During the meeting in the Command Room aboard the USS Einstein, Capt Bravin informed everyone that as nothing untoward was found in the samples that had been taken during the visits to the surface of the planet Delphi-Ran, he would send a report to Starfleet Command saying that the planet is suitable to be used for a relaxing shore leave.
Capt Bravin then announced that he had received a communication from Starfleet Command, saying that there have been reports of "pirates" operating in the sector.
As such a watchful eye would need to be kept on the return journey back to Galileo Station.
Everyone then made their way to the Bridge and took up their stations.
The ship left orbit of the planet Delphi-Ran, having set course for Galileo Station.
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Along the way, weapons fire was detected on our scanners, so we changed course to investigate.
We went to Yellow alert and soon came across a ship that was firing low power weapons at a smaller ship.
We hailed the larger ship telling them to cease fire, or we would be forced to fire upon them. The ship promptly ceased firing and left the area before going to warp.
We then hailed the smaller ship to check if they were okay but didn't receive a response. Our scans of the ship were incomplete due to a damping field.
We therefore sent a message to the ship saying that we were sending a small Boarding Party over to the ship to check that everything was okay.
Cmdr T'Preea led the Boarding Party to the Transporter Room, from where they beamed over to the ship - whilst Capt Bravin remained aboard the 'Einstein.
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Once aboard the ship, the Boarding Party was met by Ray Dixon, who complained that he had not given permission for them to come aboard. Cmdr T'Preea explained that they were from Starfleet and that they had been trying to contact him, without success.
When asked about the ship that was firing, Ray Dixon simply said that there had been a misunderstanding - but all was now well.
When asked about the ship's destination, Ray Dixon was evasive - saying that he was waiting to receive instructions on where to pick up some cargo.
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When asked if he had any objections to the Boarding Party having a look around the ship, Ray Dixon reluctantly agreed that he would show them around.
On the Bridge, surprise was expressed about the number of phase rifles there. Ray Dixon's explanation was that they were needed "because there were pirates about".
He was then at pains to explain that it was a cargo ship and referred to some posters on a wall in the ship's lounge, displaying the "Star Track Express Cargo Company".
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Ray Dixon then continued the guided tour of the ship, showing the crew's quarters, his own quarters and sickbay - whilst ignoring requests to be shown the cargo hold.
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Following repeated requests, Ray Dixon eventually had to retract an area of the floor to reveal a stairway that led down to the cargo hold.
Once in the cargo hold, everyone was surprised to see a large cage in the corner. Ray Dixon's explanation for the cage was simply that it "proved to be useful at times".
Attention was then focussed on a shipping container. When asked what was inside, Ray Dixon said that he didn't know what was inside, if anything, as he would get paid to collect a container and transport it to another location - but told never to open the container !
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The Boarding Party then received information from Security aboard the USS Einstein, that Ray Dixon was wanted by Starfleet and others, for acts of piracy - and that he should be taken into custody.
On telling this to Ray Dixon, he quickly ran up the stairway and tried to escape using the transporter.
However he was apprehended just in time and transported to the USS Einstein, where he was placed in the Brig.
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Group photo showing :-
Capt David7 Bravin - Commanding Officer
Cmdr T'Preea - Chief Science Officer
Ensign Spring - Science Officer
Ensign Salsa - Security Officer
Ensign Godard - Operations Officer
Ray Dixon - Pirate
Photos taken by Ensign Salsa