Khan’s Office, Clan Hall
Phillip Drummond City, New Barcella
Nova Cat’s Den, Periphery
1st October 3105
Khan Canin Rosse’s office was not a large or extravagant room but it served its purpose as a work space for the Khan while he was on New Barcella. He tried to spend as little time here since Yvonne’s passing but as Khan he had to come to the planet every now and then. Today was one of those days and he didn’t have to wait long to see the results the door opened and in walked saKhan Katrine Devalis. She was dressed in the Nova Cat leathers with the addition of a cloak lined in Nova Cat fur the cloak was a recent fad that was passing through the warrior caste and was more frequently in the Nova Cat Touman.
“Did your other saKhans enjoy a summons to the Khan’s office?” Katrine asked stopping short of his desk the younger woman taking a seat on a chair in front of him.
“Neg, but they did so with honour and grace” he said watching her reaction to his verbal barb “I did not realize that you had taken to wearing that” he said looking at the cloak which was draped over the chair.
“It was made by one of my warriors I honour his work by wearing it”
“Indeed” Canin said sitting back in his chair.
“It is not against regulations I do not see the harm quineg?”
“Neg” Canin admitted “it is just new.” He said standing from his chair “speaking of new things it is the reason for your ‘summons’” he said using her term for his request.
“I gathered that” she barely looked interested in what he had to say her lack of respect angered the Khan but he refused to bite to her tempting.
“I want our senior leadership to undertake a Vision Quest” he said seeing her suddenly sit up and take notice. “It is important to me that our Clan remembers its traditions even as it embraces new ones.” He said looking again at the cloak.
“I will ensure that all of our Galaxy Commanders are aware” she said almost jumping to her feet turning towards the door.
“That includes you.” Canin said watching her stop dead in her tracks turning slowly “I have never heard of you taking a quest.”
“I did once” she admitted “in 3091 shortly after your son’s death.” She explained the mention of Grayson Rosse pained the Khan but he suppressed the thought of it quickly refocusing on his saKhan’s back. “I thought the passing of my rival would spur a vision but it did not.” She said turning to face him.
“And you have never tried again?”
“Neg”
“But you continue to collect vineers quiaff?”
“Aff it is our tradition”
“As is visions” the Khan said
“You have enough of them for the both of us” she said referring to his multiple visions as she turned back towards the doors “I will look after our Touman you look after our visions.” She said taking another step.
“Neg!” Canin snapped “you will undertake a Rite of Vision”
“Aff I will once the Oathmaster returns from Tukayyid” she said nodding her agreement by then she hoped to be deep inside the Taurian Concordat causing trouble for their periphery neighbour.
“Neg you will do so now”
“I have no guide” she said beginning her defence but the Khan silently replied by spreading his arms “you?”
“As you said I have had plenty visions it is time I pass on that experience.”
“I was planning on leaving on a raid”
“It can wait.” The senior Khan said making it clear that his decision was made. “We leave tomorrow morning.”
“For where?”
“This continents mountain plains one of the few places our Clan has not touched in some way. There we will begin.”
Rite of Vision
Northern Mountains, New Barcella
Nova Cat’s Den, Periphery
4th October 3105
From New Barcella City the Khan and saKhan had been carried to the foot of one of the continents smaller mountains and there they had begun their ascent. The climb was not easy but then it wasn’t a great challenge for either of the warriors instead they soon reached a grassy plateau that overlooked the planets open plains and forests of New Barcella in the far distance Phillip Drummond City and the seaborne Borealis Facility glistened in the night. “This is the place?” Katrine Devalis asked looking around but not all that impressed.
“What do you think?” Canin Rosse asked remaining passive to the area allowing her to decide.
“It is fine” she said dumping her travel pack “we should set camp.”
“Neg, set a fire, we begin now”
“I have not slept properly in days” she complained
“Exactly continue” he said. Soon after Canin Rosse sat alongside her while Katrine looked into the flames. Slowly the saKhan sacrificed her vineers, souvenirs of her time as a Nova Cat warrior; Canin remained silent staring into the fire hoping to see something in the flames despite it being Katrine’s Rite of Vision.
