“Long-range sensors are picking up several signals in transit – intercept course confirmed.” Ensign Random Wyrick sat at the tactical station, evaluating the latest sensor reports. “They’re twenty-four hours out. We’re picking up at least three ships so far – all three are reading as older model Birds of Prey.” Random spoke matter-of-factly, arranging the details in boxes in his head as he worked through the various classes that could be a part of the small armada.

Captain Peter Crawford drummed his fingers on the arms of the command chair. There had been no response from the main ship. The care for the other ship’s crews continued under Lieutenant Oswald Mika’s supervision. “What is she thinking?”

Ensign Penna turned in her chair. ” When cornered, it is often human behavior to back up against the wall and attempt to find a way out despite the overwhelming odds stacked against them.” She looked from Crawford to the rest of the bridge crew. “Logic suggests that she is waiting for those ships to break the stalemate by force.”

Wyrick’s console started to alarm, “Captain, we’re picking up several more ships on sensors from additional directions and courses—three more ships bearing 270 mark 0. Identification pending. Distance is similar to the other three ships.”

Peter stared at the screen, the lone ship seeming to taunt him. “The bridge isn’t shielded.” He caught a long look from Wyrick before the young ensign confirmed. “I think you’ve got a point, Ensign Penna. Everything we know about her and those with her is one of exclusivity – they’re the senior crew of this operation. She needs them to barter with whoever is coming for them. She won’t surrender to or talk to us – that’s weakness.”

Ensign Saffron Helsing spun at the helm, “I’m not an expert in tactical, but six ships – even with the Dragonfly…there is still a possibility that more ships are on the way.” She’d come to the Ambassador class starship for a quieter life with diplomacy leading the way. Instead, the realization was hitting that her evasive maneuvers skill set wouldn’t be retired for long. “We may have to take them into protective custody.”

“I’d rather have their buy-in…but given how things have gone, I’m not sure we’ll have much choice.” Crawford lamented. “We’ve got about twenty hours before we have to decide what to do. Those Birds of Prey are old, but they still pack a punch…and we don’t know what they’ve done to them in the meantime. Have Lieutenant Mika identify a senior person or two on the other two ships. See if they’d be willing to come aboard for a diplomatic dinner. Notify Lieutenant Albright to coordinate with hospitality.”

“Before you begin, Captain Crawford, we would know what you have done with Leanna Dorl.” Three men stood at the ornate and expansive dining table. They had introduced themselves as “Gerald, Maurice, and Matthew” before setting their sights and stares at Peter Crawford on the other side of the table.

Peter’s face remained placid, “I don’t understand the question, Gerald. We’ve done nothing with Ms. Dorl. She’s not responded to our hails since we managed to prevent her warp core from breaching onboard.”

At his side, Lieutenant Grace Albright slid a PADD across the table, “That’s the sensor records of your two ships and hers from when we picked up your signals to this moment. We haven’t been able to enter the bridge on Dorl’s ship.”

Gerald was the oldest of the three, portly, with a face constantly appearing as if it was upset at everything. He grabbed the PADD and reviewed it with Maurice and Matthew. They whispered to each other as it scrolled, noting something every few screens. All three were scowling by the time they’d finished. Gerald spoke, “These are Federation lies. We don’t believe it. Leanna told us you were spying on us. We found one of yours. You’re just trying to spy on us all over again.”

Peter’s tone remained even as his eyes lazily moved from man to man, “And what happened to that ‘alleged’ spy?”

Maurice and Matthew’s faces went ashen, and they looked anywhere but at the Starfleet officers. Gerald held his composure, mostly. “He left. We told him to leave and that he was no longer welcome…and he left. Never heard from him again. Surprised he didn’t come running back to you people.”

“I assume you gave him a shuttle capable of warp travel.”

Gerald’s mouth moved, but no words came out. He looked to Maurice and Matthew, who looked away. The man found his words, “Ye….Yes…we did.”

“I’m glad to hear it. We’ll need you to provide the information, tracking data, and other details about the shuttle. If he was a part of an operation, I’m sure some people are missing him—possibly even his family. We can start the search.” Crawford knew the man had a family – a wife and a teenage son. His face remained unmoved, his tone sweet and honeyed.

“Uh, yes. Of course. We…we can get that. We’ll just need to return to our ship to retrieve that data.” Gerald suddenly looked sick, and the sight of the food laid before them seemed to offend him.

It was at that moment that Crawford’s tone changed. His face, placid, became forceful in what it communicated. “We will request that data from your crew. You will remain here, under our care, until we can verify the provided data.” He shook his head as Gerald tried to interrupt, “I don’t believe you did anything with a shuttle. I think you killed him…and if it wasn’t you – it was one of yours. I am arresting you each on the suspicion of the murder of Nathan Rutherford.” He read them their rights, and from the corners of the room, three bulky Security officers appeared and escorted each of them away.

Albright watched with mute amusement. As the door closed behind the last of them, she turned to her CO and asked, “You think their friends will sense something is off when we send the message asking for the shuttle data?”

Crawford smiled widely, “I’m counting on it. Alert the Dragonfly – her services are now required.”