Dylan paced the bridge of the Andromeda. He was aware of the attention from the crew manning the bridge stations but he ignored them. Andromeda's captain had tried to stay at his station, but he couldn't do it. He needed someway to disperse the nervous energy that was building up inside him, from both the Sabra-Jaguar ships that still lingered on the outskirts of the system and the extent of the protests surrounding Rhade's candidacy. He almost wished he hadn't asked Andromeda to search for information on the election from other worlds.
Unfortunately, there wasn't much he could do about either situation right now.
"Incoming message from, Admiral Rhade," Andromeda announced breaking up the silence that Dylan's footsteps had been echoing in.
"On screen," Dylan replied instantly, his pacing coming to a stop as he glanced toward the forward screen.
The image of Andromeda disappeared to be replaced by the image of Telemachus Rhade.
"Admiral Hunt, Orion Creed reports that the Sabra-Jaguar ships are moving toward Tarazed," Rhade reported. "I've ordered the patrol ships to rendevous with Orion Creed to slow down the advance while we launch the rest of our forces. Can Andromeda assist?"
"Consider it done," Dylan replied, glancing toward Bekka who was manning the pilot's nest. As the ship had already been on alert, Andromeda sounded the call to battle stations without waiting for the explicit order from her Captain.
"Thank-you. I will tell Captain Reese that you will be joining her. You have the field command Admiral."
"Acknowledged," Dylan replied before ending the transmission with Rhade even as he made his way to his bridge station.
"Andromeda will be able to rendevous with the patrol ships and the Orion Creed in approximately fifteen minutes," Bekka informed Dylan as the image of Rhade faded from the screen and was replaced with Andromeda's image again.
"The Orion Creed reports they will engage the Sabra-Jaguar ships in ten minutes," Andromeda informed them. "Any reinforcements from Tarazed will be at least ten minutes behind us."
"Let's hope that will be enough," Dylan replied quietly, stepping in front of the assortment of computers displayed on top of the central railing of his station.
Once again, he might not have anything to do physically for a while, but at least he could study the data of the battlefield they were approaching and keep his mind occupied. Though he didn't want to be going up against the Nietszcheans once again, he couldn't deny the fact that he was glad the waiting was over.
At the back of the group of Sabra-Jaguar ships, one small craft slipped from a hangar deck as the ships headed toward Tarazed. Cutting all power, the pilot let his craft drift as the other Nietszchean ships moved further into the system and toward the defending ships.
This wasn't the attack that they hoped their enemies were expecting. It wasn't even an encounter they were looking to win. This was only a distraction. A way to misdirect their attention for the true attack a bit further down the road.
The true plan would unfold slowly. Perhaps without them even realizing who was behind it but that didn't matter. What mattered was that they were successful. That the threat to the Nietszchean way of life was eliminated once and for all.
That objective wouldn't be met with a head on attack. Not only would it be difficult to reach the target in that manner but a straight out attack would lead immediately back to them which could be counter productive. The recent conflict and loss had left them weakened but the Sabra-Jaguar were not about to admit defeat. The Commonwealth could still be destroyed and keeping their adversaries off guard would help them accomplish that. If they could find a way to make it look like this attack came from within the Commonwealth, it would help destabilize the floundering democracy more.
Those goals required getting onto Tarazed undetected. That was what this attack was about. His comrades would be the distraction and the rest would be up to him.
Using only passive sensors, the pilot watched as his comrades put more distance between him and them as they closed in on the Commonwealth vessels. He would wait until the two forces had engaged each other and then fire up his engines and head in system. With any luck, the Commonwealth forces would be so focused on the larger Sabra-Jaguar that he could slip by undetected.
Once he was closer to the planet, he would need to find a secluded place to land. Once his ship was on the ground, blending in would be much easier.
For now though, he was just an object adrift in the void.
Patiently he waited for the battle to commence.
"Andromeda will patrol the outer edges of the system for a few more hours, but the Sabra-Jaguar ships are no longer on our sensors," Dylan reported over the link he had with Rhade, who was back in his office on Tarazed.
After a short skirmish with the Sabra-Jaguar ships, the forces from Tarazed having just barely joined in on the fray, the Nietszchean had retreated without any communication with the Commonwealth forces. Neither side had gained the upper hand in the battle, though Admiral Hunt had confidence in his forces that they would have managed to gain the upper hand, given time. Still, the hasty retreat of the invading ships didn't sit well with him.
And it wasn't the only one the action didn't sit well with.
"They may not be on sensors, but there was more to this attack than what we know right now," Admiral Rhade replied. "I just have no idea what it was."
"You and me both," Dylan replied.
"I'm not letting my guard down until I figure it out," Rhade responded with determination. He had been about to lessen the patrols but now he intended to double the patrols. He wasn't sure what the Sabra-Jaguar were up to but he didn't intend to be taken by surprise by them, or any of the Nietszchean prides for that matter.
