Disclaimer: I own anything you don't recognize. Everything else belongs to Tamora Pierce.
Key:
"speaking"
'thinking'
*italics*
{UniLang}
[Spanish]
Chapter Five
Battle Plans
Sarainak tapped the keypad set in his desktop, and the holo-plate (1) beside it hummed. An image materialized above it, and the officers leaned forward to better study it.
"We can't do much more to analyze the readings without sending a ship out-of-system, but I doubted you'd appreciate a hole in your defense screen."
Kel gave him a look that said, 'Ya think?'
Sarainak chuckled. "However, it has been cautiously labeled as ship movement by
Lispath."
Kel nodded approval as she studied the readings. "It's definitely a Heronian attack force - looks like it's picked up some Banter-class corvettes, as well." Kel reached over and adjusted the holo, filtering out the identified reading. She scowled as those that remained. "That's not any ship *I've* ever seen. Linch? Recognize it?"
The Devonian shook his head. "No, ma'am. Not in all my long years have I seen anything of the like."
"And believe me," Sarainak put in, "we've grilled him about it since we picked them up."
"Bring up what we have on the Calam (2)," she said, frowning. "Something about this isn't right."
Linch leaned back in his chair and pressed his fingertips together in a steeple as Sarainak typed hurriedly on a spare data-plate (3). "They're insectoid rather than humanoid, hive-minded, impressive mechanics and ship builders. They built the Mindale-class assault cruisers, and designed and built the Bimby-class frigates. A group of them custom-built the *Sanctuary* (4)."
"I've always wondered why I've never seen her sister ship."
"She's not exactly what you'd call common, no," he agreed.
Sarainak looked up from the data-plate. "This is news: they designed and built the Andaril space docks (5)."
"Those monsters?" She was surprised. "Impressive."
The captain frowned. "You think they designed something special for the Imperium?"
"I'd not be surprised," Linch commented, picking up on his superior's thoughts. "They've done custom jobs before, including the *Sanctuary* and her sub-ships. But they also say the *Sanctuary* was their biggest custom job, and they told Admiral Liskmae that they wouldn't be doing customs for quite a while."
"But how long ago was that?" Kel asked. "The *Sanctuary*'s been in commission for what, a hundred years?"
"Three, actually," Linch corrected. She'll be decommissioned in about 1700 years."
"Got her whole life ahead of her," Sarainak concluded.
Kel shook her head. "You'd think 300 years would be enough of a break," she muttered.
The Devonian shook his head. "Calam are even longer-lived than Devonians or Herons. For them, 300 years would be just a drop in the bucket, to borrow an old Terran saying."
"She's younger than Davonsue," she pointed out absently. She'd hardly heard what he'd said, her thoughts being elsewhere.
"True," Linch amended, studying her curiously. After a moment, he pursed his lips and shook his head, frowning. "No, I don't think so. I mean, they told the Imperium they were building the *Sanctuary*; I don't see why they wouldn't do the same for us."
Sarainak sighed exasperatedly and glared at his second-in-command. "You know, it's really annoying when you do that - not to mention rude."
Linch ducked his head. "Sorry, sir. Won't happen again."
"You say that every time." The captain sighed one last time as he turned to Kel. "What exactly was the thought he just picked from your brain?"
"Maybe they did a custom job and didn't notify anyone."
"In that case, I agree with Linch. They *did* tell the Imperium they were building the *Sanctuary* - and consequentially had to face the Supreme Admiral's wrath - so it's only fair that they tell us if they're doing a custom job for the Imperium."
"Keep in mind, though," Kel argued, "it was just one group that built the *Sanctuary*. There's no way to know if another*r group took the job - one that didn't feel like telling the UDR."
Sarainak blinked and was silent. Linch frowned. "You know, it might also be that they told someone higher up - closer to the action than us - and High Command hasn't seen the need to notify us. I mean we've been out of touch for over three months now - almost four. A lot could've happened."
The Triliu jumped on that. "But why would they not notify us? The continued safety of the refugees is of the utmost importance to them. If they come across anything that was potentially dangerous to us, they'd let us know at once. They've done it before; there's no reason for them not to tell us now."
"Maybe they didn't think it was potentially dangerous," Kel pointed out.
"And maybe it wasn't the Calam at all," the commander said. "We shouldn't be jumping to conclusions. Don't count the Heronians short - they're more than capable of designing *and* building ships of their own."
