“How did they make it all the way back?”

The Icarus had been in a holding orbit for the last four days, slowly flying around New Sierra while waiting for the flight with the higher priority to arrive. It turned out Accari had been correct about which ships would be incoming, but the condition of those ships was a total shock.

The Amsterdam, a true battleship and the Fleet’s mightiest warship, limped by, flying underneath the Icarus on her way to one of the enclosed docks. The hull was scorched and blackened in places and she was streaming atmosphere from no less than twenty gaping rents in the hull. Most noticeably, however, was that one of the two massive outriggers that flanked the main hull and housed the main engines and sensors was missing. The pylons, also streaming atmosphere and sparking occasionally, looked like they were deformed as if melted.

“I wonder who did this,” Celesta said as she stood near the main display and took it all in. “Our new friends, our new enemies, or has the ESA decided now would be a good time to expand their territory.”

“The ESA doesn’t field a ship that can take on a Dreadnought-class battleship,” Barrett said.

“That we know of,” Celesta corrected.

“Captain, Admiral Marcum requests your presence on the New Sierra Platform in … six hours,” Ellison called out, checking the difference between ship’s time and that of New Sierra. “He’d like you to take a shuttle; the Icarus isn’t being given clearance to dock.”

“Confirmed, ma’am,” Accari said. “I’ve just been given a request that we vacate our current orbit after you depart. The Icarus is to join a holding formation over DeLonges.”

“This should be interesting,” Celesta said. “Ensign Accari, have Flight OPS prep a shuttle. After that, get your relief up here and get yourself packed, you’re coming with me. Be quick about it because you’re also going down to CIC to sign out a secure tile with all of our logs and intel packages on it.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She turned to her XO. “Commander Barrett, while I would like you there as well I think you realize that you’re going to have to stay in command of the Icarus while I’m gone.”

“Of course, Captain,” Barrett nodded.

****

“While I normally like to work big to small, let me take the opportunity to make an official announcement regarding our elected government.” Admiral Marcum walked in, beginning his comments before he was even through the door. Celesta rose with the others and noted that the admiral looked a little worse for wear and was even sporting a few bandages on his head.