Leo pressed a few keys, turned the cameras in different directions, and looked around. Then he opened a map of the Sirius sector and looked at their location. - Yes, Ekaterina, we just entered Tau-61 system. However, it's strange that there doesn't seem to be anyone here but us…Well, except for ice rocks surrounding our ship, - commander said and scratched the back of his head, - However I wouldn’t get relaxed so far.
- And where are we supposed to search for first? – Katya asked feeling confused. - Wait. Didn’t Wilson give you her red crystal?
- Oh right, she did, - Katya came to her senses and took the artifact out of her pocket. It didn’t react in any way, - Hmm, no reaction, so we have to move somewhere else. The artifact should start glowing like a beacon when we come closer.
- I will direct us towards this gas giant that is pretty far from us. Radars will warn us of an approaching threat if there is one.
Left Ayvick Ice Asteroid Field
Ten minutes later our adventurers left the ice asteroid field and started moving on autopilot. Leo estimated that it would take them at least two hours to reach the outer orbit of the planet. They hadn't had a chance to get to know each other before, so Leo decided to tell Katya about himself, his times in Gallic Royal Navy, and what happened after. He was once an officer, aspiring to the top, but his dream has burned alongside battlecruiser Grenoble and his friends in Newcastle. The girl sat and listened attentively to his stories about the house in Gallia, beautiful sunsets on Marseille, and delicious gallic wines.
In turn, Katya told a story about her life on Gran Canaria and how she met The Order long before Serre could even know about the organization. She had a connection with the Order, but never showed any desire to join – she was afraid of Omicrons, knowing full well the danger. Nomads and Das Wilde are a headache for those who dwell in Omegas. Das Wilde has Rheinland origin – remnants of the First Nomad War who managed to escape from Rheinland when chancellor Gustav Niemann was declared missing and The Order alongside the local military started a crusade against them. They still exist, but not as intense as they used to be in the past – the majority of Das Wilde was found and terminated.
They both didn't notice how quickly the time flew by while they were talking.
The artifact finally beeped as the ship began to circle the gas giant. - Leo, look! Artifact found something! - Katya said excitedly. - Then let's take a look around, - Leo replied and smoothly turned the steering wheel to the left. Soon a smaller icy planet appeared over the edge of the gas giant, - Must be a satellite. I will come closer, and watch if the artifact tells us something more.
The radar began to show the signatures of another ship when “Sabre” was tens of thousands of kilometers away. - We are not alone here, - Leo said trying to scan the approaching ship.
