As soon as Asani entered the bridge of his starship, his two hologram friends were asking him questions like two naïve teenagers.

“You are not going to build a bomb, right Asani?” asked Harry. “It is unbelievable that Starfleet would actually be a part of this plan.” He began to shake his head in disappointment. “We need to call headquarters and voice are disagreement.” Asani hated the protocols that came with the holograms. He had told them numerous times that they were no longer a part of Starfleet.

“Asani, you have to know that this is not a good idea, right?” asked Thomas at almost the same time. “There has to be a better way than blowing them up.”

Asani held up his hand and the two immediately stopped talking knowing from experience what he would do it they didn’t. Asani could tell that both were itching to continue. At times, Asani felt like he was their parent. He was beginning to understand why he traded hardly anything for these hologram program models. “It appears that you listened to the whole conversation as instructed,” said Asani in his instructional voice. The two knew he was patronizing them. “I applaud that,” said Asani while softly clapping his hands. “It was not like last time where you instead watched old music videos from something called N or M or something TV when you were told to listen in case, I needed you and when I did need you…no one came.”

“That is not entirely true,” remarked Harry with a laugh. “We finally did come when we heard phaser fire--“ He abruptly stopped when seeing Asani’s face. Harry lipped the word “Sorry.”

Asani gave a small moan. “Before we knew what they wanted, you were telling me not to worry because one was a Starfleet Admiral. Now I think you are starting to understand how the game is played.”

“Oh!’ said Thomas in a happy tone. “This is a game? Do you win something if—”

“It was a euphemism, Thomas!” shouted Asani trying to control his cool. “Listen…I need to think about this and when I know what I am going to do, you two will be the first ones to know. I will even have you help me if I decide to build what they need.” Harry slowly raised his hand. “Yes, Harry,” said Asani while rolling his eyes.

“If you do build this bomb, how will you plant it on their moon?” questioned Harry with a smirk. “I mean, aren’t they going to know that it is a bomb? They have detection devices.”

“That is why they came to me, Harry,” responded Asani, happy that he was answering a good question. “I would need to build it like something that they are not expecting is a bomb. It will need to be undetectable and be something they are excited to accept. Much like… a Trojan Horse.”

Thomas gave a confused stare. “How is building a bomb like a condom?”

Harry turned to Thomas with his thinking face displayed. “Maybe it is like when the condom explodes when you—”

“Enough!” shouted Asani. “You really need to stop watching those old television commercials. It is polluting your mind.” Another heavy sigh. “Search Trojan Horse, early Earth history, twelve century B.C.”

A small phase shift appeared on both holograms. “Oh, that makes a lot more sense,” said Thomas while Harry nodded in agreement.

Asani could not help but smile. “So, I am going to go research this and so what do I need from you?”

“Silence,” both said together. This of course was not the first time Asani had asked that question.

Asani sat in his Captain chair and ran his hand through his black curly mop atop his head. He used to care too much about his hair but now it was a surprise if he showered once a week. He began to review the PADD containing all the plans with more scrutiny than before. The second time was more surprising than the first. “Starfleet actually wanted to destroy a mining colony. A colony full of innocent people,” thought Asani. “Diplomatic solutions were always the Federation way and whatever happen to the Prime Directive?” Reading through the details, he started to understand their reasons. He found that the attack that the Admiral showed was not the first one, but it was the most lethal. Xiezioshad been threating Starfleet for years and there were numerous attacks on many Federation vessels. They have also attacked Romulan cruisers and destroyed a couple of Klingon warbirds. They had been growing in power for years and there were numerous attempts at treaties, at no avail. One species that they had not attacked was the Cardassians because they were merchants to this enemy. “No surprise there because profit before alliance was a part of the Cardassians’s creed.” But the Cardassians were the key on how this bomb was to be planted. Cardassians had similar technology, so Xiezios were able to adapt most of their equipment with few adjustments. The idea was to create something that Xiezios would need and trade using the Cardassians as a ploy. They needed Asani to create that shiny object.

He pulled up the monitor by his Captain chair and began researching what the Universe knew about this lethal species. There were numerous reports of interactions with these creatures. All of it negative. Armed escorts were always necessary traveling anywhere near their space and that space was growing. Four planet takeovers and attacks on numerous others. Their secret was the mineral they called “Death”. He clicked on a report that explained what this mineral was, and he saw his face. His eyes widen as he saw what he knew was classified, available for all to read. “Looks like the security at Starfleet is the same,” thought Asani has he read his findings that he gave to high-ranking officials at Starfleet Headquarters years ago. Memories began floating back into his head as he read his own words. He remembered working on the very moons where the mineral was mined. A tedious process that required very sensitive equipment.

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“This glowing crap will melt your face off if you’re not careful,” he remembered his fellow worker, which changed to friend within a day, told him on his first day on this moon. Disguised as one of them, he gathered huge amounts of evidence on what this glowing purple mineral was. Radiation levels were found off the charts. Many of this species died in their first attempts at mining this mineral. After years of modifications and many more deaths, they found a way to safely mine and store “Death”.

