Three weeks ago your fleet was assigned to investigate a rarely used hyperspace route. Reports indicate that an unusually large number of smuggled AI cores were tracked to this location.

Having investigated the area for a week now, you intercepted a handful of smugglers, but no signs of notably unusual activity have been detected. You were prepared for another day of routine patrol when all across the bridge warning lights begin to flare up and your tactics officer informs you of a large number of unusual energy signatures closing in on your fleet.