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The gentle hum of the warp core reverberating through deck plating soothed the weathered starship captain in his chair.
The glass teacup radiated a small gentle heat and the computer on his desk calmly scrolled across ceaseless text. He exhaled sharply, rubbing his hands across his face, refusing to be lulled to sleep.
The text was practically a blur. Captain Picard had committed himself to studying the rather eccentric laws and culture of Aurelia IV, and failed to foresee the late night studying he was going head first into.
He groaned, taking a gentle sip from his cup of Earl Gray, squinting at the warm lighting of his ready room.
He did not anticipate that negotiating a cease fire between the Aurelian government and a political insurgency would be filled with so much nuance.
Picard was however roused from his train of thought when the chirp of his doorbell suddenly grabbed his attention. In his half conscious state he managed a quick
"Enter!", followed by the hiss of the sliding doors opening and a friendly face approaching him.
"Hello, Captain."
"Ah, Beverly. Please, sit." Picard gestured to the chair across from his desk, standing and approaching the replicator built into the wall.
As Doctor Beverly Crusher became seated, Picard placed his tea cup into the replicator alcove built into the wall. With the press of a button, the Tea was dematerialized and then
brought back, this time full and heated.
"Can I get you a drink?"
"A Raktajinko would be lovely, thank you." Beverly responded.
Picard raised an eyebrow at her, suppressing a half smile.
"Raktajinko, hot."
The replicator beeped in response, and a piping hot cup of Raktajinko was created in a beam of light.
Beverly gave a confused smile; "What was that for?"
"Pardon?"
"That look you gave me."
Picard sat down with both beverages, handing the coffee to Dr. Crusher.
"It's nothing, it's just I never took you for a coffee drinker, especially Klingon coffee."
Doctor Crusher took a sip of the hot beverage, and nodded. "There's a lot of unexpected things you can learn about me."
Picard turned off the computer, fixing his shirt. "So, for what do I owe the pleasure doctor?"
Dr. Crusher cradled the Raktajino with both hands, and looked up at Captain Picard.
“Well, it's come to my attention that a certain Captain has been avoiding his scheduled checkups at Sickbay.” she teased, raising an eyebrow.
Captain Picard huffed, tensing up immediately.
“Beverly, I appreciate your concern but I am fine. I promise to stop by when I get the chance.”
Dr Crusher shook her head, “Oh no, Jean Luc, you're not getting away that easy. You look exhausted. You need to start looking after your own health!”
Captain Picard leaned back, staring into the hot liquid.
“The situation on Aurelia IV is very complex. The amount of legal nuance to consider alone is by our own standards overboard.
These people place a lot of importance on their legal system, the whole of Aurelian society is centered around rules and regulations. Its quite the headache.”
Dr Crusher frowned a bit.
“Isn't law the basis of all society?”
Picard nodded. “Yes, perhaps, but these people take it to an entirely new level.”
The intercom to the ready room suddenly activated, broadcasting Commander Riker’s voice.
“Captain, you're needed on the bridge.”
The two looked at eachother, and Dr Crusher smiled.
“Saved by the bell again, Jean-Luc.”
Picard stood up, and tapped his combadge.
“On my way.”
Picard stepped out onto the bridge, greeted by the sight of Commander Riker who was positioned over the shoulder of Ensign Crusher at the Helm. Riker looked at the Captain, and Picard knew immediately from the look in his eyes that trouble was ahead.
“Report.” Picard stated curtly as he took to his station at the Captain’s chair, tucking his uniform in.
“Sir, an unidentified vessel is on an intercept course with the Enterprise. Specifications do not match anything on Starfleet records.” Data reported from the OPS station.
“Time to intercept, Mr Data?”
The android’s hands flew across the console, making rapid calculations beyond the capability of a biological officer. “In roughly four minutes sir. They appear to be traveling at a speed twenty five thousand times greater than the speed of light.”
“How the hell are they moving so fast…?” Riker questioned.
