"LUNAR:  Tales From Crystal Tokyo"

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LUNAR: Tales From Crystal Tokyo

By Daryll Pung

Episode 4-03: Past and Future Tense

Rated: R

Sigma Alpha Six, Sigma Alpha system, 19 June 2745

            “What… is that?” Sorcerer Merlin managed to croak out.

            “It is a spacecraft, as near as I am able to determine,” Sailor Vulcan replied slowly.  “Rather, it has all the necessary systems for interstellar travel, including a form of faster-than-light hyperspatial displacement, sublight engines, thrusters, environmental and life support systems, and so forth.”  She paused.  “I presume that this craft is built for combat, and is quite capable of spaceborne combat; yet there is much that remains to be deciphered.”

            “Why?” Sorcerer Derrelli spoke up.

            Sailor Vulcan raised an eyebrow.  “There are several systems that I simply have no idea- even a hypothesis- as to their function.”  She spoke as if that fact was patently obvious, and as if she was surprised at his obtuseness.

            “I was referring to the ‘built for combat’ bit,” Derrelli said, a slight grin on his face.  Gotcha!

            “My apologies,” Sailor Vulcan said smoothly, without missing a beat, seemingly oblivious to the smiles of Merlin and Sailor Cygni.  “The craft requires no shield for reentry, and apparently not for fighting, simply because of its… incredibly durable construction.  The outer hull material is of an unknown composition, although it does match some of the technology so far discovered on this world; I believe this craft to be native, if perhaps some sort of extremely advanced and possibly- at the time it was created- secret design.  The hull is a composite; several metal alloys- which are stronger than duralloy and duranium- are present, as well as far more exotic materials.  Several weapon systems are encased inside the craft; I presume they must be extended somehow, but am at a loss to explain precisely how that is without any sign of external access to those weapons… by that I refer to the lack of hatches, swivels, or any other such devices.”

            “As you would say, ‘fascinating’,” grinned Sailor Cygni.  “Still leaves a lot of questions, though.”

            “I know,” nodded Sailor Vulcan, giving the appearance of someone who’d never been more thrilled to have such questions than the required answers… a feeling Sailor Cygni happened to share.  “I also believe that this craft is not alone.”

            “Why is that?” Derrelli asked.

            In response, Sailor Vulcan flicked her wrist, producing an object from her pocketspace.  “This was one of the first artifacts I discovered, just prior to the initial attack.”  She handed it to Sailor Cygni, and all four clustered around as the brunette carefully examined it.

            “A circle, split in two… united by this little spar… feels warm,” observed Sailor Cygni.

            “It possesses a microscopic power supply, that is still functioning,” Sailor Vulcan said.

            “Interesting coat of arms,” Merlin observed.  “I wonder…”

            “May I?” asked Derrelli.

            After Sailor Cygni handed it to him, he held it up, and frowned thoughtfully.  “There’s a small square indent in the back here, and it’s red in color.  A red craft, too?”  He paused.  “Wait a minute…”

            “Five,” Merlin said coolly.

            They all looked at him. 

“What?” Sailor Cygni wondered.

“There are five of them,” he elaborated.  “Green, red, blue, yellow… and black.  One can tell by the coat of arms, and the color identifier on the back; the gold is the unifier, the constant, which means that there are five of them.”

“Interesting,” observed Sailor Vulcan.  “Assuming that the creators of this technology obeyed the same cultural constraints for coat-of-arms that humans do, of course.”

“It’s a key of some sort,” Derrelli announced.  “If Merlin’s right, then this is a key to activate the red craft.”  He rotated it, and indicated the slight indentations on the left side of it.  “I believe this half slides over and locks to the other side, extending the actual key mechanism, when the proper input- likely a power input, unique to each craft- is received on the color chip… which is simply color-coded microcircutry.  A two-stage unlock; an effective security measure, if nothing else.”

“Is there a way that we can duplicate the power, and make this key unlock this green craft?” Sailor Cygni wanted to know.

Derrelli shrugged.  “Hard to say.  We don’t know enough about the type of power required to activate; it may be impossible.  We’ll have to do some pretty intensive scanning to get a few answers, first, before I can even hazard a proper estimate of how long it might take… or even a confirmation.  That’s all assuming we have the time to do so; this isn’t really why we’re here.”  He paused.  “However, I think it should be a priority.  Considering what we’re up against, this craft and its ilk may become necessary.”

