ALJ Chpt 21

frameless|right|300px|link=A Long Journey
<<Next Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
==Chapter 21 - A Long Journey==
----
18 July 2785
Cephei (Unclaimed)
Commodore Patricia Mitchell had decided to lead this mission personally, she just was bored crazy after years of constant action having nothing to do was driving her crazy. She shook off the brief jump effects and watched as the ships systems returned to normal. As the radar system came back online it began picking up large debris that reminded her of the aftereffects of a naval engagement. It made her nervous and she ordered the Titan launched and for it to establish a local CAP.
-----
Deep inside the system, the detection of the incoming emergence wave awakened long dormant systems which began bringing all its formidable systems back to life. The newly arrived ships were broadcasting active SLDF ID codes, which did not cause it to shut down, but to just actively monitor the area for any hostile acts. The onboard clock said it had been dormant for 6 years since the last engagement, so it began a full diagnostic of all its systems. The sensors noted that the systems onboard laser communication system was active and had affirm lock on its partner nearby. They remain on passive sensors for now.
----
19 July 2785
Fighters had identified the nearby wreckage as being from at least two Invader Jumpships. Additional wreckage even further away was identified as coming from at least four different Dropships. They had been so savaged that the exact types were not known. Everyone was on edge and the CAP was increased to an entire squadron at all times. Their Star Lord Jumpship was using the same method they used at Epsilon Indi in searching for derelicts, the powerful navigation telescope being trained on any moving object.
----
22 July 2785
They had finally located an object orbiting the gas giant in the fifth orbit. It had been a fleeting sighting; something caught the light from the sun just right, but they could not get a firm lock on the sighting before it vanished. But they had a great picture of a shadow, definitely man-made though. Tug One was dispatched to investigate.
-----
27 July 2785
<<"Tally Ho!, we have one, two, three, four Merchant Jumpships and they are in a nice, neat row. We have radar lock on quite a few more objects, six are quite large. Very large. Warship sized, ma'am. Four neatly aligned but two much further away.">>
"Roger, we have plotted a La Grange point less than a days travel from that planet. Continue the sweep and we will jump in closer to your location and assist." Commodore Patricia Mitchell ordered as she continued monitoring the radios.
<<"One, Blue flight, we have a visual on target. Warbook identifies it as a New Syrtis Class Aerospace Carrier, Federated Suns design but this one is wearing Taurian markings. Someone made a huge error at some point.">>
Each Elephant Tug carried two Samurai Aerospace fighters in addition to two shuttle craft. The identification made Commodore Mitchell's heart beat faster as Site 222 slowly revealed itself in all its glory.
thumb|M-5 Casper Drone Warship
"Uh One, Blue flight. You guys need to get out of here right the hell now!!!!! We have active power signatures on not one but two Caspar Drones. Their radars have gone active, power readings increasing!!" The last sentence was said almost in a scream, everyone could hear the near panic in the voice. Even Commodore Patricia Mitchell was near hyperventilation at the news. "Nav get to work on a new jump solution out of here. The moment Tug One is docked, make the jump!!">>
Though she had not actually been engaged with a Caspar Drone she and her people had seen their handiwork up close and personal. The voices around her all carried a hint of panic to them. "Everyone calm down, we do not leave our people behind. We are not at risk; we have a full charge and can jump before either Caspar gets in weapons range of us." Her own voice carried the same hint of panic in it.
----
<<Next Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
21