“Carter, can you pass me the flux coupler, please?” Tierra asked from where she lay across the floor of transporter room seven. 

Complying, Westerham passed the tool to Tierra. He had his tricorder out and was scanning the pattern buffer. “That seems to have done it, commander.”

Pushing herself up and out of the mess they had made, the Deltan chief engineer went to the primary console and checked to ensure the work was done there. “Good, seven done, another thirteen to go!” She said with a proud smile as she collected her tools. “Seriously, Carter, I have no issue with you taking a team of your own and working on the other transporters.”

Westerham nodded to her. “I appreciate that, commander; I do, but I’m not feeling quite myself yet.”

Tierra logged out of the transporter control systems and gestured for them to get going. She felt for Westerham. Lieutenant Commander Carter Westham was a striking figure, particularly his deep dark brown eyes, which were both intense and charming. His short, almost bald, black hair was starting to grey in places, giving him an air of distinction and wisdom. However, behind the facade was a man who had, only days ago, appeared to have been shot in front of the entire senior staff by his wife. In fact, it wasn’t him. A changeling infiltrator had taken his place before Banfield’s appointment to the Odyssey; ever since then, it had taken over from the changeling that had replaced Commander Karyn Reyas. After being rescued from a site, the changelings were using to store their victims, Westerham had been reunited with his wife and children. He had wanted to return to duty with his wife. Westerham had put himself forward when a new senior assistant chief engineer was required.

“I get that, Carter, but it’s been a few weeks since Frontier Day. Surely you’re still not believing that some of the crew think you are a changeling infiltrator?” 

Giving her a knowing look, Westerham walked by her side as they made their way down the corridor towards transporter room eight. “It’s not just that, Tierra; it’s more the cadets. They were tricked by my doppelgänger for months. How am I supposed to gain people’s trust knowing that everything they said and did was not genuine?”

“Is that why you refused the captain’s officer to resume duties as the lead training officer?” Tierra asked as they turned down a corridor. 

“Can you blame me?” Westerham replied. “Being an engineer is something I know I can do and do well.”

Tierra smiled at him. “Well, you’ll have no excuse from me in agreeing to take on the role. Someone with your experience is certainly a bonus for me. I surprised though you agreed to it and not take a chief engineer spot elsewhere.”

Tugging on the back of his ear, Westerham nodded to her point. “Corella and I did discuss it, she was offered command of the Triton once it was operational, and I would go with her to be her chief engineer. However, she and I both felt we wanted to rebuild with what was lost here on the Odyssey.” 

“That’s very decent of you,” Tierra replied with a smile. “And truth be told, I’m not surprised that Corella was offered the Triton. She mentioned it to me before Frontier Day.”

“She’s certainly developed a sense of loyalty with Fleet Captain McCallister,” Westerham commented. “He seems like a genuinely good guy.”

“He is,” Tierra confirmed. “And I owe him big for my promotion.”

“Oh, why’s that?”

They eventually entered the next transporter room, and Tierra answered him. “Starfleet wouldn’t let him promote me before Frontier Day. Turns out their responses to me needing more time under my belt was a changeling’s bullshit. Something to do with them promoting specific individuals who were their agents in critical locations stopped them from allowing almost everyone else.” She sighed. “Fleet Captain McCallister pushed through my promotion and a few more after Frontier Day. Citing that Starfleet needed more experienced officers in higher ranks.”

“Well, it’s certainly deserved,” Westerham stated. “From what Corella tells me, you’re one hell of an engineer.”

“Thanks, Carter; I hear the same about you,” She replied as she went over to the transporter controls and disengaged the transporter pad from operational use. “We should upload the new software before adjusting the targeting scanners and pattern buffers.”

“I’ll work on the upload,” Westham offered. “I’m more than happy to shadow you and enjoy the marvels this massive ship has to offer.”

“The Odyssey is one of the finest ships in the fleet,” She replied. “We’re lucky we didn’t lose her to the Borg.”

“Corella said that during your attempts to survive when the auto-destruct didn’t work, you found a way to bypass some of the control lockouts and divert power to the shields?” Westerham said as he worked on the primary console.

Tierra nodded as she started to pull one of the transporter pads apart on the central platform. “It wasn’t just me that figured it out; Reuben and Lukiz were involved too. Without it, I’m sure the Odyssey would have been more damaged, and we would have lost more people.”

 “Talking of Commander Gray, why didn’t he take the job of senior assistant chief engineer?” Westerham inquired; the computer beeped at him, verifying the upload he had started was complete. He began to install the new software. “The software is being installed now.”

“Great, just make sure, like we did on the last couple, that there aren’t any remnants of the Fleet Formation code in the main transporter operating system or any other Borg viruses,” Tierra instructed before answering Westerham’s previous question. “Don’t be offended, Carter, but I did ask Reuben to consider being my deputy after the death of Lieutenant Costella. And he did think about it, but once the captain confirmed we would be returning to the Delta Quadrant, Gray changed his mind. He wanted to use what he knew more in the field, especially when the captain expanded his team by tripling it.”

“Yes, I hear that the captain has doubled the crew size from before,” Westerham remarked. “Did he explain why?”

