Departing from her office, Corella Banfield made her way out into the large corridor as she headed to the exit, happy to be calling it a day. Though she had not worked a full day today, her half day had felt like she had worked enough. Standing just above five foot five, she was currently a professor of history, though had a reasonable list of degrees and doctorates to her name, her other passions in the sciences included quantum mechanics and astrophysics. In the past sixty four years, she had developed a fine career for herself in Starfleet, working on various assignments and when she had the time would continue with her own studies. Science was always her passion, but this had never been a surprise to her parents. She had always kept her head in the sciences and her father, in particular, had encouraged it. 

Walking across the transparent aluminium balcony to head down the flight of stairs to the ground floor, Banfield was making her way to meet with her husband for lunch. Enjoying the delights that came from being a professor on Mellstoxx Three, the Klingon-Human woman made her way through the crowds of cadets with relative ease as they either moved out of her way or paused to let her pass in front of them. Appreciating the sign of respect they showed her, especially as she wasn’t in her uniform but they knew she was a commander, Banfield nodded gracefully to them. She had always shown respect to those cadets who gave it to her, it was one thing she had insisted on doing as she had never experienced it herself while she attended Starfleet Academy. 

“Professor Banfield!” A voice called for her from behind, just as she started to step down the stairs. 

Looking over her left shoulder, she recognised the eager cadet from her contemporary-Federation history class. “Yes cadet.” She said, deciding to continue with her walk while he chased after her and caught up. 

Huffing and puffing, the Bolian cadet started to walk almost one step behind her. “Can I talk to you about my recent assignment?” 

Holding back the urge to roll her eyes backward, Banfield carried on walking. “During office hours, then yes cadet that would be acceptable.” She replied. 

“Sorry ma’am, but your office hours are awkward for me.” He answered back with. 

Not holding back this time, she just shot him a glare and then looked forward as she spoke back in a sarcastic tone. “Oh, I am so sorry to be an inconvenience, cadet.” 

Appearing to ignore her comment, the cadet continued. “You see, the issue is I don’t want to study about the Cardassian occupation of Bajor.”

Her younger self would have snapped further at him by now, but the more wiser woman, the more experienced officer in her kept herself calm. “Cadet, you do realise the current era we are studying is around the Cardassian occupation of Bajor, right?”

“Yes ma’am, I know that.” The Bolian said quickly. “I just want to add in about the occupation of Bajor during the early stages of the Dominion War.”

Now stopping in her tracks, she turned to look at her student. “There was no occupation of Bajor during the Dominion War, you do know that, correct?”

“I’d like to test my own theory that actually when the Federation retreated from the Bajoran sector after losing their battle for Deep Space Nine, that when the Dominion boarded the station that was the start of a new occupation era.” The cadet shared passionately. 

Wincing somewhat at trying to get where he was going with this, Banfield shook her head. “I’m not sure where you’re going with this cadet, especially as the Bajoran Republic had signed a nonaggression treaty with the Dominion prior to that conflict. There was no occupying force on Bajoran soil.”

“That’s where I disagree ma’am, I think by occupying the station I have a strong argument that there was a second occupation of Bajor.” The cadet spoke, sounding more proudly with his idea.

Sighing to herself, she resumed walking and agreed to his idea. “Very well, do a compare and contrast piece though.”

“That’s great ma’am, thank you.” The cadet said, showing his excitement in his face. “Oh also, one more favour.”

Pausing again, she turned around to look at him. “Sure, fire away.”

“Can I get an extension please? I’m behind on my assignments in other classes and I am really eager to attend a fellow classmate’s wedding this weekend. It will be my first traditional Betazoid wedding.” He pleaded.

“Oh, well my husband wants to take me away this weekend to the great lakehouse up north but I’m not sure if my kids are all keen to go, plus I really want to spend this weekend just at home, doing not much.” She looked at the cadet, who was completely confused as to what she was going on about. “Oh, I’m sorry I thought we were sharing one another’s plans for the weekend?”

The cadet continued to stand there looking perplexed. 

“No extension,” Banfield said as she continued to walk down the staircase. “Enjoy your nude wedding though!” She called out as she reached the foyer area of the building and was pleased to see her husband waiting for her.

Noticing her straight away, Carter Westerham smiled at her and she smiled back. Almost a foot taller than her, he pulled her in for a short kiss before she intertwined her arm with his as they walked out into the main courtyard. 

“Did I hear you giving another one of your cadets a hard time again, Corella?” He asked as the cool Mellstoxx fresh air hit them as they made their exit. 

“I have no idea what you’re talking about Carter!” She denied with a slight twinkle in her eye and a wry smile that followed. “Anyway, I’m not here to make their lives easier. It doesn’t help them when they’re out there in the field.”

“True, but have you heard of giving leeway?” He asked as they walked across a path in between two rows of bushes. 

Rolling her eyes now at her husband, she chuckled before responding. “Not all of us take your approach in using our charm and good looks to get what we want from our cadets.”

Westerham was a handsome man in his late fifties. He was well liked by the cadets he taught and many of them were eager to take his classes in engineering. Though he had served in Starfleet, he had left the service a long time ago and was now just a civilian based professor. “How else am I supposed to keep my fan club alive?” Westerham cheekily asked back. 

Laughing, Corella decided not to answer that but instead she would enjoy the quality time with her husband as they headed to go and get lunch together before heading home later that afternoon. 

After a delicious meal and brief transporter beam to their home, Corella had decided she would take the time to catch up on some reading. Sitting in her study that had a holographic fireplace that was simulating burning logs (including the heat), she was nestled into one of the sofas with a blanket around her shoulders, reading the text on the PADD intently. She was so focussed on what she was reading that she didn’t hear the knock on the doorway made by her youngest child, Logan until he spoke up.

“Mom!” The teenager called for her. 

Snapping out of it, she turned around to see what Logan wanted. “Yes honey, what is it?”

Logan, a fourteen year old teenager, shared his handsome looks with his father that were complimented by some Klingon ridges that he had inherited from her. His jet black hair was parted down the middle. “Mom, someone has just arrived to speak to you. A guy called Admiral Bennet?”

Placing her PADD down on the glass coffee table, she instantly stood up and threw the blanket back over the sofa. “Show him in, then Logan.” She insisted.      

Logan went back out into the hallway and a few seconds later Rear Admiral Zack Marshall-Bennet walked in. “Hello Corella.”

“Admiral, it’s good to see you.” Banfield said, welcoming him with a warmer smile compared to the cold expressions she had shared with her cadet from earlier that day. “Please come in and take a seat.” She offered towards the arm chairs around the study. 

“Thank you.” He replied as he took a seat in a nearby dark green one. Looking around the room at the impressive stack of books on shelves, he smirked. “You have a lovely home.”

“You honour me with your visit, sir.” Banfield said, realising a bit of her mother’s tone coming out there. Deciding to ignore it, she continued to speak. “How can I be of assistance?”

Taking out a small disc, a micro-holoprojector, the admiral placed it on the glass table and tapped it. A holographic display of a Starfleet ship along with some recent log entries and sensor readings then appeared in mid-air. “I hate to pull you away from the academy, Corella, but I need your expertise and past experience on a situation that has developed.”

Glancing at the information originally, Banfield looked back at her guest. “Oh?”

“This is the U-S-S Odyssey.” Bennet said and he started to recall to her their most recent mission during the Century Storm crisis. As he started to wrap up his recount, he sighed. “I know you’ve not been an active field agent of the Department of Temporal Investigation for sometime but with what has happened most recently to the Odyssey and several other vessels during this crisis, both Starfleet and DTI believe it would be in our best interests for someone with a wide field of expertise to lead the debriefing and investigation into what happened to the Odyssey.”

“How long will the assignment last?” Banfield checked as she leaned backwards. 

“A few weeks, maybe a month. It depends on what you find out.” Bennet answered honestly. “You’re the best person to do this and to make recommendations to Starfleet and the DTI. I’m sorry to pull you away from your classes but this is a priority.”

Nodding, she knew she couldn’t get out of it. “Very well admiral, when do I report to the Odyssey?”

“Captain McCallister is obviously dealing with the impact this has had not just on his ship and crew, but also his family, so his first officer, Commander Max Duncan is waiting to meet with you in two days time.” Bennet replied. “That said, Captain McCallister is a key player in understanding a lot of what had happened and he knows he needs to participate in the debriefing and investigation.”

“Understood.” Banfield said as she looked back at the hologram of the ship. “Is the ship remaining at Starbase Bravo?”

Nodding, Bennet clarified that the ship was docked at one of the maintenance and repair yards for now. No-one was going anywhere until her work was complete. “I have placed someone else on Odyssey. Commander Louwanna Horin, she was originally assigned to the vessel before this incident to assist with the crew dealing with the impact of another traumatic mission. I trust her as someone you can confide in with regards to the crew’s wellbeing. Any other questions?”

“No, but I assume I’ll have other DTI agents with me?” She questioned.

“Indeed, the department is sending over six others and the sector director is keen to have daily updates.” Bennet stated. He then rose from his chair to extend his hand towards her.  “Good luck, commander.” 

“Thank you, sir.” Banfield replied as they shook hands. 

After he was gone, she sighed wondering now if whoever covered her academy classes would give her cadet from earlier the extension he had asked for. Annoyed at that prospect, she gritted her teeth before picking up her PADD and reading more about the Odyssey and what had happened to it. 

Waking up suddenly and almost jumping out of his bed, Alfie found himself in a state of disarray and feeling startled. Looking around his room, the darkness was only broken up by the light blue reflections coming off from the dry-dock that hugged the Odyssey at the moment and that light that bounced off from the Mellstoxx sun onto the third planet they currently orbited. Blinking once, then twice, he calmed his rapid breathing and then closed his eyes as he rubbed his forehead. He could feel the sweat sticking to his head then opened his eyes to realise his chest was soaking as well. For the third time since they had left the Paulson Nebula, he had experienced another night of nightmares and once again he had a thumping headache. 

Shoving the sheets off from him, he stood up and told the computer to activate his side lights on a low dim level. Shuffling across his room, he almost tripped over a pair of trousers that he had ripped off the night before and had left on the floor, Alfie made it over to the door and left. Entering the corridor that connected his bedroom alongside his brother’s bedrooms as well as his parents’ room, he made his way across the landing towards the family bathroom. 

Turning the lights on, he arrived at one of the sinks and activated it. Straight away the tap came to life and water poured out. Cupping the water, he splashed the cool liquid over his face and then looked at himself in the mirror. His reflection showing his dishevelled appearance along with the huge dark circles under his eyes from the lack of sleep he was experiencing. 

Realising he needed to get out and perhaps take a run, he returned to his room and put on some bagging clothing before he quietly left his quarters and began his early morning run. 

Thankfully no-one else was around. The odd service bot was working but like his bedroom, the corridors of Odyssey were dimly lit. Heading towards the arboretum, he found the run helping. As he tried to chase away the nightmare with his exercise he couldn’t help but return to the images flashing in his mind that had disturbed his sleep. 

The first set of images was that of his mother, alone on the bridge of the Telemachus, while another group was that of him seeing his father appearing older and wearing an admiral’s uniform, this was then followed by him seeing his brothers as youngsters playing their favourite childhood holoprogram of Captain Proton, then he watching the destruction of the Odyssey while being surrounded by a group of Remans or were they Klingons? None of it made sense but straight away it made him feel sick. Entering the arboretum, its fresher air helped somewhat but then he felt overwhelmed again. He felt his breathing become more, he felt his head was thumping more, he felt his body ache more. 

Trying to calm himself down, he fell to the floor trying to catch his breath. Unable to control what was happening to him, the whole situation was now scaring him. What the hell was going on? He was unable to calm himself down. A sudden pain appeared in his chest. It hurt so much that it made him place his right hand over the affected area. He was now finding it hard to focus. 

Looking up he heard what he thought was his name being called out and his vision started to become blurry as the pain got worse, his breathing increased and the headache felt like hot rods were being pushed into his skull. Eventually he saw a figure over him and all he saw were a pair of friendly bright blue eyes. Blinking once, then twice he saw Jorgeh looking at him with a concerned expression. The two of them had just started to get to know each other. Jorgeh had reached out more to Alfie after the memorial for Alfie’s mother. The two of them had almost become like kindred spirits in dealing with the recent loss of their mothers. Jorgeh had seemed like a decent guy and Alfie had felt for the first time he had the chance to have a real friend. Henri and Theo were dealing with the loss of their mother in their own way and had become more isolated in recent days since their father had broken the news to them. 

Calling his name, Alfie felt like he couldn’t reach Jorgeh as more images from his nightmare flashed through his mind. These ones seemed to be causing him pain. Feeling Jorgeh rush to him and put his hands out, Alfie felt dizzy as he took one more glance at his new friend. That was all he saw before he collapsed and passed out onto the grass he was sitting on. He was out cold. Jorgeh immediately called Alfie’s name out one more time before he called for help. 

Waking up, but this time a lot slower with more blinking, Alfie found himself in sickbay and he groaned inwards. What the hell had happened to him? His lips felt dry and he had a somewhat tingling feeling in his skull. He then remembered the headache. It wasn’t as bad as it was originally. Looking around he instantly saw Jorgeh, sitting on the edge of the biobed to his right reading a PADD. Instantly he looked up and jumped off the bed and made his way over to Alfie.

“Alfie,” He said with a concerned tone and expression, “you’re alive and okay!”

Suppressing a smirk and a chuckle at the extreme reaction that he had from Jorgeh, Alfie pushed himself up. “I’m fine, thanks.” He rubbed his eyes and tried to see if he could see any of the medical staff. “What happened?”

Shrugging his shoulders, “Sorry Alfie, I don’t know. I was out walking when I saw you and noticed you were struggling and before I could do anything else you passed out on me. You were beamed to sickbay and Doctor Slyvexs treated you.”

“Where is she?” Alfie asked as he looked around the room.

“Speaking to your dad and mine in her office.” Jorgeh answered and saw Alfie sigh somewhat at hearing that news. “Sorry, did I do the wrong thing by calling them?”

Instantly he shot up and shook his head, something he regretted straight after as he got a bit light-headed. “No Jorgeh, you did right and thank you.” Alfie answered. “I think I’m finding it hard to deal with what’s happened with my mom.”

Nodding to show he understood, Jorgeh gave a weak smile. “If you want to talk more,” Jorgeh offered with a slight shrug, “then I’m happy for us to chat.”

“I appreciate that Jorgeh, cheers.” Alfie answered, “I can only imagine what my dad is saying in there.”

Sitting in the chair opposite Slyvex’s desk with his hands clasped tightly in his lap, Captain McCallister listened intently to his doctor as she explained what she thought had happened to his son.

“I am certain from these scans that he suffered from some sort of an anxiety attack, which is no surprise.” Slyvexs shared, trying to provide a supportive environment for the captain. Thankfully she had come on early for her shift in sickbay when Jorgeh had raised the alarm about Alfie. 

“I’ve noticed he hasn’t been sleeping as well since…” McCallister paused as he sighed lightly. “Since Karyn was lost.” He finished.

Nodding in agreement, Slyvexs explained her scans had shown he was not properly rested. “However I am detecting that his neurotransmitter levels are highly elevated. This is quite unusual.”

McCallister looked over to Duncan and Court, who had joined them when they had heard that Jorgeh was involved, and was somewhat comforted that they both seemed unsure of what the doctor was getting up to. 

Thankfully Court eventually spoke up. “What’s causing it?”

“From what I can tell, it’s the part of his brain that is purely El-Aurian.” Slyvexs said as she activated a holographic projection of Alfie’s brain with the particular segment highlighted. “Even though the El-Aurians have been within the Federation for over a century now, there’s still much about their race and their abilities we do not entirely know about them.”

