Free Cassandra Kresnov 5: Operation Shield by Joel Shepherd

instability, technologically induced,” said Vanessa, her mike carrying clear to everyone's ears. Also, she suspected, being recorded in the ship's log for later review by people who could probably have them all shot if it went wrong. Assuming they needed to. “This is evidence that a previous League scout tried to nuke Droze and kill a million people rather than let get out. If the League's about to fall apart, the Federation needs to know. I submit that protecting that data, and transmitting it to the Grand Council, is worth any sacrifice or risk at this point.”
    “Agreed,” said Reichardt, fast enough to surprise her. Fleet Captains were usually cagey where their vessel's security was concerned. “But if the scout was going to nuke Droze, what will these guys be willing to do?”
    “Taking out this station to get us would be a lot easier than nuking Droze,” Helm added.
    “Depends if these are regular League Fleet,” said Vanessa. “Do League Fleet captains usually know what their scouts are up to? The scout captain made a decision based on information these captains may not be privy to.”
    “Usually they'd not be aware unless…”
    “New entry, new entry!” Scan cut them off, the screen flashing once more as new points appeared on the system map. “Two four one degrees nadir by three two, AU point 86! Computer reads the size of that entry wave as three vessels, one of them a carrier.”
    “Getting serious now,” said Helm in a low voice. “That stagger pattern looks like an entire combat squadron.”
    Now Vanessa's mouth was dry. Hell of a way to learn appreciation for the scale of decisions Fleet captains had to make. Those incoming ships could have fired already, scan wouldn't read it. With this much velocity, incoming fire would get here real soon and destroy anything vessel or station sized it hit. But staying here and talking to them would not elicit a response for several minutes more, it taking that long for the light wave to travel there and back. Already the light delay was showing them only what these ships were doing, several minutes ago. And they, of course, were only seeing where Mekong was, a similar time before.
    “We're staying,” said Reichardt. “Open a channel.” Com did that. “League warships, this is Federation carrier Mekong . We are insystem on Federation business under Article 213 of the Federation charter. We are not hostile to League vessels, repeat, we are not hostile to League vessels. More Federation warships are inbound to this location, ETA imminent. Their intentions are not hostile, repeat, not hostile to League vessels. Awaiting your happy reply, Mekong ending.”
    “Nice,” said Com. “Real nice.”
    “Famous last words,” said Helm, to a snort of laughter. “Article 213 of the Federation charter? What's wrong with Article 98?”
    “Invokes direct threats,” Reichardt explained. “This is still technically League territory, they might take it wrong. The Commander knows Article 213, don't you Commander?”
    “Not a fucking clue,” said Vanessa. “Which means it's obscure, and they'll have to waste time searching for it, then figuring what it means.”
    “Creating indecision over implications,” Helm completed.
    “Real nice,” Com repeated.
    Several minutes later, League warships began cycling jump engines to shed velocity. But the real relief didn't start until they got an incoming transmission, thirty-three minutes later.
    “ Hello, Federation carrier Mekong, this is League carrier Defiance .”
    “Defiance,” Helm muttered. “That's fucking Colou, wonderful.”
    “ We are inbounds on League business in League territory, and you have committed an act of war by being here. Any hostile move on your part shall ensure your destruction. Defiance ending .”
    “She don't like you, Captain,” said Arms.
    “Howdy, Jess,” said Reichardt. “Say now, that's not very friendly of you. You see, problem is, we're expecting a whole big bunch of