“So, we have to bide our time for another attack… which we need to be able to localize a search,” mused Merlin.

“Agreed,” Sailor Cygni nodded.  “Plus try to find a few answers while we do so.  So much of this is ‘ifs’ and possibilities.”

“A rather daunting prospect,” Sailor Vulcan spoke up.  “We do not even know where to begin looking.”

“I do,” grinned Derrelli.

Sailor Vulcan raised an eyebrow.  “Where?”

“Use your logic,” he teased, pointing at the tunnel above the craft.

Sailor Vulcan’s eyes widened.  “Of course,” she murmured.  “If this is, as I suppose, a dedicated weapon system… perhaps for defense?  It stands to reason there would be a control center.”

“That tunnel likely leads, ultimately, to that control center.  It’s also quite likely, if Merlin’s surmise is correct, that it also leads to four other such tunnels,” Derrelli commented.  “The only problem then is finding the other keys; but the fact remains that at least one of these craft can be activated.”

“The other keys- or clues to there whereabouts- may just be found in that control center, or barracks, or what have you,” agreed Sailor Cygni.  “More reason to look.”

“Then, while we wait, let us head back to the camp and prepare for an expedition,” Sailor Vulcan said crisply.  “We shall interface with the Yorktown to keep sensor scans active on the dig site, which will give us some warning and time to return if it is so required.”

Derrelli shook his head, and turned; he froze, narrowing his eyes, aiming his handlamp into the darkness.

“What is it?” asked Sailor Cygni.

“Nothing,” he said after a moment.  “Thought I saw something.”

“You sure?” she asked, a note of concern in her voice.

“Yeah; probably just light reflecting off of the craft.  Shall we?” he said, shrugging it off.

There was no way he was going to admit to any of them that he could have sworn he’d just seen a very scantily-clad human female staring at him from deeper in the cave, before she abruptly vanished into thin air.

Now he wondered if she’d really been there… or if he was just going insane, which would do wonders for his spell casting prowess. 

This place is really giving me the creeps.

In deep space, Theta Zone, 19 June 2745

The SLS Sapphire

            “Sir,” growled Trymian.  “Strange readings ahead, middle of dark nebula.”

            “What sort of readings?” Sorcerer Rio asked, turning in his chair.

            “Nebula screwing things up; but look like weapons fire,” Trymian said, raising his head.  “Some of it DK.”

            Rio grinned as he spun back around.  “Kigaino, relay that to our friends.  Trymian… Red Alert.  Helm, plot an intercept point.”  He paused, and grinned, amidst Allundra’s voice calling the crew to battlestations as the lights around flashed red and the siren went off.  “Finally, some action!”

            Sailor Vega shook her head.  “You need a hobby, sir.”

The SLS Prometheus

             As the Red Alert sirens cut off when she waved her hand, Sailor Xocotl frowned.  “Lieutenant Henderson, engage on that intercept course.  Lieutenant Commander T’linith, precisely what the hell are we getting into?”

            “I am endeavoring to discern that at this time, Commodore,” replied the Vulcan science officer.  “There is considerable interference from the dark matter nebula we are in the middle of.”

            “Keep at it.  Lieutenant Petrovich, have our allies been informed?” Sailor Xocotl continued.

            “Aye, ma’am,” came the Russian-accented reply.

            “Very good.”  She paused.  “By my order, Sapphire and ourselves decloak now, and prepare for combat.”

The Ammut

            “Well, they show themselves at last,” commented Ahn’Ubyss.

            “Lord, the GM ships have sent us data... it looks like a firefight is in full force ahead of our new heading,” Aeolin piped up in her musical voice.

            Ahn'Ubyss' expression slowly became a wicked grin.  “Excellent.”

            Cardina simply shook her head, a faint smile curving her lips.

            “Battle Alert,” Ahn'Ubyss continued.  “Move us into attack formation... with the Sapphire.”

The Tarrasque

            “Battle Alert,” Xanthar ordered calmly.  He ignored the chaos that order generated, and looked thoughtfully at the screen.  “Tempting, no?”

            Behind him, Thrak chuckled.  “Indeed.”

            “Fidrak, match course and speed with the Prometheus,” Xanthar said, shaking his head.  “One hundred kilometers separation.  Mitzarii, ask the Commodore to update us the very second they learn anything further.”

