[b][u]NSS Latanos[/u][/b]
“Unknown changing orbit. Now on intercept trajectory, that’s… good? Is it?”
“Weapons don’t seem active, or at least aiming at us. What’s the illuminated section?” the Primarch pointed out as the unknown darkened. Zooming in revealed an opening in the ship’s hull.
“Hangar, perhaps? Or maybe a docking port?” the officer paused, “Goodness me, are they trying to board?!”
“Could be, but why would they illuminate the docking port? Why would they keep it open and exposed the ship’s innards. No, this doesn’t look like a boarding attempt, unless the species suffers from a crippling lack of basic mental faculties.”
The Primarch paced around the CIC. Just what was the unknown doing?
“They have backup, but they’re staying out of the picture. It’s likely they know we know they’re there, just as it is likely they know we are not the only Narix ship in this system. We have partially intercepted an outgoing transmission from them, but can’t make sense of it, but it doesn’t look like it was meant for us anyway and they haven’t responded to our first contact package. Either they haven’t received it, don’t care, or have as much luck deciphering it as we’ve had with theirs.” he sighed, “Well, there’s no bravery without a bit of recklessness. Ready a dropship and a marine squad.” Ascari turned to his XO, “The ship is yours for now. Let the Asgypus know what we’re doing. If we get in and don’t check back in ten minute intervals, scrap that ship and arrange for salvage. Should that come to pass, Prefect Nyxeris will take over the fleet. We’ll do our best to make sure Lord-Commander Zorea can stay home.”

[b][u]Six minutes later[/u][/b]
Four Raider-class heavy fighters formed around the dropship and headed for the unknown.
“Primarch?” the dropship pilot turned around to address his superior, “Is this really a wise course of action?”
The Primarch didn’t know the answer. The fighters held position one hundred meters from the ship while the dropship slowly approached the open docking port.
“That’s going to be a tight fit.” the pilot noted. He turned the Pillager around to face away from the alien vessel and inched toward it, ready to blast off at full throttle at the first sign of trouble.