Chapter 12 - The Absolute Zero[]
LCS Frederick Steiner
Frederick Steiner-Class Battleship
Sian Star System
Capellan Confederation
3159 CE
"Do you see it?" Ike asked.
"I see it, Neutrino spray's big, bigger than what the Buena was picking up."
"No transit plume, big neutrino spread in cold space." Ike said, "Tight beam to the Cappie command, feed them our sensor data, ask 'em if that's theirs."
"Sir?"
"Did I Stutter? Ask if what we're picking up on a course toward us is Capellan and plug in for their reply, all hands all hands, set condition One, Battle State!"
He mated actions to words and donned his helmet.
Down in the passenger quarters, Trillian pulled on hers and headed up to the CIC.
"CCAF Sian is saying that it's not theirs, and that they don't know what we're talking about, sir."
Rear Admiral Isaacs felt a hand on his shoulder. "What's going on, Ike?" Trillian's voice in helmet-to-helmet contact was muffled, but clear.
"I need your clearance to fire on a suspected bogie, Mum." he said.
"You're clear, but let our hosts know." she ordered, "And mind your backstop!"
"RTO, let the Confederation know we're about to light up the sky. Have them to stand clear on that cone of fire. Engage with energy weapons only."
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Lola III Variant WarShip
"Aye sir!"
"Shot awa-OH SHIT."
The bogie lit off with cannons in reply.
"Lola III class, variant!!"
"The cappies definitely don't own any of those! Helm evasive maneuvers! RTO general distress call. Broadcast everything we're seeing! All hands brace for impacts!!"