Michael resumed her work on studying the data, though Tilly had pulled her away to sit with her as she ate with the group. Though Michael didn't miss the smell of food, she was nonetheless glad to see familiar faces. Owosekun, Detmer, and Airiam.

Detmer was the first to spot her badge though. "You got a new badge?"

Resisting a smile, she plucked it off her uniform and held it out. "It's a new thing. At the moment, exclusive to vampire clans or mates." Michael though did her best not to think about the other one she had. No, she couldn't afford to let her mind slip back down that Alley. Not now. Pike was her captain, superior office; she'd not pull him down to her level by something so…primitive. He didn't come to discovery for that.

"It's…kinda awesome." Detmer flicked it around in her palm, holding it closer. "Binary stars… not subtle are they?" Her eyebrow rose as she spared a glance up.

Michael chuckled. "No. I didn't design it. But… it's growing on me. Those that are in Starfleet have to their badge intertwined in the design. It's otherwise a blank triangle. Each clan would have a different design that represents their leader. Admiral Cornwell has a lined and starred background with a tear shape drop in the center down, like the triangle in mine. " She hadn't been able to see the other ones, but she suspected she would eventually.

"So, how many clans are there, officially," Owosekun asked curiously, digging into her dessert with her spoon with an odd amount of force for a mousse. "I mean, I know there's a small population but I haven't had time to read the fine print."

"Five," Tilly interjected first, "Michael, Cornwell, Russo, Matthews and…"

"Dexter." Michael finished for her. "Only me, Cornwell and Russo are the ones staying in Starfleet, the other two clans are on the planet, redeveloping a specific colony and territory division."

"So, just going to be vampires on that planet… what happens if you like…need to replenish your population?" Owosekun raised her eyebrow, "Are they gonna put a human colony there as well or…."

Michael shrugged. "As of the moment, I don't know. Our population is stable and only grows when someone finds a mate. I'd be worried if we had life-cycles and died of natural causes like you humans do."

That caused a few snorts before Tilly changed the topic; calling for a celebration though Michael found her focus shifting to Airiam.

"Are you alright, commander?" Michael asked quietly, drawing the woman from her thoughts and from starting into her yogurt pot.

After a second, she nodded. "Yes, just…lost in thought. I've been reviewing the data from our more recent mission."

"Ah."

"The science teams are still running the missions about the nebular but haven't found anything to match a lot on our asteroid sample. At least, we're going to look in taking a core sample tomorrow for closer study." Airiam continued, "I wouldn't mind your assistance if you're available."

Michael shook her head, "Of course not. I'd be happy to help."

Airiam smiled the best she could given the limited nature of her plastic facial prosthetics before she picked up her spoon.


"Commander Nhan?" Michael called, stopping just short of the Barzan, though she watched as the woman jumped; startled before her heart raced picked right up. "Sorry."

Nhan's jaw snapped shut, inhaling deeply though she looked displeased for only a second before she composed her expression. "What can I do for you, commander?"

Michael paused, the question had been simple though she had finally allowed the time to reflect on a few things. One is that there were three new people from the enterprise, one happened to be the science officer. "Why is… the enterprise chief science officer here, not Lieutenant Spock? I would have expected him over Lieutenant Connolly."

Nhan's face shifted, softening down. "I…believe Captain Pike would be able to give you those answers, commander. From what I know, Lieutenant Spock took a leave of absence a few weeks ago. I'm not privy to further details."

Her lips pursed but… she knew Nhan wasn't lying. But Spock taking a leave of absence? It was very unlike him. But… she'd have to talk to Pike for more but… she couldn't do that. Not now.

"Okay, thank you." Michael turned to leave—

"Commander." Nhan started, stepping forwards, her hand coming to pat her arm as a pause gesture "I was just coming to see you. Captain Pike…does want to talk to you. You'll be working on the bridge later, he wants to go over a few things."

Michael hesitated but nodded— of course. She didn't expect to keep going without being...alone with him. It was and would be part of her job. She couldn't avoid him out of personal….issues that he was unaware of. It was not professional. She'd not stoop that low. "Where is he?"

"He's in his ready room."

Michael nodded though took her leave quickly, flurrying through the ship until she got to the turbolift, startling another Ensign though they found it more humorous than scary before she took it. "Ready room, Direct." She spoke out loud.

Externally, Michael composed her expression to a fairly calm and blank expression she'd expect to be faced with but internally, she felt like a coil of nerves that wanted her to lock up stiff. She knew what she'd be faced with. The captain would no doubtfully pull all her attention, like light trapped in the pull of a black hole. Even now, she could almost feel the tugs towards him; getting stronger the closer she got.

