As an outside private armed fleet, the Community Security Fleet had no right to access real-time sensor data from the Interstellar Human Military Junta's stellar base. As such, they could only scan the interior of the star system, not detect what was waiting for them on the other side of the hyperlane.
For instance, the eighty human corvettes lying in wait on the other side, ready to launch a sneak attack.
But years of experience told Gorpious, the fleet's insectoid leader, that if everything had gone smoothly so far, then the worst was still waiting ahead.
Energy howled through the hyperlane as the fleet of more than thirty warships traveled faster than light, rapidly crossing the light-years between star systems.
The exit was right ahead.
Beyond this hyperlane lay their destination, the Amaterro System. Gorpious refused to believe the humans had yet to notice anything happening in their own colony.
The only possibility was that they intended to trap the fleet inside.
A head-on conflict with an interstellar empire was the worst possible outcome, but there was no time to worry about that now.
Whatever happened, Gorpious had just taken delivery of a brand-new destroyer straight from the shipyard. The advantage is mine!
"Once we leave the hyperlane, immediately raise shield output to maximum and charge and load all weapons!"
Greggar, the fleet's second-in-command, produced a grating sound like rocks scraping together, accompanied by a cold, dubbed voice. Fortunately, everyone was used to it and went about their duties in an orderly fashion.
"All captains, prepare for combat. We may have a tough fight ahead!"
Gorpious also issued a warning over the internal communications channel.
"Lord Gorpious, we're counting on you to keep us safe!"
Grugulum, the Criminal Enterprise executive, dropped all pretensions and spoke sincerely to Gorpious.
With a