Month 116, Day 17, late in the day, Phyriseq system
The CD launched by the Mintek transport wasn’t actually headed for the warp point, although it was a reasonable assumption for Skull Splitter to make. After all, he didn’t know about the Mintek fleet sitting ninety-six light minutes from the colony with its drive fields down. Just a few minutes after the new day started, the CD dumped its messages to the fleet’s command ship and deactivated.
After several minutes, the fleet activated its drive fields and set out towards the colony.
Month 116, Day 18, Phyriseq system
The Mintek fleet was now just outside the 72 light minute detection bubble of the D’Bringi ships and colony in the inner system. The fleet came to a halt before it crossed over the point at which the D’Bringi ships would detect them, and dropped their drive fields. A lone ship, a battlecruiser, continued on into the inner system.
Month 116, Day 19, Phyriseq colony
Skull Splitter jumped out of his rack the second his personal alarm began sounding. A long life filled with both physical and political combat had enabled him to go from deep sleep to relative lucidity rapidly, and he demonstrated that now. “What!”
The aide on his comm screen sent a view of the plot to his chief’s viewer instead of his face. “Sir, we have a new drive field contact, in-bound on a direct bearing from the warp point to the Mintek system. The contact is moving at the standard cruising speed for a cruiser class vessel.”
Skull Splitter’s eyes narrowed as he considered the plot. The contact was right at the edge of visibility, too far out for them to gain any additional information. And it was either a warship, or a very large freighter, based on the speed. He quickly called up the course information for the CD launched by the Mintek transport on his wrist comp. He grimaced. The CD from the Mintek transport hadn’t had enough time to reach the warp point to the Mintek home system yet. Which meant that this probable warship was either already in the Phyriseq system when the CD was launched, or it had been en route on unrelated business. He knew which way he’d bet. Given the fact that his border patrol squadron had been ordered away from the border, they had no idea how many Mintek ships were in the system. His thoughts had gotten that far when his aide interrupted with new information.
“Sir, Mintek message incoming.”
“Route it here.” Skull Splitter settled back into the chair at his desk, and waited as the system decrypted and interpreted the Mintek message. Finally, the ‘wait’ sigil on the screen cleared, and a Mintek appeared before him. “I am Strategos Neeron. I have been dispatched to resolve the difficulties that appear to have arisen between our governments in a peaceful and mutually satisfactory manner. I am proceeding to orbit of the Phyriseq colony; however, I am willing to meet with a D’Bringi representative in any location that you find suitable. Until I receive a response, I will continue on my current heading.”
Skull Splitter thought furiously. The Mintek official sounded entirely reasonable, however, their actions to date were unreasonable, and arguably in violation of the treaty, or at the very least of the intent of the treaty. Not to mention the fact that Neeron’s presence in a D’Bringi system in a warship was a clear violation of the treaty, D’Bringi sovereignty, and a provocation. For all of Neeron’s seeming affability, he had the feeling that the situation was racing towards a confrontation that he did not want, but could not avoid. After a few second’s consideration, he made up his mind and opened a link to his aide. “Prepare the fleet to intercept the Mintek ship. Send a message telling them that we will come out to meet them 36 light minutes from the colony. I’m coming to the bridge.”
Five minutes later the task force left the colony, heading out to intercept the Mintek ship.
Month 116, Day 20, Phyriseq system
The Mintek ship and the D’Bringi task force were now fifteen light seconds apart and holding position. The D’Bringi task force had now gotten a better look at the Mintek ship, and based on its engine strength it was clearly a battlecruiser. As a fifteen second light-speed delay between them would make a conversation difficult, the two leaders had agreed to board small craft and meet in between the two forces. Skull-Splitter had boarded an assault shuttle carried by the Keeper battlecruiser that anchored his task force, while the Mintek Neeron was approaching in his own small craft.
As the two small craft approached each other, Skull Splitter was interested to note that Neeron’s craft was twice as large as his assault shuttle. The D’Bringi shuttle’s sensors and computers weren’t effective enough to evaluate the capabilities of the larger craft, but it was apparent from the limited scans they had obtained as it approached that it was more heavily armed than their shuttle, and likely had a longer endurance. The shuttle’s pilot also pointed out, as the Mintek craft came to a halt, that the alien craft appeared large enough that it might theoretically be able to make a transit through a warp point.
