As Levy plodded through the relentless downpour, the fine mist enveloped her, creating a sense of catharsis as it washed away the accumulated tension and opposition that had consumed her for the past two months. The man walking beside her, who had been a perpetual source of conflict, now seemed to blend into the rain, becoming nothing more than a companion amid the heavy deluge.

“I do appreciate your time and effort with all of this, Dawn,” Governor Thompson muttered. 

Levy couldn’t help but smirk under the hood of her long field jacket, a subtle sign of her satisfaction and triumph over the circumstances. Governor Sean Thompson wore an almost similar heavy-duty coat as he escorted her across the landing pad.

As Captain Dawn Levy and Governor Sean Thompson strode together under the rain on Kovar Prime, she couldn’t help but be struck by the transformation of the man she had convinced to finally accept the deal with the Reman refugees. Despite the stormy political landscape, his tall, commanding figure remained unyielding, his almost entirely grey hair slightly damp and glistening under the soft light. His piercing blue eyes, a testament to the wisdom and experience he’d gained as a former Starfleet captain, remained resolute and sharp. Thompson was no longer just a politician but a leader with unyielding principles and a warmth that endeared him to the colonists of Kovar Prime. They trusted him, and Levy could see why. His dedication to their well-being was not just a duty but a part of his character, a quality that she found profoundly inspiring. 

She felt a sense of accomplishment and respect as they neared the landing pad where her runabout waited. Convincing Thompson had been difficult, but his agreement to take in the Reman refugees spoke volumes about his character. He had never married, dedicating his life to his career and people. It was this selflessness, this unwavering commitment, that made him an exceptional leader. It also kept him focused purely on the system; sometimes, he came across as a bit sheltered. Seeing him walking in the rain beside her was a change of heart for him. He had seen the benefits of allowing the Remans to settle on the Remus Remanent and work through the new mines they were establishing. Also, allowing some of them to set up their settlement on Kovar made a big difference. All of them had become political asylum seekers, and he had eventually agreed to approve their desperate pleas. Levy had advocated for him to allow this, and now that the Remans were settled and reaping from the benefits of having them now part of the Kovar community, it was just the icing on the cake. The Remans’ integration into the community had brought about a cultural exchange and economic growth that benefited all.  

“Thank you, Governor,” Levy said, stopping as they reached her runabout. “I know this wasn’t an easy decision.”

Thompson nodded, a thoughtful look in his eyes. “It was the right one. For them and us.”

“Are you getting sentimental in your old age, Sean?” She probed with a smirk.

Thompson chuckled. “Maybe, Dawn. Maybe.”

“I’ll see you at next month’s summit with the Coppelius delegation?” Levy checked as she took a step up towards the runabout’s hatch. 

“Actually, I’ll be visiting the station in a couple of day’s time,” Thompson replied.

“Ah, of course, I completely forgot about the admiral’s visit,” she said with a smile. “It will be nice having the old team back together.”

“Indeed,” Thompson agreed before he wished her a safe journey back to the station. 

Levy gave him a friendly, reassuring squeeze on his left arm before she entered the cockpit and pulled her hood down. Turning around, she smiled at Thompson as the hatch closed. 

Taking her coat off, Levy folded it and draped it over an empty seat as she entered the cockpit. 

“So, is that it?” asked Hawkins across the cockpit as he twisted the co-pilot’s chair to face Levy.

Looking over at him, Levy smiled and nodded. “The final acts of diplomacy are finished. I hope you three weren’t waiting for me for too long.”

Hawkins shook his head. “No, not at all. Sturok is in the back meditating, and the extra time gave me and Tate to finish off our sightseeing of New Hampton.”

Levy smirked as she looked at the young Betazoid pilot. “I hope Tom didn’t spoil your first visit to Kovar, Tate.”

“Not at all, ma’am,” Horin replied formally. 

Levy knew that since he had joined the station with his parents, Hawkins (along with Parin) had taken the young ensign under their wing. She admired both men for it. Horin, unlike his parents, had been greatly affected by the events of Frontier Day and leaving Starbase Bravo had been difficult for them. Horin, Although he remained formal on duty, still carried the burden, and Levy knew there had been a few incidents where Tate had been caught by his parents behaving in a way that wasn’t healthy while off-duty. She knew that he was still under close psychological supervision with Taf, but everyone knew trauma like he and so many had endured would take time to deal with. 

