“What am I looking at,” Alex asked, staring at the screen with crossed arms.

“This section here,” Priam pointed. “Is a large energy signature emission. Whatever’s down there is generating a lot of heat.”

“I think we found Shining Hope’s “’glorious reckoning’,” Alex said.

“So much for staying hidden. They’re practically lighting a beacon!” Logan exclaimed.

Alex rubbed his eyes. “They’re done with subtlety. Whatever they’ve been building is done.”

Tani looked at Alex, “What do you want to do?”

“Well,” Alex shrugged, “we follow the beacon and end this thing.”

“Set us in orbit around the moon, but keep us off their sensors,” Alex said, looking over his phaser rifle.

Logan pushed a few buttons, “We are… in orbit. And keeping us dark.”

“I still don’t see why I should go instead of Ensign Carter,” a nervous-looking Priam said.

“You’re an engineer, I need you there to handle anything mechanical we run across,” Alex explained. “Logan is a pilot. We need him up here in case something goes south.”

“And you’re a diplomat,” Tani said, strapping a rifle to her back. “Maybe we should take Carter instead of you.”

“Then who would lead the group? You?” Alex clicked a power cell into the rifle. “All right, we’re planet side in 5.” He turned and left the Bridge.

The three team members appeared on the planet’s surface in a transporter swirl. Alex and Tani swept the area with their rifles while Priam consulted his tricorder. “I’m receiving the power reading about two and a half kilometers due northwest.” His eyes went wide, “The dampening field must have been hiding a lot of the energy signature. Even the most rudimentary sensors would pick this up. 

“I got you as close as I could with the dampening field. You’ll have to walk the rest of the way,” Logan’s voice came over Alex’s commbadge.

“Understood,” Alex replied. “All right, radio silence until further notice. Unless something is blowing up or is on fire. Benson out,” and he tapped his badge. “Okay Ensign, lead the way. Tani and I will cover your flank.”

The three of them moved for thirty minutes or so, Alex and Tani sweeping with their rifles alongside Priam. Suddenly, Priam stopped.

“What is it?”

“Look,” Priam simply said, pointing in the distance. A mountain range came into view, with a larger dome peak rising above them.

“Of course, a big scary mountain,” Tani said. “It had to be a big scary mountain…”

Priam consulted his tricorder, “That has to be where they intend to launch their weapon. Or,” Priam smiled, “they keep their scary holiday decorations.”

“Was that a joke Ensign?” Alex asked, “I’m genuinely impressed.”

“If you’re done with your male bonding, we still have to mission to complete,” Tani said.

“You’re just pissed you didn’t think of it,” Alex said and motioned the group onward.

The group stopped about twenty meters from the entrance and took cover. Tani propped her rifle against a rock and looked through the scope, “It looks like there are two guards.”

“Do you think we can take them out quick enough so they can’t alert the base?” Alex asked.

“I can, since my record is double this distance. What about you?” Tani asked.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to test.”

“That’s a ‘no’, what about you Ensign Mear?”

“I can consistently hit twenty-three meters,” Priam replied.

“It’ll have to do. Line up your shot ensign,” Tani instructed.

Priam propped his rifle against the rock near Tani’s. He looked through his scope.

“I’ll take the guy on the right,” Tani said. “Let me know when you lined up your shot.”

“I… have it,” Priam said nervously.

“Go,” Tani whispered.

The two rifles shot in near synch. A moment passed.

“Both targets are down,” Tani reported. “Nice job ensign. Now let’s get moving before they realize they’re down.”

“Agreed,” Alex said, getting to his feet.

The team closed the distance to the entrance of the base. “All right Priam, you’re up,” Alex said, motioning to the door panel.

Priam pulled some tools out of the small pouch at his hip. Prying the cover off, he began manipulating wires. While he worked, Alex and Tani moved to hide the unconscious guards. “There,” he said and a click released the doors.

“Nice job ensign,” Alex patted Priam’s shoulder. “And you thought we should’ve brought Carter.”

“I still think we should have brought Carter,” Tani said with a smirk.

Carefully opening the doors, the team made their way through a small area and onto a metal gangway. The gangway encircled a large area below. The team quietly made their way around the gangway and into another hallway formed by similar metallic walkways. The sound of footsteps came from below them. The team froze and pressed against the wall. Alex put a finger to his lips. Two soldiers moved below them and through the area. 

Alex nodded, and the team continued down the hallway. The hallway dead-ended to a room looking straight onto a massive cannon.

“By the Prophets,” Tani whispered.

“It’s quite impressive, isn’t it?” Came an amused voice behind them.

The team turned around and Alex was met with a face he hadn’t seen in nearly seventeen years.

“Uncle Alex, well this is a surprise.”