For Katrine Devalis part she did not see the point of this her spirituality had never been a large part of her career she’d managed without one until now and risen to the second highest point in Clan Nova Cat. As she thought of her career a nova cat stepped out of of the darkness and snarled at her Canin Rosse did not react instead he continued to stare into the flames. The nova cat walked slowly around them she could feel it as the animal moved around her back she knew at any moment its poisonous mane could touch her back and she’d be on the ground defenceless. The nova cat continued around until it was facing her Khan and then in a moment it lept towards him Katrine jumped up to the Khan’s defence feeling the fire against her body as she leaned over it. Suddenly the Khan appeared to be standing beside her his hands on her arm where she had felt the fire “know your enemy” he said before he faded back to darkness.
“What the hell is this” she said out loud she felt sweat running down her body and she knew she was still in front of their camp fire but the Khan was gone the nova cat reappeared beside her and snarled before leaping into the darkness Katrine looked at the fire for a moment before following the cat.
The nova cat had quite a lead on Katrine but it wasn’t trying to get away from her suddenly another nova cat jumped out at the first one. The two cats circled each other for several moments each taking a swipe at each other the mountain beside them fell away revealing a huge chasm. The two nova cats continued to circle and and fight each other before they stopped and faced each other ‘her’ nova cat suddenly jumped into the darkness. “NO!” Katrine screamed leaping to the cat’s defence quickly following it over the edge.
Suddenly there was fire all around her and Katrine saw her nova cat dragging itself back to its feet moving around the fire as if on the hunt. From the sand a snake appeared hissing at the nova cat as it jumped through the air its mane standing on air its claws ready to strike a bird swooped down knocking the cat to the side defending the snake. Katrine tried to step between the bird and the injured cat but she couldn’t move as the flames intensified. The nova cat’s spirit seemed to rise from the animal ignoring the serpent and striking back at the bird knocking it to the side Katrine could see it lying dead in the sand. As the nova cat’s spirit turned towards the snake black wings seemed to grow from its back turning the animal into something new as it turned towards Katrine. Even as she studied the animal something even stranger happened from the cat a spirit figure emerged “what are you doing here?” She asked Grayson Rosse looking like he had before he was killed fighting the Capellans.
“Know your enemy” he said before disappearing into the darkness only to replaced by a snake and then Canin Rosse standing opposite her.
“Katrine!” He called out but Katrine only saw the snake and struck out. Canin Rosse was waiting for her move and easily blocked the blow moments late he blocked her second blow. “Katrine calm yourself” he commanded her instead of responding with a strike he blocked another of her blows. “Katrine!” Canin shouted a warning as he stepped back closer to the edge.
“No” she suddenly said realizing what she was doing “this isn’t right” she said stepping back giving Canin the room he needed “my Khan I apologies” she said remembering both Canin’s and Grayson’s words in her vision ‘know your enemy’ for the first time in a long time she did not see Canin Rosse as her enemy. "What the hell was that?!"
“You encountered a vision” he stated it was not a question he could see it in her eyes the revaluation that had come fro the flames. She simply nodded “you will not understand all the images of your dreams. But in time they will become clear.” He promised her Canin said Katrine began to speak but found her mouth dry instead she reached for a water bottle and drank nearly half of it.
“It was so real” she whispered looking at the Khan. “I felt and smelt it” she said “it was like it all happened in front of my eyes…” she raised her left arm “I was burned” she said looking at the perfectly healthy skin covering her arm “I never realized…” she said looking at the Khan smirking more to herself than him “I saw…”
“Be careful with who you tell of your vision” the Khan said raising his hand to forestall her explanation for a moment “it may be personal to you or it may affect all of our Clan. Who you tell may make a difference to how that person acts in the future.”
“But I must tell someone” Katrine said “and you are my guide…”
“Then I will listen” Canin said sitting back from the fire.
“I saw nova cats fighting” she said piecing the vision together “but then they realized their error and stopped.” She said thinking it over realizing that it could have represented her and the Khan. “Then I saw a serpent ready to strike the nova cat. It turned and replied attacking the serpent knocking it to the side but before it could land a killing blow a bird struck the cat.” She explained “I couldn’t move but the cat was not done it rose to its feet ignoring the ailing serpent it struck down the bird.” She said
“Was that it all?” Canin asked sensing that there may be more to it.
“Aff” she said closing her eyes for a moment instantly seeing the strange cat-bird creature and Grayson Rosse’s face ‘know your enemy’ “there was nothing else.”
