| SUBMITTED: Stardate 96358.6 | FILED BY: CAPT A. Derenzis | SECURITY: Level 2 - Confidential |
LOCATION: Deep space, 4.7 ly southwest of Isep Xedi, Doza Sector
MISSION: Achieve peaceful contact with Vorshak trading caravan, and gain assistance in repairing the Tir7 vessel retrieved on Stardate 96333.6.
OUTCOME: Peaceful contact with the Vorshak achieved. Schematics for the Tir7 vessel traded in exchange for select language files from the Federation database.
KEY PERSONNEL:
CAPT A. Derenzis
CAPT C. Dubois,
CMDR T. Akaela,
SCDR R'lmus ch'Rihan
LT Kelzi Ledar
LT T'Lal
CAPT A. Nimitz (holocommunication only)
CAPT C. Dubois,
CMDR T. Akaela,
SCDR R'lmus ch'Rihan
LT Kelzi Ledar
LT T'Lal
CAPT A. Nimitz (holocommunication only)
NARRATIVE: Thanks to information provided by our passenger, Elder Seeker Recurrence Relation, we were aware of a Vorshak trading caravan that would be entering Doza Sector around Stardate 96352.7 at the location given above. In addition to the Shackleton, the U.S.S. Peacecraft commanded by CAPT Christian Dubois, and the R.R.W. Lykara, commanded by Subcommander R'lmus ch'Rihan, were present to greet the Vorshak. SCDR R'lmus boarded the Shackleton as a guest observer, while CAPT Dubois provided an advisory role throughout the contact.
The Vorshak trading caravan arrived at the location on schedule, consisting of three large cargo vessels and eight frigate-sized escorts armed with tetryon beam weapons. Communications were quickly established with Trademaster Fexata Viiir, the representative for the Aecvar Caravan. On learning of our wish to gain schematics to repair a Tir7 vessel, Fexata went from friendly to very cooperative, and invited a delegation to join him for face to face negotiations. A delegation of the above listed officers minus the reporting officer and CAPT Nimitz (who had not yet contacted the Shackleton) was sent over to the Vorshak lead vessel.
Two communications were received from the delegation before their return; the first was from LT Ledar, who reported that a Tir7 was aboard the Vorshak vessel and had begun to oppose the trade negotiation. The second communication was several minutes later, with the delegation stating the negotiations had been successful. LT. Ledar reported a data transfer would begin shortly, and requested scans to guard against malicious programming: the scans revealed no viruses or hostile attempts to access our computers. A payment of the standard Federation greeting package and language primers for the 25 most prominent Federation languages was transmitted to the Vorshak in turn. The delegation returned to the Shackleton soon afterward.
The delegation minus SCDR R'lmus debriefed in this officer's ready room. They stated the Tir7 aboard the Vorshak ship, named Stochastic Recursion, was aware of our two passengers, and had accused them of endangering the universe itself with their journey. According to the delegation, the Tir7 have a central belief that the universe is a puzzle to be solved, and that once this is accomplished, the universe would cease to be. CAPT Dubois noted that Tir7 society placed a high value on intellectual effort over physical, and that our passengers attempt to go out into the universe to understand it was a departure from their normal mode; he and LT T'Lal hypothesized that Stochastic Recursion's opposition may have more to due with changing societal values than with the end of the cosmos as we know it. CAPT Dubois went on to caution that further investigation is needed before any conclusions can be drawn. CMDR Akaela and CAPT Nimitz both were of the opinion that our passengers were not, quote, 'doomsday cultists', unquote, based on their observations during the contact on Stardate 96333.6. CMDR Akaela noted the more urgent matter was the fact that Stochastic Recursion's words and actions can be taken as a threat against this vessel. This officer has ordered tactical drills and a heightened state of alert for as long as our passengers are aboard.
RECOMMENDATION: The Vorshak had stated another of their caravans will visit this part of space in approximately five years; Starfleet should keep this sector under watch for this caravan and be prepared to meet it. Based on our delegation's report, it is this officer's considered opinion that the Vorshak are friendly and will trade freely.
The threat against this vessel has several unknowns, primarily how much resources Stochastic Recursion has at their disposal and whether they are willing to commit violence. An analysis of the hull damage found on the Tir7 vessel indicates tetryon beam weapons were used, suggesting Stochastic has access to Vorshak or related weapons technology. This officer has ruled out returning the Shackleton to DS13 at this time, as we do not want to lead a potential enemy to our principal starbase in this region, but this officer does request other Starfleet vessels in the area be alerted and ready to respond should the Shackleton be attacked. We will remain at alert status for the time being.
Investigation into the larger Tir7 culture is recommended to determine the nature of the conflict into which we seem to have been pushed. Based on records obtained from the Tir7 vessel, a visit to their homeworld is not likely in the short term. This officer plans to interview our passengers Recurrence Relation and Branching Symmetry in hopes of learning more, and will update Starfleet as soon as possible.
OOC: Alyx's POV of the events of "Symmetric Trade". Thanks to all who attended; if I missed something please let me know and I'll make the appropriate corrections. Other participants in the delegation are encouraged to add their own reports.