Well, hopefully this is a fairly original idea. I always wanted a Star Trek that wasn't a bunch of boring ol' humans with a few mildly interesting aliens sprinkled in. DS9 came close to that, but not close enough for me. So, here we have my story. It's meant to be a spinoff of the Star Trek Fan Seires Star Trek: Hidden Frontier. You won't nessesarily have to have watched the series to understand this fanfic, but I highly reccomend that you check it out as it is one of the best fanfilms I have ever seen. The entire series can be found at hiddenfrontier dot com.

I don't own anything except those characters I have made up.

Please read and review.

Prologue

In the year 2378, Starfleet discovered the existence of a group of gigantic stations dubbed Tetrahedrons located in the mysterious Briar Patch. They contained at their cores stable Omega Molecules, giving them enough power to destroy a planet. In 2383, war broke out over control of the Tetrahedrons. On one side, the Tholian Assembly and the Breen Confederacy, led by a powerful man named Siroc. On the other, the Federation, the Klingons, the Romulans, the Cardassians and the Dominion.

The war, dubbed later as the Tetrahedron War, raged for over a year, but was finally ended when the enigmatic Grey Confederacy intervened, driving the Tholians and the Breen into surrender and giving Starfleet Officer Captain Tolian Naros the opportunity to stop Siroc once and for all.

Dramatis Personae

Cpt. Sorgan Ra'Thann
Species - Andorian
Captain
Sorgan Ra'Thann is a highly decorated Starfleet Officer and is considered one of the heroes of the Dominion War. During the Battle of Cardassia, he was aboard the Galaxy Class vessel, the USS Rowling as tactical officer when he was caught by an explosion from his consol. He took the brunt of the blast on his back and was sent to Sickbay. But after he had left, the Bridge was hit by a torpedo and destroyed. Despite his injury, he gathered some crewmen and went to the secondary Battle Bridge where they helped keep the Rowling in the fight and even destroyed a Dominion Heavy Dreadnaught. After the war, he was promoted to First Officer of the Rowling under its new Captain. However, he was forced to again take charge after the Captain was killed during a skirmish in the Tetrahedron War. But despite his best efforts, the Warp Core was breached though he managed to getthe entire remaining crew to escape pods.Now, he has been promoted to Captain and given command of the USS Archer.

Cmdr. S'val
Species - Vulcan
First Officer
S'val is a Vulcan from a long line of Starfleet Officers. Her great, great grandmother was Commander T'Pol, who served aboard the Enterprise NX-01 under Captain Jonathan Archer. Her father is an Admiral in Starfleet and her mother is the Captain of the USS ClarkShe, for her part, is a very good Officer. She served with distinction as the Chief Engineer aboard the USS Hood for ten years before being promoted to Commander and being offered the First Officer position aboard the USS Archer.The one thing noted by her superiors is her extremely rigid thinking, even for a Vulcan.

Cmdr. Counselor Jennetha Ajaro
Species - El-Aurian
Ship's Counselor
Jennetha Ajaro has led a rather interesting life. She, like her good friends Guinan and Tolian, was one of those El-Aurians who enjoyed traveling the galaxy, interacting with other species. Her first trip to Earth was during the early 20th Century, around the year 1908. She returned to Earth in the 22nd Century and enlisted in Starfleet. She considered applying to join the crew of the Enterprise on its historic mission, but instead opted for a less demanding position in San Francisco. She stayed at this position for many years, witnessing the Xindi incident, the Romulan Wars and the formation of the Federation before returning to El-Auria. Her third trip to Earth was less happy. In 2293, she was aboard the transport ship, Lakul, fleeing the Borg destruction of El-Auria when it was caught in the Nexus. She was beamed aboard the Enterprise B along with 47 others before the Nexus tore the Lakul apart. She lived on Earth for the next several decades, rejoining Starfleet and keeping mostly to herself until one day when she encountered a young Xindi Reptilian Starfleet Cadet being bullied by a group of human Cadets. Even after the centuries that had passed since the Xindi had attempted to destroy Earth, there was still some lingering anti-Xindi sentiments. Angered by the bullies behavior, she ordered them off. From that day forward, she was the young Reptilian's friend and she helped him through many more tough times. She is now posted alongside him aboard the USS Archer.

