He was nearly asleep when his communications receiver suddenly erupted with a woman's voice. "Vectoring fighters. Please identify yourselves and why you are patrolling the commercial lanes." He jolted upright immediately. "Dad?" He heard his daughter's voice through the unicom speaker that was linked between her ship and his. "I'll see." He stated in a gruff voice. He punched the respond key on the communications panel. "Standard patrol her responded. And who is inquiring?" "Fighter." The voices voice carried a no nonsense tone now. "There are no fleets, no vessels, or bases in this vicinity. Your fuel reserves are nearly depleted. Would you care to ry that again?" "Are you the two escort fighters from the Caledonia?" A male voice then broke in, familiar to him, but he could not place it. "We were." His voice lowered a bit. "She was taken down by a Pirate raid just within the Fringe limits." "Not surprise." The male voice came back with hints of regret in the tone. "Make your approach to the aft hangar. Do not arm any weapons or make aggressive movements." The male added. "Our Security is watching very closely." "Copy." He responded as he began searching the stars for another vessel. "Father?" His daughter spoke again. "We going in?" Her voice carried concern. "Not much choice in the matter." He responded. "Another few hours and we will be dead out here." He then caught a glimmer in the distance. "Just be ready when we board." "Check." She responded.