Hey, guys, sorry for not having this up sooner.

Shit happens.
Just an aside for the military people on the board, have I been getting things right regarding the Naval Chain of Command and stuff aboard the
Gaar-Balhi, and do you guys have any suggestions? I want things to be accurate, and I'll make corrections when polishing things up for the final draft. But I needn't get ahead of myselves. Still have to wrap this story up!
Anyway, here is:
Chapter Five - "The Gloaming"
The Gaar-Balhi - 35 million kilometers from Kashar's Inlet
Situation Report 3.01 - Commander Valery Soban
Our journey through the nebula has been wrought by frequent encounters with enemy forces and even an encounter with an alien race that has my very reputation as an officer of the Hiigaran Navy on the line. Now, with the recent attack of a Turanic Raider frigate and its relaying of our coordinates, most of my crew expect the Imperialists to send everything they have. I, on the other hand, think they'll play a waiting game. It fits the current Imperial strategy, and fits right into stopping our mission.
Ship and crew are performing excellent, given the circumstances. While our patched armor still won't hold up to much, it's better than it was. Our engines have also held despite using accelerator components from a fifty-year old Republic cruiser. Commander Nabaal has reported very little problems with the crew thusfar, most of them have being handled by himself and the ship's chaplain. Even so, it's understandable that many people are losing hope and becoming very tense. It's one thing to know death is upon oneself, but when that death is prolonged, one starts to lose it over time. What was a determination to face death and do one's best becomes a brooding fear of it.
Anyway... we are now within 35 million klicks of Kashar's Inlet, just over a day's travel. I sincerely worry that we'll die within sight of our objective, as unacceptable an outcome as this is. I've been struggling to come up with an alternative, but there are no other jump points outside the highly charged gases of the nebula. Any attempt to jump in the charged nebula, and our quantum-waveform will dephase. Put simply, we'll disintegrate.
* * *
Sublieutenant Kavar was just starting her day aboard the
Gaar-Balhi, softly humming an old kiith song to herself as she navigated the ship's drab corridors. The ship's wide, gray bulkheads contrasted with Kavar's slim figure and brown officer's uniform. Walking around a corner was Viir Loraan, who noticed her and came up.
"Been looking for you, Amanda."
"Sorry, I've been busy. How's your new assignment going?
"
"Working at reactor control isn't exactly my line of expertise, but it's better than lying on a bunk all day."
They continued walking on.
"You understand why we can't have civilians at the helm, of course."
"Yes, it's forbidden under Navy regulations," Loraan replied humorously.
"But after this experience, I think the Republic Navy would be happy to have you."
"And put up with more hacks like Evret?"
They both laughed, and Kavar put a hand on his shoulder. She then looked at him.
"Seriously, though."
He looked back at her. "I might consider it. How long you been in the Hiigaran Navy?"
"I'm going on my second year now. If you're talking about previous work, I was the astrogation plotter on my family's freighter. Basically grew up aboard it."
Kavar had lost her brother and several other family members when the Turanic Raiders attacked the freighter. Her mother, the Captain, resisted their boarding attempts, so the Raiders destroyed it. What members of her crew that could make it ran to the escape pods, and drifted through space for hours. Then, a Hiigaran Navy frigate picked them up, and cared for the family crew until they reached a base and a proper Naval medical station.
The kindness and professionalism of the Hiigaran Navy influenced the young girl, just as much as her brother as he tried to defend the ship from the ruthless marauders, and was brutally shot and mutilated in retaliation. His body was never recovered. Loraan noticed from her saddening eyes that she preferred not to talk about it, and moved on.
"Been working for the government courier service most of my career, though I did fly some civilian ships on Taiidan. The traffic over the Capital is crazy."
She nodded. "You should see the air traffic over Assam Kiith'sid."
"How bad is it?"
"It's a city of 35 million people, Viir. There must be thousands of orbital shuttles flying around every hour. And I'm not going into the hovercar traffic. The old Mothership station, civilian spacedocks, they all bring lots of traffic."
"The Mothership is still in orbit?"
"It's mostly a museum, not a shipyard like it was for decades. The Daiamid wants to move it off to a safer location, since we built the new Angel Moon Yards. They can build about twenty ships like this at a time. Far more than the one the Mothership could manage."
"Was this ship built here?"
"No, it was built in the Sarum Yard, one of the smaller facilities near the border."
"I see," Loraan nodded. He then looked over.
They rounded another corner, reaching the bridge blast doors.
"Well, I'd better get to the bridge."
Loraan nodded. A hint of disappointment showed in his eyes. "Alright."