            “Yes, General,” both officers promptly replied.

            “Akraolis, can we make out anything?” he asked next.

            “Not quite yet, milord,” she replied quickly.  “The GM destroyer will be able to first, simply because it's further ahead of the battleship; the difference between their sensors is negligible.  Our own sensors are just... I hate to say it, milord, but theirs are better.  There is simply way too much interference for us to get clear readings.”

            Xanthar nodded thoughtfully.  “I guess we're about to find out just how well this partnership is going to work.”

The VelSatis

            As the ship shuddered, Brii frowned.  “Jima!”

            “On it!  Only one ship left resisting!”  He frowned, and the VelSatis lurched slightly, unleashing another salvo of polaron torpedoes on their attacker.

            As their shields flared bright purple amidst the refined thermonuclear detonations, an expanding shiver of energy swept the Separatist cruiser.

            “Their shields are down... and they're preparing to fire Negatorps!” Jima called out suddenly.

            Brii grimaced.  “Evasive action!”

            Suddenly, just as the main screen started to slew about as Christian at helm got the VelSatis moving, a pair of brilliant white beams erupted from just above them, slamming full force into the cruiser's Negatorpedo launchers, and detonating them in massive whitish blasts.  Streams of burning ichor and chunks of debris spiraled out from the impact areas.

            “Drakkenfaer close aboard,” Jima reported belatedly.  “I'm reading an uncontrolled detonation in progress aboard Target Six; backlash seems to be going to their engine core.  I believe they're about to go.”

            “Get us clear,” Brii ordered.  “Back to the rest of the disabled ships.”

            Side by side, the two independent starships raced away, lengthening ionic trails- one purple, one bright blue- stretching behind them just as a massive explosion erupted from the engine elements of the devastated Separatist cruiser.

            A second later, both ships were jolted from the shockwave.

            “Well, that was fun,” Aiden's voice said over the link, which was re-established with a beep.  “Unfortunately, it isn't over yet.  It might be time for a strategic withdrawal, Captain.”

            Brii frowned.  “What are you talking about, Captain?” she demanded, brushing an errant lock of hair out of her face.

            “As if three scout ships, two destroyers, and a cruiser weren't enough,” Aiden said, “they have friends.”

The Drakkenfaer

            “Big friends.  Data's streaming through the link now,” Aiden finished, scowling.

            “Shit,” he heard Brii say.  “Two battleships, three cruisers, three light cruisers, five destroyers, and six scouts?  How come you didn't detect this sooner?  I thought your sensors were the best, Captain!”

            “They are,” Aiden replied gruffly.  “But even the best sensors have a hard time penetrating interference- which this place is generating in spades- when they're being jammed, even if we could ordinarily punch through said jamming.  A one-two punch.  By what we collected- and they're at it again, so we're no longer sure of how accurate the reports are- they've already spread formation to envelop us.  Also got sporadic readings aft; it could be the formation we were tracking, but it could be even more Separatists, too.  The jamming has increased; now with thaumaturgical traces; someone's using magic to disguise their presence.  I suggest possibly wiping out a few of the oncoming smaller escorts and getting the hell out of here through the hole we create.”

            “And staying away from those battleships?” Brii replied.  “Sounds like a plan.”

            Both ships oriented themselves for the upcoming fight.

            “By the way, Captain... maybe you can explain this; T'riiv has a theory, but I want to hear your reasoning.  If there's so much interference and random energy fluctuations around us, how is it they can use Negatorps?” Brii inquired scathingly.

            “We were just discussing that,” Aiden replied, glancing at Chip.  “Two possibilities.  Either dark matter is the essence from which Negatorpedoes are created, in which case they're right at home... or they've found some way to insulate the Negatorpedo against energy surges.  A frightening prospect, one must admit; and hard to tell... don't know of many people facing a Negatorp attack who sit there and scan them, y'know?”

The VelSatis

            Despite the situation, Brii couldn't help but utter a laugh.  “Yeah, I hear ya.  Usually we're too busy dodging or trying to destroy them.”

            “Here they come,” Jima called out.

            On the holodisplay, the incoming Separatist ships were fully highlighted, and preparing to fire; and now, looking through the primary window, they could be seen bursting from the inky blackness of the surrounding space, mostly because of the green beams pouring forth.  The dark matter nebula itself was virtually invisible to normal means of visual detection.