“What do you think it means?” Canin asked
“It could mean there are still Serpents out there” she said referring to the Clan based faction “or it could refer to the Combine. A dragon is a type of serpent.”
“And the bird?”
“It could be the Free Worlds League, the Jade Falcons or the Snow Ravens.”
“And given our position what is most likely?” He asked her
“The Ravens” Katrine said “I know what I need to do” she said ‘know your enemy’ “I need to strike the Draconis Combine.”
“And if the Ravens interfere?”
“Then I know my path is the correct one.” Katrine said
“And you said that your nova cat was knocked down and that the cat’s spirit carried the day. Are you willing to follow your vision to death?”
“I am” she admitted for the first time willing to follow a vision, her vision, to death. She closed her eyes for a moment instantly seeing the cat-bird figure and hearing the worlds ‘know your enemy’ she quietly wondered if she’d ever shake the vision from her thoughts.
Thirty-third Star League Games
Solaris City, Solaris VII
Star League Protectorate
14th October 3105
For a second year in a row Clan Wolf dominate the Solaris Games on Solaris VII with several Wolf Tomahawk OmniMechs dominating the games. Star Captain Beckham Kerensky from the 328th Assault Cluster, piloting one of the Tomahawks, fights off challenges from all others to become the new Star League Champion.
Almost as soon as the battle for the Championship is over another riot begins on Solaris. Unlike the previous year Star League Peacekeeper forces and the Clan Wolf unit on planet are ready for the riot. Specially trained units comprised of BattleMechs, combat vehicles and battle amour units are deployed to contain threats before they become to dangerous using overwhelming firepower to intimidate the worse offenders. For less troublesome enemies Constable, PAB-2B Sniper, Tornado and Nighthawk Power Armour suits are deployed by both forces in an attempt to minimize casualties.
Raging Bull (Marathon-class Battle-cruiser)
Summit, Arcturus Theatre
Donegal Province, Lyran Commonwealth
18th October 3105
Despite the Jade Falcon decision to accept the peace with the Lyran Commonwealth the Hell’s Horses were still attempting to pursue their invasion of House Steiner’s realm. Targeting the systems of Kandersteg, Summit and Grundwald the Hell’s Horses had dedicated several of their latest WarShips, DropShips and Horde Clusters to the invasion. Star Commodore Thanos Hovan stood in the command centre of the Raging Bull as they approached the system’s inhabited planet all around Arcadia, Outpost Defender and even two new Ordun-class DropShips moved the two clusters of ground forces towards the planet while the Lola III-class Destroyers Space Hunter and Gold Knight provided perimeter escort the Hell’s Horses forces there was simply too much invested in this assault for them not to be present. There was a radiation surge at the jump point as their JumpShips jumped to the system’s pirate point ensuring no Lyran WarShip would get the jump on their forces. Moments after the JumpShips had jumped there was another series of surges at the jump point “Aft sensors!” Hovan commanded looking at the screens.
“Star Commodore we read five WarShips all bearing Federated Suns markings!” Anabelle reported from the sensor station.
“Federated Suns?” Hovan asked confused “confirm that!” He demanded it must be wrong the Federated Suns was thousands of light years from here.
“Confirmed all five of them they are deploying assault DropShips and turning to face us.”
“Intercept time!” He demanded
“If they use maximum thrust they can intercept us before we reach the planet.” She said confirming what his mental calculations suggested. There were too many Hell’s Horses in this system and they were too badly outgunned by that naval firepower. “Have Gold Knight and Space Hunter fall to the rear of the formation along with our Defenders, Arcadias and Aerospace fighters they will be our screen.” He commanded he knew the decision would not be popular but they did not have a choice even the Raging Bull carried ground forces which couldn’t be risked. “Have the Arcadia’s cargo configured for space combat they are going to be needed.” He said watching the Federated Suns WarShips turn in their direction and accelerate after them. “Helm push our speed, communications inform the JumpShips that when we arrive the Orduns must dock as quickly as possible. We dock what we can and we escape.”
For the next fourteen hours they continued towards the pirate point while the Inner Sphere WarShips continued to chase them down. The Gold Knight and Space Hunter were the first to turn their hulls towards the incoming targets neither of the ships began decelerating, they would wait until the last moment, soon after the Arcadia’s matched their pace as did the Defenders. “Status” Hovan called out as he re-entered the command centre he had tried to sleep but failed.
