Captain’s Log, Stardate 12.04.2402.

Captain Kirok Skyrunner recording…

While we were exploring this previously unmapped Mutara class Nebula, that has a unique pulsar star in it, the USS Carlsbad has detected an alien ship that has been broadcasting a distress call. We have set an intercept course for it. We will reach the alien ship within the hour. Scans of the alien ship reveal very little information, as this is a new alien species previously not met…so first contact protocols are in effect. We have yet to receive any reply to our hails. My First Officer has prepared an away team with full engineering support. I am cautious, yet excited, to meet a new alien species. This is my first First Contact mission as Captain.

End Log Entry.

Captain Kirok Skyrunner sat in his ready room, reviewing the regulations on First Contact procedures and enjoying a cup of coffee. The door chimed, announcing a visitor.

“Come,” Kirok said.

The doors opened up and Sophia walked inside, sitting in the chair across the desk from the Captain. Kirok looked up and smiled at her, handing her a cup of coffee.

“Good morning,” he said to her.

“Good morning love,” Sophia softly said back. “Away team is briefed and prepping.”

She smiled, taking the cup. She took a sip and reached over to turn the monitor to see what I was looking at.

“Good that you are reviewing regulations. First Contact is always so tricky,” she said to him. He sat back in his chair, sighing a bit. She noticed it as she looked at him over the rim of her cup. “What is it babe?”

“Just feel a bit nervous and excited is all,” he said to her.

“It is natural to be nervous,” she said soothingly. “You will be fine.”

“Bridge to Skyrunner.”

Kirok tapped his commbadge.

“Skyrunner here.”

“Captain, we are approaching the alien ship. Now in visual range,” Tom said.

“On our way Commander,” Kirok said, tapping his commbadge again.

Kirok and Sophia both walked onto the Bridge and took their stations.

“Captain, I’m reading no identification signals from the alien ship. There is also no response to our hails. Life signs are minimal, and their ship seems to be experiencing catastrophic systems failure,” Tom said from Tactical.

Kirok sat in his command chair, studying the viewscreen carefully.

“Yellow alert! Raise shields but keep weapons offline for now. Full sensor scans on that ship and the area. I want to know what happened to that ship,” Captain Skyrunner ordered.

As the USS Carlsbad moved through the nebula, the ship was buffeted by turbulent gas clouds and radiation storms. The shields flared, and the viewscreen flickered with ionized gas and radiation.

“We are within transporter range Captain,” the helm officer reported.

“All stop,” Sophia said as she stood next to the Tactical station.

“Sensors have picked up one life sign, barely registering,” Science Officer Soraya Amara reported.

“The alien ship has lost all power, Captain,” Aramis reported from Ops. “Looks like engine failure.”

“Stand down from Yellow Alert,” Kirok ordered as he stood up. “I’m leading the away team.” He looked back to where his First Officer stood and was about to object. Kirok was ahead of her. “Captain’s prerogative. Tom, grab a security team and meet in the transporter room in ten minutes.” Kirok tapped his comm badge. “Skyrunner to Catersha, bring an engineering team with you and meet in the transporter room in ten minutes. Skyrunner out.”

Kirok looked at Sophia as she walked down to the command area. She stopped in front of him, offering a small smile.

“You have the conn, Number One,” Kirok said.

“Aye, sir. Please be careful,” Sophia suggested.

Kirok smirked at her.

“I’m always careful, my love,” he replied in a hushed tone.

Sophia snorted as she sat in the command chair. Kirok softly laughed as he walked into the turbolift.

***

The away team, consisting of Captain Kirok Skyrunner, Security Chief Tom Bradley, Chief Engineer Catersha, Doctor Zorvath T’Koren, Science Officer Soraya Amara, Security Officer Ensign K’tharon, and Engineering Officer Lieutenant Junior Grade Ethan Smith appeared out of thin air as they were materialized in a corridor on the alien ship. Everyone immediately grabbed their Type II phasers, ready for anything. They were greeted by the eerie silence. The air was thick with an otherworldly scent, like ozone and sandalwood. The ship’s corridors were narrow and labyrinthine, with strange hieroglyphics etched into the walls.

As the away team started exploring the corridors, Soraya detected the distress signal. They moved to the source, which was what looked like a command station designed for one person. The security officers entered first. They spot an alien slumped over the console. The alien’s skin is a deep, iridescent blue, and its eyes are sunken, as if it has been without sustenance for days.

