Puzzler Collection No 72 (UK) Stinker

Hi shbabe

Here are my suggestions.
shanghai = kidnap, can also consider signup.
remnants = ends
lunar trench = rille
plant flowering process = anthesis
percursor to sextant = astrolabe
whirling = verticose.

For trick someone, will below definitions help?
To cheat or trick someone
rip off
to cheat someone, especially by charging them too much money for something
deceiveverb
to trick someone by behaving in a dishonest way
trickverb
to make someone believe something that is not true
cheatverb
to treat someone dishonestly
string along
to make someone continue believing something that is false for a long time, especially something about your intentions or beliefs
swindleverb
to cheat someone in order to get their money
dupeverb
to trick someone into believing something that is not true or into doing something that is stupid or illegal
entrapverb
to trick someone into doing something wrong
snareverb
to trick someone into an unpleasant situation that they cannot escape from
make out
to cause people to have a particular false opinion about someone or something