“That’s far older than we thought.” Captain Wren Walton muttered as she stood in the Vestibule, at the rear of the Perseverance’s bridge where the senior members of the science team operated.

Hazel Wallaker was working through the mountains of data that were streaming into her console. “The probes are moving through the debris into the sections we didn’t see.” She pointed to the various schematics they were building as the inspection continued. “We were here in the arena, but the main laboratories probably operated farther down, where they stored the subjects.” The schematics were layered and highlighted according to the age of the infrastructure and modernity of the technology they were finding. She focused ‌on several chambers that were nearly in the center of the asteroid. “This is likely where they started, and then they built out. We’re estimating this base started over fifty years ago, possibly more.”

Walton pinched the edge of her nose. The Blood Guild had been operating long under the nose of the central government and the other guild groups. The revelation that the rogue Klingons had been cooperating with them longer than previously thought complicated things. She wondered how long it would be before the Romulans attempted a diplomatic or hostile action in the middle of this mess. “Keep at it.”

“The Blood Guild has officially been expelled.” Chief Premier Gooren stood at the bay window in his office, staring out onto the Vorethi Homeworld. Fleet Captain Geronimo Fontana sat in the sunken lounge, sipping a cider. Gooren continued, “The major guilds have seized their planet-side operations.” He turned to face Fontana, with a mild look of Vorethi amusement on his face. “Our monitoring teams were permitted to ensure the technology was disposed of properly.”

Fontana couldn’t help but frown. “That’s not normal. Should we be worried?” The Vorethi people were fascinating in how they viewed their world, each other, and the universe at large. He was still playing catch-up.

Gooren remained at the window, turning his eyes back to the crowded and busy world beyond. It was hard to read the Vorethi eyes, and facial expressions had been more accurate. Fontana could sense there was a valley in Gooren’s thinking. The Chief Premier replied, “The population is still in turmoil, and we have much work to do to see that the truth is told. Your evidence and the testimony of those from the Klothar were timely in what they conveyed to the guildmasters and their staff.”

He turned away from the window, returning to a chair opposite Fontana. “We turned a blind eye to the Blood Guild and its ways. The Constructor, and now this secret base? We pride ourselves on the long and hard work to better ourselves and our home.” He gestured to the surrounding air. “They were not working for the progress of us all. They were working for their own mad ideas of progress and the future. A good day’s work means something to us. The Blood Guild thought we didn’t care.” A chuckle escaped the Vorethi. “They are wrong. We will face the Blood Guild, and their Klingon warriors…and it will be together.” He nodded to Fontana. “Your services may be called upon to assist us in clearing away their sins.”

Geronimo raised his cup. “We are here to help.”

Gooren’s smile changed to what Fontana imagined being a sly grin. “There is one more thing we could use your help with. The Constructor has been learning. He’s integrating, with permission, to our industrial networks. There have even been instances of guild engineers receiving a message requesting information or access to certain records.” He handed over a Vorethi PADD. “Take a look. It’s what you humans call ‘fascinating’, and we don’t understand it.”

Fontana browsed through the report, finding the details fascinating indeed. He replied, “This reads like more of a philosopher or‌ something like an industrial intelligence that’s focused on collaboration. He’s asking questions that are both quantitative, but also attempting to root out the Vorethi connection to work and what it means to them.” Geronimo sat back on the couch. “You’re going to need help with him, and I know just the team to assign. We’ll need a group of Vorethi culture experts across guilds.” Gooren stared at Fontana curiously, and he replied, “We’re going to have to feed him the knowledge so he can sort out his place in the Vorethi world. Baron Nine was learning to be a good human versus a Borg, and I think this is that part of him asserting himself. Instead of learning how to be a good human…”

Gooren finished, “He wants to learn how to be a good Vorethi.” It was the chief premier’s turn to sit back in awe. “We have a Vorethi word for moments like this. It is one of awe, but it is also of shock, and amazement. It is not ‘fascinating’ or ‘curious’. It is…” he searched for the word, unable to locate the correct word.

Fontana searched his mind. He smiled quietly as he said it, “Incredible is one of our words. Unbelievable is another.”

Gooren sat forward on his couch. “Unbelievable is a good companion word to ours. How do you deal with such unbelievable things?”

Geronimo pushed off the couch. “We seek to understand it. Then we might get a chance to save it.”

The Vorethi stood, his face in deep thought as he replied, “You Federation people are so interesting in how you see the universe. I hope someday your message will change even the hardest of hearts and minds.”

Fontana cackled. “It’s a long road getting from here to there.”

Gooren walked him through the doors that led into the main corridor. “The only advice I can give is centered on hard work and making the most of the days you have with tools in your hand. Perhaps there is a human quality that would encourage you.”

Geronimo replied, “Faith, Chief Premier. Faith in the better angels of the universe.” He caught the confused look from the Vorethi. “A conversation for another time.”

Gooren watched the Starfleet officer walk down the corridor, and then disappear down the stairs. Humans were such strange creatures sometimes, he thought. Faith? What type of faith would carry you the lengths Fontana spoke of?

He returned to his desk, deep in thought.