The Continuing Story of Deep Space 2: Page 83
Hearing this Maccs suggested in a soft voice only those on his bridge could hear the possibility of supplies as Frances tried to think of some way to explain how they ended up in this new reality, glad that it seemed (at least for the moment) the "natives" were
friendly -- glad also they seemed to speak as well a form of Terran similar to older dialects back in her own universe. Even the name Admiral Arthur used in reference to his own government, "United Federation of Planets", had to it a certain benevolent feel to it -- a subtle sound of peaceful intent hinting at (she hoped) a democratic alliance of sentient beings working together in peaceful co-existance for the common good of all sentient life.
"Well, Admiral, that's a long story rather complicated to say the least", Frances was at honest enough to admit. "Frankly, I'm not sure of the exact particulars myself... our means of arrival here not a form of travel my people ever looked into before; Starchild discovering the secret all on his own long after his retirement from Commonwealth service. Maybe we should arrange to meet in person either aboard Starchild, or your own ship -- whichever you consider more acceptable -- let him try and explain in greater detail...
"As for assistance", Frances continued, "we would be interested in learning more about this new alternity we seem to have found ourselves now in -- maybe discuss the possibility of supplies as well should it prove convenient".
"Admiral Frances, Can Ernie and I tag along to enjoy the new sights or would you rather the first encounter be just humanoids? Not that a walking talking "teddy bear" would be considered unusual in some parts of space." said Sarah.
SETTING: Admiral Arthur and Frances arranging when and where to
meet, Admiral Arthur signing-off, Frances looking about at everyone
else on Starchild's bridge -- everybody aboard ship all present and
accounted for...
SARAH: "Admiral Frances, Can Ernie and I tag along to enjoy the new
sights, or would you rather the first encounter be just humanoids?
Not that a walking talking 'teddy bear' would be considered unusual
in some parts of space."
FRANCES: "Actually, Sarah, I think you need not worry on that
account. With a name like 'United Federation of Planets' I have a
feeling that the people here are no strangers to new and 'unique'
forms of sentient life. Besides, it might not 'hurt' to include an
unobtrusive 'teddy bear' and her telepathic bat during our first
contact with the people here. Not, mind you, that I'm expecting any
trouble from our new 'friends', but it never hurts. As they say back
home; 'forewarned is forearmed'...
"And, on that note, who else wants to join me in our 'first contact'
with Admiral Arthur and his crew".
<<< At that Frances looked around the others gathered about
Starchild's bridge... Karn, Lt. Katz, Prince Roshi, and Avaat...
waiting to see what the others might suggest >>>
Admiral Arthur was not really ready to let strangers on his station. But he didn't want to miss this chance to meet new people. He contacted the alien starship and asked to come aboard. If that went well the entire ship could dock into Deep Space 2 spacedock. Admiral Arthur made preparations to depart, but Colonel Theys does not aggree with the idea that his Commanding Officer would go totally alone to an alien ship.
"Sir, with all due respect, I think you should not go without an escort. Sir ?"
"Colonel. if it was up to you, I would be accompanied by a hundred security troops or an army of your heavily armed Starfleet Marines. I will go totally alone. If you do not hear from me within the hour, you will blow that ship away. Is that safe enough for you ? Like you have any choice in the matter."
The Admiral smiled. Again he was going on adventure... on his own. He liked that. First contact. He confirmed to Fleet Admiral Frances Miriam Straker of the Colonial Terran starship, Starchild that he was coming over, alone and unarmed. He almost added that his First Officer did not pleased with this idea, but he didn't. Slowly he walked to spacedock to climb into his personal ship, USS Hammerhead, a one person Enhanced Endo-Exo Attack Fighter. First Arhtur powered down the weapons, before leaving spacedock. He didn't want to give the wrong impression. When he saw the spacedock doors close behind him he contacted Deep Space 2 Operations.
"DS2, Hammerhead is spaceborn."
"Roger that Hammerhead. We have an eye on you."
It was Colonel Theys who couldn't resist reminding his superior that he was holding all the cards here. He would rather have send a semi-diplomatic team but...
Admiral Arthur contacted the newcomers that he would arrive in a few minutes. Apparently without any problems Arthur could use the transporters of the Hammerhead to transport aboard the Terran Starship, where he was welcomed by Fleet Admiral Frances Miriam Straker and some of the crew. It was clear to Arthur indeed that these were aliens, but not as he expected.
"Hello. I am Admiral Arthur. I command the space station Deep Space 2. The station is in orbit of a planet which has one moon. Both the planet as the moon are ice worlds. There is some primitive animal life on both, but we consider those forms of life as not intelligent. The plant life is also primitive and is eaten by some of the animal like herbivores, who live in caves mostly, due to the temperature and hiding from preditors. Our station itself..."
While Admiral Arthur was telling Fleet Admiral Straker about Deep Space 2, United Federation of Planets and the atempts to search and meet new species in peace, in the Deep Space 2 Operations Center things did not seem to be peaceful at all. A claxon sounded for only a few seconds. Everyone looked at the sensor officer. Detection of something unknown by the sensors was confirmed by the main computer.
"Colonel sir."
"What was that Lieutenant ?"
"For a moment sir our sensors detected some kind of energy form close to that alien ship sir. The detection was to short to make a good identification, but from what I have in the sensor logs, it is nothing that is in our database. The energy form was not a shadow from that ship and was not created by that ship. It is gone now sir. I presume it was a cosmic phenomena of some kind..."