Chapter 38

“Comm Officer Mutra, would you please go over what you detected in the dead area?” Amantil requested. “Pilot Janta, please feel free to add your own impressions.”

“Yes, Serenissima,” they both replied and Mutra gave a concise account of their actions with Janta adding some detail on the descriptions of the detected ships.

“So the cargo ships were likely of human build?” Amantil finally asked.

“Assuming they were cargo ships, yes. Though we could detect no military defence systems; unlike the ships we detected on the sphere,” Mutra replied.

“And the ships within the sphere were not of human build?”

“Not a branch of humanity our database is familiar with, no. Hence, they are likely alien. Again, this is speculation on my part.”

“The sphere itself was scanning constantly?” Herrick asked.

“Yes, though the Misty Cloud is designed with counter-measures for this, as well as the ability to run dark for extended lengths of time, passively scanning, even in XD space,” Janta replied.

“So they weren’t hiding?”

“No, most definitely not. With the number of weapons we detected they really didn’t need to hide from anything smaller than a Fleet and they would have detected one of those.”

“Grand Admiral Vuspic, do you wish to add something?” Bonsarr asked.

“We received a report from the Silent Observer they tracked the ship they were following to the Arcos Dominion where it was met by ships belonging to the Tcheeklan Ravagers, confirming at least where they have contacts,” he replied. “The Arcosians were clearly observing this and did not interfere, which is unlike their normal behaviour.”

“Interesting, the Arcosians are insular and have never involved themselves with Realms outside their Dominion but the suspicion has always been that they are behind some of the raids as they often demonstrate new technologies when we have scanned their ships,” Herrick replied thoughtfully. “Did the Silent Observer detect any communications?”

“They detected a shuttle launch to the Arcosian ships, so contact was made.”

“I think we want a closer look as to what the Arcosians are up to,” Amantil added. “Please see to it, Admiral.”

“Serenissima,” he acknowledged.

“Admiral Yunit, I believe you received a copy of the report from the Gershon scouts?” Amantil asked the Admiral overseeing Fleet communications.

“We did, Serenissima. They confirmed the readings of the Misty Cloud and also got better readings on one of the ships from the sphere. They have marked it as somewhere between a battlecruiser and a battleship in terms of arms. Most definitely not a human-style design, but capable of XD translation of a known type. One of the Gershon scouts is also tracking a potential trader as well, though they have not reported a result to us yet,” Yunit replied at length.

“I have ordered other scouts into the area, as have the Gershonians,” Grand Admiral Vuspic added. “Currently one of each of our Realms is on station near the sphere. The others are tracking these traders, though as yet we have no clue as to what they are carrying either from or to the sphere.”

“I take it none so far are passing through the Empire or a Realm friendly to us?” I asked.

“Since our detection of the sphere, the ships are now diverting through Vraik space,” he replied. “Nor is it easy to force a ship out of XD space into normal space, hence a lack of piracy and more a factor of planetary raiding.”

“Not easy, no, and going through Vraik space makes it that more difficult,” Herrick agreed. “Yet I think it might be worth a try.”

“Admiral Arconti, could you look into this?” Amantil requested of the Admiral responsible for Fleet operations.

“By your command, Serenissima.”

“Grand Admiral Vuspic, have FleetInt received the data from the Regnat on the captured Tcheeklan Corvette?”

“We have, Serenissima. So far we have not cracked the encryption, but the AIs believe it to be only a matter of time. The Regnat are also transferring a prisoner, who may be needed if the language used is not known to us.”

“Hurry this through, if possible. I’d like to know what they are up to, if this is co-ordinated and aimed at us and our allies,” Amantil ordered.

“By your command, Serenissima.”

“GrandAdmiral Helloc, your assessment on this sphere?”

“If it were to be found capable of moving faster than light and able to be brought to bear on an occupied planet I’d say it was a major threat. Certainly it outclasses any individual ships of ours, though I believe a Fleet would be capable of taking one out from what limited data we have. I have to caution though that it’s most likely a Fleet would be extremely mauled in doing so,” she replied thoughtfully. “Nor at this stage do we know what shielding they may be capable of, hence this is merely a guess based on our own capabilities.”

“What of our Battlestar grids?”

“They are designed to be used against a slightly more dispersed enemy than a sphere like this. However trapping a sphere against a grid by a Fleet would be a way to reduce casualties.”

“We appear to be assuming they are hostile,” an admiralty aide spoke up.

“Yes,” Herrick replied. “That is the assumption we’re making, as they appear to be in contact with Realms of known hostile intent against allies of ours, as well as being right next to a neighbour of ours and not introducing themselves. Should they wish to be friendly, they only have to come out and say hello. It’s not like Gershon has designs on the dead area.”

