"That would be quite a long time indeed." Julian raises his mug again--it's truly an impressive number, thousands of years of peace, despite the not-so-comforting term of empire that preceded it. But if this High Guard indeed shared the same ideals as Starfleet, he didn't think Captain Hunt would have too much trouble adapting to the routine aboard a Federation ship.

"She didn't tell me too much more than that. I would be interested in learning more, though, if you're amenable to the idea."

Talking to someone from so far in the future, from another united front of various planets--millions, Trance had said, as opposed to the hundred-fifty or so in the Federation, which seemed to stretch farther than humanity could have even guessed so much as two or three centuries ago.

"I would certainly be happy to answer any of your questions that I'm able to."