You look at Lord Pyrus, "I think we need to leave the Mavros behind. Mr. Pierre knew the Aegis had just returned from survey work before we headed out to the Outbound system, so they shouldn't think our desire to refit before heading back is anything unusual. The Mavros on the other had would be harder to fit into that deception. She has the Deep Void Array, but is far less able to defend herself then the Aegis, and so would be less likely to be selected for Survey work in a border region."

Lord Pyrus blinks, "border region? How do you know that?"

It is your turn to shrug, "border of known space I mean. There are other stars, and therefore other systems out there. But my charts end at the Outbound system. Past that is unknown / unsurveyed areas, which are usually the haven of pirates and xenos."

Lord Pyrus stares at you for another few heartbeats, and you get the strange feeling that you are being assessed with more than mortal eyes. Her then turns away and heads off to check with his fellow Space Marines.

Almost a day later...

You are on the bridge supervising the crew as they prepare for the Aegis' departure to the Outbound system. Everything is normal and Yasha has just sealed herself into the Navigator's Vestibule when Direwolf enters the bridge. He doesn't say anything, just casually leans against a bulkhead near the hatch, conveniently placed to keep an eye on everyone and everything. You issue the order to Yasha to make for the Outbound system at her usual pace, then turn to Direwolf, "What can I do for you, Lord Direwolf?"

Direwolf glances in your direction for only a moment before his eyes resume their automatic sweep of everything, "Transit Security Detail. No offence Shpimaster Von Sebastion, but we of the Deathwatch keep an eye on everything when not on home ground."

"None taken Lord Direwolf. We should be arriving in the Outbound system in three days time, if all goes smoothly.”

Nine Days Later…

According to Yasha, you are nearly at the Revision Point and all the more glad for it. The trip has taken three times as long as expected, and several members of your crew have looked as if they slept poorly. Direwolf is back on the bridge again. At the appointed time, the hair on the back of your neck and arms stands on end, space twists, and the Aegis is back in reality. Direwolf's eyes promptly sweep the sensor readouts. You grunt and flip on the holotable, pulling up a map of the Outbound system and overlaying the data for your sensors, looking for things out of place. The Cambrian is right where you last saw her, in low orbit over Vrenna. Satisfied, you crack your back and face Frank, "Put us into a standard sweep pattern, same as we used when we were updating those Hazards to Spacers Charts, if you please."

Frank acknowledges receipt of the order and put the Aegis in a lazy turn to starboard along the system perimeter. Direwolf glaces back, sees the holotable, and stalks over, "would it not be better to simply start in the center and work our way outwards? That would let us begin our mission sooner."

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You shake your head tiredly, "possible, but if we are to claim that we are here to survey the system, then we need to look like we are actually surveying the system. Best way to do that is to follow a typical search pattern and sweep away with our sensors. This lets us get a feel for anything in the system, gives us an excuse to use active sensors for a prolonged period of time, and for the people planetside to get used to our presence. When we put into port in a week or two, we'll be 'old news' as far as they are concerned."

Direwolf nods his head, accepting your explanation, "playing the patient hunter then. Wait for them to tip their hand if they have a trap, or at least give the best chance to spot it. I wonder if they've changed anything aboard the Cambrian since we were last here?"

You shake your head, "probably not. I'd have to check with Jace, but something that badly mauled would need a proper shipyard to put right, and there isn't one in the Outbound system. Transfer some of the smaller systems down to the planet, possibly, but not any of the big ones like weapons emplacements." you pull up the last set of scans you have of the Cambrian, "You have more experience with xenos works than any of us here. Is there anything that stands out about the Cambrian?"

Direwolf studies the image of the Cabrian for a long time, slowly rotating it to look at different angles. He overlays the un-damaged version of the ship with the damaged one, and nods his head as he confirms something, "partial Imperial construction, but definitely some Xenos work as well. Intact, she may well have been able to land on Vrenna if these 'clamshells' had some anti-grav tech. Damaged as she is, no way."

The holotable snaps back to the tactical view with the blinking red icon of an unknown, presumably hostile, contact on the far side of the system. Simo call out, "sorry to interrupt Sir, I think you need to see this. Sensors can't get a good look at that ship. But it came from the wrong side of the system, from outside of Imperial space."

Direwolf stiffens, his jaw visibly clenching, "That ship isn't human. Helm, Silent Running. NOW!"

Your head snaps up at Direwolf’s harsh tone, "Frank belay that, hold course and search pattern for now. Simo, get us a better look at that ship. Lets not tip our hand too quickly."

Direwolf snarls for a moment, then visibly shudders and slowly nods, "playing the patient hunter again I see. Let them think we can't see them until we know more, then act."

You nod, "and even if that ship buggers of back into the Warp, we'll have an entry and exit vector. That will tell us where they came from, and provide more leverage in prying open whatever ratnest is developing down on Vrenna. And if they stick around, I want the Aegis to have the best possible chance if it comes to a fight."

Two hours later, and it’s not looking good. Lord Pyrus and Rubicon have joined Direwolf on the bridge, and all three are studying the scans you have of the xenos ship. It has a sharply pointed prow bristling with guns, and a trio of solar sails protrude from its rear half. It clearly knows that the Aegis is in system, as it works its way in-system keeping the planet between the two ships. You frown, "now why would they be heading for the planet if they know the Aegis is in the system?"

Rubicon shrugs, "appointment it has to keep perhaps. No way that ship knows that the Aegis is hostile, not after playing this cat-and-mouse game for over two hours now. Expect her to drop off sensors completely upon entering orbit."

Direwolf shakes his head, "I don't think it knows that the Aegis is a warship at all. It would have gone dark and either ambushed us or waited us out otherwise."

You scratch your chin, "possible. We never showed the Cambrian our weapons in action, and her sensors were trashed along with her hull, so she can't tell the newcomer what we have, even if she can tell what we are. The newcomer is technically in range of our Sunsears, if we could get a clear shot. Given how cagey this guy is playing, he's not going to give us one. So the real question is do we let her go and then move in on Vrenna, or try and maneuver to create that opportunity?"

Rubicon grunts, "Vrenna isn't going anywhere, so the real question is whether we keep to the shadows or reveal ourselves."