USS Culver City had dropped out of warp at the edge of the Duwalla system in the Shackleton Expanse, and was cruising in-system under impulse power.  On the bridge of the Culver City, Lieutenant Commander Varyn K’lev sat back in his command chair, reviewing the latest report from the system.  That report had been filed by Culver City‘s sister, USS Blythe, with which she was to rendezvous in support of operations in the system.

K’lev looked over to Lieutenant (jg) Tiza at Ops.  “Go ahead and see if you can raise the Blythe,” he said.  “Let’s let them know we’ve arrived, and see where they need our cargo.”

Blythe Bridge

“The Culver City is hailing sir. They’ve arrived and are requesting instructions on where to deliver their cargo.” Ingram said from his console.

“Acknowledge the communique. Welcome them to Duwalla and ask then to rendezvous with us here.” Tyler said.

The Blythe was currently in orbit around Derganix after identifying some more serious and harmful cultural contamination there. Tyler and Kerak had come up with a plan for the Slivin to remain cloaked and monitor the main Ferengi station in orbit around Formica that was currently on the other side of the system in its orbit.

((Culver City, Bridge))

Tiza looks up from his console.  “Blythe welcomes us to the system, and asks us to join them; they’ve sent a marker,” he said.

“Excellent,” K’lev replied.  “Please give Captain Tyler my compliments, and tell him we’ll be there momentarily.”  His mismatched gaze now turned to Lieutenant (jg) Ari Phillips at the helm.  “Ari, set an intercept course for the Blythe‘s position, full impulse.”

As the two set to their orders, Lieutenant Ophelia Lotharys spoke up from the Sciences station, her tone cautiously eager.  “Do you think we’ll have a chance to-”

K’lev cut her off with a smile.  “Yes, Ophelia, you may run survey scans to your heart’s content,” he said with a chuckle, having seen her question coming from a light-year away.

She beamed, then set to her console as well.  Culver City proceeded in-system, her impulse engines sending faint rumbling up through the decks.  Just as Tiza confirmed having Blythe in visual range, Lotharys picked up something unexpected on her console; the readings were so unexpected, she had to confirm them with Lieutenant (jg) Tyrisa sh’Livo at Tactical.  But confirmed they were, so she had to speak up.  “Umm…  you probably won’t believe this, but I’m detecting a Ferengi power signature further off, in orbit of one of one of the fourth planet’s moons.  And both the second planet – where Blythe is – and that moon show signs of life.  At least one – on the planet – looks pre-warp.”

Everyone on the bridge exchanged glances.  K’lev chuckled.  “I think Captain Tyler undersold those ‘confounding factors’,” he said.  “Well, if there’s a pre-warp culture, then the Prime Directive applies, so let’s try not to be noticed as best we can.  Go ahead and launch probes to monitor each.”