The particles started to assemble themselves on the transporter pad. Humanoid shapes formed on the slightly elevated platform across from Captain Kinsho. The two people they had transporter over from their failing vessel were of a lanky build, with pale skin and soft features set on tall androgynous bodies. The clothing they wore clearly indicated an association of sorts with each other, though it was unclear in what capacity. 

The first thing both of the aliens let out was a gasp, not having ever experienced anything like the transporter before. Coupled with the fact that the first room that they were materialised in was three times larger than the cockpit of their vessel, and across from them stood an older Bajoran with rather unkempt grey hair, a wrinkled nose and an almost equally wrinkled forehead.

“Hello and welcome aboard the Federation starship Isoroku, I am Captain Kinsho, the commanding officer of this vessel. Our universal translator will try to interpret your language as you speak.” He spoke in what he hoped would be an even non-threatening tone.

The two looked at each other for a moment, the sing-song quality of their speech between themselves making itself apparent again before the ship’s computer picked up on it and tried to play catch up, “My designation, Mindartis,” The one that spoke up first introduced themselves, “many thanks for your response.”

“Designation, Trincard,” the second one introduced themselves right after, the voice slightly higher pitched, but softer spoken, “pilot of the vessel Alshana. It means star of hope.” Still looking around the room in awe.

“You indicated that there was a fire raging on your planets,” Kinsho indicated, hoping that he would be matching the language they would expect, “the Federation is a peaceful organisation seeking to help those in need.” he added, in the additional hope that could pick up on the sub-text that he wouldn’t want to interfere in a local conflict.

Mindartis nodded their head profusely, “not a burning,” it was obvious that the universal translator was still struggling to synthesise a proper translation of their language, “Two planets, total war. Kalvade and Kalmose are both devastated.” They looked over at the other one.

“It seems only we are capable of working together,” Trincard added, a soft smile seemingly appearing on their features. “I am from Kalvade,” they turned to their compatriot, “Mindartis is from Kalmose.”

“We are both Kal’s children,” Mindartis reached out a hand and grabbed that of Trincard, seeking confidence and strength with the other facing this alien man.

“I see,” Kinsho was disappointed in the fact that it was clearly something that they couldn’t intervene in. Though they had already come up with an alternative to at least take a look inside the Starsystem, “both from other planets, on which one do you reside? We will return you to your homes.”

“We reside on a satellite. Together with other scientists,” Mindartis explained, “an exile of sorts, in the hopes of finding a solution to the ongoing conflict.”

“Neutral ground then, I suppose.” Kinsho remarked, that offered some opportunities, “is this satellite natural or man-made.”

“A natural body in orbit of our parent star, Kal.” Trincard offered helpfully.

“Right then, we’ll return you there, your vessel suffered some stresses from your faster than light travel,” Kinsho hoped that by now the universal translator was up to speed enough to make the conversation flow more naturally, “I don’t think you’d be able to fly it back safely.”

Mindartis seemed to look at Kinsho with narrowing eyes, it was clear that he doubted the Captain’s observations, “we did not detect any stresses.”

“It wouldn’t feel right to let you fly back at one time the speed of light, taking weeks to return, in a vessel that clearly suffered from the trip to the edge of your star system,” Kinsho remarked, “unless you insist of course, in which case we’ll return you and we shall be on our way,” he turned to both of them and put his hands behind his back, “you see, our laws and ethics prevents us from interfering in local affairs,” he allowed for a moment for them to understand what that meant for their predicament, “but we are also mandated to help people in distress. And returning you home is the least we can do.”

Mindartis and Trincard looked at each other and it seemed clear that they understood what it was Kinsho was saying, especially since Mindartis turned and looked at him to say, “now that you mention it, the metrics seemed to indicate structural integrity issues.”

Kinsho smiled a bit at that, “Alright then, let me guide you to your guest quarters, it will only take a couple of hours to get to your destination. Would you like separate rooms?”

“We share a room, Captain” Trincard indicated, “I hope that will be fine for you.”

“I am not in the habit of having opinions on anyone’s choice of roommate,” Kinsho immediately replied.

Mindartis shook their head and seemed to also smile, more so with widening eyes than with their mouth, “It is much appreciated, Captain.”

“Now, as you will notice there is a security detail assigned to you, there are areas on this vessel that are restricted, I’m sure you’ll appreciate that we don’t want just any stranger roaming around our vessel’s systems.”

“We are known to you, my name is Mindartis, this is Trincard,” the first alien indicated, though it would seem it was more so in jest than any genuine attempt to convince the Captain, “thank you for the warning, your hospitality is appreciated, your caution is understood.” he followed Kinsho quite closely as they exited the transporter room. Two security officers immediately fell in step behind them and escorted them in the direction of the guest quarters, “If I may ask, Captain, if it only takes a few hours to reach our destination, what is the maximum speed of this vessel?”

“We won’t be flying in at maximum speed, we measure our velocity in Warp factors, I’ve ordered us to approach at a Warp factor four, which means that we’ll be going eight times the speed of light.” Kinsho remarked, he wasn’t quite sure if he wanted to elaborate on the maximum velocity of the Isoroku, but didn’t really seen any harm in doing so, “our maximum safe cruising velocity is warp factor 9.” He knew that the vessel could operate at higher speeds if pushed, but those were intricacies he would rather keep to himself.

The eyes of Mindartis widened and he looked over at Trincard, “Do you hear that Trin?”

Trincard nodded their head, seemingly in disbelief, “those are speeds we can only dream of achieving in our lifetime.”

“A whole new world is opening up for you and your kin, the United Federation of Planets is a coalition of independent worlds united in the pursuit of knowledge, peace and discovery,” Kinsho didn’t want to sound too much like a used shuttle salesman, but if he could instil just a little bit of hope in these two there was a chance they might be able to help their respective planets set aside their differences for long enough to make a difference in their decade long conflict.