[Music] you humans can smell lies that's insane Captain relic of the Broan Empire leaned back in his seat his segmented arms folded across his chest his kiteen his face managed to look skeptical even through the translator's flat voice across the table Commander Hayes simply Shrugged a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips it's not about lies Captain it's about noticing things that don't add up Hayes motioned toward the steaming cup of coffee in front of him call it intuition if you want but when something feels wrong it probably is Relic clicked his mandibles
together in what his people considered a polite laugh the humans were still a mystery to the Broan even years after Earth's formal induction into the galactic Concord small unassuming bipeds they lack the physical might of the malg or the advanced neural networks of the Chon yet in their short time Among the Stars they had developed a reputation for pulling off the improbable some called it luck others weren't so sure you believe this intuition can replace data analysis and proper protocols Relic tone bordered on condescension it's not about replacing anything Hayes replied it's about paying attention
to what data can't measure let me give you an example he leaned forward his expression serious now on Earth during a routine cargo inspection one of our offic officers noticed something odd the cargo base smelled like motor oil but the Manifest said the shipment was medical supplies the computers didn't flag it because technically everything checked out but the smell didn't fit turned out the crates were full of Contraband weapons relics an Tenny twitched signaling surprise you caught an arm Smuggler because someone noticed a smell exactly before Relic could respond a chime echoed through the room
the ship's a I interrupted its artificial tone perfectly monotone Captain Relic Commander Hayes your presence is required on the bridge the incoming vessel has deviated from its declared trajectory relics expression darkened let's see if your intuition is any use here he said as he rose from his seat the bridge of the veran cruiser tal reek was a Sleek angular space dominated by holographic displays the incoming ship was a freighter registered to the throl Consortium a species known for their obsession with efficiency and their aversion to risk yet the frighter had veered off its assigned route
by several degrees edging dangerously close to an asteroid belt thr ships don't make navigation errors Hayes muttered more to himself than anyone else he stepped closer to the main display studying the vessel's trajectory what's their explanation none so far the comm's officer replied they're refusing to answer our hailes Relic frowned prepare an intercept course if they won't respond we'll board them Hayes shook his head bad idea they're baiting us the Broan Captain turns sharply to face him baiting us for what purpose Hayes gestured at the asteroid belt on the display that's not just an asteroid
belt it's a dead zone for long- range sensors if you send your ship in there you'll lose comms and visibility perfect place for an ambush Relic scoffed and what evidence do you have for this Theory surely even your intuition requires some basis in fact Hayes pointed at the trajectory again the thr are perfectionists they don't make mistakes like this if they're off course it's deliberate and if it's deliberate there's a reason think about it why would they want us in that belt relics and tenny twitched again he hated to admit it but the human's reasoning
had Merit what do you suggest then let them think we've taken the bait hay said but instead of following them in we send a probe ahead if there's an ambush waiting the probe will flush it out the broken Captain considered this for a moment he didn't like taking advice from a species so new to Interstellar diplomacy but Hayes had a point very well deploy the probe the small Sleek device launched from the tal reeks Hall streaking toward the asteroid belt the bridge fell silent as everyone watched its progress on the holograph graphic display for several
tense minutes nothing happened then the probe's feed cut out something's jamming it the comms officer reported Hayes nodded grimly there's your proof no way that's natural interference before Reet could issue an order the ship's sensors lit up with new contacts five vessels emerged from the asteroid belt their weapons powered and aimed directly at the tal reek they were malro Raiders a brutal species Infamous for their piracy Shields up Relic barked all hands to Battle Stations the bridge erupted into Controlled Chaos as officers scrambled to respond Hayes meanwhile stayed calm watching the display with a calculating
expression they're expecting you to fight he said but what if we don't give them the chance Relic shot a mclair you have a better idea human Hayes grinned just one let's make them think we're more troubl than we're worth without waiting for permission he leaned over the Tactical console and began inputting commands moments later the tal re's external speakers blared to life broadcasting an ominous lowf frequency hum that sent shivers down the spines of everyone on board at the same time the ship's lights began to flicker erratically and its energy signature spiked to alarming levels
what are you doing Relic demanded making them think we've got a secret weapon Hayes replied the malg gr are bullies they pre on weakness but if they think we're about to unleash something they can't handle they'll back off for a moment it seemed like the gamble wouldn't pay off the malro ships held their positions their weapons still trained on the cruiser then one by one they began to retreat disappearing back into the asteroid belt as the last Raider vanished from the sensors Relic turned to Hayes with an expression that could only be described as grudging