Her face flooded his mind again. “I have read your reports on these people,” she said with that grin that made his heart flutter. Of course, she had no idea how he felt because of Starfleet regulations. Duty before self. “Do you truly feel these people are capable of committing such evil atrocities?”

“If they are provoked,” Asani remembered his reply. “They are not looking for alliances. They want domination.”

“Only a few are like that,” she replied while grabbing a cooked crab-like creature from the middle of the table and then cracking open the inners. She had fell in love with the unique cuisine of this planet that they were investigating. They visited a new eating establishment almost every night. Tonight’s establishment was found atop a large hill overlooking a valley decorated with plants of all color. The warm air night and view only enhanced the evening. “The meat is so tender and juicy,” she acknowledged with a face showing her love. A type of green butter dripped from her mouth which she quickly wiped away. She gave a nervous smile when she saw that Asani was watching her with his small grin. “Don’t give me that grin. I have watched you eat.” She pointed her finger at him. “You are worse than I am.” That heart fluttering grin returned.

“I just can’t believe that you cannot stand pineapple on your pizza,” he replied sarcastically, “but you love dipping your food in that green mayonnaise crap.”

“Asani! You are awful,” she answered while rolling her eyes. He loved it when she used his real name. It was either “lieutenant” during the day or the made-up name he used for this mission. “You know this is more of a butter,” she continued while holding up the small jar. “It is delicious.”

“All I know is it tastes awful because it tastes just like mayo,” he replied in a joking tone. “Besides, you do not know where it comes from. You could be eating the feces of some animal on this planet.”

The grin returned which showed she knew he was teasing her. “Well, if there was an animal that crapped delicious food like this, I would raise hundreds of them like chickens.” He loved her weird humor. Her serious face returned. “What do you mean if they are provoked?”

Asani looked down, not wanting to answer the question. He knew she loved these people and their culture. His reply would upset her. Her face showed that he had to answer. “They are led by maniacs,” he said with a scowl while shaking his head. He instantly grimaced knowing that was too harsh when he saw her reaction. He needed to give her small pieces at first, not throw it in her face.

“How can you be so cynical?” she nearly yelled. “We have only been on this planet for six months and I have seen nothing that tells me that. I have seen nothing but kindness from these people. Maybe a bit eccentric with their beliefs, but aren’t we all?” She shook her head in disappointment and began to pick at her food.

“I’m sorry,” apologized Asani. He saw her small grin but then it quickly left. “I have seen and heard things that frighten me. Rumors from many that are nervous about what is happening with their government.” She looked at him and her face showed that she had heard those rumors as well. “I shouldn’t be so judgmental.” He gave her a sly smile. “You forgive me?”

She gave him a shrewd look of her own. “Asani, I am a Starfleet Officer. You don’t need to be so coy with me. I can take it.” She began eating her food once again. Even though she did not say it, she was happy that he was contrite. “Of all leaders…” she began to ask then stopped not wanting to know the answer. She continued knowing that the mission depended on it, “Who scares you the most?”

“Diavol Cain,” he answered with no hesitation. Her face told him that was the name she did not want to hear.

“Asani?” said a hesitant voice that took him from his daydream.

“Yes, Harry,” replied Asani while rolling his eyes.

“I am sorry to bother you, but you are getting a call from Jajot.” A small grin appeared on Asani’s face. “I don’t like that Romulan woman, Asani,” Harry said in a tone that sounded too motherly. “She is too promiscuous,” Harry continued while shrugging his shoulders, shaking his head, and making a “yuck” face. A Starfleet subroutine on the holograms that made them “old fashion”.

“But Harry, that is why I like her,” answered Asani with his sly grin. Harry gave him his angry face. “Don’t worry, Harry. I play hard to get.”

“Well, she is bad news and- “

“Harry,” said Asani cutting him off, “why is she contacting me?”

His official face returned. “She has a lead on an interface for your homegrown warp core that may work. She continued by saying and I quote, ‘Meet me on Dicarious at the same place and be sure to wear the tight uniform that shows off that incredible behind of yours.’” Harry shook his head while Asani gave another large grin. “Asani,” Harry continued while pointing a stern finger. “You be careful. I don’t want you to get hurt again.”

“Thanks Mom,” said Asani while laughing. “Harry don’t worry. It is all a game to her. But she gets me the parts that I need.”

Harry stepped towards Asani and gave him a hug. “I just don’t want you to get hurt again. You have suffered enough already.”

“Thanks, Harry,” said Asani with a surprised face.

“OH!” said Thomas from his chair at his console. A large smile on his face. “I love it when you two get along.”

“Remind me to do a small tweak on your protection subroutines,” said Asani with a squished face as Harry continued to squeeze. “You are being a little too protective.”