Stealthy recon droid satellite U117BG did not look like a satellite. It looked like a rock similar to the many others orbiting this desolate system on the very edges of the Tigris galaxy. About fifty metres across, nothing showed to indicate that this ‘rock’ was in anyway different from others in the systems asteroid belt. However, this system had one advantage, it had a G type star and a standard sized planet which held both metals and water. Even better, no significant life had arisen on the planet which was also orbiting its sun in the green zone. In the brief survey that had accompanied the posting of the satellite, the possible future terraforming of the planet was noted.
Since the satellite had been planted in the system, it had not recorded anything out of the ordinary. It had assessed numerous instances of stray radiation, but nothing activated any of its prime programs. No communications had been received, it was too early for that, and none had been sent. Neither had any alerts been received.
While possessing a form of artificial intelligence, the recon droid possessed only the most rudimentary form of self-awareness. It knew it had to remain hidden and stay on standby until instructed otherwise but also to report all significant events to its controllers. It also knew that it had to destroy itself if anyone lacking the proper codes tried to examine it.
The internal chronometer recorded the passage of time, in empire standard of course, with nothing to report until Marcitt 24th 1393, new style, ninth translation.
A burst of energy followed by a flash of light heralded the arrival of a space craft. A cylinder, perhaps eight hundred meters in length, flashed into existence on the far side of the system from the silent sentinel. Immediately the recon satellite brought its sensors online and the satellite went to work in the manner its programs commanded it to. The distance the strange craft was from the watcher made no difference to the new and upgraded sensors that probed for and sought every last nuance of information. A contact report was sent immediately to those who waited for it.
That the craft was not a design common to the empire was immediately apparent and was included in the contact report. As the craft circled the systems sun, estimates of the crafts speed, capabilities and armament were made. Carefully, a sensing probe was directed at the craft and the first anomaly was noted. No shields or sensors responded. All sensors were directed at the various planets. Crude ones the droid noted, but not ineffective. No conclusions were noted, that was not this machines job, information only according to a carefully drawn up list of questions to be answered. Once every twenty four periods, until the visitor left, a carefully screened message noting the contact only was to be sent to Rear Admiral Traska’s headquarters.
As the visiting space craft carried out its task, this taking more than a day, it drew closer to the sentinel. The recon droid carefully reduced its power emissions and cloaked its sensors, reducing further the minute chance of discovery. As it passed within a few hundred kilometres, extremely close by space standards, it gave the droid the chance to examine it optically as well as with its sensors.
Taking numerous images was a simple matter, and the space craft was followed all the way out, its orientation and probable destination was carefully noted. The final detail was an estimate of the transit time to the next sun that was likely to be visited. All the information gathered was packaged into one compressed file which was first saved then transmitted via a high speed hyperlink to the address stored in its memory, something that could only be done after the visitor left.
Its tasks completed to the satisfaction of its programing, the recon droid reverted to standby mode. There it stayed, waiting for the next event to arouse it. It did not concern itself with the reaction of those to whom it had directed its messages.
*********
Damn, why does everything happen during sleeping time? The thought ran through Rear Admiral Traska’s mind as the soft sound repeated. “Yes, Traska here.”
“Watch officer sir, we have a contact report.” Had Traska sitting up. The location of the contact followed.
“Just the contact report?” The Rear Admiral asked.
“Yes sir.”
“Very good. Implement contact procedures plan one, no further action at this time.”
“Should I advise anyone else sir?”
“Captain Fulton will want to know, tell her. We will all be up soon enough anyway.”
“Yes sir.”
*********
It was three periods later that Admiral Traska stepped onto the bridge of his flagship. He surveyed the crew.
“Admiral on the bridge!” Captain Fulton did not stand as was protocol. After all, she was the Captain of the ship.
“As you were.” The Admiral responded. “Status?”
“In hyper sir, on the way to agreed rendezvous. The rest of Detachment T have been contacted by hyper comm and have been alerted to gather as ordered. Admiral der Watt has confirmed your plan and also taken the light cruisers back into his command. They are gathering as ordered as well.”
“Time to rendezvous?”
“We should be there in under two periods.”
“Any further communications?”
“No sir.” That was expected, Admiral Traska was fully aware of the programing of the recon droids.
“Good, carry on, please give me a quarter period warning for emergence.”
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“Will do sir.”
“I will be in the conference room with my staff.”
“Very good sir.” Admiral Traska left.
*********
There wasn’t much discussion, they had already agreed to allow the first contact to develop and just observe the tactics of the scout over the next two or three contacts. It was helpful that the Tigris galaxy was edge on to K113 while that galaxy was showing its complete structure. That meant that any invasion force was compelled, at least at first, to scout that edge. Any counter attack by the empire, on the other hand could pick any convenient spot it wished.
But for the time being the initiative lay with the scout or scouts, if there were more than one.
