"Congratulations, Captain Brooks," Admiral Jarod said.

Though transmitting from dozens of light-years away, he appeared as a full three-dimensional hologram in the HUDs of all the officers present.

"To use this unusual 'hum' to triangulate a possible location of the pirate base was brilliant work. I look forward to reviewing your full report."

Brooks nodded. "Thank you, Admiral."

"It was a risk leaving the colonies undefended while you took this jump," Jarod noted. "If they had been attacked, you would not have been able to reach them in a timely manner."

"The pirates have waited some time between each attack," Brooks replied. "I felt it likely they would be even more cautious since we nearly intercepted them during their last attack."

"Still," Jarod said, tapping his chin in thought. "They do seem able to make jumps quickly, don't they? We do not know the full extent of their relic technology."

Brooks felt a flicker of annoyance. Jarod was not a man he had ever liked or gotten along with. He was well-known to collaborate with Director Freeman of Tenkionic Research as well, another man Brooks neither liked nor trusted.

He did not let his emotions show, however. "We are still uncertain if they do in fact possess relic technology, or if there is just simple trickery here."

"Mm," Jarod replied. "Well now that you've made your third jump and figured out a direction - how long until you can jump again?"

"We began charging for another jump shortly after our arrival here," Brooks said. 'Here' was simply an empty area of space which Cenz had decided was a good point for triangulation. "We can jump again in two hours."

"Good, good." Jarod said. "Now," he continued, "your orders upon finding the pirates is to take as many alive as possible, especially those of rank. We also want to recover all potential relic technology, and most especially any data that could lead to the location of one of these supposed temple-stations."

Urle raised a hand. "Is the rescue of the colonists to be a secondary concern?"

Brooks had turned to look at Urle, and he could tell that he was bothered by the Admiral's priorities. He felt the same way.

The Admiral paused just a little too long. "Achieve both objectives," he said bluntly. "Of course we want to recover the colonists."

"Understood," Urle said. "Also Admiral - have you received our report regarding the pressing needs of the colonists?"

"That is outside my purview," Jarod said dismissively. "Now, go recover a relic and get your names in the history books."

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

With a smile and salute, Jarod terminated the conversation.

Brooks looked back to the table of command officers, his expression more serious.

"We all heard the Admiral," he said. "We are to board and recover any relic technology."

Kai spoke. "Which will we be prioritizing? The colonists or any suspected relic technology?"

"The colonists," Brooks said. "It is the best way to achieve both objectives. Relic technology has lasted for eons in the void, it can wait until after we recover people."

It was a good enough excuse, he thought, if the logs were ever reviewed.

He could not say that he was against recovering the relic tech; not for fame or to get his name in the history books, as the Admiral had said, but for sheer curiosity. If they were relics of an ancient spacefaring civilization, it would be incredible to study them, and they could change the course of history.

And perhaps they did have some insight into zerospace and other such things that could prove advantageous, though he still privately was skeptical of the more fantastical claims about it.

His eyes fell to Apollonia, who had managed to squish herself in between Y and Cenz, using their sizes to hide somewhat.

She looked uncomfortable, and when she caught him looking, she looked down.

"The majority of pirates, we expect to be Greggans, so prepare accordingly. I expect that their fighting force will consist of the D-type Greggans-"

"Those are the big ones, right?" Apollonia interrupted.

"That's correct," Brooks said. "They average 2.5 meters in height and possess heightened physical strength, which is often supplemented with crude but effective enhancers, both chemical and mechanical. Expect that they will want to engage in melee combat if possible to press this advantage."

Jaya looked to Kai. "Our enhancements should be quite superior to theirs. Do we expect them to really have that much of a physical advantage?"

"Possibly," Kai said. "They will have a lot of mass to press. I'll issue melee defenses and inform all teams of the possibility."

"Prep teams one through six," Brooks said. "We'll be launching the first three teams as soon as we can ensure their safety in transit. They will focus on securing vital parts of the ship, and then we will send across teams four through six to help hold. After that, Team One will have the primary objective of locating any relic technology, while Two and Three will focus on the colonists. Team One will only move in to secure the technology after the other teams have completed their missions and we're sure all colonists are safe."

He looked to Apollonia again. "Ms. Nor will be sent in the second wave to help in securing the technology."

Apollonia's eyes widened, jaw dropping.

"I hope that due to her abilities, she will provide protection against elevated levels of krahteons," he continued.

"Captain," Urle said emphatically. "Are you certain we should be sending a civilian into a war zone?"

"I concur with the Executive Commander," Y said. "I object to this decision on medical grounds."

Jaya leaned forward. "Captain, I do not believe she is ready."

Brooks hesitated, but not because of their objections. He understood them all and more. He did not like this idea; he hated it, even if he could see the logic. But it was over his head, ultimately. And even if it was in his hands, he had to think of all the lives under his command.

"Apollonia," he said, looking to her. "If you refuse to go, I understand. I know you aspire to be an officer, but this is far too soon for you to be put into such a situation. This will, however, reflect well on you. Are you willing to perform this task?"

She was silent for a few moments. Dr. Y began to speak again, but Brooks raised a hand, silencing him.

"Your presence is passive," Brooks told her. "You will also have a security detail whose sole mission will be your protection. We don't know how much radiation relic technology might put out, which is why you will be present. You will protect the lives of every Response Officer on the mission."

Apollonia finally looked up, watching him for a few moments.

"Okay," she said. "I'll do it."