Josh felt the familiar tingle of the transporter beam wash over him, and seconds later he found himself standing in a dark, dank cavern. Checking his tricorder, he could see that he was almost one hundred meters under ground. Since it was dark, he switched on his wrist-mounted flashlights. Glancing instinctively to his left, he saw the figure of Doctor Kramer. The auburn-haired physician was glancing about, examining her surroundings.
"Not exactly a prime tourist destination," Kramer quipped. Zhukov had objected to Josh beaming down to the surface at all. But when Josh had refused to give in, the burly Russian had insisted that at least one other office accompany the captain. Kramer had quickly volunteered.
"Starfleet – it's not just a job, it's an adventure," Josh jokingly replied. Although he had not known Kramer for very long, he already felt at ease with the informal, humorous Australian woman and enjoyed her company.
"Joshua."
Slightly startled, Josh spun around to see T'Katha standing behind him. How long had she been there, he wondered. Since he knew it was a foolish question he didn't bother to ask it aloud.
"Well, I'm here," he said. Despite the fact it was cool, he could feel himself sweating. He decided to try some humor. Grinning, he added, "So far I don't see anything but a dingy old cavern." Then, more seriously, he added, "Where are we – below the ruins, aren't we?"
She regarded him with her dark, cool eyes. "Yes. We are presently standing in a connecting tunnel into a section of the Third City. That is our destination," she added.
"Third City?" Kramer asked.
She began walking, talking absently as she went. "These ruins were constructed by the same civilization, but at widely different points in time," she began. "The first set of ruins were constructed over a period of centuries, and represent a level of technology significantly less advanced than our own."
"Representing a time when this species was just starting out, like Earth four or five thousand years ago," Josh speculated, as he moved up alongside T'Katha and matched her smooth, even paces.
"Correct. There was then a period of abandonment before the construction of the second city. Again, this place was inhabited for a significant period of time, by a people whose technological abilities were considerably greater than the original inhabitants of the city. By the time this Second City was abandoned, these people possessed technologies such as nuclear fusion and rudimentary artificial intelligence."
"Then it was abandoned again."
"Yes. You see a pattern forming. It should not surprise you to learn that the Third City was built by inhabitants with superior technology. They were clearly a warp capable species. We have also found evidence of replicators, transporters, and faster-than-light communications. We have also discovered certain technologies that appear beyond our own. We are uncertain as to what was the purpose of many of the artifacts we have discovered."
Josh was a bit uneasy now. "If there's advanced technology here, why didn't I know about it? Haven't you reported any of this to Starfleet?"
She glanced at him sharply. "Recall that I am not a Starfleet officer any longer, Joshua. I am not answerable to them. Nevertheless, to answer the intent of your question, I did indeed report my findings to the Federation Science Council. They have decided that, given our border difficulties with the Cardassians, these discoveries should be classified until we have a better understanding of their nature and purpose.'
"In case there's something dangerous that might fall into the wrong hands."
"Precisely," she replied tightly. Even though, as a Vulcan, she tried to maintain a neutral and passive expression at all times, Josh could tell from her demeanor that she wasn't thrilled with the decision of the Science Council. Of course not: T'Katha would want all of her work publicly documented as soon as possible. Anyone who believed that Vulcans didn't have egos didn't know them very well, Josh mused.
"So I take it you've found something that you don't think should fall into the wrong hands?" he asked.
She shrugged slightly as they turned a corner. The area was dimly lit with a soft, pulsing greenish light. "See for yourself," she replied.
Josh blinked, not believing his eyes at first. Then, realizing the magnitude of the problem he suddenly had on his hands, he groaned, "Oh, no."