“Fleet Captain’s log stardate seven-eight-two-five-zero point seven. We are finally home on Earth, and with ten days to go until Frontier Day celebrations, the crew is looking forward to some well-deserved R and R. We will be participating in the upcoming festivities alongside the Themis and Triton. Until then, Starfleet has ordered further upgrades to our communication and computer systems. We are handing everything over to the engineers and technicians at Spacedock.”

“Spacedock, this is N-C-C-Eight-Zero-Zero-Zero-Zero, ready for docking,” spoke Lieutenant Commander Jen from the operations station. 

“Copy that, Odyssey. You’re cleared for arrival. Welcome home,” replied a deep male voice over the communications system. 

“Take us in, lieutenant,” Captain Duncan ordered Lieutenant Marova. “Thrusters only.”

Odyssey’s Hekaran pilot acknowledged with a nod and an ‘aye, sir’.

The large Earth Spacedock was an impressive feat of engineering. It housed numerous starships and served as a hub for interstellar travel. The sleek, metallic structure glinted in the sunlight as it orbited Earth, a symbol of the Federation’s technological advancement and exploration of the galaxy. It was a bustling hub of activity, with crew members and travellers alike scurrying to and fro, preparing for their journeys to the far reaches of space. Despite its size and complexity, the Earth Spacedock operated with remarkable efficiency, a testament to the ingenuity and skill of its designers and operators. The Odyssey gently flew around the Probert-class station as it approached the main hanger doors, slowly opening for them. 

Everyone on the bridge of the Odyssey was in a calm and orderly mood. Entering Earth’s Spacedock was like a gentle tranquillity enveloping them as if a calm wave had washed over their being. The hum of the ship’s engines and the soft beeping of the control panels created a soothing background noise that added to the moment’s serenity. The bridge was bathed in a warm, soft light covering it with an aura of peace over everything within its reach. Gazing out through the main viewscreen, the crew beheld the vast expanse of the interior, like a protective bubble for the multiple ships that sat within it, stretching out before them in all its grandeur. Each crewmember worked with quiet efficiency, their focus unbroken, yet all seemed to share in the same sense of awe and wonder at the sublime beauty of everything before them. It was as if they were all united in a common bond, experiencing a moment of pure harmony and transcendence. Or they were just happy to finally be home and in safe waters. For now. 

“Sir, incoming message from the Themis,” Jen announced. “Captain Cambil shares they’ve been cleared to proceed to Earth Station McKinley and will see us all for drinks later!”

Duncan chuckled at hearing that from the Themis’ skipper. “Any word on the Triton?”

Jen looked down at his controls before answering. “They’re on their way to the San Francisco Shipyards now.”

Turning to his left, Duncan interrupted his commanding officer, who was focusing heavily on a PADD in his hands. “Remind me again how you convinced Horatio to assume command of the Triton?”

Fleet Captain McCallister remained reading what was on the device before him as he answered. “He agreed to it as long as I covered for him from our parents while he took a short vacation surfing in Hawaii.”

Duncan chuckled. “He really doesn’t want to see them right now?”

McCallister paused his reading. “I think with the deaths the Bellerophon suffered and the fact she is now on her way to Avalon; he needs a break from everything. He also knows what the Triton means to me, and Starfleet wouldn’t be entirely happy for it to proceed without a captain during the Frontier Day festivities.”

“Someone remind me again, why does the Odyssey need to be here for the festivities?” Counsellor Horin asked. Her pregnancy was now showing more from the massive bump. Both hands were resting on top of it. “Could we not have done this at Starbase Bravo or Guardian Station?”

 McCallister shook his head. “No, Starfleet wanted us here as we were the prototype for the Odyssey-class and having us here alongside the Enterprise is to add to the pomp and circumstance.”

“And why the Themis and Triton?” Horin inquired. 

“They didn’t say,” McCallister said with a shrug, “I suppose both of them are part of our squadron that has been out the furthest in the Delta Quadrant.” 

“It’s basically a great way for Starfleet to show off its might – especially the fact we’ve been on the other side of the galaxy,” Duncan added. 

“Yeah, well, let’s hope that the top brass let us get back to where we were originally,” McCallister muttered just as the ship slowly approached the bay where it would be docked in for the next few days. 

“Let’s watch that plasma flow as we start the shutdown sequence!” ordered Tierra from the centre of main engineering. The Deltan chief engineer was eager to get everything on the ship into standby mode, so they could handover to those who would be coming on board to take over with the planned maintenance and repairs the ship needed. Though the Odyssey didn’t sustain any heavy damage during its various battles with the Dominion, thanks to its advanced defence technologies, some systems required the equipment that either a drydock or a starbase could provide. Usually, she would want to stay behind and oversee the work (or at least supervise it from a distance). Still, the reason why she was eager to leave the work to the station’s engineers was simply down to the fact that she and Abbej had planned to spend almost a week together. Rekindling her marriage was an almost godsend, and she was pleased they were doing it. 

Main Engineering was usually a hub of activity and innovation, but now it was filled with a sense of urgency and tension. The space was still filled with the hum of machinery, but the chatter of engineers had been replaced with focused silence as they slowly started to shut down the ship’s primary systems, including the warp drive. The room was still spacious, with numerous consoles lining the walls and the massive warp core at its centre, but it was clear that something was amiss. Once a marvel of engineering, the warp core was now being carefully and methodically powered down. The engineers worked tirelessly to ensure that the process was executed safely and efficiently, despite the potential danger that shutting down such a powerful source of energy could pose. Eventually, the core was lifeless.

“Well done, everyone,” Tierra called out, “Right, let’s wrap up everything else before we get out of here.”

“Commander, do you have a moment?” asked Lieutenant Keli as she entered main engineering. 

“Keli, anything for my favourite security chief,” Tierra said with a smirk. “What can I do for you?”

The Coridanite chief security and tactical officer passed a PADD to the Deltan engineer. “Here are the security protocols for the ship while it is in spacedock. Can you ensure you upload them to the mainframe? I don’t want anyone trying to steal the Odyssey!”

The chief engineer chuckled. “I’m certain no one has tried to steal a starship from Earth spacedock for over one hundred and fifteen years.” She took the PADD and began the upload. “So, what are your plans for the next few days before Frontier Day?” 

Keli sighed. “I know it sounds boring, but I plan to find a nice warm beach and read.”

“That sounds perfect,” Tierra replied. “Aren’t you going to do any of the pre-party parties on the station?”

“No,” Keli shook her head. “I just want some peace and quiet before we have the big day.”

“Well, enjoy the beach!” Tierra said before Keli left engineering. 

As Keli walked out, walking in was Lieutenant Commander Gray. He greeted her with a smile which she copied back.

Gray wandered over to Tierra. “Commander Tierra, can my engineers do anything to help?”

Tierra looked up from the PADD that Keli had just given her. “Reuben, I thought you and your team had all wrapped up earlier today?”

“We had, but I’m itching for something else, commander,” Gray shared. He rubbed his implant above his left eye. “Please tell me there’s something I can do.”

Tierra looked around. “I’m sorry, Reuben, everything is almost done around here.” she gestured around the room.

Sighing heavily, the engineer pleaded with her. “There has to be something.”

She shook her head. “Seriously, Reuben, we are done here. I would have thought you would enjoy the downtime.”

Gray seemed to deflate. His shoulders dropped. “I just suppose, even with all the work we did rebuilding the colony, the time between missions can be difficult.”

Tierra understood his point of view. “I get what you’re saying. It must be frustrating. Seriously, once we are finished here, how about you and I get together to discuss what more we could do?”

Gray nodded. “Thanks, Tierra, I appreciate it.”

She placed a reassuring smile. “Now go enjoy being home.”

Lieutenant Commander Tomaz relished the rare moment of tranquillity in his quarters after a long day of work. As he basked in the stillness and rested back in his armchair,  the door chime interrupted his focus, causing him to wonder who could be visiting him now. He responded by telling his visitor to come in. The door opened, and his friend and comrade, Lieutenant Commander Craigen Flemen, stood there with his hands behind his back. 

“Hey, Tomaz. I have a package for you that I found in the transporter room,” Flemen declared with a grin. “I thought I’d drop it off before I embark on my next mission.”

Tomaz smiled and sat up. “What do you mean?”

Flemen shrugged nonchalantly. “I have no idea. It was delivered, and I got asked to pick it up.”

As Tomaz got up from his chair, he looked behind Flemen’s back, and there, standing and hiding behind his friend, was his son, S’Tem.

