Deep Space, The Dead Zone
Aboard ISS Belfast Windfall

The Veloxi aboard Hixgrm'sv had been so impressed by whatever it was that Commander Grix had said, that they not only relayed the ISS Belfast Windfall's Communication, but also relayed the crew's back-logged messages from the New Scotland Communications terminal. Biggs was sitting at his desk reading his mail. There was another message from Boz Grabow. "Biggs, I've got some more info for you. I'm pretty sure the attack on Vell Bralis Nova wasn't Gazurtoid, it was Thrynn. I'll cut you the details over a beer. There was also a raid into Elowan territory a few weeks ago. It smelled like some kind of set piece diversion. One last thing: my people think the Thrynn know you're out there. Check your six, buddy." ISS Belfast Windfall was already en route to the Eshbllr Colony. Biggs looked up from his mail. "Shields."
 

Deep Space, The Dead Zone
Thrynn Frigate Kryssthoggr

The tension on the bridge was thick. Captain Hthssbr sat in the command seat, but somehow the privilege was hollow. She hadn't pulled it from SshT'ks slain hand. The bridge hatch hissed open and a heavily armed Thrynn ensign walked up to Hthssbr with cold murder in his eyes. "SshT'k and his loyalistss are barricaded on the port sside of the bottom deck near engineering. They have ssealed all accesss pointsss. They are armed, asss well, my massstr." Hthssbr saw through the act. This young wretch called her master only because he felt it dramatic and in keeping with the moment. He would bleed.

"They have accesss to no vital sysstemss from there. Do not attack them, they'll expect that," said Captain Hthssbr. "Keep guardss at the junctionss and around engineering. They musst not reach any critical control pointsss, and they musst be contained." The stakes were high in more than one dimension. "Do not fail me, ensssign."

New Scotland
The Fourth Moon
Elowan Freighter Bfeijl

Bfeijl hung in perilously low orbit over the dark side of the Fourth Moon of New Scotland. Boz Grabow stood with a group of Elowan on the observation deck looking down at the methane oceans. Arth Elowan were famous for their observation decks. Meticulously designed, the decks almost always boasted enormous windows. Further aft, in the cargo bays, were nearly nine hundred planted Elowan, some of whom were nearing the time to bloom. There were scores of nurses to tend to them. The facilities were not as ideal as those that had been aboard the Ifsh'Dfrill, but things were looking good. Boz could feel it coming together. Hoping against hope, they were waiting for the location of the Colony. An intercom clicked on. A willowy Elowan voice summoned the captain, the executive officer and Boz Grabow to the bridge.

The message from ISS Belfast Windfall reached the Bfeijl two and a half hours after it had been relayed out of the New Scotland Communications Net on Vell Bralis Nova. It had been routed from ISS Belfast Windfall through the Hixgrm'sv, VBN City, HG89 through HG197, the booster at Loman's Moon, through the Elowan net to Coreward Plowshares on Elan and finally back to VBN City and to the Bfeijl orbiting the Fourth Moon, as it was officially named. "ISS Belfast Windfall Reports: Have found Eshbullr, repeat, have found Eshbullr..." Biggs didn't know exactly why he had reported that, but twenty years of exploring space on a wing and a prayer left him fully confident of his instincts. Shortly after Boz read Biggs' message the Bfeijl was under way.

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Next: "Stepping Off"

With much ambassadorial aplomb--not to mention amplomb and gusto, to be sure--Hilsfar & Company, and Biggs Hilsfar and his friends (and also his enemies) are in a state of full return and I might mention back in action if you are catching my drift and my meaning also as well, wink wink.

"Hilsfar & Company: Because Habby Loman Was Spotted At Arth-Burger"