Skull Splitter pushed that from his mind as the monitor in front of his station in the shuttle’s cramped interior lit up with Neeron’s face. “Clan Chief Skull Splitter! I am honored to appear before you. I am Neeron, Strategos of the Mintek Union. I have come before you to negotiate on behalf of my government, and to resolve any grievances you may have.”
“Grievances! Your people have infiltrated our nation! Subverted our people! And you speak of grievances?”
Neeron looked serious, which Skull Splitter found interesting as the D’Bringi and Mintek people had different ways of expressing that particular emotion. “The Mintek government takes your concerns very seriously. We may have failed to control the more…enthusiastic…elements of our population, and we would like to discuss to possibility of reparations from our government to atone for the excesses of our people.”
Skull Splitter settled back into his chair, surprised at this development. In spite of his belligerence, he would go far to avoid a conflict at this point, but the Mintek being so…agreeable…was throwing him off. This was not normal. “Reparations would be welcome, but before we can move forward, agreements on the limitation of movement for Mintek within D’Bringi space will have to be clarified, and our people returned from where ever you have sent them. We know that you have been taking large numbers of our colonists, and this is unacceptable.”
Neeron nodded. “Your concern is understandable. In addition to reparations, the Union would be more than willing to allow D’Bringi clan officials to inspect the new D’Bringi colony that has been set up for them on Mintek Tertius in our home system. I assure you, the D’Bringi there are not only well treated, but are thriving in their new environment. Any who wish to come are welcome.”
“No! These are our people. They do not belong there, they belong on our colonies, in our territory. You had no right to take them!” In spite of his belligerent tone, Skull-Splitter felt no heat, merely curiosity. The belligerence was a necessary negotiating stance, nothing more.
“Surely you cannot object to the education we are giving the D’Bringi that have decided, of their own, to travel to the new colony? What harm have we inflicted on your government, your people? These were the dregs of your society, the lowest of the low. The clan-less petty laborers, outcasts, and the problematic petty criminals that plague every society. They decided of their own free will to cast all of that away and learn a new way to become productive members of society. Surely your own auditors have told you that in spite of their relocation they have continued to pay the required clan tithes, and indeed, that clan tithes for this colony and the Jerothal colony have increased over the last several months. We have been scrupulous in adhering to the laws of the D’Bringi clans, even on the new colony on Mintek Tertius. So, what, really, lies behind your complaints?”
Skull Splitter’s eyes narrowed. So, this Neeron knew about the auditors going through the Phyriseq colony’s records? He had wondered if the Mintek ship was receiving information from the colony, and it appeared that his suspicions were confirmed. And, it was appearing more and more certain as Neeron talked that whatever was going on was part of a planned action by the Mintek government, rather than ‘enthusiastic citizens’, as Neeron had claimed. “Very well. I suggest we stop dancing around the issue. My government finds the situation in this system unacceptable. We require that you close all temples on Phyriseq colony, as well as any others on any colony in D’Bringi territory. All Mintek citizens currently within D’Bringi territory will be withdrawn, immediately. We will also require that in the future all trade transfers will be limited to one location that will be selected by my government. This outpost will be the sole point of contact for our two races, until and unless further contact is negotiated between the two governments. Finally, we require that all D’Bringi within the Mintek Union be returned to our custody within three months. This is non-negotiable. If you refuse, then I am authorized to cancel the trade treaty between our two nations, and will instead insist on only limited contact in the future.” Skull Splitter watched the Mintek, interested in the changes that came over the alien. He wasn’t familiar with Mintek facial expressions, as his race’s faces were covered in scales and relatively inflexible. The Mintek were much like the humans, though, and their faces could express a wide range of emotions. His desk comp had been loaded with their best information on the Mintek, and small data boxes were now appearing around the Mintek’s face, indicating that he was expressing unhappiness and stress.
