A new beginning

[Darius]

24 June 828 AS, Edinburgh system

It was a silent and uneventful day in the Edinburgh system, as Oliver and the other officers made the last preparations for the planned relocation outside of the Armed Forces' reach. The movement to the Arran Ice Cloud was known only to the crewmembers of the Majestic, while the others were not informed of what will happen later that day.
The fleet had a small number of snubcraft, specifically two wings of fighters and one wing of bombers. There were also two "Churchill"-class gunboats that were tasked with escorting the battlecruiser at all times.

Meanwhile, on board the HMS Majestic

"Sir, all systems show green. The rest of the task group is ready as well. We informed them that we are going out on a regular patrol. How shall we proceed now?", asked an officer on the bridge.
"Good. I am most impressed by how fast our task force mobilizes. It would be a shame to lose them now. The standing orders are to regroup around our ship and proceed to the destination.", Oliver answered.
"Understood. I will communicate the new orders to the rest of the group. What is the first destination?"
"The first waypoint is sector Echo Three, just a short way off Gaia itself. Once we reach that waypoint, set course towards the Arran Ice Cloud and order the task force to follow. When we enter the nebula, launch all fighters and prepare to take direct control over the rest. Should any resist, eliminate them."
"We will do as ordered, sir! The fleet will begin to move at once."
"Very well. Make no mistakes, we cannot afford to lose the element of surprise. Dismissed, now.", Oliver said with an authoritative tone.

As the preparation were done and the orders issued to the group, they slowly began their journey towards the planned destination. Little did the others know that this would be an expedition that none would return from.

The hours passed, and the fleet was getting closer and closer to their destination. The relative silence on the bridge of the battlecruiser came to an abrupt end shortly after as Oliver ordered the officers to hold position and turn towards the Ice Cloud, now visible from behind Gaia itself. The moment they would reveal their identify was approaching. At the same time, the crew of the Majestic was deployed to battlestations, much to
the confustion of the rest, as no hostile forces were spotted in the area.

"Sir, we are now en route to the location you chose. The primary weapons are charged and their gunnery crews awaiting orders to fire if the others will oppose us. The rest of the crewmembers are prepared into boarding groups and will proceed with the standard boarding procedures once at the destination.", one of the officers said.

The task force began movement yet again, this time with the gunboats remaining behind the battlecruiser while several snubcrafts lead the way. The region was clear and no hostiles appeared, yet the wrecks of several Gallic cruisers left from the Invasion of Edinburgh months prior forced a slight change of course.
All the crew on the Majestic now patiently waited for the perfect moment to launch their surprise attack once they reached the chosen area.