“Let’s move into this gap and hit them hard,” Sheppard said as he transferred his tactical instructions to the astrogation station. Endeavor moved to an attack position, supported by the other ships in the task force.
Starbase 301 had finally regained attitudinal controls and was beginning to use its thrusters to resume its position across the border zone. The starbase had almost crossed the full distance and was just a few hundred meters adjacent to declared Viridian space before it stopped and began slowly moving back to officially designated Alliance of Worlds space.
“Sir, Starbase 301 has taken moderate damage,” stated Commander Talbert, the task force tactical officer. “They seemed to concentrate their attacks on the weapons systems. Several of their missiles penetrated the outdated point defense system on Starbase 301.”
“You’re right, Commander, but the problem is that the Viridian are generally honorable. They waited until the starbase crossed fully into the boundary zone before they launched their attack,” Sheppard said.
“It appears that they postured and moved about enough in the interim to get us to possibly make the first move,” replied Talbert.
“My worry is how they had any idea to be here at precisely this moment to take advantage of the situation,” Sheppard said. “They seem to be waiting.…” His voice trailed off.
“Recall our ships from within the boundary zone,” Sheppard ordered. “Stay on our side of it with a little extra margin, just in case their sensors delineate the margin as slightly different from our boarder calculation line using the signals from a few maker buoys in this region.”
“Aye sir, task force–wide orders sent,” replied Lieutenant Benton.
Talbert said, “I’ve never known the Viridian to be the first to break a boundary treaty; they’ve usually attacked corporate mining ships that don’t pay attention or willfully make a breach. I think they wanted us to cross into their territory first.”
“Yes, I agree it’s good that the Starbase 301 stopped just in time, replied Sheppard. “Order the ships to defensively withdraw, and support the retreat of the starbase, Commander.”
“Sir,” said Lieutenant Benton, “I was actively scanning and found that an unusual communication on a hyper bandwidth was sent from Viridian space. I can’t resolve the signal more clearly or locate the sending ship; it’s using some form of cloaking or anti-scanning countermeasures. I think they must have detected my scans.”
Sheppard trusted Benton, who was a highly trained officer. Sheppard knew Benton’s father, who was a captain in the same fleet. The Bentons were fellow Terrans from Earth, descended from South Africans who had left for space about three centuries ago.
“While were still in the edge of boundary zone can you determine what type of ship it is,” replied Sheppard. “As far as I’m aware, the Viridians don’t have that type of countermeasure system.”
“Sorry Sir, I don’t have further information,” Talbert said. “It seemed to be of unknown configuration, and it masked its signature. What I can read from the scan is disturbing, because the residual energy signature indicates a small ship with a masked but impressive power source. It likely is moving at … approximately translight velocity equivalent to … well, beyond our trans-light velocity levels.”
“What beyond our…?” Sheppard exclaimed. “Benton, encrypt and send the data to the tactical branch at Star One,” he ordered. “For all we know, it could be an Estrian spaceship or one of the other elder Hegemony races observing us.” Sheppard paused, considering the situation. “I’m going to need to contact the Viridian fleet’s senior officer.”
After the starbase was back in Alliance of Worlds space, Fleet Captain Sheppard offered further communications to the Viridian and offered a truce and cease-fire. The Viridian’s new commander accepted, as the original admiral had been lost along with his ship, which had been critically damaged in its attempt to draw the Defender and the Pelonus across the boundary zone to the Viridian side.
The Defender was seriously damaged and had to be towed, and many alliance starfighters did not return to their launch pads that day. One of the Waterway-class cruisers had been damaged severely, as well, when it went to support the Defender and the Pelonus.
Fleet Captain Sheppard was awarded a medal for his handling of the situation. The remaining Viridians indicated that their deceased admiral was under the belief that the Alliance of Worlds was going to use the starbase to invade their space.
The Accadian scout cruiser Samok moved away from Viridian space to more securely transmit its coded message to their governor:
To Office of Mor'ag, Governor of Accadian forces:
Operation Boundary Breach was a failure. We are returning to base. The other project is proceeding as planned. Agents are arranging to replace the commanding officer with one appreciative to our cause. Hostilities will again break out, and this time the Viridian should strike. They will see us as an ally because of our racial similarity. When the entire project is completed, the Viridian should be drawn to our side, allowing us to establish bases in their space. End message.
CHAPTER 2
The Accadian Advance
On board the Accadian dreadnaught Kadath, orbiting the habitable world of Volsk, deep within the Delta quadrant, Mor'ag—the commanding governor of the Accadian military forces—stood before the ominous, towering, three-dimensional image projection of his senior officer.
Lord Kra'ag, the regional imperial high governor of the Accadian forces of the Jiyarr in this region of the universe, looked down upon his subordinate with amusement. The Accads were an ancient and technologically advanced race of space-faring reptilians that had begun colonizing and building up forces in this particular galaxy several decades ago. They looked like a cross between a crocodile and something human, with green to gray hide and a short partially snakelike snout. They were originally genetically engineered workers for the Jiyarr.
Recently, things had begun to go wrong. During the latest expansion, the Accadian colonial expeditions had begun to meet with marginal resistance from some of the other civilizations in the galaxy, and when they started losing territories they had already claimed in the name of the empire, Imperial High Governor Kra’ag decided to become more involved. Mor’ag was not overly thrilled at this prospect, though he did his best to hide his feelings. It didn’t help that the imperial high governor was also his cousin, a quirk of fate that he believed Lord Kra’ag possibly regretted.
“Governor Mor’ag,” boomed the image of Lord Kra’ag. “I am anxious to know of your progress in Galaxy Ten. Make your report on the spiral galaxy that you are continuing to establish our recent colonies.”
Mor'ag knew that Kra’ag had obtained the rank of Archon amongst the Jiyarr for his additions to the empire, and sat with the Jiyarr ruling body at several of their meetings. He was not a senior Archon, but still it was an achievement few Accadians had matched.
Mor'ag raised his head and saluted his leader, arm across his chest.
“All is going as planned, cousin,” Mor’ag said. “The Vuldranaii problem is no more, and the Shug and Zuul uprising has been crushed since our last communication.” He laughed at the thought and added, “Thanks to Admiral Kor’eth and his mighty armada, who finally moved through their star system like a mighty Sloar, scattering and devouring everything in its path. The additional reinforcements you sent have arrived—on time, as expected. With their force added to my own, I believe we will soon be able to strike the remaining advanced civilizations.”
The image of Kra’ag’s three-dimensional face fell into the Accadian version of a frown as he said, “I had expected you to be further along by now, Mor’ag. There is much I must do, and my plans for that galaxy cannot continue until you and your forces have completed your tasks.”
“Apologies, Milord