Karen wanted to record an entry to the ship’s log with the events that just transpired with in the last hour but somehow she felt that something was amiss. The Woodlawn broke off from the informal formation with the Dillingham about thirty five minutes ago and headed for what it appeared to be Saturn. If this was so then the Dillingham’s job was to stay away from Saturn at all cost since it seemed that the Woodlawn was heading there, which more than likely to hide and await further developments whatever there were.
Currently the Dillingham was ready as it will every be for what laid ahead of it, all of the fifteen crew members were in their space suits, while the helmets and gloves were off, they where close by. All compartments were closed. Three orbital probes were loaded in the launch tubes and Lynn even managed to load a fourth probe into the probe, it had nothing special to it, but it was ready to launch should the need arise.
The Dillingham three shuttles were also prepped for immediate launch and supplied with about a couple of weeks of rations for ten people each. The shuttles themselves could never make it back to Earth from this distance, their battery power would have run out long before they ran out of food and water. This was something that needed fixing later on by the United Nations Space Fleet but not now.
“Carolyn any changes to the new guys?” asked Karen
“Still coming straight at us, but they are not heading for Earth, but that could change after they deal with us.” replied Carolyn
“Place a view of local conditions over to display number 2.” said Karen
Carolyn clicked a few keys at her station and she said “Done.”
Karen went over to the display station and noticed the setup of the planets. In a rough line there was Saturn, Mars, Venus, with Mercury off to one side, Earth and Jupiter. The Dillingham and the rest of the United Nations Space Fleet, were trying their darn best to keep this fleet away from Earth and Mars never mind the current set of orders said surrender. Saturn seemed to be off limits now since the Woodlawn went there for whatever reason. Jupiter was too far away to be any practical use in using terrain against this fleet.
Karen then said “Carolyn add the comets to this display.” Carolyn complied and in a few seconds said “Done.”
Karen noticed the distribution of comets on the display, a clear path from Saturn, to Mars, to Venus and to Earth. Almost, there was one comet kind of close to the path but the Dillingham could easily avoid it. “Hey Carolyn see that comet just beyond Mars?”
“Let me check.” said Carolyn “P Nineteen Ninety Three X One Kushida Muramatsu, what about it?”
“Val, Carolyn, Kathy, Lori see that.” said Karen pointing to the comet that Carolyn identified.
They all voiced agreement in seeing the comet. Valentina asked “Collision insurance?”
“Only if they get rude with us.” replied Karen
“Got an alternate with P Nineteen Ninety Two G Three Mueller Four” said Carolyn.
“Yeah I see that too.” said Karen “Lisa. How is the communication traffic?”
“All quiet.” replied Lisa.
“Carolyn, Lisa turn on the recorders, transfer data to that emergency probe and also send it too all UNSF units.”
“On, probe is still ready.” said Carolyn
“I’m ready.” replied Lisa
“All right Lisa let us give them a call. Let us see who and how they answer.” said Karen
“Using what?” asked Lisa
“DGE number 1.” said Karen