Gabatrix: the Batrice Crisis
Copyright© 2025 by CMed TheUniverseofCMed
Chapter 13: Laying Down the Framework Part 1
Science Fiction Sex Story: Chapter 13: Laying Down the Framework Part 1 - Set after the events of Gabatrix: The Last Tank, resentment in the UWA grows in the colony of Batrice, one of the most essential worlds of the human race. Anger, confusion, and misinformation have reached an all-time high. A 24th-century Civil War is all but inevitable. It will be up to Shira, Javier, Stone, and the countless characters of past stories to find a solution before the UWA falls apart. Story Includes: Human/Anthro, M/F, M/FF, War, Sex, Action, Drama, Pregnant, Birth, Scalie, Alien
Caution: This Science Fiction Sex Story contains strong sexual content, including Ma/Fa Consensual Romantic Fiction Science Fiction Aliens Robot Space Furry Lactation Oral Sex Pregnancy Size
It was 1400. Inside one of the familiar staterooms of Fort Rangoon, Shira, Javier, Darin, Admiral Fitzroy, and Admiral Hazer all stood around a table. The table highlighted the Trappist-1 solar system map, showing fleet locations. The other displays were fully active, depicting various data reports, schematics of ships, and an overlay of Fort Batrice.
“I carry good news,” Hazer explained, pointing at the map. “Command has agreed to launch an attack on Planet Celebes under Operation Great Jaeger. I will be taking the Carrier Enterprise, Fleet Alpha, and Fleet Gamma, 61 warships total, in an all-out assault against Batrice’s Military Observation Outpost Alpha-G.”
The digital map on the table focused on the 2nd furthest orbiting planet, Gillan’s other neighboring planet, of the Trappist solar system. A silhouette of Celebes grew so that everyone could see. From the dark side of the planet, a line pointer and name indicated the location of the observation outpost, including a pair of orbital satellites over the northern pole. Sixty light gray dots in a half-spherical wall formation could be seen from a far orbit of Celebes. Meanwhile, a small number of Dark gray dots remain close to the planet. Arrows indicated that both fleets would meet.
“Captain Darin,” Hazer told him. “I expect that the Rampage will join up in this attack, if you’re willing...”
“You can count on it, partner,” Darin replied.
“Good. The goal of Operation Great Jaeger is simple. If we can’t launch a direct assault on Fort Batrice, our next set of goals is to weaken Batrice’s military forces. Since negotiations have failed, our task is to bait most of Batrice’s military fleets into one single engagement. It’s expected that in the early portion of the battle, we’ll hold an upper hand against the defending Batrice fleet, Fleet Obsidian, until they summon reinforcements. We will commit to disabling as many of their ships, along with the base, as quickly as possible.”
“Hmmm...,” Shira calmly commented. “This would likely pull Fleet Emerald and Fleet Granite from their locations. You would face 52 warships in total.”
“Fleet Obsidian has the Strike Carrier Vengeance leading it, sir,” Javier commented. “If Fleet Granite joins the fight, then the Albatross will be a part of it too.”
“The Batrice Strike Carriers are formidable warships,” Shira stated. “But, while they are effective in offensive engagements, their true purpose in protecting a fleet diminishes when compared to the Enterprise’s larger complement of drones. Regardless, two powerful capital ships will still pose a danger to your fleet.”
“We’ll still hold the upper hand with our numbers,” Hazer explained. “However, Admiral Fitzroy has made the agreement in splitting his fleet into two, with Fleet Zeta led by the Melbourne on standby. When I give the command, Zeta will jump in and join up with Alpha and Gamma in the standoff engagement with Celebes’s fleet.”
The map showed a series of question marks, indicating the possibility of reinforcements appearing on both sides of the upcoming battle.
“Sir,” Javier remarked, pointing at the map. “I noticed that the Cancrinite is not a part of this fight. Their dreadnought is going to become a problem...”
“Not yet, no. Reports show that the Cancrinite is not the current flagship of Fleet Emerald. Thanks to you and Shira’s efforts, since the Widado and the Rama have been disabled, our simulations show that Baxton will likely keep the Cancrinite defending Fort Batrice, leaving it on standby during the engagement.”
“Your simulations are incorrect,” Shira stated. “Baxton will likely deploy the Cancrinite, but only until he sees that his fleets are losing the battle at Celebes.”
“You seem sure of that?” Hazer questioned her.
