ST:TTV122 | "Conflict of Interest"

Stardate 93938.8

With the location of a possible escape craft from the Gainsborough determined, the Valley Forge and other Starfleet ships race against time to pursue the lead before it is lost to the dangers of space. However, it seems there are others who might want the same thing...

---

View Episode

Eunha@turtles#8407 Pokes Keelah and then pretends it wasn't her Keelah@crystyll looks to Eunha with a quirked brow and chuckles Eunha@turtles#8407 Sets herself up at Ops Lovoran@lorshadow023: FX: The Iurret, not far from the Vally Forge, asks for the usual permit to activate an holo-trasmission with the bridge of the Valley Forge. Eunha@turtles#8407 Lets it through Keliaya@anncarise taps away at her engineering console, "So we're roughly in the region where we're supposed to find this atmospheric similarity...that map was very unspecific." Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 steps up, "Captain, Cadet Mitsuki reporting." Keliaya@anncarise: "Or maybe we're just still not reading it properly." Keelah@crystyll: "Cadet" she greets with a curt nod and soft smile, "Helm is all yours" Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 smiles, "Thank you sir!" and barely stops herself from jogging over to start setting her presets up. Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Stepping into the bridge he quickly moves toward the captain's chair with a smile on his face:"Keelah, glad to see you." Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 eagerly works toward getting set up at the conn Eunha@turtles#8407: "Try adjusting the sensors to look for other stuff....I forgot what I was actually saying mid sentence so other stuff will do." she laughs Lovoran@lorshadow023: The usual Lovoran appears as holo-ghost near Keelah "Captain" makes a friendly gesture toward the woman. Keelah@crystyll: "Likewise Captain, glad you could join us" Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 takes a second to peak back and waves excitedly at Ashley Eunha@turtles#8407 Moves over to Kelly Ashley@siskofan1991 spots the wave and offers a small smile and wave in reply as she waits her turn to report Keelah@crystyll: "You too Commander." she looks between the two, "We need to establish a wide search pattern if we are to accomodate the vague nature of our map" Keliaya@anncarise chuckles, "I'm scanning with all the methods, but a thorough search of the area will take some time." Eunha@turtles#8407: "Perhaps we could reroute some power to the sensors, boost it's range." Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson Chills at the medical station. Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois He also nods to both Eunha and Keliaya, smiling to both: "Well met again." Lovoran@lorshadow023: "Of course. We will launch our recon fighters to help us with the scans and prepare to triangulate our sensors with yours, captain" says with a brief smile. He makes a nod to Timo too. Keliaya@anncarise nods, tapping on the screen in front of her, "Done. We proooably don't need much weapons power right now." Keliaya@anncarise nods back to Timo and smiles, "Hello again, captain." Eunha@turtles#8407: "You wait an alien ship is going to come and fire at us in the next 10 seconds." Keelah@crystyll looks between the CO's to the patiently waiting cadet, "Reporting for duty cadet? What is your speciality?" Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 bounces a bit on the balls of her feet, she seems a bit more excited than usual Keliaya@anncarise: "Hey, that's why I left power for the shields," she smirks. Ashley@siskofan1991 stiffens slightly when she's addressed. Her response has a hint of pride in the tone "Cadet First Class Ashley Terik, Captain. My focus is on tactical, sir." Rosewood@fireshade321: "Apologies for my tardiness, Captain." Keliaya@anncarise: "Extending the range's actually picked something up...would you believe it, it's a Starfleet signature!" Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Nods to Rosewood:"Captain, a pleasure to meet you again." then turns back on Keelah:"finally we'll see where that map will lead us. It was a tricky, but interesting, puzzle to solve.." Keliaya@anncarise: "Captain! I have something!" Eunha@turtles#8407: "Can you get anything else from it?" Lovoran@lorshadow023: He mormous something to someone near him, then he takes a cup of tea from, probably, the same person, while the Iurret flies near the Valley Forge, scanning Keelah@crystyll nods to the cadet with a smile, "Then take your station Cadet Terik, and don't take it the wrong way if I say we hope you won't have much to do today" Keliaya@anncarise shakes her head, "Not from this range". Eunha@turtles#8407: "Send the coordinates to the helm." she then turns to the Helm "Cadet set a course for the coordinates about to be sent to you, and engage on captain's order." Ashley@siskofan1991 nods "Thank you, captain. And belive me, I compltely understand," she replies before turning and taking a spot at the consoles behind the command chair Keelah@crystyll: "Captain Rosewood; fashionably late at most" she chuckles, "We are just forming a search pattern with all present vessels to canvas the area" Keliaya@anncarise nods, tapping on her console again, "On it, commander." Eunha@turtles#8407 Turns to the other Cadet at tactical "Raise shields just as a percaution." she moves back to her Ops console once done with her second officer duties Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 types away, "I have your coordinates sirs, and I have a plot in the works, ready for warp-in on command." Rosewood@fireshade321 grins a little. "I am all about style, after all. I'll communicate with the knight Templar to join the search pattern." Eunha@turtles#8407 Nods to Keelah hoping she doesn't mind Eunha giving out orders Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson Leans on her console watching the goings on. Keelah@crystyll flashes a small smile and a nod of approval; seemingly content to see her 2nd coming into her own now Eunha@turtles#8407 Glances to Kelly "Also send the coordinates to all the ships joining us. might be helpful." Ashley@siskofan1991 frowns a bit at the slightly unfamiliar controls, but adjusts quickly. "Aye, shields up." Keelah@crystyll: "Then let's go find our people! Cadet Mitsuki; if you please" Keliaya@anncarise: "Alright...aaand sent." Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois He loos around the bridge, clearly impatient to know if they'll be successful or not. Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: "Captain, should we find anyone I have medical standing by." Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 takes that as the engage order and toggles the control, causing the viewscreen forward view to distorted and stretch as the ship rockets into warp Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: "If anyone is alive they need to be transported to medical the moment we find them." Lovoran@lorshadow023: He looks to something on his right side, a computer probably, then press a buttom "We are ready to move to the coordinates captain" says to Keelah "If you want, we can send some Scorpions as explorer" Keelah@crystyll: "Agreed doctor; stand by to receive emergency patients, just in case" Eunha@turtles#8407 Performs her own scans of the starfleet signal and surrounding area as they get closer. To Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: ETA 5 minutes Keelah@crystyll: "Form up with us Commander, unless we see anything untoward on sensors I see no cause for advanced scouting" To Eunha@turtles#8407: It's very faint and distorted, but it's definitely Starfleet tech. Eunha@turtles#8407: Any specfics? Lovoran@lorshadow023: Makes a nod to Keelah, drinking a first sip of hot tea. The Scorpions starts to form two wings on both the side of the romulan's vessel. Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: I have us at a stable cruise speed Captain, scheduled warp-out in a little over 4 minutes from now. Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Turns briefly on Keelah:"The Attar has been instructed to closely follows Valley's moves, so she'll be at our back." Keelah@crystyll: "Understood Captain" To Eunha@turtles#8407: Nope, just that whatever it is is probably at minimal power, if even powered Eunha@turtles#8407: "The tech is defintley starfleet Captain. I can't get any specfics. I'm not sure if it's even powered." Rosewood@fireshade321: "The Knight Templar is standing by, captain. Ready to depart on your orders." Keelah@crystyll: "Very well, coming up on the designated coordinates shortly so all ships stand by" To Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: We can exit warp whenever you're ready! Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: lost track of time, lol To Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446: hehe dw I was keeping my eye on things! Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 taps something real quick after a beep goes off on the console, the forward view reflexes as the ship drops out of warp Lovoran@lorshadow023: He stoods silently on his chair, sipping tea and giving some calm orders to his crew, the ship that follow in formation the Valley Forge. Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 checks her read out, "81.6% accuracy.. boo... I've done better.." Lunya@nevanya1 hails from the bridge of her ship "Kitty Hawk to Task Force, sorry for the delay, we are falling into formation now Keliaya@anncarise FX | Before them on the viewscreen is a massive ringed gas giant, and floatin in orbit around it, apart from the ring of asteroids is a small speck. Rosewood@fireshade321 truns his head and smiles as Lunya's hologram appears Keliaya@anncarise: "That's it! Zooming in..." Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois Focuses his attention on the viewscreen for a moment; impatience is not only empathically perceived, but also visible Eunha@turtles#8407: "Scanning." Eunha@turtles#8407: both ship and brain sensor Keliaya@anncarise FX | The viewer zooms in to reveal a Federation shuttle adrift in orbit. Lovoran@lorshadow023: He raises his eyes to his screen, looking to a similar image. The Scorpions of the Iurret forms a sort of star around their main vessel, while the Iurret starts to perform scans of the area, searching Keelah@crystyll: "Good to have the Kitty Hawk at our backs once more Lunya. Patch yourself in to our sensor telemetry; this looks... promising..." she trails off, looking at the screen Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson Looks at the shuttle. "Now if anyone was on that they could be in very good health, captain if anyones alive still want them in medical to be sure." Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: I* Lunya@nevanya1 signifies her reciept of the orders, remaining quiet from her position on the bridge To Eunha@turtles#8407: Ship sensor read radiation interference around the shuttle that's messing with it. It can tell that there's organic matter on board, but not whether they are lifeforms. Eunha@turtles#8407: Betazoid? To Eunha@turtles#8407: Brain sensors detect something living...some fear stemming from the shuttle Keelah@crystyll leans forward slightly, both hands rested on the arms of her seat, "Lifesigns...?" Eunha@turtles#8407: "There's radiation interefrence around the shuttle captain. I can tell you there's oragnic matter from the ship...." she pauses "Luckily i'm betazoid and can sense something living...Fear." she adds Eunha@turtles#8407: "Anyway you can adjust the sensors to compainsate for intereference Kelly?" Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: "What kinda of radiation?" Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 slides her hand around hte controls, she seems to be adjusting the ship's position and attitude in reference to the shuttle, perhaps prepping for recovery ops Keliaya@anncarise: "I can, but I'm not getting much more. Seems to be thoron radiation- enough to tamper with our sensors but I can get a transporter lock and beam the shuttle back, or someone onto it." Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Doesn't surprise me that the commander perceives fear..." he comments laconically. Keelah@crystyll looks between the gathered CO's, "Well our comms relay is nothing special. Any of you feel in a stronger position to attempt contact with them?" Keelah@crystyll: "Same if any of you are carrying heightened sensors apparently..." Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Turns on Keelah:"I can try with the Attar's sensors..." Rosewood@fireshade321: "Kitty Hawk might be best in both situations," he puts in, gesturing at Captain Vel. Lovoran@lorshadow023: He looks to the screen. On his bridge, the crew tries to contact the shuttle. The ship starts to perform accurate scanner. A pair of Recon-Scorpion moves in direction of the shuttle, trying to receiv* Ashley@siskofan1991 taps at her controls, studing her sensor displays closely Lovoran@lorshadow023: *better data on it. Lunya@nevanya1 pipes up "We can use the Kitty Hawk's Command Relays to boost the singals, our Battle Information Sensors could be recalibrated for this" Keelah@crystyll nods in agreement, "Lunya, take point and see what you can dig up" Eunha@turtles#8407: Eunha's focusing and trying to use her empathic ablities to see if she can find out more about the living thing To Lovoran@lorshadow023: The shuttle looks very damaged and seems to be leaking plasma. Whether the thoron is a part of some malfunction is unknown. Keelah@crystyll: "And hopefully we shall once again reap the rewards of having our Romulan allies at our sides as well" To Eunha@turtles#8407: Some desperation, panic and fear. Seems to be more than one being. Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Well, the Attar wouldn't need recalibration for doing it...I'll order my XO to coordinate with the Kitty Hawk relays." Lunya@nevanya1 stands over her helmsman "Get us to the head of the formation, and focus our sensors full front. Standby one of our Type 9's to act as a forward sensor relay if need be" she orders, as the + Lunya@nevanya1: Kitty Hawk begins to move to the front of the formation of ships To Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Attar can see that the life support of the shuttle is offline, but there's still a good amount of oxygen inside it. Lovoran@lorshadow023: "Always a pleasure" smiles a bit to Keelah. The Iurret maintain his usual position near the Valley Forge, the shield raised. Eunha@turtles#8407: "There is definitley more than one being." she rubs the side of her head slightly from focusing a bit to hard Eunha@turtles#8407: "They are paniced and fearful." Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois He briefly talks with the Attar via combadge before returning on Keelah:"Looks like we got something: the shuttle is offline, but there's a good amount of oxygen inside still..." Lunya@nevanya1: "Patching Sensory Information back to the Task Force, stand by" she says, as the other ships would begin to get the Kitty Hawk's sensor information Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 reorients the Valley Forge to compensate for Kitty Hawk taking point in formation To Lunya@nevanya1: Shuttle seems very damaged, but the hull does not look to be breached. There are 3 or 4 lifesigns inside, the number is unconfirmed due to radiation interference, as - To Lunya@nevanya1: are the species that the lifesigns belong to Lunya@nevanya1: "Task Force be advised we are getting faint lifesigns. Can't tell species yet, but something is alive in there!" she calls out Lovoran@lorshadow023: If the Iurret start a series of multi-fractal analysis to find an eventual external source of Thoron, what will be the result? :O Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: "Captain, I'll be down in sick bay ready to recieve the personnel." Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "If transporters are online, we could beam whoever is there directly to sickbay, perhaps..." Lovoran@lorshadow023: He takes a sip of tea, whil the Iurret continue her work with the Task Force. A pair of Scorpions move away from the formation, starting to circle around the planet, probably analizing the area. To Lovoran@lorshadow023: None found, it just seems to be there. It's slowly dissapating though, which might be why transporters can now lock on but it's still causing issues with sensors. Rosewood@fireshade321 rubs his chin. "Captain, permission to break out of formation? I wish to check something and need to be in a better position to do it." Keliaya@anncarise: "I tried, but I can't pinpoint the lifesigns well enough." Keliaya@anncarise: "We could beam the whole shuttle back, but that could be risky..." Keelah@crystyll: "At your discretion Commander" Eunha@turtles#8407 Glances to Keelah "Captain Should I have my counsellors standing by in sickbay, since I'm sensing the beings are very fearful and panicked?" Keelah@crystyll: "Please do" Lunya@nevanya1 turns and says something out of audio of the others, probably a command to somebody on her bridge Keliaya@anncarise: "Alternatively we could beam over and bring signal enhancers to get through the radiation." Keelah@crystyll glances back to Ash, "Have security standing by there as well, until we know they are our people" Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Or we could use one of the Scorpions or a shuttle..." Eunha@turtles#8407 Nods and taps her badge sending her counselling staff down to sickbay Ashley@siskofan1991 nods and types in the appropriate commands "Aye, captain." Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: <C> Sickbay to bridge, standing by to receive personnel Eunha@turtles#8407: Eunha's focusing more trying to see what species they are and how many Lovoran@lorshadow023: K boss u.u the Scorpions will find anything around the planet, rings and moons? Keliaya@anncarise: Beaming shuttle over right? To Lovoran@lorshadow023: Nothing yet. Keelah@crystyll: <C> Acknowledged Sickbay Lovoran@lorshadow023: Perfect, they will continue to patrol the area, just to be sure ... Rosewood@fireshade321 looks at Keelah. "Captain?" To Eunha@turtles#8407: Seems to be 4, hard to tell species from reading emotions. Keelah@crystyll: is there a preferable course in that? Keliaya@anncarise: Hm? Lovoran@lorshadow023: He remains silently. All the scorpions, in formation of two, move around, clearly in different patrol vectors around the formations. The Iurret, instead, remains immobile near the VF. Eunha@turtles#8407: "Captain..." she pauses rubbing her head again obviously betazoiding to hard "I can sense 4 individuals." Keliaya@anncarise: Oh either way works, beaming us over or beaming them here! Keliaya@anncarise: Just different plots! Keelah@crystyll looks to Rosewood, "Do as you see fit, Captain" Keliaya@anncarise: "Locked on to the shuttle. Should I transport over?" Keliaya@anncarise: *transport it over Rosewood@fireshade321 nods, then points to someone on his bridge, giving them an unheard order. Keelah@crystyll looks to Kelly, "Do it" Keliaya@anncarise nods, "Energizing..." Keliaya@anncarise: "Shuttle is now secure in port hangar bay." Ashley@siskofan1991: Security is in position, Captain. Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 hrms to herself, she oriented the ship so the shuttle could be tractored in, but she just re-adjusts the ship as necessary Eunha@turtles#8407: now that the shuttle is on the ship can Eunha sense anything else + about to do another scan Eunha@turtles#8407: "Scanning the shuttle now." Keelah@crystyll: <C> Sickbay; response teams to the port hangar To Eunha@turtles#8407: Yes. The shuttle has begun filling the hangar bay with plasma coolant. Rosewood@fireshade321: FX | The Knight Templar breaks formation, riding above the planet's ecliptic and starts a multi-spectrum scan of the gas gaint's magnetic poles. To Ashley@siskofan1991: Security reports that plasma coolant is filling the hangar. They are evacuating all personnel. Eunha@turtles#8407: "Captain the shuttle has begun filling the hangar bay with plasam coolant." she blinks Ashley@siskofan1991: Aye Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: <C> Im on my way bridge! Sickbay out. Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Perhaps an attempt at defence..." Ashley@siskofan1991 calls out "Confirmed! Security is conducting an emergency evacuation now." Keliaya@anncarise: "Activating quarantine procedures..." Keelah@crystyll slams a fist on her armrest, "Emergency forcefields!" Eunha@turtles#8407 Puts up the forcefields! Lovoran@lorshadow023: "A thoron field is usual used as defense" replies to Timo "Maybe they thought to be in danger". The Iurret moves slightly away from the VF, just widing a bit the formation. Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: To Keelah:"We should open a channel with the shuttle, if possible...explaining them the situation." Eunha@turtles#8407: <C> Eunbi to Medical teams. The hangar bay is currently in quartine due to plasam coolant leak from the shuttle standby. Keelah@crystyll: "Agreed. Eunha, see if you can establish contact with them" Lunya@nevanya1 listens to the conditions on the Valley Forge, currently still keeping her position at the front of the formation. She waits patiently, tapping her finger on the back of the chair she is behind Eunha@turtles#8407: "Opening a channel now." Eunha@turtles#8407 Taps her commbadge Eunha@turtles#8407: <C> Standby sickbay we are assesing the situation will update you when we can. Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: <C> Acknowledged. To Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: The occupants transport in...three armed Nausicaans and a Yridian materialize... Rosewood@fireshade321 rubs his chin and frowns, clearly fustrated by something. The Knight Templar returns to the formation, but hovers just at the edge of it. To Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: And a shootout has broken out between securityt and the nausicaans! Keliaya@anncarise: "I'm detecting weapons fire in sickbay..." Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: <C> Sickbay to.....