The Ruxomar Resurgence Vol. 2 Ch. 7: 'Zakarri'

"Captain, we are now approaching Zakarri 6.  Sir... I'm not detecting any ships on sensors."  "Keep scanning.  Jade, take us to yellow alert, raise the shields, just in case."  "Aye Sir."  "According to the location we received the distress call from, we should be right on top of it.  However, I'm still not detecting any ships in the system."  "I don't like this, Logan."  "Neither do I, Claire."  "Captain! I'm detecting a ship on an intercept course!  It's shields are raised and it's weapons are armed!"  "Red Alert!  Jade, try to hail them."  "Aye, no response."  "They're firing!"  The unknown ship targeted the Athens port side.  "No damage, captain.  They seem to have cloaked."  "Keep an eye out for them. Maintain red alert."  

"Captain, they're back!  They have a lock on our engines.  No damage."  "Return the favor, target they're engines, and disable their ship."  "Aye Sir!" After a couple of shots, the opposing ship was disabled and adrift.  "They're disab- captain, new problem! Detecting three ships, they've decloaked all around us, we're surrounded.  I cross referenced the three ships with ships similar to our fleet, it seems like the lead ship is a battleship, the other two are escorts, and the one we disable looks something like a frigate or an attack ship."  "Looks like some heavy firepower... I wonder why they haven't attacked us yet."  "Incoming hail, captain."  "On screen."

"Ruxomar ship, this is Captain Rodin of the H.D.I. New Dawn. State your name, designation, and reason for entering our system."  "My name is Captain Kuro, R.X.S. Athens.  We detected a distress call from this system, we were here to investigate a distress call."  "Yes, we sent out the distress call."  "Why?  You don't seem to be in distress."  "We are attempting to track down sellers of out-dated mining equipment, responsible for over 9 collapses of different mines, the most recent being-"  Logan cut in. "Latruinov 4 Centre.  We investigated that explosion ourselves, we determined it was because of out-dated mining equipment.  You believe someone if facilitating the sale of these lasers?"  "Yes, I do.  We sent the distress call on the frequency we believe only the sellers used."  "Well, I can assure you that we are not selling out dated equipment."  "Hmm, I see.  This is disturbing to me."  "To us as well, give us a couple minutes to confer with my superiors about how to continue, I fear me might have an inside job on our hands."

Logan motioned for Jade to cut the current channel.  "Hail the Admiral."  "Channel open."  "Admiral, we have a problem.  We were ambushed by a group of Zakarri ships, however we have that under control.  Their leader, a man named Rodin, is investigationg a group facilitating the sale of out dated mining equipment.  He believes the group to be the ones responsible for the incident on Latruinov.  He sent the distress call on a frequency only the sellers used, a Ruxomar frequency."  "Are you sure, Logan?"  "Yes.  The frequency was 723.7."  "I think you might have a lead, Logan.  The only people who use that channel exclusively is a Ruxomar protectorate colony, who have recently gone off the grid.  They are space capable, and have been known to use out dated equipment, and refuse to accept new equipment from us.  See if you can find out who he works with, and see if you can work with him and get him to join you at Starbase 57."  "Aye Sir, thank you."

Jade hailed Rodin again.  "Well, what did your 'superiors' say?"  "We have a solid lead.  A colony that uses the same frequency that you sent the distress call on recently went off the grid.  They are space capable, and use out dated equipment and refuse to accept new."  "I see, so my suspicions were correct."  "It would appear so.  Admiral Okawa has invited you to join us at Starbase 57 to see if we can crack down on these guys and stop these sales."  "I do not like working with other captains, but I feel like this time might be the only way.  We will follow you to Starbase 57 and assist with an investigation and takedown of these guys."  "Thank you, Rodin.  Now if you could, please have your friends disarm their weapons."  Rodin sent a signal to the other ships, and they disarmed.  "Thank you.  We just sent over coordinates to all of your ships, lets get going."  "Yes, lets."  "Claire, set a course for Starbase 57, warp 12.  Signal for a ship to come out and help out the ship we disabled earlier."  "Aye sir, course set, ready to engage."  "Alright, engage!"  The Athens, along with Rodin and his cooperative departed Zakarri 6 for Starbase 57.