Federation Affiliate Network

[Crash Calestorm 0]

SS Slipstream Controversy Continues

 

By Kaidan Shepard

The Federation Affiliate Network

 

Markis Sector – Emotions are running high and public opinion is starting to turn against the Federation Starfleet regarding the events and controversy now surrounding the ongoing saga of the SS Slipstream. The initial reaction of elation to the thought to be lost transport vessels reappearance has now given way to puzzlement and a caustic public demand for some answers.

 

Two months before the attacks on Starfleet holdings by the renegade Romulan Nero, the Slipstream was scheduled to travel to the deep space medical outpost Cold Station 13, carrying replacement MACO troops as well as civilian and Starfleet medical technicians. Four weeks into the hyper sleep journey, the transport vessel and passengers completely vanished from the sector beacon tracking sensors and all passengers were thought to be lost.

 

Now, months later, a Caitian cargo freighter has discovered the missing ship within the Markis sector borders; the vessel was underpowered and listing, with no answer to hails. According to a joint press release from representatives of Starfleet Command and Military Assault Command Operations, the Starfleet border patrol vessel USS Comanche Creek has since been dispatched to the Markis sector in order to investigate the area as well as the transport vessel itself.

 

Recent developments however have cast even more of a dark shadow over these investigative proceedings. Sources have confirmed that security footage has been recovered from the luxury transport yacht the Nova Runner, and the footage shows several of the MACO soldiers and civilian doctors from the Slipstream boarding the liner and assaulting passengers. Personal valuables, equipment, supplies, and computer software was methodically stripped and stolen from the interior of the yacht while the passengers were held at phaser point.

 

Software recognition programs have positively identified the former Slipstream passengers as the pirate boarding party, though their identities are being withheld until their families can be contacted.

 

Have the former passengers of the Slipstream gone rogue, turning to a life of piracy, or is there more to this situation then the public have been made aware?

 

Federation and Fleet authorities could not be reached for further comment on this newest development.