Enemy Ships Falsify Friendly Ship Readings

Segmentum Tempestus, Iron Ring, Horaje.

On the bridge of the Blanchette, flagship of Varia Superior's fleet, streams of binary digits suddenly scrolled around Magos Februghen-25.

He stared at the scrolling 0s and 1s:

Warp energy readings rising by thirty-six percent.

...

Februghen-25 watched the Runes of warship after warship on the holographic interface. His Mechadendrites extended, rapidly pulling up log records from the Cogitator before him.

He quickly checked every file record, confirming that there was no Error in his memory data: within sixteen days, no warship had arrived.

The next support fleet was expected to arrive at Horaje in 16 days, 25 hours, and 36 minutes.

Februghen-25 did not immediately issue an order. Standard translation times were not fixed; errors of months, even years, often occurred.

He waited for the Auspex Array's scan results.

A string of pale-green numbers began scrolling rapidly.

Reading 12 returned. Identifying keel tags.

Result confirmed. Friendly fleet.

Identified one battleship, four cruisers, thirteen frigates.

Identifying, confirming warship identities...

"Send a vox request," Februghen-25 ordered, then turned his gaze to the holographic screen, watching the execution of the orbital bombardment order.

His fleet had formed an attack formation in high synchronous orbit. Torpedoes streaked downward like rain toward the artillery arrays below, while the dense barrage from the bombarding guns slammed into the missile platforms.

Autocannon shells and anti-missile warheads fired by the orbital defense system detonated the dim yellow clouds, casting them in a deep-red glow.

Horaje was still stubbornly resisting.

The early arrival of the support fleet would greatly accelerate the process.

Just as Februghen-25 was considering coordination with the friendly forces, a piercing alarm suddenly blared.

Countless dark-red Runes filled the surrounding video screens.

Februghen-25 hurriedly examined the countless warning Runes that had abruptly risen, and searing ice-blue beams stabbed through his