“but according to my sources—mostly from Karratins and Lyramenians working with Admiral Garfield—they think there is some large offensive being planned. The extra galactic sensor web the Karratins and Estrians set up has detected another Accadian fleet coming from Andromeda. It should arrive in a few months, and they said there were some Jiyarri ships in that fleet, probably being used as command baseships. These Jiyarri vessels are slowing, evidently matching the main fleet's speed, even though—according to the K & E—those Jiyarri vessels could be in our galaxy’s Beta quadrant in a month's time. Lord Admiral Garfield is calling these baseships or super dreadnaughts Kad’jiah-class.
“More aliens with aggressive tendencies … between this and the new Varlon threat, I think we have some problems brewing,” replied Sheppard. “With what I can infer from my new orders and this promotion to commodore, I’ll be in the thick of it. Additionally If the Varlon are in an expansion mode, It’s good for us the Viridian are almost in a state of war with them since the Varlon are likely to attack easier targets like the Viridian.”
“I agree about both, Bob,” Avery said. “By the way I heard that Grand Admiral Pendragon, Fleet Admiral Peregrine, and a few other top admirals are deciding whether to promote you and a few others to temporary higher command positions. Another Admirals Board is going to convene in the coming month. I happen to know, since I’m involved with the security arrangements.”
“That’s interesting,” replied Sheppard. He knew that the senior command staff losses had forced the present situation. “Any information about Varlon forces near our borders?”
“Well, it seems they are traveling on the edge of Alliance of Worlds space. Sometimes Varlon patrols have gone across small sections of Alliance of Worlds space to attack strategic or valuable systems of Viridian space that borders close to Varlon claimed space. As you know, the Viridian may have ship numbers, but they are no real match for the Varlon.”
Sheppard nodded in agreement.
“Intel also reports Varlon moving across Alliance of Worlds space to maintain their presence in subjugated colonies bordering or beyond our space.
“Yes, you’re right,” replied Sheppard. “I was reviewing logs on the Endeavor before passing command at Star One, and those updated reports from my task force noted a curtailed Viridian presence on our border patrols.” The Varlon must have gotten tired of attacking the Karratin with poor results and decided to pick on easier targets.”
Sheppard asked, “Brandon, what about our fleet command staff? I just recently received my promotion and command four task forces of starships. I know there have been several high-ranking officers killed, including the two vice admirals of the Sixth Fleet.”
“Sadly, you can add the recent replacement fleet admiral for the Sixth Fleet, and two senior commodores from the sixth as well,” replied Commodore Avery. “Those saboteurs and assassins are clearly on board some of our starships. They seem to be targeting high-ranking officers and ministry staff.”
“This sounds ominous, Brandon. I've only received my initial briefing over a secured channel, and it was minimal in content. Has someone actually broken that many security codes?”
“Yes,” replied Brandon. “Twice, security has been breached here at central, and several times on docked ships we only later found out were sabotaged. The Karratin officers assisting Vice Admiral Garfield say it’s a combination of a large group of those andro-synth Jiyarri androids and those aliens that can face shift or alter skin color and features. I didn’t want to be the one to tell you this, but there have been a few more assassinations than have been made public.”
Sheppard nodded and he straightened his posture. He understood there were other implications such as fleet morale. “I realize we need to keep up appearances for morale and to reduce panic,” he said.
“That's right, Bob. We lost the chief of my department, Admiral Kyath'n. He was a Rigezon, you know, and the deputy chief was taken as well. We have had to change protocols three times. It’s becoming hell. I've been running things with Commodore Nuglea. His methods are different. Luckily, those Orange skinned Erandi’s are good at keeping secrets. Now that Admiral Garfield has taken over as acting chief in order to track down and apprehend the groups responsible, I feel somewhat safer.”
“I didn’t like the security arrangements the last time we met,” Sheppard commented.
“Well, we had to be sure it was you. There were instances of identity theft and individuals masquerading as others. In light of the presence of these shape-shifters, I’m glad we took the extra precautions,” replied Brandon.
He went on. “You will receive a full briefing between the secured orders being personally delivered to you. With the multiple assassination successes and only one of the perpetrators found, a few other senior seasoned officers like you are being considered for brevet ranking above their present duty. I happen to know that if you are promoted, you will have a priority mission to locate any new Varlon bases and ascertain the potential threat of the Varlon's new allies.”
“That’s good,” Sheppard said. “I like ascertainment missions. By the way, I’ve noticed that the Star One starship yards are working overtime. They will need good commanders, considering all these deaths."
“You're right, Bob, about the starship yards. And Bob, you are not just a good starship commander; you're one of our best.”
“Thanks for the compliment,” replied Sheppard. “Why didn’t they promote you yet, Brandon?”
“As you are aware, availability of postings in security division in my present career path will tend to come up more often than starship command,” Commodore Avery said. “I was recently offered promotion to vice admiral; however, I delayed acceptance of the promotion. After all, it’s a promotion as the result of events, not because of merit and time in grade, like your recent promotion to commodore.”
“Yes, of course, ship and task force commands are not quite as plentiful as security command postings. That’s why you’ve moved up the ranks more easily than officers in the command path like me—a career starship officer,” replied Sheppard, smiling with a hint of jealousy for his friends easier promotion pathway.
Avery smiled back knowingly and nodded in acknowledgement, then returned to the subject at hand. “The problem is that these assassins are too damn efficient and seem to have a priority of killing high-ranking officers. The five star cluster grand admirals, four star cluster fleet admirals, or three star cluster vice admirals—all seem to be targeted with the same degree,” said Brandon somewhat dryly. “I’ve been allowed to delay the promotion for a year, although I will gain the actual responsibility in a few months. Remember, I am in security and I have to watch my own personal security if I want to reach old age.”
“I see.”
“I believe these assassination plots will be resolved soon, perhaps in a few weeks at most. I'll keep my two star clusters for now, thank you,” Brandon said with a slight smile.
“So you’re going to play things really safe, Brandon?” Sheppard observed lightly, but with a slight note of disdain in his tone.
Brandon replied, “Yes I am going to play it somewhat safe for know. I was one of the people who originally noticed that senior ministers or those with three or more star clusters were more likely to be targeted. The attack rates did go down after we increased security after the initial losses, but the pattern is still present,” he said.
Sheppard nodded, recalling his friend
