Xiong called up a more detailed, computer-generated animation of the system, with each planet and satellite following a track of a different color. He narrated as the animation’s focus shifted and reoriented itself. “Jinoteur is a large white star with five planets, no two of which occupy the same orbital plane. That alone might not have been remarkable, except for how extremely they diverge from the ecliptic.” Pointing out the wildly different paths of the planets around their star, he continued, “The orbital planes of the first and fifth planets are nearly perpendicular. The second and third planets follow paths almost equal in their offset from the ecliptic—but tilted at complementary angles. The fourth planet is the closest to level with the star’s equator.

Entering instructions to the computer via the wall-mounted control panel, he continued as the animation zoomed in on the fourth planet. “The first three planets in the system have two satellites each. The fourth planet has three, and the fifth planet, a gas giant, has four. In every case, the orbital planes of each planet’s moons are exactly parallel to one another and perpendicular to that of their planet, with the result being that none of the moons can ever come between their host planet and the star. Even weirder, every satellite exhibits the same rotational peculiarity: the same side always faces outward, away from the center of the system. For even one satellite in a star system to do that would be unusual. For all thirteen moons in the same star system to do so suggests deliberate manipulation—especially since we’ve detected artificial structures on the outward-facing hemispheres of each moon.”

Razka, the Saurian scout, interjected, “Sounds like a defensive system.”

“Yes,” Xiong said. “That was our conclusion, too. Which is why we let the Klingons go in first. Turns out we were right.” Turning to Captain Nassir, he added, “The planet-based weapons systems at Erilon and Palgrenax were extremely powerful, sir. The ones at Jinoteur are even deadlier. We might have a way to make your ship look less like a target to whatever’s guarding the system, but you should still be cautious.”

“I think you can count on that, Lieutenant,” Nassir said with a modest grin. “Now, why don’t you tell us about the new equipment you and your team packed into our cargo bay?”

“Aye, sir,” Xiong said, happy to oblige. “Analysis of the Shedai body we—”

“Excuse me,” said McLellan. “The what body?”

Ah, yes, Xiong realized. Forgot that part. “Shedai,” he said. “It was a term the Tholian ambassador used several weeks ago during a meeting with Ambassador Jetanien. We think that it might be a proper name having to do with the entities we encountered on Erilon. For lack of a better term, it’s what we’re calling them.” McLellan nodded her understanding, so Xiong pressed on. “As I was saying, analysis of the Shedai body has enabled us to make some educated guesses about what kind of signals and stimuli it might respond to.”

He removed the data cards currently loaded in the control panel for the monitor and loaded in four new yellow cards. He switched images quickly while he talked, extolling the virtues of each piece of technology that appeared onscreen. “Some of what we’ve been working on are upgrades to your deflectors and shield emitters, to make you less noticeable to the Shedai.

“Beyond that, we’re working on signal-based lures, which’ll draw the Shedai’s attention but interfere with their perception; and signal dampeners, to keep you from being noticed during close encounters. We’ve also modified some hand phasers, which might help us defend ourselves better than we did on Erilon.” Shutting down the monitor, he added, “Best of all, my team kept all these items simple to use and lightweight, to make them more easily field-deployable. The specs are all available on your main computer.” He looked around. “Any questions?”

Bridy Mac met Xiong’s seeking gaze. “You said the word ‘Shedai’ came from the Tholian ambassador. What’s the link between the Tholians and the Shedai?”

“We’re not really sure yet,” Xiong admitted. “We’ve noted some similarities between Tholian crystalline physiology and the crystal-lattice structure of the Shedai body we captured. Also, the Shedai seem capable of making a direct neural link with their technology inside the artifacts; it might be similar to Tholian touch-telepathy, or it might be something completely different. Part of why we need to go to Jinoteur is to get more hard data.” Around him, a few people were nodding. The rest seemed lost in their own thoughts. “If there are no other questions…?” No one spoke. “Captain,” he said as he stepped to the sideline and yielded the floor.

Nassir moved in front of the monitor and addressed the room, at once relaxed and authoritative. “Our first order of business,” he said, “is to leave port and start our journey without being detected by the Klingon patrol ships cruising this sector. Thanks to Commodore Reyes, we have a plan for doing precisely that.” He used the control panel to summon an image from the docking bay outside the ship. “The colony ship Terra Courser leaves Vanguard in twenty-one minutes. We’ll be leaving with her, hugging her belly all the way out of spacedock. That’s where we’ll stay until she goes to warp. Then we’ll follow her, using a few of Ilucci’s trademark warp shadows to make ourselves look like a subspace echo on the trailing edge of her warp eddy. The Terra Courser will change her bearing at Arinex, but we’ll keep going straight till we reach Jinoteur.”

Helm officer zh’Firro asked, “Is there a risk of the Terra Courser’s crew detecting our presence? If they signal Vanguard for assistance, we’ll be exposed.”

“Their bridge crew is running interference for us,” Nassir said. “They know they’re helping us fake out the Klingons, but that’s all.” A few thumbed buttons on the control panel summoned an image of the Tholian ship above Jinoteur IV. “Our first assignment after reaching Jinoteur is to determine what that Tholian ship is doing there. If it’s hostile, we’ll be cutting this party short—that’s a battleship, people; I’d rather not tangle with it if I don’t have to.

“On the other hand, if it’s neutral, or if we can get past it, our orders from Commodore Reyes are to mount a full survey of the planet’s surface. That includes mapping, geological survey, collecting bio samples, the whole drill.” Nassir looked to Sorak. “Lieutenant, familiarize yourself and your scouts with the new gear from Vanguard. If the Shedai are waiting for us on Jinoteur, let’s be ready to meet them head-on.”

“Understood, sir,” Sorak said.

Turning to Ilucci, the captain said, “Master Chief, our energy signature needs to match the Terra Courser’s perfectly when we leave spacedock in twenty minutes.”

“You got it,” Ilucci said, and his engineering team nodded in agreement.

“Ensign Theriault,” Nassir said to the young science officer. “Work with Lieutenant Xiong. Learn everything you can about the Shedai. Be ready to join the field scouts when we do our survey on Jinoteur.” Theriault nodded without saying a word.

“Dr. Babitz,” Nassir continued. “We have several forensic reports and autopsy files of interest from Dr. Fisher. I suggest you review them in detail with Mr. Tan Bao.”

“Aye, sir,” Babitz said.

The captain clapped his hands together. “Mr. Terrell, Bridy Mac, Sayna, join me on the bridge. It’s time to go. Dismissed.” Everyone rose from their seats and quickly exited the galley, making haste for their duty stations.

Xiong watched the crew snap into action. Nassir paused beside him and said, “Care to join us on the bridge, Ming?”

“Yes, sir,” Xiong said. “I’d love to.”

Nassir gave him a paternal slap on the back. “Glad you’re back for this one,” he said with a restrained grin that betrayed his excitement. “This is what being in Starfleet’s all about.”