“Welcome aboard, commodore,” Horatio greeted, emphasising more on his brother’s new rank.

As it was just the two of them in the transporter room, James pushed his satchel further over his shoulder before hugging his brother. “Thank H,” He replied in their brief embrace. As they let go, James took one more look around the room. “Did you fire your transporter chief?”

Horatio gave out a little snort. “Of course not; I just wanted to have a chance to say a proper hello to my big brother.”

James appreciated the sentiment. “I hope you don’t mind me crashing your party.”

“Hey, my party is your party; I learnt that years ago when you and Conrad would drag me along to every one of your shenanigans,” Horatio responded as he gestured towards the door behind the console. 

“I think you’ll find it was always Conrad dragging us both along,” James retorted as they departed from the transporter room and into the sleek, shiny-looking corridor. 

“Talking gatecrashing, I’m assuming your reason for leaving your flagship behind was to send a strong message to our new visitors?” Horatio quietly asked as they passed a few crewmembers. 

They all stood to one side to let the commodore pass. James respectfully thanked them before he replied. “You’ve got it in one, baby brother,” he turned to him. “I’m hoping that by keeping Max and Bexa behind, Jacet will behave.”

“You really think he’s up to something more?” Horatio questioned as they approached a nearby turbolift.

“Jacet was too close to our aperture the moment we arrived; he was up to something,” James answered. “I’d bet all the gold-pressed latnium in the universe on it.”

The turbolift arrived, and the doors opened. It was empty, so Horatio led the way in before calling for the cart to take them to deck six, where the VIP guest quarters were. “So while Bexa and Max babysit, I get to fly you around?”

“Yep!” James confirmed with a smug smile. “I refuse to let the Cardassian presence stop us from trying to reach out.”

“I saw you sent Karyn and Corella on their way,” Horatio mentioned. “And Bennet, too.”

“The Destiny will try and see if they can make second contact with the Arritheans while Triton and Bellerophon will hunt down some more Caatati refugees.”

“While we head straight to the B’omar?” Horatio asked, though he already knew the answer. 

As the turbolift arrived at its destination, the doors opened, and Horatio continued to lead the way as James replied. “Yep, I want to see if we can try normalising relations with them.”

“Good luck. I hear they’re worse than the Ferengi when it comes to negotiations,” Horatio commented. “Why didn’t you bring Flemen or Tomaz with you?”

“Max needs them in case anything goes south with the Cardassians,” James answered. “Plus, I have a diplomatic officer here on the Constitution with Thaustin, and if I need a good intelligence officer, then you’ll do.”

Horatio chuckled. “Oh, I see how it is. You come on my ship and expect me to bow down to you every whim.”

“Yup,” James confirmed, smirking. “Plus, we’ve not been able to spend much time since your return from your adventures elsewhere in the Delta Quadrant.”

“True,” Horatio said as they approached their destination. He tapped on the door panel, and the doors opened wide. “Your home away from home,” He presented. 

James stepped in, pleased that the VIP quarters weren’t too bad. A decent king-size bed sat in the middle under a balcony window, a desk in the corner, a table to eat at, four chairs around it, and a small sofa and armchairs nearby. “Thanks, H,” James said as he placed his bag down on the edge of the bed.

Horatio was pleased his brother was happy with his new quarters. “We won’t be arriving near the B’omar border for a few more hours; I’m having dinner with my senior staff. You’re welcome to join us.”

“That sounds good to me,” James replied. “What time and where?”

“Twenty hundred hours in the captain’s private dining hall, deck three,” Horatio answered. 

“Thanks, it gives me time to freshen up and call into Alfie,” James stated.

“How is my nephew doing? In fact, with Karyn and you both off the Odyssey, who is babysitting him?” Horatio asked as he perched himself on the back end of the armchair.

“He’s growing up now, Horatio,” James replied. “He and his friend, Jordan, are sharing quarters.”

“Oh, so party house?” Horatio probed with a chuckle. 

“Hmm, maybe,” James relented as he started to unpack his bag. “However, we took on a few more cadets before departing from Deep Space Nineteen, and I didn’t have the heart to tell Alfie he would be sharing with some of them, too.”

“Ouch, buzzkill,” Horatio said as he crossed his arms against his chest. “Are things between you and Karyn okay?”

James paused, unloading his satchel. “Yeah, all fine, why?”

“Just checking,” Horatio said in a caring tone. “I’m sure since her return, it’s not been easy, and with her taking command of the Bellerophon, I-”

“It’s fine, Horatio,” James insisted in a more serious tone. “We’re good.”

Raising his hands in surrender, Horatio nodded. “Alright, I get the hint to be quiet.”

James sighed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap.”

“It’s okay, J-P, I promise,” Horatio assured his older brother. 

Sitting on the edge of his bed, James looked up at Horatio. “Anyway, it should be me asking you if everything is okay with you.”

“With me?” Horatio asked, sounding a bit surprised. “Why?”

“As I said earlier, you’re back from your little adventure lost in distant parts of this quadrant,” James said. “I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

“It was only for a few months, J-P; it’s not like we were gone for seven years,” Horatio assured him. “And don’t worry, I’ve not developed some Janeway superior goddess complex.”

James chuckled. “You made first contact with a photonic civilisation who became obsessed with Shakespeare, allied with a Hirogen Alpha and stopped a Kazon sub-sect from killing the last stronghold of Phage-free Vidiians. I’d say that’s quite a lot to deal with in a short amount of time.”

“I didn’t say it was a quiet few months,” Horatio retorted before standing up. “Why don’t I leave you to it? We can swap stories with the rest of my senior staff.”

Smiling at that idea, James agreed with a nod. “Sounds good to me.”

The intercom chime then went off. “Bridge to Captain McCallister.”

Recognising the voice straight away, Horatio answered. “Go ahead, Rubon. I thought you were meant to come off duty like three hours ago?”

“I was running a helm diagnostic, sir; I wanted to complete it,” Jarata answered. “Anyway, sir, we’ve picked up a distress call.”

Alarmed to hear that, Horatio continued the conversation with his chief flight control officer after giving his brother a look. “From who?”

“It’s a B’omar ship, sir. They’re reporting they’ve been attacked and are requesting immediate assistance.”

Realising the ramifications, James glanced at his brother with a look telling him to get them there.

Horatio didn’t need his brother’s permission to do it, but he did it out of respect for his seniority. “Set a course for them at maximum warp, commander and assemble the senior staff immediately.”

“Aye, sir,” Jarata replied before closing the channel.

“So much for dinner,” Horatio complained as he led himself and his brother towards the bridge.