“No, Max, and that’s the fifth time I’ve said no,” Slyvexs, the Denobulan doctor and chief medical officer, emphasised even more. She was moving around her office as she tidied it up. PADDS were placed across her desk, and there were a few empty coffee mugs. “I will not become your first officer.”

“Come on, Slyvexs, you’re the next most senior officer. You have the rank, the qualification and experience,” Duncan pleaded to her.

“Yes, but I don’t have the desire, and as I told Commodore McCallister before he promoted me earlier this year, I am not interested in coming away from my work on sickbay. Be it treating a patient or undertaking medical research. I will lead all the doctors and medical staff in our squadron, but that’s as far as I go.” Slyvexs insisted.

“But why?” 

Rolling her eyes, Slyvexs paused what she was doing and stared at Duncan. “Max, you know I’ve always said I want to retire at some point. I don’t want to be stressing over being the first officer. I still want to be young enough to enjoy my retirement on Risa. Find someone else.”

“Please, Slyvexs, I need someone with years of experience as a commander. Tomaz, Craigen, Tobias, and Tierra haven’t been commanders long enough,” Duncan replied.

“Then find someone else off the ship,” Slyvexs suggested. “What about Louwanna?”

“She said no, like you,” Duncan huffed as he slumped into the chair opposite Slyvex’s desk. 

“I thought she was hoping to return to the Odyssey now that Tremt’s semi-paternal leave is over?” Slyvexs questioned as she sat down in her chair. 

“They’re considering their options,” Duncan said and then, like a torpedo hitting a shield hard, he realised something. “That’s it!”

“What is?” Slyvexs asked, confused as to what had happened so quickly. 

“Slyvexs, you’re a genius!” Duncan said as he got out of his chair and hurriedly departed sickbay. 

“Okay, bye,” Slyvexs said as she watched Duncan’s shadow instantly depart her office. She was still bewildered by what idea had reached Duncan’s head, but she was glad he was no longer pestering her. 

USS Themis (NCC-76554), docked at Deep Space 19, Kovar System, Alcott Sector, Beta Quadrant

Ten Forward on the Themis was relatively quiet for the start of the evening. It was no surprise, though, as the ship was docked at the station, and most of the crew took advantage of the station’s promenade or visited Kovar. The ship was all prepped and ready for its mission back to the Delta Quadrant, so Captain Cambil permitted her crew to enjoy the next few days off. Duncan sat in one of the booths in a far corner as he waited for his friends to arrive. His mind wandered through the memories of the past year, especially those that involved the Blood Dilithium incident. He remembered how it had impacted Hunsen and how much his friend had suffered. The trauma was still fresh, even after all this time. Hunsen had been taken over by a telepathic pitcher plant that the rogue dilithium had infected. What made the whole incident so bad was how Hunsen, who had lost control, had manipulated the other telepathic crewmembers and had led a mutiny against McCallister. It had left a bitter taste in the former chief engineer’s mouth and when the opportunity to leave came along, Hunsen had agreed to join Captain Cambil as her first officer on the Themis. Now, in the past year or so, things had changed. Hunsen had become a father and a respective leader on this ship now.  

A familiar voice snapped him out of his thoughts. “Max,” Hunsen said, a warm smile on his face as he approached the booth. Behind him was his Imazdi, Horin, her presence exuding the same calm and confidence that had always characterised her.

“Tremt, Louwanna,” Duncan greeted, standing up to embrace his friends. “It’s good to see you both.”

“Likewise,” Horin said, her Betazoid eyes sparkling. “It’s been too long, Max.”

“Congratulations on the new appointment, Captain Duncan!” Hunsen said after finishing hugging his friend.

“Thank you,” Duncan said, smirking. 

They settled into the booth, and for a while, the conversation was light. They talked about their recent missions about their families and shared some laughs. They reminisced about old times. However, Duncan knew the real reason for this meeting would soon have to come up.

Horin’s gaze softened, her telepathic abilities picking up on Duncan’s unease. “Max, you seem to have something on your mind,” she said, her voice gentle but probing. “What’s going on?”

Duncan took a deep breath. “You’re right, Louwanna. There is something I need to discuss with you both.” He turned to Hunsen, who was watching him intently, already sensing the gravity of the moment. “Tremt, I want you to come back to the Odyssey. As my first officer.”

Hunsen’s expression shifted from curiosity to surprise and then to something more complex. He projected a mix of emotions, confusion, and hesitation that both Horin and Duncan could see. “Max, I… I didn’t expect this,” he said slowly. “I left the Odyssey for a reason.”

“I know,” Duncan replied gently. “And I understand why. The whole blood dilithium incident was traumatic for all of us, but especially for you. But the Odyssey needs you, Tremt. I need you. Your expertise, your leadership… we could do so much good together.”

Hunsen looked down at his hands, his thoughts clearly conflicted. Horin placed a reassuring hand on his arm, her touch transmitting calm and support. “Tremt, sometimes facing the past is the only way to move forward. You’re one of the best officers Starfleet has, and the Odyssey could benefit greatly from your return. Someone has to keep Max in check!”

Hunsen looked up, meeting Duncan’s eyes and then back to Horin’s. The bond between Betazoids meant they didn’t need to speak to communicate the depth of their feelings. “It’s not just about me. The memories, the pain… it’s still there.”

Duncan leaned forward, his voice earnest. “Tremt, no one is asking you to forget what happened. But you’ve always been strong, even in the face of adversity. The crew respects you, and so do I. We’ll face this together as a team.”

For a long moment, there was silence as Hunsen wrestled with his thoughts. Finally, he sighed, his mental barriers lowering enough for his friends to sense his internal struggle. “I need some time to think about this, Max. It’s a big decision. Not just for me, but for us.” He looked at Horin. She smiled back at him.

Duncan nodded but then added, “I understand, Tremt. But I need to know by tomorrow. I need to finalise the crew roster and I could do with my first officer helping me.”

Hunsen’s eyes widened slightly, the pressure of the deadline adding to his turmoil. “By tomorrow?”

“Yes,” Duncan confirmed. “I wouldn’t rush you if it weren’t important, but time is of the essence.”

Horin looked at Hunsen. “Tremt, be honest, do you really need to think about this? You and I get to be together on the Odyssey, and Eddim will be both of his parents. You know the ship and the crew. Bexa will understand, and it means she can make T’Rani the first officer here.”

“Sounds like Louwanna has this already planned out for us all,” Hunsen joked.

“To quote T’Rani, it’s the logical direction,” Horin remarked with a raised eyebrow, trying to emulate their Vulcan friend. 

Hunsen looked between his Imzadi and then back to Duncan. “It looks like you have your first officer, then, Max!” He grinned.

“Fantastic!” Duncan said, almost cheering at the news as he and Hunsen hugged one another. After they let go, he told them he had to leave them. “I’ve got dinner with the folks.”

“Give my regards to the fleet admiral and captain!” Hunsen said.

“I will…Number One!” Duncan said with a wink as he got up and left the Themis.