“…The final frontier.
“These are the voyages of humanity’s foray into the unknown in search of a piece of themselves among the stars.
“To find the ordinary in the extraordinary.
“But the unknown means di erent things to di erent beings.
“What part of yourself do you hope to find in the void?”
“What are you l king for in the aby ?
“--I just want some friends.”
“it's great to be back on D p Space 9 with you two.
“it f ls like old times.
“We , not completely.”
But this isn’t about what was. this is about what’s going to be. For the first time, we get to celebrate Sarah’s birthday as a fu family. And then you two are o to some promising futures.
Nog, with your posting on the U.S.S. Burton, and Jake, fina y a epting admi ance into the Pe ington Sch l, I couldn’t be more proud of you two.
You’ve come a long way since ge ing into trouble on the promenade.
I’d like to think I had something to do with it.
Of course, sir. You set us on the right path.
You know… I’m only doing this for you, dad.
Excuse me?
The Pe ington sch l…After the Dominion War, losing you, then almost having everything ri ed apart again by the Red Path…
…I don’t want to be so far away now that we’re a together.
Writing just doesn’t s m important after everything we’ve b n through. it f ls…sma .
What’s a writer in a world where the impo ible exists?
Writing isn’t about creating the impo ible. it’s about creating the familiar so that a of us facing the impo ible can get through another day.
What about what I do as a journalist? it’s about the here and now. I can actua y help people by ge ing their stories out into the world.
Per my orders, yes.
For instance, Alexander, Worf’s son, is here on the station--
People formed opinions about him without knowing the fu story, so I’m going to try to interview him for the Federation News Service to get his side. He was part of a murderous Klingon cult. I don’t think it’s that simple. Maybe that wasn’t his intention. Maybe he thought he was doing something worthy. I want to bring the truth out.
That f ls more important than making up stories.
You’re a fantastic reporter with a noble a roach, but I’ve read your writing, Jake. You’ve got your own story to te . Don’t se yourself short.
art is as important as a Starfl t Captain or a dilithium miner. I understand your reluctance, but please, don’t let us hold you back.
You’ve got to live your life for yourself. You just n d to find some inspiration.
How do you do it, Captain Sisko?
Do what?
How are you always so positive while staying so practical?
Am I sensing reluctance from you, t , Nog?
Starfl t is…harder than I thought it would be. Not the work, but fi ing in.
I’ve given a lot to Starfl t in such a short time. I joined to help change Ferengi perception, but people don’t respect me.
I t k the position on the Burton because it was the only position that wasn’t si ing at some post somewhere.
Maybe I’m just not cut out for this after a .
I made your reco endation to the Academy. Are you saying I made a mistake?
No, I… I just--
I do not mi adolescence. Boys, the world is in the palm of your hands, not a galaxy away. Be present, and trust in yourselves. I promise you’ figu--
I hate to inte upt, but we’re late for Vic Fontaine’s show--
Duty ca s.
We’ talk some more at Sarah’s party, a right? G d luck with your interview, and be careful. Alexander has his father’s temper.
That’s why I’m having such a hard time deciding my future. Outside of my friends and family, nothing s ms to ma er.
And help others find that same balance.
Alexander, it’s Jake. Captain Sisko’s son.
Can we go in there?
I’m not su osed to let anyone in, but… anything for the son of the Emi ary.
Now that we’re a whole again, I just want to k p it that way.
I’m writing a piece on the Red Path for the Federation News Service, and I was wondering if you’d be wi ing to talk on the record about your experience.
A people know is the death and destruction, but can you te us what it was like persona y?
What motivated you to join the Cult of Kahle ?
I’m sure you didn’t think you were joining a cult. Your insight could help others.
it was the only place I ever felt welcome.
PetaQ! Do not invoke my father’s name!
I’m so y. I’m not trying to o end. Truth is, Nog and I know what it f ls like to be lost.
Why don’t we start over, as friends?
I can show you a world where you’re a reciated for who you are.
I know things betw n you and Worf are tough--
The truth is, the Red Path made me f l at home. Like I ma ered, in ways I’d always wanted.
My father has always b n more concerned with fi ing into Starfl t than he was with being a parent.
Now leave me alone.
Who are you?
That man! He just... a eared? What……Q?
Please, Q is my father. You can ca me Q Junior, or QJ.
But yes, I’m just as much an extra-dimensional being with unthinkable power over space, time, and reality as he is.
I’m also just a simple guy figuring out my place in the galaxy like you.
So what do you say, Alexander? What sorcery?!
in fact, you’re a at a cro roads. You just n d a friendly nudge in the right direction. I can do that for you.
We don’t even know you. Can you please stop sna ing?!
{Sigh} Why don’t I just show you?
it was tough when I lost my mom, but dad helped me through it. Once he…ascended, I was alone, and the inevitability of lo consumed me.
No, don't--
When you expect something, it makes it easier when it fina y comes.
I don’t know, but it l ks like we’re on a federation ship.
--do this!
But I’d never expect something like this.
I know uniforms can vary in the fl t, but I’ve never s n any like these.
Not after I just got everything back.
What just ha ened? Where are we?
Why are you wearing that?
Things f l familiar…
He sent us…somewhere. But where’s Alexander?
…But something te s me I’m a long way from home.
“Things have changed since you last saw me, Ensign...”
…But I a ure you the tactical o icer who put in your request for this ship--alongside Dr. Ogawa and Co ander Mariner--is within me. I couldn’t be ha ier that you’re here.
