Contact.

Star Trek:  The Lost Stars
Chapter Two, Part Two.

Stardate 91883.39 (November 19th, 10:32am)
Location: Helios Sector, Andromeda Galaxy.

The air on the bridge was thick with tension.  The alert lights flashed on and off, and nearly everyone's eyes were fixed on the new arrival that hung before the three Starfleet ships.  Were the aliens a threat, or would they be friends?
Following the curves of the sleek, angular, grey vessel, Munro's eyes kept being drawn to the blue, eye shaped oval on its bow.  Two pulsing bars ran either side of the bow, meeting at the oval.  Somehow he had a feeling this wasn't a navigational deflector. 
Getting up from his seat, he paced back and forth, his hands clasped behind his back.  "Any response to our hails?" he asked, tearing his gaze from the viewscreen to look at Paris.
Paris shook her head.  "None sir!"
Munro switched his attention to science, where Fel was busy searching through the absent Riana's database, hunting for clues to their visitors identity.  "Any luck?"
"I think I might have got it!" she replied after a moment.  When she failed to continue, Xon coughed, causing Fel to look up.  "What?  Oh, sorry!"
Xon rolled his eyes, and Munro hid his smile behind his hand, feigning rubbing his chin.  "That's okay, Lieutenant," he said.  "Now, if you please."
With an embarrassed smile, Fel tapped her console, bringing the information op on the main viewer, where it overlay ed the alien ships image.  "According to the database, this ship design is one employed by the Guarlarans, an amphibious race that was made part of the Kelvan Empire eleven thousand years ago."  Data scrolled downwards, including an image of the aliens homeworld.  "Their ships can operate both in space, and underwater, and they're exceptional navigators.   They apparently can't get lost."
At the Conn Grange raised an eyebrow, imitating Xon.  "I guess that would make them useful!"  He ignored the look that Fel shot him.
"So, it appears we're about to contact the Kelvan's after all," said Paris.  "In a manner of speaking!"
Munro kept his attention on Fel.  "Doesn't the database contain all the known Andromedean languages?"
Fel checked.  "Yes, it does,"
"Tie it into the universal translator.  We're probably going to need it." 
"Yes Admiral."  The data vanished.
Switching to Paris, Munro flicked a thumb at the Guarlaran ship.  "Any sign of hostile intent?"
"None," Paris replied.  "No evidence of weapon activation, or any shields."
Xon got to his feet to stand next to Munro.  "They could be waiting to see what we're going to do, especially since our weapons are hot, and our shields are raised!"
Nodding, Munro made a decision.  "Signal the fleet to stand down to Yellow Alert, but to maintain formation."
Paris nodded, and instantly the light changed to normal, though two yellow bars remained lit on the alert bars.
"I don't think Boyce  will like this!" commented Xon.
"He can speak to me later," said Munro.
At science Fel finished her task.  "The database is tied to the translator."
A beeping started to emit from Tactical.  "Just in time," she said, looking up from the readout.  "We're being hailed!"
With a glance at Xon, Munro and his exec turned to face the viewer.
"On screen."
The viewscreen flickered, and the image of the Guarlaran ship vanished, replaced by the interior of its command deck.  Elegant flowing walls of blue grey curved outwards, connecting a ridged ceiling to a floor filled with consoles that seemed to have been carved from coral.  Holgraphic displays glowed above them with ethereal beauty, strange symbols pulsing in mesmerising waves.  Light shimmered in patterns on every surface, as if the chamber was underwater, and standing at the consoles were the Guarlarans.
Clad in form fitting suits that resembled silver scales, the crew resembled dolphins that had taken on mammalian form.  Large eyes blinked languidly above long beaked mouths, with two nostril slits sitting between them.  Their bodies were long and lithe, arms and legs ending in four webbed digits, and their skin was light grey and smooth looking.  One of the crew, distinguished by a gold stripe on its suit, moved to stare at Munro.
"I am Ser' Talisa of the cruiser Star Rider." said the Guarlaran, it's voice melodious, and definately female.  "Who are you?  We have never seen your ships before?"
Munro took a breath.  "I am Admiral Alexander Munro, commanding the USS Endeavour.  I and the other ships are from the United Federation of Planets."
Ser' Talisa blinked.  "We have never heard of this United Federation before!"
"That's because, Ser' Talisa, we are not from this galaxy."
The Guarlaran froze, and Munro noticed the others staring at each other in surprise in the background.  Regaining her composure, Ser' Talisa shook her head in wonderment.  "So it is true, the Kelvan's did make contact after all!"
"They did make contact," said Munro, "in a fashion."
The Guarlaran Commander waved away his comment.  "I look forwards to finding out more, Admiral, but I have more pressing issues to contend with."
Munro and Xon shared a glance.  "What are these issues Commander!"
This ship is being hunted by Voorpak mercenaries, ruthless warriors who have been paid to destroy this ship."
"Why!"
"Because, Admiral, the Kelvan Empire is no more."  Ser' Talisa's wide eyes didn't blink.  "This galaxy is being invaded by a powerful force, and the Kelvan's have been swept aside."
Munro found himself unable to speak.  The Kelvan's gone, an invasion.  A mission of peace and exploration had just changed in an instant.  The bridge went quiet as everyone absorbed the stunning news.
The silence ended as a warbling alarm started to wail on the Guarlaran bridge.
"They've found us!"  Ser' Talisa cried.  Behind her the Guarlaran crew were moving quickly.  Lights were flashing urgently.  Ser' Talisa's gazed bored into him.  "Activate your weapons and defences Admiral.  You're going to need them!"
Munro, his mind racing at the revelations, cleared his head, coming to a decision.  "Let us help you!" 
Ser' Talisa paused, then nodded.  "I except your offer of help, but be prepared for a hard fight Admiral.  Voorpaks will do anything to win."
The connection deactivated, to reveal the Star Rider swinging around, the blue stripes now pulsing rapidly.
Moving to his seat, Munro issued his orders.  "Signal the Daedalus, Bellerophon, Montgomery-Scott, and Theseus to form up on the Star Rider."  He checked the readings on his armrest.  "Dauntless and Monitor to take port and starboard flanks respectively, Pegasus and Chapel to stay by the station.  Also, Pegasus is to launch her fighters as a screen."
As Paris relayed his orders Munro issued one more command.  "All ships, Red Alert."
On the screen the fleet could be seen rearranging itself as per orders, with the Guarlaran ship at the heart of the formation.  Despite the urgency everything looked graceful, calm even.
Xon glanced at Munro, his expression hopeful.  "Perhaps it won't be too bad.  There could even be a peaceful solution!"
It was at that moment that all hell broke loose as the Voorpak ships arrived, and opened fire.

To Be Continued...


Art by Jetfreak.