She paused, and waited to see what was on his mind. Loraan looked into her sparkling brown eyes.
"You look nice, Amanda."
Kavar broke a smile. The previous shift's Officer-of-the-Watch, Sublieutenant Sagald, walked up.
"Going to relieve me, kid?" he asked.
"Sorry, just got caught up here."
"No problem."
She walked on, and waved.
"Bye."
Sagald stretched, and turned to Loraan.
"She's something, isn't she?"
Loraan smirked. "Yeah."
"Good thing I'm married. And on another shift," he remarked. "Just remember you're a technican for the moment, and that makes her your boss."
At that, Sagald went on. Loraan looked into the bridge, and caught a glimpse of Kavar instructing some crewmembers. He then walked down the corridor, going off to his own job in Engineering. As he did, Loraan wondered what was bothering the young officer. He didn't know of what Kavar had gone through, but from all indications it was something best left buried...
* * *
In the sick bay, Commander Soban was being put through several minor but infinitely annoying tests by one of the
Gaar-Balhi's three doctors. She would much rather be on the bridge doing her job, not putting up with the Doctor's bad witicisms. Sick bay had been much improved since Soban last saw it, with the Zephon's casualties treated and discharged. It was now back to normal, a brightly lit room painted in white rather than the ubiquitous drab gray, and smelled of clean sheets, not blood and burned flesh.
"Are you almost done?" Soban complained.
"
Almost," the Doctor replied as he continued his examination. He put down his medical scanner, and looked at her eyes. He then jotted down some notes on his datapad. "Overall, I'd say you're simply stressed. Of course, that's obvious for someone who's been trying to avoid an Imperialist fleet for nearly a week."
"So, did that require shining a bright light into my eyes, Doctor?" Soban half-joked.
"The fact that it bothers you says something, Captain. Sensitivity to light, irritability... You haven't been getting enough sleep lately, and haven't been eating at all for two days. Not good signs on your part."
"Haven't really had time to eat."
"You need to make the time, Captain."
"So, who suggested I go through a medical exam?"
"Your XO, and Sublieutenant Kavar. They were worried about your health."
"I see. Well, Kavar is a good kid. She always cares about me, despite the fact that I'm her commander."
"From what I've seen, Kavar considers you a friend, almost family."
"She lost some of her family as a child. Never even
had a sister, I can see why she thinks that. Poor kid."
"You don't even have a family."
"I have my Kiith brothers and sisters, Doctor. The Gray Brotherhood is a closer-knit group than you seem to think."
"True. But do you ever miss... your Kaaleli family?"
Soban looked down. "Sometimes. Especially my mother. She left when I was young, I used to sneak off to see her as a child. Then there was my brother, Yesif. He was so funny... There were others, as well."
"You should probably visit them again, someday. Just because you left the Kiith doesn't mean they automatically hate you."
"True... Well, what's the good news?"
"Well, you've kept your PT up, and drink lots of water. That helps. However; you're pushing yourself too hard. I may have to order you to take a day off."
Soban shook her head. "Impossible. We have to-"
"Commander Nabaal can take command in the interim. I don't see why you should further stress yourself."
"Nabaal is in no position to be running this ship, Doctor, especially while the Imperials are after us. In less than forty-eight hours, we will be at Kashar's Inlet."
The Doctor remained adamant. "Fourty-eight hours you can get some sleep. You're risking the crew by continuing in this condition."
Soban was getting frustrated. She couldn't be forced off-duty this late in the game. "You don't even realize what's going on, do you? You have no clue."
The Doctor simply smirked, and continued taking notes. "I know that-"
The intercom toned.
General quarters, general quarters. All hands man your battle stations. This is no drill.
Soban hopped off the examination bed and strode out the door. "Duty calls, Doctor."
"I'm not done! And my orders stand."
"Fuck your order, Doc. Put me on report if you like," she called back humorously, not even looking back.
"Damn it, why does a battle happen every time I'm in the middle of an examination?"
One of the Taiidani medics walked up next to him. "Is she always like this, sir?"
"Absolutely. Captain LiirHra wasn't nearly this... unique."
* * *
Soban marched onto the crimson-lit bridge, snapping her tunic sleeves closed. "Status report, Lieutenant."
The air was humid, and uncomfortable. It was the humidity caused by tension. The bridge was quite tense, and with good reason.
Kavar walked up from the holodisplay. "We're reading anomalous readings, Captain. The distortions match those of the alien cruiser."
"Position?"
"They're holding position 50,000 klicks off our starboard aft, Captain," Somtaaw responded.
"In perfect position to vape us," Nabaal muttered. "Should we begin evasive action?"