The Triliu and the Mendari exchanged looks. "He has a point," Kel said.
He nodded. "Yes. He does."
She looked up at her subordinates. "But we're agreed that it's a possibility? The most likely one, in fact?"
They nodded.
Kel shook her head. "I still don't like it." She let out a frustrated sigh, studying the holo. "There's a Heronian attack fleet sitting outside the system with an unknown quantity. The unknown quantity has even the best sensor chief the UDR could give me baffled. Things are getting a little cloudy for my taste. I want to know what that unknown quantity is. I want to know everything there is to know about it so I can figure out how to defend myself against it. The Heronians for sure aren't going to play nice and tell me everything I want to know, so that means we are gonna hafta play dirty."
"I take it you have a plan?" Sarainak commented dryly.
The admiral gave him a cocky grin. "I have a plan."
"Just checkin'."
She leaned forward and rested her elbows on the desk. "Here's what we're gonna do. Captain Sarainak."
"Ma'am."
"Leave a skeleton force of three attack cruisers and four defense cruiser at the outer rim of the system, plus the *Aenglit* (6). *The *Aenglit* is to run under full stealth - I don't want even Lispath to be able to detect her. She's our last resort. At the first sign of trouble, she's to send a mayday to Davonsue and Agavari. If both the *Jupiter* and the *Last Hope* (7) are destroyed, she's to jump out - no hesitating. She is *not* to become engaged in battle, even if a timely shot from her might save one of our ships. Her first jump is to take her anywhere as long as it's *away*. Her second jump is to Terra - she'll leave a beacon there with the battle-data. It's to be encrypted orchestrally. Her third jump takes her straight to Agavari. Captain Rachagjiev is to report directly to Admiral Liskmae."
Sarainak and Linch exchanged looks. "You are *really* worried about that unknown quantity, aren't you?" said Linch.
She met their gazes squarely and spoke bluntly. "I'm terrified.
"The rest of the fleet is to form a defensive screen around Mendari VI. The Sheook teams are to be dispatched to the colonies. I want the Terrans ready for orbital bombardment, ground attack, or both. All our shuttles are to be sent to the colonies. The old, weak - including injured, sick, and pregnant - and children are to be evacuated to Mendari IX. If the *Aenglit* jumps, they jump. Their route will take them to Terra first and foremost. The *Aenglit* will pick them up there and escort them to Agavari.
"The fleet is to deploy all fighter squadrons when the skeleton fleet engages. The skeleton fleet will delay them as long as possible, but they are to try and remain intact. If they lose three ships, they're to back off, catch their breath, and prepare to hit the Heronians from behind. If they have to jump out-of-system in order to back off far enough the Heronians won't chase them down, then they're to do so. Both the skeleton and the main fleet - once engaged in battle together - are to fight to the last ship. If the Heronians manage to wipe out the Terrans, I want Supreme Commander Stevan to be able to know without a doubt that we did everything possible t defend her people - we didn't go down without a fight. Understood?"
Sarainak nodded wordlessly.
"Good. Commander Linch."
"Admiral?"
"You are to take the *Ganymede* (8) and a 'special' reconnaissance crew and find out everything you can about our unknown quantity. Fly under stealth. Your collected data is to be orchestrally encrypted and transmitted to the *Jupiter*, the *Last Hope*, Davonsue, and Agavari. If you are *absolutely* certain you can make it back to us safely and without detection, do so. If you're doubtful, though, head for Mendari IX, or Terra if you can't make it there. If you go to Terra, wait one week. If no one shows up, come back. Understood?"
"Yes, Admiral."
"Oh, and Captain." She turned back to the Triliu so swiftly he jumped.
"Yes?"
"If and when the *Aenglit* arrives at Terra - if no one is there, she is also to wait one week before returning unless another ship arrives beforehand to escort them back. Same goes for you, Linch."
Both men nodded.
"And it must be either one week's wait or a summoning ship. If either receives a transmission recalling them, they're to high-tail it to Agavari. Got that?"
Another pair of nods.
"I will be contacting High Command within an hour notifying them of the situation." Kel racked her brain, searching for anything she might've left out.
"All right, that's pretty much it for now. Captain, I will be adding to your orders later, but I'll let you take care of these first."
Yet another nod.
