Shortly after we dropped out of warp, we were also attacked -- by a vessel that clearly knew we were passing through, on our warp trajectory, and was waiting to ambush us. Warp ambushes are all but impossible to pull off, and none have been reported in nearly two centuries. This vessel pulled one off with ease. Even more concerning was the fact that this vessel was a Cardassian Galor-class warship, and it had combat enhancements not known to be in use by the Cardassian military, or the Obsidian Order. In addition, we are nowhere near Cardassian space.
But wait, hold on to your hat, things get even stranger. After a few brutal salvos from the Cardassian warship, three more ships suddenly decloaked, and fought off the Cardassians, driving them into a hasty warp retreat. These ships were unidentified, heavily-armed, and did not match any vessels in the Federation database. Our first officer, Commander Gordan Mills, believes, however, that they may have been marauders-for-hire. He encountered a similar vessel while he was a Lieutenant serving aboard the USS Reliant.
Unfortunately, after driving off the Cardassian warship, the three unidentified vessels also jumped into warp – in the opposite direction, and were gone. The Enterprise was left alone, to lick its wounds and recover.
Damage from the Cardassian attack was heavy, and injuries are numerous – some severe, although, miraculously, no deaths have been reported. As a precaution, Captain Halloway has ordered a saucer separation (to better protect the primary hull), and has requested a defensive patrol for all combat-capable auxiliary vessels. My Type-6 shuttle, the “Eagle”, has limited armaments, and has not been included within this defensive request.
Barring any additional attacks, it will be at least 24 hours until we are, once again, warp-capable. At that time, Captain Halloway has ordered us to return to Earth.
At present, there are no rescue vessels within sensor range, and no sign of the Cardassian warship. We do, however, expect them to return, and when they do, we will be ready for them.
-Lieutenant Commander Sam Archer
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September 16, 2366 -- (Temporal War intrusions: changed reality #1)