Part 1

"..fleeting moments;
different times and different ways.."

"Ahem" A tap on the table. An opening of eyes. A misfocus, a man, massive displays behind a dark brown mug.

"What's the news?" A recovery

"Latest from the Keramiss. Their engine repairs will take another 3 - 4 days, but they have the parts; so they won't need any help from us; but something disturbing from the probe they launched. Our preparations to catch up the convoy are all on time, helm has a acceleration window plotted - we can be in position today Captain"

"Ok, Ko-on let's take a look at the probe results. Where do you want to do this, main table or my office"

"For the moment - your office"

TIme to stand, grab the still warm cup and motion Ko-on to follow. Past the other empty tables, in front of the other tables, past the vast screen with it's arrays of views, tables, schematics and illustrations whilst opposite are the operations tables and wall desks of the command centre to a glass wall, with a glass down which opens silently. They both enter, the door closes, and at a quick nod the glass silvers. No noise here. Just a desk some and chairs. The captain settles into his.

"Here's the problem", a white stone is placed on the desk and touched for a few long seconds. Images focus over the desk.

"Last good image from the proble before it ceased transmitting, the books give it an 87% chance of being a support ship, around 3 gunships plus support squadron of fighters. It's on a low energy flight path, that with small modification could intercept the convoy in 11 or more hours",

"Ok, does the convoy know?"

"It's beyond their range to resolve - for a while at least."

"Good, that means I've got a good chance to talk to the ex-admiral with some sound tactics when he calls. We need to get into position a few hours earller. When we finish here arrange that with navigation. Give them my authorisation to exceed local acceleration codes for compression engines"

"Aye - what about the crew?"

"I'll get on the performance mike before we course shift. First I want to take a look at the full report on your stone and talk to an ex admiral - I need to ask him if he's breaking the law. I assume he is?"

"The stones in your desk, I'll get comms to secure a line with the convoy leader - I assume that's the ex admiral you want"

"Yes - but I didn't say anything"

"Ok Captain"

Ko-on gets up, takes his stone, the door glides open and shut

The room is silent.