 “Good,” Levy said, pleased to hear that. “Then, when we’ve got clearance, let’s leave this miserable rain and head back home.”

“Ma’am, are you sure you don’t want to stop by New Bognor Regis? I hear it’s very sunny and warm there.” Hawkins asked with a cheeky grin and glint in his eye.

Chuckling at his cheekiness, Levy shook her head. “Oh, Thomas, I’m not the young woman I used to be. Spending time on a beach isn’t what I consider relaxing.”

“Ma’am, you’re always be young at heart to me,” Hawkins remarked, still grinning at her.

“Such a charmer, Mister Hawkins,” Levy playfully responded. “No, I’m going to go find myself a nice mug of coffee and finish a book I’ve wanted to get my head into since we left D-S-Nineteen.”

“Let me guess, Jane Austen? Charlotte Bronte?” Hawkins asked.

She shook her head. “No, the latest sequel to Fifty Deals of Ferengi Latnium Lust,” Levy called out as she made her way to the aft compartment, leaving Hawkins gobsmacked she was into such titles. 

Making her way into the compartment, Levy stopped in her tracks as she saw Sturok in deep meditation in the centre of the room. Kneeling before a lit candle with his fingers posed together in a normal Vulcan state, Sturok looked like a statue. 

“I assume your final interactions with the governor were successful?” Sturok asked, keeping himself still posed in his meditated state.

Levy walked over to the table where her bag was sitting. “Very successful, Thompson was amenable to everything.”

“A logical outcome,” Sturok said as he opened his eyes, leant forward and blew out the candle before he stood up.

“What do you mean by that?” Levy questioned as she rummaged through her bag to find the PADD containing the novel she sought. 

Sturok raised an eyebrow as he answered Levy. “Governor Thompson had no choice in the matter, and the incentive of Kovar Prime receiving an additional fifty orbital weapon platforms and an upgrade to its weather control systems ahead of their maintenance cycle would only make him more amenable to the deal.”

Levy could hear the cynicism coming through Sturok’s tone, even though he would deny it. “Everyone has their price, commander,” She stated as she took the PADD out and smiled. Noticing that they were lifting off through the aft viewports, she turned to Sturok. “And your remarks on how the Remans’ contribution will continue to help Kovar in the long-term certainly helped, Sturok. So thank you.”

“I am pleased that my assistance was effective,” Sturok said as he approached the replicator. “Tea?”

“Coffee,” She answered as she made her way over to the nearest couch. 

After Sturok ordered their drinks, he brought her mug to where she was sitting. “I am sure Admiral Jaret will be pleased to hear that Governor Thompson is once again supportive of our actions.”

“Especially ahead of Fleet Admiral Duncan’s visit,” Levy chuckled after thanking him for her drink. “How did your discussions with the Kovar Militia go?”

Sturok sat up straight on the opposite end of the couch. “Though their leaders were concerned by the recent increase in tension with the Klingon Defence Force, they, like Governor Thompson, were pleased we were taking the threat seriously by improving the defences of Kovar.”

“It’s not as if we are on the Klingon border,” Levy remarked between sips. “However, General Kurak’s interest in the Remans does mean that at least one of the Great Houses will be watching us like hawks.”

“Chancellor Toral’s unsettled position on the Romulan Republic does not provide the stability that Chancellor Martok’s leadership did for Federation security,” Sturok commented.

“And I’m still not sure how much I trust Senator Valer,” Levy said as she activated her PADD. 

“The Romulan Free State is certainly an enigma,” Sturok agreed. “However, the senator has so far kept to his word with the admiral’s agreement.”

“So far,” Levy emphasised. 

“Indeed,” Sturok stated as he sipped his tea and stood. “I will leave you to your book and ensure Ensign Horin is properly supervised.”

“Sturok,” Levy called. Tom has it. Our trip is only a half-hour long. Nothing’s going to happen between here and the station. It’s a routine journey.”

“Very well,” He said, “I will complete my report instead.”

Levy smiled at him, knowing that his intentions were pure and coming from a good place, but she also wanted to give Horin the space to prove himself.

“I can’t believe the captain reads that Ferengi smut,” Hawkins chuckled to himself as he leaned back in the co-pilot’s chair. He looked over at Horin for a response but was met with silence.

Horin, who had been intently studying the helm controls, snapped out of his trance and glanced at Hawkins. He gave a friendly smirk. “Yeah, I’m not surprised. My mom is into that series, too.”