Tierra shrugged. “I think after what happened to us last time in the Delta Quadrant, where a majority of the adults were kidnapped, I think he wants to make sure there are enough people around to avoid anything disastrous from happening again. Plus, I reckon he wants to keep the Odyssey in the Delta Quadrant longer, to avoid Starfleet continuing to pull us back home.”

“A wise precaution,” Westerham said. “Well, I appreciate it, as my children are joining us for their cadet cruise.”

Tierra turned around to hear that. “Oh, Corella never mentioned that to me. I take it Brook and Athena will share quarters with you guys?”

Westerham chuckled. “No, they’ve already told us they plan to bunk up with the other cadets from their squadron. Even though I’m not the lead trainer, I think they still want to remain one of the ‘cadets’ with the others who don’t have their parents around.”

“I know that feeling,” Tierra chuckled, “Both of my two are preparing to take the entrance exams.”

“Well, they’ll be in good hands. I hear Captain Reyas is a former instructor before she was the chief science officer here.” Westerham said as he passed a tool to Tierra, anticipating her needs.

“Yeah, like you, another former crewmember replaced and found safe and sound,” Tierra stated. “I’ve not seen the captain so happy, especially after we all thought she died saving the ship from a temporal anomaly. Karyn will enjoy her new role in leading the cadets; even more so, it means she can take the Telemachus out for several spins. She fell in love with it during our mission in the Delta Quadrant in locating Tkon technology.”

“The Tkon?” Westham quizzed. “I think I’ve missed that one.”

“Oh, it’s a great story,” Tierra said as she adjusted the pattern buffer. “Let me tell you about it.”

Fleet Captain McCallister poured himself another mug of tea, which was likely his third that morning. After placing the long, cylindrical teapot on the glass coffee table in his ready room, he sat down to enjoy his drink.

“Right, next order of business,” He said, sipping his tea and looking at the PADD in his hands. “New crew members. I want to hear what others think about the candidates I proposed, from either the Bellerophon or Triton.”

Sitting with him on the sofas in the corner of the room, where the senior most senior members of his crew. Captains Duncan, Banfield, Slyvexs and Horin, along with Commanders Tomaz and Court. Now that the ship was increasing its crew size to almost three thousand and five hundred people (that didn’t include the high number of civilians on board), the seven of them were meeting nearly every day before they left Starbase 38 to keep on top of matters. As a result, they all got used to these meetings and had their own spots in this alcove. McCallister always sat in the only armchair while Duncan and Court sat on the sofa against the wall with Horin beside Court. Opposite them, Slyvexs, Banfield and Tomaz were all perched. 

Duncan looked up and spoke first. “Are we keeping Jonarom at communications?”

“Yeah, he’s terrific, sir,” Tomaz agreed.

“I’ve already offered him the role permanently; he’s considering it,” McCallister shared.

“Is he old enough to hold a department head position on an Odyssey-class?” Banfield questioned.

“He’s a child genius, Corella,” Slyvexs reminded the second officer. “He was also a department head on the Bellerophon.”

“Yes, but the Odyssey is over three times bigger than the Bellerophon,” Banfield stated. “My worry is, can he cope with such a large staff?” 

“I don’t see it being an issue,” Court replied. “The department is pretty new and is an extension from Operations. He and Lukiz seem to have built up a good rapport, a sort of mentor role. I’m sure if we ask Lukiz to keep an eye, he’ll tell us if he is struggling.”

“That’s a good idea,” Horin said as she rubbed her belly. She was ready to give birth any day now but was still engaging with her duties until then. “And baby H agrees!” She pointed towards her abdomen. Her unborn child was known to engage in conversation by kicking or moving. The others all chuckled or smirked at the moment.

“Tobias, will you speak to Lukiz about Jonarom?” McCallister asked him, which solicited a nod from his Administrative Officer. “Okay, moving on, Louwanna, what do you think about your new deputy? Looks like we’ll need one any day now.” 

“Yeah, I like what I read about Lieutenant Hilgan,” Horin replied as she activated the holographic display to show his record. “Your brother highly rates him, and he appears eager to advance his career.”

“Sir, before we go any further, are you sure about all these younger, less experienced officers?” Banfield questioned again. She looked at McCallister seriously.

Relaxing back in his chair, McCallister had wondered who would ask that question. He wasn’t surprised it was Banfield.

“I have to agree with Corella. Most of these candidates are quite young and inexperienced,” Duncan stated. “Are we sure we don’t want to explore other more experienced officers?”

The fleet captain shook his head. “No, and I’ll tell you why. With the Triton and Bellerophon spending the next few months waiting to be repaired, I won’t let those in our squadron be transferred elsewhere. Horatio has tried his hardest to pick from those that will best fit on the Constitution, while I promised the others would join us.”

“But, sir, what we are trying to achieve with the Odyssey, is something we require experience for. Most of our deputy department heads are either full lieutenants or lieutenant commanders,” Duncan said. “I appreciate you feel like we owe them something-”

“Max, we do owe them,” McCallister said, shifting in his chair. “Those from the Bellerophon had to watch in horror as an error we made in mistaking a Dominion ship for something much bigger ripped their ship to pieces. Then those from the Bellerophon were left helpless as their captain gave her life to save them and over a billion Federation citizens. Do you honestly think I’m going to let them go?”