Kel sighed and finally leaned back. "Last but not least: we are now on Red Alert."
They exchanged solemn glances. Now the entire fleet would know that the situation was grim.
"Dismissed."
___________________
"If you need anything," said Waltich in broken Common, "I'll be outside."
Lisan nodded her thanks as the door slid closed. She waited a few minutes, certain that he or one of the others would come back in to keep an eye on her, but no one did. After three minutes, Lisan realized that they would grant her
privacy *in the admiral's quarters*.
Lisan frowned as she sat on the floor. They could've just made a potentially dangerous mistake. They had left a stranger - an *awkward* stranger - alone in the living quarters of the highest-ranking person there. If she had been an enemy spy, she could've done a great deal of harm. She could put booby-traps up that would kill Kel. She could search the suite thoroughly for any useful information about Kel that could be used against her at a later date. There were *countless* things she could do, despite the security team waiting outside the door.
Yet they had left her there; and she extremely doubted that they were too stupid to not realize their mistake. They had left her there because they trusted her - and that fact troubled her. Who was she that people who traveled the stars would trust her? Yet they did.
Awed by the thought, Lisan looked up and let her gaze sweep over the room. Simple enough: a desk, sitting chairs, a Yamani silk painting on one wall, a glaive of another, two doors, and a huge window behind the desk...not terribly exciting...except for that window.... Lisan felt drawn to it somehow. She stood and made her way over to it, circling the desk, and felt her jaw fall slack.
Framed in the window was a spectacular view of the world they wre orbiting. It was covered with red, blue, and green clouds swirled together in a dance that seemed to go on forever; swirls and streaks and clumps and streams...and on the far side, to the left of the window, Lisan could make out another ship approaching. It was in the shadow of the planet's moon that she had only just noticed in the *Red Spot*. It was smaller than the enormous *Jupiter*, shaped like a bird with its wings swept and talons and head stretched forward.
All of a sudden, the ship burst into light and color, becoming a shining gem, a bright star. It had passed out of the moon's shadow.
And then she saw a golden light creeping over the horizon of the cloud-planet. Almost looks like a sunrise, she thought. And indeed it was. The golden globe that was the sun breached the horizon, its rays reaching out to the *Jupiter* and setting her on fire. Awash with the glow from the sun, the planet, the *Jupiter*, and the second ship, Lisan spread her arms, accepting its glow and warmth unto herself.
"Lunar sunrise."
Lisan jumped and dropped her arms, feeling like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar. She turned to find Kel standing behind her, eye on the window. She was quiet for a moment, merely watching the celestial dance and letting its light caress her.
The squire studied the older woman curiously. She looked different now. There was worry in her eyes, a fear. She'd never noticed it before. She was surrounded by an aura of power, of authority, and it should've strengthened her. Yet her body seemed to say with weariness and sorrow; as if the burden of command was almost too much to bear. The heavenly light could not hide her new, true appearance.
She looked old.
Lisan paused, startled by the thought. She was only nine years older than the Avalanche Point squire, yet seemed nine decades older. Not even Lord Raoul, who was a great deal older than both women, had the tired look of worn duty about him as Kel did. Were those nine years really so harsh?
Kel let a small smile slip over her lips. "So much happens in so little time, so much death, pain, suffering...you get so busy, it gets hard to slow down and see the little things, the beautiful things. Things as majestic as a lunar sunrise, or as simple as a family playing in a park."
She watched the second ship as it approached, a frown replacing the smile. Lisan also looked at it, puzzled. Now what?
Kel unclipped something from her belt and brought it up as if to speak into it, but it *twitt*ed just as she opened her mouth. She blinked, then said, "{Karva?}"
"{Si *Anathom* (9) char kartark ykatar. Mai savan chai yua chapas ti koa bamaum. Tie iynk tie char biyak samanar lau Siana Stevan dyk chai bah emaus kiem chia.}"
Kel's frown deepened. "{Tabak mai chapas, mei charn mai erumi ti si Sevat Shav. Charn Siana Linch ana Savan Sarainak chiika ke savari.}"
"{Karva, Shamei.}" (10)
Kel returned the box-thing to her belt and sighed, glaring at the ship. It was now coming alongside the larger ship, shadowing the window. The celestial lights were cut of abruptly. "I'm afraid you'll have to stay here a little longer, Lisan. Something's come up, and I'm needed elsewhere."
