The conference room onboard the Saratoga was a suitable size, a little bit smaller than the Odyssey class but still spacious. The newly promoted Commodore stood by one of the many windows that had lined one side of the wall. She looked out admiring the view of both the station, as well as the many ships that were either arriving or leaving the station. Azras began thinking about the information she had just received from command while waiting for the others to arrive.

Thoughts began to race back to the last few months between the Lost Fleet’s invasion in the Deneb sector to what had taken place on Frontier Day. Now to only learn that there have been reports of Borg homing signals, and Borg ships being spotted before disappearing as fast as they appeared. Was this the beginning of the Borg’s return, so many thoughts ran through her mind. Azras began to work her jaw just as the doors to the observation lounge opened to reveal the four individuals she had requested to meet with.

Taking a moment to gather herself and her thoughts she turned around and greeted them. “Thank you for coming,” said Azras as she motioned for the empty chairs that surrounded the elongated oval-shaped table. She walked over to her chair at the head of the table as the others took their seats.

Not realizing she had a look of concern written all over her face. Azras began to tap the control panel that was located at the head of the table. She noticed the others were giving her a look of concern as to what this briefing could be about. “What’s going on?” Tilana asked, breaking the silence.

Azras looked over at Tilana before she pulled up the holographic image of Freecloud which had caused a bit more confusion to the group. They looked at one another for a brief moment with scrunched eyebrows before turning their attention back to the Commodore.

“What is so special about Freecloud?” Ritru asked.

“Other than it is known to dabble in the black market especially when it comes to Borg technology,” Chon’al spoke up wondering where this would be going as he hadn’t heard much of anything come out of Freecloud for quite some time.

“Starfleet Intelligence routinely sends officers undercover to different shops and trading outposts that have been known to deal in the black market.” Azras began as the others listened intently as she talked. “So it comes to no surprise that after the events of Frontier Day, they have been paying extra attention to anything that is related to Borg technology.”

“Do they think something is happening on Freecloud?” Aleish asked as she had been pretty quiet so far during the meeting thus far.

“Starfleet Intelligence has received word about a secret auction that is going to be taking place in a few days. There have been substantiated rumors that someone is looking to offload some xB contraband as well.” Azras said as she received a few raised eyebrows as well as some shocked looks from a couple of them.

“So what does this have to do with us?” Tilana asked.

“I am sending the Triumph to infiltrate this secret auction, retrieve all the Borg technology so it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands, and if possible shut down the entire operation,” Azras said before handing Tilana a PADD with the information she would need.

Tilana took the PADD that was given to her and gave it a quick read-through. After a few moments, she set the PADD back down on the table. She looked at the Commodore with a concerned look in her eyes which was more along the line of confusion and how were they exactly going to pull it off. “How do you expect us to do that? We can’t exactly show up on the Triumph that will sound the alarm.” Tilana commented which caused others to nod in agreement.

Azras opened her mouth to speak but before anything she could say anything Ritru spoke up after taking a moment to think of a plan that might work. “Sorry to interrupt, I have a suggestion,” Ritru said as Azras and the others looked at her with curiosity.

“Go ahead,” Azras said.

“Do you remember the people of Rhijun that we helped during the fall of the Star Empire last year?” Ritru asked looking at Azras who gave a nod that she did and was curious as to where she was going with this. “I can reach out to Commander Torath of the IRW Aldore to see if they would be willing to assist us in this operation. This way they won’t question or think twice of a Romulan ship entering orbit of Freecloud.” Ritru finished getting to the point she was making.

“That would work in our favor and add to our undercover identities,” Tilana added.

Azras sat there working her jaw for a moment while thinking about Ritru’s idea. Since she wasn’t coming up with any other way they could get to Freecloud without sounding the alarm that Starfleet was onto them. “Very well,” Azras replied before continuing. “I am having Ritru and Chon’al join the Triumph for this mission.”

“Why us?” Ritru asked as Azras could see the confusion written all over her face by the sudden revelation of them going on an undercover mission. “Not that I have any objections to working with those on the Triumph,” Ritru added to not sound rude or snobbish.

“You are a skilled linguist that I feel will help with the mission,” Azras began to explain. “I also feel that if we are going to ask Commander Torath for help, having a familiar face will go a long way,” Azras said as Ritru nodded. Azras looked at Chon’al. “You will assist with the investigation by gathering any information the away team requests.”

“Aye sir,” Chon’al replied.

“Any further questions or concerns?” Azras asked.

“When do we depart?” Aleish asked.

“As soon as possible, anything else?”

“No sir,” they said in unison.

“Dismissed.”

The four of them stood up and walked out of the observation lounge, leaving the Commodore alone. Standing up from her chair after shutting down the holographic image of Freeclound she walked over to the window again. She stood there for a few more moments before she walked out of the lounge and headed for her quarters. She was exhausted and just wanted a moment to relax before they would be called to respond to a situation at any given moment.