Lt. Cmdr. Corey Aster
Species - Human
Chief Engineer
Corey Aster was just a child when his parents were both killed by the Borg at Wolf 359. For most of his childhood, he was raised by relatives, alongside his cousin Jeremy Aster who had been orphaned under different circumstances. When he was old enough, he was accepted at Starfleet Academy. It was during this time that he met and became attracted to his classmate, Ro Nevin, though they wouldn't meet again until years later when Corey was temporarily assigned to the USS Excelsior as a mission specialist thanks to his extensive knowledge of terraforming. He finally admitted his feelings for Nevin during this time, but Nevin left things on uncertain ground. A few months later, he accepted a position on Excelsior as the Assistant Chief Engineer and again Ro refused to make any kind of decision. Frustrated, Corey pursued a relationship with a trill named Jorian Zen whom he stayed in a relationship with for the next four years until Jorian, now a joined Trill, left him for a love from one of the Symbiont's past hosts. Corey, in pain from his loss, lashed out at Nevin who was also recovering from a loss of his own. After an argument, the two parted ways. Though chance...or perhaps fate has put Nevin back in his life as they both serve aboard the USS Archer.

Lt. Cmdr. Morgim
Species - Xindi Reptilian
Chief Tactical Officer
Morgim gained notoriety by being the first Xindi Reptilian to apply to Starfleet Academy. His acceptance was a controversial subject, as nobody had yet forgotten that it was the Xindi and especially the Reptilians who had attempted to destroy Earth two centuries before. But with the Xindi now a Federation Member Race, he could not be refused entry. For his first three years, he tried his best to ignore the gibes and attacks by his fellow human cadets. It wasn't until his fourth year that it all came to a head. A group of Cadets cornered him one night and would likely have either killed or seriously wounded him, had Commander Ajaro not intervened. After graduation, he joined the crew of the Enterprise D as a tactical officer. He stayed there for seven years until the Enterprise was destroyed on Veridian 3. After that, he joined the crew of the USS Farragut until he was offered a position on board the Enterprise E. He stayed on board the Enterprise until 2384 when he was offered a position aboard the USS Archer as Chief Tactical Officer. He now serves there alongside his old friend, Ajaro.

Senior Chief Petty Officer Seven of Nine
Species - Human/Borg
Chief Science Officer
Even before the incident at system J-25, Starfleet knew something of the Borg thanks to an encounter by the Enterprise NX-01 and later, interviews with El-Aurian refugees. So, they commissioned several independent scientists to attempt to find the Borg. Two of these were Erin and Magnus Hansen. Given a small science vessel, the USS Raven, they brought along their daughter, Annika, and left to obsessively pursue rumors of the Borg, even ignoring a direct command from Starfleetto return. Eventually, their efforts paid off and they found a Borg Cube. They followed the Cube through a Transwarp Conduit which led them all the way to the Delta Quadrant. It was here that they slipped up and were noticed as a threat by the Borg. All three Hansens were assimilated and Annika became known as Seven of Nine, Tertiary Adjunct of Unimatrix 01. She spent the next twenty years of her life as a drone until 2374 when she was selected to act as a link between the Borg and the crew of the USS Voyager with whom they had formed a temporary alliance to battle Species 8472After her Cube was destroyed, Seven beamed over to Voyager along with a handful of Drones. She attempted to assimilate Voyager in order to gain the knowledge of how to defeat Species 8472, but Cmdr. Chakotay decompressed the cargo bay she and the Drones were occupying. Seven was the only one to survive.After this, she was separated from the Collectiveand, despite some setbacks, she joined the Voyager crew.For the next four years,Seven stayed aboard Voyager as they journeyed back to the Alpha Quadrant, providing them with many advancements, including the Astrometrics Lab which would become a standard facility on Starfleet vessels after Voyager's return. She briefly entered into a relationship with Cmdr. Chakotay, but broke it off after Voyager returned home. For several years, she worked with Starfleet's anti-Borg "think-tank" on Deep Space 7, even taking an enlisted rank until recently when she was offered the position of Chief Science Officer aboard the USS Archer.

Lt. Cmdr. Dr. Genevieve Lusignon
Species - Human
Chief Medical Officer
Geneveve Lusignon was born on Earth in the city of Paris, France. Her father was the governor of Paris and her mother was a very accomplished musician. Her three brothers and two sisters all pursued careers in art or politics, but she had always felt compelled to answer a higher calling. So, she joined Starfleet Academy in the Medical Corps. Her parents were somewhat dismayed at her decision and tried often to dissuade her, but she held fast to her beliefs. She graduated the Academy at the top of her class and was the top pick for CMO aboard several Starships. However, in the end, she took a position at Starfleet Medical and stayed there for several years until her friend and colleague, Dr. Katherine Pulaski, encouraged her to join the crew of a Starship, at least for a little while. So, she joined the crew of the USS Hood, though not as the CMO. She saw the Hood all the way through the Dominion War and into the Tetrahedron War before finally acquiescing to an offer of CMO aboard the USS Archer.