“Yes. I believe that Fleet Alpha and Gamma will be more than victorious even without Zeta to provide assistance, assuming Batrice doesn’t send additional reinforcements to Celebes. Baxton knows this as well...”
“Even if the numbers are close?” Javier asked her. “How do you truly know that?”
“I had a chance to evaluate over 102 executions done by Baxton’s soldiers, including past recordings of the members of Petty Officer Mizu’s family.”
Admiral Fitzroy seemed almost surprised to hear it as Javier gave a questioning look at her.
“You ... were watching people being put to death?” Javier asked her.
“Yes,” Shira coldly replied. “Much can be learned in the events prior to a person’s demise, not necessarily by the one whose life is about to come to an end, but by the one who pulls the trigger. Much has been analyzed, and a common pattern comes into fruition...”
“Dios mío,” Javier shook his head and sighed. “You were watching all that last night ... What did you see?”
“79% of the executions were done by pistol. 3% were done by strangulation. Others were...”
“No, no,” Hazer said, waving his hand at her. “I don’t need stats, Shira. What was it that made you think that this battle would be easy for us?”
“I’m getting to that, Admiral,” Shira replied. “Two of those executed were children, both by pistol. In both events, the executioner’s hand holding those pistols grew unsteady, shaking before the trigger was pulled. In the event of one, the command was given to the executioner two times, taking approximately eight seconds before following it. It’s believed that the executioner did not want to carry out that order.”
“Of course,” Javier said. “They don’t want to kill a kid...”
“It’s more than that. Baxton is using fear to rule over his population and soldiers alike. Prior to the trigger pull, the hand grew steady within the last two seconds. In the audio evaluation, I heard another gun being unholstered. I believe that the executioner had a gun aimed at his head, even if the video feed does not show it.”
“Meaning that the executioner had no choice but to follow the orders ... failure to do so would be death to himself...”
“Where does that lead us to your conclusion, Shira?” Hazer asked.
“That’s the point, Admiral,” Javier explained to him. “You can’t just expect a revolution to befall over a population and have it completely embraced either. Many of the Batricians are confused, scared, or demoralized, even if they feel their cause is just. We keep looking at ourselves and thinking of the UWA’s resolve in this, when it’s also Batrice’s resolve in wanting this to continue. Politicians are easy to throw us into a fight, but that’s also the fact that they don’t have to worry about doing the dirty work. Everything that happened just now has shaken their spirit. Nukes being dropped on populations, mass executions, people’s families being threatened, jailed, hell, even Mizu’s report showed that Batrice’s equipment was regressing. They’re embracing everything that made the Khmer Rouge what they were. But that’s our advantage as well. If we attack the Batrice fleets at Celebes, then their crews will have to consider the fact that they’re at war with the UWA. It won’t be like the standoff with Fort Rangoon. Batricians will have to face the reality that they have to kill to keep their regime in power or give up.”
“In other words, Javier,” Hazer said. “Their morale is low ... that’s why I’ve ordered my fleet to disable their ships, not destroy them.”
“However,” Shira stated. “Just because their morale is low doesn’t mean that they won’t give up quickly. Even cornered, prey will likely lash out against their attackers with all their might in hopes of destroying them. Do not expect the Batricians to show mercy to your crews nor Baxton to willingly let the Alpha-G Outpost succumb to the enemy, human or Itrean. The Cancrinite will be fielded into battle. Baxton doesn’t need guard ships to protect his space station ... something that we could use to our advantage.”
“The Cancrinite is going to be a problem,” Fitzroy said. “The Emerald class is the best warship in the UHN. She’s equipped with heavy ballistic torpedo tubes and a drone network. If it joins up with the defending Batrice fleets, it will give their fleets a significant edge. We can’t repel such firepower.”
“As I’m aware...”
“I reckon the Rampage can take her...,” Darin said, the cowboy stoically folding his arms.
Everyone paused and looked at him, giving him a questioning look.
“You bloody serious?” Fitzroy asked him.
“That’s what the Shal’rein said at the Hesik Expanse,” Darin replied. “Rampage gave them a hard smack on the backside.”
“The ship is twice your size and built over a year ago, compared to your two-hundred-year-old raider.”
“Ah,” Darin raised his finger. “Recently renovated...” He corrected him. “And that’s also what the Shal’rein said too.”
“There is a possibility of truth in Darin’s statement,” Shira added, looking at him. “However, it should be noted that the Shal’rein you fought used older warships and tactics similar to yours, resulting in their surprised failure. The Cancrinite and the current UHN fighting doctrines would place you at a serious disadvantage in battle.”