  “Karyn once mentioned to me that she had a sixth sense to do with time.” McCallister mentioned. “Some El-Aurians, she said, could sometimes notice a change in the timeline or if they felt something was ‘off’.”

Nodding in agreement, Duncan recounted something their former chief science officer had told him. “Yeah, the first day we meant she told me she could sense that when I was younger I had gone through a temporal anomaly. I had always thought she had read my file but she was able to tell me she had a feeling that I was the wrong age.” 

“How could she know that? I thought you said your age was altered by the Department of Temporal Investigations to be more realistic?” Court questioned his partner. 

“It is, but Karyn was able to work it out without knowing the full details.” Duncan assured him. He looked back at McCallister, “Without breaking the temporal prime directive and before our investigators arrive, is there anything we should know about what Alfie got up to during that paradox?”

Considering the question for a moment, McCallister rubbed his forehead. “I hate having to second guess myself when it comes to temporal mechanics, but all I can say was he was heavily involved in the situation, but a future version of him.”

“Then could it be that somehow Alfie is experiencing a version of a flashback but more like a flashforward?” Duncan suggested.

Slyvexs gestured with her hands to show she couldn’t be certain. “It’s a possibility but it could be a factor and along with him dealing with his mother’s loss, it could be a lot.”

“What do you recommend then doc?” Court asked. 

“Plenty of rest, keeping his appetite up and making sure he talks about his mother and whatever he remembers and is holding back.” Slyvexs advised. 

McCallister rolled his eyes, “I’ve got no issues with those first two ideas but the last one I am finding difficult to get across to him, Henri or Theo about how important it is to talk. Louwanna has offered, Samris has offered but none of them want to open up.”

“Let me try, sir.” Duncan offered. “Alfie seems to have struck up a good relationship with Jorgeh in the last couple of days. Perhaps if we can expand on that a bit, we may be able to encourage Alfie to share.”

“Normally Alfie is one of the first ones to share his thoughts and feelings.” McCallister commented.

“That’s true, but the kid has gone through a lot lately. Maybe this is the toll of the pressure he has experienced. All of it has been building and he has blown which resulted in him having this anxiety attack.” Court proposed, looking at McCallister and trying to remain supportive. “Maybe, sir, giving Max’s idea isn’t a bad one to try?”

McCallister looked to one side for a moment.

Slyvexs spoke up. “Sir, I know we’re in the company of good friends here and so what I say I mean it with the deepest of respect but as a family you’ve suffered a heavy loss. You need us all to help you out. Perhaps giving Alfie the freedom to deal with this with the help and counsel of Max and Tobias wouldn’t be a bad idea. It won’t harm him to feel like he can talk freely to them and having Jorgeh around who is of a similar age and can relate may only add to that.”

“I know and I do appreciate it, but I’m his father and I’m supposed to be the one who he turns to when things are going wrong.” McCallister stated. “I feel like I’m letting him down.”

“Things are going wrong, have gone wrong, for you all but you’re not letting him down but making sure he gets the help he needs. It gives you the room to take a moment for yourself as well as be there for Alfie plus Henri and Theo.”

Scratching his forehead, he just looked around at the three of them and then nodded. “Thank you,” He said sincerely before looking down at his hands clasped together. “These last few days have been hard and I appreciate your support, a lot.”

“Anytime, sir.” Court said with a friendly smile.

“It’s not an issue, sir.” Slyvexs added.

“We’re all here for you and the boys.” Duncan finished with.

Holding back tears, McCallister just nodded again showing he was grateful as he scratched his beard, knowing he needed to get back to being a dad first and a starship captain second at this point in time.

Gathering for breakfast, a bulk of the senior staff had agreed to meet as they knew that since the end of their last mission there was a lot that had happened (or would happen) and the arrival of agents from the department of temporal investigation would keep a number of them busy for the next few days. However, none of them could talk about any of it. The all mighty Temporal Prime Directive. 

Congregating in The Lion Gate, a first for them in some time, they had it re-organised so that one big large oval shaped table was in the middle for them all to sit around. To one side a buffet was set up (brought in from the cooks in the Auditorium) for them to help themselves too. A range of breakfast meals from various worlds was on offer and those who were there were helping themselves and starting to sit down to enjoy the meal while sipping on cups of coffee, tea and freshly squeezed juices. 

Tomaz had arrived with Flemen, who had returned to the Odyssey late the previous evening after completing his short trip to Mellstoxx III to undergo the application assessment to be entered onto the command training program. Tomaz had met his friend in the transporter room and both men had gone for drinks the night before to catch up. It had been almost a fortnight since Flemen had gone for his initial assessment and had been successful.

“Ah the prodigal son returns home.” Slyvexs said with a huge Denobulan smirk the moment she saw Flemen enter the room. Taking her seat at the head of the table, the doctor had picked up a selection of jams and croissants and was starting to spread them across the crumbly pastry. “How did the assessment go, Craigen?”

Picking up a plate as he followed Tomaz over to the table, Flemen smiled back at the doctor’s interest and sentiments. “Thanks doc, it’s good to be home and the assessment went well. I’ve just got to wait to see if I’ve been accepted.”

“That’s great news Craigen!” Slyvexs said, relaxing her beaming smile as he tore a piece of strawberry jam covered croissant off to put in her mouth. Just before she did that, she turned to Tomaz, “Lieutenant, you should consider doing the program as well.”

After pouring a mug of raktajino, the Barzan man looked at her, “Maybe.”

Flemen, seeming pleased with that idea, looked at Tomaz with his big blue eyes. “Tomaz, that’s a great idea, we could do the program together. Tell me you’ll seriously think about it?

“I said maybe, Craigen.” Tomaz replied, sounding almost annoyed with his tone at what others were suggesting, he continued to fill his plate with some scrambled egg, which had been something he had enjoyed eating while at the academy along with some warm toast. 

Realising he had perhaps touched a nerve with Tomaz, Flemen relented and returned to piling food up on his plate before both men took their seats around the table.

More of the senior staff started to enter, Horin and Hunsen entered together while T’Rani, Jen and Lenjir were already sitting down and were tucking into their meals. 

“Morning everyone.” Hunsen said, sounding a bit gruff in his tone while Horin just smiled at everyone as they made their way over to the table to get something to eat and drink. 

“Is the captain joining us?” T’Rani asked as she sipped on some Vulcan spice tea. 

Shaking her head, Slyvexs spoke up for their commanding officer. “The captain sounds his regrets, Alfie wasn’t well this morning.”

Hearing that news everyone looked over to her with concern, it was Flemen who was first to ask if the younger McCallister was okay. “Nothing serious, is it doc?” He checked.

“No, I think it’s a bit of fatigue with what they are having to come to terms with recently.” Slyvexs answered, not revealing too much. “I’d suggest while the ship is docked we give the captain and his sons their privacy to deal with their loss.”

“Sound advice.” Lenjir agreed from the other end of the table. 

As Flemen had taken Alfie under his wing during the crisis with the Quirennal and Captain Jyster, he had built a somewhat rapport with him. “Is Alfie still going ahead with undertaking the preparatory program?”

Tomaz shrugged his shoulders but it was Slyvexs who answered Flemen. “I believe he has met the requirements to sit the entrance exam.”

 “When he is up for it, I may offer to the captain I’d be happy to help him study for it.” Flemen offered.

“That’d be nice.” Slyvexs agreed. 

Hunsen, who had just finished grabbing his breakfast, sat down in the middle of the table with Horin joining him (taking a seat opposite to him) , looked around the table and spoke up. “No Max or Tobie this morning?”

Jen, whom Hunsen was now sat next to, spoke up after finishing a mouthful of coffee. “I think they’re enrolling both Jorgeh and Wylem into the school today.”

Horin nodded before adding further clarity, “Yes I think you’re right. I had a request to be around later today to see how things went for them.” She then picked up her cup of tea and looked to T’Rani. “Did Samris not want to join us today?”

T’Rani raised her left eyebrow, “This breakfast was solely for the senior staff, as he is no longer a member of the senior staff he did not see the logic in joining us without an official invite. He also wished to spend the morning in the gymnasium…” She paused as she recalled his words. “I believe the phrase he said was ‘pumping iron’.”

Lenjir and Jen all chuckled at their friend quoting her current love interest in such a cool manner. 

“I’ll probably join him later.” Lenjir stated.

Horin had winced at T’Rani’s response. She was still finding it a bit difficult since she had taken over from Samris as chief counsellor. “Well you must tell him, he is always welcomed to these gatherings.”

“I will take that under advisement, counsellor.” T’Rani said with a slight bow. “Thank you.”

“So does anyone want to guess at what these agents from DTI will be like?” Hunsen asked the room while he cut up some mushrooms on his plate. “Anyone had any run-ins with them before?”

Clearing his throat, Jen spoke up. “Not in this lifetime, but the Jen symbiote has met a couple of their agents almost twenty five years ago.” He mentioned.

“You’ve never mentioned that one before.” Lenjir challenged his friend as he lowered his glass of fruit juice. 

“Not much to say really,” Jen stated back. “Temporal prime directive.”

A few groans filled the room. 

“I agree with the purpose of the temporal prime directive, but surely there’s some manoeuvre for situations like ours when a group of officers, by no fault of their own, have found themselves time travelling through time that they should be able to discuss it.” Slyvexs remarked. 

“From a mental wellbeing point of view, many have argued that it would help those who have been affected by a temporal anomaly to be given the chance to discuss it with others who have gone through it themselves.” Horin added. “It’s like any trauma, being able to relate and understand can help some come to terms with the event and be able to make sense of it so they can move on.”

Jen disagreed with that comment. “Yeah but when you have something as complicated as what we’ve experienced or will experience, then it’s not as simple as that. It’s why the DTI exists. They’re the time travelling experts.”

Noticing the conversation could change at any point, Tomaz quickly changed the topic. “Does anyone know how long we will be docked for?”

Hunsen replied. “A couple of weeks at least, maybe more. We never got the chance to properly finish off the maintenance overhaul we were undergoing when the Century Storm hit. That, along with the damage sustained while in the nebula, has only added to the work needed to be done on the Odyssey. Plus we need to await the arrival of another Aquarius-class escort.”

“Is it true we’re getting a brand new one straight from Starbase Bravo?” Lenjir asked. 

“We are.” Hunsen confirmed. “They started to build a few months ago and it’s nearing completion. Admiral Bennet has already signed off on its new orders to be assigned to the Odyssey.”

“What’s it called?” Tomaz asked. 

“Not sure, but I think the captain has requested for it to be known as the Telegonus.” Hunsen answered.

The room fell silent for a bit while everyone ate their food. It didn’t feel normal or right. It was an uncomfortable silence. 

“This is ridiculous.” Tomaz eventually said. “The fact that none of us can talk about what has happened or will happen is crazy.”

Slyvexs smirked, a gesture that a few of them did. “You’re right, Tomaz, it is but it’s the nature of our job.”

“You’d thought Starfleet would give us some leanway with everything that we’ve had to deal with recently.” Tomaz said in a low tone. 

Horin agreed. “I think they are, but to make sure they understand what that looks like we need to go through a few processes first.”

“It’s a shame the captain couldn’t have found a way to time travel back to before we found the Quirennal.” Tomaz remarked as he tried to eat more of his breakfast. 

Jen scoffed at that remark. “Unfortunately we never found a way to break the paradox to let us do that, Tomaz.” He said. “It was a complicated situation.”

“As was that mission with Captain Jyster.” Tomaz said, sounding a bit more irritated. He took a breath and stopped. “I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to snap there.”

Jen looked at the Barzan man. “Tomaz you don’t need to ever apologise when it comes to us having to deal with the crap we took from Captain Jyster. I get it and I won’t lie to you when I say if I had the chance to change anything from that mission during my trip through Odyssey’s past that I wouldn’t do anything, because I would have but it was a lot to deal with.”

“It’s just hard.” Tomaz admitted. 

“Agreed.” T’Rani shared. “Like you lieutenant, I mourn for the loss of the children I cared for with Lieutenant Samris for such a long time. You were very close to Jeddie and with what has come to light, I am not sure many of us could agree that we would ignore the chance to travel back in time and remove that part of our shared history, just so we did not have to live with so many unanswered questions.”

Horin looked at Hunsen and Slyvexs at this point. She knew she should say something but after being shot down by T’Rani earlier about Samris and the way Tomaz was being, she didn’t feel comfortable doing so in a public area. Hunsen, hearing her thoughts and sensing her feelings, instead spoke up for her. 

 “It’s not been easy on any of us, especially recently.” Hunsen said after clearing his voice. “But let’s get through this work with the DTI team and then carry on supporting one another through it. If there’s anything we’ve learnt about ourselves in the recent months is that this crew is strong together. We’re a family and it takes a lot to break that bond. If anything else, let’s do it for Commander Reyas. She was a fundamental pillar in building what we have today, so let’s honour her in not stopping being there for one another and moving forward together as one ship, one crew and one family.”

Horin appreciated the mini impromptu speech from Hunsen and showed this with her own smile. 

“Here, here.” Slyvexs said in support as she raised her coffee. “For Karyn.”

Everyone else joined in by raising their drinks, including Tomaz, as they saluted their departed colleague and promised to be there for each other. 

“Welcome aboard the U-S-S Odyssey,” McCallister said to his guests as they stepped off the transporter platform and approached him. “I’m Captain James Preston McCallister and you must be Commander Corella Banfield.”

Standing firmly straight up, Banfield gazed at McCallister and instantly felt he reminded her of many other human starship captains she had encountered in her long career. She had read McCallister’s file. It was somewhat impressive. Commanding the Odyssey for as long as he had was a surprise and she could only summarise that McCallister had proven himself to Starfleet on more than one occasion or someone else by now would have succeeded him and he may have been assigned elsewhere. That said, what she was more bothered about was the fact the captain had never been on the radar for the Department of Temporal Investigations. Not once had he been involved in some sort of temporal disturbance which she felt boded well for their professional relationship going in the direction she intended it to go. However, she knew that the man that stood next to McCallister was someone who had run in with the DTI. 

“I am sir,” Banfield eventually answered before following it up with the formal request as expected of her, “permission to come aboard?” 

McCallister, who had remained pretty cool (almost as cool as a Vulcan playing poker), answered her. “Permission granted.” He extended his hand towards hers and they both shook before he started formal introductions to those with him. First he turned to the man to his right that Banfield was eager to speak to. “This is my first officer, Commander Max Duncan.”

Banfield bowed her head towards him, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, commander.” She said in a strong tone before offering her hand towards him.

Obviously weary of DTI agents, Duncan shook her hand briskly. “Likewise, commander or is it agent?” He questioned. “I’ve never known Starfleet officers to be in the DTI. Doesn’t that break the rules that the department has to be separate from Starfleet? Almost like the Tal Shiar was meant to be separate from the Romulan Star Navy?”

Scoffing at him, Banfield kept her composure and bit her lip at first. “I was a former field agent of DTI but I was trained as a Starfleet officer first. DTI recruited me after I experienced my own temporal incursion, like you commander.” She replied. 

McCallister looked at his first officer, sensing the tension and quickly attempted to resolve it amicably. “Number One, you never told me you could have joined DTI?”

“I was too young at the time, sir.” Duncan remarked, staring at their guest a bit longer before turning to his commanding officer. “Plus there are rules at the DTI to prevent Starfleet from interfering with the department’s work.”

