“Cardassian?” repeated Thaustin as he moved across the bridge. 

“Confirmed; the weapon signature is from a type seven Galor-class destroyer,” Lonar said in a quieter tone. 

Horatio could sense his chief security and tactical officer was disappointed to share those results. Knowing that others of her kind had inflicted this on the B’omar made her usual positive attitude toward work start to dissipate. As he walked past her, Horatio gently tapped her shoulder, giving her assurance everything was okay. Lonar looked at him and smiled in appreciation. 

“Where do we stand with life signs?” Horatio asked his chief science officer. As they approached the B’omar ship, they encountered high levels of tetryon particles interfering with their scans. 

Kazlaf’s fingers danced over her console as she tried to filter out the interference. “I’ve finally got something,” She announced before sighing. “Two life signs detected.”

Without hesitation, Horatio ordered for it to be beamed to sickbay. As he gestured for his brother to join him in welcoming their guests, he told Thaustin to take over and get a repair team over to the B’omar vessel while also ordering Kazlaf, Jarata and Lonar to locate the Cardassian ship that attacked them. 

The silence in the turbolift didn’t last long between the two brothers. James turned to his brother and said what he was already thinking. “If the Cardassians attacked the B’omar, we could end up seeing the start of an intergalactic war.”

“I thought the Cardassian Union signed the Jankata Accords?” Horatio responded. “Surely they wouldn’t be foolish enough to attempt a military operation in the Delta Quadrant?”

“Who knows?” James said as he crossed his arms. “With underspace corridors now open to all, peace treaties will have to be reconsidered. But let’s see if we can prevent a war and find a way to mediate here.”

“Agreed,” Horatio said as the turbolift stopped at its destination and the doors opened. “Are you going to advise the others?” He asked as they departed from the cart, referring to the other captains in the squadron.

“Once we know a bit more, yes,” James confirmed as they turned into a corridor and approached the doors to sickbay. 

The two men entered the Constitution’s medical facilities and approached where Doctor Uknare and her team treated their two guests. 

“How are they, doctor?” Horatio asked Uknare.

Turning around to face her superior with a medical tricorder in her hands, Uknare responded positively. “Nothing life-threatening. Both of them have received a small dosage of tetryon radiation and a few bumps, bruises and burns. We can get them back up on their feet in no time.”

Turning to their guests, Horatio smiled at them. The pair of B’omar had tall, slender frames clad in intricately designed, form-fitting garments that shimmered subtly under the artificial lights in sickbay. Their angular faces, framed by elaborate headpieces, were expressionless, but their eyes, deep and dark, conveyed a mix of curiosity and guardedness.

The B’omar species were known for their rigid territorial laws and xenophobic tendencies. Both Horatio and James were keen to make a good first impression.

“Welcome aboard the Constitution,” Captain Horatio began, his voice steady and authoritative. “I am Captain Horatio McCallister, and this is Commodore James Preston McCallister.”

The lead B’omar, identified by the more elaborate detailing on their attire, stepped forward. “I am Representative Garmuh,” they stated in an unexpectedly melodic yet firm voice. “This is my associate, Delegate Dauman. We are grateful for your timely intervention.”

“We picked up your distress call. We’re sorry we couldn’t have arrived sooner,” James stared. “It would seem you were attacked.”

“Indeed,” Garmuh replied grumpily. 

“Can you share what happened?” Horatio probed. 

Garmuh’s demeanour didn’t change as he recounted what happened. “We did not know who our attackers were. We were returning from a trade summit with the Nassordin when we detected a high amount of tetryon particles in the area. Deciding to investigate, we discovered a device emitting the particles into subspace. Concerned it would damage subspace, especially so close to our territory, we attempted to shut it down for analysis. An hour later, a Cardassian ship arrived, destroyed our escorts, and heavily damaged our craft. We managed to disable their weapons array before they retreated, but we have no further information.”

James exchanged a glance with Horatio before addressing the B’omar directly. “You were attacked by a species known as the Cardassians.”

“Let me guess, they’re not from around here?” Garmuh checked. “Like you’re not either. You’re the Federation lot from the other side of the galaxy.”

“We are,” James confirmed. 

“Yes, we know the legends of the starship Voyager well,” Dauman added.

“Well, we were hoping to see if we can change your perception of our people,” James remarked. “We were on our way to open a diplomatic dialogue with your government.”

Shaking his head, Garmuh’s mood remained negative. “You won’t get anywhere, commodore.”

“We’re eager to try,” Horatio interjected. 

“Don’t waste your breath,” Garmuh replied. “Ever since the Vaadwaur underspace corridors opened up across the galaxy, we’ve had numerous incursions into our space. My government has closed its borders and is stopping anyone who arrives without permission. Now tell me about our attackers.”

