First Contact by Raederle Schala McDermot
	Captain Raederle Schala McDermot looked around Ten Forward apprehensively. She had misgivings about the crew of which she would soon be in command. Of course, what responsible captain wouldn't be? She had over three officers with Borg origins, one of whom was her first officer, several Tribble, a severe ethnic clash, and she herself was from another dimension. One of her greatest worries was that the crew wouldn't click. Another was the fact that her Chief Medical Officer was a hologram. "Don't worry so, friend. The game has just started." A tall, lanky Wadi male with a sharp nose grinned mischievously. "This isn't a game, Eros." Raederle replied facetiously. "Who are you kidding? I can see that game face already." "A captain needs to project an air of confidence." Eros smiled wryly at the Elyssian. "True enough." The two of them looked up at the woman that had just entered Ten Forward. She was Borg and wearing a sleeveless pink dress, buttoned all the way down the front, and short red jacket with white cuffs. This didn't surprise Raederle, because their Fleet uniforms hadn't been issued yet. She herself was wearing a thin white t-shirt, a black miniskirt, and clunky boots. The Borg woman walked directly up to them and laid her palms crossed on her chest. Then she lowered them and spread them apart. Raederle grinned evilly for a moment, then repeated the gesture. "Rae!" the young Borg woman came running up to the Elyssian and gave her a big hug, which was reciprocated. "This is One, the First Officer. Her first year at the Academy was my last, and best," she announced warmly. "Hi!!" One waved and smiled. Eros almost laughed at her verve. Most Borg he'd seen were not so lively. "I'd thought you and I should confer before the crew arrives." She sat, and they followed her lead. "What did you have in mind?" "For one, it's been hinted that unless Starfleet can find someone else qualified for the position, I will be doing the duties of the tactical officer as well as organizing crew efforts. The report from Starfleet was a little vague. Is this true?" "Yes. Is that a problem?" "No. I've had experience in security, medical, and helm. I can handle it. But this next matter may be a problem. This Emergency Holographic Captain. It's not a good idea." "Is that so? Please elaborate, Commander," she smiled. One could tell that her old friend had been thinking the same thing. She'd also disliked this aspect of the ship. She waited to see if her Borg friend's views mimicked her own. "The engineers on this holographic replacement project had the notion to have him take over if you're harmed, correct? Well, have you known any holograms?" "A few." "They're very temperamental. Our medical hologram's only a year old, and they say that now he's nothing like the Dr. Bashir he was patterned from. Studies show that they become deranged very easily. Especially if they're isolated from the crew, which he most certainly will be." "What would you like for me to do?" "Like? I'd like you to have his program deleted before he becomes sentient. Though I kind of expect you to consider the matter and make an informed decision about it. Do you like the idea of a questionably sane projection taking over your ship?" "No," Raederle said bluntly, rolling her eyes. "But I have questioned the experimental nature of the ship in general and came pretty much to the same conclusion as you did. We'll see how she flies." "Sounds like ya'll are on the same wavelength." Eros remarked, head in hand from listening to how formal they were with each other. Both of Raederle's angular brows raised at him. One smiled warmly. "Not unlikely." Raederle looked at One. "Anything else you'd care to thrash out?" "We'll probably have a conference about the crew in the next few weeks, but that can wait until they're settled in. Hmm." she rubbed her temples. "You're part Tribble. I know that you can control yourself, but what about everyone else? Will we be having any trouble with that?" She nearly laughed. "I assume you mean breeding. I am female, and I'm pretty sure the others on the ship are one side or the other. Or they've been neutered. Otherwise, Tribble can control themselves if they understand that they need to do so. And any Tribble that can qualify for Starfleet must be able to communicate." "You obviously can." Eros smirked. "Probably more that you. Though obviously not more than a Borg." A mischievous glimmer flickered in the two women's eyes. Soon a dark featured man with eyes larger than Raederle's entered with a Quantum Clone, a bouncing Tribble, a human, a half-Borg, and a Romulan, all wearing street