“Direct the two closest ships carrying hydroponics to close on the Z’lan and dock with them since the docking hoses aren’t transferring air fast enough. The air exchange will be good for the plants and help Z’lan’s crew survive a while longer. Tell Z’lan to seal off all areas not necessary for survival, like the cargo bay with the hole, to minimize life support needs. We can only hope that the plastiform will hold long enough to get us to a place where we can stop and repair the breach properly.” T’sar was glad that the damage was minimal and only in a cargo hold.

“Z’rel,” T’sar turned his attention. “What have you got on the message and its senders?”

“They are indicating a friendly attitude, describing a peaceful encounter as being desirable, sir.” Z’rel indicated the view screen and continued, ”I believe that they are coming toward us now. The ship approaching us now is hailing us in the same language as the message we’ve been receiving since before entering the tunnel.”

The approaching ship looked like nothing they had ever seen. Its hull had swept forward wings, a smallish forward section almost resembling an animal head, and a tail section that fanned out similar to an avian tail. As it drew close T’sar and the others could see the hull was decorated with some form of picture. Nearly facing them the crew couldn’t see what the decoration was but the information was mentally filed for later reference.

“Open channel, main audio,” T’sar said without turning his head from the screen.

“You have entered Arctriani space. Identify yourselves and your intentions in our system.” The voice was gruff.

“We are a peaceful people seeking a new home and were unaware of whose space we had entered. We are a small group of ships from the Eridani system. An ion storm separated us from the main group in which we traveled. In attempting to locate the other ships we found your Zhule and detected a message coming through. The communication was close to our language and we decided to follow its directing in hopes of finding assistance. Our ships are low on fuel, food, and we have one ship that has hull damage.” T’sar spoke quietly.

“It is good that we are a curious people, and friendly as well. From what you told me you would be easy targets for unfriendly species. Are you seeking to join our T’rbeo?”