James gave them the response he hoped would satisfy the B’omar. “They’re called the Cardassians, and they’re from the Alpha Quadrant. We’re neighbours and have a peace treaty with them.”

“So you’re allies?” Dauman questioned, sounding quite concerned they were now in trouble. 

“No, just at peace,” Horatio assured him.

“We defeated the Cardassians in a terrible war over two and half decades ago,” James added. “However, I am concerned with them attacking you. Tetryon particles in subspace can be highly destabilising. The Cardassians might have been involved in something they didn’t want you to discover.”

Horatio nodded. “It seems the Cardassians were willing to go to great lengths to protect whatever that device was. We will investigate this matter thoroughly and ensure your safety during your stay on the Constitution. In the meantime, with your permission, my crew is happy to help repair your ship?”

Garmuh was entirely surprised by that offer. “We would appreciate it, captain. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Horatio bowed his head. “My crew will do whatever they can to make you feel comfortable, and we will send a message to your people, telling them we’ve rescued you.”

“Hopefully, they may be able to send someone to help us get back to our space,” Garmuh said, sounding less irritable now. 

“Perhaps we could work on this matter together? James asked, trying to offer a diplomatic olive branch. 

Chuckling, Garmuh shook his head. “No, commodore, that won’t be happening. While the B’omar Sovereignty has closed its borders during this crisis, it will not engage in any diplomatic contact with new arrivals.”

“But we’re not new arrivals; you said it yourselves that you know of the legend of Voyager,” James replied. “Granted, it wasn’t the best experience for your people, but we do not need to enter your territory. Instead, let’s deal with the Cardassians together. Surely we can benefit from working together on this?”

Dauman spoke up. “I suppose we would be foolish not listening to them, sir. They claim to have defeated these Cardassians. One Cardassian ship destroyed two of our patrol ships before we could disable them.”

“How about we start with a trade of information?” James offered. “We will share our tactical knowledge on the Cardassians, and in return you provide us with your sensor records and everything else you collected about this device of theirs?”

“We only need more ships to defeat them,” Garmuh replied.

“They have an entire military that they could use against you,” Horatio warned. He didn’t want to intimidate or threaten them, but he didn’t want them to think this would be easy. “Let’s work together.”

Garmuh sighed. “Very well; I will discuss the matter with my superiors; however, their priority right now is stopping anyone else from entering our space. They may just dismiss your exchange.”

Returning to the bridge, somewhat pleased with their success with the B’omar, Horatio hoped to hear more good news. Instead, Ethav, his Andorian operations officer, shared that they had just received an update from the Bellerophon.

“What did they say?” Horatio asked, knowing he could see the concerned expression forming across James’ face at the corner of his eye. 

“They had to fight off a Cardassian ship from attacking a Caatati ship,” Ethav reported. “No one was hurt, but the Cardassians left it after the Triton was nearby to render support.”

“Why would the Cardassians attack the B’omar and the Caatati?” Horatio asked aloud.

Trying to make a connection, James looked at Ethav. “Lieutenant, did Captain Reyas mention anything about them encountering a Cardassian device manipulating subspace through the use of tetryons?”

Ethav reflected on his notes, “She did mention that the Caatati had collided with a small Cardassian device emitting tetryons.”

James looked at his brother, “Then your theory from early has been proven. They’re protecting whatever these devices are.”

“But what do they do and why are the Cardassians laying them out like this?” Horatio asked.

There was a moment of silence before another message started to come through. Ethav moved back to his station from the centre of the bridge, where he stood with his superiors. “We’ve got an incoming call from Captain Duncan on the Odyssey for you both.”

“Put it up, lieutenant,” Horatio ordered.

“Um, sir, it’s encrypted and marked for your eyes only,” Ethav announced.

“Transfer it to my ready room,” Horatio told him as he and James walked across the bridge towards the doors to the ready room. 

Standing in his office, the transmission from the Odyssey was transferred, and Duncan and Tomaz, with Cambil from the Themis, appeared holographically before them.

“What’s happening?” James asked the three officers.

“We’ve got further news about the Cardassians, sir,” Duncan started.

“As do we, and we’ve just heard from the Bellerophon,” James replied. 

Cambil nodded, confirming they had that news too. “I’ve spoken with Karyn and Corella, too, and this issue is bigger than we realise.” She turned to Tomaz, letting him talk. 

Clearing his throat, Tomaz activated something off-screen, activating another hologram before James and Horatio. “Sir, we’ve got confirmed reports from Starfleet Intelligence that the Cardassian Union is mining the areas where the most amount of apertures appear across the galaxy to close them and the new underspace corridors that have opened up.”

