“Well, Captain. You have an impressive vessel.” Supreme Commander Traxx announced as he and Fran walked in tandem from the corridor and into the diplomatic suite that Commander Kir had created out of their primary officers’ mess. 

Fran’s senses were immediately greeted by the delicious scent of barbecue as the kitchen staff busily cooked fresh meats. A mixture of sweet and savoury spicing with the smoky aroma of a good cookout was not something anyone on Agamemnon was used to. 

“I am pleased you enjoyed the tour, Supreme Commander,” Fran replied. She had escorted the Supreme Commander of the Rosvakaar and his entourage on a tour of Agamemnon, at least the areas of the ship she could show off. Traxx had been particularly insistent on seeing the ship, so Fran had, in the interest of diplomatic relations, catered to his request. 

The diplomatic area was filled with a healthy mix of Starfleet and Rosvakaar, intermingling, chatting, and sharing the buffet-style spread. The laughter and energy in the room suggested things had gone smoothly so far. 

“Well. I suppose we should get chatting about what this entire show is about.” Traxx walked towards a table of his officers, who immediately jumped up and vacated the space. Leaving it for only Fran and him.

“Did you have a chance to review the roster of equipment we brought with us, Supreme Commander?” Fran asked as she took a seat, confidently maintaining her posture and stone-faced expression. 

“I did. It is a generous offer, Captain. As is the offer to help us develop our mining technology in the outer worlds. A compelling offer…” 

“But?” Fran filled the silence. She knew where this was going now. 

“My government has worked very hard on getting our people ready to spread our wings and break away from this home system. Power is a delicate thing, Captain. It can slip away if you leave yourself in scarcity for too long. The people eventually do not want scraps of old meat.” Traxx explained.

“It is a risk embarking on the journey you have planned, especially when you are not completely without options in your home system. We are here to help your people with that, if you are willing to give it a chance.” Fran felt this was taking a turn for the worse, but her voice and posture remained the same. She made sure her growing concern did not show.

“Oh how I wish your Federation had arrived months earlier than it did. There might have been a chance. But… The Ark has been built.” Traxx gestured to the rather perfect view they had of the massive warship from the viewport nearest their table. “This has given my people a singular focus and purpose. They have put everything into it. They expect a better quality of life in leaving Tysla.”

“But what if you could give them that life here. Without conflict. Without loss of life. Wouldn’t that be worth considering, too?” 

“I cannot go back on my word, Captain. We are a proud people. I maintain my place in order through a reputation for follow-through. Riches and prosperity have been promised to the Rosvakaar by this journey of conquest. It is written now…” Traxx crossed his arms and looked back at Fran.

“It is a case of bad timing, Captain.. That is…” 

The room filled with gasps and cries as a bright flash of light entered through the viewports. Fran stood immediately on the spot, as her view of the Ark in station above Tysla-IV was straight on. A number of small explosions on the vessel had burst out from inside the ship, and nearly half the vessel had exploded moments after those. 

“NO! Nooooooo!” Traxx exclaimed. 

Fran tapped her comm badge. “Bridge. Get me a report. What the hell is going on over there?” 

The mess hall had immediately turned chaotic, and the Rosvakaar had grouped up and were establishing communications with their own ships. 

“Captain. We must return to our ships immediately.” Traxx announced as a contingent of Rosvakaar had now surrounded him. 

The red alert klaxons on the Agamemnon sounded, and the room’s lights dimmed. Her staff had rightly engaged the shields and alert systems. “Bridge scrap that report request. The Supreme Commander and his personnel are returning to their ships. Lower shields enough for them to transport. I’ll get my report when I get up there.” 

She gave Traxx a respectful nod, and the Rosvakaar in the room all transported away, immediately making the space seem much more vacant. Her own officers now made for their stations, and she to the nearest turbolift to get to the Bridge.

[Several hours later…]

“Any response?” Fran asked her communications officer. It had been over three hours since the explosion of the Rosvakaar Ark. They had offered humanitarian aid and assistance, but all inquiries had been rejected. For the past hour or so, there had been no attempts to reply to Agamemnon at all. They had been completely cut off.

Details were scarce at best. Their own tactical scans seemed to confirm a number of bombs had gone off across the Ark. That was all they had.

A proximity alert sounded before her communications officer could reply. “Captain. There are six Rosvakaar ships on an intercept course to us, including the Supreme Commander’s flagship. Their weapons and shields are powered.” Commander Angus reported.

“Why are they coming in so hot?. Keep shields active, but power down weapons. I do not want to appear hostile.” She ordered. 

Given they were so close to Tysla-IV, the Rosvakarr ships closed the distance and surrounded Agamemnon quickly. 

“Communication coming in from the flagship, Captain.” 

“Bring it up.” Fran stood from her chair and looked ahead. Supreme Commander Traxx filled the viewscreen, his expression angry and hostile. 

“Agamemnon. You are hereby ordered to surrender immediately. You are charged with war crimes against the Rosvakarr.” Supreme Commander Traxx spoke in a serious tone.

“War crimes? Supreme Commander. We have done nothing…” Fran replied, but stopped as a split image appeared on the viewscreen, showing a video file the Rosvakarr were sharing alongside their communication. 

It clearly showed two Starfleet officers planting what looked like an explosive device in a Rosvakarr control panel. Fran did not recognize the officers, but they appeared humanoid, and the uniforms were unmistakably Starfleet. 

“The evidence is clear, Captain. You did not want us to leave our home system. You put on an entire show to convince us to stay. We did not listen, so you decided to take things into your own hands. Surrender immediately.. Or we will destroy you.” The Supreme Commander’s tone was firm, and Fran knew immediately how serious he was. 

“All hands.. Battle stations.. Prepare for multi-vector assault mode..”