Planetfall

Posted on Sat Jan 14th, 2023 @ 1:42am by Captain Calypso Skyie

Mission: Trade And Tribulations
Location: Trarim System

The ship dropped out of warp in the designated area of space, where the freighter captain had informed Calypso that typical translations were made by those who knew of the system's reputation. From there, the impulse engines engaged to drive the ship towards the second of four planets, the only inhabited one, named Trarim. On sensors, several ships of various sizes plodded along under various propulsion systems, but on clear courses to either take them out of the system, or towards the planet itself.

There were a dozen other sensor contacts in places throughout the system and within twenty seconds of Chimera's arrival, two of them began to move towards her, each resolving into a trio of ships on a convergent course. 'Dashian sentries?' Calypso thought to herself before looking to the Ops station, "Ensign, open a hailing frequency." She paused a moment, "This is the USS Chimera, Captain Calypso Skyie commanding. We are here on a mission of exploration, not of aggression. We are transmitting a copy of our universal translation database to facilitate understanding and our intent."

An image flickered up onto her screen and only the fact that she had already met a Dashian in the flesh kept the Captain from recoiling in shock. The face was nightmarish, as if Freddy Krueger from the ancient 'Nightmare on Elm Street' had met Edward Scissorhands and barely won. The uniform they wore was an orange and red that meant something to the species that wore it, but the insignia she recognized as a military crest of the Dashians rather than the civilian she'd met before.

"Chimera, I am Zhiavan Corella Dostran of the Dashian Hegemony, commander of this detachment of the Hegemony Navy." From the image, there was nothing that could indicate emotion of any kind and Cally noted what was probably a military rank indicator on the crest, but couldn't decipher it, "Tazhian Ghorresh send a message ahead of your arrival along with a translation database of the species he'd met in his time in your Federation. We appreciate the far more detailed files that you transmitted and shall be transmitting our own translation database of the Hegemony's member species." He made a hand gesture to someone off-screen and a data stream began to come across.

"On behalf of the United Federation of Planets, I gratefully accept your offer of friendship and hope-" A laugh from the Dashian cut Calypso off, "I'm sorry, did I say something funny?"

The harsh laugh cut off just as quickly as it started, "Yes, indeed, Captain. The Hegemony has provided you with the tools you need to communicate with ourselves so that there is no potential miscommunication. We aren't here to 'make friends', we only desire cooperation. Several members of your Federation, civilians I believe, have already visited Trarim, we have seen humans before, so your presence will not be completely new." The Zhiavon leaned forward in his command chair and his face grew in the screen, "In Trarim, the Hegemony is the guarantor of security for the Free World of Trarim. We are the law in the system and all we ask of you and your starship as well as your entire Federation stay out of anything that may happen in the system or in the Hegemony."

He leaned back again and gestured, "Any aggressive action taken by your starship in this system will have consequences from the Hegemony Navy. If one of our starships gives you an order, you are to obey it as if it came from me, myself. Whether your starship can handle the situation or not is irrelevant. Whether your starship can defeat the Hegemony Naval squadron in the system is irrelevant. From all accounts, our ships are on a qualitatively similar level. We wish for as little bloodshed as possible, but we will not shirk our duties. Do you understand, Captain Skyie."

"I understand, Zhiavon." Calypso agreed, "Chimera and her crew will only act in self-defense and will obey any commands by Dashian Hegemony fleet units in the course of their duties."

"Good." He made a gesture that was as if to brush something under the rug, "Otherwise, Captain, your ship and crew are welcome to all of the delights and opportunities of Trarim. As a Free World, there are a limited number of laws that are enacted upon the surface and in the space around Trarim. Out here, there is to be no engagements aside from duels overseen by Hegemony Navy starships. Both sides must agree to abide by the rules they agree to between themselves. Any unannounced attack will result in the ambusher being engaged by the Hegemony. If you are attacked, you may defend yourself until commanded to disengage by the Hegemony Navy. Refusal to disengage at that time will be construed as an act of hostility."

He only paused a moment, then continued, "On the ground, you will find a market of which you could only dream, with delights to match. Free trade laws apply, which you have received a copy of in our transmission. Most anything goes down on the ground and any charges of cheating or bribery will be uninvestigated as all sentients are responsible for making a good deal or a bad deal at their own risk. Illegal activities include and are not quite limited to Murder, Assault, Slavery and the like. Should one of your crew come up for judgement on one of these charges and be convicted before a Hegemony Court, which hold supreme authority in these circumstances, the punishments range from fines, to indentured servitude to the death penalty for the worst charges. Fines that cannot be paid are automatically turned over to indentured servitude for a period based on the charges incurred. Do you accept responsibility to pay for any fines your crew incurs? That is an option for all starship Captains."

"I do, Zhiavon." Calypso agreed, "But I doubt that they will be required. My crew will be on their best behavior."

"Good. Keep in mind, Captain, and inform your crew that there will be things they see on the planet that may be against their personal beliefs and even against those that your Federation espouses. Their actions will be held against them and you." His eyes bored into hers, "This is neutral territory and your politics have no say here. How you and your crew act will be reported upon and WILL affect the stance of the Dashian Hegemony towards you."

"And, Zhiavon, however we turn out on this visit to Trarim, would it be possible to obtain information about the Hegemony, its borders and other potential trading posts and neutral locations?" Calypso asked, more information was good.

Another gesture, another data stream became available and his face turned into a grin that was truly horrifying, "Of course, Captain, you had but to ask. Barring a state of war, your ship is welcome into Hegemony space. Approaching Dashia itself requires prior approval from one the Heirarchs, elsewise you will be destroyed upon entry into the system should you make it that far. There are six other worlds clearly marked on the star charts you have received that are off limits to all but Dashian Hegemony Naval units. Should you enter those systems, your ship will be marked and a state of war will exist between the Hegemony and the Federation. We do not desire a war with someone we do not know, but you do not wish one with us. Do I make myself perfectly clear, Captain Calypso Skyie of the United Federation of Planets?"

"Crystal clear." Calypso nodded solemnly, "Are there any other restrictions that we should be aware of?"

Zhiavan Dhostran leaned back in his chair, made one other gesture and the trio of ships that had changed course towards Chimera altered it once again to resume their original patrol, "Not at this time, Captain. Welcome to Trarim." His image vanished from the viewscreen abruptly and that was that.

Calypso sagged in her chair. Certainly the Dashians were arrogant, but the warnings were actually a good sign. Fewer ways to stub toes this way. Ensign Walters, prepare a summary for all personnel that intend to go to the surface."

"Yes ma'am, I'll have it ready in two minutes."

"Thank you." Cally tapped a button on her chair arm, "Captain to all crew. Welcome to Trarim, everyone. We're going to be on Green-status watch." That meant general station-keeping, minimal staffing needed, "All parties wishing for ground time, talk to your department heads. Briefing packets will be available prior to beam-down. Captain Markova to the bridge. Skyie clear."