Episode Eleven

Defender of Zardan Command Cruiser – Zardanian Border Fleet

Admiral N'Gar T'Liu stared at the large tactical display in front of her; sensor scans from both her Border Patrol Fleet and the array of listening posts providing essentially useless information to her vision. Her eyes narrowed, her skin darkening in frustration. She looked at the display as though there was some hidden meaning within it, just beyond her senses.

"Where are you?" she muttered as another officer approached.

"Admiral, I bring some unfortunate news," the Captain said.

"Speak," T'Liu ordered, waving a hand nonchalantly, irritated by the interruption.

"One of our mining ships have been attacked by the Federation vessel near the Masor asteroid field," the Captain reported, bracing for a wave of anger from his superior. He found himself surprised by the Admiral's reaction.

"That would explain our inability to detect he ship," T'Liu said calmly, "it is not going to approach the border and our sensors are ineffectual within that field. Was the ship destroyed?"

"No, Admiral. However, there was a nearby patrol that engaged the Akira and pursued it into the field. They were...destroyed in the encounter. The Federation vessel had mined the field with active torpedoes."

"They chased the Federation warship into the asteroid field," T'Liu repeated carefully.

"Usually a mistake, but in this case one that is easily understood. With the invasion fleet poised at the Wayreth sector there are very few ships in the area to assist. Once the Akira escaped short-range sensors they would not be able to pursue it. As you know, the Federation ship has proven capable of masking its trail."

"Indeed. Their engineers can be quite clever. Was there anything missing from the mining ship?"

The Captain swallowed hard and said, "A auxiliary computer core."

"Then we must assume the Akira has full access to our fleet database, recent communications and task force movements...they should soon be able to access our subspace communications if they have not already done so."

"Yes sir. There is more..."

"I presume Supreme Fleet Commander T'Gar Ana'Wor has shared his dismay."

"Yes Admiral. He is demanding to know the reason why the Akira has not been destroyed."

T'Liu nodded. The Captain continued, "Captain A'nagar of the Protector informed the Fleet Commander that it was his order for you to remain close to the Border. He reminded the Commander that it was you that requested cruisers be deployed closer to the interior and the Commander neglected to do so."

"A'nagar..." T'Liu said smiling.

"Supreme Fleet Commander Ana'Wor was most displeased with this assessment," the Captain said.

"I imagine he would be. Ana'Wor does not like his mistakes pointed out for him."

"If I may be so bold Admiral, Ana'Wor is setting you up to take the blame for this...situation. He has already voiced his displeasure with your actions of late and implied the fiasco with the diplomatic envoy was your doing. He is... 'passing the buck' as the humans say."

"He needs a scapegoat, Captain."

"Indeed. His orders are for you to continue to secure the Border."

T'Liu keyed a command into the display before her, brining up the Masor sector of space and gradually expanded it to the outer sectors as well. She studied them closely, eyeing the shipping lanes and present ships in that area.

"Captain," she said, never taking her eyes off the display, "assemble the Border fleet and prepare to depart the Frontier."

"The entire Fleet, Admiral?"

"Leave a few scout ships, enough to patrol this area of the Border. The Listening Posts can do the rest. Have the fleet arranged in a standard sensor web formation."

"Admiral, the Fleet Commander's orders were quite clear..."

"Yes. Secure the Border. The scout ships will be doing just that."

"But sir..."

"Captain, whoever is commanding that Federation ship is not going to come anywhere near the Frontier. He took that database for a reason and it is certainly not to find a means of escape."

"Sir?"

"He is a devil, this one," T'Liu said quietly, almost to herself, "he is not going to run. He is going to fight."

USS Spector

Captain Dent entered the briefing room, putting a datapad on the desk in front of him and looked over the assembled officers, the nearby red giant bathing them all in an eerie red glow. Lambs and Haro met his gaze with pleased looks while Venax nodded to the Captain.

"Report," Dent said.

"Metaphasic shielding is holding, sir. I suspect we can remain here for another twenty hours. Their sensors won't find us this close to the star."

As Lambs finished Venax added, "Sensor probes have been released, Captain. The dampening fields we added to them should hide them effectively from any patrols for the next little while. They are laying down false warp trails and providing us additional information about their lines of transportation."

"We broke the Zardanian encryptions and now have access to their subspace communications," Haro said excitedly, "We managed to glean their recent fleet movements. Have a look."

Haro moved over to map of the area and brought up the information they had gathered, "The Zardanians have three major fleets. First is their Home Guard, dedicated to protecting the planet Zardan and its system. Second is the Border Patrol, a large assemblage of ships stationed in their Frontier. The Third is a massive build up of vessels in the Wayreth sector. I presume this is their future invasion fleet. There are other vessels but nothing to account for numbers wise. Almost all of them have been moved to their invasion fleet."

"Good work."

"Also, the subspace communications we have intercepted so far are extremely upset over your recent actions, Captain," Haro said happily.

"More to come," Dent said.

"Another raid, Captain? There is a small number of scout vessels in the area," Haro replied.

"I have something larger in mind, Mr. Haro. As I understand there is another mining station nearby, correct?'

"Yes, sir."

"From the database I understand there will be a cargo ship passing close to us to pick up some refined material. From there it will pick up its escort and head for Zardan home territory. I think we should be on that ship."

"Sir?"

"I plan on visiting the Markala VII Shipyards," Dent said flatly.

The three officers were silent for a long moment. Finally Lambs said, "Captain, isn't that the Zardanian main shipyard? One of the largest shipyards known by any standard we have?"

"Yes. And I am going to blow it up," Dent said, smiling wolfishly.