"Can I come with you?" Lisan blurted. She suddenly felt the need to stay with the older woman. Things were moving fast, and she feared she might be left behind and forgotten.
Kel hesitated, but after one last glance at the second ship, nodded. "You might as well." She turned to leave but stopped. "Lisan..." She turned back, licking her lips. "It's going to be more than two days before you're returned home. You might *never* go back. Battle is eminent, and there is a very real possibility that the *Jupiter* could be destroyed. We don't have the time to send you back now. I just wanted to let you know the severity of the situation, and tell you I'm sorry you had to get involved." She again turned and made her way to the door, but stopped at Lisan's words.
"I'm not."
The older woman didn't say anything, but Lisan could've sworn she saw the corner of her mouth lift in a smile.
Definitions/Terms:
(1) Holo-plate. The thing that generates the holograms.
(2) Calam. Long-lived insectoid race specializing in ship design and construction. 'Neutral' in the universal war, though they will do custom jobs for either side if paid enough and up front.
(3) Data-plate. High-tech notebook (laptop) - hand-held.
(4) *Sanctuary*. Flagship of the UDR military. Largest ship in existence. Custom-built for Supreme Admiral Aneva Liskmae (who designed it) by the Calam.
(5) Andaril space docks. Largest space docks in known universe - even the *Sanctuary*, the biggest ship in existence, could (and does) dock there.
(6) *Aenglit*. Stealth cruiser. Most valued ship in *Jupiter* fleet.
(7) *Last Hope*. Secondary flagship (*Jupiter* fleet). Defense cruiser.
(8) *Ganymede*. *Jupiter* stealth shuttle. Kel's favorite of the *Jupiter*'s shuttles.
(9) *Anathom*. Courier ship for Supreme Commander Corine Stevan.
(10) Translation:
(Kel): "Yes?"
(Shanki - Comm Officer): "The *Anathom* has arrived in-system. Her captain is asking permission to come aboard. She says she has important information from Commander Stevan that is for your ears only."
(Kel): "Grant her permission, and have her escorted to the Communications Hall. Have Commander Linch and Captain Sarainak meet me there."
(Shanki): "Yes, Admiral."
Key:
"speaking"
'thinking'
*italics*
{UniLang}
[Spanish]
Chapter Five
Battle Plans
Sarainak tapped the keypad set in his desktop, and the holo-plate (1) beside it hummed. An image materialized above it, and the officers leaned forward to better study it.
"We can't do much more to analyze the readings without sending a ship out-of-system, but I doubted you'd appreciate a hole in your defense screen."
Kel gave him a look that said, 'Ya think?'
Sarainak chuckled. "However, it has been cautiously labeled as ship movement by
Lispath."
Kel nodded approval as she studied the readings. "It's definitely a Heronian attack force - looks like it's picked up some Banter-class corvettes, as well." Kel reached over and adjusted the holo, filtering out the identified reading. She scowled as those that remained. "That's not any ship *I've* ever seen. Linch? Recognize it?"
The Devonian shook his head. "No, ma'am. Not in all my long years have I seen anything of the like."
"And believe me," Sarainak put in, "we've grilled him about it since we picked them up."
"Bring up what we have on the Calam (2)," she said, frowning. "Something about this isn't right."
Linch leaned back in his chair and pressed his fingertips together in a steeple as Sarainak typed hurriedly on a spare data-plate (3). "They're insectoid rather than humanoid, hive-minded, impressive mechanics and ship builders. They built the Mindale-class assault cruisers, and designed and built the Bimby-class frigates. A group of them custom-built the *Sanctuary* (4)."
"I've always wondered why I've never seen her sister ship."
"She's not exactly what you'd call common, no," he agreed.
Sarainak looked up from the data-plate. "This is news: they designed and built the Andaril space docks (5)."
"Those monsters?" She was surprised. "Impressive."
The captain frowned. "You think they designed something special for the Imperium?"
"I'd not be surprised," Linch commented, picking up on his superior's thoughts. "They've done custom jobs before, including the *Sanctuary* and her sub-ships. But they also say the *Sanctuary* was their biggest custom job, and they told Admiral Liskmae that they wouldn't be doing customs for quite a while."
"But how long ago was that?" Kel asked. "The *Sanctuary*'s been in commission for what, a hundred years?"
