CHAPTER ONE
TheNautilus air wing assembled in CAG-OPS and waited for Rear Admiral Reynolds and the senior staff to arrive. The room was pockets of conversation, some trying to figure out what happened, some attempting to solve the problem, some in shocked silence.
After 20 minutes, the senior staff arrived.
“Admiral on deck!” Hutch declared as everyone rose to attention.
“As you were,” the rear admiral said as he and his officers walked to the front of the room. “My apologies for our tardiness.” He turned to Hutch. “Alright, CAG. Let’s have it.”
“Well Admiral,” Hutch said. “It appears we have a new threat.”
Hutch’s tone mirrored the expressions on the faces of his pilots and their crews as he activated the ARI. The sensor telemetry from their engagement in the Proxima Star System began to stream.
“First, we intercepted a group of enemy saucers that had been detected by our sensor net. Scarecrow, Bad Boy and I all agree they were a decoy.”
“For what purpose?” Commander Nathan Travis, the TAO (Tactical Action Officer) asked.
“To spur us to investigate,” Scarecrow replied.
“So that we could then be targeted by these …” Hutch said as he manipulated the ARI, and the two sinister enemy craft appeared. The senior officers each shot a look of surprise at the ominous, ethereal images.
“This is a completely new type of enemy assault craft,” Hutch said. “While attack wing alpha was in pursuit of the 37 traditional bandits, these two showed up and engaged attack wing bravo.” He nodded to Scarecrow. “Steve … you want to take it from here?”
Scarecrow stood and walked forward to stand beside the ARI. He manipulated the display, and one of the images grew while the other dissipated. The single craft spun in place with a slow revolution, surrounded by its tactical information. Everyone stared at the black, insect-like craft, its image almost mesmerizing in its repugnance. The image was so realistic that viewers half-expected it to spring to life, leap from the confines of the ARI, and assault those in the briefing room.
“As you can all see, this is not your typical enemy tactical craft. This hideous thing and its repulsive comrade almost took out two of us.”
Scarecrow expanded the tactical