Pearl of the Stars

Grace activated the video screen in her quarters. No sooner had she done so did the image of Captain Frank Holding appear, the slightest of smirks evident upon his haggard face.

“Frank,” Grace nodded a greeting. “Is this line secure at your end?”

“Yes Ma’am, it is,” Captain Holding replied.

“Good, then I shall keep this meeting as brief as possible.” Grace paused to light a cigarette, and on screen Captain Holding did the same. “Our new enemy must be held accountable for their actions, however the vote did not go quite as I hoped. What I am about to ask of you Frank, will be viewed by the rest of the Fleet as mutiny.”

“Always did see myself as a bit of a bad boy, Ma’am.”

“Quite,” Grace stifled a chuckle. “Your orders will match those of the rest of the Fleet, however I want you to disregard those orders. With the addition of the Panzer, your unit will break off from the Fleet seconds before we jump to Callovan. You will then hunt down the enemy.”

“Yes Ma’am,” replied Captain Holding, a broad smile upon his face.

“Do not I repeat, do not engage unless absolutely necessary.” Grace paused for a moment to allow the order to sink in. “Your computer contains our exact route, and from that we will not deviate. If at all possible Captain, you are to lead the enemy fleet into an ambush. We will be ready to engage from the off. The Fleet will traverse each system in battle formation.” Again, Captain Ifhans paused. “Are we clear, Captain Holding?”

“Crystal, Ma’am.”

“Thank you Captain, that will be all.” She took a deep drag upon the cigarette. “Good hunting.”

No sooner had the image of Captain Frank Holding disappeared from her video screen, the Pearl’s internal coms bleeped, indicating to Grace she had a call waiting.

“Yes Lieutenant.”

“Sorry to bother you Ma’am, but Captain Casper’s shuttle has just touched down in the port docking bay,” the Lieutenant replied diligently.

“Thank you Lieutenant. Have a squadron of marines escort Captain Casper to techs for interrogation. I shall meet them down there.”

“Yes Ma’am.”

***

By the time Captain Ifhans made it to interrogation, the marines were already there, as was an extremely confused Captain Danielle Casper.

“Captain Ifhans, what is the meaning of this?” Captain Casper demanded. “As I am sure you are aware, I am rather busy.”

“My apologies Danielle, this will not take too long, hopefully.”

“With all due respect, what the fick are you talking about Ma’am?”

“It has been brought to my attention that you may have knowledge of the attempts to sabotage this fleet, and of the death of technician Herbert.”

“What a preposterous notion!”

“I might once have been inclined to agree, however the interrogation will prove or disprove your guilt. Have you nothing to hide, then you have no cause for worry.” Grace took note of the look on Captain Casper’s face. She did not seem overly concerned but then again, all officers receive training to withstand interrogation techniques. She turned her head to one of the marines. “Sergeant, please escort the Captain into the interrogation chamber, and ensure she is comfortable.”

“Yes Ma’am,” the Sergeant replied and with his weapon directed towards Captain Casper’s head, he indicated she should enter the chamber.

It was some hours later that the interrogation was complete, and the senior technician addressed Captain Grace Ifhans wearily.

“She’s clean Ma’am,” he said, wiping beads of sweat from his brow. “If Captain Casper knows anything, she is hiding it extremely well. We picked up nothing to indicate she is party to any foul play.”

“Thank you,” Grace replied. In truth she was relieved. She viewed Captain Danielle Casper as an ally within the Fleet, and she felt a great weight lifted upon hearing the technician’s analysis. With a nod she entered the chamber and addressed Danielle directly. “It seems you have passed with flying colours, Captain. Please accept my apologies for putting you through this ordeal.”

“I would likely have done the same,” Danielle replied with a half-smile.

“I am certain you would have.”

***

In jump formation, the Fleet bore down upon the jump point to the Callovan System, Imperium and her unit taking up the rear.

“Jump in sixty seconds Ma’am.”

“Thank you Lieutenant,” Grace replied, watching the display intently. Imperium’s unit was yet to indicate they intended to do anything but follow the rest of the Fleet. He’s cutting it fine, she said to herself.

“Thirty seconds.”

Panzer was the first to break formation, but that was to be expected as she was much further forwards within the Fleet.

“Fifteen seconds, Panzer has broken formation Ma’am.” As the Lieutenant spoke, Imperium and her unit followed suit. “Imperium has broken ranks Ma’am, her unit is breaking away.”

“There is little we can do about that Lieutenant, instruct the Fleet to hold course for Callovan.”

Captain Holding had done a fickling good job, ensuring the Fleet had passed the point of no return before breaking free. Grace hoped she had done the right thing. Of course, her fellow captains would likely have much to say on the matter during their next meeting, but she had until their arrival in the Callovan System to prepare her response.

“All units, make the jump to Callovan,” and with one last glance at Imperium and her unit, the Pearl of the Stars jumped first, the rest of the Council Fleet in her wake.