“S’Tem!” Tomaz exclaimed, his heart bursting with joy as he embraced the boy. “What are you doing here? I thought you were still on Kessik?”

S’Tem beamed up at him, his eyes sparkling with happiness. “I wanted to surprise you, Dad. I missed you so much, and Uncle Craigen’s parents brought me to Earth for a visit.”

Tomaz held his young son tightly, overwhelmed with emotion. He had always been grateful for the opportunity to adopt S’Tem and cherished every moment they spent together. After such a long absence, seeing him now was more than he could have hoped for.

Flemen watched the touching scene before him with a smile. “Well, I guess my work here is done. I’ll leave you two to catch up.”

Tomaz thanked him graciously and watched as he left, the door closed behind him. He turned back to his young son, feeling a profound sense of happiness and contentment he had not experienced in a while.

“So, S’Tem,” he said, leading the boy over to the couch. “Tell me everything that’s been going on with you.”

“As long as you promise to take me to the fleet museum!” S’Tem pointed out. “I want to go see some of those old Columbia-class ships.”

Tomaz chuckled. “Depends; which one?”

“I want to see the Challenger!”

“Professor Court, all of this is amazing,” Max Duncan stated as they all made their way to sit down at the large circular dining table.

“Max, how many times have I told you, do not call me professor. Please call me Alexandra,” Alexandra Court told the younger man. 

Duncan apologised for his mishap as he took his chair to have dinner with his in-laws. 

“Max, you know you and our grandsons are always welcome here,” His father-in-law, Winston Court, added.

Appreciating the sentiment, Odyssey’s first officer thanked them both. For in-laws, he was lucky at how welcoming and warm his husband’s parents were, especially when they agreed to have William stay with them. Tobias’ mother had automatically said yes to William staying with her and her husband. As William and Jordan were their first and only grandchildren, spending quality time with them was a godsend in her eyes. 

Professor Alexandra Court was an amazing woman and an extraordinary human being. She taught Sociology at the University of Ontario. Her age-defying looks were a testament to her healthy lifestyle and positive outlook on life. Her short, cropped silver hair looked stunning on her and perfectly complemented her bright, sparkling blue faded eyes. She had a warm, welcoming smile that made everyone feel at ease around her. Despite her busy schedule as a professor, she always made time for her family and husband. She was a role model to many, and her kindness and generosity knew no bounds.

Doctor Winston Court, like his wife, was an impressive figure too. It was no surprise that Tobias got his looks from his father. Despite being in his early seventies, Doctor Court could easily pass for someone a decade younger. As Chief of Neurosurgery at Ottawa General Hospital, he was a very successful doctor who had undoubtedly saved countless lives over the years. Doctor Court had sharp features and a piercing gaze that made him memorable. He had quite an enigmatic air about him, but his warm and approachable manner complimented with a reassuring smile and a kind word, made him likeable. 

Like them, Tobias’ parents had a warm and welcoming home. It was a tall townhouse that was situated on the outskirts of Ottawa. It was decorated to a high standard but showed that a family lived there. Pictures of Tobias as a child adorned many walls, along with other family members. Most recently, in the living room were pictures of Max and Tobias’ wedding and images of both Jordan and Wiliam.

The dining area situated in the contemporary abode was tasteful and exquisitely adorned. The rounded dining table was spacious enough to accommodate at least eight individuals comfortably. The room’s interior design boasted a modern aesthetic with streamlined contours and sharp edges. The walls were coated in a striking shade of dark blue, lending the space an air of sophistication. A magnificent chandelier hung overhead, providing a warm and inviting ambience that enveloped the entire table. The overall effect was one of grace and refinement, making it the ideal setting for hosting guests or indulging in intimate family meals.

Tonight would certainly be an intimate affair. It was the first time in a long time that Tobias had properly returned home, especially since he and Max had gotten married and shared with his folks that they were also grandparents. It would also be a reunion for the two Starfleet officers to see their adopted sons. William was already there and was enjoying being spoiled by his grandparents. Jordan was on his way after disembarking from the Guildford a few hours ago. For Max, it was an opportunity to get to know his in-laws more on their home turf and hopefully hear a few embarrassing stories about his husband from his early years. That said, the awkwardness of how they felt about Tobias’ choices with his career had always hung in the air. Though his parents had come to terms with Tobias not following in their footsteps, Tobias had prewarned Max a number of times that they would most likely make a few comments about Starfleet, especially his mother. 

“When did Jordan say he would be here?” William asked for the fifth time.

“Anytime now,” Tobias answered.

“I take it he is also turning up in his cadet uniform?” Alexandra asked as she brought out a pile of plates, ready to serve dinner. 

“I’d imagine so, Mom,” Tobias replied. “I’m sure he has a change of clothes he can use when he arrives.”

Knowing that his parents weren’t too keen on the career that their son had taken, Tobias never went out of his way to rub it in their faces. In fact, before they arrived, Max and he had changed out of their uniforms and into civilian attire. Max and Tobias were both dressed in sophisticated yet comfortable attire. Max wore a sharp chequered blazer over a crisp white shirt paired with tailored grey trousers and polished black leather shoes. Meanwhile, Tobias had opted for a more relaxed look, with a navy blue sweater layered over a light blue dress shirt and khaki chinos. His brown leather loafers completed the ensemble, giving off an air of effortless style. Both men looked polished and put-together, ready for whatever the day may have brought. Automatically, after answering the door to them, Tobias’ mother commented on how smart and handsome they both looked as she welcomed them into her home. 

Tobias had forewarned his husband that if they got through dinner without his mother or father commenting on him missing his calling in the sciences, he was confident they had been assimilated and replaced by the Borg Collective. 

Alexandra waved her son’s comment off. “Don’t be silly; I won’t have my grandson miss dinner as he was changing. He can do that after dinner.”

“So William, what do you think of Ottawa?” Tobias asked his youngest as he continued to help his parents bring more food and drink onto the dining table. 

William shrugged, “I miss the Odyssey, but it’s nice.”

“Nice?” Winston repeated. “Oh, William, come on, we’ve shown you Downton Ottawa, the Château Laurier, the National Gallery of Canada, and we even took a boat trip down the Rideau Canal.”

“Sounds like you’ve been busy!” Max commented, trying to make it sound positive. 

“Yeah, non-stop,” William remarked in a less than excited tone. 

“Maybe, we can go see a real ice hockey game?” Tobias suggested.

“Already done that, Dad,” William said.

“A football game, then?” Tobias offered.

“And that!”

Tobias deflated as he sat down next to William. “So you have been busy!”

“You honestly believe we wouldn’t show this amazing city to our amazing grandson?” Alexandra remarked to her son.

Tobias turned to his mother, “Well, no, of course not; I was just hoping to show him some things myself.”

“You can, once Jordan arrives,” Alexandra stated as she returned to the kitchen to grab more food.  

Tobias looked at his husband once his mother and father left the room. His expression showed he wasn’t pleased with that idea. Max chuckled slightly and quietly replied to him.

“Did you not expect this, not even a little?” 

Tobias rolled his eyes just as the front doorbell went off. His mother dashed to answer it with William close behind. As the door was opened, standing there with a massive grin on his face was Jordan, in his cadet uniform. 

“Hey, Grandma,” He said in a cheerful tone.

“Welcome home, Cadet!” She said, greeting her eldest grandson with a huge warm welcome hug.

Tobias and Max had followed suit along with Tobias’ father. Once everyone had hugged Jordan, Max took hold of his bags and said he would take him upstairs to one of the guest rooms to get changed. As they went up the stairs, Alexandra insisted the rest of them return to the dining room to finish preparing their meal. 

“So, son, when are you planning to apply to become an officer?” Winston asked.

“Actually, soon,” Tobias answered. “Now I’ve reached Master Chief; I’ve been considering what’s next.”

“Would you have to leave the Odyssey, Dad?” William asked as he brought a bowl of food out and placed it in the centre with the rest of it.

“Leave the Odyssey? Never!” Tobias replied. “Fleet Captain McCallister wouldn’t know what to do without me!”

“So what role would you assume and at what rank, son?” Winston asked as he started to put out the cutlery. 

“Well, I’ve only briefly discussed it with Max and James, but I will probably start as a lieutenant commander, carry on in my administrative role and become an Officer of the Watch,” Tobias answered. “I’m considering taking the bridge officer’s test, and I’ve been training with the Hazard Team too.”

“Keeping your options open, then?” Winston checked.

Tobias nodded, pleased his dad was coming around with the idea of his son finally being in Starfleet. “Something like that, yeah.”

 At that point, Max returned with Jordan in tow. “Did I hear you talking about Tobias’ career?”

