Captain’s log, supplemental.

Hypatia remains on station in high orbit of the fifth planet. Our transceiver arrays continue to work at full capacity as we endeavour to make contact with the species we now believe to be called ‘the Nihari’. Following the revelation from Doctor Zinn that our first encounter with the species may have come years ago during the Blood Dilithium crisis, Captain Gor and I have evacuated Nareen and recalled Cardenas to our location. We fear that our first official encounter might not go to plan…

Deep in conversation at the heart of Hypatia’s bridge, Noli and Prenar had been joined by their Orion strategist, Vashara, and were pouring over data files and sensor logs from as far back as the Blood Dilithium crisis of mid-2400. Everything they had from Ulysses and beyond in an effort to ensure they were as prepared as they could be for the next encounter. Which came quicker than anyone had expected.

“This One welcomes the Federations to Nihor…”

Hearing the voice from behind them, Noli and the command triumvirate darted out of their seats. Lieutenant Nes surged forward almost instantly, phaser raised as he closed on the figure that had suddenly appeared at the center of the bridge, only for Noli to hold out a hand to pause the Nausicaan’s advance.

“This One commends the Federations for their timely response and apologises for the delay in returning such kindness,” the enormous creature’s ‘gaze’ was trained only on the woman they had deemed to be in command. “Is this One the High Arbiter for their people?” It inquired, tilting its head to one side as it regarded Noli closely.

“My name is Captain Noli Auru,” Noli answered, taking a slight step forward in their first official contact with the figure. “I am the commanding officer of this ship, the Hypatia, and one of the Federation’s official representatives in our dialogue,” she bowed slightly in deference to the eccentric looking character.

“This One,” the creature mimicked the Captain’s movements, before lifting its tendril like digits of one hand to its chest, “is the Seer Primus. This One surveys the darkness and the void, and sent the message to the people of Hypatia.”

Stiffening slightly, Noli exchanged tense glances with the XO and her green-skinned colleague, then gestured for Lieutenant Shaal to step forward. “Your message caused pain to our friend,” Noli place a hand on the pilot’s shoulder once he joined them in the command pit.

Again mimicking the leader of the Federation ship, the figure’s neck seemed to grow two inches as he stiffened. “It was not the intention of this One to cause harm or distress. For that, this One apologises and hopes such does not damage first relations,” suddenly, the creature took an aggressive step forward. “The old Enemy advances. The Federations sting and their warrior friends strike, but still they approach,.”

Vash leant to her left and lowered her voice. “Wasp and Mok’Tal,” the Orion whispered, “they must have engaged their targets,” she suggested to her Captain.

“The Old Enemy you mention,” Noli asked of the creature, “do you mean the Draxans?”

“Subjugators of the past,” the creature scowled, “they advance on our planet as they did aeons ago. The High Arbiter pleads. The One known as Noli must help the Nihari people.”

With a wave of the tendrils, consoles across the command center began to flicker wildly, officers trying in vain to stop whatever was happening. Standing back from his station, Commander Vren lifted his tricorder and scanned the system. “It’s a data transfer,” the Romulan declared with raised brows, “so far we’ve received nearly two hundred kilo quads of data uploaded.”

“This One has shared our history with the ones called Draxans,” the Seer held out their hands, as if pleading his case, “hoping that the Noli One will help. The Darkness caused by the desolation of Nareen must not be repeated here.”

Flickering consoles ceased at last as the figure faded and disappeared from the bridge, leaving the Starfleet crew to their own devices once again. With the data transfer seemingly completed, the crew returned to their stations and began to analyse everything they had received.

“That was… unexpected,” Noli puffed out her cheeks, hands on her hips whilst looking around the bridge.

Collapsing into his chair to the Captain’s right, Darek ran a hand through his hair. “I think it was a successful first contact though,” he told while watching the two women in red returned to their own seats.

“Under the circumstances, I’d agree…” Vash nodded.

A shrill beeping from the tactical station drew the gaze of the team to their Nausicaan colleague, who was tapping frantically. “Sensors have detected a force of ten Draxan vessels at extreme sensor range,” he grunted, relaying the coordinates to the helm, then turning to Noli for instructions.

Rising to her feet again, Noli let out a sigh as she made for the observation lounge. “Hold position until further notice,” the Captain decreed, then disappeared behind the doors of the briefing room.

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When Gor appeared from his ready room some time later, the bridge had calmed and the main view screen had been altered to show the location of the Draxan fleet on their sensor readout. Vessels of varying size, including one that was almost equal to Al-Batani in size, but unmistakably en-route to their location. Hypatia had transmitted all of the additional data to Al-Batani and the bridge crew were making starting to make sense of what they were seeing.

“Lieutenant Royce,” Vasoch barked towards the helmsman, “bring the ship about and set course for the Draxan fleet.”

All eyes on the bridge glared in the Captain’s direction, including those of his Andorian XO.

Sliding into his command chair again, the Tellarite drummed his fingers on the arms of his chair.

“It’s time to open a dialogue with the Draxan fleet…”