“That’s why they attacked the B’omar,” Horatio said as he connected the dots quickly. 

“And the Caatati,” Duncan added. “They don’t want others knowing what they’re up to.”

“That’s not all, James,” Cambil added. “Gul Jacet has more than the three ships we encountered earlier. Long-range scans have picked up six more in the area. All of them are Galor-class ships. They appear to be zipping across the region planting these devices.”

“Damn,” James cursed. “No wonder Jacet remained calm in our earlier discussions; he outnumbers us.”

“Numbers, but not in strength, sir,” Tomaz stated. “However, if they continue with their plans, the underspace corridors that connect to the ones that the Turei have knowledge of and those that have opened up recently will collapse in no time.”

“Can we reverse the damage?” Horatio asked.

Tomaz shook his head. “No, their network of buoys has done the damage. We would need to implement something as large as they have, and we don’t even know the science behind how they’ve done it.”

“Well, that’s shit,” James swore as he put his hands on his hips. “What is the status of the aperture between here and Kovar?”

“We’re standing on guard by it, but Commanders Reddick and Abbej have detected its slow decline as the rest of the underspace corridors collapse,” Cambil answered. “So far, the Cardassians haven’t attempted anything against us.”

“They must have a retreat plan once they’re done here,” Horatio suggested. “Surely Jacet isn’t going to get himself stuck this far out in the Delta Quadrant?”

“We know from the B’omar that there are other apertures nearby. They’ve had a few visitors in their space,” James stated. “Maybe that’s how Jacet arrived here. Another corridor and aperture.”

“What are your orders, sir?” Tomaz asked the commodore.

James pulled out a chair by the long rectangular table and sat down. He considered his choices. “Let me talk with Admiral Jaret, but in all fairness, the plan had been for our squadron to explore this region and then continue from here. We always knew it would be a long-term assignment.”

“So we let the Cardassians collapse the network?” Duncan questioned.

“Do we have an alternative?” James asked back. 

Everyone went silent. 

“Okay, this is what we will do in the meantime. We will continue to help the Caatati, and if the B’omar wishes to progress with working with us, then we will go from there. I want everyone to continue to monitor the Cardassians and avoid any more direct confrontations,” James decided. “Let’s catch up soon.”

They all acknowledged James’ orders and the holograms of the other three disappeared, leaving James back just with his brother.

“Just like that?” Horatio asked. 

James nodded. “Sadly, yeah.” He sighed as he leaned his head backwards against the chair. “That’s shit.”

“What is?”

“The underspace corridors,” James remarked. “I genuinely thought it would change everything for us all.”

“For the good?”

“For the good,” James nodded as he sat up straight. “It would finally push the old habits of the past two decades to disappear, and the Federation would be forced to return to its roots of exploration and peaceful coexistence with others. There would be no more hiding behind our borders.”

“We’re no B’omar, James,” Horatio remarked as he sat down. “And being a bit conservative on what’s out here isn’t a bad move.”

“But where has it led us in the last few years? Two of our biggest enemies teamed up to teach us a lesson, and now someone else is pushing away a chance to turn things around.”

“I get where you’re coming from, but in all honesty, aren’t the Cardassians doing us a favour?” Horatio questioned. “Could Starfleet really protect the Federation in its current state? And if others out there, like the B’omar, find the sudden arrival of unexpected visitors annoying, it will surely quell tensions.”

“It makes the Cardassians the galactic saviours,” James remarked.

“Is that a bad thing, too?” Horatio questioned. “Let them have it. We’ve stopped the Borg from decimating the entire galaxy and prevented multiple Omega molecules from wiping out subspace. There are plenty more galactic events we’ve been involved in and will be involved in. I say it’s time others step up to the plate.”

“Maybe.”

“There’s plenty more space for us to explore, James, and now we’ve got this massive squadron behind us; there’s no stopping us from seeing what’s out here,” Horatio assured his brother. “Now let’s go tell our B’omar guests the news, and then once they’ve gone, I owe you a dinner and a drink.”

James gave an empty smile. 

Horatio didn’t need to read his brother’s mind to know his thoughts and feelings on what was happening. There was nothing Horatio could say or do that could change that. He could see the disappointment and frustration in James’ eyes. Horatio knew that how he saw the galaxy was completely different to how James saw it. James was more of the romantic one out of the two of them when it came to exploring space, while Horatio saw himself as more pragmatic about it. 

Horatio encouraged his brother to get up. “And once we’ve had our dinner and drinks, you can tell me what your former first officer’s son’s intentions are with my nephew.”

That made James laugh out loud. “H, if I knew the answer to that, then I would be in the Q Continuum and I promise you, that’s one galactic mystery I’m more than happy to leave for now.”