Chapter 2
15 hours later we arrived in the outskirts of the Super Nova. And since the Mothership was here, the radiation has grown in intensity several times over, meaning that our sensors are completely useless at this range. So the general ordered a probe be built with thicker armor. As soon as it was done, he had it launched.
"How much longer until that probe is in position?"
"About another 30 minutes sir" said Sensor Officer, Njit Kaalel
"Okay, call me when it arrives. I'll be in my quarters"
"Yes sir."
There were some miscalculations in the distance, so it actually took the probe about 45 minutes to reach its destination.
"Commander on deck!" shouted the Officer-on-Watch.
"So, what do we have here? Anything of interest?"
"Actually, sir, we've found the shipyard. Along with a pretty substantial guard fleet."
"What kind of fleet are we talking about?" questioned the general.
"We're detecting at least 2 Heavy Cruisers, 8 Destroyers, 15 Ion Cannon Frigates, and a shit load of fighter, and corvette squadrons! Sir, we need reinforcements, if we are gonna shut this place down."
"Contact Hiigarain Fleet Command and see if they can spare us some Destroyers, or Heavy Cruisers, or anything else that would help us out here."
"Yes sir."
3 days later the Heavy Cruiser,Β Enforcer VIII, arrived with its fleet of 3 Destroyers, 2 Missile Destroyers, 6 Ion Cannon Frigates, and 4 Support Frigates. But even with all these ships, they would still out number us by at least 4 to 1, as they are still producing more strike craft, and frigates for various Imperialist Tiiadan fleets throughout the region claimed by their new emperor. If only we had a bigger fleet of Ion Frigates, and maybe some bomber squadrons. Then we'd have, at least, a fighting chance of kicking some Tiiadani ass.
"Sir, what about the Kadeshi? The Great Nebula is only about a day's hyperspace from here. What if we ask them? I mean they have their Swarmers, and Multi-Beam Frigates and they pack quite a punch, if I remember correctly from the academy."
"What is your name and rank, officer?"
"Um⦠Major Riira Paktu, sir."
"Excellent, I'll see to it personally that you get a promoted to Fleet Intelligence somewhere."
"Thank you sir."
The Kadeshi are a race of people that hid in the Great Nebula when our ancestors were exiled to Kharak. Instead of staying with the other transports, a few vessels lumbered away, into the heart of the Nebula. They were lost to our records and were soon forgotten completely. The Kadeshi soon created their massive Needle Motherships, and hyperspace inhibiters to trap any stray, foreign vessel that ventured unwisely into their nebula. Though we were enemies, briefly, many years ago, the Kushan and the Kadeshi have formed a sort of 'unofficial treaty' that forbids us to enter, and harvest the beautiful artwork of veins that make up their nebula and they called their Garden.
Over the centuries the Kadeshi have formed "veins" of material that twist all throughout the Great Nebula. When the Mothership stopped in the nebula they fascinated our scientists as the veins created their own light that shone for quite a distance. We suspect that they carry some kind of electronic signal that the Kadeshi use to communicate with other groups in different parts of their nebula. We hope to establish better relations with the Kadesh so we can figure out their true use.
General Kiirt waited impatiently as all was being prepared to meet with the Kadeshi. And since there was no need to send the whole fleet to ask for assistance he decided that he would only send the Carrier,Β Blue Nebula, along with 4 Ion Frigates, and 1 Destroyer running escort. He had faith in the captain of theΒ Blue Nebula, Captain Kiji Soban; they had been friends in the academy and graduated together. If anyone could persuade the Kadesh to join us, even just for this battle, he could.