'mysterious destruction' of multiple facilities. However, that report is three hours old."
"The data feeds aren't live?" Ian asked.
H'joles shook his head. "Data burst transmissions. Given the distance and the security of the system, this was the best way to handle it. We should be receiving another data burst very soon. Perhaps we will know more when it arrives. What I am calling about is to express to you how amazed I am at the success of your teams. In the week that they have been there, they have managed to do more damage to the enemy than an entire Alliance assault fleet could have done." As he finished, his terminal beeped at him, which Ian could hear.
H'joles quickly read the report. 'I was correct; we did get a new data burst. The Empire is moving several of their capitol ships into the system. Major Rathbone reports that they will continue seeding demolition charges, but will also equip the capitol ships with the charges made to destroy the gates. He goes on to report that the AI believes there is a possibility the Empire will destroy the gates themselves in order to prevent us from obtaining a detailed scan of the structures. To that end, once the charges are planted, they will jump toward the gate from orbit, thus revealing themselves to the enemy." H'joles looked concerned. "Admiral, if they do this, will not the Empire be able to destroy them?"
"The action of revealing themselves is to remove any doubt in the enemy commander's mind that they have been attacked by a hostile force," Ian explained. "The action will also give the Empire the ability to track them while in hyperspace. It is a risky move, but if the AI are correct, it will accomplish the destruction of the gates. As for the danger to the teams, I wouldn't count them out just yet; they wouldn't be jumping into a trap without a plan."
H'joles nodded his understanding. "I am forwarding all data to you as we receive it. I pray you are correct, Admiral. Because, from what this report says, they are all committing suicide."
"Chloe, there is an incoming data link for you and Major Eischens. Please get it analyzed as quickly as possible," Ian said as he returned to the bridge.
"What's going on?" Jenny asked.
"Our wayward children have been busy," Ian said winking at her. "Operations, what's the status of the Damocles and the Icarus ?"
TDF Raptor Damocles
TDF Star Dancer
Hyperspace Transit Vector
Durnam Sector
Two days before their arrival at the Aurigae System, Ian had briefed Cindy on a new team member she would have for this mission. Lieutenant Shannon Roberts was an engineering researcher, but she was also a very strong telepath that moonlighted working for Janet Laskar. Since one of their tasks would be to locate the Benesian exile on Hyclarion, Ian wanted Cindy to take the diminutive lieutenant with her.
At first, Cindy objected to taking someone untrained with them. However, Shannon helped with that. "Major, I may not be as well trained as you and your team are, but I do know which end of a pulse rifle is dangerous. I grew up in a family that enjoyed hunting and was taught how to handle firearms at a very young age. I passed military basic training as well as advanced officers training at the top of my class. I can protect myself if I need to."
"That's not really what I'm worried about, Lieutenant. We are going behind enemy lines. If we are compromised, my team and I stand a chance of evading the enemy long enough to rejoin our forces when the attack begins. If we have someone untrained with us, it lowers those odds. Honestly, I don't see the need to bring her along, Admiral," Cindy replied.
"Cindy, according to Janet, Shannon is one of the strongest telepaths we have. She can search a much larger area than you could ever hope to on foot or even with the scanners on the ship. Besides, if the Benesian woman feels someone searching for her, there is a stronger chance she will help in her own location. She's going; you're
"The data feeds aren't live?" Ian asked.
H'joles shook his head. "Data burst transmissions. Given the distance and the security of the system, this was the best way to handle it. We should be receiving another data burst very soon. Perhaps we will know more when it arrives. What I am calling about is to express to you how amazed I am at the success of your teams. In the week that they have been there, they have managed to do more damage to the enemy than an entire Alliance assault fleet could have done." As he finished, his terminal beeped at him, which Ian could hear.
H'joles quickly read the report. 'I was correct; we did get a new data burst. The Empire is moving several of their capitol ships into the system. Major Rathbone reports that they will continue seeding demolition charges, but will also equip the capitol ships with the charges made to destroy the gates. He goes on to report that the AI believes there is a possibility the Empire will destroy the gates themselves in order to prevent us from obtaining a detailed scan of the structures. To that end, once the charges are planted, they will jump toward the gate from orbit, thus revealing themselves to the enemy." H'joles looked concerned. "Admiral, if they do this, will not the Empire be able to destroy them?"
"The action of revealing themselves is to remove any doubt in the enemy commander's mind that they have been attacked by a hostile force," Ian explained. "The action will also give the Empire the ability to track them while in hyperspace. It is a risky move, but if the AI are correct, it will accomplish the destruction of the gates. As for the danger to the teams, I wouldn't count them out just yet; they wouldn't be jumping into a trap without a plan."
H'joles nodded his understanding. "I am forwarding all data to you as we receive it. I pray you are correct, Admiral. Because, from what this report says, they are all committing suicide."
"Chloe, there is an incoming data link for you and Major Eischens. Please get it analyzed as quickly as possible," Ian said as he returned to the bridge.
"What's going on?" Jenny asked.
"Our wayward children have been busy," Ian said winking at her. "Operations, what's the status of the Damocles and the Icarus ?"
TDF Raptor Damocles
TDF Star Dancer
Hyperspace Transit Vector
Durnam Sector
Two days before their arrival at the Aurigae System, Ian had briefed Cindy on a new team member she would have for this mission. Lieutenant Shannon Roberts was an engineering researcher, but she was also a very strong telepath that moonlighted working for Janet Laskar. Since one of their tasks would be to locate the Benesian exile on Hyclarion, Ian wanted Cindy to take the diminutive lieutenant with her.
At first, Cindy objected to taking someone untrained with them. However, Shannon helped with that. "Major, I may not be as well trained as you and your team are, but I do know which end of a pulse rifle is dangerous. I grew up in a family that enjoyed hunting and was taught how to handle firearms at a very young age. I passed military basic training as well as advanced officers training at the top of my class. I can protect myself if I need to."
"That's not really what I'm worried about, Lieutenant. We are going behind enemy lines. If we are compromised, my team and I stand a chance of evading the enemy long enough to rejoin our forces when the attack begins. If we have someone untrained with us, it lowers those odds. Honestly, I don't see the need to bring her along, Admiral," Cindy replied.
"Cindy, according to Janet, Shannon is one of the strongest telepaths we have. She can search a much larger area than you could ever hope to on foot or even with the scanners on the ship. Besides, if the Benesian woman feels someone searching for her, there is a stronger chance she will help in her own location. She's going; you're
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