Chapter 28 - The Absolute Zero[]
LCS Delphin FC-2218
Lyran Navy Cutter
New Dallas Star System, Republic of the Sphere
February 19, 3159
"Okay, they're using some kind of camouflage mixed with ECM, right?" Nguyen was almost as frustrated as their unwitting hosts.
"That's a given, we knew that with the Winter system wreckage." Lieutenant Paris Kleist, his XO, answered, rolling in the bunk to look up at him.
"Okay, so bear with me. Parry, everything uses exhaust and we've even got spectral on that exhaust. No amount of light polarization is going to hide something that big from casting a shadow."
"Which is why we usually do surveillance runs in th' outer system, ja." she said, "You're goin' somwhere with et, aincha?"<br>
"I'm having an idea...you've been working with Arto on that homing beacon, right?"
"Ja..."
"Think you two can come up with a way to spoof the thing's signal?"
"Huh...I dunno, maybe?"
"Okay, imagine this...we turn it on." He said, "With that nanny-cam watching the temporary point we were going to use to make our getaway. Then we just watch for either drive plume or jump signature. That's if he's going to make an in-system jump, we'll be able to predict where and when. Drop two ten megaton warheads on him during his recovery period, which, as you've seen, ain't a lot of fun on a rough jump like that."
"If he's big enough, we'll need to use a minimum ten minute point." she countered, "Something that can actually accommodate a Lola-size Warship...and if he doesn't jump. He'll have to burn."
"Bingo. With as much sensor-sweep going on in the system as the Wolves are putting out, it'll skyline the son of a bitch. If we don't get him, they will...in theory."