Back into action

It was once again time to get the task **** together for a planning session. There honestly wasn't all that much to do. Most of the strategy would be determined after rendezvousing with the Authority but it was important for everyone to be on the same page.

"Welcome back everyone. I hope you've enjoyed our stay but we're needed back out in the black. First off I'd like to welcome Captain Ryder formally to the fleet." Katla said, indicating where the new captain sat on the end of the table. There was some little seniority game being played there with Foxley of course sitting closest.

"Thank you, Commodore," Ryder said with a nod.

"Now for the sake of making sure everyone is on the same page here's the situation. We shall be departing in five days to meet up with the Authority's forces in Queendom space. That should take a week. We will then proceed to Mwaro to engage with the Directorate for control of the system. En-route we will be conducting training exercises to make sure everyone can play nice. This is going to be a line battle. I know I don't have to say it but keep in mind we have to depend on our allies so play nice when we meet them. The destroy capture has been modified to 15% and the **** term is set to 5 years. Carrier rules have been modified to 50% if recovered." That last part was mostly for Hosten's benefit. "And of course disengagement requires a working engine. Any questions?"

"I believe the one on most minds is if we can actually trust the Authority to maintain their side of the bargain." Foxley said. "We were just stealing from their pockets not long ago."

"I've worked with a lot of people who I've taken money from in the past. The Authority has too much to gain here by working in good faith. We'll watch out for them trying to hit us with the brunt of things but we're partners in this." Katla said.

"Does intelligence have an idea of who we're facing?" Hosten asked.

"Not yet, the net is a bit too wide at the moment. Lots of time for them to move in who-ever they like. The Authority might have a better idea when we meet up with them." Katla pulled up a map to illustrate the point, waving a little widget around the area of the battle to show the amount of known Directorate forces within close enough vicinity to arrive in time for the battle. It was quite a few even after discounting the ones already engaged in declared training or other combat actions. As things got further from Queendom space more and more question marks started appearing but the point stood.

"How long will we be gone for total?" Isabella? asked

"Roughly two months possibly with an extra week tacked on" Katla explained, tracing a line along their route. "Or five years."

"Composition of the enemy?" Ryder asked.

"Unknown at this time. We'll get a better idea as we get closer." Katla said once again, waving a hand at the map. "If you think of anything else feel free to send me a message and I'll answer as well as I can. In the meantime let's get ready to move."