"Three, actually," Linch corrected. She'll be decommissioned in about 1700 years."
"Got her whole life ahead of her," Sarainak concluded.
Kel shook her head. "You'd think 300 years would be enough of a break," she muttered.
The Devonian shook his head. "Calam are even longer-lived than Devonians or Herons. For them, 300 years would be just a drop in the bucket, to borrow an old Terran saying."
"She's younger than Davonsue," she pointed out absently. She'd hardly heard what he'd said, her thoughts being elsewhere.
"True," Linch amended, studying her curiously. After a moment, he pursed his lips and shook his head, frowning. "No, I don't think so. I mean, they told the Imperium they were building the *Sanctuary*; I don't see why they wouldn't do the same for us."
Sarainak sighed exasperatedly and glared at his second-in-command. "You know, it's really annoying when you do that - not to mention rude."
Linch ducked his head. "Sorry, sir. Won't happen again."
"You say that every time." The captain sighed one last time as he turned to Kel. "What exactly was the thought he just picked from your brain?"
"Maybe they did a custom job and didn't notify anyone."
"In that case, I agree with Linch. They *did* tell the Imperium they were building the *Sanctuary* - and consequentially had to face the Supreme Admiral's wrath - so it's only fair that they tell us if they're doing a custom job for the Imperium."
"Keep in mind, though," Kel argued, "it was just one group that built the *Sanctuary*. There's no way to know if another*r group took the job - one that didn't feel like telling the UDR."
Sarainak blinked and was silent. Linch frowned. "You know, it might also be that they told someone higher up - closer to the action than us - and High Command hasn't seen the need to notify us. I mean we've been out of touch for over three months now - almost four. A lot could've happened."
The Triliu jumped on that. "But why would they not notify us? The continued safety of the refugees is of the utmost importance to them. If they come across anything that was potentially dangerous to us, they'd let us know at once. They've done it before; there's no reason for them not to tell us now."
"Maybe they didn't think it was potentially dangerous," Kel pointed out.
"And maybe it wasn't the Calam at all," the commander said. "We shouldn't be jumping to conclusions. Don't count the Heronians short - they're more than capable of designing *and* building ships of their own."
The Triliu and the Mendari exchanged looks. "He has a point," Kel said.
He nodded. "Yes. He does."
She looked up at her subordinates. "But we're agreed that it's a possibility? The most likely one, in fact?"
They nodded.
Kel shook her head. "I still don't like it." She let out a frustrated sigh, studying the holo. "There's a Heronian attack fleet sitting outside the system with an unknown quantity. The unknown quantity has even the best sensor chief the UDR could give me baffled. Things are getting a little cloudy for my taste. I want to know what that unknown quantity is. I want to know everything there is to know about it so I can figure out how to defend myself against it. The Heronians for sure aren't going to play nice and tell me everything I want to know, so that means we are gonna hafta play dirty."
"I take it you have a plan?" Sarainak commented dryly.
The admiral gave him a cocky grin. "I have a plan."
"Just checkin'."
She leaned forward and rested her elbows on the desk. "Here's what we're gonna do. Captain Sarainak."
"Ma'am."
"Leave a skeleton force of three attack cruisers and four defense cruiser at the outer rim of the system, plus the *Aenglit* (6). *The *Aenglit* is to run under full stealth - I don't want even Lispath to be able to detect her. She's our last resort. At the first sign of trouble, she's to send a mayday to Davonsue and Agavari. If both the *Jupiter* and the *Last Hope* (7) are destroyed, she's to jump out - no hesitating. She is *not* to become engaged in battle, even if a timely shot from her might save one of our ships. Her first jump is to take her anywhere as long as it's *away*. Her second jump is to Terra - she'll leave a beacon there with the battle-data. It's to be encrypted orchestrally. Her third jump takes her straight to Agavari. Captain Rachagjiev is to report directly to Admiral Liskmae."
Sarainak and Linch exchanged looks. "You are *really* worried about that unknown quantity, aren't you?" said Linch.
She met their gazes squarely and spoke bluntly. "I'm terrified.
"The rest of the fleet is to form a defensive screen around Mendari VI. The Sheook teams are to be dispatched to the colonies. I want the Terrans ready for orbital bombardment, ground attack, or both. All our shuttles are to be sent to the colonies. The old, weak - including injured, sick, and pregnant - and children are to be evacuated to Mendari IX. If the *Aenglit* jumps, they jump. Their route will take them to Terra first and foremost. The *Aenglit* will pick them up there and escort them to Agavari.
