“Bring metaphasic shields online,” McCallister commanded. 

A few seconds later, Jen announced that the shielding system was operational; just as they reached the edge of the star, they were planning to use it as shelter before hitting the Hazari hard with Banfield’s plan.

“Captain, it would seem the Hazari task force is attempting to follow us in, but I am not detecting them having any type of shielding like ours,” Banfield shared from the science station. “They will not be able to last long in here.”

“That’s fine, but they can swap their ships out,” McCallister replied.  “T’Rani, set a new course, heading three four four mark six. Full impulse.”

“Sir, that heading takes us directly into the sun’s centre,” T’Rani stated from the helm.

“Indeed, if our metaphasic shielding does its job, then we should be able to survive in there long enough for us to finish off Corella’s plan. Let’s hope they’ll send most of their ships to find us.” McCallister said. 

“That’s a pretty risky gamble, sir,” Lenjir expressed.

McCallister looked up at his chief security and tactical officer, “It’s our final card to play, Cline.” He remarked before turning his focus to his science officer. “Corella, how long until we can create the solar eruption.”

“I need only to adjust a few more calculations and then ensure the modification to our systems are complete,” The chief science officer reported. “I could do with Commander Hunsen’s assistance.”

McCallister called down to his chief engineer to report to the bridge at once and then followed it up with a call to sickbay. They needed to resolve this situation the Hazari had with Jorgeh and Wylem. 

“Max’s, what’s the latest?” McCallister asked his first officer.

“We’ve completed their backstory, and we’ve made the updates to our records,” Duncan apprised.

Slyvexs then piped up. “Captain, we are all finished on the medical front. Cadet Jorgeh Duncan-Court and his brother William Duncan-Court are ready.”

“And both boys are prepared to help out?” McCallister checked out one more time.

“They are, sir,” answered Court. “We’ve explained everything and request that Commander Duncan and I be there when we speak with Y’Skei.”

“You’ve got it, Tobi,” McCallister replied. “Standby.” He closed the channel after Hunsen arrived on the bridge. “Tremt, your skills of being a miracle worker are just about to come into question.”

Chuckling at the captain teasing him, Hunsen joined Banfield at the console beside her. “So, no pressure then?” He countered with.

“None at all!” McCallister said with a wry smile. 

“Sir, the Hazari have sent in thirty-six vessels in to find us,” Tomaz informed from his station. “I think they’re trying to use a quick hit-and-run tactic to find us. The deployment pattern would give them enough room to cast their net to locate us.”

 Hearing that news, McCallister turned back to his science officer and chief engineer, “Guys, if we’re going to do this, then we need to do it now.”

“I’ve located the target point on the surface,” Banfield said, her focus remaining rigid on her sensor readings. 

Hunsen then shared that the tractor emitters were primed and ready. “This should be enough to create a superfluid gas eruption, and it engulfs most, if not all, of their ships chasing us.”

“Then do it, commanders; let’s show them we mean business,” McCallister ordered. 

Banfield and Hunsen worked in unison, and then the Odyssey’s tractor beam emitters came to life and fired a directed beam at the sun’s surface. As pulses hit the star, everyone held their breaths, anticipating what would happen next. 

A smirk appeared across the science officer’s face as she monitored the readings and shared what she saw. “The target area of the photosphere is destabilising. Pressure wave expansion is accelerating.”

“Subsurface fusion has been initiated. An eruption is forming on the surface.” Hunsen conveyed. 

The solar eruption extended quickly and hit all Hazari vessels trying to find the Odyssey. Within seconds most of them were destroyed or were trying to escape the oncoming wave. Their attempts were futile as they were all engulfed in the powerful energy burst. 

An outburst of cheers occurred across the bridge, and McCallister was delighted with the outcome. “Well done, Corella and Tremt,” He praised them before ordering T’Rani to take them out of the sun. 

“We are left with five Hazari vessels, sir,” Tomaz announced. “They are all smaller support vessels, and they won’t be able to do much damage to us.”

 “Good, but still get a weapon’s lock on them and bring our holographic fleet online. Let’s look like they’ve decloaked and are here to join us,” McCallister ordered. “Lukiz, open a channel to them.”

Jen did as he was told and nodded, indicating the open channel. 

Standing up from his chair, McCallister stepped forward to be in the middle of his bridge. Right behind T’Rani and Jen, he placed his hands behind his back into a tight grasp before speaking. “Hazari vessels, this is Captain McCallister; stand down, or once we are in weapon’s range, I will open fire. I am confident we can on take your last remaining forces. Let’s finally resolve all of this.”

