Act 2

Captain Traz certainly felt more at ease as she stood before the console display on her wall. The display was opened to show an admiral leaning back in his chair back at Starfleet. It was Admiral Davees, and as always she was reminded of an elderly Ferengi. All he was missing was the massive ears.

"You are certain that they are both archeologists?" he asked. "I'd hate to think that we were dealing with Tal Shiar operatives. They've been rebuilding since the Dominion War."

"I understand your concern but I trust my First Officer and his judgement," Jillian said, her mind flashing back irritably to his break in protocol simply because of this archeologist. "He is aware of at least Scholar Imperator Alarich and his credentials."

"How is your first officer?" Davees asked. "Is he fitting in with the crew? Any problems? We know he's been flagged as a potential Romulan supporter from his bi-monthly subscription to Romulan publicataions and purchase of Romulan books."

Jillian felt her face harden. She didn't like what was being said about her First Officer. She found him more than capable of performing any tasks that had been assigned him. Perhaps he had a troubled past and his enthusiasm at times got the better of him. But he returned on her investment in spades.

"I trust his judgement. Implicitly."

Davees shrugged. "Alright," he said, a defensive edge in his tone. "We will allow them access for one week. They are to have Starfleet personnel at all times accompanying them. We don't know what exactly is in this Library if there is anything indeed. Keep a close watch on them."

"Don't worry, Admiral," Traz responded. "We will."

The communication line was shut down, replacing the Starfleet Command office with the Federation symbol and flashing in red 'Communication Closed'. She smiled, yes, she had just the person who would serve best in the capacity of babysitting the Romulans.


"I mean, how do we know that indeed the Warp 10 Threshold was actually broken on Voyager?" the Ensign asked, sitting at the mess-hall table. "I mean, there is no real proof of it. Most of the data was incomplete that was handed to Starfleet."

"W-w-why would a-a-anyone lie about that?" Ensign Tyler Daarth asked, looking over at the human female ensign.

"It is not logical that a Starfleet Captain would falsify a report like that," another member of the Flight Crew interjected.

"Don't tell me you believe it, Draga," the first ensign said, resting the fork against her plate. "Not only did Janeway claim they made it to Warp 10, but that it accelerated the human evolution. And the most evolved form of humanity? Giant salamanders."

"Zoo-zoo-zoology has t-t-theorized that e-e-evolution may not keep a f-f-forward p-p-progression," Tyler pointed out. He had enjoyed studying zoology in the Academy. It had been an elective course.

"Salamanders?" the woman asked with a scoff. "Salamanders are not evolved. We would be digressing in the evolution chain."

"A-a-as much as I-I-I would l-l-love to carry o-o-on this conversation," Tyler said, glancing at a large digital clock that hung from the wall, "M-m-my shift is a-a-about to s-s-start."

The Vulcan inclined his head to Tyler as he rose, and the female waved a hand dismissively. They continued on their argument over the Warp Ten Incident of Voyager but he immediately tuned it out. He would soon be up at the bridge, sitting behind Navigation.

Honestly, he was much more interested in what a Romulan ship was doing in Federation space. The rumors had made their circulation, but there was nothing concrete. And as he wasn't a member of senior staff, most he would get is overhearing from the actual senior staff on what was going on.

"Pushing it a little close, Mr. Daarth," a voice said behind him and he turned to see Commander Enviro stepping up to his side. "Any closer and you may as well stay in bed."

"S-sorry sir," Tyler responded as they both stepped up to the turbolift. "I won't k-k-keep being c-c-close to being tardy."

"You're alright, ensign," the Commander assured him. The door to the lift opened, and a science officer exited the lift, yawning as he emerged. "So, tell me, how are you enjoying your first assignment."

"Good," the ensign responded. "Just t-t-trying to stay o-o-out of trouble, sir."

"Trust me, ensign," Enviro said, "Trouble find you in Starfleet. Bridge." The turbolift began to ascend. "It's how you react when it happens that counts."

"Yes sir," Tyler responded and a silence fell between them. They didn't have too long to wait. Soon enough, the lift opened and they stepped out onto the bridge.

They had exited via the back of left turbolift and he once again marveled at the bridge. It was circular, the Flight Navigation and Operations both in a depressed level of the bridge. The Science Station was located on the left of the bridge on the forward side of the left turbolift. Tactical was on the bnack side of that lift and on their right hand side as they exited, Engineering was located.

