(Fair warning repetition: Just in case you're a Trekkie/Star Wars nerd who's going to get all upset about my terminology and garbage — I really don't care. Therefore, don't bother… Space camp was a campy mix of Star Trek episodes, storylines, and vernacular, and therefore, the terms are those used in the experience and it is what it is.)
"Set course for the Romulan Neutral Zone," the captain commanded.
"Aye aye, Captain," the Right Wing Flight Officer said. The Left Wing Tactical Officer pushed a series of buttons and the ship slipped smoothly forward as the warp drive began to pulsate with power.
"Let's go to maximum warp," the captain said.
"Aye aye, sir," came the reply.
The stars, still pinpoints of light in the vast emptiness of space, began to blur together as the warp drive pushed the ship forward. Traveling faster than the speed of light will never get old, the captain thought to himself with a small grin. Wiping the smile of his face, he quickly returned to business.
Within minutes, the ship moved out of warp speed. Everyone on the deck went quiet, staring out the forward viewport as the stars returned to normal and a wormhole appeared in the distance. And there—growing larger as the Voyager neared—was the tiny, scarred ship belonging to the life form known as Rooll.
"I'm getting a communication from the ship," the telephone officer said.
"Put it over the speakers," the captain commanded.
"Help!" came a frantic voice. "My ship is burning! I need help!"
"That must be Rooll," the captain said. "Beam him aboard."
"Yes sir," came the reply.
The security officers hurried to receive the newcomer while a tiny voice whispered in the captain's ear, "You forgot to perform a bio scan—your medical staff is dead."
"Oops," the captain muttered sheepishly.
The two security officers returned moments later with Rooll between them. The science officer perked up with interest. Rooll didn't look like an unidentified species, being humanoid in form, but you never could tell.
"Take him to medical," the captain ordered, getting to his feet.
"Sir, I'm getting a new contact," the scanners officer spoke up. "It seems to be coming through the wormhole."
"That's him!" Rooll shouted. "Shoot him down! Don't let him find me! Blast him!"
The alien ran to a console and shoved a crewmember aside as he began pushing buttons frantically.
"Security, take him to medical!" the captain bellowed, the severity of his voice demanding obedience. Two security guards pulled Rooll away from the console and out of the room, while the crewmembers returned to their spots and began trying to undo whatever damage he had done.
"Sir, I'm getting another communication," the telephone officer spoke up.
"Broadcast it," the captain said, returning to his seat as the bridge quieted in anticipation.
(Note: I really, REALLY can't remember the bad guy's name, so I'm going to call him Grooll. Okay? Okay.)
"USS Voyager, I wish to speak to your ambassador," a dark, grating voice said over the ship's speakers. No image accompanied the voice, giving it an air of mystery as it echoed through the quiet corridors. The crewmembers shifted in their seats and traded glances as the captain paused.
"This is Captain Willis of the USS Voyager," he said at last. "Who am I addressing?"
"I wish to speak to your ambassador!" the voice roared in reply.
The captain nodded at the ambassador, who had been listening silently to the exchange from his seat. The ambassador stood, walking across the ship while the rest of the crew watched, and coming to a halt in front of the viewscreen.
"This is Ambassador Gilbert of the USS Voyager," he said. "To whom am I speaking?
"I am Grooll, leader of the Pennou," came the growling reply. "You have taken one of my slaves on board your ship. I demand the return of my property."
"I'm sorry, sir," the ambassador said. "We will not send our guest to your ship."
"You will not?!" Grooll thundered.
"We will not," the ambassador repeated firmly. "As representatives of the Federation, we do not agree with or condone slavery, and we will not be a part of returning the individual known as Rooll to your custody."
"But he belongs to me!" Grooll shouted. "If you do not return him, I will be forced to fire on your ship."
"Shields up," the captain ordered in an aside to the nearby tactical officer. The officer complied, and Grooll noticed.
"Your shields are up, but they will not be able to withstand our weapons," he said. "Return my slave and I will allow you to leave unharmed."
The ambassador turned to look at the captain, who shook his head. Giving him a nod, the ambassador turned back to the speaker and gave a firm, temperate "No."
"So be it," Grooll said. He cut off the communication abruptly.