We’ve got thr legacy o icers on the Avery now, Co ander Tuvix. The sons of Fl t Admiral Sisko, Grand Nagus Rom, and Admiral Worf. This should be fun.
it is an absolute pleasure to have you aboard, Ensign. I hear you’ve got some of the best young healing hands in the fl t.
You know, before the war, your father and I used to spend a lot of time on Ris--
Don’t talk the boy’s head o , Morn. I can’t wait to work beside you in sickbay, Ensign. Bring your steady hands.
Do not touch me! Who are you people?!
He’s got jokes, t ? I love this kid already!
I hate you went medical. I hear you’ve got a bri iant engin ring mind as we .
And waste a that talent in the je ries tubes with you, Shaw? I don’t think so.
You’re alive!
Uh, why wouldn’t I be?
Jadzia?!
I don’t want Sarah to f l even a fraction of the lo I’ve experienced.
qj, What did you do?!
I told you I wanted to help you out.
What now?!
Sounds important! You be er hop to it, Ensign!
By doing whatever this is? You n d to send us home, now! it ki s me that she could be lost, confused, and scared right now, wondering where her brother is.
How should we proc d? We are not real Starfl t o icers.
Come on, nepo babies!
A because someone who considers themself a god is having a li le fun.
A hands. We n d everyone focused.
if we fail in sto ing the Br n, the tide of the war could turn in their favor and they’ have po e ion of most of the dilithium in the quadrant, e ectively stranding the entire fl t.
Speak for yourself.
Wait...the Federation isn’t at war with the Br n. I don't know where we are, but we’re a long way from home.
Not at my expense.
Get your ridges to sickbay, Ensign!
Nog, we n d to figure out how to get home, not run straight into danger!
Wherever we are, this is Starfl t, and I swore an oath. This ship n ds our help!
What are you two talking about?
Sickbay is the other way.
You! What have you done to us?
Q’s may have influence over the likes of Picard and Janeway…
Don’t ruin the fun. Let it play out. it’ be be er that way.
Didn’t think you’d try that twice. You should hu y. they’re go a n d you in sickbay. Everything
They aren’t answering hails, Captain.
And Siskos?
They punch Q’s.
father is the only human on federation record to knock down a Q with a hit to the face.
They've locked onto us with transphasic torpedoes. We can’t survive one hit, so we n d to take evasive action.
I’m go a do a whole lot more than that when I get my hands on this Q.
My Then it’s a g d thing the pilot is here. Ensign, to your station. Because aside from everything else he’s done……Dukat?
That’s Captain to you, Ensign. Now take your station. Our fate depends on it.
He’s the reason Sarah didn’t
they’re firing! it was an honor to serve with you al--
That’s an order, Ensign!
This can’t be ha ening. This can’t be real.
…He’s put me face-to-face with my demons.
I--I…
Dukat. The monster my father pu ed into the flames in the Fire Caves on Bajor at the end of the Dominion War.
know her father for thr years.
Captain’s log, Stardate 55450.8.
We’ve been at war with the Breen since first contact. Ten hard, grueling years of loss and lamentation.
The Breen homeworld was a frozen tundra rogue planet that was drawn to its current solar system’s sun. This, however, has warmed up their home, causing the Breen to have to wear coolant suits to prevent overheating. When Starfleet extended the Breen an invitation to the Federation, they were met with death and destruction, the Breen pilfering the Federation vessel for its dilithium.
We eventually found out that things had gone sour in negotiations when the Federation offered the Breen another Class-P planet to move to. The Breen preferred to stay on their world where their culture and history is, asking for dilithium to build a world engine to move their planet away from the sun. But because the Breen would not accept the invitation into the Federation, dilithium was off the table out of fear of giving too much to a planet that could side with another ally.
Due to their desperation, the Breen have proven to be a formidable foe, having amassed most of the natural dilithium in the quadrant in their mission to move their planet, and the Federation is reeling.
The Avery has been assigned a station at the planet Dozaria, the last Federation dilithium holdout. Keeping this out of the hands of the Breen is paramount to our stance in this war. It could very much mean the difference between us putting a stop to the Breen or the Federation becoming stranded with no means of fast travel.
Despite this, morale on the ship is at an all-time high. The fighting has brought us all closer, and our new posting has provided us with a much-needed sense of purpose. To top it all off, today we welcome a new member of the crew, Alexander Rozhenko, the son of Admiral Worf. We’re all very excited to see him forge his own path in Starfleet.
What the…
How are we back in the me ha ?
I’d forgo en how much hatred I’d had toward Dukat.
I…do not understand. I’d grown numb to it. Or maybe I pushed it d p down inside me.
Next time you’ wa a actua y take your station, Jake.
Or you know, ba-da-b m a over again!
Qj, send us home now! How are we alive? is this real or some hologram simulation?
Enough of this!
I’m a Q. Master of space, time, and ma er. it’s as real as anything you’ve ever encountered.
stop playing games with us. This isn’t fu y.
I’m doing this to help you out, as a friend would. Do you know how hard it was to find a universe where we could a re a your i ues in one fe sw p? You could show some gratitude.
Friends don’t send friends to another universe when they n d help. You did this so you could f l important.
I thought this would be a nice way to bond, but father was right. Organics have a hard time showing a reciation.
Now everything’s bu ling up to the surface…
it’s ha ening again! The ship is go a blow up!
What are we going to do? We can’t fly a ship.
I don’t know…
…But
