UGT (Unified Galactic Time): 15th Revol (July) 280 a.G.A. (after Galactic Armistace) / 9:21 a.m.

  Location: ASF Destroyer Aurora, Eisenfall system (red dwarf), (Outer-)Noran Principality, Kingdom of Ferron, Milky Way

  With a slight shudder, the ASF Aurora once again left hyperspace, with measured grace, her mass rippling through the void. The SHF fleet followed in disciplined intervals, keeping an orderly battle formation. I stood on the Bridge, hands clasped behind my back, eyes moving from one holographic display to the next. As always everything seemed to be in order and by now, I could say with certainty that entering and leaving hyperspace had turned into routine.

  Well, to be fair, the entry into the Eisenfall system wasn't entirely standard. Just like in the Grenzmark-Heiligenwacht system, the initial scans revealed nothing. No patrols, no civilian traffic and no communication to intercept, not even from the supposedly inhabited planet within the system. And there was no Ferron fleet or Admiral von Kr?henfels around either. After what had happened in Grenzmark Heiligenwacht that was... more disturbing to me than I wanted to admit.

  "Fen," I said quietly, "confirm the system status. I want deeper scans as well and note truly anything that might be of even the slightest importance. And also, things that are suspiciously unassuming. I do not want a repeat of last time, got it?"

  [ Confirmed, Captain. As you already noticed, preliminary checks showed nothing at all. With every second within the system, we gain more information, but as of now it truly seems like Ferron abandoned the system altogether, leaving truly no one behind. Scans of the supposedly inhabited planet show that truly everything is shut down there as well. It seems like Ferron didn't outright destroy anything, but they shut everything down and then left. ]

  "Any idea on how long this system must've been abandoned already?" I continued asking. The Ferron fleet's advantage in time wasn't all that big to ours. Without a doubt Admiral von Kr?henfels had already ordered the system to be evacuated weeks ago, but the fleet itself, the very thing they wanted to destroy, couldn't have been gone for long.

  [ The hyperspace residue we pick up suggests that the last organized departure must've occurred between six and nine hours ago. It is likely that this is the Ferron fleet under Admiral von Kr?henfels instead of civilian transports that ran late. Though it could also be both. ]

  I exhaled through my nose before stepping closer to the main holographic display on the Bridge which showcased the entirety of the Eisenfall system. It was relatively barebones and worthless. Little in local industry that actually held importance, a few space shipyards around their colony, and a few processing stations on various moons. All in all, it was quite obvious what Admiral von Kr?henfels had done.

  "So he continues our little game of giving chase," I mused idly. "The system is worthless to Ferron, at least in the pure resource output. Something Admiral von Kr?henfels is more than willing to trade us in exchange for time. And it's unlikely he managed to set up any traps either. That would probably need some of his ships within the system to even stand the slightest of chances."

  [ That is likely correct. His fleet must've passed through the system without stopping after Feron had already shut down all operations here. He is smart enough to not try defending this barebones system without anything of note or value in it. ]

  I let my gaze drift to the holographic tactical overlay. Once again Admiral von Kr?henfels was inviting them to open pursuit and there was only a single direction to take this time. Assuming they didn't turn around of course, which would be unacceptable. Admiral von Kr?henfels knew exactly what he promised himself from having the SHF fleet trail him. But what Ferron as a whole didn't quite know yet... the ASF Aurora had a few more aces up their sleeve if push came to shove.

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  Right now, they knew exactly where the Ferron fleet was and where it would leave hyperspace. And they also knew that Ferron had no other fleet in the area except the Ferron home fleet which was unlikely to move much. That was an advantage that simply hadn't existed in the Inner-Noran enclave where they had little idea of the Association fleet's actual location. But right now an opportunity lay before me, and I felt the urge to grab it.

  "Fen... What's the SHF status?" I asked slowly.

  [ All of their ships are operational, though minor repairs are obviously still ongoing on some ships. But it's nothing affecting their combat capability. Their fleet cohesion is obviously perfect, as we would expect from Admiral Thorrison. What are you playing at May? ]

  With a sigh I looked up at the ceiling. "With our jump drives we are significantly faster than the SHF or Admiral von Kr?henfels. We could jump ahead, cut off their fleet at the next exit point of the hyper lane and destroy his fleet in its entirety in one decisive strike. Though it would mean leaving Admiral Thorrison to fend for himself for a few days. Not that I think that would be a particular problem."

  Right now, I had the ability to strike while the enemy’s back was turned. We had them, right here and now. With no Ferron support incoming that would probably be it. A decisive engagement that would shatter all of Admiral von Kr?henfels' plans.

  [ Striking such a sizeable Ferron fleet with just the ASF Aurora could prove to be a significant risk though. It would not be a clean or cheap win. The ASF Aurora would take damage in the process, even if we opened up the southern Ferron front with that move. The consequences, especially with it being unlikely that truly no one would get away to inform Ferron, could be catastrophic. ]

  I almost smiled. "You're right with that of course. Our entire First Federation gig would most likely be blown, or at the very least massively strained."

  The ASF Aurora was not meant to be revealed like that. It was not just First Federation technology like everyone believed. It was Aetherian technology. And that meant the ceiling of our capabilities was higher than we made everyone believe. Not necessarily in combat strength, for we had already been forced to go all out there, but in regards to everything else? Neither Ferron, the Association, nor the SHF knew we had jump technology on an entirely different level than anything they knew of.

  It was not just that of course. We would also, as Fen had said, most certainly take damage to the ASF Aurora itself, even if we utterly dominated and won the engagement. I always had to remind myself that the Ferron home fleet, most likely reinforced by the Association as well, was still out there. Another enemy that would have to be challenged soon. If the ASF Aurora took damage now or if I truly showed my entire hand to throw down the board, it could easily turn the fight for the Ferron home system into a slaughter of the ASF Aurora and the SHF fleet. Being underestimated was still their biggest strength right now.

  "Fen," I said softly, "if the ASF Aurora truly engages Admiral von Kr?henfels and his fleet alone and win, what damages would we realistically take?" And for once Fen didn't answer immediately.

  [ ...Most likely 15% of our combat capability. Too much if we want to challenge the Ferron home fleet soon after. And should we somehow lose, however unlikely that is, we would lose everything. The risk is too great May. ]

  With another sigh I nodded. After all Fen was right. The ASF Aurora could do many things, but she could decidedly not be replaced. And the price for my planned gamble would simply be too high. I could not take that risk in good faith. Not this time and not after what had already happened.

  I straightened slowly and turned back to the Bridge. "Signal the SHF," I said. "The system is to be secured. Begin consolidation. No pursuit orders for now."

  [ As you command Captain. And May... I think you made the right choice. ]

  "Still, should Admiral von Kr?henfels run all the way to the Ferron homeworld, I will intercept them. I cannot let him merge with the Ferron home fleet, no matter the cost. But I believe it is unlikely he will do that. Admiral von Kr?henfels is not some disposable border admiral. He's the heir to a duke and his house is woven into the fabric of Ferron power and politics. Every system he abandons is not just a military concession, but a political wound. Especially seeing how he abandons territory that belongs to his own father."

  [ You are likely correct with that as well. If he goes too far, he will probably disgrace himself beyond repair and you are likely correct in your assumption that he's too ambitious for that. We will probably meet him in an actual battle earlier than that and, most importantly, separate from the Ferron home fleet. ]

  "Exactly," I said with a slight grin. "And when the time comes, I will be ready. He surprised me once, but that won't happen again. When the time comes, he will find out just how outclassed he is in a straight up-front battle."