September 19, 2238

CNS Deutschland, Korlanis, Korlanis System

Korlanis was, in most eyes, the second most important planet in the Commonwealth, next to Earth itself. It was the first port of call for most ships travelling to the Commonwealth from the Republic, and as such was constantly swarmed by ships coming and going, bringing goods and people from all over the sector. The traffic streaming around the planet wasn’t wholly civilian however; Korlanis was the Commonwealth’s primary shipyard. Roughly half of the Commonwealth’s current naval strength had originated in the immense orbital space-docks surrounding the planet and refit and repair operations were carried out around the clock by the crews manning the stations in orbit.

A Commonwealth Navy shuttle rose from the surface of the planet and sped towards one of the larger space-docks, a refit and repair station containing the hulking form of a Republic-class battle-carrier. The smaller ship drew ever closer to the carrier, until it filled the view and the passengers could see the ship in greater detail, including the name and number on the upper hull: CNS Deutschland NI-23926.

The shuttle was carrying personnel from the planet back to the ship; they had suddenly been recalled from shore leave due to an emergency in the Vitaris system. Among those on the shuttle was the ship’s First Officer, Commander James Dwynt. The 38-year-old officer had been serving on the Deutschland since its commissioning in 2236, shortly after the decommissioning of the aging CNS Korlanis, his previous posting. During his assignment on the Korlanis, Dwynt had earned three service medals, four commendations and his promotion to Commander through his actions in command of the carrier’s 2nd Squadron.

Standing next to him was the ship’s Tactical Officer, Lieutenant Peter Magness, who had also served on the Korlanis, but as an Armoury Officer. They stood in the shuttle, silently looking out of the window as the ship approached one of the Deutschland’s docking bays.

“Deutschland control, this is shuttle Gamma-287. Request permission to dock.” The pilot said.

The reply came after a few seconds. “Gamma-287, this is Deutschland control. Permission granted, proceed to Docking Bay 2.”

“Received control, Gamma-287 out.” The pilot cut the channel and manoeuvred the shuttle for the final approach towards the docking bay.

Magness turned away from the window to face Dwynt. “Do you have any idea what is so urgent that it required our immediate recall to the ship?” he asked.

“Nope, the captain said he would explain once we reached the ship,” Dwynt replied. “He said he’d meet us in the docking bay.”

Magness turned back to the window, letting out a sigh. “I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

Dwynt just nodded and turned back to the viewport, watching the shuttle enter the docking bay. He could see Captain Roberts waiting near one of the entrances, watching the shuttle make its descent. Dwynt and Magness made their way to the hatch as it opened, and were greeted by Roberts standing at the end. The two officers descended the ramp and saluted the captain. He returned the gesture, before addressing the two. “At ease, gentlemen; time is of the essence,” He gestured towards the door. “If you will follow me, I will bring you up to speed on the situation.”

“Yes, sir.” Magness and Dwynt said in unison, before following the captain into the corridor.

Once in the corridor, the three men headed towards the bridge. They entered the bridge and walked through to the Situation Room, where Lieutenant Commander Michael Walker was waiting.

Walker handed Dwynt and Magness each a data pad, containing a report from High Command on Korlanis. It was marked as top-secret, urgent.

“We leave within the hour for the Vitaris system,” Roberts said. “We have received reports that indicate our colony is under attack.”

Dwynt raised an eyebrow, “Vitaris? That’s on the rim of the Commonwealth, far from any Eldumite threat.”

“High Command does not believe that the Eldumites are involved,” Walker stated. “They have informed us to expect to encounter an unknown enemy.”

Walker turned to face the main tactical display and manipulated it to bring up a video transmission. “High Command received this transmission just under 4 hours ago from a marine base on Vitaris,” he said. “Shortly afterwards contact was lost with Vitaris.”

He finished by pressing play on the screen. Gunfire and shouts of soldiers could be heard in the background.

“This is Captain Johnathan Froyd of 7th Company, 51st Marine Regiment based on Vitaris. We are under attack by an unknown enemy, and require immedia-”An explosion outside brought down sections of the roof in the command centre. Froyd raised himself from the ground to a position back in-front of the camera. As he did, a voice sounded from off-camera. “Sir! They have breached the front gate! Multiple tanks and infantry closing!”

Froyd turned to face the voice, “Hold them back Lieutenant, we cannot allow the base to fall!” Static began to fill the screen as he spoke, then the line went dead.

“That was the last transmission we received before we lost contact,” Roberts said. “High command believes that the comm relays have been destroyed, otherwise we would have received further transmissions.”

Walker spoke next, a worried expression on his face. “So that likely means that they have ships in orbit, or saboteurs on the stations.”

“Do we know how many ships we could be facing?” Dwynt asked.

“Unfortunately no, commander,” Roberts answered. “None of the transmissions High Command received gave an account of how many ships they were up against, only that there were attacks from above as well as on the ground.” The captain touched the screen, and a fleet organisational diagram filled the screen.

“An aggressive recon force,” Magness noted, studying the screen.

Roberts turned to face the lieutenant. “High Command has ordered us to travel to Vitaris, assess the situation and engage any hostiles if necessary,” he explained.

When he finished, his TacCom sounded. “Sir, the fleet will be ready to depart in two minutes.”

“Thank you ensign,” Roberts said. He turned to face the assembled officers. “Gentlemen, to your stations, prepare for departure. Dwynt, could you wait here please?”

One-by-one, the officers filled out into the bridge, leaving Roberts and Dwynt alone in the room. Roberts let out a sigh, before turning to Dwynt and looking him straight in the eye.

“I’m afraid I have some bad news, James. It appears Matthew has been taken off Korlanis,” Roberts said. “A Civil Protection Authority raid carried out near Chifley revealed plans to take him out of the system.”

“Do they know where he was taken?” Dwynt asked.

“Unfortunately, no. The computers had been wiped beforehand, but they were still intact which means they left quickly.”

Dwynt grimaced. “They could be half way to Mercemus by now, if they were heading that way. You’re saying that no navigational data was recovered?”

“I’m afraid so, but the raid did turn up what we think may be a clue.”Roberts said.

Roberts touched a few buttons on the display, causing an image of what appeared to be a metal plate. Dwynt looked at the image more closely and found that the word ‘Natalia’ had been roughly etched into it.

“The CPA officers believe it to be either the abductor’s, or the ship’s name,” Roberts explained. “So at least we have something to go by.”

“Yeah, it’s a start.”

Lieutenant Dickson’s voice came through on the TacCom, “Sir, the fleet is ready to depart on your order.”

“Roger, lieutenant. We’re on our way.”

Roberts and Dwynt left the Situation Room and entered the bridge. Roberts turned to the comm. officer, Lieutenant Lisa Adams. “Lieutenant, inform all ships to form up on the Deutschland and prepare for warp.”

“Aye, sir. Message sent.” After a moment, the reply came. “All ships report ready, sir.”

“Set course for Vitaris and go to warp.”

The fleet formed up around the battle-carrier and went to warp.