The Sekhmet incident occurred on Sept. 21, 2146, in the Proxima Centauri system and is named after a Terran light cruiser that was involved. Two Ceti warships, part of the Kentauran occupation force, arrived in the Proxima system and attempted to establish communications with Providence Station. However, the station's Kentauran communications systems had been sabotaged to prevent contact. Shortly after the Ceti ships' arrival, two Terran ships that had been missing and presumed destroyed -- TDS Sekhmet and TDS Somerled -- entered the system and moved to intercept the Ceti ships.

The two ships refused station commander Alexander Mackenzie's order to stand down and assist with repair of the station's communications systems. Sekhmet diverted and launched a direct attack against the station, while Somerled continued in pursuit of the Ceti warships. Commander Mackenzie returned fire against Sekhmet, destroying it. Somerled surrendered shortly thereafter.

TDS Sekhmet explodes after being hit by a fusion torpedo.
Credit (original): J. Hester/Arizona state University, NASA/ESA

Subsequent review by the Fleet Admiral's Office cleared Commander Mackenzie of any wrongdoing in the incident and commended him for his work in establishing first contact with the Tau Ceti civilization.