The viewscreen was displaying the image of a plated, blue-colored, dome-shaped vessel holding a pair of long, silver tubes on opposite sides held by bird-shaped wings. Small portholes dotted the various plates and the underside of the front bristled with a meanacing array of weapon ports. "They just came into communications range, Captain," Enterprise answered.
"Excellent timing," Blackburn replied, running his fingers through his curly hair, then cracking his knuckles. As always, they didn't make a sound.
"Why do you insist on attempting that gesture?" Enterprise asked. "A virtual simulation of yourself doesn't have knuckles to crack."
Kyle looked at his hands for a moment considering the statement. Shrugging, he clapped them together and rubbed them. "I guess old habits die hard. Have you talked to them yet?"
"Briefly," Enterprise replied. His instructions were explicit; the initial discussions were to go through Captain Blackburn only. In truth, it had been glad. This was Enterprise's very first first-contact mission. The Eledri were a reclusive race. Living on a planet whose average temperature was negative ninety-seven degrees celsius helped. Although their presence had been known in the gamma quadrant for over three centuries, they were largely ignored due to their technological inferiority. Since their discovery of warp drive one hundred seven years ago, attempts had been made to contact them, but without any success. This time was different, however... the Eledri had contacted the Federation. "You will be speaking with Dis-thestra Elika Tag-Cariet. My translator is quite incomplete for the Eledri language, but the word 'Dis-thestra' refers to a title of some kind, but it is uncertain whether it is a military title, household or clan title, or something else."
"It refers to both caste and profession," Kyle reported. "I got an update yesterday."
"I haven't received that update," Enterprise admitted. It was quite unusual for a member of Starfleet to know something that wasn't already in the computer system.
"Yeah, it's pretty fresh. You're due to an archive update in a week or so. You'll probably get it then," Kyle commented with a smile. He paused for a moment. "What... you're upset that I knew something you didn't?"
"I don't think 'upset' is an accurate description," Enterprise had to admit, it was fairly close.
Apparently, Kyle didn't buy it. "Hey... the biological unit's got some knowledge, too!" He said with a smile. He pulled on his red uniform top. "Put him on screen."
"Understood, Captain," Enterprise said flatly. The screen image changed to a seemingly short and hairy humanoid. His facial features were greatly distored; his nose was quite large and flat, his eyes were dark ovals that seemed to melt into his face and were almost attached, like a figure eight on its side. His hair was gray and white, long and bushy, and covered his entire face. His mouth was apparently hinged. When it was closed, it was almost impossible to see. The rest of his body appeared hairy as well. Being a different color, and considerably shorter, Enterprise surmized it was a uniform, and not the creature's body hair. As the creature stood, it looked as through it was stooped over.
It's voice was high-pitched and quite raspy. "Are you Blackburn?" it asked.
Kyle smiled warmly. "I am. Are you Cariet, the Dis-thestra of Elika?"
"I am he," the Eledri replied simply.
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
"May we meet in person to discuss our admittance to the United Federation of Planets?"
"Absolutely, Dis-thestra. I'll be right..."
Suddenly, the overhead light on the virtual bridge turned a pulsating yellow. "My apologies, Captain," Enterprise stated. "four vessels are on an intercept course at warp speed. I estimate they will be here within sixty seconds."
"We see nothing," Cariet replied gruffly.
"Let's see it," Blackburn ordered. A large, glowing sphere with tiny, patterned dots throughout its surface and interior appeared in front of him, hovering in the air. A single vessel appeared within the sphere. It's main body was like a long, black tube rounded at the ends. A dark green, rotating loop ringed the center of the body, anchored by a series of thick posts. Attached to the rear of the tube and connected by a series of crossbars, were four, long, red, glowing rods. Immediately, sections of the displayed vessel began to glow in different colors. Lines connected the highlights to a number of description panels. Blackburn cocked his head, looking amused. "That's the first time I've seen a ship without artificial gravity since primary school."
"Impossible!" Cariet yelled.
"I take it you know these people?" Kyle asked.
Cariet nodded. "The Shesh. Their cruisers are formidible. You say there are four coming?" He looked concerned.
