OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON THE AMBIT-6 INCIDENT
A collision between the Echomet World Guard vessel Ambit-6 and Starfleet's U.S.S. Vanguard results in a loss of Echometa life.
DS-13, Aldebaran: On Stardate 93426, during an anti-smuggling operation conducted by elements of the 38th Fleet in territory outside of Echomet space, a collision occurred between the Echomet World Guard patrol vessel Ambit-6 and the Starship Vanguard, assigned to the 38th Fleet's Taurus Squadron under the command of Captain Dmitri Konieczko. The collision resulted in massive damage to Ambit-6, and the loss of life of a number of that vessel's crew.
Vanguard and the USS October were tasked with the operation after the 38th Fleet received actionable intelligence in our on-going efforts to halt the trafficking of Irreo eggs that are part of what the Echometa call the discard trade. Under our agreement with the World Union, we patrolled the space outside their purview. On the Echomet side of their border, their World Guard had dispatched two vessels, the Ambit-6 and Ambit-7, to maintain the fidelity of their border and patrol for potential smugglers within their space.
Vanguard's Captain communicated with the World Guard counterparts, explaining our presence and purpose in the area, and pledged to uphold the agreement between the World Union and 38th Fleet Command. After doing so, both Starfleet vessels commenced their anti-smuggling patrols, while both World Guard vessels shadowed our ships along their side of the border, and conducted their own operations. The 38th Fleet's operation was in accordance with the preexisting agreement with the World Union, and interstellar law.
The collision itself occurred when a vessel leaving Echomet space entered the neutral territory, refused attempts to communicate with Vanguard, and moved to evade. This vessel had a crew of three Echometa, and was carrying a cache of at least four of the discard trade Irreo eggs, which they were in the process of destroying. Ambit-6, which had been shadowing the Vanguard, gave chase into neutral territory, as Vanguard attempted to tractor the suspected smuggler craft. That attempt failed, and Vanguard moved to follow the suspected smugglers and reestablish the tractor beam, which was eventually successful. The velocity of Ambit-6 was such that it did not give its pilots time to adjust to Vanguard's turning maneuver, resulting in a direct impact by Ambit-6 into Vanguard.
After the collision, Vanguard's Captain ordered that all available assistance be given to recover and treat the injured aboard Ambit-6. Most of the World Guard crew who had survived the collision had escaped via pods, while Vanguard transported three critically injured Echometa, who could not make it to those pods. Immediate medical treatment was rendered to the injured, until Ambit-7 requested their comrades from Ambit-6 be transported aboard. After verifying that this course of action would not directly kill the injured, and making clear the risks of transporting the Ambit-6 crewmembers in their critical state to the commander of Ambit-7, the transport occurred as requested. This entire exchange took a matter of minutes, and followed medical protocols concerning the safety of critically injured persons.
Vanguard's Captain then made contact with the Prime Minister of Echomet, relaying the information of the collision, and the capture of the smugglers. As conveyed to Prime Minister Rieskl at the time of the incident, we express our regret over the unintentional collision that cost Echometa life. While Vanguard followed a standard helm adjustment maneuver, we are not concerned with assigning fault. We stand ready to continue our agreement with the Echomet World Union, in our coordinated effort to end the discard trade of Irreo eggs.
We've offered the After Action Reports of our anti-smuggling operation, which are a matter of public record, and sensor data, audio and visual logs of the incident, as well as the accounts of those both on Vanguard and October to the Echomet World Union, to assist in their own investigation.
In a show of good faith, Prime Minister Rieskl allowed the 38th Fleet to uphold our end of the agreement, by sanctioning the transport of the smuggler vessel, and the three suspects into Starfleet custody. And to return the gesture we fully intend to share all information gathered by our investigation with his government, so that both parties can continue to work together to end the illicit trade of unborn sentient life. We are dedicated to this goal, as we know the Prime Minister is.
All media inquiries into this release should be sent through the Fleet PAO.
About the 38th Fleet: 38th Fleet ARGO's mission is to support Starfleet with forward deployed forces that are ready to support scientific and exploration missions as well as act to maintain the security of Federation space. We are Starfleet's primary security assurance in this sector. We will provide ready forces to secure our region as well as deploy forces throughout Federation space and areas of interest to support Starfleet missions. We are on the scientific and exploration frontier for the Federation. It is the desire of this command to make science and exploration the pinnacle of all of our operations, with the understanding that security may sometimes override this desire. We are ambassadors of the Federation. Our efforts in this area will be foremost considered in all decisions made with both new encounters and previously established relationships. We will be an organization exemplified by decisive action, innovative thinking, and a culture of professionalism and integrity.
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