For a moment, nothing happened, and then Lenjir had an indicator go off on his station.

“Sir,” He said, “the Hazari are powering down their weapons.”

“Finally,” McCallister said with a wide grin, showing his pride in their victory. Deciding he needed to wrap this all up, he made his way towards the turbolift and issued further orders. “Maintain a weapon’s lock; I’m heading to the brig to deal with our guests. Corella, the bridge is yours.”

Meeting Duncan, Court and their sons outside the brig, Captain McCallister gestured for them to follow him in. Walking across the detention centre, McCallister approached the cell where ​​Y’Skei was. 

“Captain McCallister,” Y’Skei said, greeting his captor before seeing the two boys behind him, both guarded by their fathers. “You’ve finally come to your senses.”

“Not quite,” McCallister replied, “You see, I’ve just defeated your forces in quite a spectacular fashion.” He used the nearby wall console to activate a holographic display of the battle that just took place and the current sensor readings showing the Odyssey with a small task group of escort ships surrounding it. At the same time, the remaining Hazari forces faced it. “So this is how this will go down; we will prove to you once and for all that these boys are Human, and then you will leave us alone forever. This lust for finding the remaining Ryslanti must end, and it ends here today.”

Realising he maybe have been defeated and had no choice, Y’Seki pondered for a moment his options. “And if I don’t submit to this?”

“Then I’ll destroy your remaining ships and hand you over to Starfleet Security as prisoners of war,” McCallister said. “As I said, the Federation doesn’t take too kindly to their kind being attacked. Your ships showed that they were an incredible threat to us when they attacked the Odyssey.”

“Your Federation has no jurisdiction in the Delta Quadrant,” Y’Seki replied. 

“No, we don’t, but our allies do, and I am sure one of them would find some interesting price to take you as their own prisoners if need be,” McCallister said. “So do we have a deal, or not?”

Y’Seki nodded, “I want one of my own to confirm the results.”

“It can be done here on the Odyssey,” Duncan replied in a strong, assertive voice. 

“We’re not fooling for any last-minute Hazari strategy of kidnapping our sons,” Court added. 

“Agreed,” Y’Seki said, sounding defeated. 

“It is confirmed, sir,” spoke Y’Seki’s aid as he walked into sickbay and handed him a PADD with the Hazari’s analysis of both Jorgeh and Wylem’s DNA. “They are human and the offspring of these two men.” He pointed at both Duncan and Court.

Remaining in control of his poker face, McCallister looked at the others in the room with him. Along with a sizeable armed security contingent, the captain was joined not only by Y’Seki and his aids but also Duncan, Court, their sons and Doctor Slyvexs with Lenjir nearby.

“It would seem your truth holds up, captain,” Y’Seki said as he winced at the human leader. 

“So you’ll stop chasing after my sons?” Court interjected, the irritation in his voice present. “Because we’d hate to have to kick your asses again!”

“I believe we did have you outnumbered at one point,” Y’Seki stated. “But there’s also the issue around your computer records.”

“What about them?” Duncan questioned. 

“Their authenticity is questionable,” Y’Seki said with a slight smirk. “They could have been forged.”

“Any question of their authenticity could be the result of battle damage that you inflicted on my ship,” McCallister countered. “Now, you could trust that what we are sharing is that these lads have been a part of this ship for most of their lives, or we could go back to shooting at one another.”

“Your scans of their DNA match up with own,” Slyvexs added. “They are human, and as the doctor who has cared for them for as long as they have been a part of the ship, I take great offence at you, sir, for questioning my ethics.”

If the crew needed to play up their buff, they certainly were doing it.

A silent stalemate then appeared between them all as McCallister glared at Y’Seki. 

“Very well, this matter is resolved,” Y’Seki relented. “However, be warned that if we find that this has been an elaborate subterfuge, we will be back.”

“If you ever decide to come back, I promise you that you won’t know what hit you, and I will not be taking a diplomatic approach with you,” McCallister replied in a firm tone. 

“As the Hirogen would say, you make an interesting prey,” Y’Seki said.

Turning to Lenjir, McCallister lifted his right thumb and gestured for Lenjir to escort their guests out. “Get him off my ship.”

“Gladly, sir,” Lenjir said as he stepped forward with the rest of the security contingent. 

Once the Hazari had left, a sigh of relief passed through everyone in the room.

“Well done, everyone,” McCallister said, congratulating those present. 

Pleased that they achieved something, Duncan and Court thanked the captain and the doctor for their efforts to protect their sons. 