"Negative. They want our attention, obviously. They're close enough for us to read their inertialess drive signature, and they know it. Somtaaw, so we don't keep worrying about 'anomalies', record signatures as the warship drive."
"Aye, Captain."
"And send an active scan pulse. Let them know we can see them."
Somtaaw finished recording the signature, and complied. "Active tracking on."
A moment passed. Soban's eyes fell upon the holodisplay. Then, the signature began to move. Rapidly.
"That got their attention! They're coming right for us."
"Stop scanning."
Somtaaw punched a button. The sleek alien cruiser darted dangerously close the the
Gaar-Balhi, moving at intense speed. It then shot to port, flying a loop around the Hiigaran ship before matching speed off her starboard bow. Soban could barely make out the dark silhouette through the bridge windows, its dark form blocking out what little light was coming from the Inlet far ahead.
"Raise them," Soban commanded.
"Aye, Captain, switching to alien frequency..." the chief replied. He then paused. "They are not responding."
Soban glanced at the holodisplay, and then slowly turned to the bridge windows in despair. Then her skin crawled as the alien warship spun about, and seemingly came to face her personally.
"They're coming about!" Somtaaw yelled.
"By the grace of Sajuuk..." Soban whispered.
* * *
Hasari's Strike Force - 19 million kilometers from Kashar's Inlet
Commodore Hasari was standing on the bridge of his destroyer, gazing out at the gloomy expanse of the nebula. He took a shot of
paafel, a strong Taiidani whiskey, and waited. He'd been doing this for awhile now, and his rude demeanor showed it. The crew was noticeably hushed, as they knew better than to disturb their flag officer and political leader. After all, Imperialist flag officers were in essence rulers unto themselves, their ships striking fear into what systems the Imperialists could hold onto.
Like his nemesis, Hasari had been losing sleep. He wanted the
Gaar-Balhi. It was all he thought about. He wanted to haul its burnt hulk back to his lords, and he wanted the head of its Captain, a faceless enemy that had avoided his every move, vanquished all the forces that he had been able to present. Now, as his forces moved toward Kashar's Inlet, he waited. Hasari knew the time was at hand. He knew the cunning Hiigaran couldn't hide in the nebula forever, and that they had the Envoy and his information to deliver. He knew they were coming...
"Sir, we're picking up a transmission from the nebula," the female ensign reported.
"Patch it."
"It's a burst transmission, Raider frequencies." She looked up in surprise. "It's positional and status data on the Exile ship!"
"What?" Hasari demanded, unable to believe his own ears.
"Downloading into astrogation computers... The ship has taken heavy damage. Apparently our lost bomber force did some damage," the destroyer captain indicated.
"Good... good. What else?"
The ensign chuckled. "The Exiles are using parts of a wrecked attack crusier to patch up the damage."
"Using obsolete armor pieces. My, they are desperate. We have their locations?"
"Complete scans, sir. Shall I download to our infiltration forces?"
"Obviously. What's their position?"
"As of the transmission, they were 42 million klicks from the Inlet. Bearing three-four-one mark one-zero."
"Realign our forces accordingly, Captain."
"Yes, sir."
Hasari turned back to the window, and smiled at his own reflection. "Looks like the gods have smiled upon us this day."
* * *
The Khar-Elaat
The bridge of the
Khar-Elaat was dead quiet, and the air was cold due to the high-capacity cooling systems needed to keep the ship's classified machinery from overheating. Agent Riif was sitting on her personal command chair, reading a book. Lieutenant Ferriil walked up, holding a datapad. She didn't even look up at him. Ferriil may have been in intelligence, and he respected his civilian commander, but Ferriil certainly didn't trust Riif. He had no reason to. She was beyond arrogant, and apathetic. Nevertheless, she was in charge of this mission, and it was his job to obey her.
"Find anything besides more space dust, Ferriil?" Riif asked between pages.
"We've detected the main Imperialist force heading for Kashar's Inlet. Looks like a destroyer and several frigates. By several, I mean two squadrons or more. They're moving at flank speed."
"Obviously moving in to intercept the
Gaar-Balhi once she emerges. At flank, they should reach it in a few hours. Do you have anything at all on the
Gaar-Balhi?"
"Not really. We've been searching their likely approach vectors, and still nothing. There may be a possibility that she was destroyed."
Riif put the book down, and shook her head. "They're out here, Lieutenant. I'm not accepting failure just yet."
"What do we do once they are found?"
"Simple. We take the envoy, mimic, and return to the Inlet at top speed."
Ferriil was understandably surprised. "We're not... escorting the
Gaar-Balhi home?"
