105 Interlude 3 Suki

"Captain Suki, We have just detected something on the long-range scanners" I'll never get used to having so many people reporting to me. Even when I was in charge of the Kiyoshi Warriors the command structure was never this strict. Outside of organizing patrols and practices the warriors would be fine without any extra instruction. Now, it's like my crew can't even eat without me telling them what to cook. That might be a bad example because I do tell them what to cook and eat. Last time I let them pick themselves we were stuck eating nothing but nutri-dextro-paste for months before we got more ration credits.

"Has the rest of the Flotilla detected it?"

"No Captain, the Kiyoshi has the best long-range scanners in the fleet."

"Keep an eye on it, and let the rest of the flotilla know that we've detected something"

"Yes Captain "

"Attention all crew aboard the Kyoshi, we are now on high alert. Return to and man your assigned stations." I announce over the ship-wide intercom keeping my voice calm to minimize any panic.

I tensely waited for more information on the mysterious readings. The Flotilla responded and told us we were the only ship detecting the anomaly, but to keep them updated.

"Captain, we have multiple contacts showing on the long-range scanner. They're the same type as the first signal."

"Any updates from the Flotilla?"

"The Flotilla..."

"Captain the signals just increased in speed they'll soon be within visual." Another of my helmsmen interrupted.

"Pass the readings back to Flotilla Command. Breakaway formation. Begin moving to engage." I order.

When without warning the ship lurches dangerously throwing the unprepared all over the ship.

"The anomalies are advanced stealth ships"

"Return fire. Begin evasive maneuvers falling toward the Flotilla. Alert all ships incoming attack"

Returning to the Flotilla cost the Kiyoshi most of its remaining shields, but was able to do little to slow the surprise attack. However, the early warning proved a large enough advantage for the Flotilla to capitalize on. They quickly scrambled the defense fleet and mobilized to intercept the attack.

The defense fleet proved too much for the small stealth force. Even with the edge in technology, the sheer scale of the defense fleet made attacking the Flotilla directly a dangerous proposition. Without the element of surprise, the ambush lost any chance of a victory where they survive the battle.

After the first few attacking ships fell, they started to resort to more desperate tactics. Namely suicide bombings. As the attacking ships got destroyed they detonated with a large blast. The same happened upon collisions.

"Captain! A derelict ship has made it past the defensive blockade! It's on a collision course with a liveship 2!"

Shit. Alright, I'm not letting that happen.

"Attention Crew Begin evacuation procedures! That includes all bridge personnel!" I announce to the ship. Sending the crew scurrying toward the cargo bay drop ships and escape pods. My bridge officers leave just moments later following everyone else to the cargo bay. I stay for a moment connecting ship controls to my Omni-tool. With my ship control link established I found myself an unoccupied escape pod and took it.

Gently floating through space gives me the perfect view of all the chaos. The Flotilla ships in unrest after being attacked. The ships in the know trying to protect the liveship. The defense fleet that went out to meet the attack now rushing back trying to fix the mistake they let slip. The lone drifting ship that threatens the lives of millions if quarians. Then finally the Kiyoshi launching ships and escape pods as quick as it can.

Watching my Omni-tool as it monitors evacuation progress, I begin to program an intercept course. It can't directly collide with the incoming ship without risking it will detonate. Instead, the Kiyoshi will gently impact and guide the ship away from the liveship. It will meet it at a gentle angle to minimize the force of the collision.

The Kiyoshi jerks as I input the new path. Just as the last people evacuate the ship rushes directly toward legal peril. I have to consciously relax as I realize just how uneasy I am waiting and watching. The moment of truth comes as the Kiyoshi scrapes under the incoming ship. As it does they both changed course away from the Flotilla. I wait with held breath. Knowing that any moment this could quite literally blow up in my face.

A fate I joyfully evaded. Both ships continued on and away from the fleet. With the conflict over my body fully relaxes into the cramped escape pod I will now occupy for the foreseeable future.

That much alone time waiting to pick up did give me ample time to think. Especially about the attack. How lucky we are that it turned out so well. How lucky we are that my ship just so happened to pick up the ship signatures. Wonder how my ship was the only one to pick them. Why would that be the case? Who would that benefit? Certainly not me. It makes me look like a Captain who craves glory enough I'll stage an attack.

This is the best outcome if I hadn't saved the liveship the flotilla would have been crippled and I would be ostracized as a failure and maybe a traitor. Whoever planned this attack wanted me to look bad. They wanted people to think I'm a traitor. Even if a drawback is helping it still means someone in the Flotilla is working against me. That means there is a real traitor, and if they think they can just set me up like that they have another thing coming.