"No, sir, I don't question your decision, but my men are quite busy in the Eolian System maintaining the front against the Vasari. To divert half of my forces, much less the whole, would put at risk our front line."
"Alexander, I do not think you understand the delicacy of the situation. The Advent have been moving more and more of their resources into what was previously our space. It either means they are preparing for another surge or that they are being stupid, and opening themselves up to lose a great deal should we be victorious in pushing them back," Admiral Jenson insists.
"I understand, but you have both the 5th 'Carbon' Division and Lord Arnoldt's men nearby. They are fully capable of engaging, and at least holding, the Advent," Alexander replies.
Alexander hears Jenson's chair groan as he settles back in the leather. "Admiral, this isn't at all about the Vasari, is it?"
Alexander's eyes turn away from the speaker on the desk as the hand he was resting his chin on moves to his temple, where the fingers brush the soft gray striping his short hair, "Sir, you know my position on the matter."
"For the love of Earth, why do you have any sympathy for these heretics? You know what they did. Who they are," Jenson says with a sneer reflected in his voice.
"I do, but you know what we did. What we are. It has to stop somewhere, Admiral. We can't do this dance forever," Alexander says, his voice softening with fatigue as the words slip from his mouth.
"Very well," Jenson says, "We'll have the 3rd and 5th Centauri Fleets join up and reinforce the sector. I'll inform them not to expect you. But Admiral... Alex, reconsider."
A click signals the end of the transmission and Alexander loiters for a moment before rising from his chair. He retreives his dress coat from a nearby hook and slips it on. As he leaves his ready room, his hands button up the last of the breast. "Ensign, status."
"Sir, No sign of any Vasari within the system. The Jacob, Elijah and Rebecca are standing by the Asimov solar station. The rest of the fleet is holding in orbit of Eolia 4, sir," the ensign reports.
Alexander takes his seat in the center of the room and glances at the holographic screen ahead, displaying unit positions and status across the system. "Excellent. Inform all vessels to follow their standing orders and that the commander of the Elijah is in charge. Get the Jericho on the horn."
The ensign completes his order and a moment passes before a repetitious beeping from the arm of his chair informs Alexander of an incoming communication. He presses a button and a voice comes from a small speaker in the metal arm, "Fleet Admiral Draakjacht, what can I do for you, sir?"
"Captain Levin, I need a second vessel to follow the DLS David to the Advent border. I would consider it a personal favor from the man leading that ship."
"My missiles are yours, sir. I can be on your wing in three."
"Good to hear." He presses the button again, sounding the same singular beep which ends the transmission. "Ensign, when the Jericho forms up, set a course for the Altair System. Let's see if we can surprise the Centauri."
With the Jericho remaining a twinkle near the horizon, the David breaks orbit from Eolia 4, the reaching spires of the Kol's beam weapons jutting forth into the void where the crew plans to make their next experience. The EWS bombers head towards the landing bay as the ship steadies itself on a straight course from the edge of Vasari held space towards the far border of the Advent.