"The fleet is to deploy all fighter squadrons when the skeleton fleet engages. The skeleton fleet will delay them as long as possible, but they are to try and remain intact. If they lose three ships, they're to back off, catch their breath, and prepare to hit the Heronians from behind. If they have to jump out-of-system in order to back off far enough the Heronians won't chase them down, then they're to do so. Both the skeleton and the main fleet - once engaged in battle together - are to fight to the last ship. If the Heronians manage to wipe out the Terrans, I want Supreme Commander Stevan to be able to know without a doubt that we did everything possible t defend her people - we didn't go down without a fight. Understood?"
Sarainak nodded wordlessly.
"Good. Commander Linch."
"Admiral?"
"You are to take the *Ganymede* (8) and a 'special' reconnaissance crew and find out everything you can about our unknown quantity. Fly under stealth. Your collected data is to be orchestrally encrypted and transmitted to the *Jupiter*, the *Last Hope*, Davonsue, and Agavari. If you are *absolutely* certain you can make it back to us safely and without detection, do so. If you're doubtful, though, head for Mendari IX, or Terra if you can't make it there. If you go to Terra, wait one week. If no one shows up, come back. Understood?"
"Yes, Admiral."
"Oh, and Captain." She turned back to the Triliu so swiftly he jumped.
"Yes?"
"If and when the *Aenglit* arrives at Terra - if no one is there, she is also to wait one week before returning unless another ship arrives beforehand to escort them back. Same goes for you, Linch."
Both men nodded.
"And it must be either one week's wait or a summoning ship. If either receives a transmission recalling them, they're to high-tail it to Agavari. Got that?"
Another pair of nods.
"I will be contacting High Command within an hour notifying them of the situation." Kel racked her brain, searching for anything she might've left out.
"All right, that's pretty much it for now. Captain, I will be adding to your orders later, but I'll let you take care of these first."
Yet another nod.
Kel sighed and finally leaned back. "Last but not least: we are now on Red Alert."
They exchanged solemn glances. Now the entire fleet would know that the situation was grim.
"Dismissed."
___________________
"If you need anything," said Waltich in broken Common, "I'll be outside."
Lisan nodded her thanks as the door slid closed. She waited a few minutes, certain that he or one of the others would come back in to keep an eye on her, but no one did. After three minutes, Lisan realized that they would grant her
privacy *in the admiral's quarters*.
Lisan frowned as she sat on the floor. They could've just made a potentially dangerous mistake. They had left a stranger - an *awkward* stranger - alone in the living quarters of the highest-ranking person there. If she had been an enemy spy, she could've done a great deal of harm. She could put booby-traps up that would kill Kel. She could search the suite thoroughly for any useful information about Kel that could be used against her at a later date. There were *countless* things she could do, despite the security team waiting outside the door.
Yet they had left her there; and she extremely doubted that they were too stupid to not realize their mistake. They had left her there because they trusted her - and that fact troubled her. Who was she that people who traveled the stars would trust her? Yet they did.
Awed by the thought, Lisan looked up and let her gaze sweep over the room. Simple enough: a desk, sitting chairs, a Yamani silk painting on one wall, a glaive of another, two doors, and a huge window behind the desk...not terribly exciting...except for that window.... Lisan felt drawn to it somehow. She stood and made her way over to it, circling the desk, and felt her jaw fall slack.
Framed in the window was a spectacular view of the world they wre orbiting. It was covered with red, blue, and green clouds swirled together in a dance that seemed to go on forever; swirls and streaks and clumps and streams...and on the far side, to the left of the window, Lisan could make out another ship approaching. It was in the shadow of the planet's moon that she had only just noticed in the *Red Spot*. It was smaller than the enormous *Jupiter*, shaped like a bird with its wings swept and talons and head stretched forward.
All of a sudden, the ship burst into light and color, becoming a shining gem, a bright star. It had passed out of the moon's shadow.
And then she saw a golden light creeping over the horizon of the cloud-planet. Almost looks like a sunrise, she thought. And indeed it was. The golden globe that was the sun breached the horizon, its rays reaching out to the *Jupiter* and setting her on fire. Awash with the glow from the sun, the planet, the *Jupiter*, and the second ship, Lisan spread her arms, accepting its glow and warmth unto herself.