“We were,” Winston said. “I suppose you can’t use your new rank as a captain to bump him up to a full commander?”

“Maybe, but I’m sure Starfleet has a regulation or two around nepotism. Unless we were in a serious situation and the chain of command on the Odyssey broke down, I might be able to get around it.” Max said with a smirk. “I’m proud that Tobias is considering officership.”

“As am I, Dad,” William agreed.

“Me too!” Jordan added. “And anyway, if you take the bridge officer’s exam, you’ll surely be made a commander straight away?” 

“Let me take one step at a time!” Tobias stated just as his mother entered the room.

“Take one step at a time for what?” She asked.

“Tobias is considering applying to become an officer. Isn’t that great, darling?” Winston said, trying to remain positive.

“Well, it’s about time he did something more than just being a servant to some non-famous captain!” She retorted as she went back to the kitchen,

Annoyed at her remarks, Tobias followed her in her wake. “Actually, for the record, mother, James Preston McCallister is a somebody, and he isn’t the only captain I serve.” He indicated towards his husband behind him.

Turning around to look at her son and son-in-law, Alexandra sighed. “I didn’t mean any offence by it, Max,” she looked back at Tobias, “at least Max comes from a family that is known by Starfleet. His father was a Fleet Admiral, and his mother is a respected captain. What has McCallister done besides follow in the footsteps laid by Admiral Janeway?”

“Wow, Mom, I never knew you could be so close-minded,” Tobias replied, starting to hold back his annoyance over her comment.

“For the record, my birth father was a Starfleet captain, and my birth mother was a Starfleet science officer. Fleet Admiral Luke Duncan and his wife, Captain Nicola Duncan, were my godparents who adopted me,” Max remarked. “They served under my father on the Roehampton.” 

“Max, you don’t need to defend your family,” Tobias said, assuring his husband before looking back at his mother. “And also, for the record, I didn’t marry Max because his father was a fleet admiral or his mother was a captain; I married him because I love him. Furthermore, James McCallister isn’t following in the footsteps of Admiral Janeway. He commands the prototype of Starfleet’s largest vessel; he has rescued thousands of Romulan refugees, protected over a billion Federation lives, and advanced the Federation’s interests on many distant worlds. Worlds that you’ve never heard of or will ever hear, so don’t you ever ridicule the uniform I am proud to wear, the same uniform your son-in-law wears and the one your eldest grandson now wears. If it wasn’t for the opportunities that Fleet Captain McCallister has encouraged me with, then I wouldn’t be married to the man I love or have the grandsons you adore.”

Alexandra took a moment to consider what her son had just said and took a deep breath in. “I’m sorry, Tobias.”

Surprised to hear his mother say all that, Tobias nodded with appreciation. “Thank you.” He took a second. “I know I never took the direction you wanted me to take, but I am happy.”

“I can see that,” Alexandra said calmly. “And I am proud you have Max, Jordan and William in your life.”

“We love him too,” Max interjected with a smirk.

“Hell yeah!” William added.

“Without him, Dad wouldn’t know what to do with himself, and the ship wouldn’t keep running.” Jordan included.

Winston chuckled. “Then hopefully, you’ll make captain in no time then!”

“Captian Tobias Duncan-Court does have a good ring to it!” Tobias said, which received a few chuckles from his family, besides his mother, who just smiled sweetly at it. He ignored her as he returned to sit down to eat.

Returning home, if briefly, was a welcomed one for James Preston McCallister. The Red Lion Hotel, his childhood home, was busier than ever. His parents had gone full out in celebrating Frontier Day, which had attracted a sizable crowd. His father had gone as far as to sell small models of famous Starfleet ships, including the Odyssey and Bellerophon. It only took part of a day to discover that his father, who originally had been entirely against his sons joining Starfleet, had been boasting about his sons and their commands. Furthermore, he had bragged about the accomplishments of his two daughters-in-law and now about his grandson, who was a cadet. James’ father had completely changed his tune. 

Coming home to enjoy a break away from the ship and to put some of the recent past behind him was needed. Sitting alone in his bedroom, the same room he had occupied as a kid, James was reminded of some good memories. Though it had changed in colour and decor over the years, it still felt like he travelled back in time every time he visited. The one thing that had stung the moment he had seen it was the picture of him and Karyn. It was there, sitting on the edge of one of the bedside cabinets. It was the same image he had of them back on the Odyssey that sat behind his desk in his ready room: their wedding day. 

“Hey, stranger!” A familiar voice said from the doorframe.

Looking up from the armchair he had been sitting at, reading over the brief speech he would have to deliver on the bridge of the Odyssey before it left Spacedock, James was surprised to see his sister-in-law there. “Laura!” He said with a big smile as he got up and hugged her.

Returning the embrace, Laura McCallister was pleased to see him. “Your folks said you were all coming here for the celebrations and to stay for some time.”

“Well, at least until Frontier Day,” He gestured to the PADD he had dropped onto the table beside the armchair. “Odyssey will be part of the big party before we head back to the Delta Quadrant.”

Laura smiled at him. “Deep space exploration agrees with you, James.”

“Thanks,” He replied. Being the former captain of the Bellerophon herself, she knew what type of life he and everyone were leading. “And how are you doing?”

She nodded before speaking. “I’m taking each day as it comes.”

Appreciating her words, James nodded. Laura had spent the betterment of the last two years watching his oldest brother, her husband, deteriorate with Irumodic Syndrome. Over the previous six months, he had been transferred to Starfleet Medical for palliative care. The news of Conrad’s condition had only reached James after Laura had sent him a message after the Odyssey had docked. He wasn’t angry at her for keeping the news from him.

“I was thinking about visiting him tomorrow,” James remarked. “I spoke with Horatio, and he’s going to organise a way to meet me there.”

Laura smiled sincerely. “James, I appreciate you both returning, but I also understand that Horatio is dealing with so much loss from the Bellerophon. I get it; they were my crew at one point.” 

James suggested they take a walk and head towards the outside bar for a good drink. Moments later, they sat outside in the warm weather, catching up. Laura was finishing a story about the first time that Lirissa Jaz, Bellerophon’s former first officer, had stopped her from going on an away mission. 

“So, there we were, attempting to negotiate the release of our away team, when I agreed to meet with the Wadi captain on a neutral location, and Lirissa was so convinced they were going to trap me in another game that she somehow overrode the transporter signal and beamed herself down instead!” Laura said fondly. “Turns out her suspicions were correct. We then had to play this stupid game to get her and the others back.” She shook her head, “I knew she would be an excellent first officer for Horatio. I just always hoped she would end up becoming a captain herself one day.”

James took a sip of his cold beer. “She was amazing; I know Horatio adored having her with him. Finding a fine first officer means a lot; having an amazing one is lucky.”

“To amazing first officers,” Laura said, raising her beer bottle to his and tapping the neck. 

“To amazing first officers,” James repeated before taking another swig. 

“So, what’s this I hear about Horatio having to save your ass from an alien ark?” Laura asked as she sat back in her chair after putting her bottle down. 

Chuckling, James shook his head. “I’d like to point out that the mission was classified, and I’m not confirming that he did or didn’t.”

“Rubbish, it was declassified by Starfleet a few months ago. They had finished their threat analysis and had concluded that any comeback was now relatively low. So come on, share details. Friends told me that you had become a school principal for holographic kids.

Trusting her with only a tiny amount of information wouldn’t break any rules. She did have level ten clearance since she had gone onto the reserve list to care for her husband. “Let’s just say a sophisticated computer program tricked us with its advanced technology.”

Smirking, Laura nodded. “Very well,” She sighed. “Do you have any other gossip since heading to the Delta Quadrant?”

“Nothing that hasn’t already been reported,” James replied as he rested back in his chair.

“Liar.”

“Liar?” He challenged her. “What do you mean?”

“I know about your affair with a certain Brenari leader?” Laura questioned him, still smirking. “Alfie blabbed that one, by the way.”

“I’ll need to speak to her professors about reminding him about keeping classified information classified.” 

“It’s not classified, James,” Laura smirked. “Come on, tell me more about her.”

James sat up straight. “Nah, I don’t want to, Laura. It was a stupid mistake.”

“Hey,” She reached out to him and grabbed his hand. “Conrad would be pulling your leg about this, but I think it’s good you’re starting to move forward since we lost Karyn.”

 Appreciating the support, James nodded. “I know, but part of me still thinks she’s not gone. Does that make sense? Or does it sound really stupid?” 

