Federation Commander

(4G6) RANGE LIMIT
Unless it strikes its target, a drone will run out of
fuel and be removed from the map at the end of the
third turn after launch. At the end of each turn, make a
small mark by the damage record track for every drone
on the map. If a given drone already has three marks
and has yet to strike its target, remove the drone from
the game. Erase the damage track to make it available for use with another drone.

Okay so here is my question. If the drone strikes the target meaning it leaves the board and is placed on the ship card per 4G5 but is captured by a tractor per the defensive fire phase, will it still run out of fuel and be removed after the third turn? Or is the only way to remove it at this point is to shoot it with anti-drone or phaser?

Thank you.

That is a great question!

The rules don't directly address that, but given the precedent of what happens due to a loss of control (4F5e), I have to say the same type of thing will occur if the drone runs out of fuel.

Therefore, if an impacted drone is held in a tractor at the end of the third turn after launch, the drone is removed from play. Note that this happens at the end of the turn, so the tractor is now available for use again in the following turn.

Thank you!