Picard stood up. “Set the ship to yellow alert. Open a channel.”
Picard’s tactical officer Lieutenant Worf nodded, interacting with his own console.
“Channel open.”
“Unidentified Vessel, this is the Federation Starship USS Enterprise. Please respond.”
A moment of uncomfortable silence passed.
“No response.”
Picard’s eyebrows furrowed. Something wasn’t right here, and he knew it.
“The vessel has entered primary sensor range.”
“On screen.”
The view screen made a chime, and switched to a feed of… empty space.
Riker seemed disconcerted. “Mr Data?”
“These are the active coordinates of the vessel sir.”
Worf chimed in, “Perhaps they are cloaked, sir.”
Picard rubbed his chin, thinking. How can something so large be so hard to see?
Data interrupted his thoughts. “It is possible, sir, that at the speed the alien vessel is traveling it may simply be in-perceivable to the naked eye.”
Picard nodded, then looked back at Worf.
“Anything?”
“Still no response.”
“Keep trying.”
Riker leaned towards Picard. “We have to assume that there may be some hostile intent. Nobody moves that fast just to say hello.”
Picard shook his head. “I want to analyze the situation first.”
He walked over to the Captain’s chair and sat again.
“Let's wait for them to arrive. Surely when they have come to a stop we should see them. Mr Worf, send a subspace message to Starfleet Command, inform them of our situation.”
“Yes sir.”
Another moment of uncomfortable silence…
“Captain, a large vessel has just dropped out of… something ahead. I'm receiving clear sensor and visual data.”
“On screen!”
The viewscreen once again switched, this time to the image of a massive gray colored starship. It was pointed like an arrowhead, with a T shaped bridge towering over its massive primary structure.
“Analysis Mr Data?”
Data once again began to make rapid calculations, sifting through the flurry of oncoming sensor information.
“The vessel is indeed large, several times larger than the Enterprise in fact. I'm not reading any clear indication of a warp drive or any kind of faster-than-light propulsion method. The vessel appears to be mostly propelled by a primitive Ion based reaction system. I'm reading life signs, more than thirty-seven thousand of them. I cannot discern species however.”
“Armaments, Data?” Riker questioned.
“Im reading several large modules which may be dedicated weapon systems across the alien hull… they appear to be laser based weaponry.”
Worf scoffed, causing Riker to face him.
“Something wrong, Lieutenant?”
“Laser weaponry won't even scratch our deflector shields, sir.”
“That may be true,” Data interrupted, “But the sheer number of weapons on the Alien vessel may prove sufficient for it to cause harm to our shields.”
“Sir, they are hailing us?” Worf posed the statement more like a question, confusion spreading across his face.
Picard seemed surprised, perhaps even amused. “On screen.”
The viewscreen switched, this time to what appeared to be a man wearing a gray military uniform. What surprised Picard the most was the fact that the individual appeared to be human.
“This is the Imperial Star Destroyer Fist of Korriah. You have violated Imperial space.”
Picard and Riker looked at each other for a moment, before Picard finally responded.
“My name is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the-”
“Power down your deflectors and prepare to be boarded.” The Imperial interrupted.
Picard’s face furrowed, “We will do no such thing. We are a vessel of exploration. Do not attempt to-”
“Power down, or your vessel will be destroyed. You have three minutes to comply.”
“We will not-”
The channel closed, leaving the bridge silent and tense.
An alert tone sounded from Worf’s station.
“They are locking weapons.”
“Options?” Picard queried.
“Running isn't an option, not with how fast that hulk of a ship can move.” Riker explained.
Worf raised an eyebrow. “I say we fight. The Enterprise could easily out-maneuver the enemy vessel. They would stand no chance against our weaponry.”
“I'm afraid that isn't entirely correct,” Data stated quite matter-of-factly. “What they lack in firepower, they appear to make up for in defense. The shielding on the vessel would require tremendous power to bring down.”