She had never experienced something so…extreme like this. But she could feel the bond. While Hours old and yet it felt like a hundred threads were tied between them that pulsated with light gold impulses. New. Weak. Not yet formed to get…anything from him. A part of her craved to feel more, to feel the bonds form from threads to cables; the warmth and…assurance were so…tempting. To feel… like she was worth him. To feel a connection. It made her want to feel more…alive.

But Michael knew better.

Her back straightened before the doors opened and she was met with an immediate hot purse of his scent; almost weltering her resolve there on the spot…. Then she remembered why; the image of Ophelia springing to mind before she decided to step forwards.

Unlike Lorca's ready room, this space was massive. A large conference table sat to the left of the turbolift, to the right sat a selection of sofas beside a coffee table that sat a bowl of fruit and other personal belonging that seemed to…match. The style was unique but it felt like it described the captain quite well of his personality, at least, of what she had seen so far.

As the doors closed, she couldn't hear out which left her sensing attuning to the loudest thing here; the large thumping beat of a large heart.

Pike's heart.

Her eyes turned towards him, where he sat at a central, holo-table though he looked well at home even before he looked up. His face molding into a casual smile before he shifted his weight to sit up, placing the PADD he was reading from to the side.

"Commander, I was expecting you earlier but I'm glad you're here now." He started off with, gesturing to the chair opposite him.

Michael tilted her head at him, trying to ignore how she felt the sense of pull toward as she got closer and the brighter his aura radiated at her. "You could have called through the comms, sir." That was per usual protocol, especially for a request as the captain's audience. "I was just speaking to Commander Nhan when she told me."

Pike nodded. "I did not want to rush you. I figured getting back to the ship would take some adjustments."

Michael said nothing though have an inclination of acknowledgment with a short nod before her eyes flickered to the seat before she sat herself down into it, her hands coming to rest on her knees. "I…asked Commander Nhan about Spock's absence." Michael started with, "She didn't know the details."

Pike's eyebrows pulled in a fraction though he didn't seem all that surprised at the statement nor fact she had picked up on his absence. "I figured you would ask about him."

Michael nodded. "It's been…years since I last saw my brother. Vice versa." Her eyes flickered down, frowning lightly. "Does he…know what I am now?"

Pike watched her before his head bobbed. "He does, but I don't believe he's heard much more than word of mouth. He seemed…distracted when I last saw him."

"How long ago was this?"

"Nine weeks ago."

Just over two months. Not a short amount of time to humans or Vulcans. "How long…does he have?"

Pike stayed quiet for a short moment, his posture shifting to something more…sympathetic as well as his expression. "He had months saved up."

Michael allowed her shoulders to drop a fraction, to show the disappointment of the statement. So long. "Would he…come to Discovery if he comes back or…would he go to Enterprise at dry-dock?"

Pike shook his head. "I'm afraid I have…no idea. If he wants to come on board, I can have him swap placed with Connolly, if not, Number One can easily find him something to do to help with the ship. Most of my crew are…eager to help." His lip curled a fraction as he spoke. Clearly enjoying the connection the crew had with each other, to the ship. Yet as he spoke, there was something she could feel he…wasn't saying.

What wasn't he saying about Spock?

"Is…there a way I could at least go to his quarters?" Michael knew it was a large ask for a personal inquiry. "I don't know what I'll expect but… I feel like I should try to….reconnect with him in some way or…closure. We didn't leave much on good terms since we last saw each other." It never had been since… she did that.

Pike frowned deeply, obviously sensing more to it. "I'll…see. Discovery's main job is focused on the signals. Once we're done at the nebular then we can make our way back to dry dock and its main Starbase for the asteroid sample to be looked at. It's….caused a few parties of interest for their own studies of work."

Michael nodded. That did…sound reasonable. It was after all, non-urgent. "Airiam has asked me to collect a few samples tomorrow. I've agreed, mostly due to its volatile nature, I think it's more ideal for something more…durable to do it"

Pike nodded, his lip curling up a fraction "Alright."

Michael mulled quietly for a moment, though she felt she was still missing. About him, about what he knew, about her and what she was…what happened to the ship during the war? He had clearly won the crew over.

"How much….have you read about what happened here?" Michael asked softly.

Pike inhaled deeply, "Starfleet did…brief me on what happened. Lorca mostly. Imposter from another universe but… I didn't want to read too much into that unless it became relevant. I knew he betrayed the crew."

