “We’re here to look over what happened during the Shining Hope attack.”

The guard nodded and handed them both a light, “It’s dark in there, be careful.”

Alex nodded and he and Tani moved into the darkened mine. The only noise was the howling of the wind through the empty mine.

 “Well this is certainly spooky,” Alex said, turning on his light.

“Your penchant for stating the obvious is as charming as ever,” Tani said, turning on her light.

“At least you admit I’m charming.”

Alex and Tani walked further through the mine, their footfalls echoing throughout the mine. The further they moved deeper, the smaller the light from the entrance became.

“I don’t see anything suspicious,” Alex said, scanning the walls with his light.

“There are residual energy discharge marks here on the walls,” Tani said, looking at her tricorder. “But here it looks like-” an insistent beep from her tricorder. “There’s a device over here,” she moved towards the signal. She knelt by it, waving her tricorder over it. “This is weird. The tricorder registers it as an explosive device. It’s transmitting a signal, but it’s short-ranged.”

“A remote detonation?”

“I think it’s supposed to be, but the signal would be too weak this deep. The frequency is more like a distress beacon.”

“So it’s designed to draw people-” The realization hit them both and they broke out in a sprint. The pinhole entrance light became bigger until a large vibration shook the mine. Alex and Tani were knocked off their feet. Alex looked toward the entrance and saw only darkness. “Tani, tell me that’s not what I think it is,” Alex asked, dusting himself off.

Tani coughed, stood up, and opened her tricorder. “I’m afraid so. It looks like the mine caved in. We’re trapped.”

“Well this is fabulous,” Alex said, his breath catching.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m trapped behind several meters of rubble in a dark hole so, you know, not my best day.” Alex attempted to calm his breathing. “Oh, and I’m not a fan of enclosed spaces.”

“According to this,” Tani said, sweeping her tricorder over the cave-in, “the rock pile is only five meters thick. It should be easy to-“

“Shh,” Alex interrupted her, putting a finger to his lips. He dropped his voice to a whisper. “Do you hear that?”

Through the wall came the sound of voices, “…Starfleet officers… too easy… trapped… ….behind wall… …live Shining Hope!!!” And then silence.

“It sounds like the transport driver and the guard by the entrance,” Alex said. “You said you had a way out?”

“Possibly. We could use the phasers to strategically melt away the rocks. It’ll take a while and we’ll get sweaty, but it should work.”

“I’m already sweating, so I’m covered there,” Alex said, fanning his shirt.

Tani set her phaser to high power. “Is that what I’m smelling?”

“Shut up and strategically melt rocks,” Alex replied, firing his phaser.

After what felt like forever, the rocks began to slide enough to form a hole for Alex and Tani. Alex emerged first, phaser drawn. “Well… it looks like they’ve left,” he said, crawling the rest of the way through the hole. The two of them made their way to the entrance, cautiously sweeping with their phasers.

“So much for getting back before dark,” Tani said, motioning toward the setting sun.

“Getting to the entrance was the hard part. Alex tapped his commbadge, ”Benson to the Cantabras.”

“Carter here, how’s it going down there Chief?“

“Buckets of fun. Listen, we need site-to-site transport to the outskirts of the city.”

“That good, huh? One moment…” 

The two of them disappeared in a transporter swirl and reappeared at the city gates. 

The guards at the gate quickly came to attention. Alex put up his hands in defense, “I apologize for the abruptness, but it’s an urgent matter. We need to speak with Governor Lifaeal. You have a spy in your government.”

Alex and Tani were quickly ushered to the Governor’s office. A drowsy Lifaeal waited for them. “What is the meaning of this?” He said, blinking his eyes several times.

“There is a traitor in your administration.”

Lifaeal let out a burble, “I figured as much. Some of the situations didn’t add up. The Shining Hope knew exactly where our guard rotations would be, and attacked our blind spot. Do you know who it is?”

“We know two,” Alex replied. “The man you had transport us to the felmite mines and the man you had guarding it. When Commander Tani and I were exploring the mines, we discovered a decoy explosive. When we attempted to escape, there was a cave-in. We heard voices, their voices, commenting on how successful the trap was. And praised the Shining Hope.”

Lifaeal stroked his barbels in thought, “But Tinal is one of my most trusted soldiers. And Dezomall would give his life for Sitera!” He burbled, “Are you absolutely certain?”

“Honestly, it’s the most certain I’ve been of anything since this mission started.”

“Very well,” Lifaeal ordered his guards to search for the two men and bring them to his chambers.