“I am dismayed by your stance, Clan Chief. This is not what we want. The D’Bringi are a remarkable race, and we are learning so much from you. We would not want our current level of intercourse to stop.” The Mintek’s visage changed then, and the data boxes on Skull Splitter’s monitor indicated that he was now expressing stern determination. “We cannot make you trade with us, however much we wish that condition to continue. However, we cannot abandon the faithful D’Bringi that have been brought to the light of Union. We will allow any D’Bringi within our territory to return to the D’Bringi Expanses, should they wish to do so, however, we will not force them, and to be honest, considering the way they were treated by your clans, I do not think many will elect to return to that life. We will withdraw our people from your territory, if you require it, but we will require assurances that the faithful within your territory will be respected and granted the freedom to continue their belief as they see fit. And I’m afraid that I will have to insist that such assurances be monitored by Mintek Seekers qualified to evaluate the true conditions amongst the faithful within your territories.”
Skull Splitter gaped at the monitor. The sheer affrontery of this Mintek was shocking. It had been a long time since the D’Bringi clans had had to deal with anything as primitive as religion, which had been a thing on D’Bringi Prime in ancient times but had faded away naturally as D’Bringi society advanced. In truth, the clans had done much to aid that process, finding the old religions an impediment to their control of the masses, but in any case, no D’Bringi had worshiped something as primitive as a god in ages. He found himself at a loss trying to believe what the Mintek was saying, and instead he could only feel that the Mintek was lying, using this situation to push for an advantage for his race and his government, and to continue the penetration of D’Bringi space. The thought that the Mintek believed what he was saying was unthinkable. Skull Splitter knew that he couldn’t risk another war, but he also could not allow this situation to continue, or allow what this Neeron was proposing. “Unacceptable. If that is your position, then I’m afraid that we must withdraw from the trade treaty. Your people will be returned as soon as is possible. I request that you return the D’Bringi you have taken, but if you are adamant in keeping them then I will not insist. They, however, will be the last D’Bringi that you take. Your ‘Seekers’ will have no access to our territory, this is unacceptable. That would be an intolerable violation of our sovereignty, and we cannot allow it.” Once again Skull Splitter had the feeling that the situation was slipping beyond his control, but he simply could not allow what the Mintek was requiring, even in the face of a two-front war.
Neeron shook his head. “This is your final decision? I cannot change your mind?”
“No, I’m afraid you cannot, unless you are willing to agree to my conditions.”
Neeron turned from the pickup and gestured to someone off screen. “Then I’m afraid our negotiations are over. I am truly sorry that you cannot hear what I have to say. We only care about the wellbeing of your race and people. I am sorrowful that you do not.”
The large Mintek small craft turned away, and accelerated back towards the waiting battlecruiser. Skull Splitter signaled his pilot to turn back as well. Several minutes later the two small craft docked with their mother ships. By the time Skull Splitter had made it to the bridge, the Mintek ship had turned and was moving away at maximum cruising speed. After a moment’s thought, Skull Splitter ordered his task group to follow. They were in D’Bringi Space, and he intended to ensure that they left.
Just over a half hour later, a drive field contact appeared in front of the D’Bringi task group, approximately thirty-six light minutes away. Skull Splitter did not believe in coincidences. This was a Mintek fleet. And, after checking, he confirmed that it was sitting just outside of the detection radius of the Phyriseq colony. And, interestingly, whatever it was had activated its drives at right around the time it would have taken for a light-speed comms message to arrive from the Mintek battlecruiser ahead of them. Skull Splitter ordered his fleet to continue shadowing the withdrawing Mintek battlecruiser.
Month 116, Day 21, Phyriseq system
Skull Splitter willed his body to stillness as the databoxes on the main plot began filling with information. They were finally close enough to the Mintek drive field contact to learn more about the composition of the squadron that they faced. They had learned some time ago that the Mintek squadron was composed of eighteen ships, plus the battlecruiser that had come to meet them. This outnumbered his task force of thirteen, and was concerning. However, on the plus side, the approaching Mintek squadron was only moving at two-thirds of his current cruising speed, for some reason. No one had been able to determine the reason for this, unless some of the Mintek ships were damaged. One officer had suggested that the Mintek had built ships with slower top speeds in order to devote more mass to defenses and weapons, but this was generally regarded as a stupid approach to ship design.