"Lunar sunrise."
Lisan jumped and dropped her arms, feeling like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar. She turned to find Kel standing behind her, eye on the window. She was quiet for a moment, merely watching the celestial dance and letting its light caress her.
The squire studied the older woman curiously. She looked different now. There was worry in her eyes, a fear. She'd never noticed it before. She was surrounded by an aura of power, of authority, and it should've strengthened her. Yet her body seemed to say with weariness and sorrow; as if the burden of command was almost too much to bear. The heavenly light could not hide her new, true appearance.
She looked old.
Lisan paused, startled by the thought. She was only nine years older than the Avalanche Point squire, yet seemed nine decades older. Not even Lord Raoul, who was a great deal older than both women, had the tired look of worn duty about him as Kel did. Were those nine years really so harsh?
Kel let a small smile slip over her lips. "So much happens in so little time, so much death, pain, suffering...you get so busy, it gets hard to slow down and see the little things, the beautiful things. Things as majestic as a lunar sunrise, or as simple as a family playing in a park."
She watched the second ship as it approached, a frown replacing the smile. Lisan also looked at it, puzzled. Now what?
Kel unclipped something from her belt and brought it up as if to speak into it, but it *twitt*ed just as she opened her mouth. She blinked, then said, "{Karva?}"
"{Si *Anathom* (9) char kartark ykatar. Mai savan chai yua chapas ti koa bamaum. Tie iynk tie char biyak samanar lau Siana Stevan dyk chai bah emaus kiem chia.}"
Kel's frown deepened. "{Tabak mai chapas, mei charn mai erumi ti si Sevat Shav. Charn Siana Linch ana Savan Sarainak chiika ke savari.}"
"{Karva, Shamei.}" (10)
Kel returned the box-thing to her belt and sighed, glaring at the ship. It was now coming alongside the larger ship, shadowing the window. The celestial lights were cut of abruptly. "I'm afraid you'll have to stay here a little longer, Lisan. Something's come up, and I'm needed elsewhere."
"Can I come with you?" Lisan blurted. She suddenly felt the need to stay with the older woman. Things were moving fast, and she feared she might be left behind and forgotten.
Kel hesitated, but after one last glance at the second ship, nodded. "You might as well." She turned to leave but stopped. "Lisan..." She turned back, licking her lips. "It's going to be more than two days before you're returned home. You might *never* go back. Battle is eminent, and there is a very real possibility that the *Jupiter* could be destroyed. We don't have the time to send you back now. I just wanted to let you know the severity of the situation, and tell you I'm sorry you had to get involved." She again turned and made her way to the door, but stopped at Lisan's words.
"I'm not."
The older woman didn't say anything, but Lisan could've sworn she saw the corner of her mouth lift in a smile.
Definitions/Terms:
(1) Holo-plate. The thing that generates the holograms.
(2) Calam. Long-lived insectoid race specializing in ship design and construction. 'Neutral' in the universal war, though they will do custom jobs for either side if paid enough and up front.
(3) Data-plate. High-tech notebook (laptop) - hand-held.
(4) *Sanctuary*. Flagship of the UDR military. Largest ship in existence. Custom-built for Supreme Admiral Aneva Liskmae (who designed it) by the Calam.
(5) Andaril space docks. Largest space docks in known universe - even the *Sanctuary*, the biggest ship in existence, could (and does) dock there.
(6) *Aenglit*. Stealth cruiser. Most valued ship in *Jupiter* fleet.
(7) *Last Hope*. Secondary flagship (*Jupiter* fleet). Defense cruiser.
(8) *Ganymede*. *Jupiter* stealth shuttle. Kel's favorite of the *Jupiter*'s shuttles.
(9) *Anathom*. Courier ship for Supreme Commander Corine Stevan.
(10) Translation:
(Kel): "Yes?"
(Shanki - Comm Officer): "The *Anathom* has arrived in-system. Her captain is asking permission to come aboard. She says she has important information from Commander Stevan that is for your ears only."
(Kel): "Grant her permission, and have her escorted to the Communications Hall. Have Commander Linch and Captain Sarainak meet me there."
(Shanki): "Yes, Admiral."