Chapter 4:

ShipMaster Dorfo was listening to the Terran transmission, constantly repeating. It was annoying, but the more times he heard it, the more it frightened him. At least the Terrans were blocking the Fusar comms; that made him a bit relaxed. At least he didn't have to hear or see the ugly things. But when the translator on the ship malfunctioned, he heard the Terran message in their language, in their voice. It made all his hairs stand up. He was getting far too anxious; he wished someone would just blow them up already. Then, he heard a different voice. This was not an automated message; this was a Terran.

"Fusar fleet, this is High Admiral Mihajlovich of the Terran Dominion. Turn around now and leave this space. There will not be any further warning."

They were addressing the Fusar. They seem to be ignoring us for now.

Another Terran voice could be heard; the channel was still open.

"Mihajlovich, are you mad? We can't just…"

"Quiet, Adams."

What is wrong with these Terrans? At that moment, the Fusar commander spoke.

"We are sorry, Terrans. We had no intention of nearing your border. We just want that cargo vessel, and we will leave."

Well, looks like the Fusar can be diplomatic. What now?

Before Dorfo could think about what to do, the Terran spoke.

"Fine, gunnie…"

The Terran voice spoke, and in that moment, the huge cannon-like object on the Terran monstrosity lit up and created a flash of fire. By the gods, that was a cannon.

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I looked at the sensors where the Fusar fleet now used to be. The readings showed that the entire fleet was practically gone. There were three Fusar ships still intact, attempting to flee. There were at least five more heavily damaged and unable to move but still showed lifesigns. At that moment, a voice was heard from one of the Terran vessels.

"Taking care of the stragglers."

At that moment, a Terran craft practically vanished and in an instant reappeared in the middle of the three remaining Fusar craft. That was an FTL jump, without preparation or charging; they were just there.

I looked in horror as the last Fusar craft attempted to flee. I had no love for the Fusar, but these Terrans, did they even hear of the word mercy? One of the Fusar craft disappeared from the sensors, then the second and the third. In an instant, they were just gone. The Terran voice that was heard just moments before could be heard again.

"Mopping up…"

What does that mean? And then I understood. The Terrans were blasting the rest of the damaged Fusar vessels that had any lifesigns; this was an extermination.

"Clear."

The voice spoke again, and then moments later, it reappeared in its previous position, like it had never left.

Then the voice that was obviously coming from the Terran command vessel spoke.

"Well done."

Well done, and we were next…