“Forward combat elements of the Davion fleet have entered weapons range with the Gold Knight and Space Hunter” Misha reported from the weapons station “neither side have scored decisive damage on the other.”
“Both Arcadia’s have begun aggressive deceleration as have the Defenders” Nolan said from the helm “our turn is coming.”
“All hands this is the command centre prepare for aggressive deceleration and combat maneuvers.” Hovan said moving to his own acceleration couch, no-one wanted to be standing when the WarShip began its combat maneuvers. “Weapons as soon as you have a solution fire, don’t wait for my command” he instructed Misha who nodded her understanding.
“Sir, request from ground forces commander, if we get close enough the Horde want to be released to attack the enemy.”
“I will keep that under advisement but make them aware we do not plan on letting them get that close.” He said looking at the clock “helm throw the switch!” He commanded bracing for the maneuver. ‘Throwing the switch’ was a term used on ships to address a space going vessel’s method of rapid deceleration while they could slowly bleed off speed and coast to a stop which was more comfortable, safer and cost less fuel it was also too slow during combat. Instead space going vessels turned their nose against the direction they were travelling and fired their engines at full thrust.
In space the Raging Bull’s nose slowly ‘rose’ as the ship began to pivot along its direction of travel behind the vessel the two Lola III-class Destroyers and four DropShips which had already turned were engaging the Federated Suns forward elements that consisted of two destroyers, half a dozen DropShips and over a hundred aerospace fighters. These units alone would cause the Hell’s Horses forces trouble.
“Sir, Gold Knight is being engaged by capital missiles from the DropShips and both enemy Destroyers are closing range” Misha said “engaging FSS Zibler with naval gauss rifles” she said as the Davion III moved into extreme range. The Raging Bull’s massive Repeating Naval Gauss Rifles opened up on the distant enemy destroyer Hovan was glad to see some hits on the ship but nothing that would seriously worry the Federated Suns vessel as it closed on the Gold Knight.
“Hold it together Mike” Hovan said watching as the contacts closed the FSS Zibler seemed to pass close to the Gold Knight while the FSS Fire Fang which held off at distance. Both Federated Suns Destroyers turned away from the Gold Knight while the Gold Knight continued on its course which now appearing to be a ballistic one. “Status on Gold Knight?”
“We’ve lost communications with her” Misha said looking at her screens “Space Hunter is continuing pursuit” she said as the Space Hunter passed over Gold Knight’s position continuing to fire on the two retreating AFFS Destroyers. Suddenly the Raging Bull’s sensors registered nearly a dozen capital missile hits across the side of the Gold Knight.
“How did they hit them from that range?” Hovan asked more to himself than anything else as he watched the Space Hunter list heavily to her starboard side even as she continued to fire on the FSS Zibler.
“We are reading heavy communication traffic between the Federated Suns ships” Misha reported.
“Nolan pass to all of our DropShips and aerospace fighters to break off and fall back immediately!” Hovan ordered realizing what he was seeing “Space Hunter, this is Raging Bull, the Federated Suns ships are using C3 systems break off your pursuit and make way to join us. We need to engage them all at once to minimize the advantage.” He commanded but the message had been sent too late to make a difference as another volley of capital missiles and naval weapons tore into the second Lola III. The destroyer already damaged took heavy hits along its mid-line and aft sections as capital missiles fired from the two Avalon II-class Cruisers tore open the ship’s hull to space. The Space Hunter continued on its course its thrusters heavily damaged by the hits.
“Sir we are at the jump point” Anabelle said
“Complete deceleration” Hovan ordered keying a switch on his command chair “all hands prepare for immediate docking and jump procedures. Weapons if any of those ships come back into range I want to know immediately” he said looking at the Space Hunter which now had stopped trying to make a turn and instead was continuing to fire on enemy vessels from a now fixed course. “Communications put me on general communication channel.” He said Misha nodded “this is Star Commodore Thanos Hovan of Clan Hell’s Horses commander of the Raging Bull to Federated Suns Flotilla at this time and date I am ordering the commander of the Space Hunter and all aerospace fighters and DropShips unable to rejoin our fleet to surrender. You won this round you won’t win the next.” He said cutting the channel “continue our docking procedures and prepare to jump from the system.” He commanded watching the screens carefully the Space Hunter and other forces too damaged to retreat slowly signaled their surrender as all six Davion WarShips moved closer Hovan prayed that the Federated Suns forces would accept his people and not blast them from space.