 In short order, both Tinal and Dezomall arrived in chains. “What is the meaning of thi- You!” Tinal lunged at Alex but was quickly restrained by Lifaeal’s guard.

“Didn’t expect to see me so alive?” Alex asked.

A shrill laugh emerged from Tinal. “It matters little. Once you witness the glory of reckoning the Shining Hope has planned, nothing else will matter.”

“You’ve answered my question,” Lifaeal said in a defeated tone. “Take them to be interrogated,” he waved the men away with his hand. “What do you suppose that meant?”

Alex was about to answer when his commbadge chirped, “Carter to Benson.” Benson tapped his badge, “Go ahead, Ensign.”

“Pri found something on the planet’s surface you’ll want to see. Sooner rather than later.”

“Understood, standby to transport,” Alex said, closing the channel. He turned to Lifaeal, “We may have found the Shining Hope’s glorious reckoning.”

“What am I looking at,” Alex asked, staring at the screen with crossed arms.

“This section here,” Priam pointed. “Is a large energy signature emission. Whatever’s down there is generating a lot of heat.”

“I think we found Shining Hope’s “’glorious reckoning’,” Alex said.

“So much for staying hidden. They’re practically lighting a beacon!” Logan exclaimed.

Alex rubbed his eyes. “They’re done with subtlety. Whatever they’ve been building is done.”

Tani looked at Alex, “What do you want to do?”

“Well,” Alex shrugged, “we follow the beacon and end this thing.”

“Set us in orbit around the moon, but keep us off their sensors,” Alex said, looking over his phaser rifle.

Logan pushed a few buttons, “We are… in orbit. And keeping us dark.”

“I still don’t see why I should go instead of Ensign Carter,” a nervous-looking Priam said.

“You’re an engineer, I need you there to handle anything mechanical we run across,” Alex explained. “Logan is a pilot. We need him up here in case something goes south.”

“And you’re a diplomat,” Tani said, strapping a rifle to her back. “Maybe we should take Carter instead of you.”

“Then who would lead the group? You?” Alex clicked a power cell into the rifle. “All right, we’re planet side in 5.” He turned and left the Bridge.

The three team members appeared on the planet’s surface in a transporter swirl. Alex and Tani swept the area with their rifles while Priam consulted his tricorder. “I’m receiving the power reading about two and a half kilometers due northwest.” His eyes went wide, “The dampening field must have been hiding a lot of the energy signature. Even the most rudimentary sensors would pick this up. 

“I got you as close as I could with the dampening field. You’ll have to walk the rest of the way,” Logan’s voice came over Alex’s commbadge.

“Understood,” Alex replied. “All right, radio silence until further notice. Unless something is blowing up or is on fire. Benson out,” and he tapped his badge. “Okay Ensign, lead the way. Tani and I will cover your flank.”

The three of them moved for thirty minutes or so, Alex and Tani sweeping with their rifles alongside Priam. Suddenly, Priam stopped.

“What is it?”

“Look,” Priam simply said, pointing in the distance. A mountain range came into view, with a larger dome peak rising above them.

“Of course, a big scary mountain,” Tani said. “It had to be a big scary mountain…”

Priam consulted his tricorder, “That has to be where they intend to launch their weapon. Or,” Priam smiled, “they keep their scary holiday decorations.”

“Was that a joke Ensign?” Alex asked, “I’m genuinely impressed.”

“If you’re done with your male bonding, we still have to mission to complete,” Tani said.

“You’re just pissed you didn’t think of it,” Alex said and motioned the group onward.

The group stopped about twenty meters from the entrance and took cover. Tani propped her rifle against a rock and looked through the scope, “It looks like there are two guards.”

“Do you think we can take them out quick enough so they can’t alert the base?” Alex asked.

“I can, since my record is double this distance. What about you?” Tani asked.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to test.”

“That’s a ‘no’, what about you Ensign Mear?”

“I can consistently hit twenty-three meters,” Priam replied.

“It’ll have to do. Line up your shot ensign,” Tani instructed.

Priam propped his rifle against the rock near Tani’s. He looked through his scope.

“I’ll take the guy on the right,” Tani said. “Let me know when you lined up your shot.”

“I… have it,” Priam said nervously.

“Go,” Tani whispered.

The two rifles shot in near synch. A moment passed.

“Both targets are down,” Tani reported. “Nice job ensign. Now let’s get moving before they realize they’re down.”

“Agreed,” Alex said, getting to his feet.