“Well, now that drama is over, we still have one more thing to sort out,” McCallister said, looking at his first officer and chief of the boat, indicating their upcoming wedding. 

Sipping on a mug of hot raktajino, Commander Banfield sat comfortably in her quarters, reading over a report. Her husband was still on duty, and her youngest son was out doing homework with a friend in their quarters. She had the entire place to herself, so she was enjoying some light Klingon opera when the door chimed.

Looking over to the entrance, she told her visitor to come in as she placed her glass mug down. The doors parted, and she was surprised to see Cadets McCallister-Reyas and Jorgeh before her.

“Cadets, what can I do for you?” She formally asked them. 

“We’re sorry to interrupt you, ma’am, but we were hoping to ask you a question,” Alfie McCallister asked.

“Alfie is being generous; it’s me that has the question, and I’m afraid if I asked my fathers, they won’t quite understand where I’m coming from,” Jorgeh said. “Alfie agreed to come with me for moral support.”

  Intrigued by what was plaguing the young man, Banfield gestured for them both to sit in the two armchairs opposite her, “What can I answer for you?”

“I’m struggling to come to terms with what’s happened recently,” Jorgeh shared.

“With what transpired with the Hazari?” Banfield checked.

He nodded. “They were all so adamant about coming after Wylem and I, and now many of them are dead. How is that right? How can Starfleet be okay with that many lives lost?”

Banfield sat up to appreciate and understand the moral dilemma that Jorgeh was debating internally. “Starfleet isn’t okay with any loss of life; however, it also sees that certain measures must be taken when someone pushes you into a corner and your life is threatened. It is our job to protect Federation citizens and when the odds are so high and stacked against you, taking drastic measures to ensure everyone is kept safe is important.”

“And that justifies so many deaths?” Jorgeh challenged.

“The Klingon half of me would say yes, you either defeat your enemies or they defeat you. However, my human side would say that trying to justify anyone’s death is one of the most difficult elements of being human. All life is sacred, but Starfleet has rules and protocols for reasons.” She turned to Alfie, “Your father followed every single one of them. He tried to resolve the incident with a diplomatic and peaceful approach. The Hazari weren’t listening, and when they upped their game, wanting to take this ship, he followed regulation to ensure that no one was hurt.” She turned back to Jorgeh, “Now does he regret having to take the lives of our enemies? I would say yes. I am sure it would be on his mind tonight, but if he didn’t stand up against the bully, then who would? He could have easily destroyed every Hazari vessel; instead, in the last part of his plan, he gave them a choice to sit down and talk to us.”

“But he cheated them by not being honest,” Jorgeh said. 

“A small compromise to avoid the death of his son’s best friend,” Banfield answered with a comforting smile, “I am certain he could live with that lie, as will your fathers and everyone else involved.” She took a sip of her mug, “Ethics and morals are a hard part of being a Starfleet officer; there’s so much built inside of us that helps us choose between right and wrong every day. It’s what makes us ‘us’, but there are times when that line can be difficult to travel along. Give it time, Jorgeh; you will adjust to it all.”

“I just,” Jorgeh paused as he took a breath and gave a huge sigh, “I just suppose I hate the fact my background will always haunt me, and I hate that it caused so much grief.”

Banfield smirked; she knew where the cadet was coming from. She had been there herself with her background. Being temporally displaced into the past and unable to do anything with the knowledge of the Dominion War had eaten at her for a long time. So many deaths could have been avoided if she had shared what she knew. “Give it time, cadet.”

“I support, but for the first time today, after hearing my dads create the story of how Wylem and I were human and theirs, well, let’s just say I loved being a human,” Jorgeh revealed. “Wylem and I both agreed we preferred that life to the one we had on the Quirennal, and we know we can’t change that; however, just for a moment today, I loved being Cadet Jordan Duncan-Court. I felt more confident.”

Loving what she was hearing, Banfield smiled further at the cadet’s revelations. “Then you and Wylem need to share that with your fathers,”

“The commander is right,” Alfie agreed, “You should ask if you could keep your names.”

Jorgeh considered it for a moment and nodded once. “I may actually.”

“Let me know how it goes,” Banfield said as she rose, “Now cadets, I am off duty, so all I’m going to say is: dismissed.”

Taking the hint, both cadets stood up to attention, thanked her for her time and quickly departed from her quarters. 

After watching them leave her quarters, Banfield breathed out heavily and knew she couldn’t just leave it there. Tapping her combadge, she called for Commander Duncan and knew she would need to speak to him to ensure he and Court knew what Jorgeh had just shared with her.