The Colonists

A distinguished canine-like being stepped down from the shuttle and glanced around for a moment with his nostrils flaring and closing in the air, as if to gauge the atmosphere of this strange environment.

He then spotted the Vulcan captain's position and marched deliberately and powerfully toward him.

"At last we smell one another, Syntron of the Phoenix," the towering leader of the Draxx growled, showing his throat briefly in respect and never looking him straight in the eye.

He was by far the largest of his kind they have seen, easily as tall as the Andorian giantess Tyvya on the Horizon and much more bulkier, a true mountain of fur, muscle and sinew. But despite his intimidating presence, he looked quite friendly with his mouth always open and his tongue forcibly visible as he addressed the surprisingly smaller Vulcan.

"You are quite different from Alpha Kheren of the Horizon. Of him I could sense the power and instincts of a well-disciplined killer; of you, I sense the wisdom and resolve of a cunning prey that has completely mastered his fear. You are more different one another than any of you is from us. And there seems to be no homogeneity within your packs... and yet, complete harmony of purpose and action. Most intriguing... and most promising."

Syntron returned the throat gesture as a symbol of respect to the Draxx leader before he spoke.

"It is our spectrum of diversity Alpha Shanarl which provides us with our wide-range of abilities and options when dealing with challenging circumstances. In most situations, we employ our strength and lethalness only as a last option if logic and reason fail."

Syntron then gestured the imposing Draxx leader to follow his lead.

"We will travel to our conference room on deck one of this ship to converse in a more cordial environment. If there is anywhere else on this ship which you wish to see before we arrive to deck one just let me know."

"We have scanned your ships and seen them in action. as impressive as they showed themselves to be,  ships and technology are just elaborated teeth; they're good only as the predator using them," commented the Draxx with a casual indifference. "It is the nature of the beast that is important to us."

The captain then nodded to the security team to fall into forward and rearward positions of their small entourage as they began to move. Syntron was taking no chances when it came to the well-being of his guest; despite the appearance that this Draxx leader could fend for himself in almost every conceivable situation.

The fact that he had come seemingly all alone certainly showed confidence in this estimated capability. 

When they reached the conference room, the Draxx seemed for a moment nonplussed by the chairs around the table, visibly unfamiliar with the furniture. Jonathna livingstone caught on his perplexity and demonstrated for him how to use them. Since he had a short  and bushy but somewhat rigid tail, he had to sit sideways so as not to painfully crush it under him, something the long, supple tails of Caitians could avoid reflexively. He was obviously not comfortable but discomfort didn't seem to phase him; and he was just as obviously trying to experience alien life as much as he was seemingly willing to accomodate those with which he had come to talk... and learn from.

But he was first and formost a creature of decisive action. When they had all been seated he spoke right away.

"Syntron of the Phoenix; what are your intentions here?"

At the prompting of the Draxx leader, Syntron first provided a concise yet detailed account regarding Governor Sufra and her accomplices not only being relieved of their duties, but currently facing multiple charges due to their combined deliberate violations via their actions. He acknowledged that their self-righteous impositions also risked inciting interstellar conflict between the Federation and the Draxx, which was not the intention whatsoever of Captain Kheren nor himself.

The captain then explained that the vast majority of the colonists on the planet were a peaceful collection of Federation civilians who were merely searching for a habitable place to begin anew. As he spoke, he brought up both image files of the numerous colonists by specialty, such as varied craftsman, along with holographic images of their simple tools that they used within their field to create a viable colony.

After this presentation was concluded, Syntron turned to face the Draxx leader once again.

"I present this information to you Alpha Shanarl not to plead their case, but clarify these circumstances. We do not know whether you or others hold claim to the planet these colonist have landed upon uninvited... let alone this region itself, but we will evacuate each and every one of them if this is the case and your wish."

In the silence that followed, Syntron allowed it to linger for a bit longer before continuing with an alternative.

"However, if this world is not contested outright, then we would discuss such a colonization process with you along with the ramifications and possible benefits in establishing this venture in proximity to your packs that travel at least in the vast outer space within this region."      

