In A Mirror Sparkley Chapter 6: The Cardassians

The next two systems the Endeavor visited went as uneventfully
as the first. One system had an interesting ice belt orbiting between
two of the outer planets. The other system had a planet rich in
minerals necessary to the construction of warp capable ships.
Each one had been tagged for later mining as secondary objectives
to colonization. As of yet they had not discovered a single planet
or moon suitable for colonization. The only comfort they could
derive from the data was that they had only been at it three
and a half weeks.

The combat sims had proceed as well, pitting them against a Klingon
cruiser, a Vulcan destroyer, and an Andorian Frigate. The only one
that had given them problems was the Vulcans. They had lost half
of the drone fleet that had been sent out before disabling the targets
weapons. At that point the Vulcan ship had jumped to warp 7 and
escaped. This was only tentatively called a win by the XO, given that
the enemy would eventually have been disabled and the Endeavor
had suffered no damage. Now boredom was starting to set in again.
They were nearing the halfway point of their fourth leg when the long
range sensors picked up an object approaching at high warp. Battle
stations were ordered and an analysis was run.

When the results came back the science officer could hardly believe it,
"Captain, they don't appear to have any engines. The ship is riding a
tachyon concentration."

"How is that possible, a starship should have too much mass for a
tachyon to effect it."

The main viewer switched to the approaching ship, showing how such
a thing was possible. The ship was comprised of a small hull with huge
light sales spreading out in all directions."According to the analysis the
material of the sails is absorbing most of the energy from the tachyons
and generating a subspace field." His panel beeped,"The ship is slowing
captain."

"Any sign of comm gear?"

"They appear to have radio equipment ma'am. Opening frequencies."

The speakers hissed for a short time until the right frequency was found,
the the captain spoke,"This is the UTAS Endeavor, calling the small craft
off our starboard bow, please respond."

The response was slow coming and in another language as the other crew
tried to figure out the strange message coming from the behemoth they
were approaching. The captain decided to press on,"We are explorers and
traders, please continue transmitting. Our translator is working on your
language."

The alien transmission resumed and more English was piped through the
speakers as the program fished out the last few places. A beeping indicated
the program had finally settled on a single algorithm. Captain Carter transmitted
again,"This is the Endeavor, could you please repeat the last message?"

"This is the Cardassian Light Sail Ship Kesentshu, we are pleased to make
contact with another intelligent species. We are a bit surprised to find one
with a translation technology that works so well. We are peaceful explorers
and scientists. Since our contact with the Bajorans twenty years ago we have
been exploring space to try to increase our knowledge."

The captain recognized the similarity of purpose,"Perhaps we could meet to
further both our goals. Are you capable of docking with our ship?"

"We would be most pleased to meet face to face. Yes we are capable of docking,
although we will need to visually inspect your airlock before we can be sure of
compatibility."

"We will illuminate the area of our docking hatch, I hope to see you soon."

As the small craft came closer the Endeavor's sensors confirmed that the two
docks were comparable, a fact soon realized by the Cardasians as well. They
turned their ship to align the two ports and moved closer, bringing the ships
into contact. With the seal established the captain flipped the switch to open
their end. The hatch irised open to reveal a door of brown metal. The hatch of
the other ship opened shortly after to reveal her opposite number. The Cardasians
had high neck bones covered in a scaly, leathery skin. Their faces were rather
stark with prominent features and a spoon shaped raised area in the center
of their foreheads. Once again Carter was reminded of the fact that most
intelligent life they had on record was humanoid. Was this really just the blind
chance of evolution or something else?

She dismissed the thought and extended her hand to the other captain.
"Welcome to the Endeavor. I am Captain Jennifer Carter and this is my second
in command Maxwell Otaku."

The Cardassian took her hand, recognizing the form of greeting as identical to
their own,"A pleasure to meet you captain. My name is Jolan, and this is my
crew,"He swept his left hand to indicate the two others with him,"Calar and Jeseph.
We are very happy to make the acquaintance of another species." Carter gestured
for him to follow and they walked toward the conference room where there was
a light meal prepared to welcome their guests."I remember you saying you had
made contact with a species you called Bajorans. If I may ask, how many other
species have you met?"

"Personally, you are the second non Cardassians I have met. But as a people,
we have also met the Vulcans. Their no nonsense attitude can be bland at first,
but as we got to know them, we found them to have an incredible depth to them."

"We have heard of them, but have not yet bumped into any of them yet. In all
honesty you are also our second encounter with a species not indigenous to our
planet."

The conference room was laid out with a wide variety of food, most of the crew
being good cooks. The primary reason for the conversation was to delay the party
and give the others time to prepare. The captain saw that they had once again
made her proud."This is a sampling of various foods from our planet, please enjoy."

They all filled their plates, buffet style and chose seats around the table. The captain
raised her glass and all followed suit,"A toast, to new friends." They all drank, some
of their guests not entirely sure about the flavor of their drinks.

The Cardassian captain took a few bites of his food,"This is quiet good, we are so
used to re-sequences protein that a meal like this reminds me of home."

"If you don't mind me asking, where is Cardassia?"

"About a years travel,"He pointed,"in that direction. But you might be able to
make better time. We have to stop at the end of each tachyon eddy and then
hunt for the next. It can be time consuming."

"That would take a while, especially without any sensors capable of detecting
the eddies at range. Maybe we could arrange a trade to get you some technologies
that would help."

Jolan considered her for a moment before responding,"Perhaps, but I don't
see what we would have to offer you in return. You appear to be a technologically
advanced society."

"The truth is that we do still lack many technologies that would make life slightly
easier. The protein re-sequencers you mentioned are one example, as well as
the plans for the light sail ships you use. I imagine that many individuals would
be more than willing to build a low cost, both construction and maintenance, ship
for their personal use. While at the same time we could offer you a means to
communicate back home with near instantaneous results."

The Cardassian captain raised his glass,"To a fruitful trade arrangement." All in
the room responded.

The ships traveled together for two days, exchanging data while the crew of
the Endeavor provided coordinates for all the tachyon eddies their sensors could
detect. The human race gained the ability to re-sequence proteins and sail on
light, as well as a great deal of literature. The Cardassians left with plans for
subspace radio, drives and sensors, plus as much literature and art as their
computers could handle. The trade might have been balanced in favor of the
Cardassians, but Carter felt this could help with future relations, believing it
would all work out in time.

The Cardassian ship made it's way to the tachyon eddy they had arrived on.
They intended to proceed home to pass along the plans they had received.
The Endeavor continued on it's way, transmitting all of their acquisitions to Earth
via subspace radio. The two crews content in the knowledge that this was a good
first meeting.


Well here is humanity's next contact. Hope you like it. Constructive reviews are as always appreciated. also I have created a forum section if you want to discuse the differences between these Cardassians and cannon.

Again thanks to my wife for proofing for me.