[snip]

It was two days later, the away team had finally returned two days prior late in the evening to the Merrimack being informed that the media outlets on the habitat would be ready for them in two days time. As 1100 hours in the morning ticked over, NE Charles on the bridge would speak up to those in command. “..Sir? Sensors are showing the Sybl trade ship dropping from warp at the system’s edge, they’re moving to approaching the habitat and us in orbit. Dol’s people are already communicating with them on open comms, did you want me to play their exchange? Its not encrypted....” He said.

“Yes, let’s listen in to the exchange,” replied Glen. “Cara Meow should come and listen too - an exchange between two species endemic to this Quadrant but who have never had contact with the Federation or other major powers.”

Joe came in then after finally gotten himself something akin to real food. He was for Joe in a bit of a jovial mood. “Ah another first contact! And a beautiful day it is for it!” Looking over at Glenn he asked, “And how might you be doing sir?”

As the bridge crew were talking the comms NE piped the audio conversation through between the Habitat and the Sybl. =/\= Greetings Sybl! This is Habitat master Dol. We hope your trip from Unknown Word - Possibly planet/system name was a safe one. =/\= Dol was heard saying in a pleasant tone. The unknown word was the UT failing to translate some unknown system/planet name.

=/\= Indeed Habitat master Dol. Our trip was safe this time. We are pleased to arrive early, and receive our shipment and bring unto you your shipment of requested goods. We hope our early arrival is not a problem to its delivery? =/\= The male voice of the Sybl asked.

=/\= Of course not. In fact we just finished a few local hours ago. By the time you are ready to dock on at lock 9 we will have your crates ready and be ready to receive our own goods in trade. I partly assume your earlier arrival was due to the contact by our other alien visitors? =/\= Dol inquired with a hint of what might be considered humored mirth.

=/\= Yes…we are always quite eager to get in on the ground floor of new contacts and trade opportunities. When these Federation people contacted us mentioning their visit to you we were even more eager to get here. Though my engine officer may have pushed our reactor a bit too much causing slight overheating. We will need to stay perhaps an extra day or so to allow its repair, it is nothing serious though so you need not worry about aiding us this time. Tell us what are these Federation aliens like? =/\= The Sybl asked.

=/\= Quite nice I believe. They have been here for about four days now. It seems they had found one of our Seed Pods aboard the a cryo ship from the Alstairians who had come by to settle here a few years ago. They accidently took the Pod from the registered family and brought it back here thinking to return the participant to his own people. But once we explained things in better detail I think they realized their mistake. I do hope they will return him to his family once they are done here. =/\= Dol explained.

=/\= I see, do they seem a dangerous sort? You know like those Unknown Word - Possibly another race/power who came seemingly to be peaceful but turned out to be underhanded backstabbers? =/\= The Sybl asked, the UT again failing to translate a word probably related to some other unknown aliens in the region.

=/\= I do not believe so! They seem quite open and curious. They have a directive on interacting with species below a certain technology level it seems though. From what we gathered though it was related to development of FTL capabilities usually. But we lack such but obviously are well aware of a greater space faring races, so I think that will get us a pass for them to further contact us in the future. In fact one of their crew has requested to stay behind as a sort of interim ambassador of sorts. We will be letting them know of my decision of allowing her stay soon. They’ll also be giving a bit of a media presentation soon as well, I am sure they would not mind including you in listening or asking questions on the feed. =/\= Dol went on.

=/\= I believe I will have my cultural and mercantile examiners listen in yes, maybe even inquire on things of their interest if they allow it. Well I believe we have chatted enough old friend. Shall my ship dock and we get the exchanges underway? =/\= The Sybl asked.

=/\= Yes of course! Sorry, I suppose we have chatted more then is usual, but such is it a rare thing to have other alien visitors to the Habitat’s system when others known to us arrive. =/\= Dol said, the two soon going through more mundane exchanges of docking clearances and the like. On the screen the Sybl ship maneuvered on thrusters and soon came to dock on the lower port side of the Habitat near a larger docking area for this purpose being latched on in two spots at the forward and aft end of the ship. After this was completed the communication line closed.

Glen replied to Joe, having been unable to do so, and to listen to the communications at the same time. “Yes, that was interesting, was it not? It appeared to be a perfectly normal exchange between two old acquaintances. If it was scripted, then they are very good actors. And yes, I’m fine, thanks for asking.”

About three minutes later there was another hail this time from Dol to the Merrimack, it seems he was inquiring if the Merrimack crew was ready to give their media presentation.

“Would you like to do the presentation?” Glen asked Joe. “Make it short and snappy. leave the details for supplementary questions.”

“Presentation? ” Joe asked as he looked as though he may have heart failure. “Sir I’m sorry I’m a bit out of the loop. Been across the place trying to keep track of people you know. What am I supposed to give a presentation on?”

“Just answer their questions. Who are we? Where do we come from? Why are we here? What do we stand for?” Glen replied, it’s not Warp-Drive physics! Tell them about the Federation and the different cultures and planets. Then let them ask questions. Keep smiling. It’ll all be over quickly!”

• Glen, CO