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I never thought the next words out of my mouth would be yelling for security. That green thing nearly hit my face. I barely had enough time to dodge. Starfleet self defense training isn't what it used to be. It's saved me on countless occasions, including this one. The patrons scattered away. Left, right, hook, grab. We were both evenly matched. Security finally came, drew their weapons then froze. What the hell are those guys doing? Are they going to stand there and watch!? Hell, I was the one in the uniform. I yelled for them to stop it, nothing. The patrons stood still as well, observing, like we were some kind of science experiment. Spiky Head opened its mouth...

"War fought awake, between sleep"

Enough for semantics, I gained my balance and flung him over as hard as I could. A loud thump knocked over glasses on the bar. His back hit so hard, I swore it broke. Both my hands grasped his collar as I pulled him in close and said. "This is not my way!" he replied "nor is it mine"

A moment of time froze. Then life breathed back into me.

"Two Romulan Ales" the bartender said.

No security guards at the entrance. The patrons were moving around as if nothing happened. But something did. Before our scuffle I sat down in this chair and ordered two Romulan Ales. My mind wandered for a moment. Then that green thing gave out a loud hearty laugh.

"Your mind fight well, humans most, don't do well so usually"

I paused. Even more curious now, I responded. "Our fight didn't happen."

"Intelligence yes, you have. My name Gailak. I from planet within Odious Nebula."

Now I remember their species, the Vanterians. Starfleet was interested in contacting them because they managed to repel a Borg invasion cube without using force or starships. Star Fleet intelligence opened peaceful negotiations in an attempt to learn their strategy for defeating the Borg. However promising, the diplomats had limited success. There were even some classified medical reports of lost memory among key Federation diplomats. Talks tended to favor the Vanterians all too well. Suddenly, the Federation cut off negotiations without warning or explanation. That's unusual. To cut off talks with a species that can defend against the Borg without force? I never liked conspiracies. Then Gailak started to talk.

"Battle between awake, Sleep, you are strong."

Great, my conscience or sub-conscience? What was he talking about? My mind wandered for another brief moment. Listening to his dialect, the federation reports said that the Vanterians spoke with duel meanings. Nothing was ever direct, and to the point. It was vague and unclear. I read reports that they always kept to themselves, piggy backing on transport cargo ships that pass near their planet for space travel. A Vanterian, this far away from his home world? Gailak began again.

"To see truth, understand. Technology, world, personalities... many and few, key is mind. Mind Understand, enemy"

"Or a friend" I replied.

Gailak looked at the bottom of his glass, flared his spikes, and rolled his eyes toward mine.

"Yes, friends." He squinted, "Though You, not yet..." He put down his glass.

Next thing I knew, that moment of time froze over me again, Gailak was gone. The bar came alive with conversations and Dabo Jackpot cheers. I guess the Vanterians seem peaceful, otherwise I don’t' think that we'd be able to stop them. I looked at the counter in front of me. Four empty glasses and the data pad with the bill. I have a feeling we'll meet again Gailak. Besides you owe me two Romulan Ales.