The Grey Chronicles Part One: New Declaration of An Old War

Chapter 19: Restricted Sectors and Fun New Toys

The Anarchist, outer space around Onyx Seven, April of 8096 AL.

Salem watched from the catwalk as mechanics loaded the cloaking drive into a shuttle. Within a few minutes they had it more or less ready to go, and the supervisor turned and gave him a thumbs-up. Salem returned it and walked down the catwalk to the Stonehaaryn spook overseeing the pickup. Spook was common slang for a spy or operative, the man wore a long black coat with silver trim and a beret of the same colors, the Stonehaaryn officer's uniform.

"Thank you, sir," the spook said, turning to face Salem. A splash of red freckles dashed across the bridge of his nose, "Your analysts informed me that the coding mirrored a prototype we scrapped a few decades ago. They stole your hardware, looks like they've got our software."

"Beautiful, they've got the best tanks and the best computers," Salem replied.

"Master General, report to the bridge immediately," Jaeger said over the intercom, "We have received an urgent message from M. Fleet Command."

"Urgent message?" The agent looked up at the intercom speaker set into the wall. "Is that something our brass should worry about?"

"I doubt it," Salem waved his hand dismissively, "If it is I'll send a message to Desriel, I'm not in the habit of keeping secrets from my allies; we're on the same side now, you and I."

The spook nodded and hook Salem's hand, then walked up the ramp into the shuttle so he could prepare to return to the prowler waiting outside of the ship. The prowler had an escort squadron of Stonehaaryn Longbow fighters to see that they made it back to the main column in the Athena system, the Anarchist's hangar was bustling and busy as ever; in preparation for the coming war, extra soldiers and ammunition were taken aboard. They'd already received a dozen shipments this morning, they'd receive a dozen more by the end of the day.

Salem hurried to the bridge, walked up the command platform, and closed the door. The rest of Demon squadron was already waiting at their seats, cut off from the rest of the bridge by the soundproof glass door. Hyde stood beside the starmap, watching Salem as he took his seat.

"So, I'm going to go out on a limb and say it wasn't M. Fleet who messaged us?" Salem crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"Not even close, my friend," answered Hyde, a blank expression on his holographic face. "Spectre Fleet replied to your message, but you're not going to like it."

"Why not?" Salem asked, leaning forward in his seat. "What happened?"

"They expect to come under attack by Titanus forces any day now," Hyde sighed, flicking the stub of his cigar onto the floor. The hologram fell to the floor then flickered out as Hyde pulled a cigar case from his suit jacket. He drew another stogie from the case and lit it with an ancient black flip lighter covered in patina, well worn by centuries of use. "Gargantuan has several prowlers stalking along the border of the Minervan system."

"And?" Salem demanded angrily. "Did he answer my questions?"

"No." Hyde hesitated. "You know what these Spectre spooks are like. Spectre Fleet Admiral refused to answer your questions, he's concerned the prowlers may intercept the transmission. He says he'll be happy to talk to you face to face after you've removed them."

"He wants to meet me, in person?" Salem groaned, "Gods damn it, did you remind him who he's talking to?"

"Yes, I did. And he responded with something along the lines of 'he can shove his fancy titles right up his...'" Hyde almost smirked at that, "Well, the important part is he won't disclose the positions of the remaining Deity cruisers until you've removed the threat to his facility."