“I just hope they don’t become mandatory reading for the senior staff,” Hawkins said, grinning.

Horin chuckled softly, shaking his head.

“So, honestly, Tate, what did you think of Kovar?” Hawkins pressed.

“It was… nice.”

“Nice?” Hawkins echoed, raising an eyebrow, almost looking like Sturok in his expression.”

“Yeah, it was nice, sir,” Horin replied, emphasising the last word with exaggerated formality.

“Drop the rank crap with me, Tate,” Hawkins said, rolling his eyes. “We’ve spent the last couple of months getting to know each other. No need to ‘sir’ me with such a short-ass answer.”

“I’m sorry,” Horin muttered, looking sheepish.

“Come on, Tate, let down your shields,” Hawkins urged, leaning forward.

“I’d prefer not to,” Horin replied between a few deep breaths. “I’m on duty.”

An awkward silence filled the cockpit, the hum of the ship’s engines the only sound. Hawkins sighed, breaking the tension.

“Look, I get it,” he said quietly. “But you don’t always have to be on guard. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

Horin’s eyes softened, but he kept his gaze on the controls. “It’s not that simple,” he murmured.

Hawkins nodded, understanding the unspoken complexities. “Fair enough. Just know you can talk to me, okay?”

“Thank you,” Horin said, his tone sincere but still guarded.

The silence that followed was more comfortable, an unspoken agreement of trust hanging in the air. The sleek runabout gracefully departed from Kovar’s atmosphere, making its way through the void of space towards the towering Unity-class station, which loomed in the orbit of the Federation world below.

“Do you want a drink?” Hawkins offered as he leant forward, ready to get out of the chair.

“No,” Horin replied almost sharply before he remembered to thank Hawkins for the offer. “I’m good, thanks.”

Hawkins rose to his feet and was about to make his way to the rear of the ship when the ship shuddered to the left and right. “What is that?”

“We’re encountering severe graviton pulses,” Horin replied. “I can’t localise it.”

As Hawkins retook his seat to try and get a scan of the area before them, he heard both Levy and Sturok entering the cockpit with the same urgency that had left his body a moment ago when the commotion happened.

“Report,” Levy said as she took a position between Horin and Hawkins. She had grabbed the back of both of their chairs, keeping herself stable from the amount of shuddering. 

“Something is emerging from subspace,” Horin replied. “It’s causing intense gravimetric distortions.”

“Full power to shields, Commander Sturok,” Levy ordered as she took her seat in one of the side stations. “Thomas, get a message to the station, telling them what we’ve encountered.”

“Message sent,” Hawkins announced.

“Ma’am, I think it’s an aperture,” Horin declared as he tried his best to stabilise the ship.

“Clarify, ensign,” Levy said as she tried to access the sensors. “An aperture to what?”

“I can’t tell,” Horin replied. “But it looks like it’s forming.”

Then the proximity alarm went off, and a ship appeared in front of them within seconds.

“TATE!” Hawkins said at the top of his voice.

Thankfully, Horin’s fingers raced across the helm controls, and he pushed their small ship into a spin to avoid the incoming vessel. They barely brushed it as the Arrow-class runabout removed itself from the danger of colliding with whatever just emerged.

The distortions quickly reduced, and the shuddering effect on the runabout ceased. 

“All stop!” Levy ordered as she got her breath back. “What on Earth was that?” 

Shaking his head, Horin shrugged. “I’m sorry, captain, I don’t know.”

“The vessel that has appeared is heavily damaged,” Sturok reported. “I’m detecting over one hundred and forty-seven humanoids on board.”

Looking at the ship before them, Horin didn’t recognise it. “It doesn’t look like a ship from this corner of the galaxy.”

“You are correct, lieutenant,” Sturok stated. “This ship is not native to the Beta or Alpha Quadrant.”

“Let me guess,” Hawkins said, looking over his shoulder at his superior officer. “Delta Quadrant?”

“Precisely,” Sturok confirmed. “The Starfleet database identifies them as a Caatati.”

“Caatati?” Horin repeated, not aware of this species. “Not quite the Kazon or Hirogen.”

“Maybe not,” Sturok said, “however, I am detecting a residual weapon’s signature on their hull, which is Hirogen.”

“The Hirogen?” Horin now questioned. “Isn’t that the species that likes to hunt other aliens?”

