The Apollyon held in proximity to the Tau 23 sun. Danny Sutherland kept an eye on the few contacts he had on the edge of his sensor range. Activity near the BMM controlled gate construction site - he wasn't worried. The intense radiation from the sun would shield them from detection, and as long as they didn't make their stay at the corona's edge a long one, it shouldn't do much harm.
VIP transport was always a hassle for him. Security this and protocol that, he half felt to be in the Armed Forces again. It reminded him why he had left in the first place. At least with the Guild, you didn't have to file a triple report for every damned pirate you blow sky-high.
Johnathan Sanders was in the back, resting. There wasn't much for him to do yet. Jack Henderson had insisted on scouting the route, but aside from passing Gallic ships and the occasional freelancer wanting to explore this new land called Gallia, there wasn't much traffic towards their destination. Still, caution's always good.
The comm sounded. *chh* "Bravo 2, this is Echo 4, we are Alpha Zulu, repeat: Alpha Zulu" *chh*
"Here we go then." Danny mumbled, as he nodded to the helmsman. The gunboat lurched forward, impulse engines firing full throttle as the cruise capacitors charged up, course straight for the Orkney jumphole. Sure, the BMM site would register it. But it was not unusual. Just one craft. And they knew better then to come and poke their noses in IMG affairs.
Following the course that Jack had taken, it was only a few minutes later that the gunboat was on final approach with Dounby.
Wide awake in a world that sleeps, enduring thoughts, enduring scenes. The knowledge of what is yet to come.
From a time when all seems lost, from a dead man to a world, without restraint, unafraid and free.
Mostly retired Discovery member. May still visit from time to time.
