Chapter 9

Lambert and Carl were thoroughly debriefed by the Captain and his aids, recounting their tale of how they followed Mezul’s ship to the brawl several times over. Alice provided the recordings, and these were gone over extensively by the officers.

“Those are Confederate markings, no doubt about it,” Anders remarked, watching the recording of the skirmish between the Balokarids and the UEC. “And you eliminated three ships as well? Good work.”

“The presence of an attack group has serious implications,” one of the aids noted. They were on the bridge of the Gallipoli, the officers standing on one side of the command table, Lambert, Carl, and the aliens on the other. Keyboards clicked away from all sides, but it was muted, the novelty of having aliens on board not lost on the bridge staff, many heads turned in their direction to stare.

“A scout group couldn’t sustain themselves without a flagship,” the aid continued, adjusting his collar. “Not this far out from UEC lines.”

“They’re bound to be on the lookout, with their whole patrol wiped out,” Anders said, scratching his beard. “I’m glad you got these Balokarids moving when you did, Lieutenant. They wouldn’t have lasted long if a capital ship found them.”

“Should we return to the Hub?” another of the officers suggested, the woman glancing at Shaliyya’s armed guard. “This is a huge development. Senator Estera would want to hear of this as soon as possible.”

“We haven’t accomplished our mission,” Anders replied, shaking his head. “And we sure as hell can’t leave a UEC presence uncontested. This nebula is the Hub’s backyard, losing it isn’t an option.”

“Permission to speak, sir?” Lambert interrupted, the eyes of his superiors turning on him. Anders waved for him to proceed. “Did the other patrols find anything? The missing ship, or any other aliens?”

Anders shook his head. “Nothing so far. Your route was the only one with any noteworthy discovery.” The Captain blinked as Shaliyya chittered something to her guard in her native tongue. “I’m more concerned with our new friends at this time, however. Is this their whole population? Why are they fighting the UEC, and not us? We must establish some way of communicating with them before we form a plan of action.”

“We’ve been trying our best,” Lambert said. “but we haven’t gotten far aside from a few basic words.”

“Perhaps Doctor Cairns can help,” Anders mused. “She’s been itching to get a look at these aliens ever since hearing the news, and she’s our most qualified medical staff. She’ll want to examine them.”

“The machine on my ship has a few basic anatomy notes recorded,” Lambert said. “we can send them to her.”

“I’m sure she’ll appreciate the help. I want you two to help Cairns get us talking with these aliens fluently without delay. Since you’ve got more experience with these... Balokarids than anyone else, you’re best suited to the task.”

“We’ll keep them out of trouble sir,” Carl said.

“Lead them down to the medical bay then, I’ll send word that you’re coming. Wyatt,” Anders said, turning to one of the aids. “what do you make of their laser weaponry?”

Lambert took that as a sign they were dismissed, the Balokarids following the pair out from the bridge, some of the Captain’s guard escorting them out.