The caninoid had listened with perked ears to the whole presentation, never interrupting but obviously very attentive to every detail. But to Science Chief Jonathan livingstone, it was espcially obvious that he was even more attentive to the captain himself, the way he talked, the way he moved as he talked, every nuance of his voice, choice of words , even the way he smelled. And at the same time, he was also attentive to every single occupant in the room, scanning Human, Vulcan, Caitian, Deltan and X'Ell attitude with obviously exceptionnally keen senses. Once Syntron concluded his concise yet detail presentation, he stood up and paced the room until he faced the stars beyond the transparency. From there he spoke.

"You are a very remarkable collection of species, something we have never encountered or heard of. This alone speaks more than anything else of what you are... and the truth of your words. We, like every other sentient species we know of, are a homogeneous race, a civilization of one kind. Even then, harmony within ourselves is not always easily achieved, and what we manage to do took us in fact millenias to accomplish. But here I see primates, avians, felines... even insects like this Alpha of yours... and others I can not even describe ... and yet, you all live and work and hope and dream together. I must say, Syntron of the Phoenix, that I find myself... overwhelmed."

He turned to face the Vulcan with head raised.

"You have much to teach us, and I know now that you would do so willingly and honestly. Thus I will speak to the rest of our people."

He made a pause to make sure that they understood his meaning. Then he stretched a furred four fingered hand to the stars and the planet visible behind him.

"We are a nomadic culture; we roam space without any permanent attachment to planetary bodies or star systems. Space belongs to everyone as well as to us. But we know of people that do live inside confined territories like you want to do here. When we meet them, they sometime want to deny us passage and access to ressources, claiming that, for some unfathomable reason, they have exclusive rights on them. This still baffles us and may cause conflict with us, as we do not recognize the validity of such a claim. The universe belongs too all life within it."

Looking at each one briefly in obvious warning, he lowered his voice to make his words all the more felt.

"If your wish is to claim territory here, know this; it is not in our power or intention to forbid it; but, it is not our intention either to have ourselves being refused passage and ressources in this region of space. And as you have seen, we have the means to enforce our rights. But, if we have an agreement on those terms, you are as welcome as us to come here."

His gaze now fixed Syntron for a brief moment before averting his eyes from him to continue with a softer tone.

"However, you are aware of the threat of the Zetarians in this system, a threat that concerns any and all sentient life nearby. If you choose the practice of territorial life here, you will put yourself in proximity of that threat. We cannot provide full time assistance as we are not always within this region of space. But, because you are willing to show us how you tamed those evil spirits, we will provide you with any and all assistance as we can while we are in this sector of space. The rest will be up to you."

Syntron gazed mindfully as the Draxx leader eloquently spoke. He was a skillful hunter and predator yet he was also a thoughtful and reasonable individual. Nothing at all like a pack of ruthless beings misperceived at first contact.

"Understood Alpha Shanarl. I will pass along this information to Captain Kheren and the new leadership of the colonists. I can assure you that the colonists will not interfere in any capacity with your packs' resource requirements or mobility to travel. Contrarily, it is our hope that this marks a beginning of ongoing diplomatic opportunities among your packs and ours; to whatever degree you would deem appropriate."

Syntron then handed the Draxx leader a customized PADD.

"Within this device you will find not only technology related to the containment of and protection from the Zetarians, but there are also files of information about Starfleet, the Federation and the means to contact us; should the need arise."

Captain Syntron and Alpha Shanarl continued their conversation for another eighteen minutes. Then Syntron's senior officers in attendance asked a series of questions to the Draxx leader who patiently addressed all of their inquiries. At the conclusion of their meeting, Syntron headed back onto the main bridge with his senior officers and the imposing Alpha leader following in between.

Stepping out onto the bridge, the captain relieved Counselor Bijoŭ of her center seat duties and requested that she hail Captain Kheren on the Horizon when she was back at the com station. He then briefly explained to Shanarl what minute details about this that he knew about the rescue.

Lieutenant Elisha Leóne, chief operations officer was now back at her post after returning from a series of challenging away mission duties. She then chimed in.

"Sir, Captain Kheren hailed while you were in the meeting about twelve minutes ago to let you know that their rescue mission is underway."

An eyebrow elevated slightly as he responded.

"Welcome back Lieutenant, and thank you for the updated information. Please engage our enhanced sensors to determine if we can pinpoint this rescue below the position of the Horizon."

The enchanting Orion with smooth olive green skin acknowledged the command as she began engaging sensor control. After several minutes of tweaking she announced "I believe I have something captain."