clothes. Raederle waved to them. "This place sure brings back memories," the half-Borg said knowingly. "I'll say, Jenny!" Guinan butted in and walked over to the motley crew. "How's that temporal husband of yours?" "Not so good. Seems like he's been to Hell and back a few times. I'll tell you later." She received a drink from Guinan and turned to Captain McDermot. "I'm the Chief Science Officer Jenny ~7 of 9~ Firenaut." "I'm your new Captain, Raederle McDermot. And this is my First Officer One of Nine." She put an arm around One, and the Borg waved madly, grinning. "I'm Zen, Chief Engineer," the Quantum Clone announced. "I'm Ensign Klovis," the grey Tribble purred. "Starfleet Ranger Simikins," the human said. "Tr'Farik, the Engineering/Cloak Man." The Romulan waved. The large-eyed man shrugged. "Guess I'm next," he said. "I'm your Senior Helm Officer, Lucas Baatezu." "Who are we lacking, Captain Raederle?" One asked. "We're lacking some staff. We will just have to wait until Starfleet recruits them. For now we're waiting on the Medical hologram, the Counselor, transporter chief, a nurse, a security officer, and Chief Assassin Mesaana Founder." "Here!" an Oombwabie walked in gracefully. "Assassins? On a Federation vessel?" Jenny asked incredulously. "Due to the nature of some of our future assignments, we will be needing her. She's also over security." Raederle explained. "You should have been informed of that before accepting the assignment." "Ok. Danger. Got it. When do the rest arrive?" Tr'Farik asked. "Soon I should think." Eros said. "Oh, by the way, I'm Eros. I'll be running the Temporal Chula Café, your little place to relax and play games." "Chula?" Baatezu laughed. "Aren't we the gambling little crew!" They threw their hands together in a shake. "So I'll be seeing you there?" "Not unless you run the holodeck, too. I do Martial Artist sims, not silly games." "We'll see." the Wadi grinned. A blond man who looked like Julian Bashir walked in with a two Klingons. The male appeared to be half human. "I'm Doctor Mark 3 Renoir. This is one of our nurses, Lieutenant Junior Grade B'Ellonna. And this is a security officer, Ensign Ulf." His voice had an accent, but was relatively flat. B'Ellonna waved then frowned. Both Raederle and Ensign Klovis had backed away from her. Ulf just stared at everyone. One cleared her throat. "Starfinder Warp and the others will meet us later." "So this is it." Raederle said finitely. "Well, it'll have to do. We've be scheduled for a training mission in order to test the Cavalry's systems. Let's go." * * * Captain Raederle took Ops and motioned where Baatezu, One, and Tr'Farik should go. "Over there are the jump tubes for you to use to get from here to engineering quickly." Raederle said to Zen and the young Tribble. "This is really the first ship fitted for Tribble or other nonbipedal sentients." Klovis almost looked at if he were grinning under the fur. He hopped up into the jump tubes and slid down. "I am appeased," Zen said, saluting with two fingers, then sliding down the tubes to settle in the Engineering staff. Raederle beamed. One remembered the times they'd laid under the tables in the cafeteria and worked on assignments. It was odd seeing her friend in something that wasn't a type of uniform, because as a cadet, Raederle had always worn the cadet uniform, or what she'd called Magerobes. It was also odd being with species unfamiliar to her. No Tribble or Anime had ever been assimilated. She hoped she could learn from the crew as she had from her fellow students. Captain McDermot began giving orders, and One smiled securely. Baatezu plotted a course away from the Enterprise. "Check the shields, One." the Captain ordered. "Readings say they're working, Sir." "Sensor scans appear normal," Raederle reported. "How's she handling, Baatezu?" "Like a dream, Captain. Not the least bit sluggish." "Take the shields down, One, and check the cloak, Tr'Farik." "Yes, Captain." One's hands flew across the console. "Cloak engaged," Tr'Farik concluded. They allowed themselves to look around the sector. Jenny was elated down in the Science Department due to the intensity of the incoming readings. "Rae," One said warily, "There's an unknown vessel on long range sensors." "On screen." The screen swirled to reveal a plump ship with a fin on top. It was in ugly shades of red, turquoise, and yellow. "Yarg." Baatezu grimaced. "My retinas are on fire." Raederle chuckled. The jump tubes lit up, and Mesaana slide onto the bridge. "Captain, I know only the Tribble are supposed to use the jump tubes, but this is an emergency!" She stalked across the bridge assassin style. "What is