“Yes there are rules, but if experience has taught the department anything then more than likely most of the temporal incursions it must investigate involve a Starfleet crew and its ship.” Banfield replied with a wry smile and showing off her smugness. She wasn’t bothered by Duncan but was enjoying putting him in his place in not knowing everything. “As a result of that in recent years, some of those protocols have been adjusted to allow for the department to work closely with Starfleet during any emergency situations.” 

“I didn’t realise we were in an emergency situation, commander?” Duncan asked firmly, emphasising that she wore a Starfleet uniform at that point in time. His disdain for her attitude was now apparent in his tone. 

“Well commander,” Banfield answered back with just as quickly and copying the tone he took with her rank with his now, “our superiors think so and as such my credentials as a former successful field agent have been reactivated for this assignment.

Clearing his throat, McCallister moved the subject on and carried on with introductions. “Commander Banfield, let me introduce you to Master Chief Petty Officer Tobias Court, my command master chief & master chief of administration.”

Outstretching her hand towards him, Banfield locked eyes with the other human man in her presence. “I hear congratulations are in order for your recent promotion, master chief?” 

Court appeared not to be pleased with Duncan as he had shot him a glance before he smirked at the woman and offered his hand back to her. “Thank you ma’am and welcome aboard the Odyssey. If I can do anything to assist you and your team,” He said, raising both eyebrows to the group of agents that were behind her (none of them in Starfleet uniforms but all wearing dark coloured clothing), “then I am here to assist.”

“I appreciate the gesture chief.” Banfield remained calm with Court and now ignored Duncan. She knew she had read that the two were involved romantically and both men had just adopted a pair of alien teenagers from the Delta Quadrant. She had wondered just how much of a mess she was walking into with the crew of the Odyssey. Turning her attention back to Captain McCallister she went on to introduce her team to them. 

Once this was all done, McCallister suggested they head up to the observation lounge on deck one where the rest of the senior staff and others who were involved in the temporal incursion were waiting to meet Banfield and her team. Showing further gratitude for his efficiency in allowing her team to get started with their work, she gracefully accepted the captain’s offer to guide her to their next destination. 

As they walked out of the transporter room, Banfield was impressed at the huge size of the corridor and the fact it was pretty busy. She had never stepped foot onto an Odyssey-class and she knew that this ship had been the prototype for this class of ship, as such she knew that it was one of the most sophisticated ships in the fleet. It was not like some of her previous assignments. Nodding to herself to show her approval, she carried on walking besides the captain. Noticing that Duncan, Court and her team had all fallen behind them as they made their way across towards the nearest turbolift, Banfield took a breath before breaking the silence with McCallister. 

“I’m sorry to hear your personal loss, sir.” Banfield said in a low tone. “I met Commander Reyas sometime ago at a symposium on Risa. She was leading a group discussion around a fascinating archeology dig she was a part of that was investigating some Kurlan ruins.”

“Thank you, commander.” McCallister replied. He didn’t look at her or reveal anything in his expression, instead he just tapped the button for the turbolift doors to open and he immediately marched into it. Calling for it to head up to deck one, he remained focussed on looking elsewhere as everyone got in. 

Moments later, McCallister led the group into the observation lounge where everyone was waiting for them. 

Once the door was sealed behind the last person, McCallister made the introductions and handed the short briefing over to Commander Banfield. 

“Thank you sir,” She said as she tried her best to avoid annoying him or his first officer any further. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for understanding the importance of these upcoming sessions. I must remind you all that everything you will go through, together with myself and my team, it must all remain confidential under the temporal prime directive.” She paused as she saw the captain’s sons sitting there. “I must remind you all that all Federation citizens, including those not in Starfleet, are bound by the law to follow the Department of Temporal Investigations rules during our investigations. Any breaches may become a criminal matter. Am I clear?”

Everyone in the room appeared to acknowledge her question before she carried on. 

“I can appreciate for some of you, you are in the dark about what has happened or what may happen.” She continued as she began to walk down the side of the room which had the sloping windows along it. Looking at each of them she explained how the whole process would work. “My team and I will begin by collecting all of the facts, this includes debriefing those of you who are aware of what has happened. We will follow this with more interviews with those of you who are aware of what may happen then after discussing the matter further with my team and placing recommendations to the regional director for DTI then further follow ups may happen. Until that time, I will say it again, you are not to discuss this with one another or others. However I do not want anyone to think that once we have concluded our business here that this becomes an open secret for all to be aware of. In most cases where there has been a temporal disturbance at this level, a majority of the information is classified for eternity.” She stopped pacing and reached the other end of the table and placed her hands on her hips. “Does anyone have any questions?”

Everyone looked at each other and most of them either shrugged their shoulders, said no or shook their heads. “Very good. Once my team and I are settled in then the first set of interviews and debriefs will start later on this afternoon.” She looked at Captain McCallister, who had opted to stand at the other end of the table. His son, the one who wore the uniform of an acting ensign, was sitting in the chair at the head of the table. McCallister appeared to have his right hand resting on the back of the chair as he listened to Banfield. She caught his attention. “Captain, do you have anything else to add?”

“I will reserve the right to sit in on the debriefings for my sons.” He told her firmly. 

Knowing the law and rules, she knew she couldn’t argue with that. Banfield just nodded in agreement. “We will need complete computer access to all logs and records from the incident.”

McCallister agreed to that and looked to his operations manager. “Lukiz, see to it.” He ordered the Trill commander.

“Already done, sir.” He answered, looking at the captain and then down at Banfield. “Your terminals in the quarters we’ve set up for you have been secured to allow you to do work from there. We’ve also had a set of offices and one of our conference rooms assigned to you. Deck eight, section forty-seven-alpha.”

“Thank you lieutenant commander.” Banfield responded with. She had become familiar with the senior staff of the Odyssey, so knew who was who even before the captain had introduced them. She looked at Lieutenant Commander Lenjir next. “I assume security for that section has been increased.”

“As per regulations, ma’am.” Lenjir confirmed. “Security teams are on guard nearby to stop anyone who is not authorised to enter the area.”

“Excellent.” Banfield said, sounding impressed. She looked over to Odyssey’s chief engineer. “I assume Commander Hunsen that with the ship in dry-dock repair teams won’t be required to walk through that area either?”

Hunsen turned his chair to face her and shook his head. “No, all maintenance and repairs for that section have either been completed or were not required.”

“Deck eight, section forty-seven-alpha, has been restricted to all crewmembers, except those now present in the room.” Duncan said, sounding a bit frustrated that she was checking up on his crew.

“I appreciate it, Commander Duncan, as this is a very sensitive matter that we need to get right.” Banfield shared before looking back to McCallister. “I believe, captain, that a former member of your crew,” She looked down at the PADD that she had placed on the table to check the name, “a one Cambil Bexa, will be collected to join us for this investigation?”

Nodding at that news, something that he had not shared with everyone else which resulted in most of the Odyssey crew looking at him with surprised expressions, McCallister updated her. “Yes, Bexa is my former first officer. She left Starfleet last year but Lieutenant Commander T’Rani will be taking a shuttle to rendezvous with her transport later on this evening so she is here sooner.”

“A member of my team will need to be present for that journey.” Banfield insisted.

T’Rani was about to protest but was shut down by the interruption from the captain. “As you wish.” He said before giving his pilot a stern look, telling her to be quiet. 

Banfield noted the sharp look between the captain and his pilot, instead of saying anything she took one more glance over her notes. “I will need access to one of your medical labs to review medical records too, especially with Doctor Slyvexs.”

Slyvexs spoke up. “I’ve already isolated one of our medical labs for your personal use, commander.”

“Thank you, doctor.” Banfield looked one more time at her notes and then back to the room. “I believe that is it for now.”

“Good,” McCallister said as he told everyone to leave the room except for Counsellor Horin. Duncan had given McCallister an expression of concern but McCallister just waved it off after telling his sons to wait for him in their shared quarters. 

Once the doors had closed it was just Horin, McCallister and Banfield left in the room. McCallister remained standing behind his chair while Horin had stayed in her seat. Banfield was at the other end of the table. 

“Commander, I want to make it quite clear to you right now that my crew has experienced a lot recently.” McCallister said in a protective but strong tone. “Counsellor Horin joined us only a few weeks ago to assist with that.”

“Yes I am quite aware of that.” Banfield said, as she squinted her eyes wondering where the captain was going with this.

Horin spoke up then. “Both the captain and I agree that the stress and trauma the previous mission and this recent incident has had on the crew is huge. Though we are not asking you to be lenient with your work, we do ask that-”

“That I am more conscious about the mental welfare of your officers, including your sons,” Banfield finished off with. “Is that what this is?” She asked, holding her hands out.

Horin’s shoulders lowered as she sensed the tension now forming between Banfield and her captain. She looked to the captain, offering support in a non-verbal way.

“I think that’s quite fair to ask.” McCallister said, remaining composed in his strong posture. “I know you have to look at all avenues here, commander, but Starfleet regulations and Federation law prohibits any investigation, including those led by DTI, to cause high levels of mental stress on those involved. All approaches to avoid such stresses must be taken. I will ensure that happens here, or I will speak not only to my boss but the regional DTI director too. Am I clear, commander?”

“Crystal.” Banfield answered. 

“Excellent.” McCallister looked at Horin and thanked her for her support before she got up and left the room. 

It was just McCallister and Banfield left in the room.

“Is there something else, sir?” She questioned. 

McCallister looked at her for a second without saying a word. “I consider myself a reasonable man, a fair commanding officer, someone who is always open to every possibility. In fact I would say I’m quite tolerable to most things that are thrown my way, but I want to say one more thing.” He paused as he took a breath, “that little stunt you pulled with me before we got in the turbolift to see how I’d react over the loss of my wife, don’t ever do that again. I will talk to you about my wife, her mission and what we know happened but don’t think you have the right to share your condolences with me. Are we clear, commander?”  

Standing up straight and realising she had perhaps pushed a bit too far, Banfield nodded once. “We are sir, I am sorry if I’ve caused any offence.”

“Don’t do it with my sons.” He firmly advised before leaving the room soon after.

Taking a breath once the door had closed behind him, Banfield wondered if she truly wanted to be here or preferred to be back teaching her cadets.   

“And that’s it?” Duncan checked as he scribbled his name on the final document before him.

Smiling and nodding in response, Principal Jinna-Chiva spoke up from behind her desk. “That’s it Commander Duncan, your two sons are now enrolled with our school.” The Grazerite woman collected the PADD from him after he finished adding his signature. “If they’re ready to go, then Miss Gelhem can take them along to their tutor group session.” She indicated to the Coridanite woman who stood beside her smirked.

Duncan looked to Court, who was also smirking, before turning his focus to both boys. “You guys ready?”

Jorgeh and Wylem just acknowledged with a simple shrug from one and a nod from the other. They were somewhat nervous but on the other hand were eager (on some level) to make friends with others. Counsellor Horin had encouraged it after the Century Storm mission. She believed it would help them begin to come to terms with their new lives with Duncan and Court.

“We’ll take that as a yes.” Principal Jinna-Chiv said with a slight chuckle. She looked at the two young men who were now her students. “Both of you have nothing to worry about, Miss Gelhem is one of my finest teachers here and she will look after you.”

“Gentlemen, shall we make our way?” Miss Gelham indicated with her left hand to make their departure from the principal’s office and towards their classroom.

Both boys got up and said their goodbyes to their dads with a brief hug.

Court looked at them and ruffled up Jorgeh’s hair. “We’ll be here at the end of the day. Enjoy!”

Waving their dads off in an attempt to remain calm and composed (or cool in their heads), Jorgeh and Wylem followed their teacher out and down the corridor.

Duncan and Court returned their focus back to the principal. “Thank you Principal Chiva. We appreciate your support and understanding of how delicate this whole situation is.” Court stated.

Raising her hands to show them it was no issue, she carried on being positive in her response. “I promise Chief, I’ve experienced a lot of things with young people over the years. Jorgeh and Wylem will fit in well but they need time.”

“Don’t we all?” Duncan agreed before he shook her hand and indicated for Court to make their exit. “Thanks, again.”

Leaving the principal’s office, Duncan and Court exited the area on the ship assigned to the school. It was a huge area, though the children and young people on the Odyssey were small in number, the entire school complex had areas for daycare, a nursery, a primary school and a secondary school. Principal Chiva ran the entire school and was an accomplished educator herself. She was known to be a strong community leader among the civilian population and was liked by all of the parents on board the ship. Her wife assisted her in being the school’s administrator and the two of them had a daughter who was attending the school too.

Making their way towards the nearest turbolift, holding hands, Duncan and Court sighed at almost the same time as they entered the cart. Both chuckled at how silly they both were being. “Seriously, what has got into us?” Duncan questioned.

“Right?” Court agreed. “I mean the boys are both great kids. They’ll be fine. Won’t they?”

“Yeah.” Duncan said tentatively and then repeated himself being more confident. “Yeah, they will.”

“At least Theo, Henri and Alfie will be in their classes too.” Court added. “They won’t have any strangers who won’t talk to them.”

“That’s if the boys want to open up to them, with what happened to Alfie earlier, I’m surprised that the captain let him go to school today.” Duncan responded.

“Alfie can be stubborn, he gets that from his father.” Court stated. “He obviously needs to feel some normality.”

“Don’t we all?” Duncan asked for the second time that day, just as their turbolift arrived on deck one. The doors parted to show them the bridge and both men walked out after letting go.

Sitting in the captain’s chair was Doctor Slyvexs, she was just signing something off for an ensign on a PADD before she noticed the turbolift doors behind her opening.

“How did the first day at school go?” Slyvexs asked the couple as they walked out.

“It’s only just begun, a full report will be ready by the end of the day.” Court answered back with.

The three of them all laughed lightly. “It’s great to hear that Jorgeh and Wylem are starting to get more normality in their lives. You both are doing a grand job.” She assured them.

Appreciating the remark, the pair of men smiled at her and at each other for what they were achieving with their adopted sons.

“So are you getting comfortable, Doctor?” Duncan asked her, still with a friendly smile as he looked at the centre chair before he took his own.

Rubbing both arms, Slyvexs got the hint but didn’t get up yet. “It’s pretty snug, if I’m honest with you and the view isn’t too bad.”

“Where’s the captain?” Court inquired.

Indicating with her eyes and an incline of her head in the direction of his ready room, Slyvexs answered. “He dropped off Alfie at school before he went in there. About ten minutes ago, Commander Banfield arrived and I’ve not seen anything since.”

Considering the situation, Duncan wondered if he should go in there.

“Don’t do it Max.” Court advised quietly.

Duncan looked at his partner, “I beg your pardon?”

Court lowered down to whisper in his ear. “I know that look, you’re thinking about going in there and interrupting the meeting to make sure he is okay with her.”

“Do you blame me for considering it?” Duncan returned.

“You should listen to your husband,” Slyvexs said as she eventually rose from the chair. “He has a point.”

“He’s not my husband.” Duncan replied back swiftly at the Denobulan, before realising the tone he had taken with his response and looked at Court. “I don’t mean it like that.”

Court just rolled his eyes and made his way over to Mission Ops, with a wave of his hand telling Duncan he was fine.

Duncan looked over to Slyvexs who was just about to enter the turbolift. “Are you sure, I shouldn’t just check-in?”

As she got into the lift she crossed her arms and shook her head. “Absolutely not.” She said before ordering the lift to take her to sickbay. “You have the bridge, Number One.” She replied with a smirk and a cheeky wink just as the doors closed behind her.

Sighing, Duncan ignored the saucy remark from Slyvexs and looked at the door leading to the ready room. He only wished he had either Tremt or Louwanna up here to see if they could sense what was happening in there.