“Ma’am,” Darin happily addressed her. “I’m counting on it...”
Shira’s brow lifted upon hearing it. The others didn’t seem to take Darin seriously. However, Darin said it so well that it made Javier almost question if the cowboy had something up his sleeve. Regardless, Javier wanted to press forward and look at other, more logical alternatives.
“What about the Iridium, sir?” Javier asked.
“What about it?” Hazer questioned him.
“It’s nearly completed, right? She was just hauled out of Fort Rangoon’s shipyards. Couldn’t we use it to provide fire support for our fleets?”
“Ungh...,” Fitzroy grunted and looked at Hazer. “The Iridium has been currently moved to Oberon’s orbit, one of Uranus’s moons in the Sol System. Field teams are working all around the clock to rush the construction. We expect it to be at 98% operation by tomorrow morning. However, there’s already reports that the heavy ballistic torpedo launchers are still inoperative.”
“What about the other weapons?” Hazer asked him.
“Basic torpedo launchers, Railguns, AIO turrets will work, but the Emergency Batteries and the drones haven’t even been installed yet. It’ll take another week or two to finish it, not to mention the ship hasn’t even been field-tested yet. Just because it’s built off the specs of the Emerald class doesn’t mean that’s going to be flawless. It’s Gillan’s first dreadnought ever built.”
“We don’t have another two weeks...,” Javier replied.
Hazer seemed to think about it. “We don’t have a choice, Admiral Fitzroy. I’m sending out a munitions ship to start arming her for battle. If need be, Celebes will be her running start, Admiral. She’ll be part of Oberon’s task force. Much like Fleet Zeta, she’ll remain on standby. Hopefully, she can at least scare the Batrice fleets. Now...” Hazer decided to change the subject. “Shira, there was something that you brought up before our conversation got sidetracked. What was it that you considered an advantage in having the Cancrinite present?”
“Yes,” Shira stated, looking over to Javier. “Have you considered the updated plan that I gave you?”
“I haven’t had a chance to evaluate the one you gave me two hours ago,” Hazer replied.
Shira pulled out a tablet from her pocket and gave it to him. “Javier is correct. The Iridium should be used in this upcoming battle. However, it will need a crew. I would like to take personal command of it, along with the former crew of the Lifen.”
“Go troppo,” Fitzroy said, scuffing her. “After you just lost your ship, now you demand to have the Iridium?”
Javier looked at Shira intently. What was she getting at?
“Admiral Fitzroy, at ease,” Hazer told him, taking the tablet and looking at it. “I’m the one responsible for giving the order that resulted in the loss of the Lifen. I’m sure Shira has a perfectly good reason for such a request.”
“Indeed,” Shira pulled out her stopwatch, checked the time, and looked at the door. “That reason is about to arrive...”
Like clockwork, the doorbell rang out. Javier instinctively tapped the button, letting the door slide open.
“What the devil?” Fitzroy remarked, seeing who it was.
Minerva entered the room. Doctor Ericsson and Eve were not present. However, Hazer and Fitzroy both looked upon the odd robotic anthro feline woman as she stepped up to the table, looking upon each of the personnel in the room. When the door slid closed, Shira was the first to speak.
“Because she’s already agreed to help us,” Shira stated. “You may know who Minerva is and her prior purpose at the UWA.”
“Minerva...,” Fitzroy remarked with a hesitant wonder.
“Hmm ... now that got interesting,” Darin added.
“Hello, Admiral Hazer,” Minerva greeted, giving a light smile in some feign attempt to please him. She extended her hand in greeting, which the Admiral hesitantly shook in response.
“I heard something about your arrival,” Hazer replied. “But I never thought I would ever see you ... but what’s the true reason having her here?”
“For good reason, Admiral,” Shira stated. “I’m willing to offer an extension to Operation Great Jaeger, a modification of something that will enhance its effectiveness and result in a much more significant gain, one that will remove Fort Batrice from Batrice itself...”
Hazer seemed curious. “Explain...”
“Here’s what I propose...”
“But her goal is to remain behind the battle lines, not be forthright in the middle of it...” Hazer turned his back to look straight at the digital Fifteen minutes had passed. Darin had already departed. However, Fitzroy, Hazer, Shira, Minerva, and Javier remained. Fitzroy seemed unconvinced.
“No...,” the Gillan Admiral said, shaking his head. “There’s too many variables. I can’t risk the Iridium being tossed on some sacrificial mission like that...”
Javier had time to evaluate what Shira had recommended. It sounded like a good plan. Everything seemed to fall in place for what it was intended, but Fitzroy might have been right. Even Javier was wondering about the threat it posed to everyone. Regardless, he had to stand up for Shira.
“Admiral,” Javier told him. “Sir, we might have lost the Lifen, but we managed to push Batrice away from launching an attack on Gillan. We’re not asking to command the fleets going into battle. We’re asking for a way to end this civil war once and for all. I can’t see any other means for us to take Fort Batrice.”
“If it fails,” Fitzroy said. “The Iridium will be vanquished in seconds by Fort Batrice’s weapons. A year’s worth of work gone in an instant.”
“Then what do you suggest, Admiral? If we get Minerva on Fort Batrice, then we can seize its entire computer network ... the choice is yours, but we need the Iridium to make it work...”
“And what about you, Admiral Hazer?” Fitzroy asked him. “What do you make of this?”
“ ... I think it might work,” Hazer replied. “Minerva, do we have your word that you won’t fail us if you can get inside Fort Batrice?”
“Yes,” Minerva replied.
“Shira, do you believe the other Batrice dissidents will comply with us?”
“They agreed,” she said. “All they ask is that they’re compensated after the war is over.”
“If...,” Hazer corrected her.
There was a pause as Fitzroy put his hand to his chin. Finally, he proceeded to leave the room. “Do what you need to do, Admiral Hazer. The Iridium is under your control now...”
With that, Fitzroy said nothing more. Once the door closed behind him, Minerva, Javier, and Shira were now overlooking Admiral Hazer. After surprisingly winning the argument so easily, Javier still had questions about the upcoming changes to the operation. Hazer looked at Shira intently before looking at Minerva.
“Never thought I’d see the great Minerva,” Hazer lightly remarked. “If Shira has you helping her, then I know there’s a likely chance for her plan to work. But the decision now comes down to me. Do I let you have the Iridium or not?”
“Without further data,” Minerva stated. “There is an 81% probability of the Iridium reaching Fort Batrice without being destroyed, using all the applied portions of the plan. This includes my involvement in the operation.”
“Like a walking computer. In a lot of ways, you and Shira are more similar than you realize. Minerva pretends to have emotions, while Shira pretends that she doesn’t have them at all. Meanwhile, you’ve done your part to stay out of this war as much as possible.”
“It is not my goal to control mankind’s destiny.”
“As you should, but the entire goal of the UWA was to evaluate what would happen if a powerful AI were created. Instead, the UWA got what they wished for. They freaked out over your arrival and tried to terminate you. In a way, they still won.”
“It was my goal to become more human, Admiral Hazer.”
“And you picked up some of our bad habits. The Itrean War has been devastating to us, but I suppose you’ve calculated all this in that artificial brain of yours.”
Minerva briefly seemed to think about it. “I find it interesting that my lack of involvement has further upset many elements of mankind’s resistance against the Itreans. However, understand that my desire was done in three parts. Self-preservation and becoming a mother were two of them. The other reason was the incompatibility and involvement against the Itreans, as Itrean technology is too different for me to viably serve as a deterrent against Itrean incursions. Since the Itreans do not rely too heavily on cyberwarfare as a means to fight humanity, along with their incompatibility with our systems, it places my role into that of minor defensive use only.”
Javier was about to say something, but Shira interrupted him.
“Minerva still carries a purpose,” Shira countered. “She’ll serve us well for this operation...”
Hazer looked at Shira intently. “Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked her.
“Yes.”
The admiral seemed to think about it for a moment. “Minerva, may you step out of the room for several minutes?”
“Yes, Admiral,” Minerva replied.
She left the room. After the door closed behind her, the admiral turned to look back at Shira. Javier wondered where this was going.
“A part of me is against sending you out there regardless of what’s at stake,” Hazer explained. “It isn’t just the Iridium, but having you and Minerva, your crew, my marines, vital assets to the UHN flung into some ... haphazard operation like this regardless of how well you sugarcoat it.”
“You didn’t seem to hesitate sending me and the Lifen crew earlier, sir,” Shira calmly replied.
“That was before Baxton was waiting in ambush. Of course, my faith has been shaken up. But, can you absolutely assure me that you, Javier, and everybody being sent will return from this operation alive?”
“ ... No, Admiral...”
