Star Watch by Mark Wayne McGinnis Page A

are two worlds in jeopardy. Trom, typically a peaceful world, with much in the way of natural resources, is being invaded by the Pharloms, who sound more like local thugs or bullies, out to flex their muscles now that the Craing are no longer a threat. The Pharloms have a small fleet of warships and are poised to land on Trom … or have already.”
    “And the other one?”
    “The other planet in jeopardy is the Dacci Commonwealth. They’re in the path of an approaching fleet of ships from something called the Sahhrain.”
    “Oh … I’ve definitely heard of the Sahhrain,” Orion said, her expression serious. “Dark is the word that comes to mind. Their spiritual beliefs require them to live their lives in a solitary way. They don’t have much commerce with outside star systems and they’re said to possess powerful supernatural abilities.”
    “Well, it looks like they’ve kept to themselves for the last twenty years. There’s not much we know about them, other than they have a fleet of no less than fifty warships … their home star system is desolate.” He read on, noting that the Sahhrain system had five planets circling a burnt-out sun.
    “But why are the Sahhrain interested in the Dacci Commonwealth?” Orion asked.
    “Greater access to the far reaches of the universe. Look here,” Jason said, pointing to a familiar spiral symbol. There, within the Dacci Commonwealth’s star system, was a Loop wormhole. Both Jason and Orion knew from past experiences these fixed location wormholes, interspersed throughout the universe, were the Craing’s primary means of far-reaching interstellar travel. One reason they’d maintained such a profound advantage and influence over their enemies for so long.
    “If the Sahhrain get access to that wormhole,” Jason said, “they’ll be far more difficult to rein in. We don’t want another Craing Empire-type escalation.”
    * * *
    Jason eyed Earth’s distant white moon and the shimmering cluster of lights beyond it. As they approached, details of the sprawling space base became more apparent. There were four sprawling military platforms for Allied combined fleets; dozens of moored warships were in maintenance there, for one thing or another. But the real attention-grabber was the newly-constructed Jefferson Station . As the recognized seat of the Alliance, all big decision-making policy took place there among the Allied worlds. Grimes slowed the Perilous as Jefferson Station filled the forward observation window. The station went against all preconceived, conventional, design principles. With that said, it was beautiful and inspiring, yet immense and intimidating at the same time. Jason had visited the station on several occasions and still found it captivating. There was the center hub disk, or saucer, spanning a thirty-mile radius, where the primary station’s populace conducted business and also resided. Encircling the hub, almost twenty miles out, was a thick outer ring, which had its own ten, constantly rotating, encircling, round rings spaced evenly along the structure. Jason thought the smaller, perpendicular rings looked somewhat like little Ferris wheels.
    Both the Minian and the significantly smaller Assailant , now the admiral’s command ship, were parked several miles off in space. In the distance beyond was the bulk of the fleet—including several meganaughts, ten or more dreadnaughts, and hundreds of both heavy and light former Craing cruisers.
    “We’ve been cleared onto the Minian ’s flight deck, Captain,” Grimes said.
    “Take us in, Lieutenant.”
    * * *
    Jason entered the Minian ’s bridge with Boomer following two steps behind. The Minian ’s AI announced, “Captain Reynolds has entered the bridge.”
    Once again, Jason was reminded of The Lilly —so similar, yet quite different as well. The Minian was larger—far more advanced. Heads turned in his direction, then to Boomer. She immediately moved to the command chair and sat down, her