Lt. Ro Nevin
Species - Bajoran
Science Officer
Nevin was born to Ro Gale and Ro Talia during the Cardassian Occupation of Bajor. He was only a small child, living in a refugee cap with his sister when one day, a Cardassian gave both of them pieces of sugar candy and led them to a room where they were forced to sit and watch as their father was tortured to death. Laren felt ashamed to be a Bajoran after this incident and soon ran away. Nevin was old enough to feel betrayed by this and he spent most of his childhood never seeing his sister. After the Occupation ended, he saw her sporadically on her infrequent visits back to Bajor. She had joined Starfleet Academy and had graduated and joined the crew of the USS Wellington. However, after her Court Marshall and subsequent imprisonment, Nevin began to feel truly ashamed of his sister and decided to join Starfleet himself to redeem his family's name. Laren's defection to the Maquis further pushed him to succeed and it was only with the help of his friend and fellow Cadet Andrew Barrett that he came to realize how important Laren was to him, despite her flaws. He met Corey Aster during this time, but was confused by his feelings for him. He graduated with flying colors in the Science Department and was assigned to the USS Excelsior. Here he stayed, earning distinction for his ground-breaking study of the Grey and their technology and even being promoted to Chief Science Officer. For the next few years, he and Corey danced around the issue of their feelings for each other. In the meantime, he dated a fellow Bajoran girl named Tara Abis, though this was short-lived and soon after, he became involved with a young Klingon man named Nej'ta. Tragedy struck when Nej'ta was killed in a terrorist strike on Deep Space 12. Nevin, already grief-stricken ,was further hurt when Corey began lashing out at him after his break up with Jorian Zen. Nevin cut all ties with Corey and left Excelsior the first offer he got. However, this offer, the USS Archer just happens to be the same ship Corey accepted a position on board...

Ens. Icheb
Species - Brunali
Science Officer/Helmsman
Icheb was a young Brunali male who was one of five immature Borg drones released not fully assimilated from the Borg maturation chamber after a virus killed all adult drones aboard the Cube they were serving on in 2376. He was given the designation of "Second", as he could not control the other drones, even though he was the eldest among them. After a failed attempt to capture the USS Voyager, the adolescent drones were adopted by the crew of Voyager. The Doctor was able to remove most of their implants, and the crew searched for their home planets, with the hope of returning them to their respective families. Seven of Nine took it upon herself to tutor Icheb and the others, to help them re-adjust to life outside the Collective. Seven took charge of the children, but Icheb and the others became rowdy and hard to control. Seven's regimented control made them feel like they were still on a Borg ship. Once she treated the children as individuals, they became manageable. Icheb was especially intelligent and innovative, yet very reserved. He had hoped to work alongside Seven of Nine in astrometrics. However, when his parents were located, he was returned to them. He tried to adjust to his new life, but after Voyager left, he learned that he was deliberately sent to be assimilated by his family, with the hopes that a pathogen he was carrying would destroy the Borg as it did the Cube that Icheb was aboard. Fortunately, the Voyager crew rescued Icheb from re-assimilation, and he rejoined the ship on its journey. After returning to Earth, Icheb was accepted at Starfleet Academy and graduated at an accelerated rate, finishing in three years as opposed to four. He was posted aboard the USS Rhode Island with his Voyager colleague, Lt. Harry Kim. He stayed aboard the Rhode Island until he was offered a position aboard the Archer after the Tetrahedron War. Because a portion of his life was spent as a Borg Drone, Icheb is still regaining his individuality and discovering exactly who he is.

USS Archer, docked at Deep Space 9

Captain's Log Stardate 60345.2; Captain Sorgan Ra'Thann recording. It seems at last that the Alpha and Beta quadrants can finally breathe easier. The Tetrahedron War is over and although victory came at a high price to all involved, relations between the Federation and its allies have never been higher.

