"Why are we always sent out to explore unknown space?"

BJ turns in his chair and scowls at Tundra

"Because Admiral Keogh ordered us and he's paying us to do it."

"Would you rather be hauling cargo for the rest of your life?" says Miles

Tundra growls in annoyance.

"Why can't they let the ships designed for exploration do this work anyway? This just seems boring to me."

"And hauling cargo from system to system is fun for you?" says Raven

"I think I've got something to peak Tundra's interest." says Leroy "A ship, and it's heading for the main planet in this system. Uh-oh."

"What uh-oh?" says BJ

"It's engines are out and it's going to crash!"

"Can you identify it?"

"Negative. It's of unknown origin."

"Hot dog!" says Miles "We've found other alien life!"

"If they survive the crash." says BJ "Set a course Miles."

Planet surface. BJ, Raven, Steven and Maverick have beamed down. The alien craft is several yards aways smoking.

"Looks like a shuttle." says Steven

"Life signs?" says BJ

"One" says Raven "Very weak."

"Radiation?"

"Within tolerance." says Maverick.

"Let's go."

The interior is wrecked beyond repair. At the controls two aliens are slumped over their consoles, a third is spread-eagled on the deck. They have camel like features with three fingered hands. Raven kneals next to the one on the floor.

"This is the one."

"Raven, Maverick get him to the medical ward."

Raven takes out her communicator

"Rif do you read me?"

"Loud and clear."

"Three to beam up this position."

All three disappear in columns of light. BJ turns to Steven

"Time to earn your pay."

"Alrighty then let's see what we've got."

****

Medical ward. Raven is treating the aliens wounds.

"Will he live?" says Maverick

"Very likely. A few broken bones, a crack to the head, nothing serious."

The alien groans.

"BJ I suggest you get up here." says Raven

"On my way."

The alien's eyes open and he looks straight at Raven.

"W-who are you?"

"My names Raven. What's yours?"

"Adux."

BJ walks in.

"Greetings. I'm BJ, captain of this vessel. T.F.S Strayer."

"Adux, dethroned High Leader of the Drarmai Alliance."

BJ blinks.

"What?"

"That is correct. There was a coup on my homeworld about a week ago. I was forced to flee for my life. I'm afraid my brother wanted me dead. If I may ask, where are my companions."

"They didn't survive the crash. I'm sorry."

Adux nods.

"So what government do you represent? I've never seen your kind before."

"The Terran Federation. Tell me about your Alliance."

"Our homeworld and only 12 systems with 15 planets at our disposal. Out of curiousity is there somewhere I can get something to eat?"

"I'll show you to our galley."

Galley, Adux is having some soup. BJ sits across from him.

"So your race has only been in space some hundred years." says BJ "We've been in space nearly four."

"I'm interested to learn about your Federation. Tell me, are there any other alien races out there?"

As if on cue Mrr'tas walks in. She stops at seeing Adux who can't help but stare.

"Oh, great timing." says BJ "Adux this is Mrr'tas, she's a---"

"Kzatti." finishes Adux.

Both eyebrows shoot up.

"You've heard of us?" says Mrr'tas

"A small band of them crash landed on one of our worlds. Only one survived and told us of your species plight."

"Hmmph! We had it coming you know."

"I beg your pardon?"

"What did he tell you?"

"That a race of violent aliens leveled your homeworld and scattered your people."

"We were the violent ones and we got what we deserved!"

"Mrr'tas." says BJ

"It's all right captain." says Adux

"For 800 years we commanded an empire driven by violence and brutality. About 15 years ago we started a war with BJ's Federation. We were winning at first but then they beat us back, all the way to our homeworld were another alien race took out their frustration against us by smashing our homeworld."

"You have my sympathies."

"What do you call yourselves again? What's your history?"

"The Drarmai Alliance was formed after our Great War. Millions died in the war, and when the dust settled we looked to the stars for our salvation. We colonized our neighboring system and the Alliance was born. I was the High Leader of our Alliance until my brother began a coup and usurped me. I was trying to gather my allies together to bring him down when my shuttle was attacked."

"I wish we could help you" says BJ "But that's entirely your matter."

"You will not help me?"

"I'm sorry but that's not our policy; never get into another races disputes."

"I can respect that."

"Captain to the bridge!"

BJ, Adux and Mrr'tas enter the bridge.

"We got company." says Tundra

On the screen is an alien ship with an unusual marking.

"It's one of our cruisers." says Adux "And it's bearing the marking of my brother."

"Were being hailed." says Rif

"On screen." says BJ

"This is General Kron of the Drarmai Alliance. Return Adux to us at once. He is wanted by our High Leader who demands his excecution."

"This is Captain BJ of the Terran Federation Ship Strayer. High Leader Adux is under my protection."

"I'm warning you Captain, return Adux to us or be destroyed."

to be continued....