Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek or any of the characters created therein.

A/N: Each of the characters in this story is representative of something I particularly like or find important in the Star Trek universe.

Poor Taurik. We last saw him aboard the Enterprise as a lowly ensign in Engineering. I thought his interaction was great and worth pursuing in a story where he could really shine. Here's a chance for the audience to get to know him…even if Vesta won't.

First Impression, Chapter 3: Just Because We're Allies Doesn't Mean I Like You

Una was having trouble adjusting her eyes to the light. It was so dim, even in areas with artificial lighting like the inside of this transport terminal where she waited for Commander Bohemir to meet her. Dukinar's atmosphere was perfectly safe and breathable but it drowned out much of their sun's light. Ultraviolet and evolution allowed a diverse plant and animal life to develop on the planet but most of their day was shrouded in twilight. Dr. Kincaide had simulated the features of a Dukin but the artifice was not really functional.

Her human features were almost unrecognizable. Her brown eyes were now grey and the corneas and irises were about twice their normal size—Dukin eye color only ranged in shades of grey and light blue and were well adapted to a low light environment. Her brown hair was now a much longer jet black that was almost wiry in texture. It sprang not only from her head but all the way down her neck to the top of her spine. Her skin pigment was now far paler than her natural tone, as though she hadn't seen the sun in years. Implants and simulated skin had been used to build up her cheeks and jaw to angular protrusions. The Dukin diet of coarse grains and vegetative matter had caused their people to develop powerful chewing muscles along the sides of their jaws, resulting in much more prominent cheekbones and jaw lines.

Una squinted a little then stood as she finally made out Bohemir walking toward her. So far she liked working with him—he understood how to run a good mission. He didn't question her ability or look over her shoulder, just gave her an assignment and let her do her job.

"What did you find out?" he asked.

"I talked to neighbors of one of the women taken. They said that they called the authorities when they noticed the bright flashes of light—they were afraid it might be a fire. When they got to her rooms she was nowhere to be found. They didn't see anything firsthand."

Bohemir was silent as he waited for two people happily chatting to pass them. "The stories I heard were much the same. Bright flashes of light, then nothing."

"Sir," Una asked, "what kind of transporter causes light distortion?"

"I don't know," Bohemir shook his head, his mane of synthetic grey hair swishing down the length of his back. "Have you located the local authority headquarters?"

Una nodded and pointed to one of the waiting transports. "We can take this line and then switch to another that will take us there directly." She handed him a slim metallic card. "Your ticket," she explained.

Bohemir was impressed. So far the young lieutenant had been able to navigate her way through the city—between them they had canvassed all of the witnesses to the event—and now she had figured out the transportation system, all without being able to understand the Dukin written language. Sovak hadn't been wrong, she readily adapted to her surroundings. The transport began to load up and he motioned for her to board.

USS Temura

Although their people were allies now, Lt. Vesta understood why centuries ago Andorians had hated Vulcans. This was not because she was an ardent student of history or possessed a particular empathy for her ancestors. No, her sudden insight into cultural tensions long passed stemmed from the fact that right now she wanted to reach out and strangle the Vulcan sitting across from her.

"Why did Starfleet Intelligence never plot out a similar map?" Taurik asked, scrutinizing her work.

"They never made the connection between the missing persons and the attacks on ships," she explained patiently. Only her antennae belied her simmering fury. Through them she spoke in a body language that only another Andorian would fully understand—and it was a good thing that other Andorians were not present as they might have been shocked at her language at the moment.

After working on the problem for six hours straight Vesta had made a breakthrough. She had cross referenced the search grid plotted with all the known cases of attacks or abductions with security and police reports from all inhabited worlds and starbases within the sector. There were thirty-one reports of missing persons over the last year and a half 20 of which matched the facts from the Dukin or the other First Contact abductions. These points, once charted, finally revealed a pattern to the attacks. A very lopsided spiraling starburst pattern had appeared as the viewscreen in the conference room now linked the dots from the earliest stardate to the latest.

"Obviously the bandits started with kidnappings from starbases and orbiting stations first then worked their way to planets. Around the same time they began attacking ships as well. From stardate 44908.2 forward there is a relatively regular arrangement based on proximity from the latest victim. I believe we can use this information to predict their next point of attack. They just attacked a planet, so it is likely to be a ship or starbase next."

"We must remember that this is nothing more than a map with points plotted on it. It does seem logical, however there is no other proof to back it up," Taurik said. Vesta's antenna quivered slightly with unconcealed aggravation, though her expression did not change. She was certain her calculations were correct.

"That is true," Sovak agreed. "However, I believe these charts give us a sound starting point. Lts. Vesta, Japel, and Taurik: examine the reports from the ships and starbases that may have been victims. Make a projection as to the probable location or targets of the bandits. Commander Arima, you will assist them from engineering by examining the sensor logs from each location at the time of attack, where such logs are available. When the away team comes back we can lay in a new course based on your predictions."

"Sir," Taurik addressed the captain, "I believe it may also be of use to contact the Klingons and the Romulans and ask if they have had similar incidents."

Vesta bristled. Who did this guy think he was?

Sovak thought for a moment.

"It might even out the pattern Lt. Vesta discovered," Japel nodded.

"Or it may disprove it," Taurik said. "Either way it could provide valuable information."

"But will they want to talk with us is the question." Dr. Kincaide looked doubtful.

"I believe we must ask," Sovak decided. "It is very likely that these pirates have crossed over into their territory. As their range and activities may in fact be a great deal wider than originally suspected, we should inform the Klingons and the Romulans and offer them a place in the investigation. It is unlikely either will accept, but perhaps they will share information as a show of good faith while we conduct our inquiries."

"Transporter room 3 to Captain Sovak," a voice suddenly cut into the room.

"Go ahead."

"Sir, Cmdr. Bohemir and Lt. Magis just beamed back."

"Have Commander Bohemir report to my ready room," he instructed. He returned his attention to those present. "You have your orders."