Not so far from the truth, after all.

Considering her answer, Reyes frowned. “I feel more relaxed already.” Indicating the viewscreen with a nod of his head, he asked, “So, what’s so special about this system that it required going to such an effort to get info on it?”

T’Prynn keyed the control pad again, causing the image on the viewer to zoom in closer to one of the moons. “The sensor data reveals an interesting trait shared by all of the natural satellites in this system. Each of the moons follows an orbital path that never places them between their host planets and the system’s star.”

“Interesting?” Jetanien said. “I would characterize that description of yours as an understatement, Commander.”

“Is that even possible?” Reyes asked, his brow furrowing. “I’ve never heard of anything like that.”

T’Prynn nodded. “I verified the data myself, Commodore. It is conclusive.”

“And it gets better,” Xiong said from where he sat in one of the two chairs situated before Reyes’s desk. “While the moons exhibit rotation, they do so in concert with their orbits so that one hemisphere always faces outward, away from the center of the system. Further, the sensor data Commander T’Prynn obtained indicates the presence of artificial structures in those outward-facing hemispheres.”

“The signal originated from one of the moons orbiting the fourth planet,” T’Prynn said. “According to the sensor data, the power readings emanating from that point match those we already have recorded on Erilon and Palgrenax.”

“Now why did I see that one coming?” Reyes said as he leaned forward in his chair. Rubbing his chin with the back of his right hand, he asked, “So, the signal. Was it intended to link with either or both of those planets? What about other locations?”

You belong to me,Sten prodded.

Never.

Shaking her head, T’Prynn replied, “We do not know yet, sir. The facts currently available to us could be used to support several theories, sir, though I am reluctant to engage in speculation until we have had an opportunity to gather more information.”

“Well, that’s never stopped me,” Reyes said. Standing up, he moved across the office to stand before the viewscreen. He touched the keypad, changing the image to again depict the first planet along with its two moons. Pointing to one of the moons, he said, “If these are always facing outward, that means their orbits around their planets, coupled with the planets’ own revolution around the sun, might provide a means of monitoring the system’s outer perimeter.”

“An early-warning network?” Jetanien offered.

Reyes nodded. “Think about it. Our outposts along the Neutral Zone are covered with sensors and monitoring devices that all point into Romulan space, monitoring for signs of activity on the other side of the border. It’s the same basic concept.”

“Such a deployment of similar assets would presuppose something of extreme value or importance located within the system,” Xiong said.

“Something important enough to control the orbits of thirteen moons?” Reyes asked. “Yeah, I think that might be a possibility, Lieutenant.” Frowning, he turned to T’Prynn. “What about the carrier wave? We already think it was some kind of warning signal. This would fit in with what I’m proposing.”

“Assuming your theory has any basis in reality,” the Vulcan replied, “the signal we intercepted would be a form of communication, either between the planets or something intended for other locations.”

“Something automated,” Xiong said, “perhaps designed to be triggered in reaction to a specific event or set of events.” Looking to the others, he added, “We are talking about a race of beings able to change the course of astral bodies and who apparently were genetic engineers of the first order. What precisely would they have to fear? It would have to be something rather uncommon, and therefore rare in occurrence.”

Reyes shrugged. “Maybe the warning, if that’s even what it was, is just one kind of signal. Seems to me if they’d gone to the trouble to communicate between distant points in space, they’d want to do it for all sorts of reasons.”

“An interesting theory,” T’Prynn said. If Reyes’s hypothesis was correct, it presupposed a race of beings possessing technology and power beyond that of any species ever encountered, even more advanced than what already was theorized just based on what she and her companions knew of the meta-genome. Logic suggested that the originators of all that had been found by Lieutenant Xiong and his teams to this point were long dead, which meant that their vast storehouse of superior knowledge remained hidden, concealed deep within the Taurus Reach, waiting for someone to find it.

Submit!

The force behind the directive caught her off guard, Sten’s katraasserting itself once more and all but drowning out the question Reyes put to Jetanien. She did not hear the commodore’s words, instead marshaling all of her mental disciplines to beat back the essence of her long-dead fiancé.

Leave me alone!

The command pressed into the dark, distant corners of her mind even as T’Prynn forced herself to remain standing as she was, schooling her features to offer no clue to the others in the room that anything was amiss. A quick glance to her companions showed that her efforts had been successful, as Reyes and the ambassador were continuing their conversation while Lieutenant Xiong watched and listened.

“The Tholians must know something,” Jetanien was saying. “It’s the only logical explanation for their actions to this point. That said, I do not believe they are aware of their own apparent connection to what we’ve found.” He rolled his shoulders while emitting a new string of clicks. “Based on my contacts with them to date, if they do know more than they are revealing to us, then they are by far the most consummate actors it has ever been my privilege to watch perform.”

Folding his arms across his chest, Reyes said, “Well, I think we can agree that they’ve got some of the best poker faces at the table.” He smiled at his own poor joke before beginning to pace the length of his office. “Mr. Xiong, I suppose you know what your next assignment is going to be?”

The lieutenant nodded. “Yes, sir. A visit to the Jinoteur system.”

“Eventually,” Reyes countered. “I want that place given a complete once-over before we send you and your team in. Whatever’s making use of the technology we’re finding on these planets, they’ve been a step ahead of us for weeks, and that has to change. We got lucky on Erilon, but we can’t count on that happening again.”

“Our efforts should be on learning how to access that technology ourselves,” T’Prynn added. “Mr. Xiong has already provided us with valuable insight in that regard. It is my opinion that his talents can best be utilized to continue that investigation.”

“Absolutely,” Jetanien said. “I would also add that determining the identity of our mysterious interloper from Erilon would also be of benefit. If there are others like him, it’s crucial we find them before our enemies do.”

“There’s that gift for understatement again,” Reyes said as he made his way back behind his desk. “Well, I think we’ve got more than enough to chew on for one day. If there are no objections, I’d like to go to my quarters and slip into a coma.”

Following Jetanien out of the commodore’s office, T’Prynn was careful to keep her hands clasped behind her back, hoping as she passed Xiong that the lieutenant would not notice any traces of green blood she was certain seeped from between her fingers.

You are mine.

I would rather die.

Death will not free you.

“Commander,” Xiong said from behind her. “Are you all right?”

Turning to face the younger officer, T’Prynn regarded him with as stoic an expression as she could muster. “I beg your pardon?”