“I think it would be wise to presume that, from this point forward, we should take nothing we see at face value,” Jason Hunter stated. The silence that hung over the conference table told him the rest of his officers couldn’t argue.

“Given what both commands have faced up to now, and what we just encountered in the engagement with Task Force Poseidon, I expect there are going to be more than a few surprises waiting for us when we get to Barker’s Asteroid,” Commander Teller replied.

“Whoever they are, they have considerable firepower and the ability to put robot ships just about anywhere they want,” Commander Flynn added.

“Who knows what the next robot ship is going to be loaded with? Bridge full of anti-matter? That would make a rather effective missile.” Lieutenant Islington drew more than a few looks from the assembled officers. Her recent fame gave her a bit bigger metaphorical chair at the table.

“We’ve done a good job of playing it by the book up to this point. I don’t see any reason to start second-guessing ourselves,” Jayce Hunter concluded. “We have a capable fleet, and good crews. Argent and her squadrons have performed brilliantly–” her brother nodded appreciatively "– and we have integrated the Strike Force better than I could have hoped in a very short time. Putting a heavy unit in the center position gives us more firepower, but also presents more than a few operational wrinkles which I’m sad to say not many of us have dealt with before.”

“Can’t we just treat her as a bigger version of what we’re already flying?” Commander Harcourt offered.

“If we just want to bring her along, that’s one approach. I’d like to see us take advantage of her standoff capability, especially if the Sentinel is still hostile by the time we arrive,” Jason replied. “If we integrate her weapons systems into our order of battle, it adds a few dimensions to what we can already do, and my personal opinion is she can go toe to toe with the battle station. I think Argent could too, but we don’t have the kind of long-range weaponry unless we launch a fighter strike.”

“Seems to me that would be the most effective strategy, sir,” Teller said.

“If I wanted to kill that gun, I’d be inclined to agree with you, commander. A squadron of paladins would be very effective for such a mission. But I want to capture it. In order to do that, I need to absorb everything it can throw at me long enough to either give the personnel already down there time to get to its control systems, or guide a strike team down there. Kingsblade can do that. She can also take out the leading edge of the minefield. Without a sweeper, she’s the only ship I can risk for that kind of duty. If any of our other vessels go in there and say a cloaked anti-navigation mine goes off–”

“Not so fast, sir. With all due respect, Perseus has a couple of ships with specialized picket duty loadouts. Ajax is built for hunting and anti-missile duty. Minstrel and Rhode Island would make exceptional mine-killers if they had the right electronic counter-counter measures,” Jayce said.

“We looked at this menu once before,” Annora said with a smile. “What if we lashed up a Nemesis and a couple of paladins? Remember?”

Jason raised an eyebrow. “So we could fight our way in there?”

“We could, but this whole thing presumes Dunkerque has failed in her mission. She doesn’t need any of this because she has a transponder that the mines recognize as friendly,” Jayce replied.

“We haven’t heard from Dunkerque, Zony, Yili or Moo in nearly seven hours,” Annora said.

“They might be in over their head,” Jason added. “My instinct tells me we need to get in there and back them up. What’s the best guess on putting our new toy back in the fight?”

“We’ll arrive at point X-Ray Tango in roughly half an hour. Once everything is powered down, we’re going to send Flight One and engineering details two through four across to take out all the automation systems and bring her mains back on-line by the checklist. She’ll be ready for action in four hours,” Master Crew Chief Buckmaster replied.

“At what level of combat readiness?” Jayce asked.

“Better than 90%, ma’am,” Buckmaster replied. “She’s blind aft due to the failure of the battle screen synchronizer amidships. We don’t have the parts for that and we don’t have time to build a substitute. Engine Three is a little temperamental due to a break in the fuel transfer coils on deck 40, but as long as it doesn’t go into the red it should be fine. The rest of the ship is fully operational.”

“Outstanding. That’s a lot of work in a short time,” Jason said.

“I think it will be worth it, sir.” Buckmaster nodded.

“She’ll need a skipper,” Jason concluded. Then he looked directly at Annora. “Won’t she?” Hunter’s XO was once again at a loss for words.

“I’ve never been assigned to command, Jason.”

“You’re my Executive Officer. This ship we’re sitting in right now wouldn’t be half what it is without you.”

Annora’s face paled.

“Commander Doverly, as the flag and the senior officer present, it is my duty to award you a battlefield promotion to the brevet rank of acting Captain. Your orders are to assume command of the heavy battleship Kingsblade and prepare her for strike operations.”

Hunter turned to the opposite side of the table. “Sabrina?” Lieutenant Mallory sat a little straighter in her chair.

“Sir?”

“She’ll need an Exec. I’ve already spoken with Jayce and we agree you’re at the top of the promotion list. I’m awarding you a battlefield promotion to the brevet rank of Lieutenant Commander. You are now Annora’s Executive Officer and I’m assigning you to commanding the crew of the Kingsblade.”

Sabrina Mallory looked as if she had just been asked for her hand in an impromptu proposal.

“Duncan, it seems you have a new boss,” Jason added with a smirk.

“It would seem that way, sir,” Buckmaster replied with a grin.

“Alright folks,” Jason said as he stood and gathered his papers. Everyone at the enormous Argent conference table stood with him. “Let’s be ready to start hacking our way to that base by 0700.”