Sipping from her raktajino, Commander Banfield was pleased the beverage was still warm. “Interesting,” She said as she typed some notes on her PADD based on what Captain McCallister was telling her. “So from the data you were supplied with from the future versions of Commander Duncan and Lieutenant Tomaz, these modifications for Odyssey seem unusual but necessary?”

“Unusual yes, from what Admiral Duncan and Captain Tomaz explained to Lukiz and I, they’re Borg-inspired technology that the Department of Temporal Investigations installed.” McCallister replied before drinking from his own mug of tea. “And necessary, yes I suppose if we are to believe that their installation will help deal with the whole temporal episode we’ve just gone through.”

The two of them were sitting in the more informal area of the captain’s ready room. She was in one of the arm chairs while he took a centred position on the huge sofa that curved undered the sloped windows.

“Yes, my team have already tested several of the bio-neural gel packs on the ship and have confirmed the presence of this anti-chroniton serum.” Banfield stated. “It would appear that what you and your teams did has evidence to back up that you did travel back in time.”

“I’m glad we weren’t going mad.” McCallister said in a sarcastic and honest tone.

Sniggering, Banfield liked the captain’s wit. Placing a finger over her smile, she leaned her head to one side. “Your doctor also tells me that the serum is still in your blood work, as much as it is in the others you injected.”

“Apparently it’s a permanent thing.” McCallister said as he placed his mug on his lap. “I hope that doesn’t make more paperwork for D-T-I.”

She shook her head twice, “No, but I’d imagine it may protect you from any more future changes in the timeline. That could cause more paperwork for you, captain.”

“Touché, commander.” McCallister said prior to taking more of his tea. “So will those conduits be installed?”

Shrugging her shoulders, Banfield took the last gulp from her drink before placing her empty mug down on the circular table before her. “I’m afraid I can’t know for certain, sir. That will be up to the regional director to decide, even so it might have to come from the Secretary of the department.”

“Oh I bet bureaucracy in the D-T-I isn’t as slow as it can be in Starfleet. I’m sure they don’t have the time.” McCallister replied.

Shaking her head at his next jovial remark, Banfield just smirked. “It can be interesting, sir.” She eventually said. “I’d like to discuss more about this temporal observatory that you and Lieutenant Commander Jen, used as a mission base. The plans that Admiral Duncan and Captain Tomaz provided are pretty sophisticated. Did they let on where some of this technology comes from?”

“Again, most of it was Borg-inspired but they also mentioned Krenim involvement.” McCallister replied. “I got the impression that the alternate future they came from the Krenim somehow are either allies or even members of the Federation. The chief medical officer of the Odyssey in their timeframe was a Krenim and held a Starfleet commission. Duncan indicated that I had something to do with that.”

“Was there any specifics?” Banfield questioned as she carried on writing.

“Nothing as detailed but one of the timeframes had a diplomatic reception for a summit for some natives of the Delta Quadrant.” McCallister remarked.

“Do you know who was in attendance?” Banfield wondered aloud. “I mean, the races at this summit?”

“All I know is that the Krenim were there.” McCallister answered, “But I’m to brief Horin and Samris that they will be there and should await for the arrival of Admiral Duncan and Captain Tomaz to turn up.”

“Yes, that’s an interesting point you raise as in both your report and Lieutenant Commander Jen’s one, you both state that Counsellor Horin was not to receive the serum but she was present in your confrontation with the Hunters of D’Ghor. How was that possible?” Banfield checked.

Scratching his beard, McCallister recalled the situation they were in. “We knew that taking back engineering from the Hunters would require a lot of us, so the plan had been to limit Horin’s dosage compared to the rest of us. Her one was able to be retracted from her system before we activated the field to reset the ship.”

“Interesting.” Banfield said as she added that to her notes. “Your interactions with your past timeframes, I want to know more about your interaction with Commander Zack Hawkins. I want to know, did you tell him about his death?”

“No.”

“Honestly?”

“Honestly.” McCallister stated firmly. “Seeing Zack again brought back some old feelings, I’d admit that, but I knew the temporal prime directive was important. He never knew what his fate was.”

“Good, because he said the same thing.” Banfield responded.

Leaning forward, McCallister was confused by that statement. “What?” He stuttered out first. “What do you mean?”

“You honestly thought that D-T-I wasn’t aware of this paradox from happening before it happened?” Banfield quizzed the captain. “Remember captain, it is every Starfleet officer’s duty to report any temporal phenomena they encounter to the department. After that mission where you rescued the Romulan refugees, Commander Hawkins met with agents while you thought he was on a brief vacation. Everything you’ve said in your reports and what you just shared were backed up by his own words.”

Smiling at hearing that even in the past that Hawkins had his back, McCallister appreciated the sentiment of it all. “Zack was a fine first officer and an excellent captain.”

“From the recording he made, he was certainly a fan of yours, sir.” Banfield said. “Which leads me on to Commander Hawkins’ successor, Commander Cambil.”

“She’s on her way, Commander T’Rani left to get as discussed.” McCallister said, assuring him.

“Oh I know,” Banfield confirmed, “she, like Hawkins, also reported the paradox but what I need to know is did you reveal to her more about the future and what was happening in that timeframe?”

“What do you mean, commander?” McCallister asked.

“I’m afraid my clearance isn’t high enough to know what this means, but a request from Admiral Bennet and my director is to ask you, did you share any knowledge about a certain directive that you were under at that time?”

Omega, McCallister thought. Annoyed that such a thing was asked in such a roundabout way, McCallister shook his head. “No, nothing classified was revealed to her.” Seeing as Banfield had no idea what he was going on about, he wondered just how much her superiors knew about the Omega Directive.

“Tell me what you did discuss?” Banfield asked. “Because it was only last year on her return to the Alpha Quadrant did Commander Cambil inform the department about it.”

“It was about our relationship.” McCallister truthfully shared. “The timeframe that Lukiz and I entered was just at the point after Bexa had resigned from Starfleet and from being my first officer.”

“That must have been difficult.” Banfield remarked. “Please go on.”

“It was,” McCallister admitted. “I never thought I’d have to go through that again. I mean after Zack left the ship, Bexa and I got on well like a house on fire. We had the best partnership, one of the best in fact.”

“You two were close?” Banfield asked.

“We were.” McCallister nodded. “My sons were best friends with hers. She and Karyn got on well as much as I did with her husband, Naprem. We lost a lot when she left the ship but in that moment and during this whole paradox, somehow we were able to rebuild what we both destroyed.”

“And some say time travel is a dangerous thing!” Banfield stated. “Do you mind if I get another mug, sir?” She asked, indicating towards the replicator.

“Please, be my guest.” He gestured towards the replicator. “What do you mean by that saying?”

As she approached the replicator, she asked if he wanted another mug of tea which he nodded before she replied to his question. “As you’ve probably seen from my own personnel file, I have a spot in my record that does not quite make sense and is classified by D-T-I.”

“I won’t lie, I did see it.” McCallister said as she gave him his next mug of tea.

“Let’s just say I’ve seen the pros and cons of time travel and for me it did change my life.” Banfield shared as she returned to her chair and placed her new mug on the table before picking up her PADD. “When Commander Cambil arrives, I’d like to interview her first and then do a follow-up with you both, if that’s okay?”

“By all means.” McCallister agreed as he took a sip from his tea. He started to think that perhaps Banfield wasn’t too bad after all. She appeared to be thorough and civil and he was certainly intrigued by that gap in her record.

What time travelling shenanigans had she been up to?

Before he could find out more, the intercom went off. “Counsellor Samris to Captain McCallister.” 

Sitting up straight, he tapped his combadge. “Go ahead, counsellor.”

“Sorry to interrupt, sir but you’re needed in sickbay. Henri and Theo have got into a fight.” Samris shared.

“What? Who with?” He questioned as he stood up.

“Each other, sir.” Samris said after a beat.

Not believing what he heard, McCallister shook his head in anger and frustration. Ending his interview with Banfield, he stormed out of his ready room and went straight to the turbolift.

“Everything okay, sir?” Duncan asked from where he was by Mission Ops, the moment he saw McCallister marching quickly across the room.

“Absolutely bloody fine.” McCallister replied as he got onto a turbolift at the same time Banfield exited the ready room.

Duncan turned to look at her, Court was by his side. Both men eyed her up.

“What happened?” Duncan called out towards her.

“Something to do with his two sons fighting and are now in sickbay.” She said, indicating where the captain was previously standing.

Realising now why the captain was in a mood, Court was already out of his chair before Duncan had to say anything else. “I’m on my way.”

Duncan returned to the centre seat and looked at Banfield. “Even in dry-dock, there’s drama on this ship, commander.” He shared.

“I’m starting to realise that.” The Human-Klingon woman said. “Please pass on my gratitude to the captain for the time he gave me this morning, tell him when he is ready I’d be happy to reconvene with him.”

Duncan just nodded in acknowledgement.

Looking at her PADD and then back at Duncan, Banfield carried on with comments. “Now that I’ve got some free time, I suppose I could talk to others. Perhaps Commander Hunsen?”

“He’ll be in engineering.” Duncan stated.

“Please tell him to meet me in my office.” Banfield said in a stern voice as she walked across the bridge to the same turbolift.

While her back was turned to him, Duncan mocked her with a simple salute before he called down to Hunsen. He wondered if he would ever get the delight of getting to know her anymore.

Huffing, puffing and sighing heavily, Commander Tremt Hunsen couldn’t believe how much work was being done to the Odyssey. Her trip through the Paulson Nebula had aggravated the already damaged systems she had from their hasty return from the Delta Quadrant. His engineers were finding faults and problems in almost every system.

Rubbing his forehead, he wondered what he needed to do so he could get the ship back up and operational. Back to her old self. Standing in engineering on the upper level, he had asked for some private time with the rest of his engineers to try and work out the solution. The upper levels of the ship’s main engineering had several separate sections to them and one was solely designated as a work area for the chief engineer. Though he had his own private office, this space had a large MSD on one screen while in the centre an interactive command ‘pool’ station allowed for the use of holograms to assist the chief engineer in whatever project they were undertaking. Right now Hunsen had a holographic diagram of the ship showing the different systems that had major faults in them. They were in red while those in orange had minor faults in them. There was barely any green to show what systems were working properly.

Walking around on the catwalk structure that connected the upper level and approaching him was Lieutenant Commander Jen. “Never fear Lukiz is here!” He announced his arrival as he jogged a bit down the small steps into the commander’s work area. Noticing the floating schematic, Jen pulled a shocked look. “Ouch, that doesn’t look good.”

Hunsen nodded in agreement as he looked at the operations officer. “Yeah, tell me about it. I conducted a shipwide level one diagnostic on everything.”

“How come?” Jen asked, hearing such a thing to take place was rare, especially on the Odyssey.

“The repair teams kept on encountering so many issues with anything they touched their hands on to repair, it was easier to work out what the actual issue was.” Hunsen replied as he pointed at the hologram. “Instead I found multiple issues and each one of them is as complex as the next. I could do with your help Lukiz. It’s like a mind-maze and my mind isn’t up for working where to start at the moment.”

“Well two heads are better than one but as you say,” Jen said examining the results of the diagnostic. “This is a lot. I mean where do we even start?”

“The moment you pick one issue, it’s like a thread and several more get unravelled.” Hunsen explained.

“Okay, okay.” Jen said, speaking to himself as he considered the problem before them. Rubbing his chin as he looked at the various systems that were damaged and how they were interconnected, he was hoping he could see a pattern or a starting point but he couldn’t. He understood why Hunsen had called for him. “This is tough.”

“I’m glad I was going mad.” Hunsen replied as he looked at the Trill. “How’s your debriefing with D-T-I go?”

Jen looked up, “I’ve not had it yet and to be honest I’d prefer to focus on starship mechanics instead of temporal mechanics right now.” Pausing to think, Jen returned his gaze back to the hologram. “There really isn’t anywhere that looks like it could do with being a priority or even a pattern to show if the damage sustained has affected similar systems.” He looked at Hunsen, “I hate to admit it but for the first time in a long time, I think we need to send teams out and have them begin work on primary systems and while they’re there if they encounter a problem with a secondary one or any other system they need to repair it as well.”

Sighing heavily again, Hunsen hated Jen’s idea. “I had a feeling you were going to say that. It’s such an inefficient use of our time though Lukiz.”

“I agree but we can’t have all of these malfunctions keep on cropping up. At this rate if we don’t start work on repairs then we’ll be dependent on the dry-dock a lot longer than we need to be.” Jen stated.

“Again, you’ve come to the same conclusions as I had earlier.” Hunsen muttered before changing his mood slightly. “Thanks for coming down to have a look, Lukiz. I do appreciate it.”

“Anytime,” Jen replied, “let me stay and offer a hand in organising teams and see if could prioritise what is the most urgent repairs and go from there.”

Hunsen didn’t have a chance to say anything when a call came in for him from the bridge. “Duncan to Hunsen, report to the office of Commander Banfield on the double.”

Sighing at hearing that order from the first officer, Hunsen exhaled once again. Tapping his combadge he replied, “Hunsen here, sir we are just in the process of organising an updated repair schedule. Can the commander give me an hour, just so I can get this done please?”

“I’m afraid not, Tremt.” Duncan replied over the intercom. “On the double means exactly that. Good luck!” 

Confused by that last statement, Hunsen acknowledged his new orders and tapped his badge.

“Don’t worry,” Jen said, “I’ll get this all sorted and get people going. Plus if you go now you’re doing me a favour in delaying my debrief.”

“So does that mean you owe me?” Hunsen checked with a smirk.

“I think we’re even if I’m doing this work for you.” Jen replied as he gestured towards the console around them.

“Agreed, but let’s get a drink later once repairs are underway.” Hunsen said as he started to make his way out of his work area.

“First round is on you.” Jen answered back as he watched the chief engineer make his way out of this situation and off to meet their DTI lead investigator.

“Thank you for coming to see me so swiftly.” Banfield remarked after she gestured for Hunsen to take a seat from the many armchairs that were available to choose from. The office she had been given to conduct her interviews and investigation from was normally reserved for high-ranking admirals, diplomats or VIPs. No-one was using them and it was an area of the ship that, as Hunsen had already reported, was not in need of any repairs or maintenance.

“It’s not a problem commander,” Hunsen said as he smoothed out his jacket and took one of the chairs she had offered. “Though I am surprised, especially as I’ve already met with D-T-I over eleven years ago about this incident.”

Banfield nodded in confirmation. “I know that Tremt,” She paused as she took her seat, “can I call you Tremt?”

Hunsen just nodded as he pulled his right foot up and placed his ankle on top of his left knee as he got comfortable.

“It’s just now that the paradox has taken place, I wanted to follow up with a couple of things.” Banfield explained.

Sensing there was more she wanted to explore, Hunsen squinted his eyes at her for a brief second before agreeing to discuss the matter further. He couldn’t quite workout where Banfield was going or what her motives were. For someone with Klingon heritage, she had a strong sense of serenity around her. It was most unusual, as he had only encountered Klingons who were quite active with their emotions and feelings. Not many of them were reserved. He felt like he was sensing a Romulan more than a half-Klingon.

Picking up a PADD and a mug of hot raktajino from the coffee table that sat between them, Banfield looked at her notes while she sipped on her beverage. “In your initial interview with the department, you explained that you could sense originally that the alternate future version of Max Duncan and Tomaz were concealing their true identities and intentions,” She looked at him, “can you tell me more about that?”

Still baffled that she wanted more, though he had been quite thorough and detailed when he was debriefed over eleven years ago, Hunsen sighed and tried to recall what he remembered. “I’m sure you’ve worked with Betazoids before, so you know that we have a natural talent of being able to tell when someone is hiding something. My mother said my people are the perfect lie detectors as when both our empathic and telepathic abilities combine we can almost read people like a book.”

