Chapter 3

Several hours later Deanna and Will are sleeping in each others arms when the annoying beep of a com panel causes Will to wake up abruptly as if he was a trained dog. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes Will gently removes Deanna's head from his shoulder. Desperately trying to prevent her from waking. With a low moan from her mouth Will quietly climbs out of bed it his boxers. It was clear that they didn't just sleep a few hours before. Will goes into the next room and opens the com link.

"Computer open message priority one authorization code Riker-Alpha-Tango."

The computer authorizes the code and we soon see Admiral Janeway at the other end of the link also in her sleeping attire.

"Will, I'm sorry to disturb you so early but we got an urgent message from the planet Encaenia Two."

"I thought that star system could not support life?"

"It appears the Encaenian's found a way and have kept their selves quite secluded until now."

"Inca's I thought they vanished from Earth hundreds of years ago?"

"Correct Inca's it appears that their civilization is becoming extinct. I would like you to take Titan to the Bandar System immediately. If the Encaenian's are in danger we don't know how much time they have left. At its peak, Ecan society had more than six million people. As the tribe expanded and conquered other tribes, like the Paracas, the Incans began to consolidate their empire by integrating not only the ruling classes of each conquered tribe but also developing a universal language, calling it Quechua (pronounced KECH-WUN). "

"Of course Sir I will redirect our course and leave immediately."

"Thank You Will."

"Anytime Admiral."

"Starfleet Out."

Riker sighs deeply and contacts the Bridge.

"Riker to Bridge."

"Bridge here Commander Davenport responding."

"Commander I just got a priority one message from Starfleet. It seems that we have a new mission on our hands. I need you to set a course to the Bandar System warp nine."

"Aye Sir, Davenport out."

Riker again sighs deeply and head back into his sleeping quarters. It appears the sound of the com panel awoke Deanna from her sleep.

"Who would be calling at this hour Will?"

Deanna asks sleepily as Will climbs back into bed with her.

"Starfleet is sending us to the Bandar System to seek out a new race."

"I thought that the Bandar System could not support life?"

"It appears that the Encaenian's have found a way and they are dying."

"Encaenian's who are they?"

"As ancient civilizations sprang up across the planet thousands of years ago, so too the Inca civilization evolved. As with all ancient civilizations, its exact origins are unknown. Their historic record, as with all other tribes evolving on the planet at that time, would be recorded through oral tradition, stone, pottery, gold and silver jewelry, and woven in the tapestry of the people."

"Now we know why Scientists never did find any trace of them. I suppose we should get some rest we have big day tomorrow."

Will nods as he pulls Deanna into his arms slowly drifting into a restless slumber.