So now, Starfleet finally feels ready to return to that purpose for which it was created; exploration. To that end, I have taken the U.S.S. Archer as my first command. Though she is an untested ship with an untested crew, I'm sure that both will perform admirably. Starfleet Command has assigned the Archer to an extended deep space away mission to the largely unexplored Gamma Quadrant-

The door to the ready-room chimed, interrupting Ra'Thann's log recording. He sighed and his antennae twitched in annoyance. Always when I'm in the middle of something. "Computer, pause log entry. Come." he said.

The doors opened and in stepped a young Vulcan woman.

"Ah, Commander. Please, come in."

"First Officer, Commander S'Val reporting for duty, Captain." she said in the standard Vulcan monotone.

"At ease, S'Val. And, please, call me Sorgan."

S'Val went to 'at ease' stance, but said, "With all due respect, Captain, I do not believe that it would be appropriate for me to refer to you by your first name. You are my commanding officer, and I should treat you as such."

Ra'Thann sighed inwardly. He was going to have to get used to this. As a rule, Andorians were a very emotional people Some even rivaled Klingons and Orions for sheer temper. Fortunately, Ra'Thann was not one of those, but still, this Vulcan was almost his polar opposite. But S'Val had come highly recommended by Captain DeSoto, after she had been promoted from Chief Engineer aboard the USS Hood.

Aloud, he said, "As you wish, Commander. Have a seat. I was hoping we could discuss all those wonderful minor details which come with commanding a Starship."

S'val stiffened slightly. Not a good sign. "Such as, sir?" she asked.

"Well," Ra'Thann said, "I saw that you had implemented a four shift rotation. While this is the best for a ship in a combat situation, I believe that a mission of exploration would better function with a three shift rotation."

S'Val raised an eyebrow and pursed her lips slightly. "As you wish, Captain."

"Speak freely if you have something on your mind, Commander."

S'Val looked at him for a moment, but then said, "Very well. Sir, again, with all due respect, duty shifts are part of my job. While I will follow your directives without question, I do not believe that you should undermine my authority with the crew. When I take courses of action, it is because of what I believe to be most logical."

Ra'Thann smiled slightly. He knew logic would come in to play sooner or later. "I do understand, Commander." he said. "And I won't undermine your authority. But one of your other duties as First Officer is to connect with the crew and to help keep morale up. Like for example, a four shift rotation may be more logical, but with a three shift rotation, the crew will get more down time, thus improving morale."

S'Val nodded. "As I said, Captain, I will follow your directives without question."

"And there's another thing I'd like to address." said Ra'Thann. "I don't want that. At times, a Captain's orders need to be questioned. As First Officer, you have to keep my course steady. So if my actions seem illogical, or downright stupid, please never hesitate to say something."

S'Val raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Yes sir. Was there anything else?"

Ra'Thann thumbed through the padd. "No. I think that's it. You are dismissed."

S'val stood, spun on her heel and left the room. Ra'Thann sighed and closed his eyes. After a moment, he turned towards the replicator. "Raktajino with a shot of espresso." This was going to be a major challenge. But, then again, the best things often were. "Computer, Resume Log Entry."

Lt. Ro Nevin stood at the viewport, looking out at the Archer, as if transfixed by the vessel. With his eyes, he traced every one of her elegant lines. Although everyone said so about Federation vessels, this one in particular seemed like a work of art. It was the first of the brand new Archer Class vessels which, along with the Luna Class was designed to get Starfleet back to its roots of exploration. Even her name was beautiful to Nevin; Archer. It was, obviously, named after Jonathan Archer, one of the Federation's first explorers, and whose name was as well-known as names like Zephram Cochrane and James T. Kirk. He also happened to be one of Nevin's personal heroes. Suddenly, the vessel was outlined by a halo of blue and white as the Celestial Temple, also known as the Bajoran Wormhole, yawned open in the background and then shut with a flash. Nevin smiled and sighed.

"You know, I don't recall you ever looking at Excelsior like that."

He turned at the sound of the female voice. He smiled at Captain Elizabeth Shelby, with whom he had served for eight years. "Sorry, Captain. It's just that I'd seen Galaxy Class ships before. This is the first time I've seen an Archer class up close."

Shelby nodded. "I understand what you mean. She is beautiful. But then again, she's taking two of my best officers away from me. I can't be too enamored of her."

Nevin's smile faded slightly. At the time that he had taken the assignment on board the Archer, he hadn't been aware that Corey Aster had also taken a position as the Chief Engineer. He, meanwhile, had taken a position as a Science Officer, though not the Chief. And on that subject...

