Chapter Four

	It was like staring into the face of death.
	Chekov and his security team had come face to face with these "robots" 
the Chancellor of Zenarus had claimed existed.  He was right.  Damn him.
	There were three robots, each the same size, shape, and appearance.  
They were mostly blue throughout, with silver thighs and fists.  Their 
eyes glew red, and they each had a peculiar purple symbol on their 
chest.  Another thing that made their appearance more frightening were 
the blueish-tint wings on their backs.  It reminded Chekov of some 
demons from Earth's history.
	However, Chekov still had a duty to do.  He lowered his phaser slowly, 
his arm shaking out of nervousness.  Although he tried to calm himself, 
his attempts were less than successful, and he hoped these creatures 
couldn't read minds.  "I am a representative of the U.S.S. Enterprise,  
registry number 1701, of the United Federation of Planets.  We have not 
made contact with your species before, therefore we request a formal 
meeting with you.  If possible, we would like to speak to the leader of 
your race."
	All three robots compusted into laughter spontaneously, as if something 
was funny.  The Security team just stared at them, not understanding the 
joke.  After an impressively long bout of laughter, one of the robots in 
the back spoke up.  "Gee, Scourge, this remind you of humans in the 
21th' century?"
	The other robot in back also chimed in.  "Yeah!  The more things 
change, the more things stay the same!"  The two robots in back elbowed 
each other and laughed some more, but the one in front had stopped.  The 
security team was generally puzzled now.  
	The robot in front turned around to his two comrades, and gave them an 
icy glare.  "Shut up, you idiots!"  Then, in a more quiet tone, he said 
"Galvatron may be interested in this development."  The robot in the 
lead turned around to face the security team once again, making an 
attempt to sound more accomidating.  "We shall talk with our leader, 
flesh creatures, and get back to you".
	Chekov reached into his pocket and took out a communicator.  He 
outstretched his hand and reached up to the large robot.  "You can 
contact our ship with this".  The robot reached down and took the 
communicator.  It was about the size of his thumb.  
	The robot nodded in approval.  "Thank you, flesh creature.  May I ask 
your name?"
	Chekov was feeling less uncomfortable now, these robots seemed 
genuine.... perhaps they just wanted a place to live.  Yes, that was it.  
At least, he hoped it was.  Chekov swallowed the lump in his throat.  
"Chekov," he said, looking up at the lead robot and smiling.  "May I ask 
yours?"
	The robot looked down as a smile came across his face, but there was an 
element about it that was..... well, for lack of a better term, scary.  
"My name," he said with a pause, "is Scourge".

Chapter Five

	As Chekov traversed the corridors of the Enterprise, he felt a bit 
light-headed.  It wasn't that he had just made first contact..... 
Captain Kirk and his crew had seen many of those on even the first year 
of their five-year mission.  But it was whom he had made first contact 
with..... a race like none ever seen.  He hadn't even caught their name, 
he wondered what it could be.  But he would find out in time.... whether 
or not he wanted to was a different question.
	Chekov made his way to Kirk's office from the transporter room, nodding 
at crewmen as they passed by, saying "hi" to the occasional acquantance 
he saw, but not stopping.  He knew Kirk had to know this.... or what 
there was to know.  Chekov believed, contrary to popular demand, that 
what you don't know can and perhaps will hurt you.  He hoped this wasn't 
one of those times.
	He entered a turbolift and immediately made his way for the wall panel.  
However, before he could get it moving, a voice from behind him called 
"Can ye hold that, laddie?"  Chekov turned around to see Luitenant 
Scott, or "Scotty", as he was affectionately called, running toward the 
turbolift, arm outstretched.  Chekov sighed and held the door open.  	
Scotty slowed to a trot as he entered the lift.  Chekov nodded his head 
and said "Luitenant", the by-the-book formal greeting, hoping it would 
be enough.  But Scotty was hardly by-the-book. Chekov grabbed the handle 
on the wall and twisted it, saying "Bridge".  Just then Scotty spoke up.
	"How are ye today, Ensign?" Scotty asked, smiling.  That put Chekov on 
the spot.  He could not lie to a higher-ranking officer, nor could he be 
disrespectful and not answer.  So Chekov simply nodded, put on a fake 
smile, and said "Oh, I don't know".  Thankfully this was the truth, just 
not all of it.  
	As the turbolift slowed and the doors to the bridge opened, Scotty 
merely smiled and said, "Well, I hope it gets better".  Scotty stepped 
onto the bridge, knowing what Chekov had meant.  Chekov smiled.  Well, 
he thought, I geuss Scotty had days like this too.  Chekov exited the 
turbolift with that though, not knowing that no-one would have days 
resembling the days to come. 

