Njessa reviewed the documents that Starfleet had forwarded on about the scientist they had assigned to the Tanjura, he was a specialist in the lost civilization of the Lohalian Dynasties, that could prove to be most useful.  But she did not like the undercurrent of politics implied by some of the caveats around him, they implied that Starfleet was happy to have his research override the primary mission of the ship.  That . . . would not do, she needed to talk to this Keth En’ves directly and see how he understood the mission.

“Pandora,” she said, the QAI resolved on her desk, as she usually did as an Andorian, this time, in an Operations uniform without rank pips.

The hologram saluted.  “Captain, how may I help?”

“Take a look at the research of this Keth En’ves and give me the highlights,” said Njessa.  “I need to understand what he may get us into.”

“With pleasure, I will let you know when I have a report,” said Pandora as her image dissolved.

The Doctor, Keth En’ves, had been given the courtesy title of Lieutenant but was not officially part of the chain of command.  Njessa did not like uncertainties, especially if they might endanger the ship.  “Computer, message to to Doctor Keth En’ves: Doctor En’ves, this is Lieutenant Commander Njessa Azjure, Commanding Officer of the USS Tanjura, I would appreciate you reporting in at your easiest opportunity.  Azjure out.”

—

Keth lay tangled in the sheets, his heart pounding as the remnants of passion slowly ebbed away. The air in the dimly lit quarters was thick with the scents of intimacy and exertion. His clawtips traced gentle patterns along the glistening cerulean hip of the Bolian ensign lying entangled with him, their eyes locked in a post-coital haze of satisfaction. He and Ensign Jol had met during Tanjura’s fitting-out, and the young officer had proven to be a captivating companion, a welcome respite from the shadows that plagued his existence. A satisfied grin played on his features. He was just about to speak, when a faint ping from his console burst the fragile bubble of tranquility that lay over them. With a reluctant sigh, he reached up to the device.

“Message from Commander Njessa Azjure,” announced the synthetic voice of Tanjura’s computer.

“Go on,” Jol told him with a tap on his nose, reading the brief flicker of indecision in his gleaming eyes. “My shift starts in twenty minutes.”

With a soft chuff of resignation as she disentangled herself and rolled out of bed, Keth sank onto his back and played the message.

—

Moments later, a neatly groomed and bright-eyed Keth stepped into the ready room, his eyes immediately drawn to the tall figure standing near the viewport. Having read her bio months before, he felt as though he already knew Commander Azjure. Like him, she was the product of a family whose traditions came with certain expectations to fulfill, albeit ones very different from his own. He felt confident that he could work with her, or at least manage her.  Nevertheless, he found himself inwardly surprised by the hint of steel in her violet gaze, something a holopic doesn’t quite fully convey.

“Reporting as requested, Captain,” he began without preamble. “Unusual ship you have here.  Almost like one big holosuite.”

Njessa studied the Caitian for just a second.  “Welcome aboard, Lieutenant En’ves.  Or would you prefer Doctor?  The Tanjura, like all of the Equity-class is heavily dependent on holograms, as you say, like one big holosuite, I hope it is not too disconcerting.”  She gestured to a chair.  “May I offer you something to drink?”

Keth flashed her a confident smile. “Red leaf tea would be nice,” he replied, taking the offered seat. “And ‘Doctor’ will do fine.  I know that ‘Lieutenant’ is only a courtesy title.”

“As you know after our shakedown cruise, we will be heading into the heart of the territory once claimed by the Lohalian Dynasties,” she said, getting herself a cup of Andorian The.  “You are the top expert which is why you have been assigned.”  She tapped her deck and a hologram appeared with the Starfleet and Federation Science Council seals.  “You have been given considerable latitude in pursuing your research.  How do you intend to use it?”

Keth took the steaming cup of Cardassian tea he was offered, noticing the way Azjure’s eyes fixed on him as she waited for his response. He knew he had to be careful. He was well aware of the Andorian propensity for tactical thinking, and that the question, while seemingly straightforward, was also test of sorts.

“I intend to make the most of it,” he grinned, deciding to be forthright. “I’ve been waiting years for this chance.  Opportunities like these come up rarely in science.  Only once or twice in a lifetime.” The last statement was made a little more softly, a note of introspection entering his voice.

Njessa nodded, becoming the captain of a Starfleet ship of the line was a similar rarity for a Starfleet officer to her line of thinking.

