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

"General Kron, I'm ordering you to stand down!" says Adux

"I do not take orders from traitors!"

"Deka's the traitor, not me! Blast it General, I remember how you came through the ranks of the military. You served me honorably."

"And it was an honor to serve for you, but Deka is High Leader now and he has ordered me to arrest you."

"Look" says BJ "I don't care who started what, but I don't like being threatened."

"Another ship coming in." says Leroy

Another Drarmai ship appears and fires on Kron's vessel.

"It's one of my allies." says Adux

"Miles get us out of here!" says BJ

"Were gone!"

"Wait! You can't! I need to contact my allies!"

"With all due respect Leader we can't. We're no match for one of your ships."

"Then we should hide somewhere and try to contact them."

"Leroy?"

"There's a dense asteroid belt in the next system, we can hide there."

"You heard him Miles. Rif, contact Admiral Keogh. Have him send reinforcments."

****

The Strayer is among the asteroid belt. 5 Drarmai ships are also in the area.

"I've received a message from Admiral Keogh." says Rif "He's sending a task force under Admiral Earnhardt."

"What ships?"

"Battleship Berlin, cruiser Daytona, Destroyer Cole, and the frigates Huntress, Norfolk and Tomahawk."

Miles turns in his chair with a thoughtful look.

"Cole.....where have I heard that name before?"

"Later" says BJ "Anymore Drarmai ships coming?"

"2 more."

"Why is you government sending a task force?" says Adux

"Mostly for observation. A task force of six ships is the usual compliment for a show of force in a confrontation."

"I see."

"Message for Adux. General Raki wishes to speak to you."

"On screen."

"High Leader Adux, I am so glad you still alive."

"I owe a debt to these people. What's you status?"

"Our ships are ready to attack. Deka himself is on the capital ship Janu City waiting for us in the Leega System."

"Very well. Captain BJ, if you will beam me over I can get our operation underway."

"Good luck High Leader."

****

"Admiral Earnhardt's fleet is coming out of SpaceDrive and he wishes to speak to us." says Rif.

"On screen."

"Captain BJ, status?"

"Our long range sensors have detected weapons fire for the past 6 hours in the Leega System."

"And that's all?"

"Nothing else to report Admiral."

"Very well. We are proceeding to the area. Come around along side us."

****

The Deega System. Debris and damaged ships litter the area.

"I'm reading a Drarmai criuser heading for us." says Leroy

"Were being hailed." says Rif

Adux appears on the screen.

"Captain BJ, I bring good news. Deka's forces have surrendered. Let your friends know that the Drarmai Alliance welcomes you with open arms."

"That's good to hear High Leader."

****

Main square of the capital city. The Wildcards, Admiral Earnhardt and his staff are on a platform with Adux. A large crowd of Drarmaians is gathered in front of them.

"Admiral Earnhardt, as the official representative of the Terran Federation, I welcome you to the Drarmai homeworld. Captain BJ, you and your "Wildcards" saved my life and for that I owe you my life. I hearby award each of you with our highest award: The Staka Medal for bravery."

The crowd begins to cheer and chant.

"WILDCARDS! WILDCARDS! WILDCARDS!"

All they can do is stand in amazement and wave to the crowd. First Contact with the Drarmai Alliance has been officially made.

The End