“We need to capture this scout ship and its crew.” He turned to the office commanding the Legion troops on the Barrows Star as well as all Legion troops in the Detachment. Colonel Siren Contons was like all soldiers in the Legion, tough and competent. “Are all your troops ready for ship to ship combat?” Traska knew the answer, he was asking for the record. Colonel Contons was aware of that and her answer was short.
“Yes sir.” Her troops on the command ship had been reinforced to a light battalion. Four companies, each numbering one hundred and twenty soldiers. In each of the other battleships she had another battalion. All had been practising for an assault on an unknown vessel in null gravity. There was a platoon on each of the heavy cruisers. All together she commanded the equivalent of a regiment of six battalions.
“We may not be Lady Luca’s Own, sir, but we will do the job.” Colonel Contons continued in a cool tone. She was actually quite pleased with her command. Considering the number of troops under command, it was really a brigadiers posting.
“I know you and your troopers will, Colonel.” Traska smiled. He turned to his staff. “Review each transmission coming in. There won’t be much new until the scout leaves for the next star on its list. But let’s see what we can learn.”
There was a chorus of “Yes sirs.” And Rear Admiral Traska left. His Chief of Staff left with him. They walked in silence the few steps to his office.
Once ensconced at his work station, he looked his senior staff officer over. Captain Brown was an Imperial Navy officer and this was his unofficial name. His official name was too long and unpronounceable.
“Anything to add?’ The Admiral queried.
“Not at this time sir. Really we are just waiting. However I am concerned with some of the recent appointments. One in particular that is.”
“Which one?” Traska tried to remain casual.
“The commander of the cruiser Elm. In my opinion he is not up to the task and should be replaced. I have had very quiet messages sent to me by certain of the officers and the senior spacers. Even the Legion has passed word to me.” In the last case, that meant the commander of the assault troops.
“I see.” Traska hid his relief. Like many in the Empire, but unlike Captain Brown, he had a single name as well as his identification codes. “When we all arrive. I will make a surprise inspection starting with the Elm. There are other ships I want to look over as well.”
“Yes sir, now …” They turned to matters of administration.
*********
The fleet was in perfect formation as if swept into space on what was calculated to be the next star the scout from galaxy K113 would visit in its examination of the galaxy. The inspections had born fruit with anyone, officer or not, deemed to be below what Admiral Traska held to be an adequate standard, dismissed. These were returned to Admiral Der Watt for reassignment with a hyper message containing a full report preceding their arrival. They were very few in number.
Scans downloaded from the recon satellite stationed there showed that there were two gas giants in close orbit around this systems sun. One so close that its orbit was in the matter of days, while the second out from the star had an orbit that would be measured in weeks. Other planets were further out however none could be considered habitable by anyone in the fleet, even the Zylions, who enjoyed a hot and humid environment.
“Deploy the fleet in accordance with the agreed plan, all ships to engage stealth mode once they have reached pre-set coordinates.”
The communications officer had nodded then spoken the proper codes into his comm unit. Then another set were entered. Finished, he turned to the senior officers standing around him.
“I really like this new comm unit sirs. Using the tight beams this beauty has, I can send instructions to any particular ship in the detachment, another ship won’t pick it up even if it was right beside us!” The young officer smiled. He had thought that getting posted to one of these ships was a second rate position. But instead he found himself on the front lines. He couldn’t be happier.
“This unit is shielded against emissions?” The Chief of staff asked. “You are certain?”
“Oh yes sir, I just enter the codes you saw me enter. It will receive from similar comm units and send to them. It can also send to any other comm unit but they can’t reply.”
Admiral Traska smiled. “I am encouraged then,” he said thinking I am picking up the Dark Lords speech. He nodded and turned to Captain Fulton. “Keep me appraised of any developments, please Captain.”
“Of course sir.” The Captain was a stocky brown haired and solid woman from Resta in the second cluster. She was unusual as most people from Resta were happy to deal with other planets but were decidedly un-warlike. If they went to space, they did so as traders. They did not even have prisons, only rehabilitation farms where you stayed until you learnt your lesson. Serious nonviolent crimes meant that you were banished from the planet for life. Violent offenders were also banished for life prior to being handed over to the Legion for punishment. There were few of these.
These thoughts ran through Traska’s mind and were dismissed.
“Thank you Captain.”
“Any other instructions sir?”
“None, if I think of anything, I will let you know.” With a smile, the Rear Admiral left the bridge followed by his staff.
One by one each of the five battleships and the twelve heavy cruisers advanced to their allocated positions and vanished into the darkness and depth of space.
This included the Kauri, piloted by Jenna of Christos.
“At assigned coordinates and holding sir.”
“Good.” Commodore Quill turned to his second in command. “Advise the crew and engage stealth status.”
The Kauri vanished into space.
The Zylions had not come with them. They had stayed at the positions allocated for them. The recon satellites were programed to monitor them and report if they left the system except under orders. They knew and understood the reasons for this and were not concerned. They would have done exactly the same.