Laura chuckled. “It does make sense, and it doesn’t sound really stupid.” She took another sip. “I get it. I do. Sometimes a part of me thinks that Conrad will be cured, and these last few years will be reset, and we can return to our lives.” Placing the bottle down, Laura looked at James. “And who knows, Karyn may still come back. Temporal mechanics does prove that could happen.”

 Sighing, James shook his head. “Temporal mechanics gives me a headache.”

“Every Starfleet captain says that,” She chuckled. “But in the meantime, James, don’t stop yourself from enjoying your life. Trust me, before you know it, you’re sitting by the bedside of your beloved, watching them fall from your hands, and you are helpless. Enjoy the time you have in command of the Odyssey and with my three amazing nephews! Life is too short to not enjoy every moment.”

 “Talking of your three amazing nephews,” James said as he noticed the arrival of his sons walking across the long garden that sat behind the hotel. It had been nice to be back with them, especially with Alfie recently returning from Academy. “What are you three up to?”

“No good, probably,” Laura remarked. 

Henri spoke up for them all. “No, not yet anyway, Aunt Laura!” He looked at his dad. “We want to go into town and go to their Frontier Day fair.”

James didn’t think twice about it. He couldn’t stop them from enjoying themselves. “Go ahead, but I want you both back for dinner. Your grandmother will kill me if you’re not back for her planned barbeque.”

As they all wandered off, Laura turned back to James. “So, is the Odyssey allowed to have civilians back on?”

He nodded. “Yeah, Starfleet approved it ahead of the Frontier Day celebrations. Though, I’m kind of glad they weren’t on the ship while we were in the Deneb sector. Having them that close to a mortal enemy of the Federation can give any parent the shiver.”

“No one wants their children in a danger zone,” Laura said. “At least you’ll have the boys with you amid the fanfare. But you must have a guardian angel looking out for you at Starfleet. It was lucky they ordered everyone off before you had to deal with the Lost Fleet.”

“A guardian angel?” James considered as he continued to watch his sons leave. “Maybe.”

With only a day to go with Frontier Day celebrations underway, Ensign Jonarom found being on the Odyssey extremely overwhelming. He hadn’t been able to find transport to return to the Bellerophon since the Dominion brutally attacked and heavily crippled it. He had been on the Odyssey, assisting with recovering those lost from the Devenium colony. After that, the ship had jumped into high warp to help the rest of the Fourth Fleet in defending the Deneb System and preventing the Dominion from occupying Farpoint Station. 

Now that everything was over, he felt lost. 

When the ship arrived at Earth, his attempts to find transport to Avalon were futile. Either everything was already booked up, or he would have to wait until after the celebrations were over. The latter seemed pointless, especially as he hoped the Odyssey would eventually rendezvous with the Bellerophon to return to the Delta Quadrant. Jonarom was now left on the Odyssey with little to do. 

Feeling like a fish out of water, the young Ardanan had spent several days visiting old friends he knew from the Academy that were now assigned to Earth. Besides that, he spent most of his time alone in his quarters. Captain Horatio McCallister, his skipper from the Bellerophon, had invited him to join him for a couple of days surfing in Hawaii. Though he had joined him and enjoyed himself, he found hanging out with his commanding officer a bit weird. There was a considerable age gap between them, and though they shared an interest in water sports, socialising with his captain was different compared to hanging out with his friend, T’Penni. 

The Vulcan chief engineer had written to him once since the Bellerophon had been taken to the Avalon Fleet Yards. She had confirmed they had arrived safely and that repairs to the ship were slowly proceeding. Starfleet wasn’t prioritising the repairs due to their focus on launching and ensuring other ships were operational ahead of the multiple parties happening across the Federation. 

Jonarom soon entered The Auditorium, the main social hub on board the Odyssey. He had visited it once before, back when the new Odyssey Squadron was formed, and the senior staff of each ship were invited to a gathering to get to know one another. That had been a good evening. After ordering his drink at the bar, an iced raktajino, Jonarom took it over to an empty table by the large windows. Sitting down with a heavy sigh, his hair (which was ordinarily soft, fluffy and pushed to one side) dropped down. His long fringe hung just above his eyes, and he automatically pushed it back. He had recently dyed it black, hoping the darker tone made him look a bit older. Staring out of the window for some time, gazing down at the various ships inside Spacedock, he didn’t notice the arrival of two other figures.

“Excuse me, sir, do you mind if we join you?” 

Jonarom looked up; rarely was he called ‘sir’. In front of him were two cadets, and one of them looked a lot like his captain. “Please,” He gestured for them to take the seats opposite him. Both of them appeared to be the same height, while the one who looked like Captain McCallister appeared a lot slimmer.

“I’m Alfie, and this Jordan,” The slimmer cadet said as he sat.

“Alfie?” Jonarom repeated before he took one more glance. “You’re Fleet Captain McCallister’s son, aren’t you? Which must make you Jordan Duncan-Court, son of Captain Duncan and Master Chief Court.”

Both cadets looked at each other, worried about how he knew them.

“You’ve got us at a disadvantage, sir,” Cadet Duncan-Court smirked.

Jonarom smiled back as he put his drink down. “I’m Ensign Jonarom from the Bellerophon,” He looked at McCallister. “Your uncle is my captain.”

“Ohh, your Uncle H’s chief science officer? He told me about how brilliant you are.” McCallister said with joy. 

Blushing at hearing that compliment from his commanding officer, Jonarom wasn’t sure what to say next. “So, are you both back just for the celebrations with your fathers?”

Duncan-Court shook his head. “No, our cadet training unit has been reassigned to the Odyssey.”

“In fact, the unit has expanded, and there’s more of us being assigned to the entire Odyssey Squadron; I’m sure there will be cadets on the Bellerophon once she is back up and running,” McCallister said.

“Oh wow,” Jonarom said, surprised to hear that. “Someone must have done something to impress Starfleet to allow so many cadets on such prestigious assignments.”

“We’re just that good!” Duncan-Court said with a grin before he took a sip from his drink. “So, sir, how did you become top of your class and get such a great posting?”

Appreciating the compliment and question, Jonarom took a breath and picked up his drink. “Pure study,” He answered before taking a sip. “Cramming is a term my dorm mate used to describe it.” Jonarom took another sip. “And please don’t think anything less of me, but I actually enjoyed it.”

McCallister slapped Duncan-Court lightly on the arm, “See, I told you it was cool to enjoy being a cadet.”

Jonarom almost burst out into laughter. “Let me guess, Cadet,” He said, looking at McCallister before looking to Ducan-Cout. “Your friend isn’t always keen on the studying part?”

“I didn’t say that,” Duncan-Court defended himself with a slight chuckle. “I just said it’s a lot all of the time!”

“Cadet, it doesn’t get any easier once you graduate!” Jonarom remarked.

“He is absolutely right!” interjected an unfamiliar voice and which caused all three of them to look up. Standing before them, in full uniform, was the striking figure of Fleet Captain James Preston McCallister. Instantly all three of them stood up. Jonarom had met the captain briefly but had never been this close to him. Undoubtedly, he was related to Alfie and his younger brother, Horatio. The McCallister men were strikingly handsome, and they all had chiselled jawlines. Unlike his younger brother, Jonarom noticed Fleet Captain McCallister’s piercing blue eyes that seemed mesmerising. Probably something he used to calm down a hostile race. His short, darker blonde hair was combed back in a short manner. Instantly he smiled at Jonarom. “Ensign, is my son and my first officer’s son bothering you?”

Feeling a bit at ease with Fleet Captain McCallister, similar to how Jonarom felt with his brother (another shared McCallister trait), Jonarom shook his head. “They aren’t a bother, sir.”

“Good,” The captain said, looking at the two cadets, “Do you guys mind if I borrow Mister Jonarom?”

“Go ahead, Dad-” Alfie said before pausing and correcting himself. “Sir.”

After rolling his eyes and shaking his head at his son’s rookie faux pas, the fleet captain gestured for Jonarom to join him on a walk. Once they had left The Auditorium, the young ensign wondered if he had been in trouble for something. Had he missed something? Was he meant to do a task that he wasn’t aware of? How was he supposed to know what to do when his ship was on the side of the quadrant?

The fleet captain indicated for them to take a walk along the edge of the chevron section of the Odyssey. “Please feel at ease, Jonarom,” McCallister said as they walked a stretch of the ship that was its own version of a promenade. 

