A low level of chattering filled the room, it wasn’t loud nor was it close to being silent.

Stepping through the threshold into the main area assigned to the Office of the Chief of Staff for the Fourth Fleet, Captain McCallister looked around at the sight before him. Following in his footsteps was his first officer, Commander Duncan. The two men had never visited this area of Starbase Bravo before. In fact, McCallister had never visited the station before. The headquarters for the Fourth Fleet was impressive, almost similar in every single way like its counterpart (Starbase 38) in the Barzan system; the huge Guardian-class station housed a majority of the departments that led Starfleet’s premier fleet. Being at the forefront of Starfleet’s efforts to return to its original mandate, McCallister could understand why the Fourth Fleet got the best of the best. Starbase 4 was state of the art and one of the most advanced installations in the Federation.

The area that the Odyssey’s captain and first officer found themselves was typical in Starfleet decor. A huge rectangular area was before them. Within it the main area was sunk in the middle which had a number of desks dotted around. Each of them were manned by a number of low level yeomans and other administrative types. To the left hand side of the room, was a row of floor to ceiling windows that showed a majestic sight of Mellstoxx III. On the opposite side of the room were various wall monitors indicating various reports coming in from across the fleet.

No-one took much notice of their arrival until a tall Bajoran woman with dark auburn hair approached them. Wearing the rank of lieutenant commander, she smiled pleasantly at both of them. “Gentlemen, welcome to Starbase Four, I’m Lieutenant Commander Marjaret Careign, senior aide to Rear Admiral Bennet. Please follow me.” She gestured for them to follow her towards the other side of the room. At the other end of the room was a set of doors that parted from one another which took them into a much smaller office area. In it was another desk and more stunning views of the Betazoid colony below them. Two small armchairs were in one corner and on the right hand side was another door. The door, like the others in this section of the starbase, was dark maroon with a transparent aluminium patterned window in it. On it read the sign of: REAR ADMIRAL Z. MARSHALL-BENNET.

“Gentlemen, please be seated while I let the admiral know you are here.” Marjaret said in a pleasant tone.

Taking her offer, McCallister and Duncan did as they were told as the Bajoran aide entered the admiral’s office. Several seconds later she came back out and said they could go in.

Walking into the semi-circle shaped office that belonged to the Fourth Fleet’s Chief of Staff, both men were surprised at how large it was. It was bigger than the observation lounge on the Odyssey and had plenty of space for Bennet to hold a meeting with over fifty people at least. The room was laid out with the admiral’s desk in the centre of the curve with four couches and five arm chairs in front of it. To the right side there was a long rectangular conference table that had at least twenty chairs around it. While to the left there was a replicator in the wall and a number of paintings and pictures hanging on the wall. Each painting was of the ships the admiral had commanded during his impressive career. From the Defiant-class USS Brewsters, the Luna-class USS Oberon on to the Parliament-class USS Westminster.  The two biggest paint his most recent commands, the prototype of the Vesta-class with the same namesake and then beside it his last command: the USS Discovery, Century-class. Dotted around them were a number of certificates with the various awards, dedications and citations the admiral had received too. Behind his desk sat a slim but long glass table that had a number of photographs of various family and friends. The admiral had certainly made his mark in this office.  

“James, Max, it’s good to see you both.” Bennet said as he got up from the armchair he was currently sitting in and placed the PADD he had in his hands down. Approaching the two men, he extended his hand to shake theirs. “Please take a seat. Can I get either of you a drink?”

“Thank you admiral.” McCallister said as he took the armchair nearest to where Bennet was while Duncan took one of the sofas. “A white hot English tea would go down well.”

Bennet made his way over to his replicator, as he did he looked at Duncan. “Commander, anything for you?”

“The same would be fine, thank you sir.” Duncan said with an appreciative smile.

Rear Admiral Zack Marshall-Bennet was a few years older than McCallister, as such he had not lost the lightness in his blonde hair, but it wasn’t as bright as it used to be. Becoming an admiral had changed him.

Ordering their drinks and something for himself, Bennet walked back with the mugs and passed them to his guest before he took his own and sat in his chair. “How are you both?”

McCallister and Duncan both looked at one another before looking back at the admiral, McCallister took the lead in the response. “Well, considering the circumstances sir.”

“Indeed.” Bennet responded as he reached over to place his mug down on his desk before picking up the PADD he had placed down earlier. “This stuff,” He said, raising the device in his right hand and almost waving it in the air, “reminds us that the work we do can get pretty crazy. When you think you’ve heard it all, something else comes out of the blue.”

“That’s certainly one way of describing it, sir.” Duncan stated as he sipped from his mug.

Nodding in agreement with his first officer, McCallister added his own thoughts on the matter. “It’s one away mission I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.”

“And probably the longest one you’ve been on.” Bennet remarked as he crossed right leg over the left. Leaning his right ankle against the top of his left knee, Bennet placed the padd into his lap and looked down at it. “I’ve got to say I am impressed at how well, overall, the crew of the Odyssey performed in such dire circumstances.”

“You won’t get any arguments from us, sir.” McCallister said, a tone of pride slipping through. “I take it we will all be debriefed?”