Chapter Six

	"Intereseting name" was all Kirk had to say.  "Interesting name".
	Chekov couldn't believe it.  With all the events that had transpired, 
all the history being made, all Captain Kirk could say was "Interesting 
name"!  
	Of course, Chekov realized, Kirk was no stranger to making history.  
Even from his days at the Academy, where he was the first person to ever 
win the "No-Win Scenario".  Of course, that was accomplished by changing 
the parameters of the computer program controlling the test.... 
something that couldn't be done in this situation.
	Kirk smiled at Chekov.  It wasn't a condescending smile, but a smile of 
friendliness.  "I know what you're thinking," Kirk said cryptically.  He 
paused for a moment for Chekov to say something; he didn't.  "You're 
wondering how I can be so nonchalant about something like this".  Kirk 
paused again to read the look on Chekov's face; he got nothing.  Hmm, a 
damn fine officer, Kirk thought.  "Well, when you've been in Starfleet 
for 20 some years, you've seen alot of strange things.  Hell, last year 
we saw Zephrame Cochrane!  I will admit I am a bit surprised that giant 
robots do exist, but it isn't the most shocking thing I've seen; now 
seeing a historical figure from Earth's 19th Century, that's shocking".  
Kirk paused again.  This time Chekov nodded.  "However, I do suppose I 
should apoligize to the Chancellor.... don't you think, Chekov?"  
	This time, Kirk just prodded Chekov for amusement.  Chekov was a little 
surprised, but he merely nodded and said "Yes, sir."
	Kirk grinned at Chekov.  One day, he thought, that boy is going to be 
Captain of his own ship.  And I wouldn't be surprised if it were the 
next Enterprise.  Kirk saw that Chekov was getting uncomfortable; who 
wouldn't at a time like this?  Kirk waved his hand toward the door.  
"Dismissed, Ensign," Kirk said.  Chekov nodded and pried himself off of 
his chair, which he clung to due to all the sweat.  Chekov then began to 
exit, feeling just as bad as he had when he came in here. 
	 "Oh, Ensign," Kirk said, rising from his chair.  Chekov turned around 
and looked at Kirk, as if to say "What now?"  All Kirk said was, "Good 
job."  And that was enough to make Chekov feel better as he left.
	As Chekov exited, Kirk sat back down.  He put his hand on his chin.  
"Scourge?  Wonder if that's his birthname?"

