Nathan Valrico watched them leave, and almost asked Anglo to kill the survivors. You did the right thing, Nathan.
Im not so sure about that, Anglo. They were very well organized and wherever they came from, there may be many more.
Then lets follow them and see.
Thats a good idea. The small white ship disappeared as the black ships jumped away.
The sixteen ships appeared in a system and Niles sent, This is Niles Barden requesting permission to enter the system.
You are supposed to be investigating a planet.
I was, but my fleet was attacked and four of my ships destroyed. I came to report to Fleet Control what happened.
Standby.
Niles waited, worrying that he might face charges for leaving without having put up a fight. After fifteen minutes he heard, You may enter. Park your ships at the third moon and come to the surface with your recordings.
On my way.
Nathan, Im going to mix in with the ships and follow them toward the planet. My scanner shows something that troubles me.
What is it?
There are five Searcher Class ships parked in orbit above that planet. They all have the markings of the former Provinces. I need to get close enough to see the numbers on them. If these raiders have Searchers assisting them, this could be a huge problem for the Empire.
As they moved in-system Anglo said, A sixth Searcher Ship has just joined the other five. It came in from the other side of the system. I also see numerous ships disembarking thousands of prisoners that are being taken to huge holding facilities. Most of the work being done on the planet is by forced labor. This is a slavery planet.
Will they be able to see you?
Not as long as I stay in the electronic shadow of the ship in front of us. I should be able to see the serial numbers shortly. Ive also seen the name of this planet on one of their commercial vessels.
What is it?
New Ulmerton.
That is not good. Wasnt that one of the former Provincial Capitals?
Yes, and the leader of the rebellion was the Dukes son of that capital. This is looking worse by the minute. All right, Ive got them.
Are we going to teleport out?
No, those ships are Gammas. Theyll detect the field and know someone possesses a working teleport board. We are going to turn and accelerate away trying to keep this ship between us and the planet as long as possible. Nathan didnt say anything and Anglo said, They will see us, but they wont be able to determine what we are with my stealth screens on. I suspect they will think that I am a Searcher, but they wont know for certain. Well use our null drive to jump away and make multiple jumps before I teleport back home. Are you ready?
Is guard duty always like this?
Nope, this is the first real problem weve faced. Here we go. The small white ship turned and accelerated toward the jump limit.
Control, I have a ship accelerating out of the system. It appears to have come in with the sixteen ships that arrived three hours ago.
Can we catch it?
No, but we should be able to scan its jump track and follow it.
Get moving. Fleet Control, we have an intruder moving out of the system. I am giving chase.
Do you want me to join you?
Couldnt hurt; try to keep up.
Ill be right behind you. What do your scanners say?
Thats just it. It doesnt appear on my scan.
Could it be another Searcher?
Or any one of twenty other types of ships. Are there any ships at the limit that can intercept?
No, you know we dont allow ships in this system. Well know if its a Searcher based on its speed.
We are gaining on it, but it has too big a lead to arrive before it jumps.
Nathan, Im not going to go full speed. I have a hundred null jumps programmed in and Ill make them quickly. Im hoping that by the time they reach the last jump, the track will have dissipated. Since my teleport system leaves no tracks, Im hoping thats what those two Searchers think.
I noticed they are gaining ground on us.
Theyll arrive ten minutes after we jump.
Why havent they fired on us?
Were too far away. Ten minutes is more than six million miles. Theyre good, but not that good.
How much time will we gain one each jump, Anglo?
Theyll take one second to come out of star drive. Theyll have to scan for the new jump track, load it into their null board, then energize the screen with the new frequency. Well come out of star drive and our screen will immediately energize the preprogrammed frequency. We should gain about two seconds on every jump.
Is that enough?
Tracks fade after three minutes; sometimes faster when the jumps are made in systems with dense dust clouds. Were deliberately jumping through fifty
systems with nebula clouds in them. First jump in 5,4,3,2,1,
Did you get that jump track?
Yes, Im sending it to your board.
Lead the way; youre three seconds ahead of me. Ill be right behind you.
The first Searcher arrived and jumped after the fleeing ship.
Anglo arrived at the Haldale System and commed, I need to speak with the planetary leader.
After ten minutes a voice said, This is Baron Lihal. How may I be of service?
Your Highness, your system is going to be invaded momentarily and we are not going to be able to prevent it. There are Searcher Ships that will be aiding the invaders and until we come up with a defense against them, we are going to have to allow them to invade. However, I need you to do some things quickly that will assist us in coming back to free you.
The Barons voice was obviously nervous, What things?
You need to erase any other planets coordinates in your computer systems so that the invaders will not be able to find them. You need to tell your population that they need to say they are isolated and only have an occasional trader. You will have to assume a title of President instead of Baron. They will know that there must be a higher Royal title if you are a Baron. You will need to welcome them and offer absolutely no resistance. They will still be brutal, but if you open the door for them it will be much less so than if you fight. You must not let them know you are part of a larger Kingdom. Tell them that you have been threatened with invasion by some empire. If asked, you must say you know nothing about ships being destroyed in your system. Will you do these things?
Theres nothing you can do?
Not at this time, but I give you my oath that we will not forget you and we will come to free you.
We will do as you ask. What about our military?
Hide their blasters, make them appear to be policemen, and dont give the invaders a reason to kill your people.
We will do as you ask. I will notify all our ships to stay away until this is over.
Thank you, your Highness. We will return. I promise you that.
A small round probe moved out of the larger probe on Anglos hull and moved toward the planet. Anglo teleported out of the system ten minutes before the two Searchers arrived.
Whoever that was we were chasing knew how to use systems to mask their tracks.
You think they came from this system?
This is where our ships were attacked. It must have followed them from here. However, I dont see any ships in this system. That planet is industrialized, but my scans dont show any advanced technology. There is a spaceport at their largest city, but its not very big or developed.
We should report back to the King and see what he wants to do.
You go, and Ill stay here and see if anything shows up. Com me to let me know whats going to happen.
I will. You let me know if you need me back here.