"Military Log. Combat date….June 25, 2260. 'One day I'll get used to saying that'" Picard thought. "I have ordered the fleet to the Antares system. Given our previous encounter with the unknown race, I thought it prudent that we move away from that system before reviewing Lt. Cmdr. Troi's report on Betazed. I also want to know how that ship was able to enter the system and arrive so close to the planet without being detected despite their being an active patrol in place around the system. I've decided to give the tactical teams time to review the sensor logs to determine how that happened and what can be done to modify our sensors to detect these ships going forward. As it currently stands, we are at a significant tactical disadvantage and that troubles me greatly. I've asked Cmdr. Riker to provide his consolidated report at the upcoming briefing.
Even after being here for over a month, we still have more questions than answers. Our methodical yet conservative approach to exploration has yielded results and has allowed us to avoid combat. However, I think that the time may have come to engage more directly with the local races. We are still no closer to finding a way home, and today's encounter only confirmed my thoughts that founding a colony right now would be extremely dangerous.
I will have some difficult decisions to make in the coming days. I expect there to be disagreements. However, I will continue to do what I believe is in the best interest of this crew, and in keeping with the values, we hold as Starfleet officers.
End log."
-Antares System-
Enterprise-D Conference Room
The officers from the 3 ships had become quite well acquainted over the last several weeks. The need to collaborate and coordinate on several projects had brought them closer together than would have been considered normal in their home universe. Given the frequency of meetings on the Enterprise, everyone had even adopted 'their' seats, which Picard found somewhat amusing. 'Maybe I'm having too many meetings' he thought to himself.
The fleet was sitting in empty space away from any planetary bodies. This was done to ensure that they could rapidly escape if necessary. Standard patrols were being maintained. Unfortunately, based on the earlier experience, many were beginning to question the effectiveness of the patrols. Hopefully, there wouldn't be any more surprises.
Picard walked in and took his seat, which prompted everyone to stop their conversations. "Now that we are all here, I would like to discuss our findings from Betazed as well as our encounter with the unidentified race. Cmdr. Troi, please proceed."
"Thank you, Admiral. However, I believe that I know who that race was. They are called Vorlons." Picard sat up straighter in his chair, now even more interested in what Troi had to say. "We discovered records that mentioned the Vorlons having visited the planet after the attacks. We were also able to locate video records from planetary archives of Vorlons that closely resemble the Vorlon we met yesterday. We were also able to confirm that it was the Vorlons that saved the planet from the attacks. Unfortunately, we were unable to determine who carried out the attacks."
"Those Vorlons were non too friendly. I'm glad that we didn't have to engage them in battle" Maxwell said.
"Agreed" Picard said. "At least we know who we are dealing with. Cmdr., did you learn anything else about the Vorlons?"
"No, sir. Nothing else."
"Very well. Please continue with the rest of your report."
Troi spoke at length about everything they had observed. She repeatedly made comparisons between this Betazed and her home planet in an attempt to introduce, and reinforce, the idea that this was Betazed regardless of universe.
"Cmdr., your report is remarkable" Garrett said. "The idea that planets and societies can evolve in similar ways in different universes is almost unbelievable. This is truly an outstanding discovery. The question that I have now is what's next. This Betazed could almost pass for our own, but lacks the technology base, making first contact not possible in accordance with the Prime Directive."
"Indeed" Picard said. "However, I think that certain allowances can be made in this case. The more pressing problem, however, is the Vorlons. I don't believe that they would welcome visitors to the planet and they don't seem interested in diplomatic negotiations."
Garrett wasn't particularly happy about compromising on the Prime Directive so soon after their arrival, but she decided to not push the issue. "I agree. Unless we are able to establish diplomatic relations with the Vorlons, we can't return to the planet."
"I agree that now wouldn't be the best time to return" Cmdr. Gam added. "However, once we are able to return, we will have a very thorough and robust first contact plan in place that will address any potential risk factors in meeting the native population."
"I have complete confidence in Cmdr. Gam and the team. I will support any plan the team develops" Maxwell offered.
"Is there anything else, Cmdr. Troi?" Picard asked.
"No, sir. That's all for now. I would be happy to share more detailed information for anyone interested in learning about Betazed."
"Thank, you, Cmdr. Captains, please inform your crews of the Cmdr.'s offer. Now, Cmdr. Riker, what can you tell us about the Vorlon ship?"
"Not much, unfortunately. The ship was 1330 meters long and had an organic hull. Life sign readings were indeterminate. As for how the ship appeared, we simply don't know. We know that the ship didn't utilized a traditional cloak. All ships had active tachyon sweeps employed and detected nothing. We detected no active subspace fields around the ship, no did we detect any subspace disturbance when the ship appeared. We checked every sensor log from every ship and runabout and we haven't been able to even determine a theory for how that ship appeared. I'm sorry, Admiral." Riker was clearly frustrated, not used to failing to complete a task so completely.
"I understand, Cmdr. Everyone did their best. This is yet another variable that will have to consider going forward, which brings me to my next topic. I believe that we have learned as much as we can by visiting unpopulated systems. We need to engage with one of the local races to learn more. Our encounter with the Vorlon underscores my concerns."
Garrett nodded. "Admiral, I agree with you. I had hoped that our first encounter with a local race would be a positive one. That obviously didn't happen due to no fault of our own. That said, I feel that we run a greater risk of inadvertently running into a hostile situation by trying to avoid the local races than by trying to actively engage them."
"Agreed" Maxwell said, followed by many nods among others in the room.
Picard paused before he shared his thoughts with the group. "We have been in this universe for almost 2 months. Despite the stress that we have all been under, I have enjoyed the opportunity to be an explorer again for the first time in over 20 years. Unfortunately, much of what we have seen here has given me cause for concern. Far too many planets have been destroyed for this to be some sort of random occurrence. I don't know why the Vorlons decided to save Betazed and not the other planets and we may never know. What we do know, however, is that there is an obviously dangerous race that may still be present in this sector that may be a threat to us.
I have decided that we will visit the Orion system, the source of the first communications that we intercepted upon our arrival. We'll attempt to initiate communications with a local ship or colony, if possible. Captain Garrett and the Destiny will take the lead on first contact engagements while the Enterprise will lead any combat engagements. We will continue to maintain Yellow alert until further notice.
Unless there is anything else, dismissed."