*Phaser blast* bridge, theres a battle going on down here! Eunha@turtles#8407: "My counsellors...." she mumbles To Ashley@siskofan1991: Security reports hostile contact in sickbay! Lovoran@lorshadow023: The Scorpions continue to patrol the area, always in couple. Lovoran instead is just drinking his tea, probably waiting for an evolution from the sickbay and the VF in general. Lunya@nevanya1 stands up, hearing the communications chatter "Valley Forge I can beam over additional security teams if you need it!" she advises them Eunha@turtles#8407 Glances to Keelah "I'll take a sercuity detail down there now." Ashley@siskofan1991: Confirmed! Security is reporting hostile contact in sickbay! Should I send more teams to reinforce? Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: <C>.....Phaser blasts and disruptor whines continue over the comm....Lots of yelling Keelah@crystyll turns sharp back to Ash, "Get reinforcements in there! I want that place secure!" Ashley@siskofan1991: Aye captain. Sending more teams... Lunya@nevanya1 signals her Chief of Security to get to a transporter room and stand by for her orders Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 looks back quickly, and then tries to keep herself focused on her station Rosewood@fireshade321: "The Templar's security teams are standing by if you need them, Captain." Keelah@crystyll: "I really wish we didn't..." Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Turns on Keelah, clearly concerned by what's happening:"I find difficult to believe that Starfleet members would open fire against colleagues...there's something we're lacking, here..." Eunha@turtles#8407: "Cadet." she looks to Ashley "Seal off any escape routes from that deck." Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: have they been delt with? Lovoran@lorshadow023: "We have teams ready to transport to your ship, captain" says really seriously, before taking another sip if tea. To Lovoran@lorshadow023: Romulan familiarity with cloaking tech allows your scorpions to detect something coming out of stealth within the gas giant... To Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: They've been dealt with. To Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: Three Nausicaans are stunned and the Yridian has surrendered. Ashley@siskofan1991 looks at Eunha, then jumps to the new orders. "Aye. Security forcefields in place. The deck has been sealed off." Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: <C> Sickbay to bridge, the uh.....the three Nausicaans and one Yridian have been dealt with.... To Ashley@siskofan1991: Security confirms all hostiles neutralized Keelah@crystyll blinks at hearing the comms Lovoran@lorshadow023: "Something emerging from the gas giant" says fastly. The Scorpions run to return in formation with the other vessels, while the Iurret raises her weapoins and start more accurate scans. Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: " tHE Nausicaans are ALL stunned and the Yridian has surrendered. Lunya@nevanya1 orders her security teams to stand down for now, hearing the mention of something coming from the planet Ashley@siskofan1991: "Security confirms, captain," Ashley adds, sounding relieved. "All threats neutralized." Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Nausicaans and Yiridians?" he repeats, surprised. Keliaya@anncarise FX | An abomination of a ship appears on the viewscreen, looking to be a fusion of various salvaged technologies. Keelah@crystyll: <C> Acknowledged Sickbay, tend to the wounded and hand them over to security as soon as they are fit to be moved to the brig Keliaya@anncarise: "We're picking up the ship too..." Rosewood@fireshade321 scowls. "Shields up! Red alert!" To Eunha@turtles#8407: Junk ship is hailing us. Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 looks up in surprise, and preps the ship for evasive manuevers if called for Keelah@crystyll looks up at the screen, "This does not bode well... red alert!" Eunha@turtles#8407: "We're being hailed." Keelah@crystyll: "Patch it through to all ships" Rosewood@fireshade321: "I knew something felt off" Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "And activate our communication defenses..." Eunha@turtles#8407 Does just that Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: <C> Copy, sickbay out Eunha@turtles#8407 Whispers to Kelly quickly so she's not heard on the comm Keelah@crystyll: mumbles to herself rubbing her forehead while wating on the comms, "It never goes smooth... /why/ does it never go smooth!" Eunha@turtles#8407: "Reroute power from sensors to weapons." Lunya@nevanya1 orders her ship on Red Alert and raise shields. Eunha@turtles#8407 Nods and goes back to Ops Keliaya@anncarise FX | A heavily pixelated image appears on the viewscreen...the centre appears to have been purposefully distorted to conceal the speaker. Keliaya@anncarise nods to Eunha and taps on her console. Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois Turns his eyes on the viewscreen. Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "Federation and Romulan starships. You have something of mine." Lovoran@lorshadow023: The Iurret has raised the shields and armed the weapons, surrounded by her own scorpsion. For a few seconds her power output raised. Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: want me to stay down here or come back up? Eunha@turtles#8407: Betazoid Rosewood@fireshade321 raises an eyebrrow. Lovoran@lorshadow023: The Iurret, as precaution, raised a system of electronic firewall around her comm system and the computer core. That's the reason of the output :O Keelah@crystyll steps forwards, "This is Captain Se'Lai of the USS Valley Forge, to whom am I speaking with?" To Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: Come up, all the stuff is going on here now! To Lovoran@lorshadow023: Got it! No viruses attacking atm Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson Returns to the bridge, slightly frazzeled. "Captain, you could have warned me that all hell was about to break loose." Lunya@nevanya1 orders her helmsman to hold their position, the Kitty Hawk in a picket position between the unknown ship and other task force ships Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "We are merely traders. We do not intend you harm." Rosewood@fireshade321 addresses one of his bridge officers. "Scan that ship for weapons." Keelah@crystyll: "Nor us for you. So what - pray tell - do you believe we possess of yours?" Keelah@crystyll turns and speaks off comms, "Apologies Doctor, we had no indication until they opened fire. Be glad we at least took the precaution of having security present" To Rosewood@fireshade321: It's very armed. Nausicaan disruptors, cardassian phasers, Dominion-based polaron turrets and several torpedo tubes Keelah@crystyll looks to Ashley, "Work with Kelly and her engineering teams; I want a full assessment of the recovered shuttle" Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "My people. They are alive, are they not?" Ashley@siskofan1991 nods "Aye, Captain." Keelah@crystyll: "Your people being those who just opened fire on our medical facilities..." Lunya@nevanya1 thinks to herself "This won't end well...." Rosewood@fireshade321 looks at Keelah. "Captain, that's a very heavily armed ship. And pirates often do trade." Keelah@crystyll nods in agreement with the assessment Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "I am sure they were only trying to defend themselves in what they perceived to be a hostile environment." Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "WITH GOOD REASON." Keliaya@anncarise nods at Keelah and begins scanning the shuttle now that the radiation is gone. Keelah@crystyll: <C> "Perhaps. Perceptions are so... fickle are they not" she smiles, talking gently Rosewood@fireshade321 speaks another muted order, still with a scowl set deeply on his features. Lunya@nevanya1 motions to one of her bridge officers, as the Kitty Hawk begins to scan the ship, and starts to relay advanced targeting data to the rest of the Task Force Lunya@nevanya1 mumbles "Just in case" Keelah@crystyll: <C> "So we have your people, found on board a Starfleet vessel. I would be very interested to hear what you know of the vessels original occupants..." Lovoran@lorshadow023: The Iurret continues to be apparently just silent, as her captain. He sips his tea with a calm face, waiting for an evolution. Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "They were dead. We came to salvage the craft." Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "We are traders, not murderers." Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois Still silently hearing the conversation, he frowns at their interlocutor's statement. Keelah@crystyll: "Well unfortunately for you this time, we have arrived to recover our lost craft. But what of the occupants; if you found them dead, you must have done something with the bodies" Rosewood@fireshade321: "Can't say I believe him," he says quietly, a soft growl at the edge of his voice. Keelah@crystyll speaks off comms to the others, "Can any of you get a read of lifesigns aboard that vessel? I fear our shuttle occupants may still be on board her..." Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "We have them on board. There is a demand for Vulcan genetic material." Eunha@turtles#8407: does her betazoid thing Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 grimaces hearing that To Eunha@turtles#8407: Vessel is -extremely- diverse, but no sign of Starfleet personnel Ashley@siskofan1991 tries and failes to hide her visible disgust Lovoran@lorshadow023: Write a message to Keelah "Only probably with an active scan, it can be seem as an aggresive action from them" Eunha@turtles#8407: "I'm not sensing any starfleet personnel." she adds in Lunya@nevanya1 looks back to her Security Chief again "Get a team assmbled for a possible bording action, this may get interesting" she orders Rosewood@fireshade321 looks at Lunya to answer the captain's request. The Templar being old, could only do so much at once. Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "Let us make a deal. I will return your dead, unharmed. You will return my people." Keelah@crystyll: "Then it would seem; we both have something the other wants. But whilst you already know who we have from your own readings, we only have your word" Lunya@nevanya1 shakes her head at Rosewood "If we went active scanners on them, they would think it a hostile action. Lets see where this goes first" Eunha@turtles#8407: does a second betazoid sweep just to be sure. Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "My word is what people pay me for, captain." To Eunha@turtles#8407: Same results Keelah@crystyll: "I propose a simple and fair trade, but first insist that you permit us a detailed scan to verify that you have what you claim" Rosewood@fireshade321 sneers at the speaker's words. Eunha@turtles#8407 Nods as she has verified her own senses Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "You cannot be privy to what we have. But we can arrange transport of your dead to you first." Eunha@turtles#8407: is he lieing? Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "Starfleet has a reputation of honesty, does it not?" Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Turns on Keelah, murmuring:"If we want to be sure about the nature of those corpses, ask them to load them on a shuttle first. we could scan them then before taking them on board." To Eunha@turtles#8407: You can't tell. Something's wrong with his mind, as if it's...fragmented. Lunya@nevanya1 speaks up "Captain, I have a bording team already assembled. They can meet our "friends" in our hanger bay to receive our people, incase they aren't being honest" Eunha@turtles#8407 sends a message to Keelahs arm PADD Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "OR WE CAN FIGHT THIS OUT AND CAUSE MORE DEATH." Eunha@turtles#8407: Something is off...I can't tell if he is lieing. His mind is almost fragmented Keelah@crystyll: <C> nods slightly, "I assume you propose sending them out on a shuttle that we may scan before trading?" Rosewood@fireshade321 visibly stiffens. "Rather defensive for a simple trader." Lovoran@lorshadow023: Remain silently, while finishing his tea and givin the cup to someone on his bridge. He orders something, but apparetly neither the ship or the scorpions moves. Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "..." Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "Agreed." Keelah@crystyll tilts her head slightly, maintaining a vaguely pleasant demeanour as she patiently awaits his response Keliaya@anncarise: "Sensors are picking up an unshielded Ferengi shuttle launching from the ship.” Lunya@nevanya1 waits to see where they want the shuttle to go, as her security teams await in Kitty Hawk's hangerbay if need be Eunha@turtles#8407 Scans the shuttle Keelah@crystyll: "Helm, move us to intercept - 1/4 impulse - bring us within tractor range of it" Keelah@crystyll: "Kelly; hold that thing at maximum range while we confirm the scans" Lovoran@lorshadow023: The Iurret doesn't move, maintaining her position, the weapons still active. Lovoran looks to his screen, the scanner now pointed against the shuttle, searching for anything unusual Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: "I dont want anymore surprises, make sure its not rigged to explode or anything." Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 works her board, "tractor range, yes sir." moves the ship a bit more fluidly and not actually at quite the impulse speed specified but at a smoother pace with no loss of time Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: "If there are bodies, beam them to the morgue please." Lunya@nevanya1 taps her helmsman on the shoulder "Back us off, they may not like two Starfleet ships approaching them" she says, as the Kitty Hawk begins reverse back to the task force Rosewood@fireshade321: FX | The Knight Templar moves with the Valley Forge, tightening the formation. To Eunha@turtles#8407: It is unmanned but filled with bodies of a Vulcan and two humans Keliaya@anncarise nods, "Yes captain." Rosewood@fireshade321 is clearly on edge. Keelah@crystyll smiles back at the viewscreen, "A Ferengi shuttle too... my you do seem to have been busy out here" Rosewood@fireshade321 is clearly on edge. Keelah@crystyll smiles back at the viewscreen, "A Ferengi shuttle too... my you do seem to have been busy out here" Eunha@turtles#8407 Nods "Unmanned. I've got bodies of two humans and a Vulcan." she says once her scan is complete Keelah@crystyll: "Very well; prepare to beam them to sickbay" Eunha@turtles#8407 Nods Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "Jem'Hadar attack fighters and Orion interceptors are not ideal for trade negotiations." Keelah@crystyll: "Doctor; full quarantine procedures up front with these; as you say - no more nasty suprises" Eunha@turtles#8407: "I'm going to take my counsellors out of sickbay." she states Keelah@crystyll turns back, <C> "Quite the eclectic collection. Would you by chance have come across any other Starfleet salvage in this region?" Lovoran@lorshadow023: He looks to his padd, smiling a bit, probably just happy that the shuttle containing nothing else then the corpses. He waits now, ordering something to his crew. To Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson: Sickbay reports having received the bodies as stated by Eunha. Keelah@crystyll: "After all, just because this business is in hand does not mean we can't pursue other opportunities" Eunha@turtles#8407: "Ready to transport." she says once her counsellors are out of sickbay Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "I can search..." Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson Looks at a read out. "We have them in the morgue captain, Ill preform an autopsy after we get out of here." Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "OF COURSE IF YOU'RE GOOD AT SOMETHING NEVER DO IT FOR FREE." Keelah@crystyll: "Very well Eunha, energize when ready." glances back to Ash, "drop shields for transport at the Commanders mark" Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "Do you trust me now?" Eunha@turtles#8407: "energize." Ashley@siskofan1991 hesitates for a moment before reclutantly saying "Aye. Dropping shields..." Rosewood@fireshade321 raises his eyebrow again. Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 to her self so the channel wouldn't hear her speak, "This person is bi-polar or something.." Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson Reachs under her console for a phaser, just in case. Keelah@crystyll: <C> "Trust... does not come so easily, but if you know Starfleet then you know how akin we are to making new friends" Lovoran@lorshadow023: He moves his glance to Keelah, without lowering his own shields neither the weapons, of course. He is not the trust-type. Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: FX | The Attar is now positioning herself not too far from the VF, apparently in a passive position, but in defense of the allied vessel, should a defense be needed. Keliaya@anncarise | <C> STARFLEET MURDERED MY PEOPLE. Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "But the past is past. I am open to all business, of course." Keelah@crystyll mumbles, "Oh boy... shields up as soon as transport is complete please!" she speaks over her shoulder to Ash Rosewood@fireshade321 curls his lip in distaste. Ashley@siskofan1991: "Aye aye." she says rather hastily Eunha@turtles#8407: "transport complete." Ashley@siskofan1991: Shields up. Keelah@crystyll: <C> "Of course!" she snaps her gaze forward with a clearly overly friendly tone and broad smile, "Good business is always welcome!" Eunha@turtles#8407: Eunha is sending a list of symptoms to her counsellors and see if they agree with her that something is mentally wrong Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson Puts the phaser back, seeing as no intruders beam in. Keelah@crystyll: "Now while you search for more potential trade with us, we shall just bring your shuttle in to transfer your people back" Eunha@turtles#8407: Would they agree that the man might have bipolar? Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "Thank you for your business." Keelah@crystyll turns around to Ash, "Once the shuttle is tractored within the shields, have your teams transfer the prisoners to it" Ashley@siskofan1991 nods "Aye aye." To Eunha@turtles#8407: They think it's the most likely diagnosis, of course they'll need to interact with him more to confirm Keelah@crystyll: "Kelly; with the prisoners on board, I want that thing pushed well beyond our shield range before they can power it up enough to be a risk" Eunha@turtles#8407: Okay Eunha was only get a second third and forth opinion so she'll likely go off the basis he is bipolar Keliaya@anncarise nods, "Standing by with repulsor beams." Eunha@turtles#8407: have we cut comms Keelah@crystyll grimaces as she looks back to their bipolar friend, feigning a broad smile again, "So!" she smacks her hands together, "Do we have any further business to discuss?" To Eunha@turtles#8407: Nope Eunha@turtles#8407 Sends a message to Keelah's Chair Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois He looks back at the viewscreen. Bethazoid can easily perceive a single thought:that's the classic thing to say before things go awfully wrong. Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "If we find further signs of Starfleet technology in this sector, we will require a communications channel to inform you." Lovoran@lorshadow023: He looks to the strange, unknown, figure, taking a padd and writing something on it, maybe saving the data found about the strange ship. Keelah@crystyll nods, "That can be arranged. Then if our business here is concluded...?" Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "We will be on our way once my people are safely on board." Keelah@crystyll: <C> "Then Godspeed and good hunting. Valley Forge out" Rosewood@fireshade321 takes a half step forwards and addresses the figure on the screen. "I have a question, if you will indulge me, Mr....?" Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "Yes?" Keelah@crystyll continues to listen to the communal conversation over comms while the Forge is effectively muted from it Rosewood@fireshade321: <C> "Why were you hiding in the upper atmosphere of the gas giant?" Keelah@crystyll and slumps back in her chair with a sigh of relief, "Eunha, furnish our new friends with a general public comms frequency to contact Starfleet on" Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "The same reason we have a cloaking device. Discretion is of utmost importance in our line of work." Eunha@turtles#8407 Does as she is asked Rosewood@fireshade321: <C> "I did not realise that 'simple traders' needed such stealth." Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson Looks at Ashley. "That planet, can it support life?" Keelah@crystyll: "Oh, and see if you can't get one back in return. Never know when a crew like this could come in handy, and we should at least appear to be interested in continued business" Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "We deal in all forms of commodities." Rosewood@fireshade321: <C> "All?" Ashley@siskofan1991 looks at Roxxanne "I don't know, ma'am. My specaiality is tactical... Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "Thank you for the contact information. We will use it if we find more of your technology. We accept payment in Latinum, Darseks and Kilur Source." Keliaya@anncarise | <C> "And yes. All business, as long as you can pay for it." Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson Looks at her for a moment. "Please run a scan on the planet, your tactical board should have that on the secondary display to your left." Rosewood@fireshade321: <C> "I see, I think that answers all my questions. Good day." Rosewood@fireshade321 cuts off the comm before the speaker can reply Ashley@siskofan1991 gives Roxanne a weird look but obeys nontheless "Aye, ma'am..." Keliaya@anncarise FX | As the Ferengi shuttle docks with the scrap-ship, it turns away and warps off. Rosewood@fireshade321 pinches the bridge of his nose, closes his eye and takes several deep breaths. Keelah@crystyll: "Well then..." she looks to the others, "A cursory sweep of the area while we're here seems in order. Still have to figure how that shuttle got all the way out here" Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 looks back from her console at everyone, "So... that was a thing..." Keliaya@anncarise | Planet is a gas giant, it is surrounded by several moons but none of them life-supporting. Lunya@nevanya1 looks to her crew "Stand down to Yellow Alert until we are sure the area is clear" Eunha@turtles#8407 Laughs at the cadet statement Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Sighs, shaking his head:"After all, it was a dead end..." Lovoran@lorshadow023: Orders to his science officer to scan for the exit patter of the other vessels and for eventual traces of passage of different ships. Not less important, he orders to stand down the weapons. Keelah@crystyll: "In the mean time, let us see if we can't ID the recovered bodies and learn what we can from the shuttle" Lovoran@lorshadow023: "Well, you've the shuttle at least. It could have important information" Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 notes back to the Captain, "The shuttle flight recorder should get the most attention." Keliaya@anncarise nods, "The shuttle's navigation information could help, if it's still intact." Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "That's true. But I'd have really preferred to find other survivors." he says, calmly, but clearly sad Rosewood@fireshade321 pinches the bridge of his nose, closes his eye and takes several deep breaths. Keelah@crystyll: "Well then..." she looks to the others, "A cursory sweep of the area while we're here seems in order. Still have to figure how that shuttle got all the way out here" Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 looks back from her console at everyone, "So... that was a thing..." Keliaya@anncarise | Planet is a gas giant, it is surrounded by several moons but none of them life-supporting. Lunya@nevanya1 looks to her crew "Stand down to Yellow Alert until we are sure the area is clear" Eunha@turtles#8407 Laughs at the cadet statement Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Sighs, shaking his head:"After all, it was a dead end..." Lovoran@lorshadow023: Orders to his science officer to scan for the exit patter of the other vessels and for eventual traces of passage of different ships. Not less important, he orders to stand down the weapons. Keelah@crystyll: "In the mean time, let us see if we can't ID the recovered bodies and learn what we can from the shuttle" Lovoran@lorshadow023: "Well, you've the shuttle at least. It could have important information" Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 notes back to the Captain, "The shuttle flight recorder should get the most attention." Keliaya@anncarise nods, "The shuttle's navigation information could help, if it's still intact." Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "That's true. But I'd have really preferred to find other survivors." he says, calmly, but clearly sad Keelah@crystyll smiles between the two like minded folk, "Indeed; I was expecting to find more clues on the same trail as the first recovered pod, not the opposite side of our search arc..." Rosewood@fireshade321 seems to be muttering something under his breath, his hand still to his face. Keelah@crystyll looks then to Timo, "You and I both Andrej..." Keliaya@anncarise: "Maybe the survivors really were widely dispersed..." Lunya@nevanya1 finally sits in her Captain's chair, tapping a few things on her terminal Roxanne Harrington@captainchancewilson Looks to the command area. "Ill go preform the autopsy and get them id'd then." Keelah@crystyll: "Thank you doctor" Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "What concerns me most is time: the more it passes, the less probabilities we have to find them alive..." Lovoran@lorshadow023: "Well, it is still better then a real false trace" smiles a bit, trying to fostering the morale of his allies "Maybe we could find a trace to find in the computer or in the area" Lovoran@lorshadow023: Any trails of ship and motors in the area? To Lovoran@lorshadow023: Nope, only us and whatever signatures the salvage ship taht just warped away left behind Keliaya@anncarise: "Mmm, at least we know this is a real lead." Keelah@crystyll: "I sincerely hope so Commander, or our search is back to blindly following the probe data" Rosewood@fireshade321: "How do we know that this guy has not taken other survivors as slaves?" Keelah@crystyll: "We don't Captain... we can only hope" Rosewood@fireshade321: "I fear your hope may be in vain, Captain." Eunha@turtles#8407: "I could not sense any starfleet personnel." Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Nods to Keelah's words:"Indeed. We've no clue about that." Lunya@nevanya1: "I still think we should have borded that ship" she says to nobody in particular Rosewood@fireshade321: "As much as I prefer peaceful solutions, I have to agree with Captain Vel." Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 smirks at something and taps a bit on her console Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: Shakes his head:"It would've been unjustified, captains." Keliaya@anncarise: "I'll start checking out that shuttle. Maybe something in the logs can tell us if we're still missing any of its crew." Keelah@crystyll: "And if they /did/ have other Starfleet personnel as slaves, their first reaction to our hostility would have been to execute them" Lunya@nevanya1 scoffs slightly "Why does every bording action you people think of have to be hostile. Feign a safety check, something to get us ON that ship" Lunya@nevanya1: "Decpeption goes two ways" Keliaya@anncarise looks to Keelah for permission before making for the turbolift. Ashley@siskofan1991 smiles at her display and types at it Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "Still unjustified, captain." he says to Lunya:"We cannot board and check every ship we encounter..." Keelah@crystyll gives an affirmative nod to Kelly Lovoran@lorshadow023: Looks interested to the conversation, but not really taken from it, while writing on a padd. Eunha@turtles#8407: "Plus we aren't in federation space so we had no right at all to check." she hopes she is right about the federation space bit Keliaya@anncarise | Eunha is! Rosewood@fireshade321 shakes his head. "I don't think they would. Slaves are a commodity, and a profitable one at that. If they thought they could beat us, they wouldn't have wasted their profits." Eunha@turtles#8407: "As I said earlier I couldn't sense anything. So it is likely he does not have any of our people...Unless they are somehow immune to my empathic ablities." Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "There're rules, still. And we must follow them, as Starfleet officers. Otherwise, we risk to spread a bad reputation for us in the region, which is far from being a good thing for us..." Rumiho Mitsuki@yf47dex#9446 is idly listening to the conversation, her opinion is not relevant with her rank, but she can guess what her father might say. Keelah@crystyll: "Alright; let us conclude our business here and head for home" Rosewood@fireshade321: "I don't think anyone would complain about the loss of one slaver ship. But you're right; Starfleet does not fire first." Lunya@nevanya1 can still hear, but not be heard on her end as she says "Yes and people die to uphold our "reputation"" she snaps as she walks to her ready room, ordering the Kitty Hawk to ready to head to DS 13 Lovoran@lorshadow023: To Keelah "Captain, I will recall the Scorpions and heads to DS13 as soon you're ready" while ordering what he said at his Comm-officer Andrej Timoreev@chrisdubois: "It's not up to us to judge." he then turns on Keelah:"I'll return on the Attar, but I'll keep contact with the Valley. Please, keep me appraised on any development, Keelah." Keelah@crystyll: "Proceed at your discretion Commander... all of you. The Forge will hold position to conduct a full investigation before we depart"