            “Evasive!” snapped Brii.  “Target and fire at will!”

            The VelSatis shuddered as a percentage of the beams scored hits; sparks burst from the ceiling near the back, causing the holodisplays to flicker as the tough ship swung about, trying to get a good shot where they wouldn't be hammered in return.

            The displays clearly showed the Drakkenfaer performing similar maneuvers, even as its torpedo tubes spoke, ripping into the nearest vessel with Rimfire torpedoes- Aiden's name for a Phoenix torpedo knock-off- in a series of spectacular explosions.  The targeted Separatist destroyer spun out of control from the impacts, with its hull scorched and ichor oozing from the ruptures.

            VelSatis added its input in a sudden blaze of blue neutron beams, finishing the job; the Separatist exploded.

            Even as the shockwave rocked both independent starships, however, they were quickly flanked by two more Separatist destroyers; the bigger Separatist ships were taking advantage of the destroyers' actions and maneuvering for a crossfire.

The Drakkenfaer

            “Shit,” frowned Aiden.  “This does not look good.  Denait, hard energy turn; bring our weapons to bear on the port flanking destroyer!  Stand by to punch it and get us out of here!”

            “On it, boss,” the Droylian replied, his fingers practically dancing over the panel in front of him.

            “Boss!” called out Chip.

            The main viewscreen suddenly showed five torpedoes slamming into their assailant.

            The shape was that of a cross, with the lead torpedo gleaming white.

            The destroyer fell away, powerless, billowing plasma and ichor from the massive wounds inflicted upon its shattered engines.

The VelSatis

            “What?” gasped Brii as their attacker was suddenly bracketed in a massive salvo of gravity beam fire; the barrage downed their shields and shredded hull viciously, blasting burning debris in all directions amidst clouds of ichor and plasma.

            She narrowed her eyes to glare at the DK destroyer that had just saved her bacon; she knew she'd dealt with this ship before.  Ammut... damn.  It would be them participating in this joint GM-DK task force!

            “Brii...” began Gram.

            She spun to stare at the displays.  Clearly shown was the first battleship and one of the cruisers taking full-on impacts of a pair of massive beams- death rays!  The other battleship and two cruisers were even now exploding from a sudden and overwhelming gravity beam and Negatorpedo assault.

            “Okay... as grateful as I am for the reinforcements, did it have to be the DK and GM?” she groaned aloud.

            The situation quickly turned into a rout, with constant detonations of Separatist ships over the next sixty seconds- including the previously disabled ones, mostly dispatched by the Ammut and Tarrasque.  The VelSatis and Drakkenfaer were hardly idle, dumping their firepower into the fray... but neither could they escape, covered by the GM and DK starships; at least, not without taking severe damage.

            Better to talk our way out of this, Brii mused amidst the thermal pulse from the latest explosion.

            At the last, the single remaining Separatist scout ship turned away as its shields fell, accelerating rapidly.

            Brii stood, fists clenched, scowling; her eyes narrowed as the Drakkenfaer accelerated, giving chase, but not drawing closer; in fact, the gap was widening steadily; and then six torpedoes erupted from the Drakkenfaer's bow.

             Five missed cleanly, exploding on the far side of the rapidly maneuvering target.

            The sixth hit the target- barely- but failed to explode, breaking up from the force of the impact.

            The scout ship suddenly vanished in a blaze of green energy on the fringe of the nebula.

            “Shit,” she whispered.

The SLS Prometheus

            “Pass on to Sapphire, Ammut, and Tarrasque- good shooting,” Sailor Xocotl said with a smile, standing from her chair.  “Hail the two starships whose butts we just saved.”

            “They look like mercs,” Sailor Persephone said softly; data on the two ships was displayed on screen seven.

            “Fight like 'em, too,” agreed Sailor Xocotl.

            “I've got them both, ma'am,” Sonja spoke up from comm.  “The Tarrasque would like to be conferenced in.”

            “Do it, and might as well conference in Sapphire and Ammut,” Sailor Xocotl said.  “Put allies on screens two, four, and six; the other two on three and five.”

            As the screens blinked on, she continued.  “I am Sailor Xocotl, commanding officer of the Prometheus; also with us is General Xanthar of the Tarrasque, Sorcerer Rio of the Sapphire, and last but certainly not least Lord Ahn’Ubyss of the Ammut.  I think we all must admit a certain curiosity as to why a pair of independent starships would be in this region of space; it's not exactly a garden spot.”