The main viewscreen was converted to a series of moving images that were rather hard to distinguish at first. Then something odd came into view.

"What the hell is that thing" Counselor Bijou blurted out before she could contain her reaction.

"It looks like some old-fashioned carnival ride back on old Earth" Lieutenant James Traynor commented from helm with a bit of a smirk.

"Highly unlikely Lieutenant" Syntron responded rather stoically. "It would appear that Captain Kheren and his staff utilized an old Terran method for planetary travel... going from planet-to-space prior to the creation and implementation of transporters. In this case, planet-to-escape velocity so that the Horizon can capture it once it reaches above the null zone of the planet's atmosphere.  Quite clever indeed."

"But what is that thing? I still don't get it" Bijou fumed, as she stared closely at the moving contraption.

"If you look directly Counselor, you will see a series of escape pods fused together here like an inner tube from old Earth as well."

Syntron walked over and pointed this out on the viewscreen.

"There you can see another such assemblage inverted and fused directly to the first, with the whole thing travelling around what appears to be a miles high pole."

"And?" she queried, still not actually comprehending what he was trying to explain.

"It is operating similar to an elevator... " but the captain ceased his description this time and turned to his CSO.

"Perhaps you will have a more comprehensible approach in explaining this creation to her Lieutenant Livingstone."

"I just made an inquiry into our database, Captain," the X'ell answered, the lights in his feathered head blinking. "My people has nothing comparable to this so i was just as baffled as Counselor Bijoû. In all intent and purposes, it is an elevator."

"An... orbital elevator?" wondered the Deltan with eyes as big as those of the rest of the bridge crew.

"Exactly; before the advent of transporters, one of the greatest difficulties in space travel, especially in the early days of space exploration, was how to leave a planet . To escape planetary gravity, you needed to reach escape velocity, which required literally tons of chemical fuel just to lift a few humanoids. In order to cut down on the prohibitve cost and equipement and resolve this problem, some engineers and scientists came up with the idea of a shaft reaching beyond a planet's atmosphere and into orbit, along which a transport cabin could travel up and down from a ground-fixed point to a geostationary artificial satellite or station. So in essence, a space elevator."

"Incredible!" Elisha le-one exclaimed, even with her eyes looking at the very thing Livingstone was explaining. "But how can it just stand there?"

"It requires some superstrong material to face the formidable forces of planetary rotation, atmospheric conditions, space conditions and such... My people would have used neutronium to do this, but the federation doesn't have access to such material. According to sensors, they manufactured diamondrod nanotubes from their industrial replicator, a synthesized form of what naturally occurs when carbon atoms are subjected to high temperatures and cristallized so as to become one of the hardest substances conceivable."

"Still, how could they solve the energy draining field problem?" wondered helmsman Traynor.

"Basic physics," the Science chief explained. "Just like the Polaris itself escaped the planet, those fused escape pods used their own long range thrusters at full blast to propel themselves upward and continued along the shaft on their own momentum, clearing it just long enough for the Horizon to grab them with her tractor beam. Fuel must have been desassembled into basic elements and sent down to the castaways for them to remake and use once the whole rescue cabin was sent down."

"And it didn't crash?" now asked the Bolian Tolo, just as fascinated with the engineering feat as everyone else.

"Some form of powerless landing technology must have been used, probably dating back from those same early days of exploration when power and primitive constructing materials was the chief problem of sending probes on other planets," Jonathan conjectured. "You can deduce by the shiny appearance of that device that there are solar panels attached to it's top; to power a low-power shield to protect the occupants for the few seconds needed to clear the draining barrier... but these trailing flags underneath look like deflated balloons; my guess is that these are what is left of a simple but effective shock absorbing covering."

"That's Lotus Fleet's flagship for you," grinned Leône. "Most ressourceful when most challenged."

"That's what Starfleet is all about," added Jonathan Livingstone, by far the one most impressed by it all.

"Captain," then reported Bijoû. "The Horizon reports all lost personnel accounted for... including the crew of the Draxx destroyer that tried to save Governor Sufra when her pod fell into the planet's gravity well."

Beside Syntron, the Draxx leader was even more visibly impressed. And it showed in his voice.

