Captain Raku and Lt. Cmdr. M’kath stepped off the curb into a chorus of foot traffic and hover‑traders that packed the wide road. Parents escorting their children weaved between ad‑drones and pushy salesmen. Sleek personal flyers hovered near the curb, waiting for passengers. Vendor carts offered steaming pastries and exotic fruit juices. The air smelled of baked dough and tropical blossoms from roadside planters.

The pair of Starfleet officers moved quickly. Captain Raku Mobra was clad in tailored charcoal trousers and a dark open-collar shirt. His earring glinted alongside his dark features. Tall and lean M’kath moved close beside him. The Klingon’s luminous brown hair was slicked back into a ponytail. Both sets of their brown eyes studied the township carefully.

A mushroom‑shaped marvel loomed ahead. Its base was carved from sleek reflective metal and dotted with vast black windows. The structure had a wide base that crept into a tight tower with fluid curves to its angles. Two ringed observation lounges stacked beneath a frosted cap soared more than seventy‑five levels high. Captain Raku took a quick glance up at the glossy dome. Beneath that massive façade, they could see green lit from within. A massive arboretum contained a diverse grove and small stream on the building’s top floor.

They reached the plaza’s entrance. Ornate bronze doors slid aside to welcome them. The lobby inside was vast. Marble floors shined, polished by constant traffic. Arches built from exotic metals rose high overhead. Raku slowed his pace as he turned to study the crowd.

“Lazio‑Oorl Foundation,” Raku said quietly. “It was founded decades ago through economic investments turned into an endowment. They facilitate development on frontier worlds. The company has invested in starships, industrial replicators and prefabricated dwellings. When the major powers are otherwise engaged, you can expect Lazio-Oorl to get involved.”

M’kath followed his gaze. “So they supply capital and assets to developing colonies,” he echoed. “I have not heard of them prior to today.”

“Not many have,” Raku agreed. “They prefer discretion.”

The pair proceeded through a mix of local citizens and well-dressed employees. Most of the latter seemed to have black or brown hair. A myriad of accents drifted across the space. Raku recognized a Chicago cadence, clipped New York tones and an accent somewhere from Southern Europe. A lone Trill woman wove past, clad in a navy blue shawl. A curly-haired, black-eyed man in dark robes watched them from behind a decorative planter. His wide head turned as his steady gaze never left the captain.

Raku cleared his throat as they approached a wooden concierge counter accented with silver filigree patterns. Smooth violin music piped pensive, lingering tones throughout the space.

Behind the desk sat an Andorian woman. A faint scar above her lip couldn’t be missed. She beckoned them closer with slender cerulean fingers.

“Who do you wish to see?” she asked, voice distant.

“Mr. Dutal,” Captain Raku replied.

Her eyes flickered, then softened slightly. “Take the lift to floor seventy-five, please.”

She pressed a panel. The elevator doors whooshed open as the olive Bajoran and chocolate Klingon stepped inside.

Raku glanced at M’kath. “We’re headed to the top of their tree, huh?”

“I have seen taller trees,” M’kath replied with hints of playfulness hidden within his gruff bark.

The ride shot upward with surprising speed. It took less than 3 seconds to get to the top. Lit panels rapidly blinked with the floor number. 25. 40. 60. A chime rang at 75. Doors slid open to reveal corridors paneled in deep red wood. Corridors softly lit with bronze sconces beneath dimmed light fixtures.

The officers stepped off into a forest of identical hallways.

Raku paused as his dark eyes scanned carved doorframes adorned with silver motifs and symbols. There were no directory signs. As they moved through the corridors, the layout became even more confusing. Random turns created new alleyways that led further into the menagerie.

“So many paths,” M’kath commented. “Perhaps we should have just transported to save time.”

“Corridors might confuse us,” Raku said, “but I’m sure finding an executive is something we can both manage.”

They trudged in one direction, only to double back and head down a different intersection.

M’kath examined a door with a triple‑arc insignia. “Perhaps this symbol stands for finance?”

Raku shook his head after his knocking revealed no answer. “Try the nested hexagon one.”

M’kath pounded on the door to no avail.

They advanced deeper and deeper into the floor’s labyrinth. Each wall of quilted wooden panels reflected the officers as they made their way across the floor. Subtle ventilation hissed overhead. A few doors stood open to empty offices. One revealed softly lit instruments that hummed and glowed. Another room showcased a holographic planet projection that flickered above a metallic desk.

They paused.

Raku exhaled. “I apologize if I mis‑directed you earlier.” He turned to M’kath. “What did you ask me earlier?”

“I asked what this company does,” M’kath recalled. “You covered it well enough.”

