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Captain's Log. Stardate 83167.4.

The Enterprise was en-route to Starbase 96 when we detected a faint warp signature from System 1341. According to Federation records, there are two pre-warp civilisations in 1341. If one of them has developed warp technology, then we need to investigate...

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'Entering system 1341,' Sulu reported from the helm station, his hands flying over the controls as he brought them from warp speed to impulse drive. Of Asian descent, he had a serious, steadfast demeanour that came from piloting a spaceship nearly 290 metres long.

'Analysis, Mr Sulu,' Kirk asked, from where he was sitting in the command chair at the centre of the bridge. Like Sulu, he was dressed in the yellow tunic of the command division with a mop of sandy-blonde hair.

'I'm detecting two M-Class planets orbiting a G-type star,' Sulu reported. 'Approximately 30,000 AUs from our position.'

'What about the warp signature?'

'There is a vessel on long-range sensors. It appears to be patrolling the edge of the system...'

'Report, Mr Chekov,' Kirk said, turning to the young man at the navigator's station. Even younger than Kirk, he was a Russian prodigy who had graduated from the academy at 16. On the surface, he seemed like a goofy kid with an easygoing, cheerful outlook, but he was the best navigator Kirk had ever seen.

'Aye, Keptin. According to my scans, it appears to be a low-warp vessel, possibly capable of warp two, at most...'

'The vessel is changing course,'Sulu reported. 'They're on an approach vector...'

'At their present speed,' Chekov added, 'they will be at our position in approximately 2 minutes...'

'Opinion, Mr Spock,' Kirk asked, turning to glance over at his Vulcan science officer. At first glance, he looked human until you saw the points on his ears.

'Logically, as neither of us knows the other's intentions, it would be sensible to allow them to make the next move...'

'Agreed, Mr Spock. Mr Sulu, hold our position...'

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'Unknown vessel is dropping out of warp,' Sulu reported.

'Onscreen,' Kirk said, leaning forward as the image appeared on the viewer of an ungainly, blocky vessel with a square prow. 'Report, Mr Chekov...'

'The vessel is simplistic in design, Keptin. According to my scans, it has heavy hull plating, but I'm detecting no shields or deflectors. Also, it is armed with laser weapon emplacements that are comparable in power to our phasers...'

'They are powering weapons,' Sulu reported and Kirk stood up. 'Raising shields...'

'Belay that, Mr Sulu...'

'Captain,' Spock said, coming to his feet. 'Starfleet regulation 19.4 states that when approached by a hostile vessel...'

'They're not hostile yet, Spock. And we are in their system. Uhura, open a channel...'

'Aye, Captain,' Uhura said, as her hands flicked over the controls. With her dark skin and black hair pulled back into a ponytail, she had a cool, serious demeanour. 'Channel open...'

'Attention, unidentified vessel. This is Captain Kirk of the Federation starship Enterprise. Please respond...'

'Receiving transmission, Captain.'

'Onscreen,' Kirk said, unconsciously straightening his jacket as the image of a tall, grey-haired man appeared on the viewer. Despite his age, which Kirk would have put at late forties, he was still strong and proud, dressed in a dark green military uniform.

'My name is Colonel Lutpulla Maxatovaso of the Carussan vessel Valor. State your intentions...'

'We are explorers,' Kirk said. 'We detected the engine signature of your vessel and we came to investigate...'

'You have violated Carussan territory. Your vessel will stand down and you will accompany us to Carrussa, immediately...'

'We have no hostile intentions,' Kirk began, but Maxatovaso cut him off.

'That is for our security council to decide. If you do not comply, we will be forced to fire on you...'

'Very well,' Kirk said. 'Mr Sulu, follow them in...'

'...aye, sir...'

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Any comments, reviews or constructive criticism very welcome.