"You saved our people even when no formal relations exist between us... and did so on an inaccessible planet, without leaving anything down there for the evil spirits to use for escape. We are not only in your debt... we are humbled. You have shown us the value of cooperation and trust between inhabitants of a universe."

"There is a philosophy the Vulcans taught to the Federation that embodies this concept," Livingstone said. "IDIC; Infinite Diversity In Infinite Combination. I too come from a single people that lived alone and all by itself for millions of years; a people that was eventually threatened but was saved by this same philosophy, this same Federation. The only thing more enlightening than this is to become an active part of it."

"And so it shall be told to my people," Shanarl growled with absolute conviction.

*             *             *

Captain's Log

Stardate 88374.3

Although it was a rather turbulent passage, we safely crossed through the anomaly threshold twelve minutes ago and are back within Federation space. Our estimated arrival to Starbase Lotus is seventeen point one-three hours.

Despite all of the setbacks we encountered throughout this extended mission, we return back with the approximately ten-thousand colonist carried by the USS Horizon successfully in the initial phase of  establishing their new settlement on a class M planet just on the other side of the anomaly. The system was dubbed Eden, with these new inhabitants currently settling on Eden III. Captain Kheren has been handling all of the legal ramifications involving the misdeeds initiated by ex-Governor Sufra and a band of misguided followers prior to the legitimate arrival to the planet's surface.

This resettling, among other events, was able to occur only after a challenging series of first contact negotiations with a new species encountered upon our arrival into this region. They are the Draxx. A canine-hominoid space-faring species that have similar appearances and hunting characteristics of Terran wolves, but with the intelligence of any advanced sentient species within the Federation.  They are a nomadic species which travel in packs lead by an alpha leader named Shanarl, who was impressively mindful and logical.

Our first contact however was with one of his beta leaders, Garawl. After overcoming a series of rather dangerous precautions and negotiations, it was this beta's recommendations that allowed our other duties such as the of rescuing remaining crew members and bridge officers of the lost USS Nuntio from the Zetarian infiltration to proceed uninterrupted, and eventually led to the meeting with Alpha Shanarl. Unfortunately, the Nuntio itself was destroyed during the final phases of the rescue mission.

A major benefit however from all of these events is that we are able to return back with not only the surviving members of the Nuntio, but with a ratified treaty with the Draxx leadership, along with a petition by them to be our first Federation partners in this mostly uncharted realm beyond the anomaly corridor. The Draxx would be a mighty adversary to contend with and are equally powerful allies to have at our side when a time to travel beyond the Eden system arrives.

In addition, we were able to peacefully negotiate with the remaining Zetarians and return them back to Eden IV, a planet with a null atmospheric zone that will keep them free to roam the surface, but captive within the planet itself.

Full details of all of these events will be included in each of our completed official reports.

In closing, recognition and awards will be presented to Commander Riker, Commander Rogers, Lieutenant J.G. Livingstone, and Lieutenant Leóne for their enormous contributions and self-sacrifice exhibited throughout all aspects of this mission. We would not have accomplished any of these feats without out their ingenuity and dedication to duty.

Captain Kheren and his crew aboard the Horizon should also be recipients of equal recognition as well for their many accomplishments throughout this multifaceted mission.  They have remained behind for the time being to bear witness to the successful colonization process and oversee the successful implementation of a free election process to set-up new leadership for the colony.

Syntron closed his log and stepped away from the terminal. Thinking about the images he saw of the new colonist settlement on Eden III, he began to ponder about the seeds that had been transplanted on this world. Generations from now, the inhabitants will only have stories and images about their ancestors traveling great distances and overcoming many dangerous hurdles for the hope of a new start. This will be the only home that they will know. Would they remain peaceful as they cohabitate this planet? How would they identify themselves? Would they travel out among the surface of this world's environment and split into factions? Will their offspring eventually grow restless and seek adventures among the stars?

All of this seemed so inevitable to the Vulcan as he considered the history of various sentient beings. But these were rather frivolous thoughts at this moment, especially for a Vulcan.

He exited the Captain's Ready Room and stepped back onto the main bridge and into the center seat once again. Gazing out at the images among the stars projected on the main viewscreen, he felt akin to on old sea captain of ancient Earth navigating his way back home through the turbulent seas with the stars as his guide. Their homeport was just ahead, less than a light-year away.