"Unidentified Vessel"
Written by Stephanie Gabai (edited for the USS Victory by David Moody)
Lieutenant Junior Grade Marisa Torme and Captain Lenti Utex

Delta Quadrant, Borg cube
Alien vessel, we are the Borg. Your biological and technological distinctiveness will be added to our own. You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

There was no response, as suddenly, several megatons consisting of lumps of coal materialized throughout the Borg vessel.

USS Victory, a few seconds later
Lieutenant Commander Revos consulted his board as a flashing silent alarm pulsed to life. He leaned with one arm on his security arch, and told Captain Utex, "Sir, we have a transwarp conduit opening up, just inside sensor range.".

"Tanswarp," Utex said, growing concern etching its way into his voice. "Is it the Borg?"

Driel Galah, the S'rulien assistant operations chief spoke up, "No, sensors indicate only a small vessel coming through… The conduit has closed behind it."

Utex ordered, "Scan and hail them."

Chief Science Officer TogHa manipulated his board expertly, then nodded to the Captain that a channel was oppen.

"Alien vessel, this is Captain Lenti Utex of the Federation starship Victory. Please identify yourself."

Static filtered throughout the bridge, assaulting the auditory senses of the bridge staff present. TogHa continued his attempts at a scan.

"Alien vessel, this is the starship Victory," Commander Kennit reiterated. "Please respond."

Static.

Utex turned toward Revos. "Anything?"

Revos' face registered his puzzlement, "Nothing for certain, Sir; but, I think I heard a faint signal."

"Got it," Sito said aloud. "Amplifying."

The sound of metallic bells filtered into the bridge's comm system.

Revos intensified his scans, fed them to TogHa, who reported, "I detect nine life forms. Running analysis… One humanoid and eight Rangifer tarandus… reindeer, Sir."

Kennit, smiling, stood and held a hand up toward Utex, recalling legend. "Let them pass. Give them Priority One traffic space."

Revos was confused, but complied. "Aye, sir."