Chapter Seven

	Kirk sat in his Captain's Chair on the bridge of the Enterprise 
pondering the recent events.  He was getting nervous.  No communication 
from the planets surface from either these robots or the Chancellor, and 
the Klingons would be arriving soon.  "Luitenant Uhura," Kirk began, 
turning to the African-American communications officer, "How long until 
the Klingons arrive?"
	Uhura checked her readout screen, and turned back to the Captain.  "Our 
best estimates say 45 minutes sir," she said in her always-kind voice.  
	Kirk considered this.  "45 minutes, huh?" he asked rhetorically.  
"We've done it in less."
	From the Science station, Spock nodded his head.  "32 minutes, 12 
seconds to be precise, Captain."
	Kirk couldn't help but smile at Spock, always chiming in at the least 
appropriate moments.  But in a crunch time he wouldn't have anyone else 
as his first officer.
	Uhura's communication's counsel beeped.  "Captain," she began, "We're 
getting a transmission from the planet's surface.  It isn't originating 
from the Captital building or any known landmarks."
	Kirk nodded.  "It must be our friend Scourge."
	Spock raised an eyebrow quizically.  "Scourge, sir?" Spock asked.  Kirk 
nodded.  Spock nodded in response.  "Interesting name".
	Kirk laughed inside, and so did Chekov.  They officially had a running 
gag going on the Enterprise, though this was the first one not involving 
Kirk and his, uhh..... escapades.  
	Kirk directed his attention back to the situation at hand.  "Put it on 
screen, Mrs. Uhura," Kirk said.  The viewscreen at the front of the 
bridge flashed from a display of stars to a setting on the planet's 
surface.  The background was lushly populated with foliage of all sorts.  
The foreground, however, was occupied with robots.  Large, hulking 
robots.  Three of them.
	The one on the left Kirk recognized from Chekov's report- this was 
Scourge.  The other two were unknown to him.  The one on the right was 
tall and purple, with silver cones on his head.  He had dark ruby red 
eyes that could peirce through the soul.  For certain this one did not 
look friendly.
	The one in the middle was a head shorter then the one on the right.  He 
was a blue-ish color, with a grey face and a sort of crown on his head.  
On his right arm was an orange cannon of some sort.  He wore the same 
purple face the other two wore.  Definetly not friendly looking.
	For a few tense seconds no one even breathed, they were so shocked at 
the sight.  But then the robot in the middle spoke up.  "I am 
Galvatron," he began, "leader of the Decepticons."
	The word struck the bridge crew like a wave.  A strange name, to be 
sure.  Also a menacing one.  Kirk, however, tried not to let his 
surprise show.  "Hello, umm.... Admiral Galvatron?"  Kirk realized he 
had no title to call Galvatron.  "Ambassador Galvatron?" he geussed.
	Even though Galavtron was on the viewscreen, his glare made Kirk feel 5 
inches tall.  As he spoke his words cut right into Kirk's fears.  "Lord 
Galvatron."
	Kirk was truly frightened now.  These were obviously not peaceful 
creatures.  Even the Klingons had no Lords. Chancellors, yes, but no 
Lords.  However, Kirk attempted to keep his poise.  However, he couldn't 
help but wonder if these robots could read minds.  If they could, the 
Federation was doomed.
	"And who are your associates?" Kirk asked nonchalantly, trying to 
direct the focus off himself.  However, Galvatron's gaze never lifted as 
he introduced his compatriots.    
	Galvatron gestured to the right.  "This is Cyclonus, my second in 
command."  He then moved his hand toward the left.  "I believe one of 
you has already met Scourge."
	Kirk nodded.  All those names had an evil ring to them.  Still, there 
were many precedures he still had to go through.  "I see," Kirk said, 
trying to think of his next step.  "Well, I would like to request a 
formal meeting between our peoples.  Perhaps on the planet's 
surface...?"
	Galvatron did not wait for Kirk to finish his thought.  "Your ship," he 
said coldly.  Kirk couldn't believe this.  Not only would meeting them 
on their ship be unorthadox, but it would scare the hell out of him.  
Still, he didn't particularly care for the idea of saying no to this guy 
either.  So Kirk gave in.
	"Very well.  I'll arrange for an escort to pick you up in short time."
	Galvatron once again gave Kirk an icy glow.  The whole bridge was 
tense.  It was as if he emanated some sort of power.  But that was 
ridiculous.... at least, the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise hoped it was.  
	"That will not be necessary," Galvatron said.  Kirk had underestimated 
them.  They had already developed means of space travel.  But he was not 
prepared for what he was about to see.
	Galvatron turned to Cyclonus and motioned with his hand.  What happened 
next felt like an eternity to Kirk, even though it took less than a 
second.  Cyclonus jumped up into the air a small bit, and then, with 
perfect precision, reconfigured himself into a jet.  As if there was no 
robot before.
	Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise gaped at the screen.  It was the 
most amazing, and most frightening, thing they had ever seen.  Even 
Spock seemed to be in silent shock.  Kirk at least took some solice in 
that.
	The hatch on Cyclonus' cockpit opened.  As Galvatron prepared to board, 
he looked at the screen once more.  "See you there."
	Those simple words, that simple Earth expression, struck fear into 
their hearts. 
	As the transmission blinked out, Kirk saw Scourge reconfigure himself 
as well.  And he remebered the cannon on Galvatron's arm.  He didn't 
even want to think about what Galvatron could do.

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