Terrell’s brow furrowed. “What were they expecting? Isn’t this the reason we’re out here in the first place?” Traelus was one of three solar systems in this region—a distant corner of the area that stellar cartographers had dubbed the Taurus Reach on Federation star charts—assigned to the Sagittariusfor detailed surveys. All three systems shared three common traits. First, they so far had been mapped only by unmanned reconnaissance probes. Second, those preliminary sensor scans had raised enough questions that a further study was warranted. Planets in each of the systems were determined to possess at least some measurable quantities of the vital minerals Theriault had cited, making them potentially valuable from a mining as well as strategic point of view. In particular, the presence of dilithium and rodinium made completing mapping surveys of all three systems a top priority for Starfleet, at least so far as operations in this area of space were concerned.

This aspect also dovetailed with the third factor, in that all three systems were located along what laughingly passed as the territorial boundary claimed by the Tholian Assembly. Verifying that any of the planets did in fact contain important natural resources was a paramount concern, particularly in light of Federation expansion into this region of space.

For all the myriad reasons we’re doing that,Terrell mused.

Turning from the science station, Nassir directed his attention to the Andorian officer seated at the helm, Lieutenant Celerasayna zh’Firro. “Sayna, what do the navigational charts show us about traffic in this area?”

The young zhenshook her head. “Not much, sir. Other than our own mapping probes and the odd civilian transport ship— probably smugglers hoping to avoid security patrols—I haven’t been able to find much evidence at all that anyone cares about anything around here.”

“You have to wonder why the Tholians didn’t expand their territory to include this system,” Nassir said, folding his arms across his chest. “Or the others, for that matter. Considering how averse they are to interacting with their interstellar neighbors, you’d think they’d claim these systems if only to keep anyone else from doing the same thing.”

Terrell had no answer. Unnatural restraint seemed to characterize the Tholians’ attitude toward the entire Taurus Reach, a wedge of space sandwiched between the areas claimed by the Tholians, the Klingon Empire, and the Federation. Starfleet vessels had only begun investigating the region two years earlier, but those initial forays had prompted an accelerated program of exploration and colonization here, all spearheaded by the construction of a massive, state-of-the-art space station, Starbase 47—or Vanguard, as it was informally known—which the Sagittariusand two other Starfleet vessels called their home port while tasked to this sector. Despite that activity, as well as the proximity to its borders of several systems and resource-rich planets, the Tholian Assembly appeared uninterested in moving in this direction, for reasons known only to them.

They may end up being the least of our problems.

“It’s not the Tholians I’m worried about,” Terrell said, “but you know it’s only a matter of time before the Klingons start sniffing around out here.”

“We already know the Klingons have been making their own ventures into the region,” Nassir said. “The reports I’ve read from Starfleet Intelligence indicate it’s just the beginning.”

Theriault nodded. “If they were to plant their flag here, or some other system so close to Tholian territory, that might be enough to spook the Tholians into doing some poking around of their own.” She sighed. “Tholians and Klingons, both with short tempers and hair triggers. That spells fun for everyone.”

“Those are issues for Commodore Reyes and Starfleet Command,” Nassir said. Reaching out, he rested his right hand on Theriault’s shoulder. “Let’s get started with the complete sensor sweep of the planet. The sooner we’re finished here, the sooner we’re on our way home.”

Terrell chuckled. “Any chance they’ll be finished building home by the time we get back?” Starbase 47 had been declared operational on a provisional basis for mission-essential tasks. Although primary support and defense systems were on line, the station still lacked many of the creature comforts it would boast once construction was complete.

“One can only hope,” Theriault replied. “Just so long as I can get a hot shower, a decent meal, and a bed someone else hasn’t been sleeping in when I’m not looking, I’ll be happy.” As though anticipating a retort from either Nassir or Terrell, the science officer looked up from her station and directed a scathing glare at both men. “With all due respect, gentlemen, any comment you might be considering will be avenged in your sleep.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything,” Nassir countered, offering an expression of mock surprise. To Terrell, he said, “Were you going to say something, Commander?”

Terrell shook his head, schooling his features so that he did not smile. “My mother raised no fools, sir.”

A series of beeps from the science station drew Theriault’s attention to the array of status displays before her, and Terrell noted the change in the young officer’s expression as she studied the readouts. “Something else, Ensign?”

Theriault replied, “Just more mineral deposit readings, Commander. This planet has it all: a temperate climate, beautiful oceans, and more raw materials than any of the planets we’ve charted so far.” She paused a moment before adding, “I’ve got half a mind to retire early and build a house down there.”

It took Terrell an extra moment for the statement to register, but when he glanced down to Theriault’s console he saw that the ensign was tapping one blinking red light with her left forefinger, and realization dawned. Struggling to school his features, he turned to Nassir, who was already regarding him, the question evident in his eyes.

Is she saying what I think she’s saying?

Looking up from her console, Theriault offered an almost imperceptible nod first to Nassir then to Terrell. The first officer glanced at the other stations, confirming that none of the other bridge personnel had caught their silent communication.

The science officer had invoked the code phrase that she, Terrell, and Nassir had agreed to use upon the discovery of any evidence of the Taurus Meta-Genome.

Entering Nassir’s quarters and finding the captain and Ensign Theriault already waiting for him, Terrell waited for the door to close before thumbing the control panel to engage the door lock. The trio now enjoyed all the privacy there was to be found aboard the diminutive Sagittarius.

“So,” Terrell said, leaning against the locked door and crossing his arms, “it’s true?”

Theriault nodded. “Most definitely, sir. I triple-checked the readings, and there’s no mistake. It’s the meta-genome, all right.”

“Well, how about that?” Nassir said, his face breaking into a wide smile. Terrell knew that despite the missions to which he and his crew were assigned, Adelard Nassir was first and foremost an explorer, having joined Starfleet for the express purpose of pushing outward the farthest limits of known space and discovering what might be waiting beyond those boundaries. For Nassir, the Taurus Reach and the mysteries it contained were like the seductive calls of the Sirens from Greek mythology.

Discovered more than two years earlier during a science survey mission in a system near the opposite edge of the Taurus Reach from the Sagittarius’s current position, the meta-genome had been determined to be a DNA sequence, apparently of alien origin, that possessed far greater complexity than any life-form previously encountered. Samples of the gene sequence had subsequently been located on several other worlds in scattered systems throughout the region in proximity to the initial find, with the possibility of further discoveries across the Taurus Reach.