As Tyler stepped up to his station, the Bolian that had been sitting there stood up and made as lazy bow towards ensign and swung his arms back. It was as if he was letting a royal personage enter their awaiting shuttle. He gave him an appreciative nod as he took the seat. It was warm from the Bolian's bottom, but he felt as the microfibers made subtle shifts to form the optimal seating for the Human ensign, to make his own bottom get the most amount of comfort and endurance that the seat could provide him.

He tapped a few buttons on the LCARS screen and it beeped, acknowledging his login.

"Mr. Daarth," Captain Traz called from her captain's chair. "I want you to keep us in geosynchronous orbit. I also want you to keep up with the Romulan shuttle in our forward view."

"Y-y-yes ma'am," he responded, and his fingers worked the controls. "M-m-maintaining orbit and p-p-position in r-r-relation of the R-R-Romulans."

"Commander," Captain Traz said, turning her attention to him. "Starfleet Command has decided to allow the Romulans to go study this library, if it actually exists."

"Alright," he nodded his head, scratching his beard. He had kept it closely shaven, but now it was itchy all the time.

"They will be allowed for one week to do any research that they can," she continued, "But they must be accompanied at all times by Starfleet personnel."

"I'm sure Z'org will love to babysit a bunch of Romulans," James said dryly.

"Perhaps," she gave a small smile. "But I was thinking perhaps you would like to."

"Me?" he asked, turning to her and frowning.

"You're the one who is familiar with the work that these two are doing," she pointed out, reaching out with her empathetic abilities towards him. "It's also my impression that you would enjoy being a part of this historic discovery."

A swell of interest and desire rose through the man. A smirk crossed his face. A light was on in his eyes, and she couldn't help but admit she liked to see that spark.

"Dear Captain, are you using your empathetic abilities on me?" he asked.

She put on a wounded face and put a hand to her upper chest, batting her eyelashes to him. "My dear sir," she said with an air of fake offense, "Are you implying that I would ever do such a thing?"

"You are right," he chuckled, "I would love to."

He swung to face the Science station. "Mila, what is the atmosphere down there?" he asked.

"Looks like 80% oxygen nitrogen and 20% zinc," she replied, reading from a section of her screen just above her head. "You can breathe without needing any breathing devices, but your throat may start feeling a little clammy after a while."

"I see," he said, rubbing his chin. "Captain, with your permission, I'd like to compile a list of all personnel that have hobbies in archeology. Then I'd like to take them down to the surface."

"Be my guest," she waved a hand.

"Computer," he called out, "Create a lift of all crewmembers who have archeological hobbies and have them downloaded to the briefing room console screen."

"Affirmative," came the response. "Compiling list now."

With that, he stood up and taking his leave, headed for the briefing room.


Seven members of the crew had gathered in the Briefing Room in about two hours. He specifically chose each and every one of them due to having taken Archeology much more than just a passing fancy. They either had current subscriptions to Archeology magazine or they had spent time at dig sites. Or they had spent a good deal of time at historical sites.

One of them sitting in the crowd was Lt. Commander Tano, head of Operations. He had personally asked her if she wanted to accompany them, as she was a senior officer and didn't have to. She said she was delighted, although her main areas was Korean Archeology and not so much non-Terran archeology. She sat with arms crossed, bouncing a foot up and down. She didn't count as one of the seven, those seven being strictly non-senior staff members.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," he began but one of the crewmembers let out a big yawn. He turned to the crewman, an Andorian named Shran Doog'ren.

"I don't see what's so good about it, Commander," the Security officer yawned loudly. "I was in the middle of a good dream involving a foursome."

"Forgive me for interrupting any lewd dreams you may have been having," James rolled his eyes, "But you are all gathered here because of a good, healthy hobby of archeology. As you may have noticed, we have two Romulan guests."

"I'm sure they can understand the value of a good foursome," Shran commented loudly.

The two Romulan men had been sitting at the head of the room. Alarich blinked a few times. Antonius wasn't even paying attention, instead, he appeared to be doodling on his PADD.

"Trust me," he said, "When you get to be my age, even a onesome feels tiresome."

"According to the Scholar Imperator Alarich," the Commander continued, hoping to get through this briefing without interruption, "Yallada Prime houses a massive ancient Romulan imperial library. It is the belief that we may be able to discover within it's contents many pieces of information about Iconian technology, including how it's gateways were created."

"Oh!" the crewman said sarcastically, throwing up his hands in elaborate surprise. "Why didn't you start off with that, Commander? If you had said Iconian gateway technology, I wouldn't have mentioned the dreams!"