Raku smiled faintly. “I studied the Foundation right before we headed here. They were even around to rebuild several core colonies after the Dominion War.”

Two Foundation interns in pale suits paused at their approach. Both had dark hair. Metallic wreath crests were worn on their chests. One sheathed a data pad. Raku stepped aside politely. The interns slipped past wordlessly.

They reached another junction.

M’kath turned uncertainly. “Are you sure we should not have asked for directions?”

Raku laughed softly. “We could have. But I’d rather be lost than look helpless.” He didn’t want to be guided into the meeting by the young-looking people who just passed.

They turned into a corridor marked by a circle enclosing a rising sun. The emblem was crafted from silver against a light wood-grain backdrop. The captain recognized the symbol from his reading.

“This is it,” he said. “Dutal’s office should be here.”

M’kath followed closely. “I hope he does not keep us waiting.”

Raku’s hand hovered near the door holographic keypad. “Hopefully we didn’t keep him waiting. A corporate executive isn’t a person you dismiss lightly.”

They entered cautiously.

Inside was an office lined with low bookshelves and a large curated model of a developing colony. It showed miniature domes, replicator lounges and starship landing pads. Dutal stood behind a tall desk made of pale marble and inlaid with iridescent metal. The stocky Orion was dressed in a sleek gray suit.

Raku nodded a bow in greeting.

Shaded lamps over amber bulbs enhanced the cherry-red wool of the carpet. A large window showed a view well beyond the small township and out to the forests and grasslands of the local landscape.

M’kath stood beside the captain, shoulders held high in a formal position.

Dutal approached with measured steps. “Captain Raku, Lt. Cmdr. M’kath. Thank you for visiting.”

The Orion man was shorter than M’kath, but broad across the chest and shoulders. His slime green skin carried champagne undertones. The white shirt under his blazer was open at the collar. His green hair was slicked back in wavy ripples, matching dark pine stubble shaved into a well-manicured goatee. Orange irises glowed with an expression halfway between calculation and welcome.

“You gentlemen made it through the maze,” he said in a tone that was formal, but guttural. Every syllable was shaped by a lilt that leaned brought an unrefined quality to his speech. “I keep telling them to put signs in, but they say it ruins the mystique.” There seemed to be a natural aggression mixed into his speech patterns.

Captain Raku smiled and extended his hand. “This tower has left an impression on me. This is one impressive facility.”

Dutal took the handshake with a firm grip. “We try to make an impact. Can I offer either of you a drink? I want you two to feel comfortable.”

M’kath said nothing, arms rigid at his sides. “No, thank you”, said the Klingon.

Raku held up a hand in polite refusal. “No thanks. We just stopped for coffee.”

“Fair enough,” Dutal said. Large verdant arms gestured towards a seating nook by the large window. A single polished carafe and tumblers were already laid out on a low table.

As they sat, Dutal poured himself a glass of a golden liquid. He did not sip immediately. “How are you gentlemen finding the city? I know Lanea’s no San Francisco. This little township is growing on people though, I tell you that.”

Raku offered a relaxed nod. “I am really enjoying my time here. This tower alone was worth the trip. The foundation’s work is clearly widespread.”

M’kath’s eyes remained on Dutal. “Some of us prefer a slower pace.”

Dutal glanced at him, then back to Raku. “Sure. That makes sense. Not everybody likes cities that spring up overnight.” The buff, somewhat corpulent green man finally took a sip. He closed his eyes as the liquid danced across his tongue. The pause lingered as he savored its sweet taste.

“We worked hard on this place. I helped lay out a lot of the new developments here myself. We’re working on a new port locale. You can see what we’ve done with the southern district here. It feels good to help usher a new world along its path to development.”

Raku nodded slowly. “I read about the port. I’m surprised with what your organization has on hand. Freighters, industrial replicators, atmospheric processors. You’re running a serious operation.”

“Yeah, well.. Construction is a serious business,” Dutal said as he leaned forward. His expression softened as a tone of reverence swept over his voice. “My father Oorl left behind a vision. He built the shell of this foundation out of blood and latinum. It doesn’t matter where that money came from… Kolar shipping guilds, Earth investors, even an Andorian team. He pulled them all together. We have proven that we are much more than a simple company.”

M’kath grunted softly. “A very inclusive business model indeed.” His deep voice carried a scratchy husk.

Dutal smiled as his eyes met those of the security chief. “Let’s just say that we don’t discriminate on who’s willing to invest. All we ask of our employees is that they work hard.”

Raku offered a smile. “Clearly, you’ve done your homework on the market.”