Michael's head bobbed. "And vampires?"

Pike's eyes flickered to the PADD on the side. "Not 100% there but I think I can learn as I go anyway."

Her head bobbed again but the answer wasn't too…detailed to what she wanted to hear. Did he read the…imprint part too or leave it out or just…not get to it yet. That was not a topic she could start with as a suggestion, given they had just….met. She could only imagine how it'd sound by asking him to read it. Her, a vampire commander, asking a human captain to ready a very specific part of the vampire file. It'd hardly seem appropriate.

"Were you worried, in case I did or forgot something?"

"No, I just…wanted to make sure everyone is on the same page about my species." Michael answered with, "I know we're new and…that was probably the last thing you expected to get back to."

Pike laughed softly, the sound like music to her ears, making her feel a little warm inside. "Well… that's true."

"Captain, to the bridge. Another signal has appeared."

The uplift of the atmosphere shifted, Pike shifting from his relaxed stance back into his 'captain mode' before he even rose to his feet.

Michael followed him into the turbolift but forced herself to keep to a reasonable distance as the lift moved to the captain's demand; suddenly being in a small space was….distracting. His scent filled the space and quickly.

Then the doors opened and the sight of the bridge and crew were quickly drawing her attention away. She darted passed him to her station, startling Tilly who was there.

"Jesus Christ." Tilly gave her a soft look before shaking her head. "Excuse me, I was just…borrowing your station to help run calibration modeling programs. Let me just…."

Michael smiled though allowed the ensign to clear some of the open pages then began her own assessments to what she was seeing. Her eyebrows pulling together.

"The…transmission is far too faint to get exact coordinates." Michael pointed out, frowning.

"Ensign Tilly had a notion to pinpoint the signals. I have her permissions to try it."

That seemed to please Pike, his eyes flickering briefly to the red-head. "Excellent."

"I'm modulating Discovery's defector dish to use it to create gravimetric distortion to act like sonar." Tilly pointed out.

Michael found herself smiling but she could run the calculations through her mind. A good course of action but they were too out of range to get a baring. "It's a good plan but it'll still be too far away to register. Unless we get closer, we might detect gravitational redshift and use that to calculate its position. I suggest we go to warp for a few seconds and target it with long-range sensors as soon as we drop out."

Pike nodded slowly, turning his attention briefly to Detmer. "Detmer, take us to warp for five seconds." He moved back and sat at the captain's chair.

"Aye, sir."

Michael got to work, feeling the motion as they went stopped, immediately, she saw the flashing light, the monitor beeping with its surge of data from the sensors. "Signal coordinates received and it's in the Beta Quadrant…" Michael paused though at the distance, "51, 450 light-years away."

Pike blinked, surprised though it almost amused him for a second. "At top speed, that'll still take us 150 years to get there. My unborn children's kids will be lucky to get there. Suggestions."

Michael hummed.

Tilly suggested. "Turn every human put every non-human into stasis and have the longest away mission of all time?"

A few snorts echoed from the crew. Even Pike smiled.

"Anything else?"

"The spore drive." Saru answered more seriously, "I debriefed you on the drive yesterday."

Pike nodded slowly. "Yes, you did. It must have slipped my mind among my other reading material. A ship running on a highway of mushrooms isn't common knowledge."

"It'll only take… a few minutes to get the equipment prepped." Tilly said.

"Get to it, Ensign." Pike nodded. Tilly beamed brightly before she headed away to the turbo-lift.


"Black Alert." Those were the only words that needed to be said before the familiar sensation ran through the ship… then the motion shifted as they dropped into the final position.

The screen clearing up in front to expose a large planet, bigger than the earth, it was both blue and green of water and land. A thick atmosphere of clouds but was the grand sight was the large rings that circulated over the planet like Saturn. Even going as far to cross over a whole other direction at an angle.

Michael blinked back to focus, touching over the monitor for further readings.

"The signal is gone again," Saru spoke. "But we are in the right location."

"Report," Pike asked.

"Class M Planet. No power signatures or starship in the area. No one's scanning us from the surface" Michael started with though she found herself pausing as she read the readings. Her head tilted. That couldn't be right. "Huh, I'm…detecting human life-signs."

That caught everyone's attention.

"Human? No humans have settled this far out in the beta quadrant before." Pike remarked, it wasn't quite doubt laced his voice but he didn't seem fully convinced.

Bryce's monitor beeped suddenly, the human in question quickly examined it "We're receiving a transmission from the surface, captain."

"Put it through, Bryce."