A sign they passed showed its designation as the Odyssey’s Boardwalk. A few restaurants, all from varying cultures, represented how diverse the crew was. They approached a set of doors with a sign above them: The Barn. Walking in, Jonarom was surprised to find a similar large room, like The Auditorium. However, it wasn’t across two levels and didn’t appear as wide. It reminded him more of the Ten-Forward lounge on the Themis. Around them, technicians were working on decorating and installing various items, from holoprojectors to carpets, to tables and chairs. There was also the brand-new smell that instantly hit Jonarom’s nostrils. 

“Wow, is this a new place?” The young science officer asked.

McCallister nodded as he pointed for them to go and sit down on a sofa that wasn’t in use or even looked like it had been used. “The Barn will be another area for the crew to enjoy, a little bit smaller than The Auditorium, but once it is up and running, I am sure it will be a hit.”

“Why is it called The Barn?” Jonarom was about to ask.

The captain attempted to answer but then stopped. “You know what, I have no idea. My first officer named it.” He waved that off and then looked at Jonarom. “Ensign, my brother speaks and thinks very highly of you.”

“I think very highly of him, too, sir,” Jonarom stated. He could feel his cheeks going red from his blushing. He had been complimented quite a bit so far today.

“And I know he is eager to have you back with him on the Bellerophon, but I was wondering if I could borrow you?” McCallister asked.

“Borrow me?” 

“Yes, borrow you,” McCallister confirmed. “Ensign, Starfleet wants the Odyssey to be a part of these Frontier Day celebrations, and since our return to the Alpha Quadrant, I have had the brass on my back in ensuring the Odyssey is suited for the missions they want her to take.”

“Do you mean our exploration of the Delta Quadrant?” Jonarom asked.

“Yes,” McCallister said with a single nod. “Basically, they want me to run the Odyssey more like a floating starbase, so when we are out there in the deep vastness, the Odyssey can fully support itself, the Themis, Triton and the Bellerophon. One of the departments they want me to have is a fully functional communications department.”

“Does Odyssey not have one, sir?”

The captain shook his head. “No, being a former operations officer myself, I know that the operations department is more than capable of doing it, but Command thinks otherwise. So to keep them happy and off my back and just while we deal with the festivities for Frontier Day, would you be my Interim Chief Communications Officer?”

Jonarom was startled by that request. “Oh, sir, I am very grateful for the opportunity. Are you sure you want me?”

Pulling out a small PADD he had in his hands, McCallister loaded up Jonarom’s service record. “Valedictorian of your class, you left with a number of degrees, including one in xeno-linguistics, another in astrophysics, along with quantum engineering and cybernetics.  Plus, you speak over forty-seven languages. Your file is littered with dozens of commendations. Alongside all of that, you were offered an internship at the Daystrom Institute and positions on various postings across the Federation. Instead, you become a bridge officer on my brother’s ship.”

“Should I not have applied to join the Bellerophon, sir? She is a famous ship.” Jonarom said. “And one of my professors recommended me to apply to her.”

“Jonarom, you certainly earnt the right to pick your choice of posting, and I don’t want you to think that this assignment will take you away from the Bellerophon; it won’t. As I said, you will be our Interim Chief Communications Officer until I can find someone for the long term. Once we finish the Frontier Day festivities and Bellerophon is repaired, you’ll be back with Horatio. I just need you for a few days. That’s all.”

Jonarom considered the offer. “I won’t be treading on anyone’s toes, would I? Like Lieutenant Commander Jen?”

“Lukiz? No!” McCallister replied instantly. “In fact, he was the one who suggested I consider you. Additionally, Horatio said keeping you on your toes would do you good until you both get back to the Bellerophon.”

Pushing his long hair back, Jonarom looked around the room. He wasn’t sure if this was a promotion or a demotion.

“Ensign, like this new room, you will be able to build something new from the ground up, and when it’s time, you could hand it over, knowing you did something great on one of Starfleet’s finest ships,” McCallister said. “Oh, and did I tell you it comes with a promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade.”

That surprised Jonarom. “A promotion? Already?”

“Yes, I can’t have any ensign running one of my newer departments, can I?” McCallister said. He pulled out a blacked-out pip.

“Is it permanent?” Jonarom asked.

“As in, when you return to the Bellerophon, will you still be a lieutenant?” McCallister asked before he nodded. “It is. So now, ensign, what will be your answer?”

Jonarom took a breath in and nodded several times. “I’ll do it. Thank you, sir.” 

McCallister shook Jonarom’s hand. “Congratulations, Lieutenant Jonarom. Welcome to the Odyssey!”

“Thank you, sir,” Jonarom replied as he shook his new captain’s hand. 

At that point, the doors to The Barn opened, and Lieutenant Commander Lukiz Jen entered. He came in just as McCallister fixed the new pip to Jonarom’s collar. “Ah, looks like I arrived at a good time!”

“You did, indeed, Lukiz!” McCallister confirmed. He turned back to Jonarom. “I’m happy to introduce you to our Interim Chief Communications Officer, Lieutenant Jonarom.”

“That’s good to hear,” Jen said. The joined Trill had worked with the newest addition to the crew back on the Triton when they were trying to figure out what the Dominion had done to the Devenium colonists. Jonarom had been the one to figure out how the Gamma Quadrant power had used their advanced transporter technology to kidnap Federation citizens. He had impressed Jen immensely. 

McCallister then rose to his feet. “Right, gentlemen, I have some other officers to see to discuss their future career prospects.” He looked at Jen. “Lukiz, I will leave it down to you to see that the lieutenant is giving some decent quarters and that you get him started. We need the Odyssey working at peak efficiency for tomorrow. Especially if we are going to participate in that Fleet Formation exercise.”

“Don’t worry, sir, leave it in our capable hands. We’ll make sure the Odyssey outshines the flagship!” Jen replied.

“I expect nothing less,” McCallister said as he made his way towards the exit. He stopped just as the doors opened for him. “Oh, and Lieutenant Jonarom, your promotion means we must throw a party. Just speak to Lukiz about what we did for his third pip! I hope you like old sailing ships!”

Jonarom looked confused by that comment and turned to Jen. “Old sailing ships?”

Jen sighed. “It’s a long story, but maybe we can convince him to host it here in The Barn, to break it in!”

Overwhelmed by everything, Jonarom just smiled. “Sure, I don’t mind.” 

Finally, he didn’t feel so alone anymore, and he could not wait to tell T’Penni about his new extra pip and the new job.  Perhaps being on the Odyssey wasn’t such a bad thing, after all, he hoped.

“Let’s get started, Jonarom. Otherwise, Frontier Day will be here before we know it!” Jen insisted.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Jonarom nodded, followed his superior out of the lounge, and was eager to start his next assignment. 

“Captain’s log, stardate five-two-one-eight-eight point seven. The Herschel has reached the edge of the Takara sector to begin our mapping expedition. We are entering the orbit of an L-class planet as my chief engineer has requested we conduct repairs to the warp engines.”

Following Lieutenant Commander Gray around the warp core in engineering, Captain T’Lynne examined the extent of the damage that the warp engines had sustained. The Vulcan was not best pleased, and Gray didn’t need to be a telepath to notice it. He had worked under her for almost two years, and though she was utterly emotionless, T’Lynne had her subtle signs.

“Your assessment is accurate, Commander, and your estimation of completing repairs, though it seems over-generous in duration, is acceptable to ensure we have warp capability in an appropriate time,” T’Lynne said, her hands firmly clasped together behind her back. They sat on the bottom of her spine, just like she usually did when she walked around the ship.

Knowing that was all she would say; Gray thanked his superior for her time in reviewing the damage and confirming she was satisfied with his repair estimates. Once she left engineering, he gave out a sigh. T’Lynne had required that they increase warp speed efficiency as she wanted to be ahead of their schedule for their mapping project. They had come out this far with their sister ship, the Tombaugh, and the two vessels were on a deep space mapping assignment. However, the overuse and taxation of the warp drive played its toll on the Excelsior-class starship. 

Gray had always depended on his boyish charms to ensure Captain T’Lynne agreed and supported his engineering ability. She had complimented him at least three times for his acts of ingenuity. He knew now she would want the same from him. 

The tall, dark hair and handsome chief engineer wandered over to one of the consoles after calling his deputy and other engineers for a briefing. “Right, listen up, everyone. We need to get these engines up and running. We have less than sixteen hours to do it. Any questions?”

One of his young engineers, an ensign, raised her hand. “Umm, sir, didn’t you estimate and tell the captain it would take up to twenty-four hours?”

He nodded. “I did, Ensign, but that’s the first thing you learn as a chief engineer; you give yourself room to show you are a miracle worker in getting things done ahead of estimates.”

“I’ll remember that, sir.” 

