Stingray puts a damaged freighter before pursuit

The missile frigate Stingray answers a distress call from a freighter pursued by two unidentified ships. The small attackers emit unusually large amounts of power, suggesting heavy engines and armament. When they fire on the freighter, Commander Dunmoore launches missiles that force them to break away before they can finish destroying it. Their weak return salvo is unexpectedly easy to intercept, which leaves her suspicious. She wants to chase them but first orders a scan of the freighter, recognizing that its people remain her immediate responsibility. The absence of life signs then changes the decision confronting her.