First Contact: WarpStar

[If] our solar system is not unusual, then there are so many planets in the universe that, for example, they outnumber the sum of all sounds and words ever uttered by every human who has ever lived. To declare that Earth must be the only planet with life in the universe would be inexcusably bigheaded of us.

'Neil DeGrasse Tyson: Death by Black Hole'

WarpStar

"Sir," the XO said while saluting the captain after they boarded the ship.

"Report," replied Henderson, ending the salute while walking towards the bridge.

He gave a slight shrug. "Where do you want me to start?"

"How about what the hell was that?" John replied angrily as they came to a stop in a corridor.

"Sir, we couldn't come up with any other solution fast enough. A blast from the WarpStar would have not only annihilated the threat, but you as well."

"How can you justify that? They are living beings. What you put them through, no one should have to experience, not even our worst criminals," Henderson replied.

"They killed two Marines, and were hell-bent on killing the rest of the team. Sir, I would do it again."

Henderson ignored the last part of his XO's statement. He can't blame him, he isn't quite sure he could have made a better call.

"I want to be notified the moment the other alien is awake; I need to speak with him."

"Yes, sir, I will inform the doctor. There are other matters," O'Connell said, moving on from the verbal lashing he just received.

"Go on." "First, the doctor says the Federation pilot will survive. He suffered some internal bleeding, a fractured rib, and a broken leg. He won't fly for a while, but he will survive."

"What the hell is a Federation pilot doing here anyways?

"I'm not quite sure, he was piloting a Valkyrie," O'Connell said, referring to the F-59 Scout Fighter.

"Valkyrie?" Henderson stopped while punching the control panel to enter the Lift system.

"Bridge," Henderson said to the computer system, "What the hell is a short-range Scout doing out here? They cannot go more than a few thousand klicks without refueling."

"There must be a Carrier in orbit, which means they found us."

"Good," replied Henderson as the lift doors opened, revealing another corridor, this one considerably shorter than the one they were in before. At the end of the hall was another door, which revealed the bridge as they passed through it.

"Now," Henderson said, "we need to find out how long until the WarpStar is ready to make flight."

Just as he said that, Lt. Donovan came around the corner. He'd been waiting for the captain to return to the Command Center of the ship.

"Sir," Donovan saluted.

"Lieutenant," the captain replied while he and the XO returned the salute.

"Sir, I need to speak with you, privately."

"Alight, I'll be in my office in a minute. Wait there."

"Aye, sir," the Scottish engineer saluted, and left the bridge.

"Nice flying, ensign," Henderson threw a compliment to the talented pilot.

"Charles, get the ship back to her landing spot, set her down and finish with the repairs."