Across the system on board the FSS Reinhart Steiner standing in the ship’s command centre Admiral Alexander Duvall smiled on hearing the message from the Horses commander. “Status on the Horses ships Mr Anderson?”
“Sir, the Battle-cruiser and JumpShips are continuing to dock fighters and DropShips. The first Lola III designated Gold Knight is adrift with minimal power. Second Lola III designated Space Hunter is also adrift and signalling surrender. One Outpost-class DropShip is completely destroyed. Second Outpost-class DropShip has shut down engines and is signalling surrender. Two Arcadia-class vessels have powered down and surrendered. There is fighting continuing on the hull of the FSS FSS Zibler between defenders of the ship and a small number of ProtoMechs and Battle Armour troopers. Several aerospace fighters have also surrendered.”
“A nice catch” Duvall noted “direct Fifty-first Strike Wing to the FSS Zibler set a perimeter the Fifty-first are only to engage units they can hit without damaging the FSS Zibler. Captain McLintock can you bring us closer to the FSS Zibler and prepare our marines for a boarding action we’ll convince them to stand down.” He ordered the ship’s commander Captain James McLintock “and sensors continue to monitor the Raging Bull.” He said “Communications I want you to direct the FSS Fire Fang, FSS Melissa Davion II and the FSS Jackson Davion to set up between us and Raging Bull Fire Fang to take operational command while we assist Zibler.” The FSS Reinhart Steiner moved closer to the Destroyer which occasionally rolled along its axis in an attempt to knock the invaders off into space. “Let me talk to them” Duvall commanded the communications officer nodded a moment later. “Hell’s Horses ground forces your commander has commanded your surrender I am willing to accept it, none of you will be harmed and will be accepted as prisoners of war.”
“Neg, you will accept us as Bondsmen or we will die before surrendering to you. Give us a chance to become warriors again.” One of the Horses said from the FSS Zibler’s hull. Admiral Duvall had argued this point before accepting this assignment but his commanders had assured him that the Clansmen would not surrender and that it would not be a problem. He knew the Lyran Commonwealth would want to claim these warriors and their equipment which would probably cause another problem. “And another thing we will be surrendering to you not the Lyrans or the dezgra Wolves. You defeated us in battle not them.” The warrior said as if reading Duvall’s mind. The Admiral thought for several seconds it would be easier for him to deploy his Battle Armour Marine Battalion and wipe them out but he knew that it would see more damage done to the FSS Zibler that they didn’t need not did his command need a reputation for slaughtering those who could have surrendered.
“Screw it” he said signalling to the communications officer “Hell’s Horses I am Admiral Alexander Duvall I will accept your surrender as Bondsmen to the Federated Suns. You will be put on-board a Transport DropShip and taken along with your equipment to the Federated Suns where, if you prove your loyalty, you may become warriors in the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns.” He said cutting the link on the screen several units immediately signaled their surrender while others soon followed suit. Captain McLintock crossed over standing beside him.
“Sir, the Lyrans are going to go nuts at this…” he noted Duvall nodded “there are ProtoMechs out there we don’t have a clue where to start maintaining them while the Lyrans could use the tech to help rebuild some of their units. Not to mention the DropShips and Lola III.”
“I know” Duvall snapped worse than he’d meant to “sorry Jim” he said a moment later catching himself “I wasn’t going to wipe them out. We will make do this time and the next time we will be prepared.” He said “the Lyrans can be happy with the Gold Knight” he noted.
“She’s a wreck” McLintock said looking at the screens “if the jump drive isn’t damaged they might be able to make her airtight and jump her to Alarion or the Ruins.” He said as he looked over the ship the Lola would probably need years of repairs to get her back operational. The Space Hunter would probably need the same although the damage to the ship was concentrated at the rear of the ship and might be easier to repair.
“Captain, prepare boarding teams to go on board the Space Hunter and the DropShips and secure them minimal armaments these people have surrendered to us. Have any surrendered Aerospace Fighters dock with their motherships or in absence of those craft dock with one of our carrier DropShips. I also want an update from the FSS Zibler and FSS Fire Fang on their damage and estimated repair times.” He commanded the younger man turning operational command over to the WarShip’s commander. “I’m going to try and draft a report to the First Prince and the Lyran Archon.” He said heading for the Command Centre’s exit hearing the WarShip’s commander wish him luck as he left.