Looking up from his padd, the admiral slightly wobbled his head to side-to-side as he answered. “Sort of James.” He took his mug of tea and sipped on it before clarifying further. “Your reports are extensive and thorough, I am certain it will take a good number of our analysts sometime to get through it all, but the type of debriefing I want your crew to undertake isn’t the standard one you’re used to.”

Duncan quickly caught on with what the admiral was saying and spoke up. “You’re going to have us assessed to see if we’re fit to resume our duties, aren’t you sir?”

Turning to the commander, Bennet just nodded. “I see the counsellor in you is still as perceptive as ever Commander Duncan.” He looked at McCallister, “Your Number One is spot on with this. We want everyone on Odyssey to undergo full medical and psych evaluations.”

“Is that necessary, sir?” McCallister questioned. “My chief medical officer was regularly checking everyone’s health while we were on the Quierennal and my chief counsellor was supporting everyone through it.”

“And that’s the problem there, captain.” Bennet answered. “Doctor Slyvexs and Counsellor Samris were with you through your captivity.”

“You need an independent assessment.” Duncan said, realising what the admiral was getting at. “Someone who isn’t a part of the crew to carry out those assessments.”

“Indeed.” Bennet glanced at Duncan before looking back at McCallister. He sounded a little bit less cheerful compared to how he was at the start of their meeting. “I know it’s frustrating but the circumstances you were all placed under means we need to treat this as if you were all prisoners of war.”

“It’s that serious?” McCallister asked.

“Yes,” Bennet replied. “By your own account, captain, you and your crew were forced to undertake tasks under the direction of an alien force of unimaginable power. Prior to that you were in deep space exploration, far from the Federation and Starfleet for almost a year. We need to ensure that everyone has not lost their objectivity in their duties.”

“Everyone, or just me?” McCallister quizzed. He knew he had made some questionable command decisions not just on their recent mission but the ones before, including dealing with an Omega Directive threat.

Bennet remained calm and collected as he answered. “Everyone, including you James.” Taking a breath, the admiral continued, “As of now, you are all relieved of your duties and placed on extended leave of absence. My office will be informing all of your crew that they have at least two weeks of vacation, here on Mellstoxx Three or if they want on Starbase Bravo. In that time the assessments will be carried out.”

“That’s a lot of people to see in a fortnight.” Duncan remarked.

Nodding in agreement, Bennet explained how it would work. “Medical assessments will be carried out between doctors here on Starbase Bravo or down at our facilities on Mellstoxx Three. Most of them will be carried out by Medical Holograms, while your psychological assessments will be led by a specialist team I’ve assembled on Mellstoxx. Most of them are current instructors at our Starfleet Academy campus, others are civilian contractors we’ve bought in from the various private practises on the planet or who teach at the universities.”

“And what about the civilian population on the Odyssey.” McCallister probed. “They can’t be ordered to undertake these tests.”

“They can if they wish to remain on the ship.” Bennet answered back a lot quicker than before. “That includes the children and young people on your vessel. We appreciate the toll it had on them, so by tomorrow further specialists will arrive to assist.”

“What about Jorgeh and Wylem?” Duncan asked. He hadn’t raised that matter yet, but seeing as he was now responsible for them, he was keen to know what Starfleet had in mind for them.

“Your adopted sons?” Bennet said back. “I’ve spoken to the Federation Displaced Persons Agency, again they wish to conduct their own assessments of the boys but as you know commander, their well being is at the centre of any decision made. I am certain they will remain with you and Senior Chief Court, if that’s what you both desire.”

Duncan nodded. “We’ve not had enough time to completely discuss it, but we are very fond of them and we are interested.”

“Then I can’t see any of this being an issue.” Bennet said, sounding confident. “Now, to take the lead on all of this, I have brought in one of the finest counsellors in the sector.” The admiral tapped his combadge to speak to his aide and told her to send in his guest. Turning around to look at the doors they had entered through, both McCallister and Duncan were introduced to a fellow officer. “Gentlemen, this is Commander Louwanna-”

“Horin.” Duncan said, finishing the admiral’s sentence.

Bennet looked at Duncan, as did McCallister, at the sudden interruption. “You know each other?”

Nodding, the Odyssey’s first officer explained how they knew one another. “We trained at the academy together.”

Commander Louwanna Horin was an average size Betazoid woman with long straight brown hair bobbed just behind her shoulders.. Her teal blue uniform revealed her curvy figure as it clasped tight to her frame. She smiled pleasantly as Duncan shared their past relationship with the admiral. “Max, it’s good to see you again.” She said as she went on to shake Captain McCallister’s hand. “Captain, I look forward to working with you and your crew.”

“Counsellor Horin currently teaches at the Starfleet Academy campus down on Mellstoxx Three.” Bennet added. “I had to pull in a few favours to get her this gig.”

Duncan turned to his former classmate, “Louwanna, if you’re here then that must mean that Starfleet has declared this a “catastrophic-level” duty assignment.”

“A catastrophic what?” McCallister quizzed.