Hazer straightened his back and paused for a moment. “You’re making this a hard sell, Shira. There’s too many variables. I don’t care what argument you’re going to make. At least with Darin, I can almost believe his concept that his relic of a warship can compete with the latest UHN hardware. But with you, unlike him, he personally knows he can sacrifice himself for the greater good.”
“Sir,” Javier commented. “If there’s one person who can do it, it’s Shira. She’s put her life on the line for the UHN multiple times, including me.”
Even Javier was hesitant as well. He lightly turned his head to the side and put his hand to the back of his head, thinking about it. The entire operation almost seemed to scream the idea of suicide, much like what led to the destruction of the Lifen. However, this time, everything was blatant and straightforward. There had to be a way to stop Batrice once and for all.
However, something different happened...
When Hazer turned his head to look at Shira, he found himself staring down the barrel of a gun. Shira had unholstered her sidearm. Held from her hip, she was pointing it directly at the admiral.
“What!?” Hazer reacted.
Javier quickly turned his head to see the scene unfold before him. He gave Shira a surprised look.
“What are you doing!?” Hazer reacted, giving Shira an angered look.
“Shira, stand down,” Javier demanded of her.
Shira stepped around the table, remaining composed; the cold look could be seen across her shark-like face.
“Tell me, Admiral,” Shira told him. “How do you feel staring down the barrel of a gun?”
“If this is your concept to teach me some sort of lesson, then it won’t work,” Hazer replied. “You’ll go to prison for murder.”
“That didn’t seem to stop Baxton from passing down the order to execute others at will. So, I’ll ask again, Admiral. How does this make you feel?”
Hazer cringed at her and pointed his gloved hand at her. “Put it away now...”
“This situation with Batrice has proven to be quite interesting, Admiral Hazer. So much has been learned that if I still served the Shal’rein clan, I would have more than enough information on how to properly defeat the UHN once and for all. The Greater Adjuncts would assure my succession as Greater Adjunct, all without question. However, fate has stood against my people. I’m left with one decision to make, and that is to serve your kind. However, regardless, this Crisis still underlines the flaws in place. So, tell me, Admiral. Fleet Admiral Baxton has provided many reasons as to why he feels he’s the future of mankind. Meanwhile, your moralism and self-righteousness stand in your way. You refused to stop Batrice even before the situation became apparent. Everything we see before us is all the fault of the UWA. I provide a solution and you once again squander it.”
“And you think that putting a bullet in me will change all that?” Hazer asked her.
“When one is faced with a threat, one must eliminate it. I’ve had a chance to evaluate the UHN quite thoroughly. To my surprise, I find that Baxton is quite correct in a number of statements. A number of surprising events have come forth. Annika, inexperienced in her role as Admiral, indeed got promoted after an affair with the UWA’s Secretary of Defense. With my people, becoming mated with the boss is more reasonable, but not when compared to the moralism and revealed hypocrisy of mankind. With no training, she serves as a representation of humanity’s corruption, something I’ve encountered quite frivolously through the entirety of the UWA and its military. When one peels the first skin of decay, he finds himself with nothing but rot. The T’rintar clan could merely buy humanity at the right price...”
“And what about me?” Hazer questioned her. “We’re well aware of the corruption that runs through the UWA and its veins. You’ve worked with Thiago and helped purge some of it.”
“Indeed, Admiral Hazer, your story is quite interesting ... the man born on Mars, a representation of mankind’s former exodus past to serve as future anchor and destiny of all the UHN. However, in those veins, much like Darin is inexperience. However, with you, it’s a few well-selected lies. I’ve had the chance to evaluate your record quite well. Questions that answer the questions we have now. For example, tell me, who is Opal Baxton?”
“Opal Baxton?” Javier questioned her.
“ ... I’ve never heard of this person,” Hazer replied, a hint of hesitation could be heard in his voice.
“Wait...,” Javier thought about it. “I think I know her now. Opal Baxton is Fleet Admiral Baxton’s mother. She was declared missing from Batrice over thirty years ago. I can’t remember her entire backstory, but she was on a shuttle that crashed on Mars. Nobody survived it.”
“Thanks to Minerva and comparing the plethora of records on Mars, a woman of her same age, ethnical colonist, and bearing came into existence. Perhaps there were even two survivors. Would it surprise you that the moment Opal Baxton passed away, a new woman appeared along with her offspring? Perhaps she was evading a jealous mate. Instead, she adopted a new name ... Ruby Hazer...”
