“Coming about to pursue, but they’re completely out of position, ma’am,” Accari said. “None will be able to close within weapons range given our current profile on that class of ship.”

“Very well. Deploy the warp drive and tell Engineering to prepare for transition,” Celesta ordered. “Helm, we’re going to maintain acceleration and then decel just before we line up on our jump point.”

“Acknowledged, Captain,” the helmsman said.

“Nav, verify course and speed,” Celesta said. “OPS, prepare the Icarus to depart this damn—”

“New contact! Dead aft, two ships just appeared,” Adler said.

“Did two of the flanking cruisers jump in?” Celesta asked.

“Negative. Radar profile indicates these are two Ushin ships, same configurations as the two that appeared in-system earlier,” Adler said. “They’re now accelerating to close the gap.”

“How long until we transition out versus the time until they’re within assumed weapons range?” Celesta asked.

“Currently five hours from transition, ma’am,” the nav specialist said. “That’s including decel maneuver.”

“Assuming comparable weaponry to the Darshik and that they’re at maximum acceleration, they’ll not close to within weapons range until we slow for transition, Captain,” Accari said. “We could outrun them if we push the engines to flank.”

“But then we’ll have to shed off even more speed as we near the jump point.” Celesta shook her head. “Maintain speed and heading. Tactical, target both Ushin ships with the aft tubes, one Shrike each. Coms, open a channel to our allies.”

“Broadcasting on last known Ushin channel, ma’am,” Ellison said.

“Attention pursuing Ushin vessels, this is Captain Wright aboard the Terran warship, Icarus,” Celesta said. “Break off pursuit and allow us to leave this system. We have already reported your actions to our leadership … there is nothing to be gained by further antagonizing this ship.”

“We cannot give you leave,” an artificial voice replied back almost immediately. “Agreements made must be honored.” Celesta looked at Barrett in confusion and her XO in turn only shrugged.

“How do you honor your agreement by betraying us and assisting the Darshik?” she asked, not really sure the translation on their side would be up to breaking down what she was asking.

“A demand has been made. We must comply. Humanity will be made to suffer,” the voice said before the intercom chirped to indicate the channel had been closed. Ellison shook his head, indicating that it hadn’t been him that terminated the conversation.

“At least we have a bit more of a coherent threat,” Barrett said. “I have to believe that in the absence of any senior leadership or guidance from the diplomatic corps that we must now consider the Ushin to be an equal threat to the Darshik.”