Chapter 2

DS9 Near the Bajoran Wormhole

The look on Riker's face showed that he wasn't any more happy than the Picard was. It had been a week since they had received their orders but it would be two more days until they could inform their crews. Sure the equipment installation and the upgrading of the warp drive had taken place without incident. Also the DS9 crew had been very gracious and discreet by providing for the needs of both the Titan and Enterprise crews. However, the crew transfers had not gone quite as smoothly. Most of the transferred people were new to the starships and had obvious qualms about a highly secretive mission. This fact combined with two others made the commanders nervous.

First of all Admiral Janeway had been recalled to Starfleet Command. Second was the lack of clarification on their orders. Sure they were to retrieve the crystal and bring it to Vulcan, but why all of a sudden were they going deep into the outer galaxy to try and find it. Yes, Vulcan was in danger , but when Picard had asked Janeway about what research had been done to see if the planet could be saved without the crystal retrieval she brushed him off saying that all research avenues had been exhausted. When Riker pushed further by asking for this research so that it could help them better understand the crystals properties the Janeway ordered them both to drop it and let it go. Two days later the Admiral was recalled and Picard was placed in command as the senior officer.

So what do you think Will?

I think that Starfleet knows a lot more than they are telling us.

That is usually the case, but on a mission this important I cannot see why we are not given every advantage. Vulcan's survival is of the upmost importance, but why can we not have access to information that may save our lives.

I have been working on that. I have a Starfleet computer expert on board the Titan, with A-1 security clearance, and I gave him undocumented orders to hack into the Federation memory bank and retrieve all the information that he could find.

Very clever Will, but will he have enough time to get the information before we leave.

Maybe, but I told him that we are leaving on schedule no matter what.

Keep me posted of whatever information you come across.

I will Captain.

Two hours later: Bridge USS Enterprise

"Captain we are ready to leave. Titan is standing by." Data said.

"Very well, Lt. Halsek take us along side the Titan and prepare to go through the wormhole."

"Yes sir"

"We are in position sir, Titan is ready." Data said.

"Full impulse power, engage"

In brilliant explosion of color the Enterprise the Titan entered the wormhole and seconds later were 40,000 light-years away on the other side of it.

"Make course 277 Mark 5, Warp 9 engage" Picard ordered.

"Yes sir" the helmsman replied.

Captains ready room USS Enterprise

"Data come in here please" Picard beeped.

"Right away Captain"

"Data I want to thank you for not asking the obvious questions that I know everyone is asking, but I have been under orders to keep silent until we arrive near our destination."

"Captain the crew is curious but is behind you."

"I know and appreciate that fact so that is why I am disobeying my orders and letting the crew know now what the mission is. I want you to call a meeting of the senior staff in the lounge in 30 minutes."

"Yes Captain. Should I also tell Commander Worf to secure the room."

"Yes"

After Data left, Picard appreciated Data even more than he did before the Shinzon incident. Sure it was an incredible surprise for Picard to learn that Data had been proverbially "raised from the dead" but he could almost now sence Data's consciousness. He and Data had become quite close since Data had returned, and Picard hoped eventually even the positronic relays that harbored Data's cloned memories would eventually heal.

On the Titan Riker had just had a similar conversation with Deanna and his first officer, Commander Barrak. The conversation had went well and they had both agreed that it was better to break orders early and tell the crew the mission. Riker had specifically asked for Commander Barak as his first officer. Barrak was once a Captain of a Galaxy class starship but was demoted for going against Starfleet command. He had destroyed a Cardassian ship carrying weapons into the demilitarized zone. Starfleet said he had overstepped his bounds and removed him from command. He was headed for exile on Dana 2 when Riker personally asked him to be first officer on the Titan. Barrak was grateful and pleased to be back on a starship, and Riker was both pleased and surprised on how well he shifted from being in command to being a subordinate.

A/N Sorry it took so long to update but it was my birthday this week. I hope to post Ch. 3 before Monday but maybe it will be Tuesday night. Thanks for the reviews Zara08 and Tayababy. Please R&R. Bye.