text: An alert sounded from the communications system, accompanied by a small window that popped up on the ship’s graphical display. Somebody was hailing the CSS Halberd. Caden Rivers, the captain and pilot, was seated at the helm of the bridge. Surprised to be hearing from another ship this far into deep space, he read the hail request. Its source was a small cargo transport, apparently called the CSS Daléria, which was currently floating in front of the Halberd’s front windows. Its engines appeared to be offline. “Definitely a trap,” piped up Janek from his own corner of the bridge, barely looking up from his solitaire game. “We answer their hail, they stall us while their lasers charge up.” “We haven't even heard what they want yet,” replied Caden. Skye, sitting at her engineer’s station, interjected, “Their ship is called the ‘CSS Daléria’. If they were pirates, they would have the ‘HSS’ prefix.” Her work station was littered with several books on the history and mechanics of starships. Janek immediately retorted, “It ain’t that hard to install a comms mod-” “Quiet. We're going to answer the hail,” settled Caden. “If they try anything suspicious, then we'll leave.” And with that he accepted the communications request, opening up a new screen on the graphical display that allowed all three crew to see the Daléria’s interior. There was only one person visible on the feed, who appeared relieved that the hail request had been accepted. He promptly introduced himself. “This is Captain Hector Tully of the CSS Daléria, requesting to open a trade offer.” Janek shot Caden a smug look. Caden was also beginning to doubt the hailing captain’s intentions, but he didn't want to give Janek the opportunity to brag about his foresight just yet. He decided to entertain Captain Hector’s request. “This is Captain Caden Rivers of the CSS Halberd. I'll hear your offer.” “Thank the heavens. Our fuel tank ran dry on the way back from a job, and my crew and I've been stranded out here for two days. We have some extra funds left over, and I'd be willing to pay very well for any fuel you can spare.” They wanted to dock. Of course. “Captain Hector Tully, I'd like to discuss this offer with my crew first, if you don't mind. Won't take long,” Caden said as he temporarily suspended communications. The Halberd’s bridge was quiet for just a moment. Janek was the first to speak. “I can't be the only one here who sees what's wrong with the situation. We're in the middle of deep space, three days from the nearest planet, and they expect us to just trust them?” Caden and Janek looked at Skye expectantly, but she was quiet and obviously thinking the situation over thoroughly. She made no comment. He continued, “On my last job, we were trucking across the way to Osmis, and we got hailed by some guys just like that one. Claimed one of their thrusters had busted. We saw they had pirate markings on their ship, they tried to paint over them but they didn’t do a good job of it. We jumped out of there fast. Can’t trust these people.” Skye now argued, “We can see their ship right there; it looks like they’ve got a perfectly good paint job.” “I didn't think I'd ever say it, but Janek’s right,” Caden decided. “It's just too risky to blindly dock with them. We’ll have to leave them for somebody else to find.” Caden now resumed communications. “Captain Hector Tully, this is Captain Caden Rivers again. Unfortunately, we need all the fuel we have right now. I can't agree to the trade.” “I understand,” replied Hector. He looked upset, but his voice remained calm. “Good travels, Captain.” “Good luck,” replied Caden, and he ended communications with the Daléria. “I don't like it,” Skye finally said. “I know it’s risky to dock like that, but he looked like he really needs help.” “Not our fault he forgot to refuel before setting off,” replied Janek calmly, starting a new round of solitaire. As the Halberd flew off, past the motionless Daléria and on towards its destination, not one of the crew noticed the gunship with pirate markings on its hull stealthily approaching. It had its course set on the Daléria, laser guns activated and charging. The fuelless ship did not move.