Sitting at the back of the lecture hall, Duncan wondered if he had been seen by the professor taking the session. Remaining quiet, he just observed. He was here not just to learn about what the lecture was about but to gauge if its key speaker was a potential as his new chief science officer.

At the front of the room, standing confidently before a massive holographic display, was Commander Brianna Reddick. Her presence was commanding and magnetic. In her late thirties, she radiated confidence and poise. Her skin seemed to glow under the soft lighting of the room. Her expressive dark eyes, framed by long lashes, held a spark of intelligence and curiosity that captivated her audience. Reddick’s black hair was pulled back into a sleek, tight bun at the nape of her neck, emphasising her strong jawline and high cheekbones. She held the room’s attention as she continued with her talking points. 

The subject of today’s lecture: wormholes.

The lights dimmed, and a holographic display flickered to life; Reddick began, her voice clear and resonant. “Greetings, esteemed travellers of the stars. Tonight, we embark on a journey into the heart of one of the universe’s most wondrous and mysterious marvels: the enchanted gateways known as wormholes.”

Duncan smirked at her flare for the dramatics that was expected for an Hysperian. He kept his focus on Reddick as she continued her presentation. 

She gestured to the holographic display, which now showed a dynamic 3D model of a wormhole, its swirling, luminous structure captivating the audience. “Wormholes are mystical passageways through the very fabric of space-time, conjuring enchanted shortcuts for epic voyages across the cosmos. Picture, if you will, the ability to journey from one distant realm of the galaxy to another in the blink of an eye.”

As she spoke, her hands moved gracefully, manipulating the hologram to show the complex mathematics and physical principles underlying how a wormhole worked. She explained the concepts of neutrino energy, ionised hydrogen, theta-band radiation and quantum-level fluctuations – all fundamental components needed to stabilise a traversable wormhole.

Reddick’s lecture was a masterful blend of profound scientific knowledge and engaging storytelling. She wove in historical references to Einstein and Rosen’s pioneering work, anecdotes from Starfleet missions that had encountered wormholes, and the latest research from the Trill Science Ministry. The cadets were enthralled, their attention unwavering as Reddick posed thought-provoking questions and encouraged active participation.

“Now,” she continued, “let’s consider the potential applications and risks of wormhole travel. While the idea of instantaneous travel is tantalising, we must also address the inherent dangers—unstable wormholes, temporal anomalies, and the ethical implications of such power. Which is quite interesting to what is happening in our galaxy now.”

Her passion for the subject was evident, and her enthusiasm was infectious. Duncan couldn’t help but be impressed by her ability to make complex topics accessible and exciting. He noted her command of the room, the respect she garnered from her audience, and the ease with which she handled questions.

As the lecture drew to a close, Reddick summarised the key points and opened the floor for further discussion. The room erupted with eager questions, and she answered each with patience and clarity, fostering a vibrant dialogue.

Satisfied with what he had seen, Duncan quietly exited the hall, leaving the cadets to their discussions. He made his way through the campus corridors, deep in thought. Reddick had not only proven her expertise in theoretical physics but also demonstrated the qualities he sought in a leader—a brilliant mind, an engaging communicator, and a mentor who could inspire the next generation of Starfleet scientists.

Duncan knew one thing for certain: he needed Reddick on the Odyssey.

After sitting outside for a little while, Duncan turned to see Reddick standing before him.

“Captain Duncan,” Reddick chirped. “I noticed you at the back of my lecture. What do I owe the pleasure to?”

Duncan smiled. They had never met before, so he was somewhat astonished that she knew of him. “It’s been a few years since I visited the campus here on Kovar. I was just returning for old time’s sake.”

“Nostalgia?” Reddick questioned. “That doesn’t sound like you, sir.”

“And what do you know of me?” Duncan asked bluntly. 

“That you’ve just taken command of the Odyssey, your father is the famed Fleet Admiral Luke Duncan and your mother, Captain Nicola Duncan, is a former mentor of mine,” Reddick replied.

“You’ve served with my mother?” Duncan questioned. 

“Oh yes, many years ago when I was a young lowly ensign,” Reddick chuckled. “And I’m also good friends with your former chief science officer.”

“Corella?”

She nodded. “I taught alongside her back on Mellstoxx a few years ago before transferring here.” Reddick gestured to the building around here. “Can I get you a drink?” She gestured towards a small nearby replimat in the lobby area of the main building. “The Kovar Campus may not be as state of the art as the one back in San Francisco or even on Mellstoxx, but it has its charms.”