Dutal raised an eyebrow. “And you, Captain, have done yours. That’s a real good thing.” He pointed his meaty hand towards Mobra. The glass swirled in his other hand. “I’ve done mine, too.”

Raku tilted his head slightly. “Oh yeah?”

“Captain T’Varessa of the Jahlei,” Dutal said, enunciating the name with care. “She’s a friend of the foundation. She’s helped us push supply lines all the way to the Typhon Expanse. There’s a lot of good people in her crew. Her officers provided Orion Space Navy training for a few of our staff on emergency deployment protocol. What can I say? Captain T’Varessa has style.”

“She does,” Raku agreed. His voice became quieter as he remembered the three Orion vessels that fought alongside them during the Blackout. “She’s a fine officer with an exceptional crew.”

Dutal looked him in the eye. “I know the Cardinal is carrying a Terraforming team. Top of the line scientists. Modular pod swapping. Lots of science labs. You know, the typical Federation gamut.”

Raku’s eyes lit up. “Our people are refining the way we operate daily. A terraforming pod is being built now. One day the ship will use it to terraform a class-L planet into class-M. We’re talking atmospheric gas expulsion and real-time soil conditioning. It’s the most ambitious civilian-facing project I’ve heard of during my time in the fleet.”

Dutal grinned broadly. “That’s exactly why I wanted to talk to you.”

He set the drink down with a soft clink. “We’ve got our own team. Construction specialists. Development scouts. Civil engineers, ex-Starfleet in some cases. I’d like to place a few on the Cardinal. Just a handful of my best scientists. Hopefully they can embed with your terraformers and exchange information. Let them get a read on how you work. They’ll help where they can. Cross-knowledge built through extensive research would do great things for the foundation.”

Raku leaned back. He didn’t respond immediately.

M’kath beat him to it. “We don’t accept unvetted civilians aboard an active-duty vessel.”

Raku raised a calming hand. “What my Chief of Security means is that there are protocols. We’ll have to run background checks, security vetting and transfer limited authorization codes. I can’t just approve something like that with a handshake.”

Dutal nodded thoughtfully. “Sure. I didn’t mean to overstep.”

He sat straighter and adjusted the cuffs of his blazer. “But I still wonder if maybe there’s a more efficient way. Some pre-cleared channel. Something internal you and I can work out, Captain. Commander.” His tone when addressing M’kath was almost pleading.

M’kath’s voice struck a deep note. “No.”

The room went still.

“No shortcuts,” M’kath continued. “The Cardinal is not for rent.”

Dutal raised both hands in a calm gesture. “Understood. Of course. You’re protecting your people. I respect that with all the sincerity I can muster.”

His tone softened. “Let me offer something in good faith, then. I’ve got two executive suites on the seventieth floor. You both can have one for the duration of your stay. I’ll clear it right now.”

M’kath rose slowly from his seat. “Unnecessary.”

The Orion looked up, still smiling faintly. “No offense was meant.”

“None taken,” M’kath said curtly. “I shall spend the evening aboard the Cardinal. There is quiet harmony there.”

Dutal’s gaze shifted to Raku cautiously.

The Captain sighed inwardly and stood as well. “I appreciate the offer. I’ll need to transfer the necessary forms next time I have a PADD in hand.”

“There’s one in the suite,” Dutal offered. He gestured to the interior doorway beyond his desk. “Encrypted. Starfleet compatible.”

M’kath snorted. “I shall transport over an official device.”

Dutal bowed slightly. “Naturally. You sure are thorough, Mister M’kath.” He reached into a drawer and retrieved a slim commbadge-like device shaped like an elliptical brooch. He extended it toward Raku upon an open palm.

“This grants full access to the tower, Captain. You’ll find a database at any information panel. Restaurants, gyms, holodeck archives. Do me a favor. Check out the hydro-deck. Should you wish to relax while you’re planetside, you can always at least peruse our establishments. When you’re ready to talk again, just call.” His expressive hands pointed an index finger towards the device.

Raku accepted the badge and nodded. “I appreciate the transparency. I’ll at least have a look at the tower.” Thoughts of waiting for M’kath to leave and calling Dutal up to accept the room offer tempted Mobra. The captain didn’t need M’kath in his business during vacation.

Dutal’s eyes sparkled with that same unreadable mixture of ambition and charm. “All I ask is a fair conversation. Your terraforming team is doing something remarkable. Let’s build something from it. Together.”

They exchanged final pleasantries. Dutal bowed and remained standing as the two officers exited. As the heavy door shut behind them, the captain looked to his Klingon compatriot.

“Now where is that lift again.” Raku’s freckled hand scratched his scalp as he analyzed the corridor.