Captain's Log. Stardate 06031.4 --

A large explosive device has been detonated on Gamma Atreides III, homeworld of the friendly Tusarri Republic and smack in the middle of the Tusarri-Raspeek border zone, a volatile and strategically important region also home to the mysterious and xenophobic Raspeeki. The Merrimack has been dispatched to offer assistance to Federation nationals, investigate the origin of the device and attempt to stop the situation degenerating into open conflict.