'We're under attack. We're holding up inside. Men, woman and children, a few hundred souls..." Gunfire and underlining panicked tones laced within the transmission, immediately changing the atmosphere on the bridge.

Pike immediately called for red alert, the lights shifting to red and turned his attention to ask further to Owosekun "Are you are there's no one else out there?"

"We're alone, captain." The lieutenant confirmed.

"Pinpoint the call. Show me where it came from."

After a moment, the computer began to zoom in quickly onto a section of the continent, breaking it down until… they were looking down onto a settlement.

A calm, peaceful settlement.

Michael frowned, the confusion no doubt shared but… she could easily confirm where the signal was coming from. The structure was…familiar by earth standards. From its design, it was old. Very old. Unusually old.

"They don't seem to be in any distress." Saru mused quietly.

"Can you trace any warp signatures of starship near the planet?" Pike pressed.

To humor him, Michael allowed herself to do the scans, letting the audio beep answer for her. "Not a single one." She confirmed.

"I can, however, confirm that based on audio-phonic degradation that the transmission has been on a loop for…" Saru paused, his eyes raising, his head pulling back a fraction and his heart picked up with a thump of surprise, "two hundred years."

"That's before warp was even invented." At least by humans. Vulcans were already just experimenting with Warp technology, they wouldn't have been able to take a group of pre-warp humans and leave them on an alien planet. Far too soon even for them.

"Then how in the hell did they get here?"


"From what we've been able to determine, the transmission is coming from here," Michael pointed out, her fingers gesturing to the structure. "Our initial scans show it's… an old building, perhaps the oldest. Most likely the first building here that correlates to the transmission itself."

"yes, given its dating, we can point the timing at…about the ending time of world war three on earth," Saru added, "This gives the population to grow and expand to about eleven thousand people but they currently occupy about 4 percent of the planet in ten different settlements."

"They're very primitive, in terms of technology, they don't seem to be using electricity but some signatures suggest they have…solar batteries. No doubt passed down." Michael added though her eyes watched as Pike moved and paces as they fully debrief him. "They don't have any technological means to expand further from that and… I doubt they're capable of getting the raw materials for such things at their current state. Even a mixture of buildings and even strong tents. Communal, most likely."

"Then how did they get here?" Pike pressed again, exasperated, "They would have had to get here somehow. We only got here because of our spore drive."

"Even if they had a starship, they'd only be 50 years into their development here in any case" Michael pointed out, "The building dating's can confirm it's been there for the last two centuries."

Pike huffed out softly, his face flushing a little though he stayed quiet.

Michael spared a glance at Saru who shrugged. Clearly indicating he didn't quite know the answers either. They were all left with questions but there was clearly a way to…see it. They needed to approach this at different angles.

"Humans being here wouldn't be our concern. There's nothing we can do for them." Michael started out loud.

"Given their time of removal from the earth and their lack of technology, General order one will no doubt apply." Pike imputed softly, shifting to lean back against the window, crossing his hands over his chest. "Why here? Why now?"

The way the questions were phrased… didn't quite settle with Michael. Though she knew he was trying to break it down, the casual use of intent just… seemed to personify when they knew nothing about it.

"Light bursts may not have intent, Captain." Michael reminded "Do not get me wrong but there's clearly a…more logical reason behind it."

Pike snorted softly. "Perhaps. But it's clear that these people aren't removed without reason and with technology that they don't own."

"Alien intervention." Logical. She couldn't cross that thought out. But there weren't any species in the federation that had warp that long ago or experienced for abductions to that scale. "Perhaps settlement has answers on it."

Pike nodded, with some satisfaction. "Then we should go down. Three of us. Can you...act like a human?"

Michael nodded. "I spent time when that was a necessity. I'll wear contacts and a hood." Though it had been a while, she wasn't about to forget it. Only this time, her crew weren't at risk of death by a genocidal universe. An enlightened change for once.

"Who else is best suited to join us?"

Michael ran the names down to who she knew, though there were a few options, there were limits. Detmer couldn't, her implants were too visible and that cut Airiam straight out into the same boat. They couldn't explain that. Bryce was a possibility given communications wouldn't be too hard to miss and the fact was he was easily replaceable from another coms officer. But, Owosekun's background did speak better than his. A less technological background would be ideal to draw experiences from.

"Lieutenant Owosekun. She grew up on a Luddite collective on earth." Michael pointed out after a second. "She'll know how to imbed per general order one."

Pike gave out nod with a formal smile, "Then brief her and get changed. Transport room in thirty minutes.

"Yes, Sir."