"And you believe it was someone in the council chambers that sent this message to your communications badge?" Picard verified.
Kirk nodded. "Pretty sure, Sir. Box is pretty convinced, anyway."
Picard mused while scratching his beard. "I always wanted to meet a Hamalki. They're quite fascinating."
"I'm sure Box would be happy to meet you, Admiral."
"This just doesn't make sense," Bolerov commented, rubbing his temples. His head was still fuzzy from the vodka he had been drinking. He wasn't expecting to be back on duty so soon. Technically, he should be sleeping right now... and it was showing. He could barely keep himself awake, despite the coffee in front of him.
"Do we know where those coordinates are?" Callis asked.
Richards spoke up. "Yes, Sir... the Orias system."
"Orias," Callis repeated; a hint of recognition on his face. Picard nodded with recognition as well.
"What's with the Orias system?" Kirk finally asked.
"Well..." Callis started, sitting back in his chair, "we don't know much. The Cardassians have been pretty tight-lipped about it. The enhanced Galor class cruiser came from the Orias system. We also found out that whatever they were doing here, it warranted the wrath of the Dominion. They attacked Orias III. The damage was enough that it literally destroyed the planet within days and took both its moons with it... also shifted the orbits of Orias II and IV. The system is completely uninhabitable now."
"Then, who would need help in that system?" Bolerov asked.
Kirk was thinking. "I doubt anyone in that system needs help. The message was sent to me on Cardassia. I'm guessing they need FROM whatever is IN the Orias system."
Picard nodded. "Perhaps our missing cloaked ship is in there."
Bolerov desperately tried to wake up and engage in the conversation. "How far away is the Orias system from here?"
"One hundred, sixteen minutes at warp seven," T'Nia answered.
"We should go there and investigate," Bolerov stated. "I'll make the necessary preparations..."
"I think that would be unwise," Picard interrupted. "First of all, we don't have permission from the Cardassian government to go flying around their space. Second of all, if there is trouble, we need the Warlord here, protecting Cardassia Prime."
"What about the Sting Ray and the Manta Ray?" Kirk offered.
"I'm not familiar with them." Picard answered, his head cocked to one side.
"They're the Marine Corvettes attached to this ship." Richards added. "What about them?"
Kirk made a sly grin. "I suppose now would be a good a time as any for our Marines to perform some engine tests on them, wouldn't you say?"
Richards smiled. "You know, they've needed a good breaking in. We didn't get to do that back in the Sol system."
"This idea has merit," Bolerov noted.
Kirk turned to Bolerov. "We wouldn't need to have them do anything fancy... just warp around to some nearby systems. They certainly wouldn't stay in one area too long. We could make sure they stayed away from any Cardassian restricted areas." He rubbed his hands and turned to Admiral Callis. "Chief Councilman Dogran shouldn't have a problem with that, should he?"
Callis gave a sinister smile. "I don't see why not." He stood to leave.
"Then, let's proceed with this," Bolerov added and nodded.
"I'll go make the arrangements." Callis finished and gave Picard a grave look.
Picard stood to leave as well. "With your permission, Captain, I would like to contact Starfleet and let them know our situation." He met Callis' gaze with one of his own.
"Absolutely, yes," Bolerov approved.
"Captain, if you don't mind, I'll contact the Marine flight teams and have them prep the ships." Kirk added.
"Please do." Bolerov stood as well. "Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we have a plan. Commander Richards, let me know when everything is in place."
Confused that the captain asked him, and not Stephen, he simply answered, "Yes, Sir."
"Excellent. Dismissed, everyone."