“Make sure you do,” Gray said with a wink. He had always led with a good sense of humour to ease his staff and ensure that chaos was kept out of his engineering room. He wanted everyone focused so they were calm and pure professionals during an emergency. 

Before he could issue more orders, the ship went to red alert. Gray’s heart sank as the familiar sound of the red alert klaxon filled the room. He knew this meant trouble, and he immediately began assessing the situation. His mind raced as he quickly analysed the ship’s systems and tried to determine the cause of the alarm. Despite his intense focus, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread as he considered what might be happening on the ship. Nevertheless, he remained calm and professional, determined to do everything possible to ensure the crew’s safety.

“Red Alert, all hands to battle stations!” declared the ship’s first officer over the intercom. 

Calling up the ship’s exterior sensors, Gray wanted to see who they were about to engage just as the ship rocked and came under fire. The visual feed showed a vessel he had never seen before. Gray couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the cubed-shaped ship up close for the first time. The massive spaceship was unlike anything he had ever seen before. Its surface was covered in a metallic black and grey texture that looked both menacing and awe-inspiring at the same time. As he gazed upon the cube, he felt a mix of fear and excitement wash over him. The vessel was massive, and there was no way they were any match for them. That said, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of curiosity and wonder about the alien ship and the technology that powered it. Despite his apprehension, Gray couldn’t tear his eyes away from the incredible sight before him. It was a moment he would never forget.

He was snapped out of his glaring when the ship was hit hard again, and the call from the bridge for them to transfer power to the shields was needed. Before Gray could transfer the extra power, the ship was hit again, and the computer showed that the shields were completely drained. There was nothing there for him to power up, and it would take almost a minute to get them recharged. He started the cycle immediately, just as Captain T’Lynne had ordered them to open fire. 

Phaser shots and torpedo blasts did nothing. The alien vessel caught them in a tractor beam, and before Gray could find a solution to break them free, he heard what sounded like a transporter effect near him. Looking up, a group of beings with technology attached to themselves appeared. Straight away, they started to hunt down his engineering staff and screams filled the room. 

Some engineers picked up the nearest handheld weapons and started to open fire on them. A couple of the beings fell to the floor and evaporated a few seconds later. Doing the same, Gray was keen to defend his ship. He took a nearby phaser, aimed it and fired on the being approaching him. “Gray to security, we have intruders in Main Engineering.” He said after tapping his combadge. 

Firing at the intruder, Gray’s weapon did nothing. He smacked it and fired again. Still nothing. The being continued to walk towards him. Gray increased the setting to maximum and fired. The powerful setting vapourised whatever it was. He trained his weapon on another and took another one out before more of them beamed in. This time his weapon was useless, and they started interacting with the computer displays. Gray overloaded one of the EPS conduits to take a few of them out, but before he had the chance to lock down the computer, he felt another intruder approach him. He started at the being who appeared almost lifeless. He couldn’t help but notice the cold, unfeeling gaze of its unyielding cybernetic eye. Its mechanical limbs moved with eerie precision as if each movement was calculated with ruthless efficiency. Its metallic armour seemed almost invulnerable, a testament to its technological prowess. 

Gray couldn’t resist as it caught him in its strong arms. He could feel the invasive tendrils stick their way into his neck. Instantly he felt something crawl under his skin. More technology? Despite his fear, Gray couldn’t help but marvel at this cybernetic monstrosity’s sheer power and sophistication. 

Then everything went black.

Then everything became calm.

“We are the Borg. Resistance is futile,” whispered in his mind, and he felt calm and at ease.

Stardate: 78275.4

USS Odyssey (NCC-80000), Spacedock, Earth, Sol System

Instantly Gray woke up and realised he wasn’t on the Herschel but in his quarters on the Odyssey. The nightmares of his assimilation still plagued him. The remnants of his nightmare still clinging to his mind. He sat up in bed, trying to shake off the feeling of being pulled into the cold embrace of the Borg. He took a deep breath and reminded himself that it was just a dream. As he looked around his peaceful room, he felt a sense of relief wash over him. The soft hum of the ship’s power systems filtering through helped to ground him in reality. His heart was racing. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. The feeling of sweat trickling down his chest was uncomfortable. The dampness stuck to his skin, making him feel sticky and gross. He could still feel his heart pounding in his chest, and he knew that his body was working hard. It was too much. 

Pushing the bed sheets off him, Reuben got himself off his bed and headed straight to the sonic shower. He removed his bedwear and told the computer to activate the shower. Gray stepped into the sonic shower, grateful for the soothing waves that were now enveloping his body. He closed his eyes and let out a contented sigh as the cleansing water washed away the bitter taste of his nightmare. The gentle hum of the shower provided a comforting background noise, and Gray felt his tense muscles start to relax. It was moments like these that made him appreciate the simple pleasures in life. As he opened his eyes and took in his surroundings, he wondered just how much longer he would have these dreams. 

Once he was done, he stepped out of the shower and looked at himself in the mirror. Gray stood in front of the holographic mirror, his gaze fixed on his reflection. As he took in the sight before him, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief and freedom. Every time he woke up, he expected to see himself as a drone. Instead, he saw himself without the Borg implants that had once dominated his body. His skin was smooth and with a few scars, but it was no longer blemished by the metallic protrusions that had once linked him to the collective. His eyes were bright and clear, no longer clouded by the influence of the Borg. And his posture was strong and confident, no longer hunched over in submission.

As Gray continued to stare at his reflection, he gazed down at his chest, marvelling at how muscular and strong it looked. He didn’t entirely feel like him. The underlying muscles rippled with power and potential. He had been going to the gym almost every day since he joined the Odyssey, joining some of the other senior staff in several workout exercises. Though it did him good on the physical side, he found the workouts good for his mental well-being too. Looking at his abs again, he blinked. It was a stark contrast to the way his chest had looked when it had been covered in Borg implants, the metal and wires obscuring his natural form. Now, he felt truly alive, connected to his own body in a way that he had not experienced before. Running his fingers over the well-defined contours of his chest and over the now-empty spaces where the implants had once been, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in his physical strength. Was it a testament to his resilience and determination? He wasn’t sure. Yet. Was he taking too much pride in his appearance? Again, he wasn’t sure. What he did know, though, was it was a tangible reminder that he had overcome the physical horrors of his past and emerged stronger than ever. Though the scars on his skin were there, and most of them had been healed by the incredible work of Doctor Slyvexs, he still had a long way to go. The scars remained inside.  

It was a strange feeling, to be sure, to no longer feel the reassuring presence of the cybernetic enhancements that had been a part of him for so long. But there was also a sense of freedom, a sense of being truly whole that he had not experienced in a long time. The only thing that remained was the ocular implant just above his left eye and the implant on his right elbow. There were still implants under his skin, the ones that couldn’t be removed entirely yet. Eventually, they would be, but his body needed time to adjust to not depending on them. 

It was a new beginning for Gray, a chance to reclaim his identity and forge his own path in life. And as he gazed upon his reflection, he knew that he was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.

He hoped.

Making his way across his quarters, quarters that were indeed bigger than anything he had experienced on his previous postings, he entered the walk-in closet. Detecting his presence, the small room lit up, and the cupboard doors opened. His uniform hung there. After a few seconds, he had put it on and was now checking himself out one more time, ensuring he looked smart and presentable. Putting this newer uniform on felt weird to him. It wasn’t like the old ones he wore. Though he liked the new ones from over thirty years ago, the uniform he truly enjoyed wearing the most was the one that entered service in the late 2270s. The black trousers and the double-breasted red jacket worn over a turtlenecked undershirt were something else. Though he could see Starfleet trying to emulate it with this new design, it wasn’t the same. It was no surprise to Gray that it had lasted so long. Almost eighty years before, Starfleet made another radical change. Hanging next to his new uniform, though, was one thing he had been able to acquire out of storage. The excursion jacket. With its huge collar and deep pockets, Starfleet had never made anything like it since. 

He was interrupted by a sudden headache. 

“Computer, water, cold,” He ordered the replicator as he left the closet and made his way over to the food and drink dispenser. As he travelled, the computer created the drink, and after it appeared, Gray was in arm’s reach to pick it up. He gulped the whole thing down instantly. It didn’t help, and he wondered if it was because he was hungry. However, he tapped his combadge. “Gray to sickbay.”

“Go ahead, Reuben,” came Doctor Slyvexs’ response. “Are you okay?”

“I know you told me to get in touch if I don’t feel great. Well, I woke up with an incredible headache. Can I come in to see you, doctor?” Gray shared.

“Of course, commander, come in now,” She told him. 

