Commanding Officers’ Log,
Stardate 79692.1

We arrived at Starbase 12 and prepared to say goodbye to my father as he was to make his way back to the Sol System. However, upon docking, I received an emergency summons request from Commander Skaro, Starbase 12’s Assistant Chief Strategic Operations Officer. Apparently, the station has been having trouble with some Dilithium Raiders in the neighboring sector that have put a strain on their Dilithium reserves. I decided to bring Romen and Archie with me, giving our Mobile Emitters a test run while we see how the Fox is able to help Starbase 12 out with their pirate problem.

Commander Skaro was an imposing man, a 6’8” flightless Aurelian, whose avian features resembled a shoebill. Nonetheless, he politely offered Michael a glass of sweet tea from his replicator before taking his seat at his desk. Michael sat relaxed in his chair, Archie sitting next to him across from the commander. Romen, however, adopted a parade-rest stance behind Michael, while Pops took a seat across the room on the commander’s couch. Far enough away to not be in the middle of things, but just enough that he could still hear.

“I know you have quite the journey ahead of you, and I hate to be the cause of delay, but this is a time-sensitive issue, and we are short-handed on available starships to address this properly.” Skaro began. Michael had taken a sip of his tea; it wasn’t quite the blend he preferred, but he was not going to turn down the gesture. “Oh, it’s fine. Starships get detoured all the time by anomalies and distress signals. Just tell us how we can be of service.” Michael replied casually.

Skaro breathed a sigh of relief and turned to his monitor. At the push of a button, two large display screens appeared behind his desk, covering his windows, showcasing a sector block map of the space between Starbase 12, and Starbase Bravo. “I’m sure you know, Corvan II is the largest supplier of refined Dilithium in the sector. Shipments from there are delivered to us and Starbase Bravo, and we distribute them to other stations and planets beyond as needed. Honestly, I would say we only keep a sixth of what is delivered to us for ourselves and traffic control refueling, “he explained.

“Within the last six months, small raiding ships have been intercepting transports from Corvan II to Starbase 12. They hit randomly; it’s never the same type of ships, but intercepted communications confirm it’s the same group of individuals. We have tried to increase security and even enlist a formal starship escort when we can find one, but these are general civilian freighters; they don’t stand a chance against Naussian Fighters or Orian Interceptors.”

“Casualties, Sir?” Romen chimed in, getting a tactical assessment of the raiding parties. “Thankfully, None. These are quick hit-and-run tactics; they drop the supply ships’ shields and beam over what they can grab before warping away. And they normally don’t even take the full shipment.” Skaro answered.

“They seem to be deliberately keeping a low profile then. They know Starfleet would have no choice but to send additional ships if they blew up a transport or killed civilian crewmen.” Michael commented. Archie nodded in agreement, “And by not taking the full payload, they’re making themselves out to be more of a nuisance than an actual threat.”

“Yes, well, so far, WE have been taking the brunt of the loss in Dilithium, so that shipments further into the Core Worlds remain undisturbed. But that leaves us with a nuisance bordering on an operational emergency, as now we have to ration or outright deny Dilithium for visiting starship refueling. Just yesterday, we nearly had to put down a riot with a Klingon crew who needed refueling, but we didn’t have enough to accommodate them and keep the station running at optimal levels. And unless this gets addressed, it’s only going to get worse.”

Michael remembered commenting on the docked Mat’Ha-class Klingon destroyer they saw as they came into port. “So what’s changed? How do you think we can help?” Michael asked outright.

“SIGINT believes they have intercepted a transmission indicating another raid is preparing to take place. This is the first time we have had a confirmed advanced warning, and I want to make the best of the opportunity.” Skaro stated.

“Well…the starbase appears to have a proficient roster of starships at its disposal,” Archie started, turning to Michael for a moment, “and pardon my saying so, sir,” he directed to his commanding officer before turning back to Skaro, “Far more suitable than us to address some pirate ships.”

Michael’s smile turned into a light chuckle. “He doesn’t want us to fight off the pirates… they’re the insects in this scenario.” He only had to probe lightly into the commander’s mind to grasp his intentions. “Correct. I want you to follow the bugs back to the hive, so we can end this at its source. If I assemble a task force or even send a larger ship, we risk spooking them and losing this chance to capitalize on the intel. The Fox, however, is small enough to watch from a distance without being easily detected, but capable enough to handle herself, I’m sure, if push came to shove for a ship of her size.” Skaro finished.

“Oh, we can definitely shove back.” Romen agreed, cracking his knuckles, “So what’s the plan?”

“I’m going to send a broadband emergency request for a large shipment of Dilithium to cover our current deficit. Rush order. On backend channels, I’m going to have them load most of the shipment with depleted Dilithium that has an identifying Ion Radiation signature, which should help you track it easier. I want the Fox to shadow this shipment, wait for the raid, then follow it back. Confirm the raiders’ base of operations and contingent, and report back so we can rally a proper Task Force to take them down.” Skaro decreed.

“Count us in, Commander,” Michael replied, but before the Avian Commander could acknowledge this, his communicator chimed. “Security to Commander Skaro.”

Ruffled at this call, Skaro tapped his badge, “Skaro, go ahead.”

“Sir, the Klingon Captain is back, demanding to speak with you about the Dilithium for his ship.” The voice on the other end of the call announced.

Skaro groaned, rolling his eyes. “Did he bring his honor guard with him again?”

“No, sir, but he does have a Bat’leth he is refusing to surrender.” The young officer’s voice replied.

Skaro’s feathery hands facepalmed his beak, giving an exasperated sigh. Michael cleared his throat to get the Commander’s attention. “You know…I think I can handle this for you as well, if you’ll let me.”

Skaro looked up at the Commander, as his crew rose to their feet and prepared to depart. “At this point, he probably wants to challenge me to a Mauk-to ‘Vor.” He stated, defeated. Michael laughed, “No, I think I can solve this without bloodshed, much to his displeasure.” Turning behind him as his father approached, “Want to come along, or you going to head back home?”

Pops huffed, “Son, I just realized I hit my midlife crisis; so it’s either fighting Klingons and Pirates with you, or buying a Risian Corvette. I think sticking with you a few more days might be the cheaper option.”

[TO BE CONTINUED]