Bric emerged from his office with a stern look on his face. It had been nearly three days since the second convoy had ventured forth.

“Lt. Dover, Lt. Fields nice work retrofitting those Sparrows and getting them serviceable again. I might have you up-gun some of our shuttles if this keeps up.” He said to the two men who manned their set of consoles around the raised perimeter as he walked down the steps into the command pit.

“Thank you, sir.” Lt. Dover replied. “The job is not over completely; we need to make sure that everything works out correctly on this convoy. I’ll keep you updated, sir.” Lt. Dover glanced down at his console, checking the station’s current condition.

The comms console sounded a few different alerts, as did the sensor operators.

“Picking up an unidentified vessel on approach sir.” Lt. Fields said from the Ops console.

“We’re receiving a priority communication from them. They’re identifying themselves as the FFS Crattelius…sir, they say they rescued an escape pod and have 3 Starfleet officers aboard.” the comms officer.

Everyone turned to look at the Captain.

“They’re requesting permission to dock, sir.” The comms officer added.

“Clear them for docking port 6,” Bric tapped his comm badge, “Doctor Graves, Doctor Reno, meet me at Airlock 6 right away please.

“Lt. Fields you have the Watch. Have a security team report to the airlock 6 too.”

“Aye sir.”

Bric made for the turbolift and then turned back to his yeoman, “Collate those reports of incident and sightings and have them plotted Mr. Wylder. Send what you come up with to the senior staffs PADDs.”

Bric met the stations two senior medical officers and 2 security officerd at the airlock several moments later.

“What’s this all about sir?” Graves asked.

“Apparently a First Federation ship picked up an escape pod several light years away. They’re about to drop off the 3 survivors they rescued.”

“Survivors of the Meade Captain?” Asked one of the security officers who had been friends with a few members of the rogue ships crew.

“The Crattelius was vague and didn’t provide any other details, but we’re about to find out.” Bric saw the light above the airlock turn green, and it swooshed open as he approached.

Everyone in the entourage was aware that the only recent incident nearby where an escape pod may have been employed was during whatever had occurred on the Meade. As they walked down the long, wide corridor that made up the majority of the arm-like spoke that jutted out from the side of the station, no more words were spoken. When they arrived at the still closed hard dock, Bric turned abruptly to Graves.

“Something doesn’t feel right. These very well could be a 5th column of mutineers. I want these people thoroughly screened and checked out in a secure location Doc.”

“Of course sir.” Graves said as he shifted nervously.

Bric then looked to his Head Counselor “Dr. Reno, I want you to join me and Lt. Jennings for the debriefings and interviews of these individuals as soon as they are medically cleared.”