Pearl of the Stars

The Xintax Star System, a tertiary system at the very edge of Council controlled space. Beyond its borders lay No Man’s Land. It was impossible to be closer to Others controlled space whilst still being within the confines of a Council system. The six or eight star systems beyond, depending upon the route one opted to traverse, whilst they were home to several million people, had also seen some of the bloodiest, most costly battles since the war began.

The star system itself was not ideal. Its three stars, a Brown Dwarf and a larger Yellow Dwarf in close proximity to each other, and a White Giant fourteen light-minutes away, meant the Xintax Star System was relatively unstable.

There were no habitable worlds, however several large military installations and three space docks housed Xintax’ population of three-quarters of a million people.

The Fleet exited the jump point only a few clicks to the port side of the largest military installation in the system and as such, their presence was detected almost straight away.

“Pearl of the Stars, it is good to see you in one piece.” The welcome was warm and friendly. The Pearl was well known in the Xintax Star System, not least because she was the only vessel to return there following the battle at Hixia. “I see you have brought some friends back with you.”

“General Bates, I am happy to hear your voice once again,” said Captain Grace Ifhans in reply. “Do you grant permission for the Fleet to dock so we might take on fuel and supplies?”

“Of course Captain, make yourselves at home,” Bates replied jovially.

“There is also a matter I wish to discuss, preferably in person.”

“Echo Dock is clear. There is ample room for your Fleet.” As General Bates spoke, Grace signalled to Johnson that she should lead the Fleet to that location. “I will be there shortly and we can discuss whatever issue you may have over drinks.”

“Thank you General,” said Grace, and she terminated the call.

***

A little over four hours later in a meeting room attached to Echo Dock, Grace stubbed the butt of her cigarette in the ashtray and lit another almost instantly. As well as Grace and General Bates, Captains Erstwhile, Casper, Hubbard, and Karavel were also present. It was the first time since leaving the Victoria Star System that all unit commanders had been physically present at the same location and because of that fact, even though Xintax was Council controlled, security was extremely tight.

Between them, the Fleet captains told Bates of the Others incursion deep into Council space, and of the new and powerful enemy they had encountered en route.

“This new enemy, are they truly as powerful as you say?”

“They are,” Grace replied. “And considering the fact the squeezed fifteen-hundred years of technological development into twenty, the chances are they have all but surpassed our own levels of tech in the weeks since last we encountered them.”

“The way you tell it, we don’t have a chance against them,” said Bates thoughtfully.

“There is always a chance, General,” said Captain Erstwhile. “No matter how fickling slim it may be.”

“We need to get the Others on our side,” Grace continued. “With our combined forces, we may be able to defeat our new enemy.”

“If we are to convince the Others that they are indeed at risk as we are, a truce of sorts could be reached.”

“My orders are to offer the Others two choices. Either they surrender or they are destroyed. However those order came before we knew anything of our new enemy. If we were to engage the Others in battle prior to our next meeting with a technologically superior race, our already slim chances of success would diminish even more so.” Grace held her finger to her ear as a message came through on her personal coms. “I have just received word the Panzer has arrived.”

“What of Imperium and the remainder of her unit?” Hubbard asked.

“The entire unit was destroyed protecting Panzer’s retreat,” Grace replied quietly. “Captain Dihou is sending a video file.”

All present watched in silence as they watched the video showing the destruction of Imperium’s unit, as Council weaponry proved completely ineffective against superior shields, and held their breath as incredibly powerful weapons ripped Council vessels to shreds.

“That is very worrying indeed,” said General Bates, rubbing his temples. “I have a mid-level contact within the Others government. I would not go as far as to say I trust the man but if I show him this, there is a chance he will be able to sway things our way.”

“The sooner the better, General.” Once again, Grace put her finger to her ear as another transmission came through from the Pearl. She shook her head slowly. “Thank you Lieutenant, please direct the feed through to this meeting room.”

“Trouble?” Asked Captain Casper.

“I fickling hope not,” Grace replied as on the large screen on the wall of the meeting room, an image of Frost’s cell appeared.

“Frost,” Captain Erstwhile stated. “What’s going on?”

“I’m not sure,” Grace replied. “Whatever happened on screen took place whilst we were jumping from Callovan to Xintax. One of the techs located the file behind several firewalls. Wait, is that..?” Grace peered at the screen as someone else appeared. She recognised the silhouette against the light from the corridor beyond, but could not see the newcomer’s face. When he spoke though, she was certain.

“You’re a fickling idiot Frost.” It was Major Hynes. “What the fick do you think you were playing at? I didn’t risk everything, my own reputation, so you could end up in the fickling brig.” There was a pause whilst Frost said something in reply, although the feed had not picked it up. “Don’t give me that crap. I steered you to command of a battleship for one reason, but you’ve ficked that up royally. You’re no use to me now. You are on your own.”

The video feed ceased, and all in the meeting room turned to Grace. Captain Ifhans just sat there, unable to believe what she had just witnessed. Had it really been Hynes all along? Was he the traitor? All she had to go on was the evidence in front of her and if that little meeting had actually taken place, then it appeared that yes, Major Hynes was working against her.

“Lieutenant,” she spoke slowly and clearly into her coms. “Have Major Hynes arrested. I want to interrogate him immediately upon my return to the Pearl.”