This is my first story to upload. Please R&R. Hope I'm doing everything correct. Hopefully, I've figured out things and can now let the dust settle. (lol)

The characters of the Enterprise in this story belong to Star-Trek - The Next Generation. Other characters I made up.

Dragon's Zeal
The Last Queen Dragon

Chapter 1
Ferringhi Messenger

"This is Daemon Lumoq of the Ferringhi ship Rethguad requesting verification of coordinates."

"This is Federation Outpost Deep Space one-twenty-one, in sector "K", between six-zero-six-niner and the Orgondi systems."

"Permission requested to dock and come aboard. I have a most urgent message for your commander."

"Permission granted."

Soon Daemon Lumoq was ushered into Captain Covington's office. Of course, he was disgusted and dismayed to find a woman seated behind the desk. But what could one expect from the Federation?

"Have a seat, Daemon Lumoq. Would you care for some refreshments?" Daymon Lumoq grinned and bobbed his head. "Yes, yes. Tarkalien Simatsocip." He might have said "please" if the commander had been a human male, but he would never say "please" to a female! The replicator hummed and the steaming brew materialized. Daemon Lumoq was hopping that the female would have to serve him. Instead a man stepped away from the wall, retrieved the mug and handed it to him, bowing as he did so.

Captain Covington's eyes twinkled as she said, "Allow me to introduce my first officer, Commander Maddox.

"How do you do?" Commander Maddox smiled and bowed slightly again, then seated himself in the chair at the corner of the desk.

Daemon Lumoq sipped the hot liquid and smacked his lips. "Ahh, your replicators do justice to Simatsocip. How do you get it to replicate the aromatics so precisely?"

Commander Maddox grinned at Daemon Lumoq, a nearly Ferringhi wolfish grin, at the scent of Profit. He leaned forward and said in a conspiratory tone, "I like to tinker. I've developed a few new programs..."

Captain Covington cleared her throat and said, "Gentlemen, please. Daemon Lumoq had a most urgent message for me."

"Yes, well, that is to say, the Commander of the Federation Star-base." Daemon Lumoq squirmed in his chair, in that distinctive Ferringhi way.

Captain Covington leaned forward in her chair to rest her chin atop her steepled fingers. A sweetly wicked little smile spread across her lips, but did not extend to her piercing gray eyes. "Yes, Daemon Lumoq, that would be me. I am the Commander of this Federation Space Station." She leaned back in her chair. "Please proceed with your most urgent message."

Daemon Lumoq squirmed in his chair again. He cleared his throat several times, and started to say something, then thought better of it. He squirmed in his chair some more, then sank into it with a hissing sound, like letting air out of a tire. Commander Maddox leaned forward, now, somewhat concerned at this uncharacteristic behavior of a Ferringhi Daemon. "Is something the matter, sir?"

"Yes, yes, everything is the matter." Daemon Lumoq sprang from his chair and paced the length of the room. "About three weeks ago we passed by your station..."

"Yes, I remember," Captain Covington said. "You whooshed by here at warp eight. Defying all etiquette and safety standards for passing within a quarter light-year of a space station."

Daemon Lumoq dismissed her comment with a wave of his hand. "We had no business with you, then."

"And now you do?"

"It would seem so." Daemon Lumoq passed the length of the office several more times then threw himself into the chair with that same hissing sound of a deflating tire.

"Which is?" Captain Covington prompted.

Daemon Lumoq sprang from the chair once more to pace the room again. Waving his arms wildly, he exclaimed, "It's too far fetched. You will never believe me. I don't believe it myself."

In a sweet, gentle voice Captain Covington said, "If you tell me the truth of your experience, I will believe you."

Daemon Lumoq stopped pacing in front of the window to gaze out on the impressive triple pulsars of the six-zero-six-niner systems. At last he spoke again, haltingly at first, then the words came out in a rush, "We flew by here over three weeks ago on our way to check out a profitable tip. About an hour ago we encountered a dragon as big as our ship, traveling at warp six in deep space. It flew right up to us and spoke directly to everyone's mind, 'Help, please get help! Go back and get the Enterprise. Go back now. This is too dangerous for you.' Then the dragon waved its wings, knocking us back the way we had come, more than three week's travel in a matter of seconds!" Silence fell in the room like black velvet mantling everything. Daemon Lumoq continued to stare out the window.

At last Captain Covington broke the silence. "You're right, it is a strange tale. But it is not up to me to judge. We are both just messengers." She pressed a toggle on her com-unit, "This is Captain Covington of Federation Outpost Deep Space one-twenty-one, in sector "K", between six-zero-six-niner and the Orgondi systems with a message for Admiral Amaaz at Star-fleet Headquarters." Captain Covington typed in "play tape, time index 14:23 to 14:41". She concluded by saying, "This is such a strange tale, Admiral Amaaz, that truth just could be stranger than fiction. Now, I leave it in your capable hands. Captain Covington out."

Captain Covington swiveled in her chair to face the Ferringhi Daemon. He turned to face her as well. "Well, we have both done our duty, Captain. Thank you for believing me." He started for the door. "Good-bye."

Captain Covington stood and pressed a switch on her desk which locked the door. The tall well built woman towered over him, resting her hands on the desk in an imposing manner. "Not so fast, Daemon Lumoq. There is still the matter of your violating safety standards for flying by a space station. For failure to identify yourself or communicate with the control tower, and for flying faster than impulse speed within one-quarter of a light-year of a space station, I hereby fine you one-hundred bars of gold pressed latinum."

"WHAT?" Daemon Lumoq screeched. "You can't do that!"

"Oh, yes I can, and I am. Your ship is hereby impounded until the fine is paid in full. May this impress upon you to obey the traffic laws in Federation Space." It was Captain Covington's turn for a wolfish grin.