"This is crazy," Bones groaned. For once, Jamie actually agreed with that statement. They were supposed to be getting ready to go home on break but they weren't, Jamie, Bones, Braxim, Chekov, Gaila, Glorak, Kelso, Sulu and Uhura were all called into the Commandant's office a week before break started. The group was shocked to see Admiral Barnett was joined by Admirals Archer, Reed and a Vulcan lieutenant commander that none of them knew. Also in the room were Pike, Spock and Scott. The cadets entered the room and stood in two rows at the position of attention.

"At ease, cadets," Barnett told them from his deck, they all shifted to the more relaxed stance and waited for him to speak. He looked at Pike, "This is everyone from the Republic?"

Pike nodded, "Almost, sir. Lieutenant Mitchell graduated last week and is on leave. Cadet Kelso is standing in his place; I think he'll be a good addition."

"Cadets," Barnett began, "Most of you know Lieutenant Commanders Spock and Scott. This," he gestured to the female Vulcan, "is Lieutenant Commander T'Prynn with Starfleet Intelligence, she's going to brief you on why you're here." They all watched as T'Prynn stepped forward, entered a command into her PADD and showed them a diagram of space near the Romulan neutral zone.

Jamie noticed a flicker, "Is that a ship, ma'am."

The lieutenant commander looked at her, "Yes, the Romulans have been developing an advanced cloaking device, Starfleet needs to acquire it before it is reproduced."

"You need us to steal it?" Jamie had figured out the mission in the middle of her explanation, if the Romulans got that thing produced for other ships, the Federation would swiftly lose a war with then and the Klingons would kill anything the Romulans left behind.

Archer nodded, "You need to get your hands on it, and fast." Bones had been holding his tongue but she knew it wasn't going to last long.

"Aren't there better people for this? Good God, man, we're cadets… sir," Bones said before shutting his mouth.

Archer smiled, "I like you, you remind me of Trip. Must be a southern thing." Commander Charles 'Trip' Tucker III was the chief engineer on the Enterprise NX-01; he was killed in the line of duty. According to the stories that Hoshi told her, Trip was also Archer's best friend and the person who called him on his bullshit. Hoshi liked to say, "Trip kept Archer honest."

Jamie smirked and whispered, "That's one hell of a compliment, Bones."

"It is. Hoshi told you about Trip?" Archer asked her.

She nodded, "Yes sir. He was a good officer and she loved that she never knew what he was gonna say. Said he was practically your brother." Hoshi did a bit more than just talk about the engineer but she couldn't tell Archer that.

Archer smiled a fond smile, "Very much so." He looked over the whole group, "This mission is important, and while, in some ways it would make more sense to put together a specialized team of officers, there isn't enough time. You all have the necessary skills, you work well together, and well under pressure. Your performance on the Republic showed that." He paused, "Each year, there is a group of select cadets chosen for a special team. These teams are made up of cadets from different tracks and they carry out missions in addition to their classes and are granted provisional ranks while carrying out those duties. Based on your performances in the classroom, on training cruises and the recommendations by your instructors and advisors for the class of '58's team, you are officially being designated Cadet Training Squad Nineteen, codename: Blue Squad." Of all the things that Archer could've said, that wasn't what they expected. With graduation a week ago, they were the senior cadets. Most fourth years went out on ships when they weren't in certain classes, there were some they could take over the communication system.

Barnett smirked at the looks that she was sure showed on their faces, "You need to select a team captain." Jamie was thinking Uhura would be good in that position, maybe Glorak, she was shocked when Uhura spoke from next to her.

"Cadet Kirk was the leader on the Republic, instrumental in the pursuit of the Nanite Killer and the captain of her Advanced Tactical Training team, she would be best suited to leading Blue Squad," the communications cadet told the officers.

"I don't kn…" the others agreeing with Uhura cut her off. Jamie looked at Bones and raised an eyebrow when he nodded his agreement.

Archer laughed, "Well, that was easy. Kirk, your team has spoken." She took a breath, it was an honor and a huge responsibility.

"Yes, sir. I'll do my best. Our orders, transport, time-frame and rules of engagement, sir?"

Pike handed her a PADD, "Your team will be joining myself and Lieutenant Commanders Spock and Scott. You will be acting as my first officer, McCoy will be medical, Uhura will be communications and so forth. This mission is following covert operations protocol, we only engage if there is no other option. We are wearing blacks; leave your standard duty uniforms here. Shuttle twenty-three leaves in two hours and you all better be on it; tell no one where you are going. Hopefully, we'll be back to get you all a break before the next semester starts. Unless you have any questions, you're dismissed." They all nodded, and filed out of the room, everyone except Jamie.

"You aren't telling us something sir," she said to Archer.

Reed stood, "That wasn't a question but I'll take it. The cloaking device appears to be derived from one the NX-01 saw years ago."

Jamie nodded, "The configuration suggests Suliban."

"How much did Hoshi tell you about them?" Reed asked.

She thought about it for a second, "Not much, sir. They're from the Beta quadrant, and were part of a temporal cold war but she wouldn't tell me more. I can speak a little Suliban but it's not in my file. You think they're involved?"

Reed looked at her, "We aren't sure yet. Keep your eyes open."

She smiled, "Always do sir. Hoshi taught me well." Reed and Archer both chuckled, and Reed spoke.

"You know, Kirk, she learned it from us," the Brit said.

Jamie laughed, "She said that you would say that, sir." They chuckled and dismissed her, Jamie left to find that her team was still there, Uhura was quick to the point.

"What did they leave out?" the other woman asked.

"Just to keep our eyes out for a species they encountered almost a hundred years ago. I'll explain more if their suspicions turn into something." They all nodded and headed off to pack.

Bones took a breath, "Like I said, crazy."