Kira pored over the damage and casualty reports. As it turned out, Tsalagi made it to the surface of el'Aena fairly considering the landing. They had only minor damage and she had the most serious injury with her gash; the rest of the crew had only minor injuries that would not require extensive medical care. They were lucky and her officers were very skilled at handling the emergency. She had spoken with both Starfleet and First Minister Shakaar and both of them wanted her to remain on the surface and find out more about this strange new Orb. Frankly, she couldn't agree more. Kira stopped reading everything when the door beeped.

"Come."

Her CO Bara Tel entered with his own PADD. Colonel Bara had a similar history to her own. He fought the Cardassians as she did in a resistance cell and he had a similar personality to his own. Shakaar himself recommended Tel for this post and Tel didn't really want it. Tel was quite happy serving as a regional commander on Bajor and had his fill of space and alien species and he really didn't like Starfleet much, but Shakaar wouldn't take "no" for an answer. He was much the way Kira was when the Emissary Benjamin Sisko first arrived on DS9. Like herself, he started to come around and actually like this posting, especially since he knew that soon enough, the first Bajoran-designed Starfleet ship would be ready and Kira and he would take command. For now, the Tsalagi was their home.

"Captain, we've been continuing scans of the Orb. It's remaining in a synchronous orbit just about directly overhead. We've also noted periodic energy spikes from the Orb itself. Apparently, it's scanning the planet and even us. I don't know what it has in mind, but for now, I think it's studying everything."

Kira thought about that for a moment.

"Sisko had told us all, presumably, in our "orb experiences", that the Orb was young and inexperienced. Let's hope that it receives its education quickly and let us know what its purpose is. I've been studying the Ancient Prophecies trying to find any link or foretelling about this whole thing but so far, I've been unsuccessful."

Bara set down his PADD and walked to the replicator.

"Two rak'tajinos."

The Klingon brews materialized and Bara handed one of them to Kira. She graciously accepts the offering and sips. Bara sits across from her and joins her in the respite. Her gash was healed, but it still ached.

"What could be its purpose, Bara? Why would the Prophets send a completely new Orb to the natives here and why now? Apparently, the natives here are our ancestors, so why did the Prophets send the Orbs to Bajor first before sending one here? It seems to me that these people would need the guidance of the Prophets first."

Bara took another sip of his drink before responding.

"You forget Kira, these people are not only or forbearers but also the forbearers of the Prophets as well and if it wasn't for Adoyi Nvda, this planet would still be locked in an ice age, one that the natives apparently brought down upon themselves. Perhaps the Prophets feel that the time has finally arrived to begin the healing process."

Kira nodded. "Yes, that's true."

The comm. channel beeped and they both put down their mugs.

"Captain," Hinto called in, "you might want to come in here. The Orb has begun to descend."

Kira and Bara stood simultaneously.

"We'll be right there."

The two Bajorans left the ready room of the Tsalagi and entered the bridge. They took their respective positions in the command positions, Kira in the center seat and Bara to her right. The screen was focused on a position of the sky where the Orb would probable become visible. What happened after that was anybodies guess; there was no way to know. Within moments, the new Orb broke through the clouds and streaked down to the surface. For a moment, it seemed that it would strike the ground like a meteor and open a crater that would have surely swallowed the Tsalagi and everything else for kilometers. Just as the crew felt the need to prepare for impact, the Orb stopped as if some force just grabbed it and ceased it's descent and there it stayed, hovering a meter more or less above the grassy meadow it had chosen and there it emitted a great beam or light shining out in all directions. Kira stared at it, transfixed by the light.

"Captain?"

Kira turned to Bara, who didn't share her look of wonderment; his was a look of concern.

"Yes?"

"I think it's announcing itself. If you don't want the natives to know we're here, I suggest we take off and establish orbit. We can always beam down later and check on what's going on."

"I think you're right," Kira responded. "Helm, lift off and establish a low orbit and make it quiet."

Ensign Morgan powered up the atmospheric thrusters and Tsalagi lifted gently off the soil of el'Aena. Gently and skillfully, the young ensign guided the ship until it was hovering in almost the exact place in the sky that the Orb occupied only a few short minutes ago.

"Switching to impulse engines, orbit established."

"Thank you, Ensign. Now Hinto, can we get a visual of the Orb and keep an eye on what happens next?"

"I believe that I can, Captain."

Kira nodded and stood.

"Fine. I'll be in my ready room. I want to finish studying the Prophecies and try to discover if this whole thing was foretold. Send an update to the First Minister's office and to Starfleet and to DS9 as well. This is so close; I believe that Commander McKnight would appreciate a heads-up."

"Aye, Captain," Bara responded, "Anything else?"

"Yes, contact the Vedek Assembly and patch it through to my ready room. I think I would like to consult with them as well" as the ready room doors closed.