            “Captain Aiden Pi'ire of the Starship Drakkenfaer,” Aiden said calmly.  “And that's debatable.”

            “Especially if one does not understand- or makes presumptions of- the nature of our dealings,” cooed Brii.  “I'm Captain Brianna Morrygan, and this is the Battleship VelSatis.”

            Sailor Persephone was already scanning though sensor telemetry and computer records as Sailor Xocotl nodded.

“Fair enough,” the Starfire Senshi allowed.  “Would you be so kind as to inform us as to the nature of your commerce hereabouts, then?”

            “It really isn't your concern, Sailor Xocotl,” Aiden spoke up.  “Suffice it to say, we have... ah, business... with the Separatists.”

            “I beg to differ,” Xanthar broke in coldly.  “It is a legitimate concern; you are in Dark Kingdom space, conducting offensive operations.”

            “Oh, come now,” Brii said soothingly.  “After all, you should be grateful for our help.”

            “Excuse me?” Ahn’Ubyss blinked.  “Your help?  Who just rescued who?”

            Aiden chuckled.  “Watch it.  She's a handful.”

            Brii giggled.  “More fun that way.”

            Sailor Persephone called up a new data window on screen seven; and Sailor Xocotl's eyes narrowed as she perused it.  “Perhaps it is legitimate at that.  Remember the joint contract?  They accepted it... and it looks like we're here because of their information in the first place.”

            “How the hell...” began Aiden.

            “Come now, Captain Pi'ire,” Sailor Xocotl chuckled.  “With such a massive step towards cooperation between our races, did you honestly think it would not be major news, and as such worthy of note?  Besides, as of a policy change three years ago, all mercenary contracts operated by LISA are briefed to all Royal Star Navy senior officers, due to a few select incidences in the past where operating in the dark had some undesirable side effects that could have been otherwise avoided by sharing, discretely, non-classified information about such activities.”

            Aiden grimaced.  “Got me there, Sailor Xocotl.”

            “’Never steered wrong’, eh, Captain?” teased Brii.

            Xanthar gazed steadily at Sailor Xocotl.  “Very good, Commodore; but where does that leave us now?”

            She frowned.  “Well, that answers the question as to why the disabled ships were left alive… interrogation, for want of a better way of putting it.”

            “Yes, but your DK friends screwed us over on that score,” frowned Brii.  “Makes it hard for a woman to earn an honest living.”

            Aiden snorted.

            “Laugh it up, Captain,” Brii said evenly.  “Jealousy is such a burden to bear.”

            Sailor Xocotl shook her head, hiding a smile.  “We’ll simply have to come up with another way to find more information on the Separatists, then.  I also believe, despite your well-hidden antagonism, that all parties now involved here would be best served by cooperation.  After all… it’s in your contract.”  She grinned wickedly.

            “Damn,” muttered Brii, after quickly reviewing it, including the relevant highlighted causes, courtesy of Dominic.  “She’s right.”

            “No worries,” Aiden said easily.  “I know where to find the Separatists.”

            That announcement was met with dead silence.

            Finally, Rio spoke up.  “How?  Where?”

            “It’s all about that escaped scout ship,” Aiden smirked.

            “The one you missed?” snorted Brii.

            “Captain… I am many things.  A fool is not one of them; I knew we needed another method to gather intel,” growled Aiden, smile vanishing.  “Precisely how often do we miss?”

            “You missed on purpose… and the last one was a dud on purpose?” Sailor Xocotl said wonderingly.

            “The first five- which, Captain Morrygan, if you’d scanned the weapons, you’d have realized they were our back-up Polarons, not Rimfires- were deliberate overshoots.  The last was inactivated to give the appearance of just that, a dud.  Instead, it had mounted on the nose a rather subtle and sophisticated homing device; it needed to physically impact to plant that device.  Even here, we’re reading strong telemetry,” Aiden said calmly.  “Since you’re dragooning us, Sailor Xocotl, we can point the way.”

            “My apologies, Captain.  You’re right, your bunny girl virtually never misses,” Brii said smoothly.  “I certainly didn’t expect such cleverness out of you.”

            “I’m full of surprises,” Aiden replied.  “And apparently, so are you.  Since when do you apologize?”

