Chapter 57: Lagaid Encounter

Jem and I kept watch on the main bridge. We expected a call from the minister and we were not disappointed. Just over an hour after our call with Commander Edlund, Ship alerted us.

“Attention, incoming hail from High Minister Val-Gir,” said Ship.

“Put him through,” said Jem. On the tactical display, we saw the image of the minister.

“Hello again, High Minister,” said Jem.

“Commodore, I called to thank you for your excellent analysis,” said the minister.

“You are welcome. May I ask what you intend to do next?” asked Jem.

“We advised all Asan vessels to avoid that corridor of space. Navigation computers are getting updates that mark the region as a hazard,” he replied.

“That is excellent. You should also inform any other races that might visit,” said Jem.

“I will check that we have that covered. Commander Edlund has sent scout vessels to confirm the position and movement of the pirates. As long as they continue on their course, they will be clear of Asan territory within a year,” he said.

I had an idea.

“Excuse me, High Minister. When they leave your territory, will they be entering a neighbouring territory? If so, I suggest you warn your neighbour of what is coming their way,” I said.

“Thank you for an excellent idea. I’d hoped our problems are over once they leave. But if they cause mayhem to a neighbour, they might see it as an act of war,” he replied.

“The sooner you let them know, the longer they have to prepare,” I said.

“I will take care of it. Thank you for your help,” he said.

“Since we have finished here, we will leave soon,” said Jem.

“Have a safe journey. Next time you are in this sector, please visit us,” he replied.

“Until we meet again,” said Jem. She closed the call.

“So, on to the next destination?” I asked. Jem nodded.

“Ship, contact system control and get departure clearance. Gather your defensive probes and exit the Asan system. Take us to our next destination,” I said.

“Confirmed,” replied Ship.

The map on the tactical display showed our vessel moving out of the system.

“That went well,” said Mina.

“Very well. That’s the first mission we completed without going into combat,” replied Jem.

“I hope we get more like that. I don’t enjoy putting us at risk so much. It is stressful fighting for our lives,” I replied.

“I liked how Laine and Mina found the solution within the data. We need to encourage more solutions like that,” said Jem.

“Agreed. I’d made preparations for a confrontation, but I’m glad they weren’t needed,” I replied with a sigh.

“You look tired. You better get some rest,” said Jem.

“I’ll wait until we exit the system before I do. It won’t be much longer,” I said.

After we left the Asan system, I returned to my cabin to rest. That was the easiest mission so far. We didn’t have to fight our way out of somewhere. Nobody died.

I was unusually tired, and I was soon asleep.

I woke up alone, sometime late the next day. After I got up, I did my morning ritual, complete with a coffee. Then I took my cup and wandered in search of my crewmates.

I found Jem in the lido, relaxing in the hammock. I decided not to disturb her, so I backed out into the corridor.

“Ship, where are Laine and Mina?” I asked.

“They are in the botany lab,” replied Ship.

“Thank you Ship,” I said.

I decided not to interrupt their fun. Instead, I wandered to the main dining lounge. I felt bored, but I didn’t see spending time with others as the answer. So I sat on a sofa.

“Ship, where are we going next?” I asked.

“We are travelling to the Rengath system. ETA within two point four days. Last records show it as uninhabited,” replied Ship. The display woke up and showed a system map.

“And then where?” I asked.

“The Dentra system,” replied Ship.

“Where we can warn them about our incident with Gober,” I said.

“Confirmed,” replied Ship.

“Please find me a distraction, one of Koluna’s romantic comedies,” I said.

“Confirmed,” replied Ship. The lights dimmed, and a video played on the display. I put my feet up and prepared to watch the show.

I fell asleep long before the show ended.

About two days later, our hyper drive went offline as we arrived at the edge of the Rengath system.

“We are approaching the Rengath system. I am deploying probes to explore the system and report back,” said Ship.

“Thank you, Ship,” replied Jem.

Our tactical display began to populate with data on the system. I could see the usual blue dots of our probes moving out as they explored. The system had a yellow star with several planets and an asteroid belt.

“Ship, any sign of other vessels in the system?” I asked.