Subtlety (McKenna-class Battleship)
Nadir Point, Outreach
Star League Protectorate
22nd October 3105
The Subtlety entered the Outreach system’s Nadir Point with a flash of light arriving in the point at the outer edge of the jump area. “We are being challenged by the Athena” Veronica Wilson said looking at Captain Leroy-Dietrich.
“Put it up” he said
“This is the Wolf’s Dragoons WarShip Athena to unidenfitied McKenna-class vessel. Identify yourself or prepare to be subject to defensive fire.” Leroy-Dietrich nodded to Wilson who activated their transceiver system.
“This is Captain William Leroy-Dietrich of the Subtlety my ship has no business with Outreach but I wish to travel to the planet for personal business.” He said clearing his throat.
“Outreach is under the protection of the Wolf’s Dragoons all trade must be done through the Dragoons or the Star League Defence Force.” The Athena’s communications person replied “any mercenary business must go through the Wolf’s Dragoons.”
“I am a son of Outreach my business is my own, son, now I want clearance for a single DropShip to travel to the planet’s surface then I and a small party will depart the DropShip and see to some personal business and then we will leave Outreach.” Leroy-Dietrich said the line abruptly closed off and was silent for several minutes.
“Subtlety a single DropShip is authorized to travel to the planet” the Athena’s officer said.
Four days later the Subtlety’s Leopard-class DropShip arrived at Outreach and was escorted to the planet by Wolf’s Dragoons aerospace fighters. Ever since the ‘Riot of 3067’ the Wolf’s Dragoons had limited access to the world in an effort to protect its population but it had also slowed their rebuilding of the planet. Even with Star League Protectorate membership Outreach still bore the marks of the battle that claimed the life of General Jamie Wolf. As the ground car left the Leopard Captain William Leroy-Dietrich thought about when he’d first chosen to become a mercenary he’d grown up with stories of the Wolf’s Dragoons victories and watched as the Regiments prepared for battle there was nothing the Dragoons could not do but joining the famed mercenary band was never part of his plan. Instead Leroy-Dietrich had always wanted to join a small company and head into the periphery exploring the great unknown beyond the Inner Sphere before he had left he’d met her, Lorna Raphael-Ferguson, the lady of his dreams. A pilot like him they’d battled their way through the training centres on and around Outreach and within six months they had been married joined the same mercenary command, the Fifteenth Exploration Squadron, and headed into the periphery. They’d been happy for nearly ten years exploring the periphery looking for hidden Rim Worlds Republic bases before Lorna’s fighter had experienced a problem on a search patrol. For nearly an hour he had listened to her fighter slowly die around her as it fell into the atmosphere of a gas giant and there was nothing he could do about it. Orbiting over the planet William Leroy-Dietrich had been tempted to roll his fighter and dive into the atmosphere and follow her but he knew that Lorna would have never forgiven him for such an act.
Looking across at America Park today he was glad he hadn’t dove his fighter into the gas giant that day but returning to Outreach had brought it all back. Slowly the car moved through the City of Harlech until it reached the ruined MRBC Headquarters, the place that he and Lorna had met, William Leroy-Dietrich followed by America Park stepped out of the car and looked at the ruined building. “They’ve let the place go to hell” he said looking at the ruins they were taped off by the Dragoons and they looked like they had not been worked on for years.
“I’m surprised the Dragoons have let it lay like this” America said looking at the massive building that was left to ruin.
“It’s a memorial” Leroy-Dietrich said ripping the tape open stepping onto the grounds. He walked over to the steps that led up to the main doors and bent down placing a Captain’s rank insignia on the steps along with the Fifteenth’s badge. He didn’t have anything else of her that he wanted to leave behind “my love I might have found new love and new purpose but I have never forgotten you and never will” he said quietly looking down at the two insignia and up at the ruin. “This was where it all started and I would do it all over again” he said “I miss you” he said a tear running down his cheek “but you’re home now and I can’t stay here any longer.” He said rising back to his feet “I’ll see you again” he promised her turning heading back to America and the waiting car. Eight hours later their DropShip, now fully refueled and supplied, left Outreach and began heading back towards the Subtlety nearly four days later the Battleship left the system heading towards Galatea Station intent on never returning to Outreach.