You want something true? These people want this ship back. They would rather rescue you all in the process of retrieving it. In all truthfulness, it is in your best interests to help them do this, not hinder them.

This ship has done nothing but leave ghost stories, because there's no one left in any place where we have docked to tell the tale. These people are frightened of you.

[ Frightened people aren't notorious for making the most rational decisions. ]