Riif chuckled at her assistant's sympathy. "No, we abandon the fools to their fate. Our
mission is to return the Envoy to Hiigara, not rescue an incompetent captain and her lost starship."
"Right. So, what do we do if the
Gaar-Balhi is captured?"
"Leave that to me, Ferriil. This ship has been training for and conducting just that kind of mission for years."
"Very well. I'll have-"
"Agent Riif, I'm picking up a Turanic Raider burst transmission," the sensor chief alerted.
"Decode it at once."
"Aye. It's... information on the
Gaar-Balhi! Navigational coordinates, and a vague vessel status."
"Apparently one of their ships had a run in with our prize. Lay in the coordinates, and proceed. I want that vessel status on my desk within the hour."
"As you wish," Ferriil replied.
* * *
Koziir System
Admirals Paktu and Kadriis, as well as Commodore S'jet were gathered around the
Eheb-San's holodisplay, along with other ship officers and the carrier's CAG. The carrier's bridge was alive with activity, with crewmembers and officers moving back and forth. The air was buzzing with the voices of crewmembers and the hum of machinery.
"With the help of Lieutenant Wilaam, my people have been able to analyze the data gained from the Imperialist frigate," Commodore S'jet began. "From that, we've been able to determine the
Gaar-Balhi's maximum jump range."
Paktu adjusted his collar. It seemed to never fit anymore. "And?"
"From the time of the battle, the
Gaar's core would have been about 75% charged. That limits her to this area," S'jet replied, pointing to a circle on the displayed starmap.
"What's in that area?"
"Two Nomaeran systems, the Jeraal System, where they came from, and a large nebula along our border."
"From your emphasis, I guess you think Soban took the nebula. Well, Soban is a wild woman, but she isn't
insane," Paktu countered.
"Admiral, it's the only location that fits the facts. The
Gaar-Balhi's core would have needed over ten minutes to recharge, and possibly longer since she made two rapid, high-energy jumps. Another, and the core would melt."
"In other words," Kadriis nodded, "she had no choice. We've hidden in the nebula before, on extreme occasions. It's uncharted, and considered dangerous. In fact, the Taiidan Republic bans all of its traffic from going through the nebula."
"I think everyone's starting to go mad," Paktu muttered. "We've had enough dealings with nebulas for Sajuuk's sake. What does the Nomaeran Defense Force know of this nebula?"
"As I said, it's mostly uncharted," Kadriis replied. He then scrolled the map closer into the nebula, bringing up an area of gas. Inserting a data card, the area faded to a charted void. "However, there is a santuary we used during our war with the Imperialists. Kashar's Inlet. It was named after Fleet Admiral Yssa Kashar, our most famed war heroine. She found the Inlet, and fought the Imperials from there."
"You think Soban has knowledge of the Inlet?"
"The Republic knows about it. And guess who the
Gaar-Balhi is escorting?"
"Point taken," Paktu responded. His wrinkled face tensed. "Officer-of-the-Watch, prepare the fleet to jump to Kashar's Inlet."
"We'll need to jump inside the pulsar's shadow, unless you want an ambush. That's nearly a day's journey at flank speed," Kadriis warned.
"We could get there in under half that time, Admiral," the CAG boasted.
"Yeah, Commander, and the Imperial interceptors and PD guns would cut you to pieces."
The CAG grinded his teeth when Kadriis wasn't looking.
"We'll provide you with the coordinates. You have any heavy forces, Admiral?"
"Both of our battlecruisers are off on presence missions, won't be back for months. We have three destroyers, two more deployed. Not counting the one we're looking for, of course."
"Anyway, the
Jhaal will provide fire support. The Imperials won't be so eager to dance with us. It goes without saying that the destroyers will come in handy. Any one of them could play for the
Gaar-Balhi once she emerges. The trick is how to pull it off."
"Which we'll figure out in time. For now, let's get back to our ships and get this mission underway. We jump at 1945 hours."
* * *
The Gaar-Balhi - 33 million kilometers from Kashar's Inlet
The
Gaar-Balhi now had her engines cut off, and was essentially blockaded by the powerful alien cruiser. Commander Soban waited for the inevitable. The alien ship was facing them down like a dark specter, a nameless predator stalking them through the gaseous maroon fog.
"The alien ship is taking no action," Somtaaw muttered.
"They didn't attack before," Soban remarked. "They're trying to figure out our intentions. What activity are you reading from the cruiser?"
"They've been conducting low-intensity scans the entire time, Captain."
"Can you identify where?"
"Negative."
The communications chief spoke up. "Captain, I'm recieving a transmission from the alien ship."
Nabaal glanced over in surprise.
