Pearl of the Stars
Dirty Mines

The Others fleet exited the jump point, arriving in the Hixia Star System. As they had used an alternative point of incursion to that used by the Council fleet, they were quite literally right over the other side of the star system. As such the systems of the Council vessels did not detect their arrival until many hours later by which time the two separate fleets were a little over two light-hours apart.

Communication over such great distances was irritating but possible, providing those involved did not mind waiting several hours for a response.

As the fleets drew closer to each other, communication was much easier.

Grace held a private video conference with the commander of the Others fleet, during which she got the distinct impression he was none too happy with current arrangements. Regardless, both fleets were ready and somewhat raring to go.

They were to exit Hixia via a third jump point, one that would lead them deeper into No Man’s Land. It would take the better part of twenty-four hours until the time came to jump and in uneasy formation, both the Council fleet and the Others fleet traversed the system, skirting around its edge.

During transit, tiny shuttles darted between the much larger vessels carrying personnel, equipment, or a combination of the two.

“All vessels, weapons ready upon jump exit,” said Grace, addressing not only her unit commanders but individual captains too, via the Fleet-wide coms. “Prepare to jump.”

***

The Tinser Star System was a massive one. Eight perfectly conditioned worlds orbiting the Goldilocks Zone of a Red Giant. The system itself was one of the only inhabited systems that lay between Council and Others space and of the few that were, Tinser was by far the most densely populated. Four-hundred and eighty three billion people spread across the eight Super Earth’s called Tinser their home.

The system had several times been attacked by both Others and Council fleets, for it was more ideal than any star system possessed by either. Each time those fleets had been fought back. The people of Tinser were proud of their independence and would do anything in their power to keep it. They were most certainly ′shoot first′ kind of people, hence Grace’s order that the Fleet be weapons ready upon arrival.

“Dive! Dive!” Grace yelled out across the bridge as Johnson took the Pearl below the plane of the Star, narrowly avoiding the dirty mines surrounding the jump exit.

“We’ve lost eight ships,” a Lieutenant said, reading reports as they came in. “Nine ships. The Others have lost several of their own. Panzer has taken damage.”

“Get us out of this shit storm Johnson,” Grace commanded. “Lieutenant, I want a full report of this system as soon as humanly possible.”

“Aye Ma’am,” both replied simultaneously, instantly setting about acting upon those commands.

***

“How severe is the damage to your vessel, Captain Dihou?” Grace asked, a cigarette between her lips.

“She will hold together Ma’am. We’re lucky Panzer is an MRV, she has all the parts we need on board.”

“You have a little over an hour to conduct repairs. By that time the Tinser defence fleet will intercept our course, annoyingly eight minutes from our jump point.”

“We will have to fight our way out,” said Captain Hubbard, a broad smile upon his face.

“I am looking forward to doing so just as much as you are Michael, but to be perfectly frank it is the last thing we need. We have lost nine vessels already in this fickling system.”

“Then we had best ensure we lose no more,” replied Captain Casper. Grace knew all her unit commanders were ready and willing to fight, they would not have held their posts if not. That said Grace needed the Fleet at as close to full strength as possible.

“Our best estimate is that the Tinser forces will attempt to divert our course slightly to the right of the jump point,” one of the Others captains spoke up. “The asteroid belt there appears to be full of dirty mines, the same as those that took out a good number of both our vessels.”

“It would make sense that they would try to drive us through that,” Grace mused.

“Might I suggest launching projectiles?” Captain Erstwhile suggested. “In the event they mange to divert our course, it would be nice to have a clear path.”

“I like the way you think Jane,” replied Grace before activating her coms. “Lieutenant, send a volley of rocks towards that asteroid belt. Instruct the rest of the Fleet to do the same.”

“Aye Ma’am,” the reply came back seconds later and Grace terminated the link, turning to address those gathered by video link. “This is a historic moment for both our peoples. Whilst it is not the fight we were looking for, escaping Tinser intact will prove to be a decent dress rehearsal for the battles ahead. Before engaging the Tinser forces though, I would like to offer them the chance to join us.”

“You’re fickling crazy Ma’am!” Captain Casper exclaimed. “I mean no disrespect but I for one do not wish to ally myself with forces responsible for the extremely recent destruction of several of out vessels.”

“I understand your concerns Danielle, and I am sure those feelings are not limited to just you. However, if it means defeating our enemy before they are too powerful, it is a sacrifice I for one am willing to make.”

“A small flotilla just exited the jump point from Ryban,” a Lieutenant came across the com, having used the override facility.

“Who are they Lieutenant?” Grace demanded.

“I cannot be certain Ma’am but the design of the vessels is extremely similar to that of the ships shown on the video footage from Panzer.”

“It’s them,” said Captain Hubbard in a low whisper.

“What is their current course, Lieutenant?”

“They’re heading straight for us Ma’am.”

“And the Tinser forces?”

“No change as yet... wait.” Grace waited, as did those present at the meeting. “It appears they are going to under-cut us Ma’am. Their corrected course will bring them in right behind us.”

“They’re allies?” An Others captain queried.

“So it seems,” Grace replied bitterly. “And by the sound of it, they’re trying to box us in!”

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