So this was to be their first action since way back when they were attacked by BDE and Tholatin was finally taken. Although this would most likely be classified as only a minor skirmish in which no hostages were taken, it would still be a victory on their part. Supplies were necessary, but could be taken other ways as well. It was Kamon's idea to let BDE know they still had enemies in this galaxy. He thought it best those enemies remain anonymous, however.

"The Excelsior's in position, sir. Her gravity well generators are online. Do you want the fleet to assume the positions you designated?"

Kamon nodded. "Yes that would be a good idea. Last reports put the supply convoy about twenty minutes out from our position. If this goes as smoothly as I want, we'll have the supplies and be gone inside of an hour and a half."

"You have great faith in our forces, sir."

"One assault frigate and eight marauder corvettes along with the Excelsior should be plenty for this. The report has the convoy only under the guard of two squadron's of snubfighters. The HLAF's are outdated, but should be able to easily handle the enemy fighters because of numbers and the fact that our best pilots are manning them."

"True enough. Shall I order the Nimitz, Orion, Deviant, and Crusader to assume their position?"

"Yes, please do. We shall not have much longer to wait, I think."

Someone delete

<B>Fleet Support Shoto Battlecruiser <I>Kirishima</i>, Barrack Level 5 -- In hyperspace toward Gand.</b>

The Shoto Battlecruiser <I>Kirishima</i> was six days into its twelve-day journey from Senna's hyperjump point toward Gand, the nearest occupied planet and spaceport in the Imperium. Kara Vondar, Wing Commander of Talon Squadron, had been a silent presence among the barracks of commandos, occupying her cabin-- and the minds of the others about the battlecruiser-- in much the same uncommunicative but hard to ignore fashion as her squadron of Deathgliders occupied its berth in the largest of the vessel's cargo holds and hangar bay.

In the Commander's case, the silence had a purpose: She had spent the first half of her journey in intensive study, ignoring the company of her fellow Dragons for the company of recording rods and datapads. By now, Kara knew everything that the Farfalen's diplomatic and intelligence services had seen fit to tell her about the situation bordering the Galactic Coalition and the Imperium. Hence, the precautions now taken that all supply convoys going from Farfalen to the Tion Cluster were to be escorted by all naval forces of the Black Dragon Empire-- which in turn, got her this assignment as she returned home to the Tion Cluster.

Kara shook her head, thinking about it. "It's just a matter of time when the first stone will be cast," she murmured.

The file Kara had been given also contained the latest news about the Farfalen's famed Admiral, Vincent Harker. The virus that he supposedly defeated had once again taken him, rendering him bed-ridden and forced to return to the heart of the Kessel sector. Further reports have stated that he may not live to see this next runaround of the virus. It seemed the campaign on Senna had taken its toll on him and would be the last of his accomplishments.

Kara Vondar closed down her datapad and files for the evening, then stretched out on her bunk, dimming the lights with a gesture in the direction of the cabin's enviromental sensors. She might as well start getting her body accustomed now to the length of the hyperoute's journey.

She pondered about joining a sabacc game as she lay there, taking a thick brown cigarra from its package and igniting it.

<I>Could be fun...</I> she thought...

Forty Minutes Later

"This has been a rather long wait. Much longer than what I thought it would be. Dangerous. Perhaps too dangerous. Order the ships to move to the farthest perimeter possible."

"Sir? That would mean there would be holes in our line. Are you absolutely certain that that is what you want?"

Kamon nodded.

"One hundred percent positive. This wait has been too long. I'm wondering if they stopped off somewhere. Perhaps to gain extra escort."

"Alright, sir. I shall transmit the orders now."

Kamon sat back in his chair and pondered the situation. From the estimates he had received from his contact and their arrival time, the enemy supply convoy should have arrived by now. They should be sitting directly in front of him with ships bearing down on them. The problem is that they aren't. That is a suspicious occurance. Has something happened between BDE and the GC?

"Ships are at maximum perimeter."

"Good. Tell them if things should go bad, Charlie code is in effect."

"Right."

Kamon only had to wait a few more moments for the reversion of the enemy forces. His eyes stared straight ahead and he felt out for the Force. In times of toruble, the Force was his ally. Even when he knew not what he faced, the Force was his comforter.

"Reversion."