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Chapter 1: The Lylat System
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Voyager has taken heavy damage from our recent
encounter with the Hirogen. After hours of searching,
Commander Tuvok has detected a planet near our current
location containing many resources and raw materials that
we can use to repair the ship and restore our depleted
supplies. Let's hope that the Hunters will allow their
prey to lick their wounds before attacking once more.
Captain's Log, Stardate 092901.6
"Captain, we are approaching the system." Lt.-Commander Tuvok reported from his station.
"How long until we reach the first planet?" The Captain inquired.
Tuvok responded, "Approximately twenty minutes at our current speed."
Ensign Kim suddenly interjected: "Captain, I'm picking up two unknown spacecraft on an intercept course."
"On screen." Janeway stood up and took a few steps forward as two ships filled the view screen.
Tuvok raised his gaze to the screen. "The ships appear to be small, one-man fighters. They are approximately 28 meters in length and carry technically advanced weapons. They are unlike anything we have encountered before."
"Do they pose a threat to Voyager?" Janeway probed.
"Negative, Captain. Their weapons are not charged."
"Captain, we're being hailed." Kim stated. "Audio only."
Janeway sat back down in her chair. "On speakers."
"Unknown vessel," the female voice came through strong over the COM link. "State your name and intentions in our system."
"This is Captain Kathryn Janeway of the Federation Starship Voyager. We were looking for supplies to help repair our ship. We mean you no harm."
A pause followed the captain's speech and she glanced over at her first officer.
"Captain, we're being scanned." Tuvok reported.
"Let them scan us, Tuvok," Janeway said in a placating tone. "They seem to bear us no ill will."
"USS Voyager," The voice returned. "You are to be escorted to our planet. Lay in a course for the following co-ordinates."
Voyager's computer beeped as the co-ordinates were transferred.
Lieutenant Paris announced, "Course received and laid in, Captain."
"Alright, Lieutenant. Let's follow them to wherever it is they wish to take us."
Voyager coasted alongside her escort in relative silence, as the crew continued to examine the damage done to the various systems. On the bridge, the senior officers sat in silent speculation of what was to happen to them.
Tuvok broke the stillness: "Captain, we are approaching a planet."
Janeway sat up in her chair and leaned forward. "Let's see it, Mr. Tuvok."
A blue-green planet, reminiscent of Earth, revolved slowly on the view screen.
Everyone on the bridge looked on in wonderment as they drew closer to the planet.
"Long range sensors detect that the planet is part of a solar system much like our own. Only there are eight planets orbiting around a fixed star instead of nine," Tuvok reported. "One asteroid belt, three nebulas and two unknown objects nearest the largest planet are also a part of this system."
"Well, aside from the nebulas, the unknown objects and the missing planet, it sounds like home." Chakotay mused out loud.
"Indeed, Commander." Janeway ceded. "What do our sensors say about this planet, Mr. Kim?"
"The planet's atmosphere is identical to Earth's. The only difference that I can see is that the planet isn't as densely populated."
"Our escort is altering course slightly, Captain." Paris called out.
Janeway nodded, "Alter our course to match theirs, Lieutenant." A few minutes later, a space station appeared on the screen.
The central axis of the station was needle shaped and pointed at both ends. Approximately half way down the shaft four concentric rings surrounded the axis. The smallest circle seemed to hug the shaft and the others were each slightly larger than the last. Horizontal cylinders staggered around the station, connecting the circles to each other. The outer skin of the station was camouflaged to blend in with planet below.
"We're being hailed, Captain." Paris noted.
"On speakers."
"Voyager, you have clearance to dock with Star Port One. Send no more than 5 members of your crew to the airlock and await your escort. Welcome to the Lylat System."
