“Absurd.” Celesta scoffed at the idea the AU was blaming Wolfe for actions they had perpetrated. “But the point is well taken. This could be a threat or a warning that we’re not able to fully comprehend due to being closed off from what’s happening on ESA worlds.” She was becoming more comfortable now that it was apparent that this was humans playing games and nothing more. Even if there was an ESA fleet sitting near Xi’an they’d be able to simply fly the perimeter of the system and transition out before anyone was close enough to do something foolish.

“I wish there was more, but that’s the long and short of it,” Uba said. “I’ll have the raw data from our limited recon flights transmitted to each of your ships immediately.”

“Thank you, Agent Uba.” Celesta stood and began to pace behind the conference table, the camera on the wall automatically tracking her movements and keeping her in the center of the frame. “I would ask each of you to review the data thoroughly, and if there are any questions or concerns contact the Icarus before we reach our jump point. In light of the brief I am bumping formation’s movement up five hours. Be ready to begin transition acceleration seven hours from now. If there’s nothing else?” She left the question hanging in the air, directing her gaze to each of her fellow captains for a second. “Very well,” she nodded. “Dismissed. Icarus out.”

“Channel closed and secured, ma’am,” Ellison said. She’d brought her bridge com officer to run the equipment during the conference since he’d already been privy to all the com calls coming in from the Prowler.

“I had better not learn of any scuttlebutt on the lower decks about Confederate ships appearing in the Xi’an System, Mr. Ellison,” Celesta said sternly.

“No, ma’am,” Ellison agreed. “Unless you need me further, Captain?”

“You’re dismissed, Lieutenant,” she said. Ellison spun smartly and unlocked the conference room hatch before escaping his captain’s steely gaze. Her warning hadn’t been just idle fretting on her part; the rumor mill on every starship seemed to plod along with an almost comforting regularity, but recently it had shifted into high gear aboard the Icarus. The phenomenon seemed to really gain some steam about two weeks after Ellison had reported aboard. Her command style required that she have a bit more proof, however, before accusing one of her officers of disseminating classified information.