“Confirmed. Three vessels are in the system. They appear to be Lagaid vessels,” replied Ship.

“Crap!” said Jem.

“Engage the cloak,” I ordered.

“Confirmed,” replied Ship.

I turned to Jem. “Commodore, if you’d like to have fun with the Lagaid vessels, I have an idea.”

Jem leaned back in her seat. “Go ahead, Commander. Entertain us,” she replied.

“Laine, I’ll need your help. Do you recall when we spoke to the Varech vessel in the Avalon system?” I asked.

“Sure I do. That was fun!” said Laine.

“This time you get to play the part of a Varech, speaking Lagaid. Ship, pull recordings of the Varech. I need a video simulation of the Varech Captain, synchronized to Laine. Modulate her voice to match the Varech Captain,” I said.

“Confirmed,” replied Ship.

“Ship, use images of the Varech vessels. I want three dreadnought probes, but with the image of Varech vessels. Designate them to be Varech probes,” I said.

“Confirmed. I have re-tasked three probes. I download images and updated protocols. Your Varech probes are complete,” replied Ship.

“I think we are ready. Ship, please move the Varech probes and make them appear to arrive in the system,” I said.

“Confirmed. Varech probes will ‘arrive’ in the system in ten minutes,” replied Ship.

“Excellent. Laine, here is the plan...” I said.

About ten minutes later, three Varech vessels arrived in the system. They moved further into the system while we watched on the display.

“Attention, I have detected an incoming hail from the Lagaid,” announced Ship.

“Ship, have the Varech probes come to a stop, and answer the Lagaid hail. Laine you’re on,” I said.

A window appeared on the tactical display, showing a Varech Captain aboard his vessel.

Below the window, Ship provided subtitles in Ori.

(Translated from Lagaid) “Greetings to the Varech vessels! I am Admiral Aqul,” said the Lagaid.

(Translated from Lagaid) “Greetings. I am Captain Sibot. This is a pleasant surprise! You are a long way from home,” said Laine/Sibot.

(Translated from Lagaid) “We are hunting the no-good, cursed Baglogi vessel and their crew,” said the Lagaid.

This was unexpected. How did they find us in this region of space??

I typed in directions for Laine on the console, and Ship put it on the display where she could read it.

(Translated from Lagaid) “I understand. And what brought you this way in search of them?” asked Laine/Sibot.

(Translated from Lagaid) “We extracted intel from a freighter in the Alpius system,” said Aqul.

(Translated from Lagaid) “What was the nature of the intel?” asked Laine/Sibot.

(Translated from Lagaid) “The freighter was recently in the Gober system, where a Baglogi vessel was visiting,” said the Lagaid.

(Translated from Lagaid) “But how do you know it was the no-good, cursed Baglogi you seek?” asked Laine/Sibot.

(Translated from Lagaid) “They had recordings of a broadcast. The stupid Gobers were hosting a celebration for them. It was clearly them,” said the Lagaid.

(Translated from Lagaid) “That is interesting! I believe I can help you with your search,” said Laine/Sibot.

(Translated from Lagaid) “How can you help us?” asked Aqul.

(Translated from Lagaid) “We just encountered a Baglogi vessel before coming here. It is probably the vessel you seek. We disabled their engines and left them to die in space. Their main power core is damaged, so they are not going anywhere soon,” said Laine/Sibot.

(Translated from Lagaid) “That is outstanding news. Our leaders are keen to see an end to our enemy. I will give you credit in my report,” said Aqul.

(Translated from Lagaid) “If you want to, you can end their no-good existence, or you can capture them and return with them to Lagaid. The system is unnamed but I will send you the coordinates. It is not too far from here,” said Laine/Sibot.

Ship sent the coordinates via the Varech probe.

(Translated from Lagaid) “I have the coordinates. Thank you, Captain! We must go there at once. Thank you!” said Aqul. He had an evil grin on his face.

(Translated from Lagaid) “Good hunting Admiral!” said Laine/Sibot.

Ship closed the communications.

We watched as the Lagaid vessels changed course in formation and accelerated. Once they reached the edge of the system, their hyperspace engines cut in, and they winked out of normal space.