This story begins in the 24th century, just following the Dominion War.

Cmdr. T'Plon Makh-zhuksu and LT.(jg) Siran d'Vel'nahr were both serving on Deep Space 6, a space station located about 18 lightyears from space station Deep Space 9. They both worked in the science department, the Commander as the CSO and the Lt. as her assistant. Cmdr. T'Plon also served as the station's executive officer and temporarily as the chief medical officer.

Because of the heightened threat, during the Dominion war, STARFLEET pressed into service all available ships that could aid in the defense of the Federation. The USS Euphrates NCC-73918, a Danube-class runabout, was assigned to the station and the science officers were ordered to man the Euphrates because of their command training. Although the Euphrates sustained major damage by the end of the war, the 2 Vulcans were able to aid in the defeat of the Dominion forces.

Being science officers, they were frustrated with the concept of being science officers on a space station. They wanted to explore. They knew that the Euphrates was not equiped for exploration and that it was also so badly damaged that it may not survive a refit. They decided to ask for reassignment. They requested, from STARFLEET, a starship of their own to do scientific research.

They learned of a new class of starship specifically designed for scientific research, designed by Vulcans and based on the Surak Class Vulcan starship.* It's construction was at 40 Eridani-A Shipyards at Vulcan and was going through it's final construction stage.

Since the ship is new they need to put together a crew and launch on a 9 month shakedown cruise. The shakedown cruise will take place in a very remote sector of the Alpha Quadrant, where no sentient life exists, a perfect scenario for scientific research. Once the shakedown cruise is completed successfully, they will be promoted to Captain and Commander, respectively, and be given their commissioning orders.

* It is not widely known, but the LT. even did some research and design assistance work on this new Surak-class, Vulcan designed Light Research Vessel. It was one of the things he did before joining STARFLEET and being assigned to Deep Space 6.