The five of them materialised in a small overgrown courtyard that, to Picard, looked very much like a traditional Parisian rendezvous. He half expected a waiter to come out through one of the doorways to take drink orders.

Glav led the way down a narrow passage into the main city centre. As he stepped out onto the expansive concourse, Picard stopped dead in his tracks.

Huge monolithic structures dominated a skyline that extended in every direction, seemingly without end. Each building was clad in a grey stone with enormous rectangular holes that Picard supposed had once housed windows. Rather than tower blocks, each structure resembled an Aztec ziggurat but in place of the steps, each sloping side had four vertical rails that held remnants of passenger pods.

When they walked over to the nearest building, it became clear that each section of wall had been constructed from very small, perfectly smooth bricks that had been, somehow, fused together, so that every joint was as fine as a hair.

"Incredible," Picard whispered.

Molly was stood next to him. "Nearly seven thousand years ago, the Triath built this. Its astonishing."

"I knew that it was going to be impressive but I had no idea the city was so big," said Picard.

"Surprised, Jean Luc," said Glav, his facial ridges a deep shade of blue.

"The size of it all," said Picard. "And the buildings are so well preserved."

Molly turned to look along the perfectly flat and straight roadway. "Was this the planetary capital, Jean Luc?"

"That's one of the mysteries of Othallia, Molly," said Glav.

Molly looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Picard smiled. "Molly, there are no other cities on the whole planet. None that have ever been discovered anyway. For some reason, this was the only one that they built here."

"But why?"

"That's the mystery," said Picard. "And part of the reason why I wanted to come on this trip. Just think of it, when this was built, the Triathians were an interplanetary civilisation. Some of their technology is still not understood by our present day sciences."

Picard watched Molly look around her, a new appreciation was evident from her expression.

Lumi was busy unpacking the equipment. "Glav, where shall we set up?"

Obviously excited, Glav led them along a short thoroughfare between two nearby buildings. The path was well worn and wide enough for the five of them to walk side by side. Either side of the pathway was a high wall that supported an overgrown pergola which prevented most of the sunlight from getting through, rendering its entire length in shadow.

Because of this, what lay at the end of the path caused them all to stop again.

"It's beauiful," said Lumi.

Spread across an area of at least three kilometres was an undulating parkland. Bordered by the Triathian structures on all sides, it was reminiscent of Central Park in New York, though the similarity ended there.

Long purple grasses carpeted expansive lawns, with plants and trees of strange varieties. All of them rich and alive with vibrant colours that were almost too dazzling to look at.

Molly was ecstatic, she ran over to one of nearest plants and began examining it with her tricorder.

"Molly," said Glav, smiling broadly. "Let's get set up first."

Molly looked round at them. "Sorry," she said, beaming. "But I could spend years cataloguing all of this."

Everyone laughed. Reluctantly, Molly joined them in assembling various scanners and diagnostic machines. Picard and Sebi inflated two shelter domes, which had been brought to keep the equipment out of direct sunlight.

By the time they had finished, Picard was tired and sweating profusely. He began to wonder if Marie had been right about him being too old to come. He reasoned that walking through the entire city would be backbreaking, something that he quietly shared with Glav.

Again, Glav looked pleased with himself and tapped his com badge.

"Computer, beam exploration vehicle to this location."

"Confirmed, transporting."

Two metres away from them an open topped shuttle appeared. Picard could see six seats, one with a small pilot console. It was elliptical in shape and sat on four squat landing struts. The soft pur of an anti-grav generator was just audible.

Picard shared a look with Glav.

"And where did you hide this?"

"I didn't," said Glav. "I had it delivered to the habitat before we arrived." He smiled, meaningfully and leant closer. "I'm only slightly younger than you are, Jean Luc." He looked down at his own slightly round stomach. "And definitely not as fit."

They both laughed.

"Well, we're up and running," said Lumi, climbing into the pilot seat. "Shall we take her for a spin before nightfall?"

"Of course," said Glav.

They all climbed into the shuttle and Sebi called up a virtual map in front of him.

Lumi gave it a very brief look. "Where too?"

Picard looked over Sebi's shoulder. "How long would it take to circuit the perimeter once?"

"One hour seven minutes," replied Sebi.

Picard turned to Glav. "Do we have enough time before dark?"

Glav nodded. "Yes, providing we don't stop."

Lumi powered up the engine. "Then let's not hang about," she said.

Raising off its struts, the shuttle glided effortlessly across the grass and back through the passage onto the wide expansive street. Lumi turned right and accelerated. As they passed one identical building after another, Picard noticed that, apart from other designated parks, there was no other vegetation. Previous expeditions had noted this and had also written extensively about the lack of land animals, birds or marine life. This world should be dead but, as Picard was learning, on Othallia, normal laws of nature did not apply.

At the edge of the city, the buildings suddenly became shorter but covered a greater area.

"Factories?" He mused.

"That's what Professor Galen thought," said Glav.

Picards heart missed a beat at the mention of his old mentor's name. "Professor Richard Galen was here?"

Glav nodded. "Many years ago, before the last Borg attack, I believe. Did you know him, Jean Luc?"

Picard paused, taking in the scene around him. "He was...a very good friend."

At the end of the road was a high city wall that had once housed an impressive gate. The gate was long gone, and Lumi piloted them outside. She swung immediately left and slowed slightly, keeping about ten metres away from the wall.

Like the buildings inside, the perimeter wall looked completely smooth and featureless. Naturally, everyone's attention was on the surrounding countryside.

Several different varieties of grass rippled in the breeze. The trees were at least twice as tall as the largest terrestrial oak, with trunks that must have been at least six metres thick. Their leaves were a verdant emerald and appeared to shimmer in the fading sunlight.

In the distance, Picard could see the ocean, a deep blue band that appeared to float on a thick veil of mist. He could feel the fresh sea breeze on his face.

"Beautiful," he said, taking a breath.

"But empty," said Glav. He pointed to the city. "Life only exists within a two kilometres perimeter around the city. Nothing exists passed that boundary."

Molly turned in her seat to look at Glav. "Not even in the sea?"

"A science team from Betazed, finished exploring one of the oceans about six years ago," said Lumi. "They found no life of any kind."

"This is such a planet of contradictions," said Picard. "How can a planet so simular to Earth survive without a symbiotic balance?"

"Maybe we'll find out on this trip," said Molly.

As the hour passed by and the sun drew nearer to the horizon, the lush greens of vegetation just looked black and the outer wall of the city a dull featureless barrier. In truth, he knew that the countryside that surrounded the city was unremarkable. There really was nothing to see.

Lumi turned into the city gate and soon came to a stop next to the equipment site.

They all climbed out and Picard was conscious that his back was aching.

"I think it might be time for dinner," said Sebi. There was a general murmur of agreement.

"I agree," said Glav. "We can't do anymore tonight." He tapped his communicator. "Computer, five to transport."

"Confirmed," replied the computer.

They dematerialised.