Deep Space
Downspin and Outward of the Elowan Frontier
Thrynn Frigate Kryssthoggr

The Kryssthoggr was emitting only the slightest energy signal. The superphotonic engines were on standby and very few systems drew power from the batteries. She moved along her course heading by virtue of accrued momentum alone. Captain SshT'k and his executive officer Captain Hthssbr stood in the dim light of the combat monitoring station in the pit of the bridge. "Illuminate the holovid projection," ordered the executive officer.

"The command isss executed," the response floated down from one of the stations above. Captain SshT'k seated himself in a tall, curved seat and keyed the pad on his armrest. The holovid zoomed into the appropriate region of space. Captain Hthssbr didn't seat herself. She remained standing to the side and just to the rear of the Kryssthoggr's master. It wasn't genuine respect, simply an expected formality. Hthssbr had her own opinions about who should be commanding the mission. Captain SshT'k was well aware of this. By evolutionary fluke, Thrynn claws are not retractable.

"Sssir, the fleet isss formed. The operation order ssstatess that the attack beginnsss in four minutesss," the executive officer said.

"Exsscellent. Enssure that the navigation ssstation isss monitoring the posssition of the two sssentries on the Elowan border." The executive officer acknowledged the command and then looked up. She nodded to a more junior officer who carried out the order. "Let uss sssee if the fleet can roussst the...Lowar." Ssh'Tk smiled at the pseudonym.

As if prompted by the irony of doing so, he reached down into a bejeweled copper basin at his feet. He pulled up what looked like a large, unopened dandelion bud. His webbed hands rotated it to reveal two deadened Elowan eyes that had once been a shining, luminescent azure. Now they were a flat, dry blue. Ssh'Tk peeled back the green layers to reveal the delectable burgundy seeds known as head fruit. He offered the head to Hthssbr. She reached in and plucked a singular seed from the dead husk. "To the Confederation," she bowed.

A small blue light flickered on the holovid projector. The tactical officer informed the bridge that the assault was about to begin. Eleven vessels were arrayed on the Thrynn side of the border. The group was centered on the Dreadnought Thosskriegen and an amphibious warfare ship, Shb. Two cruisers and four destroyers escorted them. A picket of frigates was deployed well forward in an arc formation. The projection rotated so that Ssh'Tk and Hthssbr could see the ships, their trajectory and their extrapolated destination. Illsthish was deep inside Elowan space.

At the appointed time, the battle group began to move, accelerating quickly into the superphotonic speed range. Eight minutes later, the first ships on the picket line crossed into Elowan territory. All across the Elowan defense net, the word went out. The Thrynn are coming.

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Next: "Loman's Moon"

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