When the Leeds made a transfer stop at a small Federation colony world, they picked up a local distress call from the survivors of a civilian vessel. It had been attacked and destroyed by an unknown starship. When the Leeds arrived, the survivors claimed that the unknown spherical ship was beginning to collect their escape pods -- with multiple tractor beams. After a few minutes, though, it suddenly disengaged, powered up its engines, and disappeared into warp.
The civilian survivors never saw their attackers, and no survivors were captured, but they do claim it to have been a deeply frightening experience. Whatever pulled the hostile ship away at the last minute, saved their lives, and the survivors were grateful to see a Starfleet ship answer their distress call a few hours later.
The Leeds gathered the survivors (and any valuable debris), and took them to a nearby Starfleet facility. Those rescue actions, and the unplanned trip – in the opposite direction, caused the USS Leeds to miss its scheduled arrival here at Alamo Station. A commship was dispatched to us at the earliest availability, and we were made aware of their situation earlier this evening.
The Leeds now reports an amended arrival, here at Alamo Station, by no later than Thursday. They have taken aboard a commship at the Starfleet facility, and will dispatch it our way if they face any further delays.
With news of the USS Leed’s diversion, the Enterprise will remain at Alamo Station, and continue to await their arrival.
-Lieutenant Sam Archer
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December 2, 2364 -- (Original Devron Timeline)