Braka captures Ake and Anisha and stages a mock trial, while the Athena's crew frees them, disarms the Omega mines and brings in the fleet.
Vance reveals that Braka leads a cartel of non-member worlds against the Federation, leaving the Athena on its own. Braka captures Ake and Anisha and appears to destroy the Athena, though the Doctor had projected an illusion of its destruction. Braka puts the Federation on mock trial while Reno and the cadets repair the ship and track him.
Ake and Caleb expose that Braka's own father destroyed his homeworld, discrediting his case, and SAM deactivates the mines. Vance arrives with the fleet, the Venari Ral surrender and Braka is arrested. The fleet then gathers at Betazed for the dedication of the new Federation capital, and Caleb plans to travel with his mother before his second year. The finale was directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi.