UGT: 17th Terrana 280 a.G.A. / 14:22 a.m.
Location: ASF Aurora, outer edges of the Yra-S?l'Vareth System (red dwarf), Inner-Noran sector, Ruidan Raider Association, Milky Way
Once more we dropped out of hyperspace in a new system, just outside the burn radius of a dying red dwarf. Six days ago, we had left another completely destroyed Association system. They realy followed through on their scorched earth tactics. We just moved on after a few hours, seeing how nothing was there.
This system seemed just as empty as the last one. Crumbling outposts and mining stations, but nothing else. A slow, star-choked graveyard of ruined satellites and shattered stations. Nothing lived here anymore. The system was called by the Association Yra-S?l'Vareth. It translated, roughly, to The Place That Devours Stars. Fitting.
The ASF Aurora's sensors hummed to life, sweeping through the system with a precision that felt almost predatory. I honestly expected nothing from it. Obviously, everything was destroyed, just like last time. The more surprised I was, when Fen suddenly spoke.
[ Got something. Encrypted Association chatter. It's faint and backward. Probably meant to blend into the stellar noise. But it's not hidden well enough for the scanners of the ASF Aurora to overhear it. ]
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the edge of the Captain's Chair. "Playback," I commanded. A crackling burst of static filled the chamber, followed by filtered fragments of speech.
"...fleet convergence... sectors deeper... shielding upgrades complete..."
"...reinforcements pulled from Varnut'Kar..."
"...traitors to the cause in Woch-Hor'Nubis..."
"...forces to weakened for counter-attack..."
And then silence again. I frowned. " The troops in Woch-Hor'Nubis truly were deserters then, as suspected. It hadn't made any strategic sense to hold on to that black hole. Just some stubbborn commander. Not that it matters anymore. Where is the convergence taking place?"
[ Unknown. The message was intended for a networked relay array and we only caught a shard. But it's close. Probably at the very end of the sector, where their main shipyard and local command center is located. ]
I glanced at the tactical holoscreen. The sector was tightening. Association presence was growing weaker and weaker the further we pushed. With their breathing room becoming ever smaller, they probably prepared for their last stand at their sectors capital system. The one we had to take to end the campaign in this sector one and for all. Then, the southern flank of the Kingdom of Ferron would be next. The Bridge was silent for a moment before the incoming channel chimed softly. An SHF communication request. I allowed it through.
Admiral Thorrison’s image flickered into existence on the central display. “Captain Lunaris,” he began, voice steady but low. “We’ve intercepted chatter. Likely encrypted shortburst traffic routed through decaying relay buoys in this system. You heard the same?”
“We did.” I nodded slightly. I was slightly surprised the SHF managed to pick up on the signals as well. The FSF officers truly were something else it seems. “A convergence. The Association is pulling forces from their last local systems. This wasn’t intended for us to hear.”
The Admiral folded his arms. “We’ll assume it wasn’t the only message sent. They may already know we’re listening. That complicates things.”
I didn’t need to answer. We both knew what this meant. Our push through the Inner-Noran sector was about to hit real resistance. And not just piecemeal outposts or local garrisons. "They want to lure us in deeper, probably even into their capital system were they will hold a massive advantage." I said, thinking aloud. "And we have to follow them because we need to get rid of them as quickly as possible."
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"Except this time, they won't underestimate what we're bringing," the Admiral added. "Your ship made sure of that." He was right and that made things even more difficult. The element of surprise was gone. The ASF Aurora's capabilities were now more than just a rumor. The Association wouldn’t allow another massacre without preparing a much sharper blade.
"We split," Thorrison said after a beat. “We cannot leave the connective hyperroute into the Kingdom of Ferron completely undefended, just in case. A smaller detachment can hold fort here while we take care of the remaining local Association fleets. Afterward, we can meet up again and see where we go from there.”
I didn't argue. He was right. Still, I asked, "Who leads the advance at the remaining Association systems?"
He looked directly at me. "I will, but for this mission, you'll join me as well. Commander Ashcroft can hold the position here." Of course he'd pull me into it. "Your ship’s mobility gives you reach. And the Association will never expect us to send our biggest asset into unknown territory."
Or maybe they would. The question hung in the air. "You're hoping they do," I said evenly.
"I'm hoping," he replied, just as evenly, "that whatever trap they’ve laid, you can break it. Me being willing to join you in that attack should make it clear, that this is not a trap or test for you. After all, the life of me and my people depend on our success as well."
We held each other's gaze for a moment. Then I nodded. "Then we'll break it."
With that, everything that had needed to be said had been said and a few hours later, the fleet began the split.
I stood at the observation deck, watching as part of our strength banked off and began reorienting into defensive formation around the system’s hyperroute exit towards the Kingdom of Ferron. As discussed, Commander Ashcroft would remain behind to coordinate local defense, provide refueling and repair, as well as to hold the corridor open. Our offensive detachment was quite impressive as well. The ASF Aurora, a Battlecruiser, all four Cruisers, two Destroyers and two Frigates.
“Fen,” I said, stepping back onto the Bridge, “is there a way for us to help our allies go a bit off-route? I do not want to walk into an ambush if not necessary.” I didn’t need to elaborate. Fen had access to every route charted by the Aetherians and more than a few the SHF and the Association lacked. There was a pause, just long enough for him to run a few internal checks.
[ We have data for flying thorugh an Aetherian outer trade corridor. But that region’s barely maintained. We’ve got decaying relay points and outdated gravitational charts, leaving us with more blind spots than I'd like. ]
“Which makes it quiet.”
[ Or a graveyard. That route lies abandoned for nearly 1,000 years. Our gravitational charts are very likely to be wrong and will just tear the SHF fleet apart upon leaving. ]
“It also means we can jump into their rear systems, attacking from vectors no one expects,” I countered. "And we do have quite strong scanners, recalibrating a few outdated gravitational charts shouldn't be a problem." Another pause.
[ Fine. You win. Again. I’ll run the preliminary course correction and do a full recalibration of the Aurora’s inertial dampeners. I'll also inform our allies of your plan, see if they agree and send the data over. Let's hope that gamble pays out. ]
I moved further into the Bridge. The lighting dimmed slightly as the Aurora’s systems shifted to long-range transit prep. Outside the viewport, space stretched on, calm, cold and deceptively empty. I crossed the Bridge slowly, gaze on the forward display. The route projection was already flickering into shape. Not a clean line. A jagged, irregular thread winding through a mess of hazards and unknowns, since there was no straight updated course for centuries. We would have to fall out of hyperspace multiple times near other system to reorientate. Just looking at it, you could understand why no sane pilot would risk it.
“They’ll be expecting us to come in through the regulated lanes,” I added, voice low. “That’s what they’ll watch. That’s where they’ll wait.”
[ They won’t be watching this one, seeing how no one should even know of its existence. ]
“Then let’s prove we’re neither,” I stated decisively.
[ Route set. Trajectory calculated. It’s ugly. Admiral thorrison hesistantly agreed to your plan, though I had to embellish it. You’re sure we want to do that? ]
“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t,” I replied.
[ Understood. ]
I stepped forward, my hand hovering just over the primary console. I could feel the power building beneath the deck. That almost imperceptible vibration that meant everything was in motion, whether the rest of the galaxy knew it or not. The ASF Aurora was ready.
“Prepare for jump,” I said.
Outside, the stars blurred. Bent. Reality twisted around the hull as the transition initiated. The quiet hum of the ship deepened. And then we were gone.