Possibly by design. Along with providing the planetary coordinates, the Agbui on Celwis had presumably assisted Lakuviv’s people in mapping out the jump-by-jump pattern that the Xodlak ships had followed, which had partially defined which part of space they’d arrived in. Maybe Haplif’s accomplices in this con game had done the same for the other two families’ ships, making sure they arrived slightly separated from each other. Not only would that avoid potential snarls, but it would give everyone time to realize they weren’t the only ones going for the prize and, perhaps, decide just how hard they were going to fight for it.
“Do we have IDs on them?” First asked.
“Configuration marks them as Chiss,” Sensors said, frowning at his displays. “But—”
“Senior Captain, I’m getting transmissions,” Comm cut in. “The ships …” She touched a key.
“—is Expeditionary Force Alpha,” a haughty voice came over the bridge speaker. “I’m serving formal notice that we are claiming this world and all its resources for the Erighal family of the Chiss Ascendancy.”
“Unacceptable, Erighal task force,” a new voice came, just as haughty as the first, and this one carrying an edge of anger. “Kindly identify yourself and your ships.”
“I am Force Alpha, operating under the auspices of the Erighal family,” the Alpha commander said in an even, precise voice. “That’s all you need to know.”
“Is it, now,” the second voice bit out. “Fine. Be aware that I am also a military task force, traveling under the auspices of the Pommrio family, and I formally challenge your claim.”
“What is this?” First growled. “Senior Captain? What’s going on here?”
“I already told you,” Lakinda said. She tapped her comm key. “This is Task Force Xodlak,” she called, “since we all seem reluctant to give our actual names.”
“Names are irrelevant,” the Erighal said. “All that matters is that the Erighal now own this world.”
“The Pommrio challenge that claim,” the Pommrio commander repeated.
Lakinda looked at her first officer. He was staring out the viewport, his face rigid, his eyes blazing. He still didn’t know what was down there, but he now knew that two other families badly wanted it.
And that was suddenly all that mattered. He was Xodlak blood, and he would be damned if he would let the Erighal or Pommrio take something he already considered to be his. Whatever it took—whether threats or demands, combat or death—the planet and its mines were going to belong to the Xodlak.
And with a sinking heart, Lakinda realized Apros and Thrawn had been right. There was going to be a battle today, and when the dust settled the Ascendancy could very well be balanced on the edge of civil war. Only she and Thrawn stood in the way of that disaster.
In the meantime, she had a role to play out. “The Xodlak challenge both your claims,” she said. “I’ll also point out that we were here before either of you.”
“Who was here first is irrelevant,” the Erighal said. “All that matters is who is here last.”
Beside Lakinda, the first officer made a rumbling sound in his throat. “Senior Captain, I recommend we go to full combat stations.”
“Agreed,” Lakinda said, keying the ship-wide alert. “How are you at a weapons console?”
“I spent over a year at one.”
“Excellent,” Lakinda said. “Take that station and ready your weapons.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He headed briskly across the bridge.
“New contact, Senior Captain,” Sensors called. “Just coming around the curve of the planet.”
“Wonderful,” First growled over his shoulder. “Which family is it now?”
“No family, sir,” Sensors said. “It’s the Springhawk.” He half turned to look at Lakinda. “And they’re in trouble.”
“There they are,” Dalvu’s voice came over the speaker in the Watith freighter’s control room. “Got the Xodlak ships … there are the Erighal … and there on the far starboard are the Pommrio. Looks like everyone’s here, Senior Captain.”
“Very good, Mid Commander,” Thrawn’s voice came. “Mid Captain Samakro, are you ready?”
“We’re ready, sir,” Samakro said. “Officers and warriors: Go.”
There were nods and muttered acknowledgments up and down the aisle as the fourteen men and women activated their gunboats.
“Make it look good,” Thrawn reminded them. “Remember, the Springhawk is in serious trouble.”
Samakro looked over at the repeater displays that had been set up above the forward hatch. Thrawn was putting on an amazingly realistic show, he saw, with the Springhawk squirming back and forth as it tried to shake away the gunboats swarming around it and throw off the freighter attached to its underside. The repeaters didn’t show it, but Samakro knew the cruiser’s lights and power levels were also flickering, its thrusters firing only intermittently, and its electrostatic barrier completely gone. As far as any of the family ships out there could tell, the Springhawk was going down fast.
Only now, with their sudden arrival, it had been given a reprieve. Shifting his gaze to the tactical, Samakro saw the fourteen gunboats that had supposedly been harassing the cruiser abandon their formation and accelerate toward the newcomers.
And family commanders who’d been ramping up for a squabble among themselves were suddenly facing an unexpected challenge.
A very serious challenge, too. Dalvu had the profiles up now, and adding in the two Xodlak ships the total count came to one frigate, two light cruisers, and five patrol ships. With fourteen gunboats bearing down on them, the smart move would be for them to escape back into hyperspace and come back when they had more firepower.
But they wouldn’t. The lure of the imaginary nyix mine was too strong, the risk to family honor and prestige too great. Maybe the last remaining ship would run, if it was still able to do so. But until then, they would all stand and fight.
Which was, after all, exactly what Thrawn was counting on.
“Incoming, Senior Captain,” Sensors announced, his voice tight. “I make it fourteen fighter-class warships, probably gunboats.”
“Acknowledged, Sensors,” Lakinda said. “Erighal and Pommrio ships, I strongly recommend you get out while you still can. If these gunboats were able to bring a Chiss heavy cruiser to the edge, they’re way more than either of you can handle.”
“Negative on that, Xodlak,” the Erighal commander growled. “We’re not leaving.”
“Not with an Expansionary Defense Fleet ship and crew in danger,” the Pommrio added. “If we leave now, they’ll just go back and finish off the Springhawk.”
Lakinda breathed a silent sigh of relief. She’d been pretty sure they wouldn’t run, but there’d always been that chance. More important, their oaths to the Ascendancy were starting to push against their loyalties to their families. “As you will,” she said. “In that case, we need to put together a joint battle front, anchored by my frigate and our two cruisers. Erighal, you’re currently in the middle, so the Pommrio ships and I will move in and form up on you.” She gestured to the pilot. “Helm, get us over there. Apogee, stay on our flank until we reach the Erighal.”
“Just a moment, Xodlak,” the Erighal said. “I agree on a joint battle front. I don’t necessarily agree that you should be in command.”