He looked up at the holographic starchart, thinking hard.  The unified defence command had concluded that New Russia was the next target for the alien invaders.  Fortunately, it had a growing industrial base, as well as a deeply nationalistic population that would resist when – if – the aliens tried to land.  By now, twelve carriers and over a hundred smaller ships – the largest fleet humanity had ever deployed outside the Sol System – were based there, ready to meet the aliens when they arrived.  But so far the aliens hadn't shown their hand.

“They may not agree with our thoughts on how to fight a war,” Ted observed, finally.  Who knew how aliens thought?  For all they knew, the aliens hadn't realised they were facing an interstellar power.  And yet ... surely they would have known from studying the remains of the destroyed colonies.  “Or maybe their drive systems are inferior to our own.”

The starchart shimmered at his command, showing the known gravitational tramlines running between the targeted worlds and New Russia.  Unless the alien systems were far inferior to humanity’s systems, they should have been at New Russia within a week, hard on the heels of news of their arrival.  It just didn't make sense.

“Or maybe they think they’ve bit off more than they can chew,” Fitzwilliam offered.  “The massed might of humanity is hard to bet against, isn't it?”

Ted shrugged.  Interstellar carriers were an expensive investment, but once the industrial base for building them had been completed the costs tended to fall.  There was no reason why the aliens couldn’t have ten carriers for every one of humanity’s – or far more.  He gritted his teeth, wishing – yet again – that they knew something about their foe.  All they really knew for sure was that the aliens were hostile.

“That isn't our concern,” he said, finally.  “Unless anyone has any strong objections, I intend to inform the Admiralty that Ark Royal will be ready for deployment at the end of the week.”

No one objected, although he saw a handful of concerned expressions.  He couldn't really blame them.  Ark Royal had been sitting in the reserves for so long that she might well have problems that wouldn't become apparent until she was fully powered up.  But the sooner they found out, the sooner such problems could be overcome.

Farley smiled.  “Has there been any word on deployments?”

“Nothing so far,” Ted said.  “We may be assigned to the unified defence fleet – or we may find ourselves assigned to serve as an independent raider and head behind enemy lines.”

“That would be interesting,” Fitzwilliam observed.  “But we don’t know where to go.”

“We’ll find out,” Ted assured him.  “The scouts are already searching for enemy territory.”