View AAR

SUBMITTED: Stardate 93938.8 FILED BY: CAPT K. Se'Lai SECURITY: Level 2 - Confidential

LOCATION: Alpha-7192 Sector

MISSION: Locate and recover possible Gainsborough shuttlecraft

OUTCOME: Shuttlecraft recovered along with the bodies of three former Gainsborough crew members.

KEY PERSONNEL:

CAPT Keelah Se'Lai (USS Valley Forge) CAPT Andrej Timoreev (USS Attar) CAPT Benjamin Rosewood (USS Knight Templar) CMDR Lovoran J'Tak Tholoan (RRW Lurret) LCDR Jung Eunbi LCDR Keliaya LTJG Roxanne Harrington CDT Ashley Terik CDT Rumiho Mitsuki

NARRATIVE: Following the successful negotiations with a species contacted by U.S.S. Lexington and subsequent deciphering of the provided astrogation charts; U.S.S. Valley Forge and accompanying task force proceeded to the calculated coordinates to commence a priority search for the indicated shuttlecraft.

Upon arrival at the designated system the task force deployed into a wide search pattern. It did not take long to locate and confirm the identity of a Starfleet shuttlecraft in low orbit of a gas giant within the system. Scans indicated no life sustaining atmosphere on any of the planetary bodies or their moons, though they did confirm functional life support within the shuttle. The craft's proximity to the gas giant and a surrounding asteroid field meant that scans were limited by background radiation, though utilizing the more advanced sensor equipment on board the Kitty Hawk and Attar - coupled with LCDR Eunbi's empathic abilities - we were able to confirm the presence of lifeforms on board.

Since attempts at direct communication with the shuttlecraft proved fruitless, the decision was made to beam the craft directly into one of the Valley Forge's hangar bays to expedite the recovery of personnel. Though this proved successful, the shuttle occupants seemed surprisingly defensive and reacted by releasing plasma from their nacelles. No injury or damage was suffered by this as the area was promptly secured and the plasma vented through the main hangar doors. With little alternative presenting to us, the decision was made to then beam the occupants directly to sickbay that they may receive emergency triage.

Thankfully, we took the precaution of posting security to sickbay prior to this as the shuttle occupants promptly opened fire on the medical staff. Reinforcements were promptly dispatched and made available from the rest of the task force, though not required in full as the situation was contained with no serious injury or fatality from our crew. Following these events we were apprised that the shuttle occupants were in fact a pair of Nausicans and an Yridian - clearly not from the Gainsborough. Whilst they were treated for their injuries and transferred to the brig, engineering teams set to work on assessing the shuttlecraft and accessing it's systems; it quickly became apparent that the occupants we found were attempting to scavenge the craft.

This was reinforced promptly by the appearance of a vessel from the higher orbit of the gas giant - which had seemingly been using a cloak until it chose to reveal to us. The vessel was of no known configuration, but distinct elements of multiple origins were detected, giving the impression of a vessel compiled largely - if not entirely - of components from salvaged ships. The vessel hailed our task force first and presented on screen with an intentionally distorted visual image; the person behind which seemed to be the commander.

Delicate negotiations ensued as the commander informed us that individuals we had recovered from the shuttle were in fact members of his crew and he clearly wanted them back. Whilst little to no doubt remains in the mind of all present commanding officers within our task force that these were clearly pirates, I made the decision to attempt peaceful negotiation as it soon transpired that they had recovered the bodies of the shuttle's original occupants. Though this was all regrettably on the word of the scavengers commander, our limited passive scan data and LCDR Eunbi's empathic perceptions seemed to reinforce his claims.

Though the individual with which we spoke seemed highly unbalanced [suggested to be a form a bipolar from our counselors perceptions], we were able to reach an accord and he sent out an old Ferengi shuttle containing three bodies who matched the description provided of the shuttle occupants they found. We moved promptly to recover the bodies and upon verifying them as Starfleet personnel, we transferred our prisoners to the Ferengi shuttle and allowed the scavengers to disembark.

Whilst this was a less than ideal outcome; the scavengers remain open - at least on the surface - to ongoing trade with Starfleet in this region and have agreed to contact us on a provided comms. frequency should they encounter any further Starfleet salvage in the region; though what price they may ask for it to be returned is beyond this officers ability to guess at this time.

After securing the system; the task force remained in place to conduct a thorough survey of the region while engineering teams on board the Valley Forge worked to access the navigational information and logs from the recovered shuttlecraft. Medical teams on board also began their assessments of the three recovered personnel.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Highest priority is being given to the recovery of information from the shuttlecraft as the location is not consistent with that of the previously recovered escape pod from the same vessel; all relevant data is being returned to DS13 as it comes in with the hopes that an explanation can be determined. It is our belief at this time that either one of the two recovered craft had it's position artificially altered, or there is some further unknown mechanic to the wormhole technology than first believed.

The families of the recovered personnel must be informed of our findings; if Captain Lazard remains otherwise engaged with work on the new Gainsborough, then I will personally see to this.

Our task force should be redeployed in accordance with updated standing orders; Valley Forge will continue to follow leads from the original long range probes in line with our search vectors or until a new lead presents.