"Enterprise, tactical display." A glowing panel appeared in the seat to the right of the captain. The long range sensor readings confirmed four blips inbound. They were due to arrive in less than thirty seconds. "Yes... four ships."
"Combat stations!" Cariet yelled. The lights behind Cariet darkened as sirens went off in the background.
"Perhaps it would be better for you to leave now and come back with reinforcements," Blackburn offered.
"Never!" Cariet hissed. "I will not run from the Shesh. They are beneath me." He looked to his right, then back to the screen. "We confirm the presence of four Shesh cruisers. Will you fight with us, Blackburn?"
Kyle looked visibly concerned and slowly shook his head. "I'm sorry, I can't. Starfleet regulations forbid us from interfering unless either one side is part of the Federation or we're in direct danger."
Cariet let out a deep grumble. "Do not worry. You will be a target soon enough. You are associating with us. That makes you their enemy."
Enterprise interrupted. "My apologies for the interruption, but the lead Shesh vessel is hailing us."
"Told you," Cariet commented. He opened his mouth to reveal a mouth full of misshapen teeth.
Kyle let out a long breath and shook his head. "What the hell did we get into?" After another few moments, he added, " I'll be right back, Dis-thestra. Put them on-screen."
"Understood, Captain," Enterprise replied. It also wondered what kind of conflict it had wandered into. Thankfully, a quick analysis of the weaponry on both sides determined that none of the vessels posed a risk to it. Enterprise changed the display.
The image changed to an intimidating looking creature. It's head and torso resembled a large, dark green eel. It had four powerful, multijointed legs and two slightly less powerful looking arms that ended in clawed hands. It's arching back was covered in various brightly colored ribbons. A pair of bulbous eyes topped its head and its pointed mouth was full of equally pointed teeth. It's head bobbed and weaved from side to side. "Unknown vessel," it hissed, "you will stand down and not interfere with this combat. If you arm your weapons, you will be destroyed. If you raise your shields, you will be destroyed. If you attempt to flee, you will be destroyed."
Kyle raised his hands defensively. "I have no intentions of attacking your vessels. We are here on a mission of peace..."
"Silence!" It hissed. "Your association with the Eledri confirms your guilt! Upon the Eledri vessel's destruction, your vessel will be confiscated and you will be imprisioned. You can then explain to the tribunal why your life should be spared."
Captain Blackburn raised his eyes in mild surprise. "I am unfamiliar with your laws and customs, but I assure you we have no formal..." The image of the Shesh faded away as it discontinued the conversation. Cariet's face returned to the viewscreen.
Kyle blinked several times. "That was rude."
"You will fight with us, then?" Cariet asked quickly. "If you do not fight with us now, you will fight with them later." His image disappeared from the screen as well, leaving just the image of the dome-shaped Eledri vessel.
"Captain," Enterprise began, "the Shesh vessels have armed their weapons. One of the vessels has targeted me."
Blackburn sighed. "Why do I get the feeling we were railroaded into this?" He looked at the tactical image of the incoming vessels as they broke from warp and quickly closed in on their meeting place. "Well, I'm not falling for it. Reverse engines; one quarter impulse power. Leave the shields and weapons down. Open a hailing frequency to the lead Shesh cruiser."
"Understood, Captain." Enterprise engaged the engines and slowly backed away from the oncoming battle. After several failed attempts to get the Shesh to respond, Enterprise added, "They will not answer the hail."
Kyle shook his head. "That's okay. Just broadcast. They don't need to talk, just listen."
"Understood, Captain. The broadcast channel is open."
Kyle cleared his throat. "Attention Shesh vessels, we have no intentions of getting involved in this conflict. Per your instructions, we're backing away." Enterprise immediately shook. The pulsing, yellow light turned red. "What the... what happened?"
"A Shesh vessel has fired on my port slipstream emitter," Enterprise replied. It's analysis changed somewhat. With the removal of shields or return fire, the Shesh vessels did pose a considerable threat... eventually.
"You've got to be kidding," Kyle replied. He slapped his forehead and shook his head. "Are you damaged?
The damage control screen appeared against the counter on the back wall of the empty bridge. "Armor is intact. Damage is negligible."
