Rating: T

Setting: Set during the 24th Century

Disclaimer: CBS/Paramount owns all, and I own nothing, not even the words. That said, the idea is mine – please do not repost this anywhere without my permission.

Author's Note: Sorry it's been a while, work, life, school, current events got in the way. This is a small teaser to let people know that the story is still alive.

Chapter 4 - Turn of Events (Teaser)

- Border of Republic Space -

- Six months later -

The USS Dauntless, a frigate on patrol, was moving along its pre-determined route when it picked up a ship coming towards it. The Dauntless was stationed just inside the border closest to what was the Federation. Though the distance was considerable, Republic military command had ordered a defense condition increase to ensure that no ships had followed the Eisenhower back. Though the probability was low, the American Republic military leadership erred on the side of caution.

The weapons officer reported his findings to the duty officer, Mr. Collins.

"Sir, I have an unidentified contact, bearing 138 degrees, ten minus degrees from the galactic eclipticSirange 230,000 kilometers."

Mr. Collins asked, "Any indications that they've seen us yet, Rogers?"

Rogers, "No, sir. Nothing indicated."

Nodding, Collins ordered, "Deploy the cloak and raise shields." He looked over to the comm officer, "Page the captain, order defense condition two. All hands."

The comm officer, Lt. Redrick, "Aye, sir."

Collins said, "Rogers, do you have any identification of the type of ship yet?"

"No, sir, the distance is making it hard to scan with passive, but it is moving at what the Federation would call Warp 5."

"Acknowledge. Continue to track, and once identification is made, report immediately."

"Aye, sir." as he went back to his scanners.

Just then, the captain entered the bridge, "Report," as he moved into the recently vacated chair by Collins.

Collins stood to the left, "Sir, we're tracking an unidentified ship coming from the region once known or inhabited by the Federation. We're at defcon 2, cloaked with shields up. Rogers is tracking the bogey for identification purposes."

Captain Jacobs nodded, "Very well, let's go meet this object." He looked at the helmsman, "Mr. Tormund, plot an intercept course to this ship, ahead maximum slipstream velocity. Let's exit into real space about 10,000 kilometers from the object."

"Aye, sir," replied Tormund

TBC.