"Always a wise precaution when dealing with Nietszcheans," Dylan said, a smile playing at his lips.
Despite the tension, Telemachus smiled at the comment. Though he knew Andromeda's commanding officer still harbored a distrust, though well earned, of his people, the Home Guard commander also knew that he had earned Dylan's trust despite it.
"I can't really argue with that," Rhade replied.
"I'll let you know if we spot anything. Hunt out."
Telemachus nodded at the screen a few seconds before Dylan's face disappeared. Leaning back in his chair, Admiral Rhade looked over at the window. The sky was lightening as the sun began to rise. Other than those responding to the incident, and the press covering it, not many others were aware that their safety had been threatened this night. As people began to wake-up and start their days that would change - Tarazed's free press would make sure of that. Just as he was sure it would only be a matter of hours before journalists were vying to be the first one to get an update from him.
Dealing with the press was probably the worse part of being Commander of the Home Guard.
The chime of the door broke through his thoughts.
"Come," Rhade called out, knowing that the person outside would be either one of his men with a report or a representative of the conclave or one of the triumvir's. His security never allowed the press in this part of Argosy Station without his expressed permission.
The door slid open, and Captain Falcon strode into the office.
"Sir, I've got the casualty reports," the Captain stated, holding out the flexi that he was holding. "Though, most ships are reporting damage and injuries, we only lost two slipfighters, both from Orion's Creed."
"The pilots?" Rhade asked, placing the flexi on his desk. There would be time to read the reports later. The men serving in the Home Guard and the Commonwealth Fleet were trained well. What needed to get done would get done, and anything he needed to know right away would be verbally reported to him.
"One was able to eject. Rushing Tide was able to pick him up and he's expected to make a full recovery. The other pilot didn't make it."
Rhade nodded at the news, grieving inside but schooling his outward expression not to show his emotions.
"Sir, perhaps you should go home, and try to get some rest. The press is going to expect a press conference sometime this morning, and you probably shouldn't try to deal with them without at least a few hours rest. I'll alert you if anything needs your immediate attention."
"The pilot's family-"
"Captain Riley is bringing Orion's Creed into port. He wants to notify the family himself. I can go with him to represent the Home Guard."
Rhade opened his mouth to argue, but couldn't come up with any decent arguments. Orion's Creed wasn't directly a part of the Home Guard though they were currently assigned to help defend Tarazed, and thus under his command. However, he didn't personally know the pilot. It was not necessary that he be the one to inform the family of his death.
"What was the pilot's name?" he asked, realizing that he didn't yet know it.
"Lieutenant Whisper of Sunset."
Rhade nodded, though the name was not familiar. Then again, giving the Than's penchant for large families it was hard to keep track of them all. He knew the Than that served in the Home Guard, beyond that they were just brothers and sisters in arms.
"Admiral, I have things under control. Go get some sleep."
"What about you?"
"You pulled me out of a nice dream, so I at least got some sleep before this ingress on the system. I'll be fine until you get back, sir."
Rhade got to his feet. It had been a long day and an even longer night and his second in command was right - Captain Falcon was more than capable of handling the aftermath of the skirmish.
"You're right," the Admiral conceded. "Send a message to the triumvirs' offices telling them that I will brief them on this situation at ten hundred hours and arrange for a press conference to be held at eleven hundred hours. I'll see you in a few hours, but if something important develops, let me know."
"Understood, sir," Falcon replied, following Rhade out of the office.
As Rhade headed for one of the side entrances to Argosy Station, the security officer from Tri-Lorn's security force assigned to him falling into step behind the Nietszchean, Captain Falcon headed across the hall to his own office.
Approaching the single level home his family lived in, Telemachus noticed that a light in the livingroom was on along with the front porch light. It told him that Jillian hadn't gone to be last night. He hoped she had at least gotten some sleep on the couch.
Walking up to the front door, Telemachus let himself in. Without a word, the guard took up a position beside the front door as Rhade went inside. Walking quietly, he headed for the livingroom. He had only taken a couple of steps into the room before Jillian was on her feet and heading toward him.
"Is everything okay?" Jillian asked, wrapping her arms around her husband's waist and placing her head against his chest.
"I'm not sure," Telemachus answered her truthfully, thinking about the Sabra-Jaguar's strange behavior. He wrapped his arms around her as he continued. "However, the immediate danger has passed and our forces are still on alert. There is nothing to worry about."
"I worry any time you're not here with us."
Telemachus smiled as he placed a kiss on the top of her head.
"I can't stay long. I need to get back in a few hours."
Jillian didn't say a word but instead took a step back as she took his hand. Letting himself be led through their home toward the bedroom, Telemachus felt a peace wash over him. Despite all that was going on, he had no doubt that he would be able to get a few hours of sleep as he lay by his wife's side.
