| Stardate: 93542.6 | Osprey Incident | Report Submitted: Captain Desimone, S, | Classification Level 1l |
While investigating the loss of several Annatar drones, we received an urgent request for aid from within the neutral space between the Echomet and Annatar borders. On arrival, we discovered three Echomet frigates detaining a repurposed Miranda-class light cruiser; the Osprey. The Echometa had shields raised and weapons powered, and had already transported several of the Miranda's crew over to one of their vessels.
Also of note is that there was substantial debris littering the surrounding space - remains of several Echomet vessels (Uzu squadron) that appear to have met the same fate as the the drones recently lost by the Annatar.
Our hail was answered by Echomet World Guard vessel Amses-2. I informed the responding officer that the Osprey was full of Federation citizens in good standing, and we would need them to power down their weapons. He countered that they were powered to prevent the Osprey from attempting an escape. As a compromise, we locked a tractor beam on the Osprey, and their ships powered down their weapons.
The Echomet rep told me they were responding to a distress signal, and found only the Osprey there, along with the debris of their vessels. A cursory scan revealed that the Osprey was not capable of that level of destruction in such a short span of time. Apart from their suspicion that the Osprey might have been partially responsible for the loss of their vessels, they insisted that, as the crew of the Osprey had been attempting to claim salvage from the destroyed vessels, they had been caught trespassing on Echometa property, and therefore would be subject to their laws, and detention.
The Polaris arrived to lend support at this point, and I informed the Echomet representative that, while I was very happy to cooperate with an investigation, we would not do so with Federation citizens held aboard their vessels. This offer was declined.
I suggested, as a courtesy, to allow the Echometa to conduct an interrogation of the Osprey crew aboard Axiom. This offer was likewise declined.
I made it clear that we weren’t willing to go back and forth ad nauseum, and if they didn't return our people in a civilized manner, we would be forced to retrieve them.
At this point their frigates moved into a flanking position on either side of the Osprey. We responded by raising shields and extending them around the Osprey’s hull to prevent attacks, or transporter use.
Peregrines stood ready, but were not deployed.
The Echomet vessels fired some kind of energized projectiles that somewhat resembled nets at the Osprey, and they were shot down by our phasers. The Echometa already aboard the Osprey boarded a shuttle and tried to ram their way out through our shields. After we determined there were no Federation citizens aboard, and once the Osprey was safely in our hangar bay, we lowered shields and let them out.
Polaris locked Amses-2 in place with a tractor beam while Axiom fired a prolonged tachyon pulse. Once their shields were stripped, we beamed our people back. No casualties, and no damage to Echomet vessels apart from what they inflicted.
Tractors were disengaged, and the Echomet vessels fled the area, broadcasting a general distress call alleging they had been attacked by Starfleet. I radioed an all-clear to all Alliance assets, but the USS Vanguard, RRW Adjacian, and USS San Jacinto still deemed necessary to come investigate. I assume the results of their follow up will be detailed in their own reports.
Our detail of the Osprey found no contraband or evidence of violence, though they had helped themselves to some of the Echomet vessels as salvage. We have maintained our position in neutral space, as I do still intend to work with any Echometa representatives to get to the bottom of this situation, in the event a deeper scan turns up anything other than evidence of poor judgement.
With or without that loose end tied up, we will continue our mission to determine who it actually is out here stirring up all of this trouble.
On a personal note, I deeply hope we can find a way to speak with a single voice out here soon. I’ve never had allies respond to a distress call about me before.
Signed -
Sara Desimone
Captain
USS Axiom