The team closed the distance to the entrance of the base. “All right Priam, you’re up,” Alex said, motioning to the door panel.

Priam pulled some tools out of the small pouch at his hip. Prying the cover off, he began manipulating wires. While he worked, Alex and Tani moved to hide the unconscious guards. “There,” he said and a click released the doors.

“Nice job ensign,” Alex patted Priam’s shoulder. “And you thought we should’ve brought Carter.”

“I still think we should have brought Carter,” Tani said with a smirk.

Carefully opening the doors, the team made their way through a small area and onto a metal gangway. The gangway encircled a large area below. The team quietly made their way around the gangway and into another hallway formed by similar metallic walkways. The sound of footsteps came from below them. The team froze and pressed against the wall. Alex put a finger to his lips. Two soldiers moved below them and through the area. 

Alex nodded, and the team continued down the hallway. The hallway dead-ended to a room looking straight onto a massive cannon.

“By the Prophets,” Tani whispered.

“It’s quite impressive, isn’t it?” Came an amused voice behind them.

The team turned around and Alex was met with a face he hadn’t seen in nearly seventeen years.

“Uncle Alex, well this is a surprise.”

“You look just like your mother,” Alex said flatly.

“Please, you didn’t come all this way to tell me that,” April fired back. The men that flanked her started to advance on the team, but April’s raised hand stopped them. “Wait. Commander Benson is a trained diplomat. So let’s work this out diplomatically. I think they’d be surprised to hear the truth. Hell, they might even join us.”

“Not likely,” Tani said.

“Let’s hear what she has to say,” Alex replied. “We’re at a disadvantage here. She wants to talk, let’s talk.”

“Smart move,” April said plainly. Follow me,” She turned on her heel and walked away, her guards keeping step. The team members followed behind. The group made their way through the base, with April waving off any potential attacks from guards. They finally arrived at an antechamber. Inside was a series of chairs with a serving cart nearby.

April picked up a cup and poured liquid from a steel carafe. She took a seat and breathed in the drink’s steam. “Please sit and have a drink. I do love some P’lavia tea. It’s made from berries in the south-” Noting their hesitation, she took a loud sip from the cup, “It’s not poisoned. If I wanted to kill you, I would have.” She sat it on a nearby table. “Give me more credit than that.”

Alex and Priam poured their cups. Tani sat in a chair, carefully studying April. The men sat next to Tani.

“Not one for tea?” April asked.

“I’m not one for breaking bread with terrorists,” Tani shot back.

“One man’s terrorist is another man’s liberator.” She turned to Alex, “And look at you, in a Starfleet uniform. I figured after your release, you would’ve burned that bridge and watched it drift in the river. But you always have to be the hero. You need to save the galaxy and all that.”

“Hero!?” Alex exclaimed. “I did this for you.” He pointed to the door, “I’m the only reason Starfleet isn’t marching through that door right now.”

April leaned back in her seat. “Like I said: hero. If you’re done lying to me, you should stop lying to yourself.”

“As fun as this family reunion is,” Tani cut in, “but our mission is to stop Shining Hope from destroying Sitera.”

“Stop us? Do you know what they’re doing in the felmite mines?”

“Your uncle and I have been there. The one that Shining-”

“I mean the real ones,” April cut her off. “The ones where the subjugate slaves, children Commander. Shining Hope has liberated them from the mines. Some join our cause, but most create lives elsewhere. And that’s nothing to speak of the damage they’re doing to the ecosystem.” A guard handed April a PADD, which she handed to Tani. “You’re a scientist, I don’t need to explain what those numbers mean.”

Tani studied the information. “She’s right Alex. The process they use to strip the felmite dehydrates the land. At this rate, most of Sitera will be a desert.” She paused, “Wait, how do we know this isn’t fabricated?”

“Look at the document data, it’s official. Sub General Tinal help smuggle the information out.”

“What do you intend to do here?” Alex finally spoke up.

“Wipe it all off the map, ensure they can’t continue like this.”

“There has to be another way,” Alex pleaded.

“Always the diplomat,” April smiled. “We’ve run through the scenarios, the Shining Hope-” April’s words were cut off by a shaking of the room. A brief pause and an alarm klaxon blared.

Two men rushed into the room, “They’ve found us! We have to evacuate the base!” One of the men said.

“The cannon, use the cannon!” April exclaimed and rose to her feet. Alex’s team instinctively did as well.

“Lifaeal’s bombers have taken it out,” the man said between heavy breaths.