“But aren’t Betazoids meant to seek permission first before reading someone’s mind?” Banfield questioned.

“We are, it is a custom, however our empathic abilities are quite powerful in sensing emotions. It’s like your smell, it happens naturally and you can’t always prevent it.” Hunsen answered. “So, back to your original question, as I knew Max quite well I knew how to sense his emotions. Max has allowed me to read his mind before, so I knew it wasn’t the real him.”

“And what about Tomaz? You had yet to meet him at that point in time?” Banfield probed.

“True, but like most humanoids, Barzans and to use a human idiom here, they wear their hearts on their sleeves. Tomaz was very easy to sense.” Hunsen said.

“Yes, you said that in your original interview.” Banfield stated before raising her PADD up and staring at its contents. “After you excused yourself from Fleet Admiral Duncan and you discovered their true identities, you proceeded to assist them with the modifications. Why?”

“Why not?” Hunsen answered back.

“You’re telling me that if you encountered a future version of a colleague you had only known for two years you would just go along with their explanation, especially when a high ranking superior was standing around the corner from you?” Banfield checked, her left eyebrow rose and made her look more like a Vulcan.

“As I said earlier, Betazoids are good lie detectors.” Hunsen started to answer but was stopped before he could continue by Banfield.

Raising her hand after placing the PADD in her lap, Banfield became a bit agitated with that response. “That’s quite a casual attitude to have, commander.”

“It’s not.” Hunsen said as he now sat up straight to defend himself. “Max and I became quite close friends during our first two years on the Odyssey, we had survived a month together stuck in a Romulan labour camp. He kept me alive and for that I trust him explicitly.”

Peering down at the PADD and back up, Banfield had remembered reading that in Hunsen’s file. “Yes, during a mission to help Romulan refugees along the neutral zone your shuttlecraft had been captured by a Romulan warlord. He tortured you before Odyssey was able to rescue you both.”

“That’s right.”

“So a sense of strong loyalty exists between you and Commander Duncan?” Banfield asked.

Hunsen was now close to losing it with her, as he couldn’t work out what she had against him and Max. “It does, but that’s to be expected when a crew like the Odyssey has known one another for a long time.”

“Indeed.” She placed her drink down and went back to her questions. “I want to know what your thoughts are around the fact that in the paradox, you died trying to save the ship.”

Hunsen inhaled deeply. “I wasn’t aware of that.” He replied.

“I believe you are, as I have a visual log entry here of Counsellor Horin hugging you tightly shortly after Captain McCallister and Commander Jen activated the chroniton field.” She tapped a few buttons and showed the visual log entry from engineering where Horin had entered and just as the ship went to red alert, Horin remained by his side as he quickly worked. However, the moment the ship’s warp core was powered down and the captain spoke over to Hunsen over the intercom, both of them looked at one another deeply. Horin then proceeded to hug Hunsen for a long time. They then finished their embrace, a tear was on Horin’s cheek and they looked at one another deeply.

“From what I’m aware of Commander Hunsen, Commander Horin is your former Imzadi. That’s a bond from what I know is a close one for Betazoids. Are you telling me truthfully here that you two in that moment didn’t sense something for you both to hug one another?” Banfield asked. “Do you really think I am naive not to know how close the crew of the Odyssey are? I know you probably sensed something from the captain and the way he spoke. I know good Betazoids can hear people’s thoughts from a distance. I believe you read the captain’s thoughts at that moment and even by human standards, I could hear he sounded relieved to hear you.” She leant forward. “Now answer me again commander, did you know?”

“Yes.” Hunsen answered straight away. “Horin and I both sensed it from the captain and Lukiz.”

“Thank you.” Banfield said, sounding almost pleased with herself as she relaxed back in her chair. “We are finished here.” She remarked.

“I don’t want to hear it from either of you right now.” McCallister bellowed at his two sons the moment they entered their quarters. “I cannot believe what you have done today! What a total embarrassment for not just you both but for me too! Being the captain’s sons comes with some expectations, that’s being something I’ve said since day dot!”

“It’s not our fault!” Theo almost screamed back as he flew his hands up in the air in defence.

In disbelief at what he was hearing, McCallister looked at his son as he attempted to hold back from losing all control with him. “Are you kidding me, Theo?”

“Theo has a point dad!” Henri leapt to his brother’s defence.

McCallister looked at both of them. Only moments ago in sickbay they had been treated for busted lips, bruised eyes and a couple of cracked ribs for their punch up. The only signs of their altercation with one another was Theo’s ripped shirt and a few blood stains on Henri’s top. “I wish I had told Slyvexs to leave you both in your injured state. Perhaps that may have made more sense. How is none of this your fault? Answer me that now!” McCallister demanded from them.

Both of them stood before their father, almost shoulder to shoulder, huffing and puffing as they took his words in. 

Theo instantly crossed his arms against his chest. “It’s Alfie’s fault!” He blurted out. 

“What?!” McCallister responded back straight away. “How is this Alfie’s fault? He wasn’t in class with either of you!”

“Exactly! He’s become all best friends with that Jorgeh guy and we both realised who he was.” Henri answered.

Confused still by their explanations, McCallister had no-idea what or where their logic was coming from. He gestured for them both to carry on talking as he placed his hands on his hips. 

“Jorgeh was being all pompous about how he saved Alfie’s life this morning with Miss Gelhem.” Theo stated, “we both then realised we recognised his voice.”

“He was the guy who was with future Alfie in the past who saved us from the Robozombies when the Captain Proton holo-novel took over the ship.” Henri added. “We then started to discuss it and Miss Gelhem told us off for interrupting her.”

“I still don’t get how this is Alfie’s fault?” McCallister said.

“Well he told us not to say anything until now.” Henri replied. “Well future Alfie did.”

“We then started to argue with one another about what had happened and then we argued about how we didn’t notice about what happened to Alfie this morning until it was too late.” Theo added, squirming somewhat. 

Rubbing his temple at how both of his sons had got to this point. “So let me get this straight, you both started to argue with each other because you realised what was going on, who Jorgeh was in relation to your involvement with this paradox we’ve just ended and then you were annoyed for not being there for Alfie this morning? So what, did you throw insults at one another to start punching one another?”

“Yeah, I also said it was Theo’s fault that he hadn’t bothered with Alfie as he was obsessed with hanging out with Duke all the time.” Henri admitted. 

“And I blamed Henri for getting Alfie on board with wanting to get fit and doing all of this morning running so he was ready for the academy.” Theo shared, loosely. 

McCallister rolled his eyes as he walked over to one of the arm chairs in the living area. “Fellas, do you hear yourselves and how ridiculous all of that sounds?” He said as both of them followed him over and sat down opposite to him on the corner sofa. 

Both of them looked at one another and nodded reluctantly. 

“I’m sorry Theo.” Henri said looking at his brother.

“Likewise H.” Theo replied as he gave Henri a hug. “I’m sorry for spending too much time with Duke and not with you or Alf.”

“And I’m sorry for not being bothered about either of you unless we were working out together.” Henri replied as he carried on hugging his brother.

Shaking his head at the drama that they both had just shared, McCallister knew there was more to this than they were sharing. “Is there more to this then either of you want to admit?”

“Like what?” Theo asked after he let go of his brother.

Sighing, McCallister answered him. “Like losing your mother.”

Both boys looked at one another again and back to their father. They didn’t say anything but both teenagers had the same expression on their faces that showed their father he was spot on.

Getting up and making his way over to them, McCallister plodded himself in between his son. “I get it, I do fellas but you both need to talk about this. We’ve got to stick together through this.”

“It just sucks dad.” Theo confessed.

“I miss her.” Henri disclosed as he looked at his father’s with tears almost welling up under his eyes. “A lot.” He then wiped the tears away with the back of his right hand.

“Likewise.” McCallister agreed, his heart breaking somewhat at seeing his sons still struggling with the loss of Karyn. “That said, she wouldn’t have appreciated either of you fighting with one another like that.”

“Agreed.” Theo and Henri said in unison which brought a slight smile to them both.

“You need to make this right with your teacher and with Jorgeh.” McCallister said looking at them both. “Jorgeh doesn’t know about his alternative future self travelling back in time with future Alfie to save both of you from Robozombies. Plus we were lucky he was in the right place at the right time this morning for Alf.” 

Again they both agreed with their father. 

“I suppose out of us three, Alfie has been the most welcoming to him and his brother.” Henri acknowledged with some reluctance.

“Bloody Alf, being so perfect.” Theo mockingly said. “Plus I suppose Jorgeh and Wylem have gone through a significant change with everything that happened with the Quirennal. Uncle Tobias was there for us when we were younger when you were off on the Avenger. I suppose we owe him in being better godsons.”

“And I’m sure a certain godfather of yours would be happy for you all to become friends.” McCallister suggested. 

“We’ll make an effort dad.” Theo promised.

“Not just for Uncle Tobie, but for you and mom as well.” Henri added.

“Agreed.” Theo said.

“Thanks guys.” McCallister said before he pulled them both into a hug under each of his arms. “Now, you both need to get changed and get out of your ripped and bloody clothes then get yourselves back to school so I can finish off my shift. I’ll see you both for dinner with Alf.”

“Sounds good dad.” Henri said before he and Theo got up to go to their rooms to get changed. 

Before he had a chance to stand up the main door opened up and stepping through wearing a brand new crisp red cadet’s uniform was his other son. As the doors closed behind him, Alfie looked up and saw his dad. Straight away he smiled at him before automatically standing to attention. “Cadet Alfie McCallister-Reyas reporting for duty, sir.” Popping that last word with a strong formal tone, Alfie looked and sounded different. He had changed his hair somewhat, it was a bit flatter than normal and his uniform hugged tightly around his body. 

A wave of pride engulfed McCallister in that moment as he looked at how smart and amazing his son looked wearing the uniform. It was nothing like the acting ensign one he had worn recently. Instantaneously, as he rose, McCallister smiled at Alfie. “At ease cadet.” He ordered in his ‘captain’ tone before he walked over towards Alfie. “I take it then your application for Starfleet Academy has been accepted? I didn’t know you were getting your results back so soon?”

Alfie nodded with a big huge grin on his face. “I got called in to Principal Jinna-Chiva’s office before Theo and Henri’s bust up and she shared the good news. An officer from the Mellstoxx campus had visited and said I was in, they were impressed with my school grades and everything else and wanted me to do the entrance exam in the next two days. I signed my submission to join properly there and then! I’ve got so much studying to finish doing.”

Surprised to see how quickly things had progressed for Alfie, McCallister gave him a big hug but deep down there was something else that was scratching at his thoughts. He had never known Starfleet Academy to accept a new cadet so quickly, for anyone from the academy to visit a potential cadet so soon before they took the entrance exam and to allow them to wear a cadet’s uniform.

It then dawned on him what was happening and Captain McCallister had to suppress his worst fears, instead he had to show Alfie how proud he was of this moment. Deep down though he knew that someone had insisted on fast-tracking Alfie’s application so that he fell under the same rules, regulations and protocols as his father. 

And he knew exactly who that woman was. 

As soon as the transporter beam finished materialising Cambil Bexa into existence, T’Rani greeted her former superior and mentor with the Vulcan salute. “It is agreeable to see you again, Com-.” T’Rani paused as she saw the extra fourth pip on Cambil’s neck. “Captain Cambil.”

Flashing a smile at the pilot, Cambil returned the welcome with T’Rani’s native gesture. “It’s good to see you too T’Rani.”

Raising her eyebrows in surprise of Cambil’s promotion, T’Rani congratulated her. “I was informed you had left Starfleet, ma’am.”

“I had,” Cambil said in what sounded like an annoyed tone, “and it’s a long story but the reserve activation clause has something to do with it, along with this damn paradox.” She paused as she noticed the other person with T’Rani. Looking at the man before her, Cambil looked at him. “Agent Hugo Styles, I wasn’t expecting the pleasure so soon.”

“Captain Cambil, the pleasure is all mine.” The man said with a wry smile as he extended his hand to greet her. Styles was a human man in his early thirties, was of average size and had short curly brown hair. He wore a simple civilian outfit: a cream coloured turtleneck top, a grey and black waistcoat and black trousers. 

Looking at T’Rani, Cambil sighed. “Let me guess he’s our babysitter?”

T’Rani didn’t get a chance to answer as Styles spoke up. “Consider me your chaperon. I’m just here to ensure neither of you discuss the paradox any further.”

“I apologise captain, but I did not know you knew Agent Styles.” T’Rani expressed. 

Smirking at her former student, Cambil waved the issue away with a simple gesture.  “It’s not a problem, T’Rani. Agent Styles and I go way back.”

“I assume then Agent Styles debriefed you after your encounter with the captain in the past then?” T’Rani asked. 

Styles answered for Cambil. “The temporal prime directive and its forty-seven suborders prevents the captain from confirming that with you, lieutenant commander.”

Cambil rolled her eyes and looked around at the runabout she had beamed upon. “I see that the Arsenal  is still in good condition.” She indicated to her bags, “am I allowed to place my bags in the aft compartment or will that break one of the forty-seven suborders of the temporal prime directive or the actual prime directive?” She looked at Styles. 

The agent just nodded with permission and returned to his chair in the cockpit.

“I will assist you.” T’Rani said as she picked up one of Cambil’s bags.

Walking past the small science and medical lab behind the two-person transporter platform, both womens headed to the aft compartment where the long row of bunk beds were located. Picking one, Cambil threw her belongings onto one of the bottom ones and thanked T’Rani for her help. “How’s Captain McCallister?”

“He is healthy.” T’Rani answered flatly. 

Sighing at that response, Cambil looked at T’Rani. “I meant since Karyn was…” she paused as she considered her words. “…lost.”

“Commander Reyas’ status was set to being killed in the line of duty, ma’am. She is dead.” T’Rani corrected her superior. She paused before carrying on. “The captain, though, continues to mourn her loss, as does the rest of the crew.”

“That’s understandable.” Cambil said, pleased to hear that T’Rani was in tune with her crewmates. “It’d be good to see them all again.”

“The crew will be pleased to see you as well, ma’am.” T’Rani said. “I should return to the cockpit to avoid Agent Styles believing we are discussing the paradox.”

“I’d join you shortly, once I’ve settled in.” Cambil remarked as she nodded for T’Rani to head back to the controls of the runabout. 

Almost a quarter of an hour later and Cambil entered the cockpit and looked around to see T’Rani sat in the main seat while Styles was at one of the aft consoles reading a PADD he kept close to him. Shaking her head to herself, without him seeing, Cambil had decided a few months ago that DTI Agents were frustrating to deal with. Making her way over to the co-pilot chair, she pulled it out and sat down.

“What’s our speed and ETA?” Cambil asked T’Rani. 

“Currently at warp eight and we will return to the Mellstoxx system in one point five hours.” T’Rani announced from her controls.

“Great.” Cambil said, almost sounding sarcastic. She wasn’t keen on having to take a long trip but her journey from her new home had been long and was one she had been on for a few days now after DTI had got in touch with her. She looked at T’Rani. “So tell me, how’s the rest of the trio? You still keep Lukiz and Cline in line?”

T’Rani nodded her head. “Indeed, though both of them do not need counsel as much as they did when we were all ensigns.”

“Good times.” Cambil returned. “And what about you T’Rani, how are things for you?”

“Well, thank you.” T’Rani answered. Deciding to ignore their guest, she carried on being quite open and forthright with the captain. “I am currently engaged in a romantic and sexual relationship with Lieutenant Samris.”