“There are certainly easier candidates for terraforming, true,” Honack added.

“I meant no disrespect,” the aide replied. “However it strikes me that we could at least send them a message?”

“And we will,” Amantil interjected. “But not until we have fully assessed a potential threat close to our border.”

“Forgive me, Serenissima, I just wondered why we were not at least discussing diplomacy.”

“Fleet Commander Lamass, there is no need for forgiveness. It was a relevant question. The Security Group focusses on the security of the Empire and mostly discusses threats. Some have to be prepared for, others dealt with diplomatically. This is one where we need to have a response in place before starting communications.”

“Yes, Serenissima.”

“This goes for all of you. If you think we’re missing something, ask. Unlike other intel committees, there are few protocols as to who may say what. If you do not understand and believe it’s relevant, ask. I won’t bite your heads off.”

“Yes, Serenissima,” a few startled looking officers replied.

“Good. The Empire is far too vast for me to micromanage, hence a need for groups like this where general policy can be made and applied. Your job is to keep me informed in general; my job is to make the big decisions where needed. I cannot do that correctly unless I know what’s going on. Is this clear?”

“Yes, Serenissima,” the reply came back far more strongly.

“Serenissima, we are receiving a communication from our scout the Hole in Space on the Gershonian border to the dead area,” the AI announced to the meeting.

“Put it through,” Amantil ordered.

A tri-dee image appeared, showing a huge sphere emerging from the dead area and moving towards a waiting Gershonian Fleet.

“It is ignoring all attempts to communicate, including on bands we know the suspected trade vessels used,” came a comment from the scout. “So far it has not been actively hostile, though the Gershonians are getting nervous at its approach. The mass of the sphere is also preventing any attempts to translate to XD space.”

“Do we know how it moved beyond the light barrier?” Herrick asked.

“We detected Thcherzon waves, so probably an old style jump drive, if immensely powerful,” came the reply.

“It’s not the same sphere,” Janta suddenly announced. “Core readings are different,” he added, pointing to a scrolling data-stream to the side of the image.

“So they have more than one,” Grand Admiral Vuspic frowned. “Most disturbing.”

“Gershonian Fleet has put a shot across their bow,” the scout informed us. “It’s launching its internal fleet; detecting fire control scanning!”

“I don’t think the Gershonians should engage away from fixed defences,” Admiral Arconti stated. “Their fleets, whilst good, are not powerful enough to take on this thing. I’m not even sure a single fleet of ours could.”

“Too late,” I replied as the sphere opened fire at the Gershonians at extreme range whilst continuing to launch its auxiliary craft.

“Hyperbeam potency is not as powerful as Imperial norm,” the scout informed us. “Sheer volume of fire is enough to make up for the difference. Gershonian smaller ships are taking damage.”

“The Gershonian Dreadnaughts have returned fire; the sphere is taking minor damage. Their Battleships are engaging the sphere auxiliary craft,” Admiral Arconti commented. “It’s nowhere near powerful enough to even slow that thing down.”

What followed was a short but powerful example of brute force where the sphere ignored damage to itself to close with the Gershonians and, other than the Dreadnaughts, swatted them out of existence with ease. Only the lighter and swifter Gershonian ships, who were capable of dodging, were putting up a real fight and who were trying their best to allow their capital ships to retreat.

“Prepare the first, second and fourth Fleets to go to assist the Gershonians, as and when they request our aid.” Amantil ordered. “Get this feed studied to figure out some sort of tactical response.”

“Yes, Serenissima,” the assembled Admirals replied.

“Gershonians are pulling back,” the scout informed us. “Damage to the sphere is minimal, but they did take a toll of the auxiliary vessels.”

“Is it pursuing?” I asked.

“Yes, though not quickly enough. Gershonian casualties stand at about thirty percent.”

“They were lucky they did not press home their attack,” Admiral Arconti commented. “As it is, the strength of such a sphere has to be very concerning.”

“Gershonian Ambassador is requesting a formal meeting, Serenissima. As are the Melanoqui, Truvik, Herstmosow and Hiren Ambassadors,” the AI announced.

“Arrange it, please,” Amantil replied.

“Admirals, get the Fleets prepared. It looks like someone out there wants to destroy our Alliances by spreading us thin. But I need definite proof and hard data on intentions. Prepare, if necessary, to call up the reserves to back up our commitments.”

“By your command, Serenissima,” came several replies as Amantil called the meeting to a close and went off to do her diplomatic thing.

Kirim and I escorted Janta and Mutra back to the shuttle and bade them farewell before heading back to a meeting of Amantil’s advisory group, hastily called by Herrick.

“Reports are coming in of mass movements of hostile Fleets along the borders of our allies,” Herrick informed us.