it, Mesaana?" "That is a Penguin ship!" "Penguins?" "They're the arch enemies of the Oombwabie. Do not trust them, no matter what!" Mesaana was tense. Raederle could see that much. Her body was completely straight and her chin held high. "The Federation has never encountered the Penguins. We have to be careful in handling them." "I'm telling you, Sir. If you wait for them to move it will be too late." "Well," Raederle got out of the Ops's chair and walked closer to the console area. "One, be able to get the cloak down and shields up in a moment's notice." One nodded. "We should make contact," she said. "Sir-" Mesaana protested. "I agree. We need to be careful. I believe, and I trust your instincts, but we should make a formal greeting to them before we invoke undue hostilities," Raederle said gently. "I'll inform Starfleet." "I don't trust their presence in our space." "That'll be enough, Mesaana. I'll keep that in mind." Raederle exchanged a look with One. She nodded. "Prepare your weapons," she told the Oombwabie. Mesaana walked out. "We're close enough, Captain." Baatezu reported. "Open hailing frequencies and I'll give you a sweetie pie greeting." Baatezu laughed. She wasn't quite what he expected from a captain. "Greetings unknown vessel. We are the U.S.S. Cavalry." she said sweetly, her deep voice had raised two octaves. "Please state your identity and your reason for intruding upon Federation space." A fat Penguin in a bright orange and blue smattered suit appeared on the screen. "We are the diplomatic ship Kar'tala. Our mission is to make a peaceful agreement with the Federation." "Please give us your clearance code." "Transmitting code," the fat Penguin announced. Raederle regarded the code with disdain. "I need to put you on hold for a moment." She cut him off and looked at the bridge crew. "That code is outdated. Three days ago, all codes were changed. Do you know why? There was an Intelligence leak. Can you guess what I'm thinking?" One nodded. "Down with cloak and up with shields. Reopening communication," she said rhythmically. "Your code is invalid," Raederle frowned, crossing her arms and posturing indignation. "Could you explain where you got that code so we can verify your identity." "This is outrageous! This is a diplomatic vessel, yet you have raised your shields!" "Procedure. We have made no aggression." The fat Penguin huffed. "What a paranoid creatures you are!" "You have taken undue offense to this situation. I am Raederle McDermot, Captain of this vessel, and I strongly recommend that you use the expedient course of action and follow procedure," she said coldly as she stepped up on the higher part of the bridge and looked down on the Penguin. One caught Raederle's hand motions out of the corner of her eye. "We know that you have energized your weapons array. Stand down and lower your shields. We are more powerful. You must comply." One said evilly in a very Borg fashion. The Penguin looked at them fearfully. The ship rocked. "They fired at us!" Baatezu cried indignantly. "Damage?" "None, Captain," One reported. "Their weapon systems are no match for our Borg-styled shielding." "7 of 9." "Yes, Sir?" "Use your readings to get the frequency of their shields. Then send them to Ops. We'll see if we can't send Mesaana over. One," she looked at her. "Fire back!" One worked the consol pointedly, then looked up with a smirk. A warning shot. "Trojan horse," Raederle remarked. She returned to the Ops console. "Didn't work too well." Baatezu looked at her. Her eyes were glowing oddly, those violet flecks were really showing up. And her hands were tense. "Watch that tractor beam, Baatezu." she said, "They plan to steal our programs through it." He nodded, a little confused. One fired again. The fat Penguin reappeared on the screen. "Please, Captain, don't let your warmongering nature destroy us!" "You aren't fooling anyone," she responded coolly. "Telepath!", the Penguin spat. Raederle said nothing and discreetly worked the console. "Embassador, the children are gone," a small ensign Penguin said. The fat Penguin glared at the Captain. "You have our children! Why?" "It's just," she sighed in mock sadness, "it would be a pity to destroy innocence among evil." Raederle nodded to One. She fired. "Weapons array is down." "Stop trying to tractor us and stand down!" "Never," the embassador exclaimed. "Tractor them." Baatezu responded, trying to keep the Cavalry one step ahead. Suddenly, Mesaana burst into the Penguin bridge and was holding a metal fan beneath the fat Penguin's neck. The screen went off. * * * "Remember me, you tub of lard?!" "Let go, you Oombwabie bitch!" She was hit from