April cursed, “Evacuate the base, we need to get out of here.”

“Just wait a minute,” Tani took a step towards April. Her guards aimed their rifles at Tani.

“I know you want to be the big Starfleet good guys. But unless you want to be buried under this mountain, we need to get out of here.”

A moment, and several shakes later, the tense standoff ended. The group left the room the way they came. A few turns later, they were in the open area with the metal gangway.

“Exit’s that way,” April said, pointing to the entrance.

“You’re coming with us!” Tani shouted over the rocking of the room.

“Perhaps another time,” April said, and her guards shot at the gangway, causing it to collapse.

“We have to get out of here Commanders,” Priam said urgently.

Tani growled in frustration and the team made their way to the exit. Outside was utter chaos; craft from both the Siterian government and Shining Hope fighting for the upper hand. While some shuttles were heading off the planet.

“Cantabras to Benson, tell me you’re reading me,” Logan’s voice came over Alex’s commbadge.

Alex slapped it, “Go ahead, Carter.”

“You said to keep radio silence, but stuff is blowing up around here and-”

“It’s not any better down here,” Alex interrupted. “Get transport lock and beam us out of here.”

As the team arrived back on the Cantabras, the Red Alert warning was going off.

“So glad you could join me,” Logan chuckled wryly. “Sitera launched a major offense on the Shining Hope base. They followed us here, which isn’t entirely fair.”

“Everyone to stations,” Alex ordered.

“Carter, find which evacuating ship April is on,” Tani said.

“Scanning,” Logan said, looking at his console. “I found it Commander.”

“Target her engines and fire.”

“Belay that order Ensign,” Alex said.

Logan turned around and looked between Alex and Tani.

“April’s ship is going to warp,” Priam reported.

A tense moment between Alex, Tani, and Logan. Finally, Tani slammed her hands on her console, “Logan, take the damn shot!”

“You take that shot and I’ll personally throw you out of the airlock,” Alex said lethally. “And that goes for anyone else.” He said, scanning the Bridge.

The four of them watched the viewscreen as the warp nacelles on April’s ship powered up, and it disappeared. 

“April’s ship has gone to warp,” Priam reported.

“Thanks, Pri, we got it,” Logan said.

“Stand down from Red Alert. Contact Governor Lifaeal and inform him that April Seidman escaped,” Alex said to Logan.

“Because we let her,” Tani said with disgust.

“Trust me, he won’t care,” Alex said and left the Bridge.

“I thank your team for their hard work in solving this problem with the Shining Hope, Commander,” Lifaeal said, hands clasped behind his back.

“I’m glad we were able to resolve it with little loss of life,” Alex replied.

“Regrettably, you were unable to capture their leader and bring her to justice,” Lifaeal said pointedly.

“I prefer to focus on the positive outcomes. April knows if she comes back here, the Federation will respond. It may not end so well for her next time.”

“Of course,” Lifaeal went silent for a moment. “You’ll refer our case to the Federation for membership, given the cooperation Sitera has shown.”

“I’ll write a full report when I return to the Cantabras. I’m sure the Federation will be interested in speaking with you.”

Lifaeal’s face brightened, “Excellent, I look forward to working with them in the future.” He turned and walked away from Alex and Tani.

“You have no intention of submitting Sitera for Federation membership,” Tani said.

“Oh, I fully intend to write a report. I never told Lifaeal what will be in it,” Alex replied. “I’m going to give a factual account of what happened, including the slavery of his people.”

“Even the part about letting April go?”

“Well, there might be some gaps,” Alex sighed. “Look, I know you think I was wrong. I made her mother a promise on her deathbed that I would take protect her. I deeply regret failing that. And if protecting her means letting her go, I’d do it over again a thousand times.”

“Are you sure that regret didn’t cloud your judgment?”

“No.” Alex tapped his commbadge, “Cantabras, two to beam up.”

The doors to the Bridge opened as Alex walked into the room.

“Where’s Commander Veva?” Logan asked, turning towards the door.

“She went to her quarters.”

“Still mad at you, huh?”

 Alex sighed, “Yeah, she probably will be for a while.”

“You know, part of me wishes I would’ve taken the shot anyway.”

“Me too Carter, me too.” The silence crept up between them, with neither man wishing further elaboration. “Set a course for the nearest starbase, standard warp,” Alex said, finally breaking the silence. “I have mission reports to write. Let me know when we get there,” Alex turned and left the Bridge.

Outside the Cantabras’ nacelles powered up, sending the ship into warp.