Cambil smirked at how blunt and honest T’Rani would be with her, but that had always been their relationship. The two of them had always shared everything with one another and T’Rani had come to Cambil after the death of her husband during the Archanis Campaign. “I thought you were seeing him for counselling?”

“I was, but our relationship developed further.” T’Rani remarked. 

At that point Styles had looked over the top of his PADD at the top women and then quietly returned to his reading.

“Well I am pleased for you, T’Rani. I always liked Samris. I assume he took over from Max as chief counsellor?” Cambil enquired as she rested back into the chair further.

“Briefly, but our encounter with the Quirennal changed that for him upon our return to the Beta Quadrant.” T’Rani replied. “Due to what happened and the trauma suffered by the crew, Admiral Bennet assigned a new, more experienced counsellor to fulfil that role. Samris returned to his previous role as Senior Assistant Chief Counsellor.”

“That’s a shame, for Samris.” Cambil commented. “Who’s the new chief counsellor then? Anyone I know?”

“I do not believe you know her, but she is a former love interest of Commanders Duncan and Hunsen.” T’Rani replied. “Her name is Commander Louiwanna Horin.”

“Max and Tremt sharing a love interest? What’s the possibility of that happening?” Cambil said with a slight surprise. Before T’Rani replied with the actual maths of the chance of the two commander’s sharing an interest in the same person, Cambil continued to find out what else had happened to the ship. “I heard though that you’re not the only person with a new romantic interest. Tell me about Max and Tobias!”

“Commander Duncan and Master Chief Court are romantically involved too. They moved into your former quarters recently ever since they became adoptive fathers to the two youngsters we saved from the Quirennal.” T’Rani answered. 

“Did anyone see it coming?” Cambil wondered.

“The captain had detected the Quirennal while on a survey mission with his son, Alfie-” T’Rani started and then Cambil stopped her.

“No, I didn’t mean that, I meant Max and Tobias getting together. There must be some juicy gossip here, T’Rani.” Cambil said. 

Considering her point for a few seconds, T’Rani shook her head. “I believe they both kept it quite quiet for some time. It wasn’t until the Quirennal mission that it became public knowledge. Further gossip has not reached my attention.”

“I always thought Tobias and Lukiz would work things out and get back together with each other.” Cambil muttered. “Anyone else coupled up?”

“I am not aware of any other romantic interests among the senior staff for now.” T’Rani answered.

“Damn, I’ll just have to get it out of Slyvexs then.” Cambil remarked as she turned her chair back around to face the console before her. She wondered just how long this journey was going to be without much small talk to engage T’Rani with. There was no point in trying to speak with Styles. He wasn’t the most social of people. 

Taking a deep breath in, Cambil wondered just how her former captain was going to be with seeing her again. The last time they had seen one another, from her perspective, she had left the Odyssey quickly and quietly. But from his perspective they had discussed what had happened during the Tkon crisis. Now she was a captain she understood the Omega Directive that he had been under and felt extremely foolish for the way she had acted with him. Nevertheless they had buried the hatchet between them during the paradox. Wanting to know if he remembered it all, like she did, Cambil was eager to see the state her friend was in since the end of the paradox and the loss of his wife. 

“Come.”

The ready room doors parted from one another with a gentle hiss and Lieutenant Tomaz entered. Noticing the captain sitting on the curved sofa under the large bay windows on the slightly raised level, Tomaz made his way over to him.

In a relaxed posture while drinking a mug of tea and reading a holographic display from one of his consoles, McCallister had his right hand stretched out across the top of the sofa while the left held his mug. Looking up from what he was reading, the captain paused the report from scrolling and smiled at his visitor. “Tomaz, come in, please take a seat.” He said offering one of the chairs opposite. “Can I get a drink?” He offered.

Tomaz took the armchair opposite to McCallister and replied. “Yes please, Tarkalean tea will be fine.”

“Computer one Tarkalean tea.” McCallister ordered as he walked over to his replicator and the food dispenser created the beverage by the time he reached it. Picking it up, McCallister turned around and passed it over to his guest. “Here you go.” He said and then proceeded to take his seat from before. 

“Thank you sir.” Tomaz said before taking a sip and then placing it down on the circular shaped glass table that sat between them.

McCallister looked at his strategic operations officer and smirked. 

“Have I said or done something amusing, sir?” Tomaz asked, looking and feeling a bit worried about why his commanding officer had called to see him. 

Shaking his head, McCallister answered with a simple “No.” His smirk didn’t go away. “I’m just thinking about how much you remind me of me, over twenty years ago.”  McCallister explained. “I’ve been thinking about the opportunities I had as an officer. I was fortunate enough to have Captain Brooke Fontana-Adelaide as my first captain and she was one hell of a mentor. A true classic Starfleet captain, one that put service and career first, one that was very old-school Starfleet. She held the principles of Starfleet very high, she supported her crew and made sure to get to know everyone. In fact, I would say a majority of who I am as a captain today, I owe to her.”

“She sounds like a legend, sir.” Tomaz said. Still unsure why he was there hearing about his captain’s old captain. 

“She was and if it wasn’t for her sacrifice then the chance that someone took on me in succeeding her as captain would have never come my way.” McCallister stated. “I miss her counsel a lot, in fact I think if she was still around today then she would be a fleet admiral by now. Probably running a Starfleet department back at Headquarters or running one of the important bases in deep space.” McCallister shook his head. “My point is, almost twenty years ago she gave me a lot of chances to prove myself. She placed a lot of faith and trust in me, however I don’t think I’ve been fair with you Tomaz.”

“Sir?” Tomaz asked, his uncertainty of what McCallister was getting up was increasing. 

Sitting up straight, McCallister carried on explaining his thought process. “What triggered me thinking about Captain Adelaide and what she did for me, was what happened during the paradox and what went down on the Quirennal.”

Remaining still uneasy about this conversation, Tomaz appeared nervous now. “Should I know about this sir, I mean with the temporal prime directive, etc.?”

  Shaking his head, McCallister said he wouldn’t break the directive. “I promise you with Commander Banfield and her team roaming the ship, I won’t be doing anything that will have them down my neck any further than they really are.” He smiled. “No, what it has done has made me rethink how I view the senior staff and the opportunities I need to provide for you all. I started this with making Max my first officer after we lost Bexa, then by no fault of his own Craigen received a battlefield promotion during the crisis with the Quirennal. And now it’s time I look at you.”

“I would hope my work on Odyssey has been up to your standards, sir.” Tomaz said.

“They’ve surpassed my expectations, Tomaz.” McCallister told him. “When Starfleet told me they wanted the Odyssey to have a strategic operations department posted to it prior to us entering the Delta Quadrant, I have to admit I wasn’t keen. The fact I had commanded the ship for over a decade without one, made no sense to me. Starfleet told me they want to develop Odyssey’s role as one of its premium deep space explorers, and with the ship being the size it is then I sort of got it. That all said, you’ve impressed me so much, Tomaz. In less than a year you have built an entire department from the ground up, you’ve also integrated intelligence within that department too. Your assessments, analysis and briefings on a range of matters that myself and others need to be aware of, especially while we were in the Delta Quadrant, have been high-quality. Your contributions to senior staff meetings, mission briefings and conversations around ship-board life are insightful. I cannot think of a reason why I wouldn’t have you and your department on the ship and with us hopefully returning to the Delta Quadrant, I am planning to depend on your expertise and leadership further.”

“I would relish that chance again, thank you sir.” Tomaz said gratefully. 

“I’m sure you would, but I don’t think I’m being entirely fair to you. What you have achieved is no easy task, so now I’m going to take the time and invest in you in the same way Captain Adelaide did for me. I am hereby promoting you to the rank of lieutenant commander and I am placing your name forward for the Command Training Program.”

Shocked to hear that, Tomaz was taken back a bit and had to inhale from his breathing apparatus quite a bit. “Wow, thank you sir. I don’t know what to say.”

“Say yes you’ll do it all.” McCallister said as he reached behind his sofa and took a small wooden box from the sideboard and opened it. Handing it over black pip with silver piping around the edge sat in the middle of  navy blue silk. 

Tomaz nodded as he looked at his new pip. 

Pleased to hear it, McCallister’s grin got wider as he leant forward, took the new pip from Tomaz’s hands and placed it on his collar. “Now we would need to organise a promotion party for you and Craigen on the holodeck soon, but in the meanwhile let me be the first to say: Congratulations Lieutenant Commander Tomaz.”

“Thank you, sir.” Tomaz said once his third pip was attached. He sighed. “Sir, I do appreciate this…”

“I hear a ‘but’ in there though.” McCallister responded as he sat down. 

“But I just want to say, I’m sorry for my conduct recently since the incident with Captain Jyster.” Tomaz shared, looking down at the floor. “It’s just been hard to deal with the repercussions.”

“I get it, Tomaz. I truly do.” McCallister said with a sentimental smile. “I get you are struggling dealing with what we all went through. I’m still not entirely convinced I’m over it and with this paradox as well…” He paused as he considered his words. “I just can’t put words to it.”

“That’s exactly it sir.” Tomaz admitted. “I just don’t know what to do or how to feel.”

“And that’s why we have counsellors to help us, but that said I think you’ll find everyone around you is struggling but that’s what makes Odyssey special to any other command I’ve had.” McCallister shared honestly. “We’ve built a community here, a family, and we’re all in it together. No-one can take that away from us and we are there for each other. Talk to those around you.”

“That’s the hard part.” Tomaz stated.

Nodding, McCallister couldn’t argue with him about it. “You’re right, that is tough. So talk freely to me now. What’s on your mind? How are you feeling?”

Tomaz considered his words, he knew that McCallister was no ship’s counsellor, but this was a captain who did care. “Jeddie, I just can’t get past the fact that for those three months he was effectively my son and how much my life had changed to accommodate him and then it was gone.”

“Fatherhood does change you.” McCallister shared. “It makes you stop and evaluate your life, it makes you wonder so much and children are there to keep us on our toes. The terrible thing here is that Jeddie was lost many years before we even found the Quirennal. That’s the hardest thing to imagine and I can only guess that it is hard for you to comprehend. I don’t think I know what I would do if I lost Alfie, Theo or Harri, especially now.”

Tomaz realised the pain of McCallister losing Commander Reyas was still fresh and painful. “I’m sorry sir, I shouldn’t burden you with that. You are going through a lot yourself.”

 “And as I said, it’s good to talk.” McCallister reminded him. “I’m no expert in these matters, but it sounds like you need closure to Jeddie and maybe you might want to consider becoming a father yourself Tomaz.”

“Maybe.” Tomaz admitted after a while. “Counsellor Horin has said something similar.”

“She’s good.” McCallister said. “I know it’s what I need to do with Karyn, but it’s still so raw.”

There was a brief lull between the two men and then Tomaz broke the silence. “Thank you sir. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

“All good things, I hope.” McCallister said.

“Absolutely, sir. If there’s anything else I can do to help out, please just say.” Tomaz said. 

McCallister was about to say there was nothing and then stopped himself. “Actually there is one thing you could look into for me.”

“Sure, sir.”

“Alfie, my son, was made a cadet earlier than normal. Can you find out who pushed the process through with such haste?” McCallister asked.

Intrigued by the captain’s dilemma, Tomaz just nodded before he left the captain. 

“Thank you Lukiz, I think we’re done here.” Banfield said with an almost sigh of relief.

Somewhat surprised to hear that, the Trill operations manager looked at the commander for double assurance. “Are you sure, ma’am?” Jen asked.

Nodding, Banfield gestured for him to leave as she took her stylus and began writing her final notes on her PADD.

Jen got up and started to make his way towards the door. He got halfway and stopped. Turning around he looked back at her. “Are you sure? As I feel that this,” Jen said motioning towards the office around him and indicating about his debrief, “seem very short.”

Smirking, Banfield looked at Jen. “Your report was insightful and everything you’ve shared with me is everything I need to ask, Lukiz.” She paused. “Unless there’s anything else you want to say?”

Jen paused for a second and then finally spoke up. “There is.” He said with conviction. “I appreciate that you have rules to follow, guidelines that must be kept and having to comprehend our experience must be a lot to digest. However whatever we did, we did with the best intentions based on the training and experience we as a crew have received ever since we joined Starfleet. Though we saw instances of our past, our present and our future, not once did Captain McCallister or I try to use it to manipulate events. Maintaining the timeframes was the first thing we agreed upon when we were recruited by the future Captain Tomaz and Admiral Duncan. Every action we took was to preserve what we knew was the truth and to save this ship and its crew.”

“Great speech, lieutenant commander, but speeches like your intentions, however good they are, don’t always ensure that events that have taken place or will take place are maintained.” Banfield remarked in an almost cold manner. “My work is to assess that and make any suitable recommendations. You may have tried to do the best but you cannot be certain your actions or words changed something.”

Jen considered her words for a moment before he responded. “No, I can’t but I can’t also sit here and doubt every choice I make for the rest of my life.”

“Talking of which,” Banfield said, brushing that last sentiment to one side in quite a carefree manner, “did you ever discover your fate in the future? We know that in the alternate future you visit that Captain McCallister is to become an admiral, what about you?”

Jen froze as he considered the question for a moment.

Banfield shielded her sneer at how the optimistic Trill officer was now pondering over the one question she hadn’t been able to answer herself. “Well if you’re not aware then we have nothing to worry about.”

Frowning at her, Jen nodded. “Indeed.” He said before marching out of the room.

Once the door closed behind him, Banfield returned to her notes. Across them she had the same theme taking place in them and she was slightly annoyed that what Jen had said earlier was coming out true. There was nothing she could see from her investigation, so far, that made her consider there was any foul play at work here. The Odyssey crew, past, present and future versions had tried to do their best. However she hated to read that in both Jen and McCallister’s report about what they had been told in regards to the DTI’s response from the future versions of Duncan, Tomaz and the captain’s son..

The intercom going off disturbed her thoughts. “Styles to Banfield, I’m back and have Captain Cambil with me.”

Tapping her combadge, she acknowledged her colleague’s response and got herself up from the armchair she had been occupying.

After being escorted to guest quarters by Styles and T’Rani, Cambil looked around and smirked as she realised she was assigned one the most luxury VIP rooms on the Odyssey. Knowing that McCallister was going out of his way to make it up to her, Cambil placed her bags in the bedroom before returning to the main living space. Grabbing a glass of water from the replicator, she walked over to the large windows and looked at the view before her. The cage-like structure that was around the Odyssey while it was in drydock took up most of the scene, but behind it sat the view of Mellstoxx Three. Though beautiful, Cambil always enjoyed the view of Olbari or Bajor the most. Sipping on the water lightly, Cambil placed the glass down on the sideboard before ordering the computer to send a message to her husband back home on Olbari. In her communique to him she told him she had arrived safely and noted what type of room she was using for her short stay. After asking him to send love to their sons, she sent the message.

Moments later and after making herself comfortable in one of the large sofas, the door chime went off. She had been told by Agent Styles she would not receive any visitors until she was called for her debrief by the lead investigator, so she wondered who it was. “Enter.” She commanded.

Looking up at the doorway as it parted away from each other, she was surprised by her visitor.

“Captain Cambil,” Commander Banfield said as she walked in with her hands behind her back, “I’m Commander Corella Banfield, the lead agent for the Department of Temporal Investigations.”

“Your reputation precedes you commander.” Cambil said instantly, not bothering to stand up to greet her guest. “When I had heard you were leading the investigation, I looked your service record up. An impressive career.”

“Thank you.” Banfield said in a diplomatic tone, sounding almost pleased with herself. “Congratulations on your recent promotion.”

“Thank you.” Cambil said, echoing Banfield’s tone almost. “I was told by Mister Styles that I would be escorted to you.”