"So I heard that you turned down the CSO position." Shelby said. "Mind if I ask why?"

Nevin shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I've had enough of being a Senior Officer for a while. I'm not sure I was ready for it, even when I was on Excelsior."

Shelby sighed and the look she gave him made him bow his head in shame. He should have known he wouldn't be able to hide anything from the woman. What he had said was partially the truth. But the bigger reason was that the Chief Science Officer was more likely to have to work in close proximity to the Chief Engineer than a Junior Officer would. "Nevin, I understand that things between you and Lt. Commander Aster are tough, but don't let it make you sell yourself short. After all, I wasn't just flattering you when I called you one of my best officers."

Nevin nodded. "Thank you, Captain. And...Goodbye."

Shelby held out her hand and he took it. "Goodbye, Nevin. And good luck."

"Be sure you replace those Gelpacks. And don't forget to purge the EPS Conduits on Deck Seven." Ordered Lt. Commander Corey Aster.

"Yes sir." replied the Engineer.

Behind him, someone cleared her throat loudly. He smiled, as he turned knowing who he would find. "Alright, Commander Lefler." he said. "I'm leaving. I just wanted things to be in order before you took over again."

Lefler smirked at him. "Sure you did. Lefler's Law number 101; Never put off the inevitable."

Aster groaned inwardly. He knew something like this was coming. It was common knowledge that neither he nor Lt. Nevin were exactly thrilled that they had ended up on the same ship again.

"I know." he said. "I just..."

"Uh uh." said Lefler. "No 'I just's.' Lefler's Law number 23; Never look back. The obstacles are all ahead. The sooner you get comfortable with the way things are with Nevin, the sooner you can forge ahead. Besides, a little birdie told me that Nevin turned down the Chief position. You won't be having to work with him that often."

Corey was shocked at the revelation. Nevin had turned down the Chief position? Was it because of him? Or are you just being self-centered? a small voice at the back of his head asked him.

"Hey, Excelsior to Aster. You with us?" asked Lefler.

Corey shook his head. "Sorry. I've just got a lot on my mind."

"I know you do. But you better get going. The Archer's engines are calling to you. But be sure you drop me a transmission once in a while. I'll hunt you down if you don't."

Corey's face broke again into a smile. "Lefler's Law number 123;" he quoted in a good imitation of her voice. "A couple of light years can't keep good friends apart."

Lefler laughed. "They always pull that one out on me. Now scoot. You're going to miss your own launch."

With a last wave at Lefler, and one last look at the Excelsior's engine room, Corey left.

The doors to the Astrometrics Lab hissed open, causing the Science Officer to look up from her work. A young Bajoran male had just entered and was looking around. Bajoran. Species 5426. Their Biological and Technological distinctiveness- Stop it. Seven of Nine ordered herself. You are not a drone any longer. Even after all these years being separated from the Collective, she still found herself sinking occasionally into their methods of thinking and categorizing.

"Lt. Ro." she called out. He jumped at her sharp tone of voice and walked over to her. "I am Senior Chief Petty Officer Seven of Nine. I am the Chief Science Officer aboard this vessel."

"Oh, it's nice to meet-"

"Your shift began eight minutes and thirty-two seconds ago, Lieutenant." she said, interrupting him. "I will expect you to be punctual from this day forward."

"Y-yes, ma'am." he said.

Seven nodded and handed him a padd. "The current cataloguing system is inefficient. Here are instructions on how I would like the system to be cataloged."

Ro's heart sank as he read the padd. This was the kind of busy work he would have relegated to a Junior Officer aboard the Excelsior. Better get used to it. he thought. "Yes ma'am." he said glumly.

"Chief Seven of Nine, please report to the Bridge." said a voice over the comm.

"On my way." said Seven. "Carry on, Lieutenant."

"First day on the job and already my Department Head hates me." muttered Nevin.

"Don't worry." said a voice, from across the lab. Ro saw a young man walking towards him. "I know Seven can be intimidating, but that's how she is to everyone."

Nevin's tongue seemed to have swelled in his throat and butterflies filled his stomach. What's wrong with you, Nevin? He asked himself. It's just a cute guy. You saw plenty of them on Excelsior.

The young man stuck out his hand and for the first time, Nevin noticed the few metal implants he had. "My designation is Ensign Icheb. You are Lt. Ro, correct?"

He knows my name! Shut up. He just heard Seven say it.

"Uh...Yeah, that's me." Smooth line there, Nevin. I'm sweating! By the Prophets this is embarrassing...

