Alcyone was intrigued. The Liraxan woman that had approached them and then introduced herself as Jara Melun appeared be be certain of having helpful information, and since the Elders had turned out not helpful in the slightest, following Jara was a gamble she was willing to take. 

Keller had appeared less eager, but after retreating to inform the Captain, he too followed along. 

As they moved further from the plaza in front of the opulent government building they had visited prior,  the city unfolded in an unexpected simplicity. Buildings were all clean angles, straight lines, and rigid geometry. Their dull exteriors offered no decorations beyond what was strictly necessary, and Alcyone found that to be a stark contrast to the focus on expensive and ornate clothing. 

Functionality over form. Every structure appeared designed to serve a purpose rather than to please the eye. There was something admirable in their practicality. It made sense, she thought, given the limited resources the Virexians had to work with. And not for the first time in her life she wondered why then, when resources were so limited, they were essentially wasted on making the government building radiate a wealth they simply didn’t have. Wouldn’t those resources be better allocated elsewhere?

She glanced at Kelle, who walked a few paces behind them. His face was unreadable, though she knew he was taking in every detail with that sharp, calculating mind of his. He hadn’t said much since they left, and Alcyone could sense that he was still hesitant, but remained focused. Professional, as always.

Jara led them with quiet confidence. She hadn’t said much either, only offering the occasional glance back to ensure they were still with her. It was an odd dynamic, for sure, but somehow, Brennan trusted her. Jara seemed sincere, and right now, they needed a lead. Even if that was supposed to be her, and not some civilian. 

As they approached the campus, the landscape began to change. The buildings here were taller, narrower, and the functional architecture gave way to something slightly more elaborate – though not by much. The library was already visible ahead, and Alcyone wondered if they would find actual books here. 

Once they entered, she could see the faint outline of shelves – whether filled with books or digital records, she couldn’t yet tell.

Just inside, a small group of students stood clustered around a low table, engaged in what appeared to be a somewhat heated debate. One of the males was talking, gesturing wildly to bring his point across. While the other leaned forward and furrowed his brows. A woman, arms crossed, shot them both a somewhat disdainful look.

The moment Jara stepped into view, the conversation halted. All three turned to face her, and their expressions shifted from frustration to curiosity as they noticed her companions.

“This is Vorel Syn.”, said Jana, gesturing to the male who had been arguing his point when they approached. He bowed, and opted not to say much. His eyes lingered on them with a cool indifference, and Brennan thought she felt like there was a certain hostility towards them. 

“And then we have our Malivan colleagues – Nira Valen, and Trevan Coras.”

“Malivan?”, asked Keller, clearly as surprised as Brennan was. They had discussed the division between the tribes at length, and yet here, in this small group, they seemed to be working together. Something wasn’t adding up.

Jara nodded, seeming to have anticipated their confusion. “Yes, Malivan” she confirmed calmly. “This is part of a transfer program between our universities. It’s rare, but there are a few academic projects that require collaboration between our people. Vorel, Nira, and Trevan are working together with me on one such initiative.”

She glanced toward the students, then back at Keller. “Our work isn’t seen as politically significant, so the Elders don’t object to their involvement. Neither of us are high-ranking or influential enough to be disallowed from crossing tribal lines.”

Brennan noticed the flicker of discomfort in Nira’s eyes, though the young woman remained silent. Instead, Brennan decided to speak. “I am Lieutenant Commander Brennan, and this is my colleague Lieutenant Commander Keller. As you might have guessed, we are here with the Callisto, as the Elders requested Starfleet’s help in resolving the conflict.” 

Vorel scoffed, and the others, too, didn’t seem too convinced. Though chances were this was less them doubting Brennan than it was them doubting their leadership. 

“It’s-“, 

“No.”, frowned Jara, quieting him down. “We don’t have much time, and I want to do this right. No use in discussing what we believe to the Elder’s intentions to be.” 

The group nodded, and the one called Nira shifted uncomfortably before speaking up, her voice quieter than Brennan expected.

“The project we’ve been working on is focused on an old legend we uncovered” she began, glancing between her colleagues, perhaps hoping for someone else to take over. But when no one else did, she continued. “The Malivan and Virexian tribes were always separate, but they coexisted peacefully. They traded regularly, communicated often, and telepathically. it wasn’t like now.”

Trevan continued. ”According to the legend, a daughter from wealthy merchants of the Malivan tribe fell in love with a daughter from a less-wealthy Virexian merchant. They wanted to be joined. But their families refused. Not because of the tribal divide, but because at least the Malivan family wanted better, more advantageous matches for their children.”

“There is a divide on that part.”, interrupted Vorel. “As to which family denied the marriage, and which was… better off.” 

“Yes, but as I said before, no use in wasting time.”, reminded Jara.  “The two lovers were so enraged by the rejection that they swore to destroy their families’ trade relations as revenge. They succeeded, severing the bond between the tribes completely. Trade collapsed, and it wasn’t long after that tensions escalated into war.”

There was a pause. A moment in which no one said anything. Then Keller spoke up again. 

“It’s a nice story.” 

“It’s more than a story.”, insisted Nira. “I know the legend might not be fully correct, and Vorel is right when he says that there are different translations and versions. But… “

She headed over to the table they had been sitting on, and motioned to a few opened books and maps. 

“We traced the origins to Virkona. It was one of the main trade hubs, and it had a… religious temple, of sorts…  that was visited by both tribes. And that temple is referenced in other legends, so there must be something about it.”

Keller sighed, very much unconvinced. 

“So why haven’t you gone there?”

Jana looked at both Brennan and Keller, and then offered a bitter smile. “Because it’s been underwater for several centuries now. We don’t have the means to access it. You, however….”

She didn’t finish the sentence, and she didn’t need to.

“I guess it’s time to get our feet wet.”, said Brennan. She looked at her fellow officer. “Or do you want to return to the Elders? Even if this is nothing, it seems infinitely less of a waste of time.”