Several minutes later, Slyvexs was running a deep scan on her patient. Gray liked the Denobulan woman. She always smiled and made him feel at ease. She and Counsellor Horin had helped him a lot. Starring at her tricorder, Slyvexs shook her head.

“Everything okay, doc?” He asked.

She nodded. “They are, Commander, I can see you have a headache, but I can’t work out why.” Slyvexs prepared a headache and pressed it against his neck. “This should help, but if it comes back or gets worse all of a sudden, I want you back here.”

“Aye, ma’am,” Gray said with a smirk. 

She picked up a PADD to update his records. “How are you sleeping?” She asked.

He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Not so great. Those nightmares have come back again.”

“Again?” She echoed. “And you sure it’s only since we’ve been back at Earth.”

He nodded. “And they’re very vivid.”

“If you find yourself worrying about sleeping tonight, come see me for a mild sedative.” Slyvexs offered.

“Thank you, doctor, but I’ve got a busy day ahead of me, and the sooner I put my mind on something else, well, hopefully, I can forget it all,” Gray said as he jumped off the bed.

She nodded. “Just take it easy.”

“I will,” He promised as he made his way out of sickbay.

As soon as the doors closed behind him, he sighed. 

“Sir, it’s time,” uttered the gentle, soothing voice of Penelope. The Emergency Command Hologram had just fizzled into the ready room and stood by the entrance.

Fleet Captain James McCallister checked his appearance in the mirror once more. He adjusted his dress uniform and smoothed out his collar. With a smile, he glanced over his shoulder at the hologram. “Thanks, Penelope.”

She bowed her head a little. “No, thank you, sir, for allowing me to be active during the day’s celebrations.”

“You’re every part of this crew as any other crewmember,” As he spun on his heels, McCallister waved his hand to deactivate the computer mirror. “Shall we get this show on the road then?”

Penelope nodded and stepped aside, holding the door open for him to exit his office. As he left his ready room, the captain tugged on the ends of his cuffs and made his way onto the Odyssey’s bridge. Before McCallister, he was greeted by his entire senior staff being present on the bridge, along with several others, including his son and a few cadets. 

“Captain on the bridge,” called Tobias Court. 

The former Master Chief Petty Officer had secretly completed his officer’s training only a few days ago and, with the supervision of Banfield, had completed the bridge officer’s test. Now he held the rank of commander, but his old enlisted instincts in calling out the arrival of a senior officer remained. 

McCallister grinned at the formal display of his crew as they all stood at attention before him. Each one of them donned their dress uniforms and presented themselves professionally. He couldn’t have been prouder of every single one of them. He had expressed that gratitude in the recent round of promotions handed out. 

Court hadn’t been the only one who was recently promoted. Starfleet had insisted on McCallister expanding the crew tremendously before its return to the Delta Quadrant. However, not every position was filled yet. Eventually, the Odyssey would become like a mobile starbase in his eyes. As a result, he had put in multiple requests for promotions, which he was surprised were granted. 

Banfield, Slyvexs and Horin joined him and Duncan as captains of their respective departments. Tomaz, Flemen and Jen became commanders with Court. Both Tomaz and Jen had completed their work on the Command Training Program. And finally, Keli was made a lieutenant commander. Though McCallister wanted to promote Tierra and others, he didn’t know how just far he could take it. That said, Tierra needed a few more years under her belt to be considered for three full pips or at least undertake training like the others had. He had spoken to her about it in the evening before, and already she said she would consider her career options and appreciated his support in wanting to make her a full commander soon.  

“As you were,” McCallister signalled as he walked across the bridge and noticed at the corner of his eyes that Penelope had transferred matrix from her ready room to the other side of the bridge. Like a quick blink, the ECH was by one of the mission ops stations. 

Smirking at his first officer, McCallister knew what Duncan was thinking. They shared how excited they were to be a part of the celebrations over a glass of Aldebaran whiskey during last night’s Frontier Day Eve promotion party. 

Now they were here on Frontier Day, and they got to show off the Odyssey to the entire Federation; they were ready. Moreover, their sons were both present to see everything. It was exhilarating. Unfortunately, the ship’s civilian population would not return until after Frontier Day, so the only two they had present with them were Jordan and Alfie. Both cadets looked smart and handsome in their dress uniforms, standing at ease on the periphery of the bridge with their fellow cadets—a sort of honour guard. 

Duncan cleared his throat. “Sir, the Themis and Triton are both ready to follow us out. We just need to give the word. However, we must leave shortly before they launch the Enterprise.”

Sitting down in unison with Duncan, McCallister smiled at Horin on his left. The counsellor, who was getting bigger and bigger as her pregnancy drew to a close, winked at him. Like Banfield and Slyvexs, she wasn’t keen on becoming a captain. However, when he had explained the future of the Odyssey, the three women understood why he was promoting them. Moreover, he wanted to see the ship continue to return to its exploration roots, so having his three lead science-based departments led by captains was another approach he wanted to take. He had to promise they would not be transferred to any other ship in the squadron to command them. The compromise had been if he did it, then it would be for temporary reasons. They agreed.

Now looking beyond the counsellor, he caught the attention of the newest, if temporary, member of their crew. “Lieutenant Jonarom, open a squadron-wide frequency and then hail the dockmaster and request permission for the squadron to get underway.”

Jonarom replied with a nod. “Aye, Captain.” He pressed the nearby communications console and connected the other two ships present before getting hold of the station’s ops. “Spacedock, this is N-C-C-Eight-Zero-Zero-Zero-Zero, ready for ceremonial departure with N-C-C-Seven-Six-Five-Five-Four and N-C-C-Eight-Oh-One-Oh-Six. Fleet Captain McCallister in command.”

The bridge speakers came to life with the response. “Copy that, Odyssey. Happy Frontier Day to you, the Themis and Triton. Godspeed Odyssey Squadron.” 

The spacious hangar doors of Spacedock glided open with a fluid grace, allowing the three magnificent starships to embark on their journey. Fireworks were set off, and although the display was not as grandiose as the one that was planned for the Enterprise-F’s departure from the colossal station, it was still enough to provide a visual spectacle for the onlookers scattered across the Federation. With the Odyssey positioned at the heart of the formation, flanked by the Themis on its starboard side and the Triton on its port, the squadron navigated across the vast expanse of space with utmost caution and precision as they made their way towards the rest of the assembled fleet.

“Lieutenant Marova, move us into formation ahead one-half impulse,” McCallister commanded. “Lieutenant Jonarom, patch me through on a ship-wide channel to everyone in our squadron.”

The pilot and communications officers complied and gave the fleet captain what he wanted. When Jonarom gave him a nod, he was on; the faces of Captains Cambil Bexa and Horation McCallister appeared to the side of the wide viewscreen. Like the Odyssey’s bridge, they had their senior staff assembled.

 “Attention to everyone in the Odyssey Squadron; I just want to take this opportunity to share some words of inspiration with you before the big finale Starfleet has planned.” Standing up, McCallister recited the Odyssey’s dedication plaque quote. “We shall not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.”

McCallister paused. “Those words cannot be truer for these fine crews and the work we do. An old friend of mine, someone who many of us knew and had the privilege of working with, reminded me why we put on the uniform every day. She’s not here to see the work we’ve accomplished or will undertake, so I will speak for her.” McCallister paused. The loss of Captain Rio Canção had hit him and others hard. After a breath, he continued. “I am fortunate enough to lead these ships into the deepest unknowns with people who know the work, though dangerous, is worth doing. So I thank you all for your service,” He looked around his bridge, “And to quote Captain Canção, ‘let’s get to work’!”

Everyone started to applaud and cheer as McCallister returned to his seat. The short tribute to Canção was what got everyone, especially those on the Triton. 

“Captain,” spoke Banfield over the top of the commotion. “The Enterprise is being launched.”

“On screen,” Duncan ordered.

The viewscreen changed to show more fireworks going off and the main doors of Spacedock opening. This time the flagship of the fleet elegantly made her way out and turned over to glide around the station.

“Fleet Admiral Shelby is hailing all ships, sir,” announced Jonarom.

“Put her up,” McCallister ordered.

The admiral’s speech linking Frontier Day to the launch of the Enterprise NX-01 brought goosebumps on the back of McCallister’s neck. He had read the stories of Archer and his crew and the other NX-class ships like those commanded by Hernandez, Burton, Lopez and Campbell. “…that will lead to the birth of what we know today as Starfleet!”

As the firework display continued, more cheers and clapping filled the bridge of the Odyssey. The admiral resumed her speech, and the moment she mentioned Fleet Formation, McCallister looked down at his operations officer.  “Commander Jen, bring us online with the rest of the fleet.” He ordered.

