We were underway at low warp again due to the Nax's kindness (although at factor three/less for now)! Our next regional scanning series post first contact with the Nax was tu102. This was the group of stars similarly structured to those of solitary hybrid tu990. Tu102 was a set of four stars - two were a binary construct and the other two were solo ones. As mentioned before, these stars were older/bigger than 990. They also seemed more stable even from long range. Now we'd get closer and prove that either way.
The Nax's database had proven most helpful - both for navigation and for regional cultural purposes. The Talanath were a few light years away; they were indeed feline non humanoids that possessed formidable psychokinetic abilities that likely evolved from lacking opposing thumbs. They weren't like Cheetah, was who still humanoid, having been human before being enslaved to my brother.
I called an impromptu staff meeting in the observation lounge; scans continued on tu102 ceaselessly while this occurred. I stood at the head of the table and behind the chair, hands on the top of it. I stayed this way as my senior staff filed in from endless research work and took their seats; most had tablets in their hands; they worked on them as they walked. "I'm sorry to pull you guys away from your work; but I've been giving Mister Donatra's earlier comment some thought." My number one frowned at little at that. "Captain?" "About understanding the Talanath first." "Ah. Well..." "No, number one, I agree. We'll have plenty of time to study the Visar region in its fullness; and with our adapted Cochrane equation in place and working better as time goes on we'll be warping around here like we're back in fed space again...but Starfleet also needs a top down threat assessment of the Visar region...and all evidence indicates the Talanath represent that greatest threat potential."
Xon said, "I concur captain. I have fully reviewed the Nax data on the Visar cultures here, and there is no doubt the Talanath represent the greatest threat to any future UFP expedition here." Donatra said, "Are they conquerors?" "No; but they are very territorial; as many feline species are," said Xon. "They would take any manner of outside encroachment upon their territory as an act of war." Wesley shrugged. "Maybe they're just a little wary of strangers; that doesn't mean pathological xenophobia." "I agree with Mister Crusher," said Dr. Tora. "This uniquely barricaded region has created a natural isolationist mindset; evolutionary even. The Visar species here - the warp capable ones - would have as much trouble traveling in our space as we've had in theirs. This environmental separation has only made things more difficult to facilitate healthy inter species relations. It's akin to what geographical barriers used to do on old earth until technology and education surpassed them." I nodded. "Fair point doctor."
Amanda said without mind reading, "You want to attempt first contact with the Talanath before doing any other exploration here." It was a statement too and not a question. "Yes." My officers shared looks at that. I didn't want to get sucked into another culture clash situation as if we were back in the AQ but this wasn't the same thing; those were diplomatic issues largely. This was a new species that had never been formally contacted by the fed yet. And it was our standing duty to attempt such contact if possible. And as captain I had to weigh that. Believe me - cataloging these "boring" stars...I could do this for the next thousand years...but I wasn't just a scientist; I was a Starfleet captain; and we had to wear many hats and change gears as needed. And Xon was right - future voyages here by other fed ships could run into trouble. We had to get whatever intel/info we could on the threats/dangers/risks here - living and not.
Donatra said, "Well, I for one would be for it; being that it was my indirect suggestion that apparently inspired this meeting in the first place." I shared a smile with her. I then looked at Wesley, for this mission change boiled down to ship mobility. He knew what I wanted to hear. "We can safely do warp six now sir. Factors seven and eight are due to come but I'm still running simulations." I nodded. "That'll do."
"Any objections to this mission change?" "No sir, but I do recommend increased tactical drills in light of this change if we should do it," said Xon. "Agreed Mister Xon. If there are no objections I'm officially changing our mission priority now to attempting first contact with the Talanath species. Number one - note the change in the ship's log and work with Mister Xon to make sure the crew is defensively ready in every way." "Aye captain." "Dismissed."
Wesley said warp five was easily doable, although we'd still have to wind around the region a bit. That was okay; it was better than not moving at all; like in stop/go 21st century earth rush hour traffic. That was so damned annoying! Thankfully I could fly and didn't have to worry about those things too much. Ha ha mortals! Sucks to be you sometimes, doesn't it?
We were warping at factor five as Wesley had promised. ETA to Talanath space? A little under eighteen hours.
XXX
We arrived without incident; our snaking course had helped in that regard. I still wished I was cataloging those fascinating spatial phenomena... "Arriving at the Talanath border, based on the Nax info captain," said Amanda. I sighed. "Slow to impulse; yellow alert." All regional species here partly existed out of space time. To deal with the tactical aspects of this Donatra and Xon had come up with tech workarounds - our defense systems would be modified to be more inter phasic. They would be self adjusting to the dangers/threats we faced. The eighteen hour roundabout warp journey here had given them the extra time with Wesley to help make all of these adjustments possible. All of these improvised tech changes would likely become standard for all future fed ships that voyaged through here. In short, we were the guinea pig for our future fed comrades to travel here.
"Sensors show multiple confirmed Talanath vessels approaching us," said Xon. Donatra said, "Red alert?" "Not yet number one." I stood. "Hail them Mister Xon." "Channel open." "Talanath ships; I am Captain Diana Prince of the USS Excelsior; representing the United Federation of Planets. We come in peace. Please respond."
There were five warships; I could tell that from just looking at them. The weapon ports were many and nasty looking. Territorial indeed. Hopefully their response would be a meow instead of a roar. "Their weapons are powered and are locked on to us," said Xon. Donatra said, "Captain..." "Not yet number one."
"They are responding," said Xon. "Onscreen ensign." An indeed giant sentient cat appeared on the viewer; it even wore a uniform type around its torso. It moved things around with its mind alone. Fascinating in its own way. "I am Commander Ikrax of the Talanath league. You are definitely not from around here." "No commander; we are not from this region." "Turn around and leave now." "We come-" A phaser blast, a light one, struck our shields; this put the ship to red alert. "Captain-" said Xon but I held up a hand. That was a love tap/warning shot put together. "We've had time to adjust our weapons to the dark energy nature of this region," I said. "We come in peace-" "Leave now or we open fire!" A roar went with that. This might as well have been Cheetah...
"Helm - back us off. Tactical - stay ready." Amanda reversed engines and turned us around. Xon stayed ready but kept weapons powered but unlocked. Once at full impulse and a safe distance away we jumped to warp. So much for that; but first contact, while a routine duty, was anything but a routine action.