In the intervening weeks since the Yamato had launched they had headed deeper into the Typhon Frontier. With no concrete mission as of yet, Solaris had decided to use the time wisely and put the ship through its paces. But even that could only last for so long, and now the ship traveled through interstellar space, awaiting its first proper mission. Solaris occupied the center chair like she did most days, watching the view screen as stars streaked by. Off to her side, a console chirped, she glanced over, eyeing the Operations station.

“Captain, priority message from Deep Space 17.” Soren said. Sol tilted her head to the side.

“I guess we’re about to get our orders… on screen.” she replied. Soren shook his head.

“The message is marked confidential.” he clarified. Sol frowned, standing.

“In my ready room then…” she said, shrugging. She crossed the bridge, and entered her ready room where her own personal terminal was already chirping at her. She circled the desk, and sat down, tapping in her access code. The message splash screen was soon replaced by a man in a Starfleet uniform.

“Captain McLaren, I’m Commander Thaddeus Kane, Starfleet Intelligence.” he said, not bothering to beat around the bush. Sol raised an eyebrow. A message from Starfleet Intelligence was not what she had been expecting.

“A pleasure, Commander. What can I do for you?” she asked. Being former intelligence herself, she could understand the desire for quick and concise communication. The man took just a brief moment to organize his thoughts before speaking.

“Intelligence has been monitoring the movements of the Orion Syndicate ever since Frontier Day.” he began. “Until now, things have been reasonably quiet. Now, however, the situation has taken a troubling turn.” he added.

“How so, Commander?” she asked.

“We’ve intercepted information that the Syndicate has acquired a prototype Starfleet weapon, and intend to auction it off sometime in the near future.” he clarified, reaching out of the frame to tap a few controls on his end of the call. His screen changed to show a picture of the weapon.

“What sort of weapon is this Commander?” Sol asked, eyes studying the picture.

“It’s a prototype anti-matter disruptor. Capable of defeating just about any form of shielding and rendering its target nothing more than dust.” Solaris’ eyes widened. What was Starfleet doing with that sort of weapon.

“Why do we have even one of those just sitting around?” she asked.

“It was an old project… started during the Dominion War. By the time they had a working prototype the war had ended, and it wasn’t needed. So it was sent to Daystrom Station to be stored… and until this year… no one had any reason to worry about its theft.” he stated. Sol sighed.

“Am I to assume that by bringing this to me, you’d like the Yamato to retrieve this weapon before someone we don’t quite like can buy it?” she asked.

“Yes… there are several groups out there who would kill, and I mean that literally, to have this sort of advantage.”

“I can imagine…” she said, “Where is this auction supposed to be happening?”

“An Orion station named ‘The Jade Exchange’… near the Badlands” he said, checking his notes.

“Tell me you’re kidding Commander… that’s at least a week away from our current position, even at our maximum warp speed.” she said, only slightly incredulous.

“Yes, Captain. We know… our information suggests that this auction wont be happening for atleast two weeks, which should give you plenty of time to get there.” Kane said. Sol sighed. So much for ‘exploring the unknown’. She nodded.

“Alright… and have you given thought to how exactly I’m going to hide a Sovereign-class starship in the Badlands from some of the most suspicious people in the galaxy?” she asked. She waited a moment, seeing if the Commander would reply before shaking her head. “We’ll be back as DS17 in a day… do you have any impounded vessels there?” she asked.

“I do not know, Captain.” the Commander replied. Sol rolled her eyes.

“Find out by the time the Yamato arrives, would you? Something that will fit in one of our shuttlebays please.” she ordered. Despite the Commander technically being above her, she got the feeling he was in over his head at the moment and her old training was taking over. She tapped out a list in a separate window on her terminal and sent it over to him.

“What this, Captain?” he asked.

“Other things that might come in useful… please have it ready as well.” she said. “Send me the information you have on this auction and the device. Everything, Commander… so I can brief my crew.” she added. The Commander nodded.

“Ill send everything we have.” he replied, reaching of screen again.

“Thank you.” Sol said, sighing. She really had been looking forward to exploring for once, instead of dealing with her old job. Not that she disliked intelligence work, but she did want to expand more.

“Sorry Captain, I know this wasn’t what you expected.” the Commander said. Sol shrugged.

“I go where I’m sent, like always.” she admitted. The comm channel closed, leaving Sol staring at her terminal for a moment. She sighed and then stood. She smoothed the hem of her skant, and headed back out onto the bridge.

“Helm, all stop.”

“Answering all stop, Captain.” the helm officer replied, slowing the ship to impulse before halting the ships forward motion completely.

“Lay in a reverse course, take us back to DS17. Warp seven.” she ordered. Amaya looked up from the center chair, where she had moved after Sol had left.

“Course laid in.” the helm officer stated, awaiting the command to actually engage the engines.

“Captain?” she asked, looking confused.

“New orders. We need to stop at DS17 pick up some supplies and then head for the badlands.” Sol explained.

“The badlands, Captain?” Soren asked from his position at the operations console. She nodded.

“Yes… I’ll explain more when I’ve had a chance to review all the information.” Solaris said. She looked to the helm officer.

“Engage.” she ordered then turned to Amaya.

“Commander, when we arrive at DS17, I’ve requested a bunch of supplies and a ship be ready for us. Please work with Mr. Soren and ensure that everything is accounted for.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And assemble the senior staff in…” Sol paused, considering. “…three hours, in the observation lounge.” she finished, hoping that would be enough time to review the information that had been sent to them.

“Aye, Captain.” her XO replied.

“I’ll be in my ready room. You have the bridge, Commander” Solaris said