Smirking as she looked at her feet before pacing the small spot she occupied away from Cambil, Banfield cleared up the misunderstanding. “I felt it was best I saw you first, before Captain McCallister pulled rank and saw you.”

Chuckling at the fact that Banfield had predicted what McCallister may do, Cambil shook her head. “Very clever, commander.” She added. “However I’ve known James Preston McCallister for a long time, he would never do anything to jeopardise something so important like this investigation.”

“I’m surprised to hear your full support of the captain.” Banfield countered as she stood still and faced Cambil with her hands firmly clasped behind her back. “From what I’m aware you initially left Starfleet last year because of actions that Captain McCallister took,” she paused as she tried to read the former first officer, “well that’s what I heard anyway.”

Now Cambil grinned. “Oh you’re good.” She said with an approving nod. “I think we’ll get along nicely, but to set the record straight, I left under my own choice. The only thing I didn’t have a choice in was my return to the service and the promotion I received. I have until the end of the year before I return to my previous civilian life that I was enjoying.”

“So you won’t be returning to the Odyssey anytime soon?” Banfield checked as she took the PADD she had behind her back out in front of her.

“I hope not to, but we never know what the Prophets send our way.” Cambil replied. “However, we both know you’re not here to have small talk with me. So can I suggest we cut the crap and get straight to the point as to the real reason I was ordered here.”

Banfield held her PADD up, “Well I’m sorry ma’am but with what happened Starfleet knew that at some point you will feel the need to return to the Odyssey after the paradox was ended in the correct time frame. From what my superiors tell me, we needed to avoid a breach of the temporal prime directive.”

Realising what had happened (or was now happening), Cambil gave a stunned appearance for a second. “My reactivation orders were based on all of this.” She gestured to the room around her but knew she meant the Odyssey.

“To a certain degree, yes ma’am.” Banfield admitted. “However, from what I’ve been told your absence from the service was something that Starfleet wanted to rectify.”

“It’s a bit of a calculated way of going about it.” Cambil moaned. She stood up and headed towards the replicator, filling up her glass with more water and she took it out. Purposely she didn’t offer a beverage to her guest. “I’m not surprised though, so why am I really here when we both know I have been fully debriefed by DTI?”

Appreciating her candour, Banfield stepped forward. “It’s simple ma’am, we need your help to convince Captain McCallister to ensure the time frame remains the way it should go.”

“And how do I do that?” Cambil asked for clarity.

“By simply telling him that he needs to prepare this ship and its crew for what will happen.” Banfield admitted.

Enjoying a quiet evening in and not having to worry about ship’s business for a moment was a welcome change for Commander Max Duncan. No longer in his uniform, wearing just his casual clothes he wore around his new home that he shared with Tobias and their sons, the first officer was starting to relax. 

Tobias and he had moved into the Cambil’s old quarters recently and the extra space it provided was a welcome one. Getting used to having two teenagers around and being a family man had taken some getting used to, but he was enjoying it. A few pointers about how to deal with teenagers from his commanding officer as well as their chief medical officer had helped but Max couldn’t complain. Jorgeh and Wylem were slowly but confidently getting used to their new lives on the Odyssey. 

Max was sitting on one of the sofas in their living room space reading a book when he heard multiple footsteps coming down the stairs that separated the ground level of their quarters (although it was more like an apartment) to the first floor that had their bedrooms and the family bathroom. Looking over the top of the book he saw Jorgeh coming down with Alfie close behind. 

“Umm, dad, Alfie’s going now.” Jorgeh mentioned. 

Smiling at his commanding officer’s son, who was wearing his cadet uniform, “You sure you don’t want to stay for dinner tonight Alf?” Max offered as he put his book down on his lap.

“Thank you, sir but I best be getting home.” Alfie replied in a formal tone. 

Duncan smirked at how serious Alfie sounded. “Alfie, I’m not in uniform and when you’re in my home visiting your friend then the rank stays at the door.”

“Yes, sir.” Alfie replied with lack of emphasis on the word ‘sir’.

Jorgeh rolled his eyes as much as Max did. 

Stuttering after realising what he just did, Alfie apologised. “It’s hard to know when to be formal or informal.”

“Well in here,” Max said motioning with one hand about his home, “as I said the ranks stay at the door and you call me Max or Jorgeh’s dad. Is that okay with you?”  

 “That’s great, thanks…Max.” Alfie said with a smirk. He turned to Jorgeh, “I’ll see you in the morning?”

“Sure.” Jorgeh said with a simple nod as walked his friend out and said goodbye to him. 

Max looked at Jorgeh the moment the main door closed. “Alfie is very green in that uniform.”

Jorgeh appeared confused. “Green? Will he become an Orion when he goes off to the academy?”

Max burst out laughing at that question and soon realised how he had bewildered his son. “No,” He said shaking his head. “what I meant was he appeared very eager, very new to the role of being a cadet.”

“Oh, so being inexperienced?” Jorgeh checked.

“Yeah it’s an old human saying,” Max clarified before changing the subject, “you know you’re doing a good job being a friend with him.”

“Thanks,” Jorgeh replied with a smile, “it’s nice to be able to talk to someone who gets what I’ve gone through and vice versa. Plus Alfie is a pretty decent guy. He said he’ll help me with my studies.”

“That’s good.” Max stated, noticing that Jorgeh appeared to want to say something else. “What is it Jorgeh?”

Stepping closer to his father, Jorgeh eventually took the armchair opposite to him. “I’m not sure if I’m breaking his confidence, but Alfie mentioned to me that he keeps having these dreams or visions of events he isn’t aware of and he said one of his dreams he saw both him and me in Starfleet uniforms. What do you think it might mean? He said being part El-Aurian that he may have a sixth sense about changes in the space time continuum. Do I need to join Starfleet or something?”

Realising how much Jorgeh and Alfie had shared with one another, Max sat up straight and his counsellor training kicked in. “It’s true that Alfie’s El-Aurian heritage gives him a certain awareness of things around him, plus this entire paradox the ship went through and with him losing his mother will be playing a lot on his mind. His dreams or visions may just be a manifestation of his thoughts and feelings. The fact he is placing you in them may be a sign of his mind seeing you as a stable feature in his life at the moment. He just joined Starfleet so sometimes the mind mixes certain themes or features. It’s not to say he is having a premonition that you will join Starfleet or have to.”

“Could I join it if I wanted to?” Jorgeh asked after considering what Max had told him for a moment. 

“If you want, but you need to ensure your studies are up to date and there’s lots of assessments you need to pass.” Max answered. “It’s not an easy process.”

“Do you enjoy being a Starfleet officer?” Jorgeh quizzed. 

Nodding a few times, Max confirmed his love for his job. “Without a doubt. I’ve told you before that my birth parents and adoptive parents were all in Starfleet.”

“Even though they’ve died while serving in Starfleet, it’s never stopped you from thinking about leaving it yourself?” Jorgeh questioned. 

“Not at all.” Max answered. “Anyway, my adoptive mother, Nicola, still serves in Starfleet. She captains a ship currently in the Delta Quadrant.”

“Do you think she’ll ever leave it?” Jorgeh continued with his grilling about Max’s Starfleet life and his parents.

“She retired from the service a few years ago but after my dad died over a year ago, she agreed to return.” Max explained. “She felt she could do some good in the galaxy again, she told me after returning that she’ll keep going until she no longer feels she can do any good.”

“And after that?” Jorgeh wondered.

“Well she sold her house on the colony world that my dad and her built, so knowing her I expect she will move back to Earth. She may return to teaching at Starfleet Academy. Who knows, if you decide to join you may end up having your grandmother teaching you.” Max suggested.

“Is that a good thing?” Jorgeh checked. 

Shrugging his shoulders, Max chuckled. “I don’t think so, but others may think she will favouritise her grandson.”

“I’d be happy with that.” Jorgeh remarked. He clutched his stomach. “I’m starting to get hungry, when’s dinner?”

“I’ll put something on later once your other dad and brother get back from their spring ball session.” Max stated. “I’m going to treat you to a timeless Earth classic.”

“What is it?” Jorgeh asked, sounding a bit worried. 

“It’s your grandfather’s lasagne recipe, it’s something he used to serve when he had the entire senior staff over for his monthly dinner party.” Duncan stated, sounding quite enthusiastic about the meal. “I promise you, it is a taste sensation.”

Chuckling at how much his father was getting into it, Jorgeh shook his head. “Right well I’m going back upstairs to finish off some homework.” He got up and stopped and turned to Max. “I know I’ve said it tons before, but I am grateful that you guys rescued us from the Quirennal. I love being here with you guys.”

“The feeling’s mutual Jorgeh.” Max replied with a smile. 

Jorgeh got up and left Max to return to his own reading. 

Then the door chime went off and Max walked over to the door. Tapping the console on the side he opened it.

Standing before him with a serious expression across her face was Banfield. “Commander Duncan, we need to talk.” she said in a stern tone.

Realising his peaceful evening was not going to go the way he was expecting, Max sighed as he invited the lead investigator into his home.

Motioning for her to follow him into the private study that was split off from the main living area, Commander Duncan offered for his visitor to take a seat in one of the armchairs. The study was a lot smaller than his own office but it was a place for him and Tobias to do their work when they were home. “So what do I owe the pleasure of this evening call?” He asked as he took a seat in the chair besides the one Banfield now occupied. 

“I’ve just spoken with Captain Cambil-” Banfield started.

“Wait a second, Bexa is here? I didn’t think she was getting in until the early hours of tomorrow morning?” Duncan interrupted the DTI investigator. “And when was I going to find out she was promoted?”

“That’s not the issue right now, commander.” Banfield stated. “As I was saying, I’ve just spoken with Captain Cambil about the next phase of my investigation.”

“Let me guess, future me is in trouble for not following a procedure correctly?” Duncan countered back with.

“I cannot confirm or deny that.” Banfield said, starting to become agitated that she was being interrupted by the first officer so much. “The point I wish to make is that I have received authorisation from the head of the department to begin preparations for this paradox.”

“Preparations for a paradox we’ve already gone through?” Duncan asked for clarity.

“Indeed, mainly the future timeframes that Captain McCallister and Lieutenant Commander Jen experienced.” Banfield said. “However Captain Cambil believes that Captain McCallister may avoid undertaking the preparations.”

Smirking at that point, Duncan could understand why Cambil may say something like that. Not that McCallister would want to mess with the timeline, but Duncan had wondered that now McCallister knew certain things about the possible future he and Jen experienced; he may want to circumvent particular events. Could he blame him for considering it? Whatever he and Jen had seen must have made them think carefully now about they do or say. Temporal mechanics was such a headache. “And why are you telling me this now?”

“As I have received authorisation to begin discussing with you what may happen based on the reports and debriefings I have had with the captain and Lieutenant Commander Jen.” Banfield explained. “And from what they have said, you will play a crucial role in this paradox.”

“I had a feeling you were going to say that.” Duncan exhaled a huge sigh afterwards. 

“And not just you, but your son Jorgeh too.” Banfield stated. 

Hearing Jorgeh’s name being brought up, Duncan turned to her. “How?”

“We can get into more details later, but suffice to say to avoid any temporal paradoxes we must begin preparing him as much as you for what may happen.” Banfield said. “I see his relationship with the captain’s son, Alfie, is developing nicely.”

“They’re just kids who have gone through a lot of recent trauma. We can leave them all out of this.” Duncan said in a more assertive tone.

“They’re young men who are about to enter adulthood.” Banfield said. “And yes the traumas that Jorgeh, Wylem and the McCallister boys have endured is tragic but Alfie and Jorgeh are key players in all of this as much as you and certain others are.”

“We’re talking about a possible alternate future. One that may not happen or one that may partially happen. None of us can be sure.” Duncan stated back, more firmly. “No-one can be certain about the future.” 

“I know your past commander, I know you’ve gone through a temporal displacement yourself as a teenager.” Banfield stated. “So you know as much as I do, the importance of trying to ensure the timeline is preserved because if it is interrupted it can change not just the galaxy but people’s lives significantly too.”

“That temporal subspace node I had to live in did change my life. I lost seven years of my childhood.” Duncan spat back. “So if you’re trying to appeal to that side of me, then you’re barking up the wrong tree, commander. It’s one part of my history I do not enjoy re-telling to anyone.”

“All I’m saying is commander that you appreciate how quickly things can change when you’re displaced because of a temporal anomaly. I’d hate to see the same thing happen to your sons, especially Jorgeh.” Banfield remarked.

Instantly he turned to her. “Leave Jorgeh and Wylem out of this. As I said, they’re just kids who have gone through a lot.”

“Of which one of them has a certain future that he needs to prepare for.” Banfield said. She was repeating her argument again and started to sound like a broken old record with her points. “If you cannot do this, then I am sure others could be placed to help him.”

Frowning at her for trying to intimidate him with that remark, Duncan stood up in disgust. “I think you should leave my home now and think carefully about what you just threatened me with.” 

Standing up as well, Banfield faced Duncan straight on. “All I’m saying is that the Federation Displacement Agency may want to reevaluate their decision if DTI speaks to them about what we know.”

Shaking his head at her words, Duncan placed both hands on his hips. “And I’d fight it in the courts, whatever it takes to keep both Jorgeh and Wylem with me and Tobias.”

“I believe you.” Banfield said with a slight smirk. “Now I know how protective you are of them, then I will leave you be.” She started to walk away from him. 

“Commander Banfield, stop there.” Duncan ordered. She did as she was told and turned around to look at him. Closing the gap between them, Duncan approached her. “Did you just come into my home to get a rise out of me? To see how far I’d go for my sons or do you really want my help?”

“I’m a mother myself, commander, I know what it’s like to do whatever it takes to protect your own. I wanted to see how far you’ll go and just what it would take to get you on board for what may happen to this ship and its crew.” Banfield answered.

“Why?” Duncan questioned her. “Is this some cruel DTI game?”

“No.” Banfield answered. “In my line of work, I have met so many who have had to deal with the traumas created by movement from one time period to another. Some have gone on to leave normal lives while others have suffered tremendously from it.” Banfield remarked.

“Post temporal traumatic disorder.” Duncan said. “I was diagnosed with it as a teenager but got through it thanks to my parents and one particular counsellor. However you knew about that, don’t you?”

“Indeed,” Banfield answered flatly. “I went through it myself.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed.” Duncan replied with a hint of sympathy.

Snorting a bit, Banfield crossed her arms. “I was told I was lucky that I got to go back in time and lose nine years of my life. I couldn’t say anything. Instead I got to watch the Dominion War play out, even though I could have done something about it and changed the outcomes, prevented millions from dying but I couldn’t.”

“The Temporal Prime Directive.” Duncan said after realising what had stopped her from preventing one of the most bloodiest wars the Federation had endured in the latter part of the twenty-fourth century.

“The Temporal Prime Directive.” Banfield repeated. The one rule they couldn’t break in such a situation. “However this time it’s different and if we don’t prepare the Odyssey for what may happen then it would cause irreparable harm to the space time continuum.”

“How can you be so sure?” Duncan asked, still not convinced at her argument. 

“I’m not just a trained DTI agent, but I’m also a Starfleet science officer. My investigation has revealed many interesting outcomes on an astronomical scale.” Banfield replied. “If the Odyssey didn’t undergo that paradox in the Paulson Nebula and stop the chronokinetic surge in its infancy, then our best projections have shown that the surge would have hit out across that entire region of space and eventually spread across the galaxy. Temporal mayhem would have ensured.” She paused. “So when I say we need to prepare for what may happen then I mean it. Allowing such things to take place is reckless and if it does happen then it will stop any of us from having a future. Surely you can agree to help me prevent that from happening.”