“Thank you, Tarkalean team extra sweet would be nice,” Duncan replied. 

“Ah, a man after my own heart,” she jokingly said as she went over to the replicator, ordered two teas, and brought them back to the table where Duncan was now sitting. 

“You mentioned you knew Corella; I assume you know she’s taking command of the Triton?” Duncan asked after thanking her for his drink. He raised the glass mug to his lips and took a sip. He was impressed with how good the replicator had made it. 

By this time, Reddick had sat down and her drink in her hands. In response to his question, she nodded before taking a sip. “Yeah, it’s about time she had her own ship.”

“So I’ll get straight to the point,” Duncan said, deciding he was fed up with beating around the bush. “I need a new chief science officer, and I’m told you’re one of the best in the sector. Are you interested?”

Reddick chuckled. “I had a feeling something like this would happen sooner or later.”

“What do you mean by that?” Duncan probed. 

Resting back into her chair, Reddick asked permission to speak freely, showing she respected his rank and position as her superior. Duncan nodded before drinking more of his tea as Reddick replied. “I’ve enjoyed being a teacher for some time now, but there’s always that niggling feeling in the back of your mind that if you’re doing a good job in teaching the next generation, that at some point you’ll be asked to return to an active field assignment.”

“A few years ago, I was just a counsellor; now I’m a captain. Sometimes life throws the unexpected at you, commander,” Duncan responded.

“Yes, but you’ve been on the Odyssey for a long time. I’m not surprised that you followed in, Capt—” she paused as she corrected herself. “I meant Commodore McCallister’s footsteps.”

“Well, you’ve still not answered my question,” Duncan insisted. “Plus, what you’ve just taught in there,” He pointed to the nearby doors to the lecture hall, “Would certainly help on our mission.”

“The underspace corridors,” Reddick stated as she took some more of her drink. “They are a fascinating phenomenon.”

“So come study them as we head through one of their apertures,” Duncan suggested. 

Scratching the back of her head, Reddick considered his offer. “It’s tempting, sir, it really is, but I’ve got students here who rely on me as their tutor, and I’m in the middle of research.”

“So bring your research with you and your students,” Duncan remarked.

“Come again, sir?”

“You heard me,” Duncan said plainly. “The Odyssey has its own training unit; in fact, my husband is about to take over leading it, and my son is a member of it. We could do with someone else helping him with it.”

“That’s a lot of responsibility,” Reddick retorted. “I’d have to ask the commandment of the campus if that’s okay.”

“You don’t need to,” Duncan stated, placing his drink down. “I’ve already cleared it with her.”

“You have?”

Duncan nodded. “You tutor a group of seventeen cadets, and the Odyssey have plenty of research labs. As Chief Science Officer, you can have your own personal one if you so deem it.”

Reddick paused in her conversation as she seriously considered Duncan’s offer. “If we’re going to be studying these underspace corridors, then you’ll need one hell of a pilot.”

Smirking, Duncan was starting like Reddick, especially because she was one step ahead of him. “I take it you have someone in mind?”

“I do, in fact,” She replied with a smile as she diverted her eyes across the lobby towards someone approaching her. “Here comes my knight in shining armour now.”

Duncan turned his head over his shoulder to see a tallish Mazerite man in a red Starfleet uniform approaching them. He bore the rank of lieutenant commander. Duncan had not met him before, but he was impressed that Reddick knew they required a chief flight control officer. Had she just saved him hours of searching?

“Captain Max Duncan, please meet Lieutenant Commander Elddie Paynkor, one of our flight instructors,” Reddick introduced.

Paynkor had changed his demeanour after seeing who Reddick was sitting with. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir,” he said, extending his hand to shake Duncan’s. 

Duncan couldn’t excuse how handsome the lieutenant commander was. Paynkor had a genuine and inviting smile, along with strong cheekbones. His dark brown and slightly tousled hair complemented his overall look. His Mazerite grey streaks from his temple to behind his ears were noticeable, along with the two folded skin flaps on the sides of his face. 

“Commander Reddick said you’re a pilot,” Duncan stated after finishing shaking his hand.

Paynkor appeared to blush slightly. “I’ve flown a number of ships in my time, sir.”

“Anything as big as an Odyssey-class?” Duncan tested.

“I’ve flown a Sovereign and a Galaxy, sir,” Paynkor answered. “Why?”

Duncan then smirked and looked at Reddick. She was good, and he was getting a good vibe from the man standing in front of him. “Why don’t you join us, commander?” Duncan offered the spare seat. “I’m sure we’ve got plenty to talk about.”