The Reunion

[Robert Merlow]

Merlow and Tessa arrived in the Astrometrics Lab, cleared recently thanks to the completion of numerous projects during their travels in Void Space. Doctor Tilas stood at the lift door, waiting for them. Behind him, a gigantic holographic image of open space was displayed. Merlow stepped out first.

"Doc, where are they?" Merlow asked as they walked towards the holographic image.
"Well, it looks as if they're on the edge of the Omicron-82 system. They seemed to have just entered that space, and they're basically flying blind."
Tessa pointed to the Avalanche, "Isn't there some way we can contact them?"
Tilas nodded, "We can, but we'd need to get closer."
"How much closer?" Merlow asked.
"To maintain operational security, I'd say we'd have to go into Kusari Space."
"Kusari Space?" Tessa asked, "Doesn't that run the risk of us getting detected, not to mention accidentally provoking a sovereign nation to war?"
"She has a point, Doc." Merlow added, "We have the most advanced technology in the sector, but we don't command the respect we deserve quite yet. Kusari won't be too happy with us flying a fully armed Dreadnaught into their space."
Doctor Tilas scoffed, "We can be in the Hokkaido system in a matter of hours, not to mention that it is literally impossible to detect us with the technology that they have."
Merlow turned to Tessa, "Is it possible for us to fly in full stealth mode for a few days?"
"With the recent modifications, it will become apart of our daily routine." Tessa said, "If we just still to our Warp Drive, we should be able to avoid all possible confrontation."

Merlow smiled, "Make it so, Admiral. Doc, I want this data relayed to scanner control on the bridge. I want us ready to roll out now."
"Yes Sir." Tessa saluted, "What ships will come with us?"
"Notify the Data Entity and Yukon that they're coming with us," Merlow said, beginning to walk towards the lift, "They have the modifications, I hope?"
Tessa ran a little, nearly tripping in her heels trying to catch up, "Yes Sir. They can go stealth and match our warp speeds, but they can't keep it going for nearly as long."
"No matter. I want them with us."
"Yes Sir."
The lift shot back towards the bridge, Tessa and Merlow standing silently in the center.

---

Commander in Chief of the Migrant Fleet / Former Fleet Admiral of the Liberty First Fleet
Second Survivor of the Mentat Program.
We must give and take with good measure. Give too much, we become complacent. Take too much, we incur the wrath of our own. Tread Lightly.
--Supreme Bashar Robert Merlow--