The Patriarch Falls, Pt 1
Planet FXP-04, Copernicus System, Federal Outer Systems
A whole fleet of ships flashed in at the beacon high above Federal eXperimental Planet number four. Two of them were heavy cargo cruisers, and their company’s logo was painted in bright colors along the side.
All around them was their hired protection, frigates and fighters and corvettes and mecha.
The convoy’s captain - the one inside the lead cargo cruiser - hailed the Naval ships that sat a thousand meters above them. Up there was a cruiser with a three-destroyer escort. Two wings of fighters also flew around and patrolled.
Their thick armor was complemented by their massive guns.
“Federation Security,” he told them, “this is Convoy Zeta-Phi-Niner-Four, seeking permission to enter the orbital station above Foxtrot-Xray-Papa-Zero-Four, over.”
“Received, Zeta-Phi-Niner-Four,” replied a security officer. “Please stand by.”