WHAT IF: A STAR TREK SERIES - THE GAMMA QUADRANT EXPLORATION - FINALLY REJOINED - INDEX

What would have happened if fate had given Jadzia Dax and Lenara Kahn a second chance to correct the mistakes of the past?

STARDATE 49195.5

Lieutenant Commander Jadzia Dax is devastated. The events surrounding the Trill scientific project involving the creation of artificial wormholes have ended in the most bitter way: her encounter with Doctor Lenara Kahn has rekindled a love that defies the centuries, but the weight of social taboos has forced Lenara into a painful escape.

However, space and fate do not allow for final goodbyes. As the U.S.S. Europa (NCC-1648-E) returns from the Gamma Quadrant, a brutal attack by Breen pirates changes the course of history. The transport carrying Lenara is intercepted, and fate, in the form of an emergency rescue operation, brings the wounded scientist back to Deep Space 9.

As Lenara faces a slow recovery under Dr Bashir's care, Jadzia discovers that the universe has decided to offer her a second chance, provided she has the courage to seize it.

READING MODE

📖[FULL VERSION] – For those who want to immerse themselves in the story without interruption.

🔖[CHAPTER VERSION] – For episodic reading:

👉Prologue. Suspended in darkness – On board the Hikawa Maru, amid Breen attacks and civilian terror, the fate of a Trill scientist is intertwined with the hope of a child. As energy levels dwindle, all that remains is agonising anticipation: will help arrive in time?

👉Chapter I. The U.S.S. Europa's Intervention – As the majestic U.S.S. Europa returns to Alpha Quadrant, a priority distress call from Deep Space 9 changes Captain T'Vok's plans. Lieutenant Eva Ferrari is ordered to lead a rescue team into the hell of the Hikawa Maru, ready to face the Breen boarding party.

👉Chapter II. Boarding the Hikawa Maru – The Breen boarding turns tragic, leaving little Drenkteg orphaned and Lenara Kahn in critical condition. Between Dr. Pren's arrogance and Pulaski's medical urgency, Lieutenant Ferrari must manage the chaos of a rescue that quickly moves to the wards of Deep Space 9.

👉Chapter III. War Trauma – With the Europa moored to the pylons of Deep Space 9, the action gives way to a difficult recovery. While Doctors Bashir and Pulaski join forces to save Lenara and the Kahn symbiont, Lieutenant Ferrari chooses to give up her leave to watch over little Drenkteg, becoming the only familiar face in a painful awakening.

👉Chapter IV. The Weight of Reassociation – As little Drenkteg is reunited with his mother, Deep Space 9 infirmary becomes the scene of an ethical dilemma. Doctor Bashir reveals to Lieutenant Ferrari the past between Lenara Kahn and Jadzia Dax: a story of reassociation that challenges Trill law and threatens to shatter the fragile balance of the station.

👉Chapter V. Crossed Perspectives – Amidst the chaos at Quark's, Lieutenant Ferrari and Doctor Bashir attempt a risky mediation to break Jadzia Dax's isolation. As the truth about the attack on the Hikawa Maru comes to light, an unexpected appearance forces Jadzia to face her past and decide whether to give fate a second, fragile chance.

👉Chapter VI. The Weight of Doubt – As Lenara and Jadzia seek a path to forgiveness, Dax's inner conflict explodes into a bitter confrontation that questions the very essence of their feelings. At the same time, Lieutenant Ferrari officially assumes the role of Operations Officer for the Europa, joining the senior officers: a new responsibility that consolidates her position and propels her towards an interesting career, just as the bonds on the station seem to be breaking definitively.

👉Chapter VII. The Logic of the Heart – Lieutenant Ferrari finds herself involved in Jadzia's drama one last time. Within the walls of the infirmary and in the aftermath of a gruelling Klingon training session, Eva abandons all diplomacy to remind the two Trills of a fundamental truth: love, whatever its origin, simply asks to be lived, before time and space turn it into a definitive regret.

👉Epilogue. New Horizons – As the Europa prepares to leave Deep Space 9, heading towards new orders and new challenges, Lieutenant Ferrari allows herself one last look at the station. Amidst well-deserved promotions and stormy farewells, what remains is the image of a rediscovered bond: that of Jadzia and Lenara, finally united against the taboos of the past. For Eva, it is time to look ahead to a career that shines as brightly as the stars of the Alpha Quadrant.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

• Star Trek and all related characters are the property of Paramount/CBS. This work is written for non-profit purposes, purely out of passion and in accordance with the official canon. The character of Eva Ferrari and the characterisation of the U.S.S. Europa (NCC-1468-E) are the fruit of my creativity.
• This story is not for profit and is also available on other industry platforms such as EFP (in my dedicated space) and Archive of Our Own (AO3) under the nickname “oscuro_errante”.
• Finally Rejoined was born from the desire to give voice to a story that would create an alternative ending to the events of the episode Reunited. Although the story has already been published in its entirety in a single post on this blog, I decided to create this dedicated index to offer smoother and more immediate navigation, allowing readers to choose between the immersive experience of the full version or reading it chapter by chapter.

ALL RIGHT RESERVED – ©CHIARA SAROGLIA