[attack_condor]

2406.3

Nekkar III
Colonial Dawn Homeworld
Hermes Medical Laboratory...

The applause was thunderous. Chairman Lomax had just finished a dedication speech on the opening of the Hermes Medical Laboratory. Throughout the Nekkar system, branches of the medical facility were opening or had already opened. The Chairman spoke of the efforts and dedicated sacrifices made by the workers in the structure’s construction, and about how lives would be saved and enriched with the wondrous works that were sure to come from the staff of the facilities.

The dedication was transmitted in real time to almost every display unit in the system. People throughout the system were happy, almost jubilant with the success of their empire and those they entrusted to lead it.

The Chairman held up his hands, and the applause died down. He continued his speech.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have one more announcement if you would bear with me a moment further. The efforts of the military”, here the applause broke over the Chairman’s speech again (the video display of the “defense of Tilikanthua” - as it was known – was shown a mere half hour before the Chairman’s speech. Strangely, though, the invaders had three ships instead of one while the valiant defenders saved the day), and he paused a moment while the masses had their moment. He again raised his hands.

“The efforts of our military at keeping us secure while we prosper cannot be overlooked. The efforts of our diplomatic community in negotiating treaties with alien races for the betterment of all cannot be overlooked.”

Again, the applause. Again, a gesture from the Chairman as he finished his delivery.

“Citizens of Dawn, I tell you now the time has come for us to join in brotherhood with our neighbors. The time has come for us to share with others the bounty we enjoy. The time has come for Dawn to be welcomed, not feared. We have offered a new treaty with the Cue Cappa. We offer to come to their aid should they be attacked. We want them to see our superiority not as a threat, but as a shield under which all of the peace-loving races of the galaxy can benefit from. We ask for nothing in return, save the opportunity to demonstrate our goodwill. Citizens, the Dawn is rising on a new day!”

The applause was, impossibly, even louder than before. Tensions seemed to ease, and traders looked forward to selling new – if alien – merchandise for a not inconsequential profit.

The Chairman was escorted to his vehicle. Inside, his aide handed the Chairman a display pad. He was reviewing the projections for the next month’s resources, when the Director of the Intelligence section interrupted him.

“Mr. Chairman, I have a message from Ushphada.”

Avery Smith had a voice that was as smooth as ice. And just as cold.

“Yes Mr. Smith. Did we make contact?”

Smith never really liked the Chairman. Like all ambitious people, Smith’s lust for power was only eclipsed by his plans for its use.

“Yes, Mr. Chairman. Minister Talbot has control of Sniper, and reports that the frigate Chriedeld-er has penetrated the Tilikanthua warp point. Leeds and Northampton are in dock on Ushphada I for refit. Minister Talbot has established contact with the Cue Cappa representative. We have secured an increase in resources from them for their entry into the system. They are as interested in improving relations as we are.”

The Chairman thought for a second.

“I’m not too sure about this, Avery. The timing. With Leeds and Northampton in dock. Sniper has no offensive capability”

The Chairman was unaware that those words had been spoken days earlier in a system far away.

“I agree, Mr. Chairman,” Smith assured. “But the Cue Cappa petitioned for assistance in their war with an alien race called the Xi’Chung Hive. Minister Talbot is our representative for Ushphada, and he agreed to the meeting, albeit on short notice. Northampton and Leeds can be recalled if necessary, and the Cappa have agreed that there would be only one ship entering the system.”

The Chairman seemed satisfied, and went back to looking at his reports.

“Very well Avery, keep me informed.”

Avery Smith took his cue.

“Of course, Mr. Chairman.”

When the vehicle stopped, the Chairman and his entourage left Smith alone. Smith walked back to his office and punched in his code to his personal communication system (PCS). His encryption was even better than that now in use by the military’s ships. He sent a message to a building on Ushphada III.

The message was transmitted to a communications satellite orbiting the planet, which then sent the message to a satellite near the warp point to Praxis. The message was transmitted into the warp point, and a satellite on the Praxis side of the point transmitted it to the Ushphada warp point, where a satellite there repeated the process. By the time it got to its destination, three minutes had passed.

Ushphada III research complex
Test and evaluation chamber #2...

The technician was about to print the results when his PCS activated. He had no problem reading the message, since his PCS was standard issue from the Dawn intelligence department. The small display panel showed a single word.

“Spider.”

The technician/intelligence officer keyed back a response.

“Activated”

Ushphada system
Tilikanthuia warp point
...onboard CDS Sniper...

The minister hailed Sniper. He had left the ship in a shuttle and was taken to the Cue Cappa ship. He was now onboard there as the ship was heading into the Ushphada system. The captain made no pretense about his relief at having him off of his ship. He had his command codes back, and was patrolling the warp point again – not that there was much he could do about it if it was breached again. He was here to protect the two ships whose job it was to challenge intruders. And those two ships were now being refit on the other side of the system! The good news was that Leeds’ refit was completed, and she would rejoin Sniper next month. Northampton would follow soon thereafter. No thanks to the minister who was now hailing Sniper from an alien ship.

“Captain, I do apologize for the clandestine nature of my time aboard your vessel. Please understand that my mission is to secure a better treaty with the Cue Cappa. I trust you understand the sensitive nature of the mission, and hope you can see the greater good within our efforts.”

The captain admitted the minister was a good talker. ‘Our efforts’ he said. Right. The minister continued.

“I’m sure you have full control of the Sniper again?”

“Yes minister, all except the communications systems. They aren’t responding to the code.”

The minister looked apologetic. The captain thought the minister could look any way he wanted to on demand.

“I am truly sorry, captain, but you will have control of the communication system in one hour. We are broadcasting a friendship message from the Chriedeld-er and any transmission beyond short range ship to ship would interfere with, and possibly cause a misinterpretation of, the message.”

The captain sat down and fumed, but there wasn’t much more he could do. He had to wait another 35 minutes. He used the time to run a complete systems check on the ship. He considered it fumigating...

Praxis system
Praxix II shipyard construction facility...

The facility was dark. Ship construction operations were suspended with the last Pinta that departed last month. The facility on Praxis IX was about ready to begin construction. First off would be Harvesters, and then probably would be military ships to build. The workers at the Praxis II facility had relocated to Praxis IX, and were given priority in living sites and assistance in making the transition as smooth as possible. Everyone was looking forward to working without the need for a dome, and hopes were high. A research center would be replacing the old shipyard facility. News crews were already reporting on the event, as the shipyard officials predicted great events for the new facility. Workers were interviewed about the upheaval of moving to a new planet, but they were all in favor of it. After all, who wanted to live in a bubble if you didn’t have to?

The news reports switched to the destruction of the old facility and the construction of the new research lab. Rumors were of a new and improved version of the space yards, so there wouldn’t be very much to try and salvage from this yard. The reporter read over the history of the yard on Praxis II, about how it had been a valuable addition in the early days of the empire.

It was to play one more valuable role...