On the run back to the gate Scott tried to explain what they had experienced, well the part about the survivors being attacked by a powerful enemy which was possibly on its way at that very moment to destroy their ship and everyone on it. How the hell was he supposed to explain Alianne… He couldn’t put words to it; so he didn’t bother to even try.<br/><br/>The return was uneventful for the most part and once they made it ‘safely’ through the gate and back to the ship he and Dr. Randall worked at explaining everything they had seen; most importantly the part about the unknown enemy. Dr. Heath took everything in stride but it was her response that struck him as most odd. When they described the attack the refugees had suffered and the fact that this enemy was likely on its way to attack them; it almost seemed as if the expedition leader brushed it off. As if it were not an issue she was worried about. But that wasn’t it, there was something else. Scott was sure she believed him but the doctor seemed nonplussed.<br/><br/>He had to let it go for now, Scott felt almost desperate to have the ship jump. But in the back of his mind he also worried about the people below, especially Alianne. It seemed Dr. Randall had the same thoughts as he because she too had a look of worry and it wasn’t just for their situation. McCormack too looked concerned but he stood quietly waiting for orders.<br/><br/>A chill ran across his spine and arms when Peters announced that unknown vessels had arrived and already flanked them. Scott had never commanded a vessel in battle, had never fought from a ship. All of his vast experience was geared toward frontline infantry tactics; this was all new to him. However, he was a combat leader and in the chaos of combat he knew a certain peace. Scott moved toward the view screen, “Shields up! Get to your guns!” Then he froze and turned to face Dr. Heath. “Sorry doctor; old habits.” He said softly.<br/><br/>Dr. Heath smiled at him and took a breath to calm her nerves. “Of course Captain. It’s ok. In fact I think that’s a good idea.” She added as her smile grew wider and she let out a nervous laugh. “Broadcast a signal in Ancient and English. We come in peace.”<br/><br/>The crew worked quickly to do as they were told and Scott’s nerves were firing at a hundred miles a minute. The actual fighting didn’t cause the adrenaline rush. During a battle the only thing on your mind was doing the right thing; killing the other person before they killed you. It was coldly simple. The hard part, the part that caused the true fear was the moment before the fight started, when you weren’t sure what to do next. In other words, moments like this one.<br/><br/>Scott looked to the jump clock at Dr. Randall’s question. “27 minutes.” He said, worry evident in his voice. But two minutes ticked by quietly although with no answer to their hails. A third ship jumped out then a fourth. And suddenly their hails were answered. Some kind of high energy blast erupted from all four ships and slammed into the shields with force enough to shake the ship and cause him to crash into Dr. Randall as she struggled to keep her feet.<br/><br/>Scott managed to find a wall to hold onto and pull Dr. Randall steady as well. He wanted to yell out to return fire or ask about the shields but he waited. That was someone else’s job and not his. Someone yelled out “Shields at 88% and falling!”<br/>