Horin answered the captain, “A catastrophic-level duty assignment is the threshold that we use when there has been mass trauma on a large number of personnel, captain. It gives Starfleet Medical the ability to be flexible in providing initial support to plan an appropriate response. In this case, a number of protocols were set up after Voyager returned from the Delta Quadrant. We will be following them.”

“The admiralty likes to unofficially call it the Janeway Factor, it was a term that the admiral herself came up with. She recognised that after a crew had been far away from direct Starfleet contact for a significant amount of time, that it was appropriate that the crew were fully assessed to determine the impact their time away had on them and their ability to perform their duties.” Bennet added

“Louwanna is one of the finest trauma counsellors I know, sir.” Duncan shared, with a smile as he continued to look at her. “She was valedictorian of my class, while I was posted here on Mellstoxx Three in my last two years at the academy.”

“I only got that esteemed title after you pushed me to do better in my studies.” Horin shared.

Bennet, who had stood up now, appeared to be pleased with how things were going. “Well, now the introductions are done, Commander Horin and her teams will begin tomorrow with their assessments. Meanwhile, I will have my office coordinate in getting everyone on the Odyssey somewhere a place to stay while repairs are undertaken.”

McCallister turned to the admiral and nodded in agreement. “My chief engineer has already prepared an extensive repair schedule.”

“Captain, everyone is relieved of their duties.” Bennet reminded him. “The yard engineers at Starbase Bravo will deal with the Odyssey.”

“I understand that sir, but I was under the impression the starbase was busy launching a number of ships shortly and coordinating a relief effort into the Paulson Nebula.” McCallister stated.

Bennet made his way back around to his chair behind his desk as he spoke. “They are, but there are plenty of people left who can deal with the Odyssey. Your ship needs to undergo extensive repairs and refits. Let the specialists deal with it while your crew rest and recover from their recent ordeal. That’s an order, captain.” Bennet then pulled his chair out and sat in it. “If we need you, we will call.”

“Aye, sir.”

“I’ll let you inform your crew.” Bennet stated. “Unless there’s any more questions, then I’m sure you and Commander Duncan have a lot to do before tomorrow.”

“Thank you, sir.” McCallister answered.

“Then dismissed.” Bennet ordered and he watched the two men leave his office. He looked over to Horin as soon as they left. “Are we going to have any issues with you working with the Odyssey crew, counsellor?

Horin turned around to face him, gulping somewhat, she shook her head as she placed both hands behind her back. “None, sir.”

“Good, dismissed.” He said.

After departing the admiral’s office and heading towards the nearest turbolift to take them back to the docking port where Odyssey was, McCallister broke the silence between him and Duncan. “Okay, confess. What’s the story between you and Counsellor Horin?” He probed.

Inhaling a bit, Duncan looked at his captain. “It’s complicated and private, sir. I’d prefer to keep it that way to avoid any unnecessary drama.”

Rolling his eyes at the response he got from his first officer, McCallister pumped for further. “Now you can’t just come out with something like that. When you talk about it being private, are we talking about romantic private stuff between cadets?”

Wiggling his head somewhat, Duncan reluctantly confessed the truth. “We did become involved in our last year at the academy, but we both broke it off. Louwanna comes from a powerful family in Betazoid society and was betrothed to someone else at a very young age.”

“Ouch, so you guys called it off?” McCallister guessed.

“Yeah, but she was heartbroken when her betrothed refused to go ahead with the pre-arranged marriage between her and him. However she decided she didn’t want to get back together with me and instead focussed on her career.” Duncan explained.

“I’ve heard that Betazoids who hail from the important houses normally practice arranged marriages for their children to ensure the longevity of their house remaining influential. How come the guy didn’t want to marry her?”

“His parents had died during the Dominion occupation of Betazed, he became the de-facto head of his house and didn’t want to honour something he didn’t agree to.” Duncan stated as their turbolift came to halt and deposited them on the deck where Odyssey was docked.

“Double ouch for her.” McCallister said as they departed the lift. “How come he called it off?”

“Like her, he was in Starfleet and more focussed on his career.” Duncan said, appearing more awkward than before.

Noticing his first officer was becoming uncomfortable about the topic, McCallister had a gut feeling he was about to ask something and get an answer he wondered if the admiral already knew. “Max, by any chance this particular gentleman is serving on my vessel?”

“He is sir.”

“As in my chief engineer?”

“Yeah,” Duncan answered as they approached the docking port. “My ex-girlfriend was meant to marry Tremt.”

Shocked to hear that news, McCallister didn’t know what to say as the doors opened for them to enter the Odyssey. “How come either of you have never said anything?”

Duncan stopped walking and looked at the captain as he did the same thing. “Because sir, Tremt never knew about me and Louwanna and I’ll ask if it stays that way, for now.”

Nodding to understand where he was coming from, McCallister decided not to push it any further. “Of course, but with her being assigned to us, it does mean it may come out of the woodwork. My advice is you come clean with Tremt.”

“I will sir, but with all due respect I hope you can appreciate that right now my priority is not to be sharing about my past relationships, instead I need to be focussing on Jorgeh and Wylem.” Duncan stated as they resumed their walk into the Odyssey.

“That, my friend, I do understand.” McCallister said as they returned home.