Snippet #2041188

Salient Control, Rapier 338, hostiles are no-factor. Do you want me to maintain a patrol until the civies get their escort or head back to the barn?

"Rapier 338, this is Salient, the field is clear of hostiles, yeh might as well spin around and head back, Salient out." Hansen closed the channel, but not before they received a transmission coming from the Summerwind.

Salient this is Summerwind. First, thanks for sticking around. Second, to answer your inquiry an encrypted communique is being sent. Acknowledge receipt. Any follow up questions should be sent in the same way. Summerwind, out.

The Admiral turned to Hansen, who gave him a nod of approval after the encrypted message had arrived.

"Summerwind, this is Salient, we received your transmission. Salient, out." Aronimus turned once more to the petty officer who began to decode the encryption.

"Aye, Captain, they're carryin' Duilium as the cargo," the Admiral's eyes narrowed, now it made complete sense.

"700,000 tons of it sir! Aye, that be worth trillions on the market," Hansen was mystified at the quantity that was given.

"Calm down Mr. Hansen," Aronimus was similarly surprised as to why only two pirate frigates attempted to raid the freighters.

Normally, quantities that ranged over 250,000 tons would attract a larger contingent of pirate ships. Yet, there were only two frigates and around three dozen fighters to harass the vessels, granted that the escorts were only five gunships, but even then a cargo of this magnitude was enough to bankroll a small scale war effort. Marauders would be more than ready to swarm two freighters with a meager wing of escorts. Another oddity was the fact that the pirates had withdrawn so readily, leaving behind their two frigates. All of these details didn't seem to add up to Aronimus.

"Mr. Hansen keep your eye on the monitors in case any more hostiles show their faces,"

"Aye sir," Hansen saluted the Admiral.

"Tau, keep the weapon systems online as well," lines of worry began to appear on the Admiral's forehead.