Standing firm within the Keeper of Abassid's CIC, Admiral Clegg watched as the unidentified ship began it's retreat. The Admiral rested his hands on the console in front of him, and focused his attention on a readout of the planet below.
"Recall the strike, and log that ship's profile into the data registry, if it surfaces again, make sure it's seized and it's crew interrogated." The Admiral remarked, he was ready to move to the next phase of the order.
"The Intelligence Director will be here soon, we're to move into formation." The Admiral added, before he keyed up a wideband communication, with a hint of trepidation, he reached down to pick up the communications reciever.
The Command Carrier would broadcast a powerful transmission to every radio receiver on the planet.
"Attention Citizens of Sky's Edge, this is Admiral Clegg, commander of the fleet currently holding position above your planet. I have recieved word, of a rebellion festering within the bowels of your planet. It has thus hencefourth been decreed by the Emperor, that this rebellion, and all those who aid, and give comfort are named enemies of the Empire. The Consequences of your actions will be most severe. Therefore I implore you, if you are party to this rebellion to reveal yourselves and surrender. You have exactly one centar to comply."
Manipulating the holographic display, Clegg turned to his Executive officer.
"Start the clock."
A holographic clock flickered into view, and began counting down.
"Move the fleet into line formation, low orbit." The Admiral continued.
With an incredulous expression on his face, the XO turned to face the Admiral. "Sir? Are we about to do what I think we're about to do?"
With a heavy look of regret on his face, the Admiral nodded.
"We cannot spare the resources for a protracted conflict with rebels, therefore I've been instructed to glass the planet if the rebels do not surrender. Orders that only the Intelligence Director, the Emperor, and the Quorum can rescind."
The XO frowned, the Chain that binds was clear, and the man knew the stakes.
With a grim expression, the Admiral turned to his XO, and spoke.
"It is a sign of strength to cry out against fate, rather to bow one's head, and succumb. Inevitably many shall fault the hands upon the sword which felled sky's edge, this fleet. But this navy merely performs the duties of it's office. To further fear them is redundant, to hate them, heretical.
Those more sensible will place responsibility with those who forced the hands of the Emperor. With some fortune, they may foster this hatred into purpose, and further rule their own fate by coming into the Emperor's service."
Turning to face the screen, he stared outwards, and clasped his hands behind his back.
---
Slowly, the Aschen fleet began to move, it was moving from it's position in high orbit, to a lower orbit, cruisers moving into a long line that stretched thousands of miles, side by side, they were supported by escorting frigates, and the Keeper of Abassid which maintained a middle orbit, to those familiar with Aschen doctrine, the formation was easily recognizable.
The clock continued to tick.