“Aye, Captain,” Jen replied.  

“…and what still remains our final frontier!”

“We’re in formation with everyone, sir,” Marova shared. 

As the demonstration of the new system got underway, McCallister started to tour his bridge, interacting with one another as Fleet Admiral Shelby continued to present this new technological revolution for Starfleet to the rest of the Federation. Happy that everything was going well, McCallister made his way back to his seat and stood still just before it. Taking in one more glance at everything, he was pleased with how well it was going. When He was about to sit down, Kelli stopped him when the proximity alarm went off. 

“Sir, the U-S-S Titan has just arrived.” 

Confused to hear that, McCallister had heard a Starfleet report about Captain Shaw and the Titan going quiet, Starfleet believing the ship had been taken over and compromised. What made it worse was there were confusing rumours that Admiral Jean-Luc Picard and Captain William Riker were also on board. Several ships had been sent to search for them but had not succeeded. Before McCallister could respond, Jonarom then spoke up. “Sir, I’m detecting a transmission from the Titan; it’s an emergency hail.”

“Open a channel, lieutenant,” McCallister ordered.

The gravelly voice of Picard then flooded the bridge. His warning of the changeling infiltration of Starfleet shocked everyone. However, his final remarks about their vulnerability to the Borg sent a shiver down McCallister’s spine. He looked to his right and noticed Lieutenant Commander Gray standing up from one of the engineering stations. The exB looked horrified at hearing the admiral’s forewarning. 

“Red alert!” McCallister called. “Captain Banfield, start scanning the area for the Borg; Commander Jen, deactivate our connection with Fleet Formation.”

Picard’s exchange with Shelby was interrupted, and the message of ‘Connection Lost’ appeared suddenly on the main viewer. 

“What happened?” Duncan asked Jonarom.

“Unknown, sir, all communication lines have been shut down,” Jonarom replied.

“Sir, I can’t disengage from the Fleet Formation program.” Jen shared. “We’re locked out.”

Feeling like something wrong was about to happen, McCallister returned to his seat and sat down. His instinct to pull out the handheld phaser that sat underneath it kicked in, which was noticed by others. “Everyone arm yourselves.”

“Captain, I’m detecting a massive energy spike from Jupiter!” Banfield declared. 

“What?” McCallister said as he shot her a look.

Every console on the bridge started to flicker, and green interlacing lines, like a spider’s web, appeared across them. A high pitch noise then filled the room. It was loud but not too discomforting for any of them. Except for one of them. 

Gray fell to his knees and held on to his head in pain—his hand covering the last remains of his Borg implant, just above his left eye. Moving swiftly from where she was, Doctor Slyvexs had grabbed a medical kit and was by Gray’s side as Commander Tierra held him.

“What on Earth is that?” Slyvexs asked as everyone looked at her and her patient.

“It’s a- it’s a Borg signal,” Grey stated. Still clutching to his head, he looked at McCallister. “We need to get out of here now, sir!”

Quickly, McCallister turned to his helm officer. “Marova, break formation and get us out of here. Maximum warp!”

Marova didn’t do anything.

“Lieutenant, I gave you an order,” McCallister said more sternly. 

Marova turned herself around in her chair, and her face was filled with what looked like black veins, and her eyes changed into the same dark abyss. While this was happening, Jen spoke up. “Sir, we’re losing computer control! We need to lock out the primary processor.”

Hearing his operations officer, McCallister knew he would lose his ship if he did nothing from what he witnessed happen to Marova. “Computer, deactivate all command functions and encrypt the main computer core with a level ten fractural encryption lockout, authorisation McCallister-Four-Seven-.”

He didn’t get a chance to say any more of his command clearance when Commander Carter Westerham screamed across the room, “No!” The Academy Unit Training Leader had somehow extended his arm in a fluid-like fashion and shoved McCallister across the bridge, smashing into his chair. The force was powerful enough to break the captain’s chair off his hinges. “The young must rise!” He added. 

“By the power of Kahless, he’s a changeling!” Banfield screamed at her husband, raised her weapon, and started to fire upon him.

Everyone else did the same thing, and Westerham was hit by phaser bolts fired by the other members of the senior staff. He didn’t survive as he disintegrated into dust on the floor.

Tomaz had helped McCallister to his feet when they all saw what was happening around them. The rest of the junior staff and the cadets were all starting to look like Marova. Like tiny black branches darting across their faces, overgrowing, none of them could stop it.

Captain Duncan and Commander Court ran over to their son, Jordan. Jordan looked frightened at first. “Dads, I’m not feeling like I’m in control-”

“It’s okay, Jordan, we’re here,” Court assured his son as he fell to the floor.

Duncan had called Slyvexs over.

At the same time, McCallister had gone over to his son, Alfie, who was in the same state. Though they all looked ridged, the younger cadets were in pain. Alfie, like his friend, fell into his father’s arms.

“Dad, I don’t feel so good,” Alfie said, tears almost in his eyes.  

“You’ll be alright; stay with me, Alfie,” McCallister said, holding his son. 

“I don’t know what’s happening,” Alfie whimpered more in his father’s arm. “Please, Dad, don’t let them take me.” 

“I won’t; stay with me, Alfie. Think about your brothers, me, your friends, your mom,” McCallister pleaded.

“I’m sorry Da-” Alfie whispered before he was gone, and utter darkness overtook him.

McCallister watched with even more horror as he lost his son and heard him (and the other younger members of his crew) utter four spine-chilling words. 

“We are the Borg.”

“James, get away from him!” Court cried out as he and Duncan let go of Jordan.

Dropping his son and holding his phaser at him, McCallister took a few steps back as he noticed every single one of them that had been taken over was now standing to attention.

“Sir, it’s happening across the entire fleet, everywhere; the Borg are back!” Gray announced from where he was. 

“Eliminate all unassimilated!”

Standing closer with the others now in the centre of the bridge, McCallister raised his weapon. Marova, Jonarom, Jordan, Alfie, all of their younger crew were turning against them. How did the Borg do this? How were the Changelings involved? Was this something that the Westerham changeling had done to them? There were too many questions rolling in the captain’s mind.

“We need to take them all out now!” Banfield urged. Though she had just shot a changeling pretending to be her husband, she was still focused on the task at hand. 

“Set your weapons to stun and open fire,” McCallister ordered as he aimed his weapon at Alfie. He whispered ‘I’m sorry, son,” and shot him immediately. He noticed Duncan doing the same to Jordan; both lads fell to the ground as they started to march towards them. It only took a few more moments for them to wipe out the junior staff, and the Odyssey’s senior staff were now stuck in the middle of fallen officers. 

 “Any idea on how the Borg have assimilated our younger members?” Horin asked as she went over to help Slyvexs. 

The Denobulan doctor was scanning those they had just stunned. “I can’t see how, but I detect small traces of Borg DNA and nanoprobes. This is impossible.” She replied.

Behind them, the others were trying to secure the bridge and attempt to retake the ship. Gray, Jen and Tierra were trying to override the computer lockouts while Keli, Tomaz, Flemen, Rosle and Court were trying to seal the doors and hatches that led off the bridge. 

“Sir, I’ve been able to restore power to one system,” Tierra announced. The Deltan Chief Engineer looked at her commanding officer. “But’s it not one you’ll be pleased with.”

“What is it?” McCallister asked.

“The auto-destruct,” She replied.

McCallister turned to his first officer and second officer. Both Duncan and Banfield nodded at him. He knew what he had to do.

“Captain, I’ve got access to internal sensors and the intercom; it looks like the Borg are trying to take over the entire ship,” Kelli announced. “Those who are left are trying to stand their ground, but they’re being overwhelmed.”

Hearing that news convinced McCallister of what he needed to do.

He sat down in his chair and opened a ship-wide intercom. “All hands, this is the captain. Abandon ship! Take whatever escape pod, starfighter, shuttle or runabout you can and get off the ship. We can’t beat the Borg.” He looked around at everyone else. “Get yourselves out of here,” He shook his head in disappointment and defeat. Their cause was hopeless. He saw on the main screen as the Borg took control of the rest of the fleet and opened fire at the numerous orbital space stations. The break in the communications channel announcing that the Excelsior had freed itself before other ships in the fleet turned on it, destroying it. This nightmare didn’t seem like it was going to end soon.

McCallister, though would end it for him, his crew and his ship. 

Now.

He took in a breath before speaking. “Computer, begin auto-destruct sequence, authorisation McCallister Four-Seven-Alpha Tango.”