This was not at all what they had been expecting. At first they had watched and hoped that maybe the Federation vessels were just there to re-group and then they would leave. But what was playing out on their sensors was startling. It must be an act? Or did something truly shocking happen to make the ships attack each other. Meanwhile there was the larger ship at the other end of the system monitoring the strange battle.

"It must be a battle exercise…" the one called Mapfael commented.

"Agreed," the leader said with a nod.

"Catice! They very close! And I'm certain they don't detect anything, which could be rather problematic," another said with deep concern.

The Catice stood up and moved over to the console and gazed at the readings intently. A moment of silence fell over the command area. "Prepare the ships and deploy them. They are under orders to do what they need to to protect our assets."

"Yes Catice…" Mapfael replied and went about issuing the orders.

Things were going to get interesting…

~Mischief Maker