Captain Schechter, Commander Kumar, Ensign Schanker, Sergeant Sommers, and the remainder of the Marine contingent from the Ronald G. Barry approached the large doors, which slid aside, revealing the interior of the Schneider's main holodeck. Inside, standing at attention, were Captain Chesin, Commander Kenigsberg, Chief Engineer Yudt, Security Chief Schader, Communications Officer Burstein, Ensign Levine, Dr. Silver, and Nurse Koff, who was attending to a bleary-eyed and heavily medicated Ensign Lowenstein.

Ensign Bapat walked into the holodeck and took her place with the rest of the crew of the Schneider as Captain Chesin extended greetings to the crew of the Barry. "However," said Chesin upon completion of the formalities, "I don't understand why you brought a squad of Marines with you."

Sergeant Sommers, phaser rifle held at the ready, seemed as though he was about to speak, but, amazingly, Security Chief Schanker interposed. "Ah, they're simply along for the ride," he said. Sommers glared at him.

"Well," said Chesin. "Let's begin the farewell message, then. Computer, play 'Elalouf Farewell Message.'"

"Working," replied the computer.

Suddenly, the black-and-yellow grid of the holodeck transformed itself. In its place appeared a tremendous mansion and a pastoral countryside, such that the Starfleet officers were facing the front of the mansion. Chesin turned around and noticed a large field of cotton in which dozens of people, most of them apparently slaves, were busy at work.

"Welcome!" came a voice from the mansion's porch.

The Starfleet officers squinted at the porch. Coming out of the mansion's front door was an image of Vice-Admiral Elalouf, in full dress uniform. "I assume," said Elalouf wryly as she closed the door behind her and stepped onto the porch, "that you're playing this message, which I've recorded here at a holographic image of Tara to be played in the event of my death in the line of duty, that I've died in the line of duty."

Kenigsberg stepped forward, making vague gestures. "Tara? What's 'Tara'?"

Elalouf smiled and inhaled deeply. "Ah, Tara," she said wistfully. "This is where I've always wanted to live ever since I saw 1939's Gone With the Wind, and where I am now and for all eternity resting peacefully with the spirit of Clark Gable."

Kenigsberg frowned. It appeared as though he was going to speak, but a voice came from within the house: "Scarlett! Get yo'self in heah!"

Elalouf fidgeted. "I've got to go; there's a ball tonight and I..." and she twirled around in a circle, "...am the guest of honor." She primped.

Chesin cleared his throat. "Was there anything you had to say to us, Admiral?"

Elalouf smirked. "Yes. I hate Starfleet, I don't, frankly, give a damn about the Federation, and I want to live here at Tara in 1861 with Rhett for all eternity! Get lost!"

Admiral Elalouf spun dramatically on her heel, opened Tara's door with a grandiose flair, walked into the house, and slammed the door behind her. "Scarlett!" yelled a voice.

"Okay, so we've watched the admiral's farewell message," said Schechter acerbically. "Now what? Admiral Elalouf was supposed to be in charge of this mission! She had our orders!"

Captain Chesin rubbed his chin and surveyed the briefing room of the Jorge E. Schneider. Sitting around the circular table were the senior officers of the Schneider and the Barry. "I suppose we'll have to ask Starbase 25's first officer for additional information regarding the mission," he mused. "She should have some clue as to what's going on here."

Kenigsberg blew air out from between his teeth. "A waste of time," he muttered.

Schechter leaned back in her chair, causing the springs to groan. "You have a better idea, Commander?"

Kenigsberg raised his chin and stood. "Yes, Captain," he declared. "Admiral Elalouf, before her unfortunate demise" -- Kenigsberg glared at Ensign Bapat, who cowered -- "had told us of the possible quadrotritilithium deposit, which we were both sent here to protect. Let's find it and safeguard it before some hostile agent seizes it."

Schechter and Chesin exchanged glances, and both began to mull that idea over.

Ensign Goldfarb, science officer of the Barry, who had beamed over after Admiral Elalouf's farewell message, spoke up. "Well, I don't know about the Schneider, but the Barry has not detected any deposits of quadrotritilithium in this area."

Science Officer Lowenstein of the Schneider responded. "I haven't found anything either," he added. "But my head still hurts. Nurse...?" he said tentatively, directing a glance at Nurse Koff.

Obligingly, Koff produced a hypospray, and touched it to Lowenstein's neck. The sprayer hissed slightly, and Lowenstein groaned as he went limp in his chair.

Schechter and Chesin seemed to have reached a mutual, yet unspoken, consensus. "We'll have to inform the starbase first officer, and then request additional administrative support from Starfleet Command," they said in unison.

Kenigsberg blinked, and looked at Commander Kumar. Kumar moved slightly, in the manner of a shrug, but since Kenigsberg couldn't tell where Kumar's neck ended and his shoulders began, he couldn't correctly interpret the gesture.

Ignoring Kenigsberg, Chesin addressed the air. "Computer, establish communications link with Starbase 25." The computer beeped in response. "Excellent," acknowledged Chesin. The captain cleared his throat and spoke loudly. "Attention Starbase 25. This is Captain Chesin of the U.S.S. Jorge E. Schneider. Come in, please."

A harsh female voice issued from the ceiling-mounted speaker. "Federation Starbase 25 here," it rattled. "Captain Simon, executive officer, speaking. Captain Chesin, are you firing upon the Barry?"

Chesin harrumphed. "Captain, we request permission to beam aboard the base."

Simon's voice became suspicious. "I'm going to have to order that you undergo a full decontamination procedure," she said. "Ensign Lin, prepare the bacterial immersion baths."