“You’re serious.”  Fleet Captain Geronimo Fontana sat at the desk in his ready room. Across from him sat the new Director of Intelligence, Captain Samari Ki.  The reports from Hasara’s team via the Dragonfly were blunt – they were on the hunt for The Holy Grail.  Samara hadn’t smiled since she’d handed the classified PADD over and reviewed it with Montana Station’s CO.

Ki replied, “I am not known for my sense of humor, Captain Geronimo.  Based on our research, contacts, and growing intelligence network – such a thing exists.  Captain Pantuso’s use of Hasara and his team irritates me on every level, but I cannot dispute the results.  They’ve managed to identify our mystery leader in just under five days while confirming what we’ve long suspected – neither side has yet secured this device.  This device is a dangerous tool in the wrong hands…or any hands.”

Geronimo scrolled through the PADD.  Her request was buried near the bottom of the report.  “You’re asking for the use of one of our ships to assist in the search for the object?”  He sat forward, “You were the one that told us to tread softly, sneak around, and get spooky.”

Her face remained passive, “Those were not my exact words.  I believe I said…,”

He stopped her, “I know what you said, Captain Ki.  You suddenly wanting a taxi ride into the rimward doesn’t fill me with confidence.”  He stared at her, “The Director of Intelligence reports to someone.  And that someone…is me.  So, talk.”

“Against my wishes, I must note.”

“Noted.  Talk.”

Samara leaned back in her chair, “The device in question is Borg…but it is more than that.  We suspect the device appears to do what it says – but there’s evidence to suggest a cost to the treatments, healing, and general miracles it offers.”  She pulled out a secure PADD, entered her code, and handed it to him, “It’s locked to that document, so don’t get any ideas.” He read, his eyes widening as she explained, “We think it’s an early prototype for Frontier Day preparations.  We believe it slowly inserts Borg nanoprobes into the body with each activation until there’s enough in the body to activate assimilation. If enough people were to use this – we’d have a minor Borg infestation on our hands…only it would be in Syndicate territory.  That alone has us concerned.  If Osho Ga gets her hands on it, we’re not sure if she’d try to return it to fringe Cardassian forces, which would present problems once the assimilation kicks in.”

Geronimo shook his head in shock, “I can see why you’re asking for a ship.  Cardassians to the left, Borg to the right…stuck in the middle is not where I’d like to be.”  He tapped at his desk console, pulling up records of where the squadron ships were currently.  “Dragonfly is on assignment supporting Hasara – she’s a pretty heavy weight to throw around anyway.”  His fingers focused on the other two, “Perseverance and Douglas would be good choices.  Wren Walton’s ship can do the deep scanning and long-range work – she’s small enough to get in and look…if things get hot, Douglas can lend some hands.”  He tapped out the orders to both captains, “I’ll have them meet you at a rendezvous point.”  Geronimo turned back to Captain Ki, “Are you willing to let Hasara guide Walton?”

Samara’s lips tightened, “I do not think I have a choice in the matter.”

“You do not.  You’ve no doubt read our files.  Wren Walton or Helena Dread are not captains I would recommend trifling with, never mind Alexandra Pantuso.”

A rare, thin smile crossed Samara’s lips, “You say this like the choice of the contents of your squadron was purposeful.”

“It isn’t like it..it was and remains purposeful.  The rimward is full of aliens and humans born to test the boundaries.  I wanted captains’ who could return the favor.  Good luck.”  Samara stood to attention and departed.  As the door clicked shut, he muttered, “You’re gonna need it.”