“I respect the sacrifice that the Bellerophon and Triton took for us during the Lost Fleet incursion,” Banfield stated, trying to keep the discussion calm. “But most of these only served on the Bellerophon.”

“As department heads who have all served in the Delta Quadrant,” McCallister reminded her. “I wouldn’t be considering any other junior officers for such positions. Plus, all of them will have someone more experienced supervising them.”

“Sadly, what happened during Frontier Day, where so many were killed, will require us, and the rest of Starfleet, to depend on more younger officers to step up,” Slyvexs stated. “It’s almost like the end of the Dominion War.”

“Indeed,” McCallister said, appreciating the support from the Denobulan doctor. “So, Louwanna, are you happy with Mister Hilgan?”

“Absolutely,” Horin replied. “Perhaps Max wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on him if I go into labour early, and he needs to step in sooner rather than later.”

Duncan nodded. He understood where McCallister was coming from and didn’t want to create an obstacle for him. “Of course, I’d be happy to.” Being the former chief counsellor, he knew what running such a large department was like.

“Next is senior assistant medical officer,” McCallister looked at Slyvexs. “Thoughts?”

“Oh, I am highly impressed with my new deputy,” Slyvexs said with a smile. “She has multiple medical degrees and has several shining references. Yes, I think Sarella and I will get on well.”

“Good,” McCallister looked down at his list. “Next, Reuben has requested that Lieutenant Commander Jayshon become the S-C-E’s deputy leader.”

“Any reason why Jayshon wasn’t picked for the Constitution?” Tomaz asked. “Surely, he has more experience?”

“He does,” Horin replied, “but he suffered horrendously during Frontier Day. He has been seeking psychiatric help to cope with it and feels he isn’t ready to be responsible for such a role at the moment.”

“That’s sad to hear,” Tomaz said with sympathy. “Is there anything we can do?”

Horin shook her head. “He needs time, and with the right help, I believe he will fully recover. It can be common for Tamarians to find such traumatic events difficult to process, and they need to find the right words to share their thoughts and feelings. For now, I think Jayshon being with Gray is an excellent pairing.”

“Kindred spirits of some sort?” Banfield question.

“Sort of. Jayshon needs to see that someone like Gray, who has undergone a traumatic experience himself, can come out on the other side and with him being a former Borg, Jayshon needs to understand that what he saw with those Borg on the Triton, people can turn their lives around eventually.” Horin shared.

“Wow, pretty deep stuff,” Banfield said.

“It is, but I believe he and Ensign Andar have a good relationship, too,” Horin stated.

“Talking of which,” McCallister said, moving the meeting forward and displaying Andar’s biography before them all. “Ensign Andar, the former chief flight control officer on the Triton. Rosle has requested he join her as our starfighter deputy. His records are impressive; he probably could rival T’Rani and Marova.” 

“He’ll be our first Phylosian. What adaptations would we need to make for his quarters?” Duncan asked.

“Nothing too serious, Max,” Slyvexs said with a smirk. “I’ll speak to Tierra about it.”

“Great,” Duncan replied; he looked at the next person on the list. “I see Karyn has agreed to the next person.”

Hearing his wife’s name made McCallister smile. “Yeah, she’s eager with her new job. Commander Jirani Edeena will make a great addition to the Academy staff. Any thoughts?”

Court spoke up. “Jirani seems like the right person to help Karyn keep those ninety-odd cadets in line,” He paused. “Including my son and godson.”

“And my two terrors,” Banfield said with a smirk. She looked down at Jirani’s biography. “Though, again, I’m surprised she’s not been eager to become a first officer on another ship.”

“Horatio did offer it to her, but she turned it down. What happened on the Bellerophon during the Borg uprise made her reconsider her career aspirations. She wants to work with cadets and teach them what she knows before she returns to the command track. At least this way, with them using the Telemachus as a training ship, she gets to be the first officer.”

“Good, I would hate to see that Frontier Day has forced some of our good people away from what they can achieve,” Banfield stated.

“I agree,” Slyvexs said with a nod.

“Then don’t we have an opportunity here on the Odyssey and on the other two ships to help those affected to get back on with their lives and enjoy what they signed up for?” Duncan asked.

“You’re right, Number One,” McCallister agreed. “There is only one direction, and that’s forward.”

“Let’s do it then!” Tomaz said with a grin.

“Right, next on the list, deputies for Corella, Lukiz and Marova,” McCallister stated, getting the conversation back on track. He smiled at the fact for the first time in weeks, he and his staff were planning something other than going into a battle with a phaser strapped to their sides or having to arm the ship’s torpedo launchers. However, more than this, he would do this with his wife again. Having Karyn back and taking over in training the cadets assigned to the Odyssey was just amazing. 

Everything was on track and going well for once. 

McCallister hoped it only got better for them all. They had reached rock bottom with the Borg and the Dominion. Now the only way was up. 

Surely?