“Indeed,” Sturok verified. “The Caatai ship is heavily damaged. They are running on what appears to be emergency power.”

“We should help them,” Hawkins insisted as he looked at Levy for direction.

She nodded with him in agreement. “Hail them.”

Hawkins pressed the buttons to activate the comm. “Channel open, ma’am.”

“Caatati ship, I’m Captain Dawn Levy of the Federation station Deep Space Nineteen; please respond.” Levy kept her voice calm and smooth. 

Hawkins gave it a few more seconds and then checked the channel. “They’re not responding.” 

“Maybe they can’t,” Horin suggested. 

“Ensign Horin could be right,” Sturok said. “I am detecting power fluctuations across their craft.”

“Is it safe to beam over, commander?” Levy asked, still looking at the ship before them.

“I believe so,” Sturok answered.

“Then you, me and Tom are heading over,” She insisted. “Tate, raise the station and let’s see if they can get the Formidable out here to help us.”

“Aye, captain,” Horin replied.

Hawkins got out of his chair, as did Sturok. Levy walked over to the nearest equipment locker. 

“What do we know about this Caatati?” She asked Sturok.

“Besides one encounter that Voyager had with them, our knowledge is limited,” Sturok answered. 

“The Borg decimated their species,” Horin replied, bringing up the records on a nearby holographic display. “Admiral Janeway helped them by providing them with the means to replicate thorium isotopes, their main power source.” He squinted at the display. “They were slightly hostile.”

“Wouldn’t you be if the Borg decimated your species?” Levy asked, then paused as she realised what she said and who she said it to. “Sorry, Ensign.”

Horin shook his head and smiled. “It’s fine, ma’am.”

“No, it wasn’t,” Levy replied. “I shouldn’t have said it.”

Waving his hands at her to reassure her, Horin smiled. “I promise you, ma’am, I’m just as outraged as you are about how the Borg treated these people. We need to help them.”

Hawkins noted that Levy was grateful for Horin’s comment. He could see that Horin didn’t want the attention on him but on these people who needed their help. Giving a wink at Horin, Hawkins knew that Horin would be hating himself for being on the mission and making Levy feel uncomfortable with what she said. 

“If any of their power sources are damaged, then we may be exposed to the radiation produced by thorium,” Sturok warned as he placed a tricorder in his belt. His remark was a good distraction from the previous conversation. 

Levy didn’t show relief or gratitude for the Vulcan’s changing topic as she attached a phaser to her hip. However, it was evident as she replied. “Then let’s hope Jowain can treat us for it,” She said as she headed to the transporter platform. “That said, we won’t place ourselves in any dangerous situations over there. We will say hello, offer our help and see what we can do to secure the ship. 

There was a beep from Horin’s station. He looked down at it. “Ma’am, a message from the station. Admiral Jaret is sending the Formidable to us. They’ll be here in fifteen minutes.”

“Good, let’s welcome our visitors and give them a nice introduction to the Beta Quadrant,” Levy said as Sturok and Hawkins joined her on the transporter platform. “While we’re over there, Tate, see if you can find out what brought them here from the other side of the galaxy. I’m sure the admiral would appreciate knowing more. Let’s hope it’s not some alien entity moving ships across the galaxy.”

“Like the Q?” Hawkins asked.

“Or the Nacene,” Sturok stated.

“I wasn’t going for any benevolent races, but knowing our luck, it’s probably one of those ancient civilisations like the Iconians or T’Kon who could be behind this, or someone is using their technology without any idea of the consequences,” Levy stated, a hint of annoyance now entering her voice. “Anyway, Tate, see what you can see. We don’t want it to affect them, Kovar, or us. I can’t do with Governor Thompson getting grumpy if we get pulled across the galaxy ourselves. I’ve finally got him on our side with the Remans and Romulans. I’d prefer not to have to tell him why we are in the Delta Quadrant and dealing with Hirogen, Kazon or even a Borg Cube right now. That’s too much of a headache and paperwork for my liking.” 

“Yes, ma’am,” Horin nodded with a smirk as he walked to the transporter controls. “Ready to beam over?” He asked her.

“Let’s not leave our visitors waiting any longer,” Levy said to both Sturok and Hawkins as she took a breath before turning her attention back to the young pilot. “Energise, Mister Horin,” She ordered calmly as she closed her eyes at the same time that the transporter beam glowed around her and pulled her molecules apart, beaming her to the Caatati ship.