Soban brushed some hair from over her eyes. "It's about time. How much cleaning up does it need?"
The chief shook his head in disbelief. "None. I'm patching it through now."
A moment of dead quiet followed. Static hissed out of the speakers, then a calm voice spoke. It was lighter than a Human voice, but decidedly male.
I am Lord Jov'vak of the Devtiir Empire, he slowly introduced.
We have extracted lingual information from your vessel's brain, for the purpose of contact. The information you provided on the quantum-waveform energy device has been analyzed, and placed in our libraries. You have our sincere gratitude for this. However, we must inquire why you have done this?
Soban sighed in relief, and stepped over to the communications console.
Kavar looked over. "Captain, they've been
extracting data from our computers? I don't like the sound of this."
"Neither do I, Kavar, but we only have one chance of getting out of this." Soban then nodded at the comm chief. "This is Captain Valery Soban. I command this ship, the
Ghar-Balhi. I'm pleased that you have understood the data on our hyperspace core. We did this as a gesture of friendship and good will, on behalf of the Hiigaran Republic. All we ask in return is safe passage to the pulsar near here."
Captain Valery Soban, your answer is acceptable. However, we do not understand why you, identical beings to the Taiidan and Tobar invaders, claim peace. You are trespassing on our domain, as are the Taiidan invaders.
"Lord Jov'vak, we're fleeing the Taiidan. They are trying to take a special passenger we're carrying, and this nebula made a prime hiding spot. We had no knowledge of you or your territory, and I appologize."
We have no concern with your clearly internal conflict, Captain Valery Soban. However, we grant you, and you only, safe passage through our space. That was decided by the Empress.
"Thank you."
Nabaal walked up. "They certainly don't trust our species."
"I know," Soban replied, putting a finger to her lips.
To be better friends, you must first understand us. We, the Devtiir, have lived in this nebula for ages. Until 300 years ago, we had no contact with any life from outside. Our civilization has been constant for over 8,000 years, since a unified government formed on our homeworld. During that time, our society has flourished, but has always been restricted due to the travel time between the six stars of our Empire.
"With hyperspace, you'll be able to travel between systems in seconds. You could perhaps even construct hyperspace gates to allow normal ships to travel more easily. Our civilization is not nearly as old as yours, but we do have a rich history. Our people were exiled several thousand years ago, and we have only returned to our world within the last several generations."
I see. To the point, we came for one purpose. To thank you for your help, Captain Valery Soban. With this new device, we will inagurate a new era for the Empire. We have been instructed by the Empress to present you with a gift.
The comm chief looked over his console. "Receiving a burst transmission... it's some sort of cultural database."
"You have our thanks, as well, Lord Jov'vak. I hope this will lead to a better peace between us."
As do I. We will depart, and leave you to your journey. May you be blessed.
The Devtiir cruiser swiveled around, and began to move off slowly. Then, it zipped off at high speed.
"I don't like this," Nabaal muttered. "They did all that posturing, and were so completely suspicious just to give us a gift. It may be their way, but that just doesn't seem believable."
"No, I agree with you, XO. They're up to something. I want that
thing they uploaded kept in a quarantene file for now."
"I'm just worried they'll be back," Kavar added.
"Indeed. Kavar, get us back on course."
"Aye, Captain."
"Whatever they gave might be very interesting, but I'm not risking anything now."
The
Gaar-Balhi's cluster of engines flared to life, and the sleek destroyer sailed off on course, once again moving deeper into the murky expanses of the Gulf. The Devtiir cruiser sat off out of sensor range, and kept a close eye on its "charge".
* * *
Koziir System
The Hiigaran 9th Fleet, what little bit of it was being sent, was gathering near the beautiful planet of Koziir II, the starships moored on the edge of the planet's shimmering rings. The
Eheb-San and her assembled ships - two frigate squadrons, three destroyers, and support vessels; were formed up and ready to jump. The Nomaeran taskforce, formed around the Jhaal, was also assembled.
Admiral Paktu was back in his office, tying things up in preparation for the jump to Kashar's Inlet. The entire ship seemed alive, as it always did before an important mission. Paktu saw this entire operation as a rescue mission, saving a valued officer and her crew from Imperialist scum. That changed when his console beeped.
Admiral, a coded transmission for you has arrived from the Taiidani Admiralty.
"Put it through."
The message blipped onto his monitor. Paktu examined the message, and began to feel sick. This incident was far bigger than it first seemed.
"Secret envoy, urgent intelligence, I know that... Wait. What the hell?"
Paktu put on his tunic, and proceeded to the bridge. Looked like he would need more than a rescue fleet to pull this off.