Picard thought for a moment. He was running out of time, he had to find a way to resolve this situation peacefully, or the Federation would most certainly have a war on its hands.
Damn it all, he thought, first the Borg now this?
“Mr Worf, open a channel.”
“Sir?”
Picard stood up, approaching the view screen.
“You heard me, Lieutenant.”
Worf hesitated, looking to Riker who simply nodded.
“...Channel open.”
“Imperial vessel, we are willing to discuss your demands and try to find a peaceful compromise. If you had scanned us, you would find our vessels can easily match the other in combat. No blood has to be shed today.”
Picard waited for a response, almost forgetting to breathe.
“If we could just act like civilized-”
The ship suddenly shook, almost knocking Picard off his feet. The ship’s Red Alert immediately kicked in with a dramatic blare of sirens and darkened lights.
“They have opened fire!”
Picard returned to his seat to avoid being knocked down.
“Damage report!”
Worf allowed the reports to come in, before yelling over the chaos,
“Shields are holding at 90%, but we seem to have suffered minor hull damage. Casualty reports are coming in… some injuries…”
Worf looked up, relief evident across his features. “No deaths.”
Riker stood up, frustration evident across his own.
“Analysis?”
“A warning shot, sir. They have discontinued their attack.”
Riker scoffed, “Some warning shot.”
Picard nodded. “They certainly got their point across.”
“They are responding to our hail.” Worf reported.
Picard nodded, and with that the screen lit up. The same uniformed man once again visible at the center of the camera.
“The clock is ticking. Will you comply, or shall you perish here?”
Picard thought for a moment, recalling certain words of power he had heard before about bullies. He tucked in the uniform that he had sacrificed so much for, ready to put it to the test against the uniform of another. He stood, crossing his hands behind his back.
“We will not comply. And I will not hesitate to defend this ship and its crew. The true decision lies on you. Shall we find a peaceful solution? Or shall we continue to try and kill each other until one or both are no more?”
The Imperial Captain sneered, his eyes narrowing sharply. He had never faced such… defiance. Not since he first went to battle against rebel scum. He cursed to himself internally.
He stared at the holographic image being projected before him. He did not find this man impressive visually. But despite his unassuming appearance there was an almost… Skywalker-esque edge to him.
And that peaked his interest.
He quickly steeled himself, swallowing his pride and anger.
“Very well, Captain. You are correct, nobody has to die today… as long as you make the correct decision. I give my word you and your crew will not be harmed.
Picard let go a silent breath of relief, he was making progress.
“Why don't we discuss this face to face? Make a decision together like true civilized men. Perhaps over a cup of tea?” He waited for the Imperials' response. The man was not that unlike a Romulan. The air of superiority aside he could tell he was a man of king and country. Or whatever it is he answers to…
But if his comparison was correct, he knew that any discussion would likely contain some level of espionage. Even if they were to shake hands, he knew that the battle had only just begun. Captain to Captain.
“I was thinking our ship would make a far better setting for negotiations, Captain. We have a much… larger table to set.” The Imperial offered, he smiled but Picard could easily see that there were knives behind those teeth.
“I think that sounds lovely. Does 6:00 hours sound appropriate?”
The Imperial seemed surprised at how quick Picard was to agree. He narrowed his eyes.
Now THIS is interesting… He recognized a man with conviction.
“I shall see you then.”
The communication closed.
Picard finally let go of the breath he had been holding, and looked to Riker who seemed both confused and worried.
“Surely you can tell this is an obvious trap?” he questioned, searching his old friends eyes for a clear answer.
Picard nodded. “Yes, I do. Mr Data, how long until you can discover that ship's deflector grid frequency?”
“An hour sir. Perhaps two.”
Picard nodded. “Good. Make it so.”
Riker’s face slowly melted into slight understanding. “Transporters, sir?”
“Yes, Number One. I’ll assess the situation from the inside, and if there is any trouble Chief O’Brien can beam me out. Besides, I wanted to make this a motion of good faith.”