Calhmin was not used to Federation hospitality. However, when news reached him and his people that the underspace corridors were closing, they decided that remaining on Kovar was not for them. Grateful to the Federation’s help in returning home to the Delta Quadrant, they accepted the offer for the Federation to help them find a new home. The Federation did achieve that promise very quickly. For the last few days, he and his fellow Caatati had been overwhelmed by the amount of food they had eaten. Now, back in the Delta Quadrant, their ships were being escorted by the Federation to a new settlement. 

Sitting in the briefing room of the Bellerophon, he watched with awe as they continued their journey at high warp. He was amazed at how clean and sophisticated this Federation ship was. He was jealous that his people didn’t have this, but what lay ahead of them was something he was keen to start.

The door from the bridge parted, and Captain Reyas entered. “Calhmin, we’re minutes away from our destination. I wasn’t sure if you wanted to join me on the bridge.”

Nodding, the Caatati leader looked at Reyas. “Thank you, captain; I am entirely grateful.”

Reyas smiled sweetly at him. “I’m happy we were able to help you.”

Walking across the room, Calhmin saw his reflection one more time in the shiny console on the far side of the room. He couldn’t get over how he looked. Federation medicine, Federation food and Federation replicators had made him look better. No longer was he wearing old, grubby clothes. He looked healthy, well fed and smart in a two-piece burgundy outfit. 

After Reyas left, he asked her one more time, “And you’re sure there are other Caatati on this Arrithean’s moon?” 

Reyas nodded and assured him. “Captain Bennet spoke with the Arritheans after the Destiny detected the settlement. The Arritheans shared that they took in this group of Caatati over twenty years ago. In return for letting them have the moon, the Caatati have become protectorates and contribute to the Arrithean’s economy.”

“And they’re happy to take another five thousand of us?” Calhmin checked.

“They are more than happy,” Reyas stated again as she asked him to sit on the guest bench beside her chair. 

“Approaching Arrithea, ma’am,” announced Chambers from the helm. 

“Drop us out of warp, Ryan,” Reyas ordered.

“Tell the other Caatati ships to stay in formation with us,” Jirani ordered Mai. 

“They’re with us, commander,” Mai reported. 

As the Bellerophon dropped to sunlight speeds, seven Caatati ships were on either side of it. All of them were carrying the refugees that had appeared at Deep Space 19 and the two ships that the Bellerophon and Triton had rescued. 

“I’m detecting the Destiny in orbit of Arrithea, captain,” Kurath shared from his station. “They have spotted us and are breaking orbit.”

Smiling at the warm welcome, Reyas ordered a channel to open so she could speak to Captain Zack Marshall-Bennet.

“Channel open,” Mai said after a second.  

“Captain Reyas, it’s good to see you,” Bennet said in a cheerful tone after his face appeared on the main screen on Bellerophon’s bridge.

“Likewise, Captain Bennet,” Reyas responded. “Captain Zack Marshall-Bennet, let me introduce you to Calhmin; he is the leader of the Caatati refugees.”

“It’s a pleasure, sir,” Bennet said diplomatically. “The Arritheans are eager to meet with you, but I can confirm they have said they welcome you and your people here to join the other Caatati on their moon.”

“That’s very generous of them,” Calhmin said. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Well, how about we make those introductions and then we can sit and discuss how we can make this arrangement work further?” Bennet suggested.

Calhmin liked the sound of that. “Yes, of course, thank you, captain.”

“Captain Bennet, the Bellerophon will remain nearby to provide any more assistance. We have Commander Gray and several teams from the Starfleet Corps of Engineers on board, ready to provide technical aid in building the structures to support the Caatati refugees in establishing their new homes. We are prepared to land the ship with permission from the Arritheans.”

Nodding in gratitude, Bennet smiled at hearing that news. “The Arritheans are very happy to have us help with that. I’ve got several runabouts and teams already on the moon working with the local Caatati to welcome their fellow Caatati.”

“Excellent; once Mister Calhmin has beamed over with the rest of the Caatati delegation, we will land the Bellerophon,” Reyas said.

“That’s great; we’ll wait to receive them. Bennet out.” He then closed the channel, and Reyas turned to Calhmin. “Are you ready for the next adventure?”