respect perhaps there is something to this intuition of yours Hayes Shrugged again his smirk returning told you sometimes you just have to trust what feels off Relic paced the bridge his mandibles clicking as he reviewed the sensor logs the malro retreating so easily feels suspicious he said glancing toward Hayes who was leaning casually against a console why would they back down without even testing our defenses because bullies don't like risks Hayes replied they saw the energy surge and decided we weren't worth with the hassle simple as that relics an Tenny twitched a clear sign of
his lingering doubts simple answers rarely hold true in complex situations what if this was just a probe a way to gauge our response Hayes folded his arms his expression turning thoughtful if that's the case then they'll regroup and try again but here's the thing Captain they won't use the same tactic twice that's not their style if they come back they'll have a new angle Rel considered this he disliked the human informal demeanor but Hayes had a knack for cutting through the noise and focusing on what mattered if they return we need to be ready suggestions
Hayes pushed off the console and stepped toward the Tactical display first we need to figure out what they really wanted attacking of rocan Warship head-on isn't standard mgro Behavior they're opportunists this feels bigger than a random raid Relic nodded agreed their initial move seem calculated we need answers he turned to his comm's officer has the Thal freighter resumed communication yes Captain the officer replied they claimed they were forced off course by a gravitational anomaly but their explanation is unconvincing convenient timing Hayes muttered let's talk to them face to face if possible Relic hesitated allowing a
human to take the lead in an interrogation was unorthodox but Hayes had proven himself valuable very well we'll bring the freighter Captain aboard for questioning but I will lead the interrogation fine by me Hayes said with a shrug just let me be in the room sometimes it helps to have a different perspective within the hour the thr Captain was escorted onto the Tek his tall wiry frame and translucent skin shimmered under the ship's artificial lights an unsettling sight for most species unfamiliar with the thr his large black eyes darted nervously between Relic and Hayes as
he entered the interrogation chamber Captain ven Relic began his tone sharp your frighter deviation from its assigned route nearly brought disaster upon this vessel explain yourself vck rung his long bony hands it was not intentional I assure you the gravitational anomaly Hayes interrupted cut the ACT there's no record of any anomaly in this sector you're hiding something and we need to know what it is the thr Captain stiffened his gaze flickering toward Hayes I I am merely a traitor our shipment is legitimate I swear it Relic leaned forward his antenna twitching aggressively your silence will
not protect you if we discover you've been colluding with the malg renick's composure cracked his voice trembled as he spoke it wasn't my choice the malore intercepted us weeks ago they forced us to carry their cargo or face destruction what kind of cargo hay pressed the thr hesitated weapons Advanced prototypes stolen from the Chon the malro intended to use our freighter as bait drawing in a Concord vessel so they could Ambush it and retrieve their shipment Relic slammed a fist onto the table his frustration evident why didn't you report this to conquered authorities they threatened
to destroy us if we deviated from their plan Bren said his voice barely a whisper I had no choice Hayes nodded slowly okay if what you're saying is true we've got bigger problems those weapons can't fall into malgor hands Relic stood his posture rigid agreed we'll seize the cargo and secure it on the tal reek then we'll escort your freighter back to Concord space for further investigation bren's Panic was immediate no you don't understand if you take the cargo the malro will hunt us down they'll stop at nothing Relic silenced him with a sharp gesture
enough you've already endangered this ship be grateful we're not holding you responsible for this debacle as vck was a scored out hay turned a relic we need to be smart about this if the malro realize we have the cargo they'll come after us too then we'll ensure they don't find out Relic said prepare a decoy we'll make it appear as though the frighter still has the weapons while we secure the real cargo aboard the twire Hayes grinned now you're thinking like a human the operation to transfer the weapons was executed with Precision crates of advanced
Chon prototypes were quietly moved to the talek secure hold while identical looking decoys were left aboard the freighter to complete the ruse the talek deployed a stealth probe to Shadow the frighter ready to relay any malgar activity back to the cruiser as The frighter Departed Hayes joined Relic on the bridge think they'll take the bait Relic stared at the holographic display his expression unreadable the mul gr are many things but subtle is not one of them if they're watching they'll strike soon hay crossed his arms and if they're not then we've underestimated their cunning Relic
replied and that would be unfortunate the minutes dragged on the tension on the bridge thick enough to cut with a knife finally the sensors pinged multiple malro ships were closing in on the freighter position relics mandibles clicked there they are Hayes leaned forward his eyes narrowing they're not even trying to hide that's a lot of Firepower for a single frighter they must think the weapons are still on board good R Relic said they're walking into the Trap but as the malro ships closed in something unexpected happened instead of engaging the freighter directly they deployed a
