Purge : Book Two of the Universal Conflict Trilogy

Chapter 10

Back on board the Retailator, T'ilvesh told Slei about Krystals theory.
"She's probably right." Slei said "Not only is she observant but she's as smart as they come."
"So what should we do other than increase patrols ?" the Commander asked his friend and advisor "The civilians need to be informed but how much do we tell them?"
"What do you mean ?" Slei responded "Everything we know, obviously."
"I'm aware of that." T'ilvesh replied "But we really don't know anything. It's all conjecture at this point. Just a theory."
"Even so, they deserve to know." Slei said "Maybe one of the civilian scientists could figure out what we should do next."
"Alright, lets announce the theory with a fleet wide broadcast." T'ilvesh decided "Inform everyone and request the help of all scientists."
Back out on the bridge T'ilvesh ordered the communications officer to broadcast fleet wide the theory of the destroyed invasion fleets as decoys in order to study Fleet response time and weapons capabilities. When that was done, the Commander left for his quarters to contemplate the fleets situation and possible solutions.
All too soon it was time for the civilian leadership dinner meeting. Leaving his quarters the Commander strode towards the mess hall. Still unsure of the greeting he'd receive since the broadcast just before the meeting with the civilian leaders. As he put on his dress uniform after a shower, he looked at his reflection and saw his uneasiness. That didn't help since he knew others would see it as well. Shrugging his shoulders he left for the meeting anyway.

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On board the Vengeance, Cory sat in the mess hall with the rest of the squad arranging the duty roster for the increased security patrols being put in place.
"I'm missing something here." Cory muttered to himself, unaware that Hawk, Surni, Rufe and Iggy were standing behind him.
"Need help ?" Hawk asked bending to speak in Corys ear.
"WHAT THE..." Cory exclaimed as he jumped out of his chair. Spinning around he glared at the group standing there, his heart pounding in his chest. "Don't do that!" Cory admonished them "You just about gave me a heart attack."
"Your Dad was right," Surni said between chuckles " You startle easily. Maybe I should tell Krys about this."
"Don't you dare," Cory hissed at her "She'll abuse the information and then I'll have to get you back."
"Ooohhh, I 'm shaking." Surni retorted with a smile.
"So what were you muttering about?" Hawk asked "Maybe we can help."
"I feel I'm forgetting something important with the security preparations." Cory admitted.
"What do you have so far ?" Rufe asked "Maybe we can help."
Cory went through the list of what had been put into effect and what was being discussed.
"How about some detection buoys ?" Surni suggested "Place them at intervals starting at a thousand light years out then every thousand light years from there."
"Are there enough corvettes to completely surround the whole fleet?" Cory asked.
"We'll find out," Iggy said as he turned to leave, suddenly he turned around again then said "until then send out the Lance to start from here."
"After I talk to the Commander," Cory stated "He can get fleet wide deployment of the corvettes. Everyone wins."
With that the impromptu meeting broke apart as everybody separated to finish their assignments.
Cory headed to the bridge to ask Krystal to connect him to T'ilvesh on a military channel.

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"Good idea," T'ilvesh told Cory "I'll issue the order immediately. Thanks."
"Just trying not to underestimate the Ruchki's," Cory replied "Vengeance out."
"Retaliator clear" T'ilvesh responded before sending out the corvettes with their detection buoys.
Cory headed to his fighter to join the squad for their turn on patrol. Cory enjoyed the thrust of the launch tube as his fighter was catapulted into space.
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T'ilvesh walked into the dining hall, the background chatter stopping as he passed by, headed towards the Head table at the front of the room. Upon reaching his seat he stood there preparing to address the leaders informing them of the orders to set up detection buoys around the fleet in case the Ruchkitay tried a surprise attack.
"Leaders of the civilian survivors, I greet you to the Retaliator." T'ilvesh opened his speech "I know that you have all sacrificed everything you can to support our efforts to this point. What we need to ask now weighs heavily in our hearts. We need your ships, plain and simple. We have recovered worlds who are eager to help and are willing to let others settle until this war is over. We understand that this is not an easy decision to make quickly. Discuss this with your people, voluntary cooperation from all is the right way to decide. "
The Commander paused to sip his drink. He swallowed, the drink sour in his mouth.
"Secondly, it was theorized that our victories against the Ruchkitay incursion fleets came too easily. We all know quite well they are eager to fight and usually defend themselves to the last warrior. We also saw no defense for the fleet, no fire from the big ships but zero fighters trying to stop the missile launches or our fighters." T'ilvesh saw many of the leaders nodding in agreement. "At this very moment detection buoys are being planted in case of an attack trying to sneak past. On your way back to your ships you will notice fighter squadrons on patrol. This is just precautionary. Any scientists who wish to help can contact us on these channels." He sent the list to everyone in the room. "Thank you for your time and enjoy the rest of your evening."
With that the Commander sat at the head of the hall, Admiral Slei sitting next to him reporting on the progress of the deployment of the bouys. When his dinner had been served he quickly ate and said his farewells on his way out of the hall. It seemed he no sooner turned towards the bridge when the alert siren started its eerily ululating wail. Running the rest of the way to the bridge left him out of breath as he stopped in front of the screen. Two lines of opposing dots of light were moving towards each other. Turning to the communication officer he ordered to be connected to the Vengeance. The response was immediate.
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Krystal watched on her own screen the two lines grow closer by the second.
"The Commander is calling." Shree announced.
"On speaker," Krystal ordered "also put squadron comms on, We need to hear as well."
"Raptor 1, what do you see? Are we under attack?" Krystal queried, almost begging for information.
"It looks like an attack line." Cory replied "But...there is no energy signatures. Their dead in space, inertial momentum only."
"I'm sending a ranger team as well as medical and rescue if needed." T'ilvesh instructed them.
Just what had happened and how long ago did it occur.