The Alfore Encounter by StealthKitty

Article by R. K. Wigal

USS Valkyrie: Captains Log, Stardate 2103.10, 0400 hours; Commander Shara speaking;

We were returning to Deep Space Ten from a successful scientific mission to Noblo Seven with important aquatic samples. However at the halfway point, Lieutenant Harrison of Engineering informed me that the warp coil issues which harried us since we left Noblo Seven 32 hours ago have become critical. We must either put into the nearest station or land on the nearest planet to effect repairs. There are no stations in the immediate vicinity. However, Ensign Drummands of Sciences informs me there is a planet nearby. Unfortunately, it's environmental conditions resemble Rura Penthe. Those are not the best climatic conditions to effect repairs but we clearly have no choice in the matter. I've ordered distress signals sent via subspace transmission to Starfleet Command, Deep Space Ten, any Starfleet vessels in the area, as well as any allies. Cold climate clothing and supplies have been issued to all personnel posthaste. We currently await the next phase of this journey. As my Academy instructor would often say, Godspeed to all.

The dark skinned Vulcan female Commander donned her cold weather gear, the last item of which, a watch cap bearing the USS Valkyrie logo.

Commander Shara gazed at the view screen as the ice planet, which had seemed so far away only min-utes earlier, now filled the screen. Suddenly everything on the bridge went red as emergency lighting took over. The ship yawed to port and began an uncontrolled descent towards the planet.

"Helm, report!"

"I've lost control of the helm, Ma’am," Ensign Tobin shouted.

"Engineering report," Shara ordered.

"We have total engine failure, Mame," Lieutenant Harrion shouted back.

"Brace for impact! Brace for impact," Shara announced over the shipwide com. She sat back and activated her seat restraints and gazed at the planet. All she could see was white. She mentally calculated the odds of whether it would be better if the ship crashed on ice or in snow.

Neither would be advantageous at this speed, was her last thought before impact.

Unknown to Valkyrie's crew, a large contingent of humanoids and their feline companions witnessed the vessel streak across the sky like a comet, and crash.

Shara was abruptly returned to consciousness by the intense cold. Though she'd donned cold weather gear, she still felt as if she was incased within a block of ice.

"There must be a serious hull breech for it to have become so frigid in such a short timespan. I will not survive for long in this cold, she thought as she attempted to move. She could not because she was pinned.

 And what of my crew…, she wondered. Her musings were cut short by a series of bird like chirps. Shara frowned in the dark. The statistical probability that a bird would be here in this environment was nil. Yet the noise continued. Shara blinked turned her head to the left and beheld a large white, Lynx like feline curled next to her.

Shara's first unVulcan desire was to flee but since she could not, she calmly awaited her fate. Instead of tearing her assunder the cat uncurled itself and gently rested a paw on her face.

I am KiKi. Not be afraid. I bring help, the creature's breathy thoughts echoed in Shara's mind.

An intelligent, and telepathic feline? Incredulous, Shara thought. Indeed, to her, this was an even greater discovery than the aquatic samples the Valkyrie had been returning with.

If we live to see that day, Shara thought solemnly as she assessed her crew's current situation.

Hunting party soon come. Rest now, KiKi thought, as she climbed up and lay upon Shara. The Commander felt the cat's warmth seep into her body and had no choice but to follow orders.

Consiouness returned to Shara hours later. Without opening her eyes she knew she was no longer in the Valkyrie's wreckage. She was lying prone on a sleeping platform, covered in furs and she was warm and toasty. Her sharp hearing picked up a spirited discussion going on in the next room.

They are probably discussing our fate, she thought, as she aburptly sat up. Her body protested with various aches and pains which caused her to grunt and groan unVulcan like. Her sudden movement fightened three small versions of KiKi who stumbled over each other as they scrambled from the room.

Seconds later, all conversation stopped and the doorway filled with at least fifty, dark skinned, humanoid faces who gawked at her. Though she was dressed in a short sleeved, sleeping gown, Shara hastily snatched up the furs to cover herself.

One tall, muscular male separated himself from the group, entered the room, and squatted before her bed.

"Greetings Starfleeter. I am Qwan. Welcome to my home and tribe. My people have been expecting you," he related in slightly accented Standard.