<Snipped quote by Apple>
"What? This is an outrage! A violation of the principles of free trade! How are we supposed to know your laws? We just got here!" the pilot protests, aghast. Despite that they make little resistance as they board the helicopters.
<Snipped quote by Aceofreality>
The pilot tries to protest, but the two guards convince him otherwise. The crew begrudgingly lets the guards escort them.
In Federation territory:
"Why, we have precious gems and rare metals, as well as technology beyond you can believe! Ok, if you don't want to come in, we'll bring our goods to you! But what do you have to offer in return?"
-------------
Meanwhile back in the colony, the shadow was expecting the latest report from the various delegations, when several figures walk into the room.
"Sister... What news do you have?" demanded the shadow.
A figure replied, with a somewhat distorted voice, <My Leader... the Psionics Division of the DEPT have reported that two of the trade ships have been apprehended by local forces.>
A second figure brought up a hologram of the planet in her hand and highlighted the factions. The shadow walked over to the hologram, dimly illuminating the shadow's face. "Simple," they answered. "We can just force them into submission. Send an elite team to extract the merchants and destroy the evidence. Then carpet bomb one of their military bases."
<My Leader...> yet another figure replied nervously. <they have taken the merchants hostage. We do not have the resources necessary to perform a rescue operation of this magnitude.>
The shadow pulled out a cigar that was hanging in his mouth. "Everyone other than one, leave now."
After most of the figures left, the shadow started yelling in extremely accented English, almost as if it was another language. Anyone else would have wondered why the shadow turned off their universal translator, but the figures knew exactly why.
The crew are handcuffed and put behind bars in one of the helicopters. As they depart into the sky they can see out of the window a flash and smoke coming from the treasure ship's hatch. Directional C4 was used to gain access to the bridge. The contents of the ship are carried out and loaded into the other helicopter.
The helicopter lands in what looks to be a prison center. They are thrown out of the helicopter hastily and it quickly flies away again. People with a very different outfit but nonetheless the same rifle on their shoulders grab the crew and push them towards a room where they're given orange prison clothes. The room has wonderful decor, barren concrete, with the only touch of style offered by the plaque to the right of another door reading "Courtroom".