“Have you ever been to the Lohalian sector, Captain?” he asked.

“Unfortunately not, Doctor,” said Njessa sitting across from him.  “I have been studying intently since I was assigned this post,  Though I have been focused on the Gosovian technology as it seems the immediate threat.to the ship and its personnel.”

Keth nodded.  “It’s a lawless region.  That’s why so little work has been done.  You’re going to run into a lot of pirates, tomb robbers.  Every kind of menace.”

Njessa smiled.  “What is that Terran saying?  ‘There is a new Sherrif in town.’  We will help bring law but more importantly, justice to this frontier.”

“You sound confident,” Keth observed over his tea, skeptically but not disapprovingly.

“Of course, it would not do for a Starfleet captain to sound anything but confident,” she said, hiding her smile as she took a sip of The.  “But I have faith in Starfleet and my crew, as soon as they get here.  There have been a variety of transport and transfer delays which is most annoying.  I am sure you wish to be on your way as soon as possible as well.  Sinasa IV is likely one of our first stops and it is supposed to have some extensive ruins as well as a successor civilization from the Lohalians.”

Keth raised an eyebrow. “Ah, Sinasa IV,” he mused, setting down his cup. “I have fond memories of that place. The successor civilization you mentioned, they’re a little wary of outsiders. It will be interesting to see how they respond to our presence.”

If everything went according to his plan, it would also be the place where he would set the first stone on his road to redemption. But he could not tell her that. Not yet, perhaps not ever.

“I have a specialized team prepared,” he continued, “A blend of field experts and a few… resourceful individuals who can be counted on to deal with the kinds of unforeseen complications that tend to crop up in this kind of work. I’d rather not spend too much time on Sinasa, though. There are more promising sites deeper in.”

Njessa nodded.  “That is my understanding as well, Doctor.  But Starfleet wishes us to advance slowly building bridges as we go.  As you know, until recently, the Federation banned exploration into this sector due to the threat of dangerous Noraxian weaponry.  But, of course, that was ignored . . . and in the process revealed that the sector was safe enough to allow limited exploration, settlement and trade.”   She sighed.  “And once we had taken the risks to open the sector, the Ferengi and Orions started to move in.  That is one of the reasons we must advance with caution.  But I share your desire to move deeper in and explore.”

The Caitian looked down at his cup. “I see. So you asked me here, to tell me that you want to go slowly, and with caution. Building bridges as we go.” He looked up again, his feline eyes narrowing with conviction.

“Yes,” said Njessa, “as Starfleet demands.  I share your desire to immediately leap into the unknown but we are on a short leash until we prove ourselves.  So, I am asking you to work with me and the crew to win that trust so we can be given a greater degree of operational freedom.”

“If you’re trying to tell me that you consider our scientific research a secondary objective…”

“Initially, yes,” said Njessa, leaning back.  “It pleases me no more than you, Doctor.  But the first step is to prove this ship is functional with a integrated crew.”

“I’m not sure that the Science Council would agree,” he ventured. “You’ve been given your mission profile. If you’re not confident in your ability to complete it…” He let the implication hang in the air.

Njessa leaned forward.  Her eyes meeting those of the Caitian.  “I am entirely sure of my ability, Doctor.  I have staked my career on this particular mission and it will not fail.  That means Starfleet gets to set the rules, then we play the game to win.”

Keth’s feline gaze never wavered from hers, his gleaming irises shining like jevonite as they reflected her determination. He recognized the determination in her eyes, having seen it in his own reflection so many times before. A brief instant of understanding passed between them. Then, a slow smirk crept onto his face, and he leaned in to offer his hand. “You know, Captain, I’ve never played for anything else.”

The Andorian took his hand, firmly, and smiled thinly.  “Then we should be able to work together, Doctor.  Let me know if your team needs anything.”  She released his hand.  “I hope that we should be properly crewed within the week and out into space, so make sure you and they have what is needed.”  She sat back down.  “It will be an adventure.”

He nodded. “One for the history books.”  Which he had every intention of writing himself.

She smiled.  “Indeed, Doctor.  Now, go and get your team ready.  The future waits for no one.”

With a final nod, Keth turned to leave. As the door whispered shut behind him, he allowed himself an instant to exhale, feeling the weight of the mission pressing on him. The enormity of what lay ahead briefly loomed before him. But he dismissed it with a shake of his head, and made for the turbolift. The stakes were too high for hesitation. He had a team to brief and a mission to plan.