There were gasps around the heavy cruiser’s bridge as the new information was displayed. The captain of the Indefatigable turned to the Clan Chief. “Excellency, the enemy squadron is composed of six strength twenty drives, seven strength fifteen drives, and six strength seven drives. All are military drives.
Skull Splitter grunted. So, seven battlecruisers and six destroyers. But what were the strength twenties? “Captain, any ideas on the strength twenties?”
“No, Excellency. They match no known profile.”
Skull Splitter considered the situation for a moment. He had ordered his task force to turn and run ahead of the Mintek squadron, keeping the range open for now, but he needed more information about what they faced. “The squadron will come about and close on the Mintek force to ten light seconds range.”
“Very well.” The Indefatigable’s commander turned away and began issuing orders.
Skull Splitter watched as the two groups of ships closed. Ten light seconds range would allow them to gather more information, but was still two and a half light seconds beyond the range of capital missiles, so they should be safe enough. And unless the Mintek were deliberately going much slower than their actual top speed, he felt fairly confident that he could choose the range at which he followed, or fought, them. Just then the plot chimed, signaling the fact that it was updating with new information.
“Sir, we have confirmed seven battlecruisers and six destroyers, but the strength twenty drive fields belong to no known class. Each of them is 60% larger than one of our battlecruisers.” The captain sounded aghast.
Skull Splitter had been leaning forward in his chair. Now he settled back, lost in thought. The Mintek had ships that were 60% larger than any warship in known space. A ship like that could carry a lot of extra armor, shields, and weapons, and would be a formidable foe in battle. He thought furiously as the D’Bringi ships turned and kept pace with the Mintek force, keeping the range at ten light seconds. His force was the most advanced in the D’Bringi Expanse. All of his cruisers, except the former border patrol squadron, were either new construction or had recently been refitted, and were of the latest designs with the latest weapons and defenses. But they were out-massed by better than two to one, and those behemoths fielded by the Mintek were…concerning…to say the least, and would be of concern even if they weren’t so severely out-massed.
Skull Splitter thought for a time, as the two groups of ships ran towards the Phyriseq colony. During this time the Mintek showed no signs of increasing speed, and did not deviate from their course towards the colony. The large ships of the Mintek were concerning, but they clearly had weaknesses as well, chief among their weaknesses apparently being that they were slow. Skull Splitter knew, from his discussions with the Clan’s shipbuilders, that hulls larger than battlecruisers were possible, but he and the other Clan Leaders had been reluctant to fund their development. Speed was life for the clan fleets, and the shipbuilders had been clear that any hull larger than a battlecruiser would be slower, so the Clan Leaders had passed on funding development of the larger hulls. It seemed that the Mintek had decided that the advantages of the larger hulls outweighed being slower, and had built and deployed them. The Mintek force was formidable, but slow, giving him an advantage.
“Captain, open the range to one light minute. Once that is done, arrange a meeting for me with the senior clan representatives, and the Keeper-Commander of the battlecruiser. Then, we need to send out warnings to the home world and the main fleet.” In spite of being outnumbered, they still had many options. In the meantime, the command ship spit out a number of CD’s. The CD’s all headed for the jump point to the rest of the D’Bringi Expanses.
One hour later, after meeting with his subordinates, Skull Splitter issued his orders. The D’Bringi force, which had been running ahead of the Mintek force, towards the Phyriseq colony, now turned 90 degrees and accelerated to its maximum cruising speed. Initially the Mintek force continued towards the D’Bringi colony, however, when the D’Bringi fleet circled around the Mintek ships and set its course for the warp point to the Mintek home system, the Mintek fleet came about and began pursuing the D’Bringi force. By then the D’Bringi task force had reduced its cruising speed to match that of the Mintek force, maintaining a one light minute separation. Their ETA to the warp point to the Mintek home system was fourteen days.
Month 116, Day 22, Phyriseq System
The CD’s dispatched by Skull Splitter reached the warp point from the Phyriseq system to the Chruqua warp nexus. Once through the warp point, they split into two groups, one headed towards the home world and the other towards the fleet on the front lines.