He tapped a switch, activating the star chart.  “We are still studying the records, of course, but it seems to me that the aliens managed to jump over nine light years to New Russia, judging by their appearance.  If this is the case, they have a major advantage over us.  In particular, they will be able to avoid all of our blocking forces and reach Earth directly.”

Ted nodded.  Earth possessed over seventy percent of humanity’s industrial base, population and fixed defences.  It wouldn't go down easily, but if Sol were to be lost the human race might as well set off and try to escape in a ragtag fleet of starships, hoping they could evade the enemy long enough to rebuild and return to restart the war.  But the odds would be against a successful escape.

“I believe that the aliens will attempt to jump here” – the First Space Lord tapped another star – “and use it as a waypoint on their road to Earth.  There’s nothing there, apart from a handful of tiny mining stations and independent settlements.  The aliens will have no trouble destroying them – or simply ignoring the settlers completely.  I want Ark Royal in position to intercept the enemy fleet.”

“And then ... what?”  Ted asked.  “We would be massively outgunned.”

“Delay them, force them back on their heels,” the First Space Lord said, grimly.  “Their carriers don’t appear to be any stronger than ours – and you have mass drivers and other projectile weapons.  I intend to attach a squadron of missile frigates too, once they’re worked up and ready for deployment.  If you can give them a bloody nose ...”

Ted saw the logic, even though it still seemed chancy.  It might well be a suicide mission, yet he could understand why the First Space Lord would want to keep the fighting as far from Earth as possible.  Between the political shockwaves and the panic that was likely to result, once the news finally broke, Earth would be in no state to defend itself.

Commander Fitzwilliam studied the map for a long moment.  “What happened to New Russia?”

“We don’t know,” the First Space Lord confessed.  “But we’re not optimistic.”

“They might have wiped out most of the population,” Ted said, softly.  New Russia wasn't anything like as developed as Earth, but it would still be easy for the aliens to wipe out the settlements from orbit.  “Or they might have destroyed the orbital defences and moved onwards.”

“We don’t know,” the First Space Lord repeated.

He looked up, meeting Smith’s eyes.  “I confess I had my doubts about Ark Royal,” he admitted, keeping his voice so quiet that Smith had to strain to hear him.  “The ship seemed a waste of resources, nothing more than a dumping ground for crew we couldn't be bothered to sack.  Now ... she might be our salvation.”