Calhmin nodded as he stood up from the bench. “Yes, I think I am.”

“The Arritheans know what it’s like to lose loved ones to the Borg. They’re eager to make this work for you and your people. And the fact that they have several habitable moons means your people will be able to thrive under their protection.”

“And what about any other Caatati still wandering this quadrant?” Calhmin asked. “I feel guilty about settling down.”

“Don’t,” Reyas told him in a firm tone. My people, the El-Aurians, were like yours. Devastated by the Borg, we found refuge in all corners of this galaxy. Many of us survived because of the Federation, and now my people are still alive because we didn’t give up. Do the same here, Calhmin, and I assure you, as the Federation continues to explore this area if we find any other refugees, we will point them in your direction.” She rubbed his arms for assurance. “Good luck.”

“Thank you, captain,” Calhmin replied politely. “And again, please ensure Ensign Tate Horin is reminded of my gratitude when you can.”

“I’m certain he knows that already, but prove to him his decision was wise by doing right by your people now,” Reyas told him. Like everyone else in the squadron, she had been briefed on what the Caatati leader had allowed to happen to Ensign Horin from Deep Space 19. She looked at Kurath, “Lieutenant, escort Mister Calhmin to the transporter room.”

“Yes, ma’am,” The Klingon officer replied.

Wishing him goodbye for the final time, Reyas watched their guest leave her bridge. Settling back into her chair, she sighed before looking over at Jirani. “Commander, shall we set our ship down?”

“Sounds good to me, captain,” Jirani smiled. “Bridge to engineering.”

“Jayshon present,” replied the Tamarian chief engineer.

“Take the warp core offline, vent all plasma from the nacelles and standby to engage atmospheric thrusters,” Jirani ordered.

“Sokath, his eyes uncovered,” acknowledged Jayshon.

Moments later, Kurath had returned to the bridge. “Starting the party without me, captain?”

Reyas chuckled as she looked over her shoulder at him. “Never, Kurath, I wouldn’t dream of it!” She was starting to get the Klingon’s sense of humour. “I take it Calhmin left, okay?”

“He beamed over without any more worries; whatever he has left to concern himself with is now Captain Bennet’s problem,” Kurath answered.

“I like your thinking, lieutenant,” Reyas chuckled a bit more. “Let’s land this ship then.”

Kurath nodded in agreement before he tapped on his combadge. “This is Lieutenant Kurath to all decks. We are preparing to land the ship. Go to blue alert and report to code blue stations.”

The lighting on the bridge faded a bit as the blue alert Klaxon went off.   

Chambers turned around in his chair at the helm and whispered to Reyas. “Umm, captain, I need to admit something.”

Reyas smiled at him and walked over to the young lieutenant. “What is it, lieutenant?” she asked, so she was within earshot of him and no one else.

“I’ve never landed a starship before,” Chambers shared. “I mean, I’ve done it in simulations and landed shuttles, runabouts, scouts, but nothing as big as the Bellerophon.”

“Don’t worry, lieutenant, neither have I,” Reyas said warmly. “Let’s keep this one between us.”

Chambers liked that as he grinned. “Okay, ma’am.” He turned back to his controls. I’ve plotted a decent course, but how close to the settlement do you want us to be?”

“Let’s go for five kilometres; I don’t want to scare the current Caatati down there,” Reyas advised.

“All decks report condition blue, Captain,” Kurath declared.

“Inertial dampers are at maximum,” Mai stated from ops.

Glad to see they were ready, Reyas looked at her crew. “Let’s do this,” she returned to her chair and sat in it. “Ryan, take us down.”

“Bringing landing gear online, atmospheric thrusters to manual,” Chambers paused as he took a deep breath. “Here we go.”

“Just don’t crash us,” Jonarom teased from the science station.

Chambers smirked. “Thanks for the vote of confidence!”

Ignoring the banter between her pilot and science officer, Reyas looked at Jirani. “Ready to help a civilisation rebuild, commander?” 

“Always,” Jirani smiled. “You?”

“I can’t wait!” Reyas said, eager to get going on her next mission. Looking forward, she watched as Chambers carefully took the Bellerophon into the moon’s atmosphere.