Icheb furrowed his brow. "Are you unwell, Lieutenant?"

Nevin nearly fainted. He knows! Okay, just play it cool. "Uh...Yeah, I'm fine. Just getting used to things." Change the subject, idiot! "So, you were on Voyager, right?"

Icheb smiled. "Yes. They rescued me from the Borg and brought me back here with them."

Nevin nodded. Of course he knew that. Anyone who watched the news knew about Icheb and Seven. After all, they were the first Drones to be rescued from the Collective since Captain Picard had been turned into Locutus.

An uncomfortable silence fell and after a moment, Nevin said, "Well...It was nice to meet you, but I better get back to work."

"Lt. Ro-"

"Yes!" he said a little to enthusiastically.

"I was wondering if you would like to join me in the Mess Hall after our shift ends. I have not had a chance to make many friends aboard this vessel and I thought perhaps we could get to know one another."

Nevin's heart flew into his throat. He's asking me out! Calm down. He said 'friends.' "Uh...sure. Sure, I'd love to."

A slight woman, looking almost indistinguishable from a human, nudged the controls of her shuttle a little closer towards the Archer. Her smile widened as she examined the ship. The Holos hadn't done it justice. It was by far the most beautiful ship she had ever seen. And after nearly 700 years of life, Jennatha Ajaro had seen ships from all over the galaxy. She was, of course, one of the extremely long-lived El-Aurian race. She was also currently the Counselor aboard the Archer.

A rumbling growl next to her drew a smile to her lips. Sitting in the co-pilot's seat with his arms resolutely crossed and a scowl on his face was a burly Xindi Reptilian. "Alright, Jenn. You've seen the ship. Can we please board it now?" he asked.

"Patience, Morgim." Ajaro said teasingly.

"Patience is for the dead." he snapped automatically.

One observing them might think that Morgim was truly irritated with Ajaro. But in reality, they were the best of friends and they had seen each other through many dangers. Well...He hadn't seen her through quite as many dangers as she had him, but no matter.

"Alright, you win." she said. She glanced back at the rear of the Shuttle where a rather green-looking woman sat. "You alright back there?" Ajaro asked.

The woman shook her head. "Please do not ask me questions right now." said Dr. Genevieve Lusignon. "I feel I am going to be ill."

Ajaro laughed. "You don't like Transporters and shuttles make you seasick. How exactly have you survived Starship life this long?"

"By staying on the ship as much as possible." the Doctor replied.

Ajaro laughed again and swung the shuttle around the Archer's Stardrive Section and into the secondary Shuttle Bay.

Captain Ra'Thann stepped out of his ready room and glanced around the bridge, smiling. Everyone was at their appointed station, looking as fine as and crew he had ever served with. To the right of the Captain's chair sat Cmdr. S'val. To the left, Counselor Ajaro. Seven of Nine occupied the Science Station while Lt. Cmdr. Morgim stood behind him at the Tactical Station. He knew that elsewhere in the ship, Dr. Lusignon would be getting sickbay organized the way she liked it and down in Engineering, Lt. Cmdr. Aster would be warming the engines for their journey.

"Ops," he called, taking his seat at the center of the bridge. "Open a channel to DS9."

"Channel open, sir." reported the Ensign.

"Archer to Deep Space Nine. Permission to disembark?"

"Granted, Archer." said the voice of Kira Nerys. "Try not to get into too much trouble out there in the Gamma Quadrant." she added teasingly.

Ra'Thann chuckled. "Acknowledged, Colonel. Archer out." He tapped the intership comm system, so that the whole crew could hear him. "All hands, this is the Captain. We are preparing to get underway. But before we do, I would like to share something. Jonathan Archer, the man our fine ship is name for, once said, 'We are all explorers driven to know what's over the horizon, what's beyond our own shores. And yet the more I've experienced, the more I've learned that no matter how far we travel or how fast we get there, the most profound discoveries are not necessarily beyond that next star. They're within us, woven into the threads that bind us. All of us, to each other. The final frontier begins in this hall. Let's explore it together.' I don't want any of us to forget these words as we live up to the Starfleet credo; 'To boldly go where no one has gone before.' Commander, if you would, take us out."

"Helm," said S'Val crisply, "prepare to disengage at one-quarter impulse. Set your course for the Wormhole. Full impulse once we clear the station."

"Aye, sir." the Helmsman replied.

"Time to see what's out there." whispered Ra'Thann.