Doctor T’Koren walked towards the alien as Catersha and Ethan look over the alien displays, tricorder scanning. Kirok walked up and knelt next to the doctor, looking at the alien.

“Captain, this species is unknown to me. I’m detecting… an unfamiliar biochemistry, and severe trauma to the central nervous system,” T’Koren reported.

Suddenly the alien’s eyes flicker open, and it regards the away team with a mix of confusion and desperation.

“Kal…ek…sha…,” it whispers, its voice like the gentle chime of a crystal glass.

T’Koren’s eyes widened.

“Captain, I think it’s trying to communicate.”

“Soraya, try to establish a linguistic pattern,” Kirok ordered.

As Soraya works to establish communication, Kirok reports to the Carlsbad that they found a live alien member and to have Sickbay standing by, and to proceed with caution, follow First Contact protocol, and to ensure a peaceful and enlightening encounter.

“I’m trying to establish a common language, Captain. But it’s…it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” Soraya said.

The alien’s gaze locked onto Kirok’s. Before Kirok could react, he suddenly felt a jolt of…curiosity? Fear? Kirok felt that he could not quite place it.

“Kal…ek…sha…,” the alien repeats, its voice growing stronger.

Kirok leaned forward, feeling his heart pounding with excitement.

“I’m Captain…”

The alien’s eyes widen, and it interrupts Kirok, its voice rising.

“Kal-ek-sha… t’ren… di-ki…”

“Captain, I think I’ve got it! It’s a language, but it is similar to the Tholian language, but might be an offshoot,” Soraya shouted excitedly.

The alien’s body begins to glow, a soft, pulsing light emanating from its very being. The air around the away team seemed to vibrate with energy, and Kirok started to feel a strange, tingling sensation in his fingers. Suddenly, Kirok heard a voice in his head.

“We… are… T’ren… di-ki… We… come… in… peace…”

First Contact has been made.

The alien’s mental voice was like a gentle breeze in Kirok’s mind, carrying the weight of an entire civilization. Kirok visibly takes a deep breath, focusing on the transmission.

“Greetings, T’ren di-ki. Is that your name or your species,” Kirok responded in his mind. “I am the Captain…of the USS Carlsbad. We received your distress signal and have come to assist.”

The alien’s glow intensified, and Kirok sensed a mix of emotions: relief, gratitude, and curiosity.

“We… are… grateful,” the T’ren di-ki responds. “Our ship… is… failing. We… seek… aid.”

Catersha steps forward, her eyes locked on the alien’s.

“Captain, I can try to assist with repairs…but I need to understand their technology…”

The T’ren di-ki’s gaze shifts to Catersha. She shifts nervously as the alien repeats his ritual of communication with someone, with thoughts and feelings. The alien nodded to Catersha.

“We… will… share… knowledge.”

As Catersha begins to work with the alien knowledge the T’ren di-ki gave her, Kirok senses a sense of urgency building. Kirok inquired with the alien, trying to keep his thoughts clear.

“What’s the nature of your emergency?”

T’ren di-ki’s mental voice grows stronger.

“Our…homeworld…in…danger. A…cataclysm… approaches. We…seek…an…alliance…with…your…people.”

Kirok felt a shiver run down my spine. An alliance with an advanced, alien civilization could be a game-changer for the Federation. However, Kirok felt that he needed more information.

“What kind of cataclysm?”

The T’ren di-ki’s glow flickered, and Kirok felt tremendous fear in his mind.

“A…dimensional…anomaly…threatens…all…life…in…our…galaxy.”

Everyone’s heads snapped towards the alien. The words hang in the air.

“We’re here to help,” Kirok said in his mind. “We’ll do everything we can to assist.”

The T’ren di-ki’s glow surged, and everyone felt a sense of deep gratitude.

“We…are…in…your…debt.”

Kirok smiled at the alien.

“That is what friends are for…they help each other. That is what the Federation is all about. Mutual trust and cooperation.”

Kirok looked at the doctor.

“Is the patient ready to transport,” Kirok asked. The doctor scanned the alien and nodded. Kirok tapped his commbadge. “Skyrunner to Carlsbad, prepare to beam back the away team, excluding Catersha and Soraya. Also, send a full engineering team over. Catersha will supervise the repairs here.”