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Chapter 3 - The Silent Black Ocean[]
LCS Discovery
Beagle-Class Exploration Cruiser
9 Lightyears anti-spin of Lyran Commonwealth
3165
Star Captain Sara Tseng knocked on the Admiral's sea-cabin door. "Come"
The hatch toggled and opened, "Admiral, we have gotten a flash traffic from LCN command."
Rear Admiral Michael Hogarth looked up from his present task-reviewing Materiel reports from the Discovery taskforce. "Flash huh? What is it?"
"They have detected a Clan fleet..a massive fleet. Coming down the Exodus Route, presently it is believed to be moving through the Veil."
"The Caliban Nebula?" he asked.
"Yes." she answered.
"We are a hell of a long way off if they want us to try to intercept, Star Captain." he said, "Is it a recall order?"
"Neg, sir." she said, "But it is concerning."
He sighed, "You have family in the Dominion, yes?" he asked.
"Yes."
"I have family in the Commonwealth, and I'm sure Tai-Sa Hinomori has told all of us her stories about her family in the Combine. We have a job to do here, until we get the recall order. We need to be doing it." He told her. "What is the word from the other captains in the task-force at this news?"
"Some are asking when we will be returning, Sir."
He nodded. "Understandable. I'll call a general staff assembly at nineteen hundred for all senior officers, and we will discuss options and contingencies."
"Sir?" asked Sara
He swiped left on the screen in front of him, "Last time, Admiral Ngo was called back because of a war with the Republic." he said, "THIS time, the operation is multinational as is the mission. Every ship from participating governments is here voluntarily. The last time the Clans invaded it was devastating to at least three nations-but if we don't answer the questions here. That could put every nation in peril, not just ours. I can't order the Hiryu to stay here, I won't force your people to stay if they want to go home, but I'm going to argue that our mission out here has precedence unless or until we get orders from home to return."
"Aff, Sir."
"Nineteen Hundred, have your Dominion officers present." he told her, "And make sure it's passed throughout the task-force that all field-grade and above officers are expected to attend either by link, or in person. Is that all, Star Captain?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Dismissed."