Operation Chimera by Matthew S. Cox, Tony Healey Page B

from telemetry and astrological data that there is a vast Draxx presence within the Cluster. We also know that the area disrupts sensors, communications. It’s unstable in there. Dangerous,” Driscoll said.
    “So we’ve sent our biggest, most powerful vessel in the hope it’ll be able to withstand the rigors of the Cluster itself…”
    “As well as carry enough muscle to give the Draxx a shock or two. Yes,” Driscoll said. He pushed himself away from the conference table, crossed his arms. “There’s another side to our mission though, Robin. They’re up to something in there. We just don’t know what.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Our intelligence reports have picked up on a whiff of something happening in there,” Driscoll said, jabbing a finger in the direction of the holographic Chimera Cluster floating over the table. “A construction of some kind. It’s worried top brass enough that they’ve sent us to investigate. As you know, probes can’t penetrate very far into the Cluster. They needed a ship. That’s us. I want to know what it is they’re building in there. And more importantly, if it’s something we can destroy.”
    “Who knows about this, sir?” Teague asked.
    “High-ranking Admiralty, myself, you… that’s about it. We didn’t want anyone untrustworthy to get a hint of it prior to reaching the Cluster. After all, once we’re inside, it’s highly unlikely we’ll be able to make contact with Command. We’ll be on our own, unless we can concoct some way of breaking through the communication disruption. So once we’re in there, if there’s a Draxx sympathizer aboard, they’ll be plain out of luck.”
    “Funny you say that. Before coming aboard, I did some research on the Cluster. There’s been a lot of work around identifying the exact nature of the blanketing effect the region has on our comm systems,” she said. “I believe there may be a way of going around it. Just something I’ve been trying to wrap my head around.”
    “Be sure to discuss it with the communications officer at some point, see if you both can’t work something out. Get S’lestra in on it, too,” Driscoll said. “The Union has never developed anything to counter the effects of the Cluster because there’s never been cause to go in there… until now.”
    Commander Teague peered up at him. The deep green glow from the holo-display made him look like a gargoyle. And yet, still his eyes shone.
    “I want you to relay our orders to each department head in turn. By the time they tell their own people, we’ll already be inside the Cluster. If we do have anyone untrustworthy aboard the news won’t do them much good.”
    “Agreed,” Robin said.
    Driscoll regarded the empty coffee cup, as if he regretted dispatching it so quickly. “Okay, Commander. Let’s get on it.”
    Teague stood, saluted, and set off on her rounds among the ship’s departments to brief the section chiefs.

    As soon as Driscoll entered the bridge, Frank’s voice flooded the air.
    “Captain, we are approaching the Union-Dominion border.”
    Driscoll cleared his throat. “Understood, Frank. Thanks for the heads up.”
    “Sir, is that where we’re headed? Enemy territory?” Lieutenant Hardy asked.
    “Yes. To get to where we’re going, it’s a necessity. When it comes to this mission, the usual regulations don’t apply,” Driscoll said. “Keep her steady, Lieutenant. We’ll be giving any systems occupied by the Draxx a wide berth.”
    “And if we run across a Draxx ship along the way?” S’lestra asked.
    “We do not engage. Not until we reach our destination. I don’t think we will come across any, however. We’d have to be crazy to travel at Jump speed through enemy territory, the size we are. Even though we are fitted with the latest sensor-scrambling technology. They’ll never suspect us, much less be actively looking for us.”
    S’lestra grinned from ear to ear. “Sssometimesss a little crazy isss good. The