>>6050999“Okay, put the station on full alert. Have them prepare to fire warning shots.” You can only hope that the show of force will keep the enemy from realizing that the station is barely running on a skeleton crew.
“Sir !” The man responds before cutting connection.
Rising from your seat, you quickly begin arming yourself and send the militia an all-alert signal. Soon enough, within the course of an hour, your colony will be ready to give their all against any sort of threat.
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“We’ve prepared an ambush here. The overgrowth of algae allows us to hide a small grouping of men, since the territory is relatively flat, chances are the enemy will try to deploy some forces here.” One of your captains continues to explain the defensive plan in his sector.
Quickly, silence engulfs the room as your tablet once more begins to chirp with the same sound as before, a warning.
“Gentlemen.” You nod to the four men as they all nod back to you and wait with bated breath as you open the connection. “David.”
“Sir, I would like to report that we received message from the unknown force. They had identified themselves as Salb House trade fleet under Akil Salb. They are informing me that they wish to conduct trade.”
Unfortunately, the tension does not leave the room. “Prepare me a shuttle, I am heading for the station.” You quickly inform the comm officer and quickly but the connection. “Keep the preparations going.” You inform the captains whom quickly salute you.
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“Mister Hardrada. It is good to see you alive and well !” You once again spot Akil, unlike you, whom had aged nearly half a decade, he appears as youthful as before, if you had any doubts about him being genemodded, those had now been put to rest.
“It has been a while. I assume you are heading towards the two dictatorships ?” You ask comfortably sitting before the screen, the artificial gravity actually allowing you to remain seated without the need to strap yourself in, even if you do feel somewhat floaty.
“An astute observation. Since it is one the way, I had decided that it would be prudent for me to move through here, to see if there is anything you would like to purchase or anything that you’d like to sell ?”
“This time with more tame escorts, I see.”
“Oh, yes. The previous incident still plagues my heart. You need not worry, for this journey specifically I had decided to employ my house ships, much more reliable, I am sure you can see.”
“Very.”
“Your distrust wounds me deeply, but I understand.”
“How about you tell me what you have, instead of us continuing this exchange ?”
“Ah, very well, very well. Allow me to outline what I have !”