Begining of the end

[marauder]

Honshu system, new tokyo jumpgate

"Attention all vessels in honshu." the system wide message began "All civilian cargo ships are to go through the nearest jumpgates at once. All escort and military ships to report to Kansei research station, stock up on bots, batts and ammo, it's going to be a long fight."

"On what authority are you giving these orders?" a kusari BS captian asked.

"None, but if you don't want a massacre on your hands..."

"State your name and ship." the captian replied grumpily.

"Executive officer Pete Ling, of the TG nadesico. Are you going to listen to my suggesions? Or would you like to face several hundred nomads on your own?"

"Very well."

"This is a order from the kusari military, all cargo vessels are to leave the system NOW! All combat ready ships goto kansei research station."

The kusari BS captian opened a private channel to the nadesico. "So why move all combat ships kansei?"

"Because it's got a minefield with one way in or out." Ling replied "If we have all the captial ships arranged into a bowl formation infront of the lane anything coming through it has to get past a massive barrage."

"Hhmm." said the captian thoughtfully "Sounds like a good idea. So what are all the fighters and gunboats going to be doing?"

"Making sure nothing comes from behind us. As well as acting as a reserve incase we lose any of the bigger ships."