swarm of smaller drones the Drone swarmed the frighter scanning it with a Precision that made Hayes's stomach churn they're checking for the cargo Hayes muttered they're not taking any chances Relic expression darken if they discover the deception they'll know the weapons are here prepare for battle Hayes stared at the display his mind racing we need another move something they won't see coming the malro drones hovered over the freighter their scans becoming increasingly invasive Hayes's mind churned with possibilities if the malro figured out the cargo was a decoy their next move would be Swift and brutal
he turned to Relic we need to disrupt their scans Hayes said if they can't get a clear read they'll waste time second guessing Relic and tenny twitched how do you propose we do that Hayes tapped on the Tactical display deploy a micro pulse emitter flood the area with low-level interference it'll make their drones think the freighter is carrying something it's not something volatile Relic mandibles clicked in consideration that could provoke them into destroying the freighter outright or it could make them cautious hay countered think about it if they believe the cargo is some kind of
unstable prototype they won't risk firing they'll try to board instead Relic stared at the holographic display for a tense moment then nodded do it the tal reeks Engineers work quickly releasing a pulse emitter disguise as debris as it activated the drones began to falter their scans producing erratic results on the display Hayes watched as the malro ships slowed their approach their aggressive formation loosening they're hesitating Hayes observed they think the freighter carrying something dangerous Relic clicked his mandibles in approval good that gives us the element of surprise Target their lead ship disable it the tal
re's weapon system sprang to life launching a precise volley at the mgro flagship The Barrage struck its engines sending it spiraling off course the remaining ships scrambled their formation breaking further as they tried to regroup they're disoriented Relic said Focus fire on the smaller vessels keep them off balance as the tal reek engaged the mgro fleet Hayes's attention shifted back to the frighter the drones despite their interference had begun returning to their mother ships Hayes felt a prickle of unease something didn't add up Captain Hayes said his voice urgent the drones weren't just scanning the
frighter they were stalling relics and tenny shot upright stalling for what before Hayes could answer the ship's sensors lit up with new contacts a second malro Fleet emerged from the asteroid belt larger and more heavily armed than the first the Ambush was more elaborate than anyone had anticipated they played us Hayes muttered the first group was a distraction the real Force just arrived Relic didn't waste time all hands prepare for evasive maneuvers Focus shields on the forward quadrant the tal reek lurched as it dodged incoming fire its Shields absorbing the brunt of the assault despite
the chaos Hayes's mind was already working on a new plan Captain he said if we're going to get out of this we need to turn their own tactics against them relc glanced at him his antenni signaling skepticism explain they've underestimated us once hay said let's make them do it again if we make them think the weapons are about to detonate they'll prioritize getting out of range relix mandibles clicked thoughtfully and how do you suggest we convince them of that Hayes grinned remember that energy surge we used earlier let's amplify it overload the emitter to simulate
a critical failure add some carefully timed weapon discharges for effect they'll think the freighter is about to blow Relic considered the plan then nodded sharply do it but if this fails the consequences will be dire Hayes didn't need reminding he rushed to the Tactical console coordinating with the engineers to overload the emitter moments later the freighter energy signature began to spike dramatically simultaneously the talek fired a series of controlled bursts near the freighter creating the illusion of a system malfunction the malro fleet reacted immediately their ships began pulling back their formations breaking apart as they
tried to distance themselves from the supposed explosion but Hayes knew the ruse wouldn't last long Captain Hayes said we've got a narrow window if we're going to make our move it's now Relic didn't hesitate Target their flagships Bridge disable their command structure the tal re's main Cannon fired a single devastating blast that struck the malro flagship dead center the ship's Bridge went dark in the remaining malro vessels faltered their coordination collapsing now Target their engines Relic commanded leave them Stranded the Cruiser's weapons fired again crippling the malg ships one by one within minutes the battlefield
was silent the malro fleet once a formidable threat was reduced to a collection of disabled vessels floating aimlessly in the void Relic turned to Hayes his antenna signaling grudging respect your tactics were unconventional but effective perhaps there is more to this human intuition than I realized hey merked told you sometimes you just have to trust what feels off Relic nodded let's secure the cargo and return to Concord space the malg gr won't recover from this anytime soon as the tal reek began its Journey Back Hayes allowed himself a moment of satisfaction Humanity might not have
the strength of the malro or the technology of the chaon but they had something else a knack for noticing the details everyone else overlooked sometimes that made all the difference