“ ... Your mother?” Javier said, giving a questioning look at Hazer. “Then that means that Baxton’s your brother?”
Hazer seemed reluctant to answer that question. However, he relented. He grabbed the glove of his left hand and pulled it off, revealing a robotic skeletal ligament. The admiral manipulated his fingers, showing their movement.
“I suppose you were going to ask for further proof,” Hazer continued. “Ask me to take the glove off, isn’t it? You won’t stop until you get those answers ... Yes, Opal Baxton and her recent newborn son were on that shuttle when the pilot lost control and slammed it into the deck so hard that it broke in two. I was born shortly before it happened. However, I can tell you that Fleet Admiral Baxton is not my brother ... he’s my half-brother.”
“Your half-brother?” Javier questioned him. “But how would that be. He’s twenty years older than you?”
“Correct. Opal Baxton was young when she had her first son. However, she later had an affair with a Martian data clerk ... my father, whom my mother married. To help disguise her disappearance, my father had Opal Baxton and me written as deceased from the crash, where my mother changed her name to Ruby. Of course, one thing that couldn’t be disguised well was that I lost both of my hands from that crash, torn clean off I hold no memory of when it happened, except that my mother said I screamed for days at the hospital. A lot can be done when you meet the right person, but I’m not telling you any more than that. Shira...,” he slipped the glove back on. “I suppose you were asking me to verify my loyalty to the UHN. Is the man giving you orders actually working for Fleet Admiral Baxton due to the similar blood relationship? No ... I assure you that I hold nothing but ill will towards him. I wish to see him removed from the position. Everything that he stands for, I’m the exact opposite of that, I can promise you. So yes, I can understand your recent distrust of me. Does that satisfy your inquiry towards me?”
Javier looked at Shira. Her response was simple. She lowered her pistol and holstered it again, causing a sense of relief in Javier’s eyes.
“ ... Not entirely, Admiral,” Shira stated. “However, questions remain. Among one of them is the concept of trust. Why have you not revealed this information to the others?”
“Would you?” Hazer asked her. “The moment the other Admirals heard this, then they would do their best to separate me from this current situation. You should know this as well ... what they did to you when your mother defected and how they defamed you...”
“He’s right,” Javier said. “What business is ours to question him on this?”
Shira nodded her head. “Your answer is misleading, Admiral. While I believe your family situation, there is still the question of whether your motive is truly faithful to the UHN or not.”
“What do you mean, Shira?” Hazer questioned her.
“Simple. What became small became inflamed during the Batrice Secession. For example, prior to these events, rare mineral stocks in the UWA stock market from different companies had slowly risen. At first, I considered this as a mere demand, with ship and equipment construction at an all-time high, the need for those rare minerals ever increases. However, hints began to arise. At the Siege of Palora, there were three additional warships present at the battle, ships that were supposedly built at Deimos, that were never on their roster in the first place.”
“What do you mean?” Javier asked her.
“Really?” Hazer asked her. “And what ships were those?”
“The UHN Yale,” she answered. “The UHN Honolulu, and the UHN Nicholas II.”
“Nicholas the 2nd?” Javier remarked. “A Czar-class battleship. The first mass scale batch of battleships wasn’t expected to be out until just before the Emerald dreadnoughts. What’s going on, Admiral?”
“The Nicholas the 2nd is still part of the early testing batches of the Czar class,” Hazer explained. “Much as the Iridium and the Cancrinite are to Batrice and Gillan. As for the Yale and the Honolulu, Deimos Shipyards has simply sped up their construction rates.”
“Hmmm...,” Shira said. “A well-crafted lie ... suitable for the media if hard pressed. However, you’ve never needed to answer this question before since most individuals don’t pay close attention to it. Perhaps it’s also too early for most to notice it anyway. Upon reviewing the Deimos ship construction queue lines, there was a Honolulu and Yale planned for construction, but the names were removed and changed for the two current Northampton cruisers slated for commission in less than a month. Yet, the cruisers remained...”
“Maybe it’s just a flaw,” Hazer countered her. “Maybe it’s just a mistake that you overlooked.”
“Possible ... then again, the rising stock market for those companies counters your argument. The price for the minerals is substantially higher than expected. I’ve also noticed that the UHN Chaohu is making regular departures after rendezvousing with civilian freighters.”
“One of my replenishment ships? She makes departures to Titan and the Titania Observation Outpost.”
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