Duncan took a deep breath in. “Very well, but don’t ever-”

“-threaten you with your sons? I get it Commander Duncan.” Banfield said with a serious tone. “As I said, I’m a mother myself and I’ve gone through a temporal anomaly too. I’m in the same shoes as you.”

“So does that make us temporal kindred spirits?” Duncan asked aloud, trying to lighten the atmosphere between them. He was slowly starting to come around to Banfield but he still didn’t entirely trust her.

“You could say that.” Banfield responded with a wry smile. “Now will you help me put this forward to the captain?”

“I want to speak to Captain Cambil first, then we’ll see after that.” Duncan replied.

“Then as they say at DTI, there’s no time like the present!” Banfield said as she turned her body and suggested, with a wave of her hand, they go to see Cambil straight away.

Watching from the top of the staircase, Jorgeh saw his father leave their quarters and he wondered just what he had overheard about him and Alfie. Feeling sick that Alfie’s dream may be true, he quickly ran to the family bathroom to empty his guts.

“Spring Wine?”

Smirking almost instantly at hearing those two words, Captain McCallister nodded the moment he put his head through the doorway after it opened. “Absolutely.” He said with confirmation. “You did promise me a bottle or two.”

Pulling a bottle out of the sweet alcohol and replicating two glasses to drink from, Captain Cambil began to pour the drink as her guest entered her guest quarters. Handing him the drink, she smiled as she raised her glass to tap it gently against his. “May the Prophets Bless Our Journey.”

“And congratulations to that fourth pip!” McCallister added.

Chuckling somewhat, Cambil suggested for them to go sit down on one of the four sofas that took up most of the living area space. “Thanks, it was a little bit of a surprise but a nice one.”

“It’s well deserved,” McCallister replied as he took a sip from the glass and sat down almost immediately. He sighed as he looked at his former first officer after she sat down. “Where are we at Bexa?”

“For me, it’s shortly after I left this ship back in the Delta Quadrant, for you, well I suppose it’s after a certain directive you had to follow,” Cambil answered honestly by raising her eyebrows a bit. She pulled up her legs to the sofa. “I had my Omega Directive training a few weeks ago and I was briefed on the mission you undertook during the Tkon Crisis. I didn’t realise how much pressure you were under.”

Nodding, McCallister felt guilty for how things had been left between him and her originally, but the recent paradox allowed for him to discuss things with her past self. “Are we good?”

“I can’t blame you for following an order that has been Federation practice for over a century and a half, especially when it involves one of the most destructive forces that had appeared almost everywhere,” Cambil said. “I owe you an apology too, for being so hasty with what I said and how I was. I do hate myself for it.”

“No, don’t feel that way, please Bexa. Your reaction was totally normal under the circumstances. The Omega Directive doesn’t give room for anyone to be open and it doesn’t take into account the loyalty that a starship captain hopes to have with their crew.” McCallister remarked, dismissing her apology straight away. “I wish things hadn’t ended the way they had. We made a great team.”

Pulling on her ear lobe where her earring was hanging from, Cambil winced. “To be honest James, we did make an excellent team but I was too comfortable here and I needed the space and time to see what else I can do. That entire mission was enough to push me on my way. I’m certain the Prophets were guiding me onto a new track. A new adventure and a new challenge elsewhere.”

“I thought you said you wouldn’t come back to Starfleet?” McCallister asked. “How did you end up back in the uniform?

Sighing at that, Cambil shrugged her shoulders. “That small print about us being recalled and reactivated for certain reasons is a hard one to get around. However, the job offer was a good one.”

“Building your own Starfleet Academy Campus from the grounds up must be an exciting project.” McCallister stated with a slight tone of envy.

“It is,” She said, nodding in affirmation. “I can still be around with the boys and Naprem is loving the idea of being a part of it too. The fact we can influence the next generation of Starfleet officers in our corner of the galaxy is compelling. Plus I was getting bored at home all day.”

He chuckled at that last comment before sipping on his spring wine again. “Wow, that’s great stuff.” McCallister commented.

“It’s the Twenty-Three-Seventy.”  She remarked. “There’s a beautiful vineyard in the next village along from where we live that makes the finest Spring Wine.” Cambil took a sip from hers before raising her glass again. “To Karyn. Wherever she is, may she know we’re keeping a glass chilled ready for her homecoming.”

Appreciating the gesture, McCallister leant forward and tapped her glass and toasted to his wife. “Thanks, Bexa.”

“T’Rani spoke of her loss in such a…” Cambil paused to consider her description carefully. “T’Rani way.”

“Sounds about right.” He chuckled before sighing. “T’Rani is right though, there’s no logic in not accepting that she’s gone-”

“But is she?” Cambil countered back quickly. “I’m not a time-travelling expert, but with the number of chronitons, tachyons and god knows what else was interfering with the region at the time, how can you be certain she’s not appeared on the other side of those rifts somewhere else?”

“I can only hope.” McCallister answered back softly. He swallowed his emotions back down. He didn’t want to get too invested in this topic of their conversation. Only recently was he starting to get used to coming to terms with what had happened.

“I pray for her every day to the Prophets,” Cambil shared openly. “I’ve asked them to guide her back to you. Keep the faith James, she’ll return.”

“I can only hope.” He repeated.

For a moment there was a brief lull between their chat. “So I need to ask, when did Max and Tobias become a thing?”

 Stifling back a chuckle, McCallister answered after finishing another sip of his wine. “Shortly after you left. I’ve got a feeling the two of them were together a lot sooner than we realised.”

“Damn,” Cambil muttered. “And T’Rani and Samris?” 

“Again, I think around the same time,” McCallister confirmed. “It wasn’t completely public knowledge until we dealt with the Quirennal.”

“I read your report about that,” Cambil said. “It sounded like hell.”

Rubbing the side of his forehead, McCallister relaxed a bit as he went on to describe to Cambil what happened on the alien ark and how they had to bide their time with Captain Jyster’s advanced hologram that had imprisoned them all. “For the first time since I took command of the Odyssey, I genuinely thought I was losing my crew with every day that passed.”

“Those are extreme circumstances, James,” Cambil responded. “I mean there’s no training that Starfleet can offer on how to deal with a deranged ancient hologram that commands a formidable vessel that has kidnapped a majority of your crew and ran away within a blink of an eye. Then to have you all care for their young people that weren’t there, that is some next-level stuff.” She took in a breath. “Is the crew getting through the trauma now? I noticed the manifest showed a new chief counsellor on board.”

“The crew is getting there, slowly.” He explained. “Louwanna is great, it’s just a shame that Samris had to lose his new position.” 

“Sounds like the right decision,” Cambil replied. “I mean you all went through a lot of trauma, Samris is a good counsellor but if he needed to deal with his own trauma and then lead the rest of the counselling department in helping everyone else…well that’s a lot to deal with.” 

“He seems to have adjusted to the change well.” McCallister admitted.

“Max trained him up well, he’ll be back in the spot in no time,” Cambil commented. “Back to Max and Tobias, how come they’ve become fathers to these two youngsters you saved?”

“As I said, Jorgeh and Wylem were the only real youngsters that we rescued. Captain Jyster kept them alive compared to everyone else on their ship. Both of them were assigned to Max and Tobias. Jyster assumed that Max and Tobias were already an item and felt their experiences made them the right candidates to care for her children.” McCallister answered. “I’ve to say though it’s been a nice change for both Max and Tobias. They’ve done an awesome job in such a short time with them both.”

Smiling like a proud mother figure, Cambil took a sip from her glass. “Before the year is out they’ll be married.” She bet with a laugh.

Chuckling somewhat, McCallister didn’t say anything and looked elsewhere as he drank more of his wine.

Noticing the gesture and expression from him, Cambil sat up. “By the Prophets, you know something about them two!” She said jabbing a finger in his direction. “You know they’re going to get married from the alternate future you visited.”

“I’m not saying anything. Temporal Prime Directive and all that.” McCallister said, trying to hold back a smirk.

“James Preston McCallister, I have known you long enough when you cannot keep something to yourself. You look around and avoid eye contact or smirk.” Cambil said laughing a bit. “Your poker face is awful sometimes, James.”

“That’s what I make you think.” McCallister mumbled before he drank more.

Chuckling more, Cambil topped up McCallister’s drink more as they carried on chatting through the night. 

Had things finally got back to some normality between them? 

McCallister hoped so.

Clearing her voice, Cambil placed her glass down. “Did you know that Commander Banfield came to see me?”

Shaking his head, McCallister sat up straight as he wondered where his former first officer was going with this topic. “No, why?”

“She wants me to convince you to go ahead in preparing for what will happen.” Cambil admitted.

Looking at Cambil for a moment, McCallister didn’t know to be cross with her in goading him into a false sense of security in rebuilding their relationship or if his trust and faith in her were strong enough to take action on her words. “Go on.” He told her. 

“You and I know both know that temporal paradox can be disrupted but when they are we’re not always prepared for what else could happen,” Cambil advised. “I think you need to prepare for what you know may happen as well as anything else that is thrown your way.”

“So are you telling me that I need to tell Max and Tobias to get hitched before the end of this year?” McCallister tested her. 

Smirking that she got him to reveal that, Cambil replied. “Well if you interacted with someone at the wedding then, maybe, otherwise don’t say a thing.”

“I can’t play god with people’s lives, Bexa. You know that. I’m not one of the Prophets.” McCallister returned. 

“Well of course not, but the configurations you made to the ship in the past time frames. I know for a fact that the chroniton serum you infused into certain bio-neural circuitry still exists as much as it is in my blood system and yours. Why not make the other changes and why not prepare those certain individuals whose future selves you encountered?” Cambil questioned. 

“Because it goes against everything this uniform stands for,” McCallister said instantly and he stood up in his annoyance with her persistence. Turning his back to her he took in a breath, “I know also the impact it will have on others. I’m not prepared to sit there and allow my interference with their lives to have such a significant impact on their futures.”

Standing up and walking over to face her former commanding officer and friend, Cambil placed a hand on his left shoulder. “‘Others’ or just Alfie?” She guessed. “I’ve seen the latest dispatches on those who have been enrolled into the academy, I was surprised to see him on it so soon.”

“You and me both,” McCallister muttered. “I just don’t want him being pulled into a life filled with regrets.”

“You can’t be certain how his life will go, you only saw some of the threads of his future. Not the entire tapestry.” Cambil advised. “Preparing your kids for their future is part of being a parent.”

“That’s hard to swallow when I’ve spent an entire lifetime following the principles that make this uniform what it’s supposed to be,” McCallister remarked. “What type of example would I be setting for him if I reveal what could happen to him and then tell him to keep it a secret because of the mighty Temporal Prime Directive?”

“You’ll be making sure he is ready so when the day does finally arrive he will look at it and know you did your job as a Starfleet officer and as his father,” Cambil stated. “Don’t get me wrong James, I don’t like this either but you could end up causing more problems in the future. You’re going to have to show some trust in those you lead so that they understand you know they won’t use what you share to their advantage. If anything, you’ve been preparing for this type of thing since you first took command of the Odyssey and you went out of your way to build a strong community here, a close family and one that those who are a part of know they can depend on each other in any crisis.”

Smiling and appreciating her little speech, McCallister nodded. “I suppose you’re right, but it doesn’t make this any easier.”

“It won’t but for once will you listen to your former first officer and do as your told?” Cambil challenged him with another smirk. “You know I’m right.”

“I hate it when you’re right.” McCallister eventually shared. 

“I know,” Cambil said with satisfaction. “More wine?”

“More wine!” McCallister insisted. 

The door chime then went off as Cambil picked up her bottle of wine. Turning to look at the door after glancing an uncertain look at McCallister, she answered the call. “Come in.”

The door chime went off and walking in by surprise was Duncan and Banfield.

“Max, this is an unexpected visit,” Cambil said as she poured McCallister another glass. “Joining us for a late-night drink?” She asked, raising the bottle.

Duncan, looking confused about the scene before him, made him turn back to Banfield. “I thought you said you didn’t think she would agree to this?”

“I said she shared her reservations.” Banfield responded with. 

 Shaking his head, McCallister then worked out what was happening. “Does someone want to fill me in or should I share what I think is happening here?”

Appearing somewhat flustered, Duncan returned his attention to his superior. “I’m sorry sir, but I was planning to speak to Captain Cambil about a matter.”

“Let me guess, convincing me to begin prep work for this possible paradox happening in the future?” McCallister asked aloud. “You were hoping to get Bexa’s insights and support?”

Duncan just nodded.

“She’s already beaten you to it, Max.” McCallister shared before he looked to Banfield. “Commander, I will cooperate in the preparations but we do this slowly and carefully. I’m not planning to change anyone’s destiny.”

Banfield graceful bowed her head slightly. “That would be acceptable, sir.”

“Then where do we start?” McCallister asked them all.

Stepping forward, Cambil shared her idea. “James, I believe you need a new chief science officer and second officer?” She turned her focus on Banfield. “I think I’ve just found the perfect candidate for you.”

Now reacting with a surprised expression, Banfield took a step forward. “My posting to the Odyssey is temporary and was only for the investigation and follow-up prep work.”

“Why can’t it be a permanent thing?” Cambil challenged. “You’re fully qualified, commander plus the Odyssey is a fine setting to raise a family. The three of us are a shining example of that.” She indicated to herself, McCallister and Duncan. “Plus Captain McCallister is going to need someone who knows all things temporal to be around and overseeing the upgrades to the ship and the preparation of the crew for what may happen.”

“I’m starting to like Captain Cambil’s thinking.” Duncan said with a grin after he crossed his arms against his chest and looked upon Banfield. “You wanted us to take this seriously enough.”

Banfield then looked towards McCallister. “I’m not sure what to say.”

“Say you’ll join us.” McCallister replied. “As Bexa said, no one else is more qualified, however, tell me something, who put Alfie’s cadet enrolment forward so quickly?”

Remaining strong in where she stood, Banfield raised her chin slightly. “D-T-I did.”

“Let me guess, to force my hand in preparing him for what may happen and to ensure he follows the same rules as we all do?” McCallister probed. 

“Something like that sir.” Banfield replied. 

Shaking his head as he placed his glass of wine down, McCallister looked at Banfield. “That’s not the type of action I expect from my second officer and chief science officer, especially when I told you that my sons were not to be interfered with. Is that clear, commander?” McCallister explained.

“Crystal clear, sir, I’ve heard that a lot tonight.” Banfield said, shooting a glance at Duncan for a moment.

“Then we have ourselves a deal,” McCallister told her before he extended his hand to welcome her. “I suggest you inform Admiral Bennet about this and your superiors at the D-T-I.”

“Right away, sir. Will I be able to bring my family on board, soon, sir?” Banfield requested.

Nodding, McCallister gave his clearance on that matter. “Once they’re ready, yes.” He took a breath in one more time. “Dismissed, Commander Banfield.”

She dipped her head a bit before leaving the guest quarters. 

Duncan turned to McCallister and Cambil, but before he said anything Cambil already shared his thoughts. “Before you say it, Max, can you truly trust her? The answer is, give her time and I mean that both literally and figuratively.”

“Will the rest of the crew though?” Duncan questioned. 

“I don’t think we have a choice, Number One,” McCallister said. “Plus it will keep the top brass happy that we are taking this paradox seriously.”

The three officers stood in silence for a bit more. Cambil finally spoke up. “Max, join us for a drink.”

Taking a glance from the Bajoran captain, Duncan agreed to it. “What are we drinking to?”

“A new day.” Cambil said as she poured wine into the glasses.

“A new chapter for the Odyssey.” McCallister added.

Raising their glasses they clinked their glasses together before sipping on their beverages.