A short story I've been writing, obviously based on GCII. Enjoy!
Chapter 1
Nebula sweeps. A routine operation. So thought Admiral Jim Ebyon as he steered his ship, the TAS Ardent, into the Keldable Nebula. Drengin and pirate ships liked to hide in this area of space, where they could attack Terran shipping. So the area had to be cleared of hostiles. Because there was more activity in the nebula, more ships had to be used to perform the sweeps. Nevertheless, Admiral Ebyon was in a good mood. As the Ardent moved closer to the nebula, following the TAS Crusader, Jim’s first officer and best friend, Altos Carniss, an Altarian serving in the Terran Military, came up him.
"Admiral, there is a transmission coming from the Crusader," he said.
"All right. Computer, open a channel."
The computer did as it was told and opened the channel, and Jim was looking at Captain Ralph Turner.
"What is it, Captain?" Jim asked.
"I’ve got some news, Captain," Ralph Turner replied, "and it isn’t good. The Terran freighter Adventure came out of the Keldable Nebula five minutes ago. The ship was half destroyed, but the captain had enough sense left in him to tell us what was chasing him. He’s reported at least ten Drengin frigates in the nebula. If this is true, we’ll need more ships, Admiral."
"Right. Any data on the frigates?"
"Yeah. The merchant captain took several pictures. Retribution-class frigates. All ten of them. I’m surprised. Fleets like that usually get chewed up by the Arceans. Maybe the Korx played another trick on the Arceans again."
"That’s probably true."
"There are rumors that the Korx and Drath orchestrated this entire war, Admiral. Remember the Altarian-Korx war?"
"There is reason to believe that is true, Captain. Director Kralax of Korx denies any involvement at all, however, but no one can get any contact with the Drath. I’d love to discuss the possible causes of this war, Captain, but we have a situation on our hands. Are we going to get any help? Or are going to take on these frigates with what we have and wish for luck?"
"I’ve sent a message to Alliance command. Several Valiant-class frigates have been sent. They’ll get here soon."
"I hope so."