"This is nuts," Kyle commented. "Raise shields. Direct the energy away from the fight, though. Put these overgrown hot dogs on the viewscreen."
"Understood, Captain." The shields snapped to life as the image of the four Shesh vessels filled the forward viewscreen. Immediately, a Shesh vessel broke formation and headed towards the Enterprise, firing its four, red beam weapons. The defraction shields easily absorbed the four beams, relayed the energy around the shield bubble, and ejected beams' energies harmlessly away out the other side. A second Shesh vessel broke formation to join its partner as the remaining two moved toward the Eledri ship unloading it's red beams into the Eledri's shields.
Blackburn pursed his lips as he pointed angrily at the screen. "You know... I tried to avoid this." He shook his head.
"Captain, they have launched a projectile of some kind." The tactical display switched to a missile-like object. "It is a plasma propulsioned anti-matter missile. It offers no threat to my shields. Shall I neutralize it, or leave it alone?"
Kyle thought for a moment. "Yeah... go ahead. Shoot it down."
A ringed door along the top of the Enterprise opened to reveal a purple, glowing light underneath. A quick burst of light shot from the ring and impacted the torpedo, causing it to explode harmlessly in space. "Missile destroyed, Captain." Enterprise announced. It thought surely the Shesh would realize the futility of their actions and cease their attack. "Captain, if I may offer some advice... we could simply leave. Their warp engines are entirely too primitive to give chase to me."
Kyle shook his head. "The Eledri have done a considerable amount of work in cold-based technology. I was ordered to secure the treaty with them. I'm pretty sure the Eledri just used this as an opportunity to goad us into helping them fight some kind of war with them. It's just too much of a coincidence that four of these cruisers would just happen to show up at the moment we started talking."
"The two Shesh vessels have launch seven more missiles. Shall I shoot them down as well? The vessels are closing to point blank range."
"This is ridiculous. Trash the missiles, then target the Shesh ships. Target all four. Take out their engines and weapons."
"Understood, Captain," Enterprise replied obediently. Four more armored rings on the Enterprise's hull opened to reveal a total of five glowing rings. Seven pulses of purple energy shot from the rings and collided with the incoming missiles. They exploded in brilliant balls of yellow sparks.
Inside the Enterprise, the tactical display switched views. The four Shesh vessels became larger and more detailed. The spherical display changed as well; depicting weak points in the engine construction as well as locations of weapon ports. A readout detailing the capacity of the Shesh shields displayed next. The tactical display updated its information to reflect an increased amount of energy being pushed to its weapons arrays.
Enterprise suddenly increased speed and spun to close in on the two Shesh vessels attacking the Eledri vessel. As it turned past its two attackers, it unloaded two large pulses of energy followed by eight smaller bursts. The larger bursts immediately rendered the Shesh shields nonfunctional. The remaining shots struck the two unprotected vessels directly in the areas identified by its sensor display. As the two attacking vessels disappeared from the viewscreen, the red glow of their engine nacells faded to darkness. The other two Shesh vessels were neutralized the same way moments later.
"Okay, Enterprise... put us between the Eledri and Shesh vessels." Blackburn commanded.
"Understood, Captain," it replied. It maneuvered in between the two groups of ships. "Captain, I have two transmissions coming in. One from each side."
"Yeah... that didn't take long. Put them both on screen. It's time for all of us to chat." Kyle decided with a wry smile.
Cariet's image quickly appeared on the viewscreen. "What are you doing?" He demanded. "They have attacked us. Move aside and let us finish this."
The Shesh commander's image quickly appeared on screen moments later. "You will die! By my ancestors, we may be defeated, but my brethren will hunt you to the ends of the galaxy!"
Kyle stood from his captain's seat and waved away the spherical sensor display in front of him. "Gentlemen... gentlemen," he began as he offered his hands defensively, "it appears you both have some hostility issues to work out. What's say we talk for awhile?"
Enterprise's memory was interrupted by a communication from the Intrepid. "Enterprise, I have detected the other end of the transwarp conduit. Will approach its apogee in seventeen minutes."
After being in the transwarp conduit for eighteen hours and thirty-six minutes, they would finally see the source of the attacks.