Hilda
Hilda was both excited and nervous. One last jump as the task force would be in the Isca system. Five months of patrol of the Jump Game Network that connected Bastion to Isca.
If it had not been for the fact it was her first command, Hilda would have been bored during that time. The Daxholm Sector was the heart of the Commonwealth.
Her biggest worry had been dealing with Edward Keyes, but he had learned to keep his distance when not needed.
The biggest crisis had been whispers about how she had come by such a command. The crew of ‘The Jade Grip’ had answered quelled such rumours quickly, and harshly.
“Jump Gate portal open in three… two… one…” Hilda listened from the command chair. Hilda always enjoyed watching the creation of the green wormhole.
Hilda wondered what it must sound like when those giant rings exploded with the bright green of the portal coming alive. The ripples and waves it made like a gentle pool.
“Take us in,” Hilda gave the command.
Forward scouts had already made contact with Lord Frost and his fleet on the other side of the portal. Not that it had mattered. The task force had spotted them as soon as they entered the Dumgarth Sector. At least scouts.
Lord Frost hadn’t just sent scouts to spy on them. He sent a ship ahead as welcome. It had waited at the border of Dumgarth Ship. Sub Commander Elwyn had joined with the task force on the rest of the journey, and been a regular guest on ‘The Jade Grip’.
Lord Frost had known and agreed of to the training exercise long before Hilda was given command of the task force and her own ship.
The main view screen was soon filled by the ever moving green of the portal. Then like that they passed through the portal. Light years crossed in the blink of an eye.
Even three thousand years after the fall of Fabia the mastery of Jump Gate technology was unmatched. Even the remains of the Fabian Dominion in the east of Fabian Space could do little more then maintain their own networks. Though their techs were prized throughout settled space.
Lord Frost’s fleet outnumbered that of Hilda’s own task force more then three to one. Her task force was made up only of battleships but even state of the art as they were they had nothing on the three carriers of the Isca fleet.
Hilda admired of the Furse ships on the small display on her chair.
“Message coming in from Lord Frost captain,” an officer called out.
“Put it through,” Hilda said and turned to the main view port.
“Captain Grip,” the brown haired man on the screen said. “Welcome to the Isca.”
“Thank you Lord Frost,” Hilda returned. “May I be the first to to thank you for accepting this training exercise.”
“Isca is glad to help the Commonwealth Captain,” lord Frost returned. “Hopefully with your fleet it will convince some of the raiders in the void to look for targets elsewhere.”
Hilda frowned. “I was unaware the sector had much raider activity. Reports from the sector have no been better since you took command.”
“Nothing major Captain. Small scale raiders from Eriu. Raid ever now and again from minor worlds in Walhaz. But a show of force always has a way of scaring the small fish. I would welcome you and your senior staff onboard my flagship Captain. And I would like to welcome you and your crew to spend the Feast of Lycus on Isca at Stonehill Hold with myself and my family.”
“Thank you Lord,” Hilda returned. “I am sure the crew is itching to stretch their legs. We will take you up on that, on both offers,” she told him.
“Excellent.” The lord continued. “I will tell my officers to expect your shuttle as they direct traffic into orbit.”
“Very good Lord Frost,” Hilda nodded, and the screen blinked back to the view unfolding in front of ‘The Jade Grip’.
“XO,” Hilda said as stood from her command chair. “You have the watch.”
“Yes Ser,” her XO replied with a curt nod.
Hilda had studied the reports of Lord Frost’s time in the void. Before he took Isca for himself, only to be granted the title by King Oswald later.
He was an impressive man she had learned. Feared throughout the Void of Eriu. Hilda was looking forward to meeting the Lord just based on his reputation alone. But it was her ship that she was looking forward to the most.
She had picked out most the team to board ‘The Frost’ before they had even set out from Bastion. A.I. hackers, combat specialists. People who knew and understand the Furse.
There were few experts on Furse technology in the Commonwealth. Only three of her team had even set foot on a Star-Carrier before. Even Edward Keyes was counted among those hand picked, much to Hilda’s displeasure.
‘The Frost’ was worth some displeasure though.