The gathered crew chuckled at the comment. The Andorian threw looks around, grinning at the obvious success of his witty comments. James, however, was not at all pleased. Perhaps he thought he was being funny. But James found it disrespectful on all levels.

He glanced sideways at Command Tano. She was scowling, biting her tongue as she glanced sideways at Shran. She obviously found this borderline insubordination. But she was holding her tongue in respect for the First Officer.

"Crewman Doog'ren!" James snapped his voice deadly serious. He gripped the edges of the podium he stood behind and glared at him. "This is the third time that you have made a comment without being given permission. Do it again, and I will be forced to relieve you do duty and restrict you to quarters. Do I make myself clear?"

Most of the crew snapped to attention, feeling the rebuke personally. A few glanced at the Andorian with pleading look in their eyes. James felt that the man would press his luck. A smug smile appeared on the Andorian's face as if a comment was about to exit his mouth.

"The next words I want to hear is 'Yes' and 'Sir'," James said sternly.

"Yes and sir," the Andorian replied sarcastically.

"Don't you smart mouth me, crewman," James barked.

"Sorry sir," the Andorian replied, but his voice most certainly was not sincere. "I will try not to again."

The two looked at each other, locking eyes. The Andorian was clearly fighting to keep his own emotions in check. But at long last the battle of wills subsided as the Andorian looked away.

"Good," James said, rounding his shoulders and standing to his full height. "Now, we will be breaking it into groups of two. I want the groups…."

He stopped as the door to the Briefing Room opened. Who was interrupting his briefing this time. In stepped the shorter form of Council Ziz. Judy was walking in wearing clothing that looked more fit for a safari than aboard a Starfleet vessel. The entire room turned to look at her.

"Don't mind me!" she said brightly, grabbing the back of a chair and lifting it, plopped it right next to Commander Tano. "Sorry I am late. Continue."

"Can I help you with something Councilor?" James asked.

"I hear you are going down to the Imperial Library and I would like to join," Judy replied brightly. "Continue on."

James scowled at her wondering what her real reason for being here was. But he rolled his eyes and returned to the group before him.

"As I was saying, we will be breaking in groups of two, and you will be assigned to either myself or Lieutenant Commander Tano," he said, continuing his briefing. "I will be giving you your assignments of your partner and to encourage greater department cooperation, you will paired up with someone not of your own department. I know we all like maintaining our own little clichés, but I think we can find greater cooperation. Luckily for us, since the Councilor has joined us, one of you will be able to work directly with her. If that's ok with you, Councilor."

"I am at your disposal," she nodded her head.

"Alright," he nodded. "Be in archeological uniforms and at Transporter Room Two in one hour. Dismissed."

The crew stood up and began heading out. Commander Enviro could hear Crewman Doog-ren making snide comments to a fellow crewman which made him both laugh and glance over his shoulder at the First Officer guiltily. Commander Tano stood up to leave as well and as soon as she turned her back, James looked to the Councilor and wiggled his finger, indicating that Judy should step up to him.

"Yes, sir?" she asked, stepping up to him with an innocent expression on her face.

He glanced sideways at the Romulans, who had fallen into hushed conversation with each other. He jerked his head to a corner. He walked towards the corner, looking towards it as she stepped up to his side.

"May I inquire what you are thinking?"

"Thinking?"

"I checked the entire crew," James explained, looking over at her. "Your name didn't come up with any interest in archeology."

"Oh no!" she agreed, holding up both of her hands. "Not one of my six hosts have ever had any interest with digging up the past. As my second host, Kurzon Ziz would say, 'The past is done with'."

"Then why are you joining the expedition?" he asked.

"Because you won't make an appointment with me, sir," she responded. "It's my duty as councilor to make sure everyone is fit for duty. As you won't make an appointment, this may by my only way to evaluate your performance."

"So you are babysitting me?" he scowled. He didn't like that one bit.

"Also," she said. "I want to see how the crew reacts to you on assignment. Many of them have….hard feelings towards you. I'll be able to help with them. Also…." She held up a hand to forestall any arguments, "as Ship's Ambassador, it is my duty to help smooth over relations with the Romulans. Make it a smoother time for everyone."

James couldn't argue with that. He wasn't sure what she meant by people having a hard time with him. He was a Starfleet officer as they all were. But, he couldn't argue her logic. It was almost Vulcan-like.

"Alright," he shrugged, giving in. "You are already dressed the part."

She gave a big smile and turning, skipped from the room. He shook his head as he turned to the Romulans. They had magically ended their conversation as she left. Not the most tactful display to be sure. Alright, show time.