behind. "Now it's on!" She attacked with a frenzied craze. Soon, Penguin blood covered their bridge like cheap paint. The fat Penguin had crawled into a corner, entrails dangling from the console above him. Mesaana walked up to him, oblivious to the remains of her carnage behind her. "You do not die now. First you will tell us who you got that code from." "No!" She pulled out a knife from her boot and began circling like a vulture. Whip! She flicked the knife and a long gash appeared down his face flowing blood like a cyan river. "Tell me the name, or you will find yourself no longer a male," she hissed at him. He shook silently as she licked the blood off of the knife. "Penguin bastard. After all I put up with from you, a little paper cut makes you nervous. My scars say that I am a more noble creature than you! Even an order from the Captain would not allow me to give you mercy now. I've tasted your blood. And would only be too happy to spill more, should you refused to cooperate!" Whoosh! She flung the knife at him and pinned him to the wall by the skin of his head. He quacked loudly in fear. "The name!!" she screamed. "It was a Ferengi named Tork! I don't know where he got the information or who he's working for!! He came to us!" Mesaana pulled the knife out. She touched her communicator. "How's it going over there you guys?" "We have to beam you out now! They've activated the self-destruct," Captain McDermot warmed her. "One to beam up." She tapped the communicator again, cutting off the line. "I knew you had activated the self-destruct, you pathetic little worm. I'll see you in Hell." She saw the Penguin's eyes widen in astonishment as she beamed away and he realized he was going to die alone. * * * The Penguin ship floated behind them in several pieces. "We have good first contact procedures." Raederle remarked sarcastically. "Starfleet will need to be told immediately about the new enemies." Zen said. "Oh, I'm proud of you anyway. Not bad for a test run," their Captain stated. "You worked together, and you did save the children. That may count for something when negotiating peace treaties." "All the cute Penguin babies will be okay!" One smile sweetly, clapping her hands together. Baatezu couldn't help but note how amiable she was for a Borg. "Cute babies grow up to be dangerous adults," Mesaana added bitterly. Raederle looked at her but said nothing about it. She looked at Baatezu. "Lieutenant, set a course for Starfleet Headquarters." Baatezu complied, then smirked. "When did you two come up with that signing system?" One giggled. "During the Academy." "I remember using it to confuse professors. They thought we were telepathic." Raederle smiled and shook her head. "Am I old enough to reminisce?" "I am!" One laughed. "Well, I'd better get to the sickbay to help Dr. Renoir. Call me if you need me. One, you have the bridge." Mesaana Founder followed. * * * "What did you get from him?" Raederle and Mesaana walked briskly down the corridor. "The name of a middleman. I can guaranty that by the end of the week the little Ferengi wanker will give us the information we need to stop info leaks." "You have more authority in this than I, Mesaana, but I'm inclined to heal the Penguin children and turn them over to Section 31. If they understand what they would be used for, we may get the plans of their parents." "They probably didn't have parents, Rae. They would use orphans because in Penguin society, they would have no place." As they walked into the sickbay, they began using a language incomprehensible to the translator. Oombwabie. "Then they were probably doing them a favor," Raederle said to Mesaana. Then to the doctor, who didn't see the least bit interested in their conversation. "Would you like for me to ease their mental trauma?" "That might help, Captain," Renoir said, laying a child down for surgery. Raederle cupped the face of a small girl and began to purr. The girl opened her eyes and giggled. "Hi!!" "Now, honey, go play with Uncle Eros over there." Mesaana and Raederle watched Eros play a game with the young Penguins. He seemed to enjoy it. Renoir motioned for his nurse to close up the patient. He came over to them. "They're like ours, aren't they?" "Our what?" Mesaana asked suspiciously. "Our Federation citizens. They know something is wrong, but don't understand what actually goes into their protection." "Like children playing in a battlefield." Mesaana concurred, looking over at Eros. They stared for a moment. "I'm sorry." Renoir sighed. "I don't mean to download my negative feelings on you." "That's ok, Doc." Raederle gently put her arm around him. "We know how you feel." Renoir smiled.