            “Full of surprises?  I suppose; one of which is your continued reliance on that little shuttle you call a starship,” Brii chuckled with her retort, deciding to ignore the apologizing bit.

            “Enough,” Ahn’Ubyss virtually snarled.  “You are certain you can track that ship?”

            Aiden nodded.  “The Drakkenfaer has sensors equivalent to an RSN scout ship… it should, that’s what they were intended for before we got ‘em.  We can also handle ourselves, should it become necessary.”

            Rio chuckled.  “Yeah, from our scans, you’re pretty heavily armed for a ship of that size… and the VelSatis seems rather durable.”

            “Like he said, full of surprises,” Brii said, blowing Rio a kiss.  “Such as that the VelSatis is the fastest ship here?  And that we possess a phase cloak like yours?”

            “How did you wrangle that?” gasped Sailor Xocotl.

            “Trade secret, I’m afraid,” Aiden chuckled.  “But rest assured neither of us has stolen anything.”

            “Recently,” quipped Brii with a smirk.

            Sailor Xocotl was thoughtful for a moment.  “Very well,” she said finally.  “Per the escalation clause of your contract, I am officially recruiting both of you into our task force.  Assuming you play nice, when our mission in this region is concluded, you’ll get a nice, flowery recommendation from me; possibly suggesting a nice fat bonus if you’re extremely cooperative.”

            “What sort of bonus?” Aiden wanted to know.

            “Well, now, I’m no expert, but I daresay it would be more well than you can imagine,” Sailor Xocotl replied suavely.

            Brii giggled.  “I don’t know.  I can imagine quite a bit.”

            “Be that as it may,” Xanthar broke in, “you really don’t have a choice.  Your profit is in our hands.  If we aren’t happy… you won’t be happy.”

            The two captains exchanged glances; after a moment of reluctance, both nodded.  “So be it,” Aiden stated coolly.

            “Agreed,” Brii said.  “Heck, might be worth it just to get a few of you to loosen up a bit.”  She winked at Xanthar and Ahn’Ubyss; Xanthar’s expression remained neutral, although Ahn’Ubyss responded by shaking his head.

            “Good.  My tactical officer will now supply you with the necessary communications protocols and secure, encrypted transponder frequency; I must insist that you activate that freq immediately, Captain Morrygan, and keep it active so that our non-cloaking allies know where we all are at all times.  So long as your systems are up to snuff, only those we give access to will be able to track us,” Sailor Xocotl said briskly.

            “They are,” Brii frowned.  “Not sure I like the leash, though.”

            Rio shrugged.  “Get used to it.  We have.  This is a team thing.  Besides… you want the cash, don’t you?”

            Sailor Xocotl continued with a smile.  “Captain Morrygan, your VelSatis will form a third point of the element with Prometheus and Sapphire.  Captain Pi’ire, your Drakkenfaer will do the same with Tarrasque and Ammut; and your group, if you don’t mind, General, will take the lead, since the Drakkenfaer knows where we’re going.  This way, both groups can operate independently if required, but otherwise form two formidably armed groups with excellent sensors.”

            Xanthar nodded appreciatively.  “I agree with those dispositions, Commodore.  As a bonus, we then possess the capability of setting a rather nasty trap.  Splitting up into cloaked and uncloaked pairs will make such a trap even more effective.  Even if the enemy should be aware there are ordinarily six of us, the fact that the three of you cannot be detected should give them pause, maybe make them overly cautious.”

            “Hence causing hesitation and second guessing,” mused Ahn’Ubyss.

            “Which is never a good thing in a firefight,” grinned Rio.

            “Good,” Sailor Xocotl said.  “We’ll spend some time adjusting tactics as we get under way, which we’ll do momentarily.  Everyone’s input will be appreciated.  Meantime, Captain Pi’ire, if you’d point us in the right direction?”

            “Uplinking now,” Aiden replied.  “We’re assuming our place in formation at this time.”

            “As are we,” Brii chimed in.

            “Then let’s go get them,” Xanthar said, his expression hardening slightly.  “This little civil war of theirs has gone on long enough.”

            Scant seconds later, three ships faded from view, and all six spun about and plunged into faster-than-light travel, united with a common purpose.

            It remained to be seen just how that purpose would turn out; but all six crews knew it was likely to involve death and destruction.

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