“I am known as Gant.”, the Vaadwuar  said slowly. “You will find our shields lowered and our weapons powered down. I am looking for sanctuary.”  In his head, a long list of what he had been looking for his whole life sat in the corner of his consciousness.  Unfurling it this early in the conversation would lead to confusion—and possibly phaser fire.  The stories he had been told of the Federation and how they treated the enemy were rote in his brain.  He knew there had to be a different story away from the propaganda slung at them at every turn.

Captain Ceix rose from his chair, trying to take in as much of the Vaadwuar as possible. “We were informed that it is your species that attacked countless civilisations, here and beyond. What do you want from us now?”

“Sanctuary.”, Gant repeated.  He gripped the arms of his chair, out of sight of the camera that displayed his face to the station’s officer.  They could just as easily erase him and his ship from history.  He wanted a new legacy. A new future.  A new life.

“Then answer my questions.”, Ceix demanded. “Are the reports correct?”

“Yes.”  He didn’t imbue his words with emotion or feeling.  It was true.  And the truth was necessary.

There was a heavy pause. “So you admit to the attacks.”

“I do. We do. And we will take whatever punishment you see fit.”  Gant winced at the last admission. His study of human people was limited, but he knew that their overall culture would respond to an honest approach.  He hoped these humans were like the ones in his studies.  If he had wandered into the wrong camp of humans…his journey would end here.

Glances were exchanged.

“You are defecting?”, a blue skinned woman asked, her tone a mix of accusation and incredulity.

The Vaadwuar nodded slowly.

“Why?”, the woman demanded.

“Too much… death.”

“You will have to do better than that. Explain yourself.”, Ceix said, the calm in his voice barely betraying the storm underneath.

“Before I was woken from stasis, there was… war. Buildings collapsed. Children screamed for their mothers, and fathers grieved the smoldering remains of their families. Some say that it was what we deserved. Perhaps it was. Now… we are once more the aggressor. A cycle that never ends.  I do not wish to be part of this…cycle.”

“I don’t believe you.”, the Captain stated. Plain. Simple. And entirely understandable.

“I do not come to you empty-handed. I have much to offer you.”

At that, Ceix tilted his head. “Such as?”

“I know where they will strike, how they will strike. I can help you put an end to this.”  He leaned forward in his chair, his eyes clear.  His research found that clear-eyed truth was one of the few ways a human heart could be reached during a standoff.

Unless these humans were different.

“I will need to speak to my crew.”, Ceix said. “Is there any way you can prove to us that you speak the truth?”

The Vaadwuar thought for a moment. “I will send you the configuration of my ship. The weapons. The shields.”

But he couldn’t offer them more. Not yet. He didn’t want to die, not here, not like this – and if he provided them with all he knew, surely they would discard of him.

“Agreed.”, Ceix said.

“But don’t wait too long. The rest of the fleet… it is out there. I would much rather my path ends with redemption than execution.”

The channel closed, and Gant sat back in his seat.  He would never be able to return to the Vaadwuar.  He had spoken dark truths and shared conversation with the humans.  He had not threatened them or attempted to disguise his intentions.  He had thrown himself at their feet.

He hoped they wouldn’t come back swinging a sharpened blade in response.