| SUBMITTED: Stardate 96240.9 | FILED BY: CAPT Alundi, Nylassa | SECURITY: Level 1 - Open |
LOCATION: Doza Sector, Near Registered Federation Trade Lanes
MISSION: Doza/Kelterre Sector Patrol
OUTCOME: Rimward Logistics freighter, S.S. Tenacious Rhetoric disabled and impounded with two confirmed casualties, remainder of crew in custody. Two unknown and unregistered "Junk" vessels disabled and impounded with crews in custody.
KEY PERSONNEL:
STARFLEET ASSETS:
CAPT Alundi, N. (USS Poseidon)
CAPT Anderson, T. (USS Inexpugnable)
CAPT Hanson, R. (USS Sunrise)
CAPT Nimitz, A. (USS Pegasus)
CMDR Akaela, T. (USS Shackleton)
CIVILIAN ASSETS:
CAPT Vozahn, J. & Crew (SS Tenacious Rhetoric)
Unknown Pirate Crew (Unregistered Vessel)
Unknown Pirate Crew (Unregistered Vessel)
CAPT Alundi, N. (USS Poseidon)
CAPT Anderson, T. (USS Inexpugnable)
CAPT Hanson, R. (USS Sunrise)
CAPT Nimitz, A. (USS Pegasus)
CMDR Akaela, T. (USS Shackleton)
CIVILIAN ASSETS:
CAPT Vozahn, J. & Crew (SS Tenacious Rhetoric)
Unknown Pirate Crew (Unregistered Vessel)
Unknown Pirate Crew (Unregistered Vessel)
NARRATIVE: During a standard patrol, the U.S.S. Poseidon and U.S.S. Shackleton received a garbled distress call from the S.S. Tenacious Rhetoric played over all channels. I ordered an emergency intercept course and en route we joined up with the U.S.S. Inexpugnable, U.S.S. Pegasus and U.S.S Sunrise.
Upon arrival, the Inexpugnable moved behind the hostile vessels to cut off a potential escape route, while the Shackleton held back and provided long range overwatch. The hostile vessels had already disabled the Tenacious Rhetoric, and Captain Nimitz advised the two hostile vessels to "withdraw or be destroyed" while the Sunrise moved to shield the freighter from the attacking vessels. One of the hostile vessels moved to board the Tenacious Rhetoric, whilst the other moved to face the Pegasus and Poseidon, Captain Nimitz ordered to fire upon the vessel, which myself and Commander Akaela disagreed with due to the potential of hostages. Pegasus held fire for the time being.
The hostile vessel hailed us, requesting we leave the area stating the attack did not concern us and that the cargo the Tenacious Rhetoric was carrying belonged to them. I ordered everyone to stand down until the situation could be discussed, however both Captain Hanson and Nimitz sent over security parties to the Tenacious Rhetoric which resulted in the hostile borders taking the bridge, entrenching themselves and taking hostages. The situation was quickly becoming out of hand. I ordered Captains Hanson and Nimitz to stand down their teams until we had some idea what was going on.
The hostage takers put Captain Vozahn on the comm who stated that if we attacked, their crew would be killed. I stated we would not attack and needed to understand the situation, asking to speak with the hostage taker once more however they were unwilling to begin any form of negotiation stating that we had 10 minutes before they would start killing hostages. They began transmitting a video stream so I ordered Captain Hanson and Nimitz to breach and clear the bridge as quickly as possible, using stun grenades and wide beam stun settings to avoid what seemed to have been the start of a broadcasted execution.
As the Starfleet boarding parties secured the Tenacious Rhetoric, the two hostile vessels (comprised of various parts of different ships, from Federation, Romulan, Klingon and Ferengi parts, likely salvaged or stolen and bonded together) began firing on our vessels. After a very short attack, both were disabled. Survivors from all ships were disarmed and beamed to sickbays or the brig where appropriate. The two hostile vessels were boarded with Engineering and Tactical teams to impound the vessels. The Inexpugnable, Shackleton and Sunrise left the area with the Pegasus and Poseidon securing the vessels for transit.
I invited Captain Nimitz aboard and we moved directly to sickbay to speak with Captain Vozahn. The Captain explained he was transporting foodstuffs, which matched up with the manifest, however he was very keen to leave, turning down all offers of assistance. Upon explaining that he would be unable to leave until his full crew had recovered, he insisted that we would not be able to "hold [him] here against [his] will", asking to speak with his lawyer. At this point Captain Nimitz and I left to discuss our situation. Captain Nimitz advised that this was the second freighter from the Rimwards Logistics company to have been attacked this week.
Despite the coincidences, and the larger than necessary for the cargo being carried, and other aspects of Captain Vozahn's story simply not adding up, Captain Nimitz seemed more concerned in avoiding a potential PR incident than investigating further, advising that we should simply let them on their way. I ordered a scan of the area for any displaced cargo during the attack so that we may return to their rightful owners and prevent a navigational hazard near a somewhat busy trade lane. While most of the displaced cargo was as expected from the manifest, there were also pieces of bone within the parts, including brain matter and a number of limbs. We cross referenced with the crew manifest and known casualties to see if this was the remains of an unfortunate member of crew, however it did not match up.
I ordered a security team to inspect the area around the cargo bay to see if they could find further remains and for a damage assessment to the outside hull. They reported that most of the damage hadn't been to the cargo bay, but to the area directly below it. According to schematics, there shouldn't be anything down there. I postulated that the freighter may have potentially been harbouring stowaways or used for people smuggling or potential slave trading. I asked Captain Nimitz for his opinion and he suggested we speak to Captain Vozahn and put the question to him directly. Upon questioning, Captain Vozahn deflected instantly and refused to speak further without his lawyer being present. He was placed in the brig and the S.S. Tenacious Rhetoric was also impounded.
After a number of patch repairs to the civilian vessels, they were directed under a Poseidon formed crew to head for DS13 under Pegasus and Poseidon's escort.
RECOMMENDATION: Investigate the Tenacious Rhetoric and crew, as well as the two pirate type vessels and their crews to get to the bottom of what happened. The Tenacious Rhetoric should be searched and considered as potential evidence in a potential trafficking situation. The crews of all vessels should be isolated and questioned separately. I would ask for assistance from DS13's Security and Engineering departments upon our arrival for these endeavours.
I would also ask Captain Nimitz be reminded that Starfleet has greater concerns than public image when it comes to doing the right thing. Similarly to properly assess a situation before launching an attack against a target which may well have hostages. Additionally, while no formal operational command was established, the Captain should refresh his etiquette regarding seniority and "first on the scene" command.
OOC: Thank you Valore for running the event!