Age of Lies (Original Version)

Chapter 17

After looking at the object for several minutes they finally gave up on guessing what it was. Kelly stood back, "Well, just put it back in the container and I'll have it sent to the Prince. Markelium looked over to Kelly, "Could you have it sent to my cabin possibly? I'd like to take a closer look at it." Alright, but it will need to be scanned and run through a few tests first. After that I will try and have it sent to your cabin." "Aye Sir." said Markelium as he placed the cube back into the container and closed the lid. Kelly called for a two marines to collect the container and transport it back to the Prince. After the marines came and picked up the container, the trio returned to the room where Greva's family sat.

As they neared the room the pounding of shoes on the metallic could be heard and soon a man in a formal suit and glasses came running quickly around a corner further down the hallway, "Mr. Greava! Mr. Greva!" Hearing this the trio walked to the man who was gasping for breath. "Sir. If I may speak to you in private." Greava looked back at Kelly and Markelium before looking back to the man, "You can speak in front of them. They are friends of mine." The man looked between the two men who stood by Greva. After finally stabilizing his breathing the man looked at Greva, "There's an emergency! A stray merchant ship caught whiff of a flotilla out near SY3-A just a few days ago. They don't know who it belongs to but they didn't seem too friendly as they launched a few fighters and destroyed the Horn of Plenty. The merchant captain stayed in the dark and ran here as soon as he was able." Greva scratched his chin a moment and looked to Kelly, "Well, got any ideas on who may be lurking out here?" Kelly's head dipped forward as he stroked his chin while pondering, "Well, the only one I can think of is the pirate Sauel the Devious from YS-9U2, but I have no idea as to why he would be this far from his territory. For all we know it could be the rebellion or even a coalition of pirates."

Greva paced back and forth scratching his head trying to think. Markelium watched from the side lines as the two men thought. Kelly looked up after a few seconds, "Well we can just send a scout out to at least find out who they are and have the station's defenses ready just in case. Get all of your ships repaired and out of dock ready within two days if your able to." Greva nodded in agreement and turned to the messenger, "Pass word to all ship captains to have their ships at full alert and to be restocked and repaired if needed. We will hold a meeting in five hours and I expect all of the captains to be there. Now go." The man gave his acknowledgement and speed off to the stations command bridge while relaying instructions over his communicator.

Greva looked to Kelly and Markelium, "I want you to come to that meeting. I'm going to need all the help I can get."

Kelly gave a slight nod, "Looks like we have to cut this evening short to prepare for this." Greva looked crestfallen and agreed with him. However a moment later he lifted his head, "Well come with me and tell my family we have to cut it short. I hope they understand." The trio continued their walk to the room where Greva's family waited for them to return. Upon opening the door they found the four laughing merrily and having a grand time but they stopped and welcomed the three men back as they walked in. Greva smiled faintly and walked over to his wife and then leaned down and kissed her cheek and stood back up facing his family. They grew quiet as they realized that something was on his mind and their thoughts were confirmed as he began to speak. Greva waited till they became silent, "Just a few minutes ago I received word about some disturbing events happening near here. I do not know yet if there will be trouble here but I want to be prepared. Please don't spread word, I will handle that part when I get more information. So until then please go about your daily activities but stay near safe centralized locations just in case." Greva's family looked among each other with worried faces but gave their agreement. Kelly coughed lightly and then looked to Greva, "Well we shall head back and I shall inform my crew about these developments. You can count on us if that time comes. James? Let's head on back now. We got work to do." Markelium gave a slight bow to Greva and his family, "Pleased to have met you all." With this he turned to follow Kelly when Greva called out, "Kelly you should bring him to our next meeting as well. I'm sure my boys and Rose would love to talk with him more." Kelly smiled and gave a slight nod, "Very well. Until then old friend." After they exited the room they proceed to head back down to the Prince and her crew. Along the way Kelly began sending orders to the First Officer to relay to the crew. As they waited on the elevator to descend into the depths of the station Kelly looked to Markelium, "I hope that this calm visit of ours doesn't turn into a messy battle with that mysterious fleet but we will be prepared if it happens. I would hate to see my friend and his family get hurt from this." Markelium nodded in agreement, "Is there anything we can do to prevent the fleet from attacking the station if they are indeed headed here?" Kelly stroked his chin a moment, "We could send out a preemptive strike fleet but we have no info on it. We need numbers, ship class, weapon type, and most importantly we need to know who the commander is. With out any of these we are are just sitting in the dark." The elevator finished its decent and the doors slide open and the sound of people using torches and grinders worked on projects for the vessels in the shipyards. Markelium looked around at the large area and saw sparks fly and flames light up the small craft being worked on. He followed Captain Kelly among the organized mess of people and soon Markelium and Kelly reached the door on the other side which led to an armored hallway with several airlocks that ran down the length of the shipyards dry dock for the Prince. Upon exiting the last airlock Kelly and Markelium reached a glass balcony that over looked the Prince. Kelly looked at his ship and the crew who worked on her with admiration. Markelium stood beside him admiring the view as well. The large ships exterior dents and scraps were being taken out and fixed. The hull was a mix of dull and shiny as new and old mixed together. The hanger bay doors on the Prince were open as the old fighters were flown out to the fighters docking bay on the station where they would be repaired and used for the stations security. A shadow passed over the window and the two men looked up and saw the new fighters being flown into the dry dock and into the hanger on the Prince.