"ETA Ensign?"
The helmsman, since replaced with Mr. Mayweather, didn't raise his eyes, diligently keeping to the task at hand. "Two minutes Commander".
Trip frowned, something didn't feel, (a pause) he snorted, no shit. He knew objectively that he was simply nervous, there was like a one out of a million chance this wouldn't result in combat. Damn he really wished T'pol were here, he winced, the recurring spike of fear lancing through him. Forcing it down, he glanced at the chronometer, thirty seconds left.
"Combat stations ready" his voice sounded unduly harsh to his own ears, he was gonna have to fix that.
Not a sound was made on the bridge as the Enterprise dropped out of warp, swooping on impulse engines towards the fray…
Bridge of the Vulcan Cruiser T'khut:
Explosions rocked the ship as fires spawned at damaged consoles, sparks raining down like a storm. The whole scene at odds with the Vulcan's calm reserve.
"Captain there is a vessel approaching." Voices were slightly raised, logically, as to accommodate the excess of background noise.
"Configuration?"
"Unknown"
"Sir, unidentified vessel is firing on the Andorians"…
Back on the Enterprise:
"Commander we're taking heavy damage!"
"Life support is failing on decks three and five!"
"Starboard nacelle is hit!"
The constant reports of doom quickened Trip's pulse, the shouting coupled with the explosions tortured his ears. "Take us outta their weapons range! Full impul-" Trip froze, followed by the entire bridge crew. The picture on the view screen looked like it was paused, and the weapons fire had stopped. "Lt. Report".
"Sir I-, I can't explain it, the Vulcan and Andorian ships are dead in the water, they're not even drifting. And power levels are completely stable, it's like i-"
A flash of blinding light tore at Trip's eyes, his arms going up instinctively to shield his vision.
A figure emerged as the light died down, one who appeared to be made of the same brightness from which it had arose. "Commander Tucker". It's voice was melodious, however not in a beautiful way, rather more sinister in its tones.
"Who are you?" Trip couldn't keep the awe out of his voice, that was quite a damn entrance.
"I am the reason your species no longer exists".
Expecting anger, Trip found none within him to fuel his resolve, just a debilitating fear of the unknown.
"What do you want?" he whispered.
"Our plans have not been fulfilled by the extermination of humanity, and so once again we find ourselves in quite a predicament." It paused, examining the man before it as he began to gather back his intelligence.
"So you've come to wipe out the Vulcans, or maybe the Andorians! Hell, maybe even the Klingons, we're all just as worthless! Aren't w-"
"Silence Human!" The booming sound interrupted his tirade, although the talking light bulb seemed more amused than angry.
"We have returned to the only remaining humans in the universe not on a mission of death, as before. No, we need your species back, to return to the previous outcome. Although the chances of that happening now are below minimal. We have come to grant you what help we can."
The shining visage appeared to flicker, distort. "Upon my leave you will find your vessel equipped with technology centauries ahead of your own. Do what you must, but know this, humanity has been given a chance, it will not happen again".
With that it disappeared, and the battle resumed…