Chapter 444 Valeris Council 2

Six hours later, the three Orison patrol ships moved toward the wreck field, with Talyra well ahead of them.

The suspected recovery group arrived first and immediately spread out. Two recovery vessels approached the large technical wreck while the converted cargo ship remained farther behind.

The two armed patrol ships moved to opposite sides of the formation, taking positions that gave them a clear view of the surrounding space.

Rhoswen studied the same tactical feed from Valeris. "They know they’re doing something they shouldn’t."

"Probably," Aurelian replied.

"Can I say definitely?"

"No."

Rhoswen sighed dramatically and leaned back in her seat. "You’re no fun."

Aurelian ignored the complaint and focused on Talyra’s feed. "Can they see you?"

"No," Talyra answered confidently. Her destroyer remained well outside the group’s normal sensor range, running with its emissions reduced. "They haven’t reacted to my position."

"Good. Stay hidden."

She acknowledged the order and held her distance.

The two recovery ships moved alongside the remains of the old technical support vessel.

Mechanical arms extended from their hulls, followed by heavy cutting equipment designed for breaking through old armor and internal bulkheads.

Aurelian watched as the first cutting assembly locked onto the wreck.

That was enough.

He opened a channel through the approaching Orison patrol group, making sure the transmission reached every ship around the wreck field.

"This is Commander Aurelian Arcturus, speaking on behalf of Crownward forces participating in the agreed recovery monitoring arrangement. The wreck field you have entered is under temporary review. Salvage operations are suspended by agreement between Orison, Valeris, and participating recovery representatives. Stop cutting and identify yourselves."

For several seconds, nobody answered.

The recovery vessels continued working.

Then the converted cargo ship finally transmitted. A man’s voice came through without an accompanying image.

"This site belongs to Harrow’s Rest recovery crews. Orison has no authority to surrender it."

Aurelian kept his expression neutral. "Then you can present that claim during the review. Until then, stop cutting."

"We don’t recognize the review."

"That’s your choice," Aurelian replied calmly. "It doesn’t give you the right to remove disputed material while everyone else is waiting."

The channel went silent again.

The cutting equipment remained active.

Oren appeared on another display, clearly losing patience. "They’re refusing. Our patrol ships can reach the field in approximately forty minutes."

Aurelian glanced at Talyra’s position and then at the recovery vessels. Forty minutes might be enough for them to remove whatever they had come for.

"Talyra, can you disable the cutting equipment without hitting the ships?"

She studied the geometry for several seconds. "Yes. Both assemblies are exposed."

Aurelian considered it, but he did not like the idea of firing first when nobody had attacked them yet.

They had enough evidence to stop the salvage operation, but another way to make their position clear remained.

"Talyra, reveal yourself."

Her destroyer increased power and allowed its emissions to rise.

The reaction was immediate.

Both patrol ships around the wreck field turned toward the unexpected contact, while the converted cargo vessel changed orientation. Most importantly, the cutting equipment stopped.

Talyra transmitted before anyone could make a worse decision. "Recovery vessels, disengage from the wreck and hold position. Orison patrol ships are approaching with Valeris and cooperative observers. Nobody needs to fight over this."

For several tense seconds, nothing moved.

Then one recovery vessel released its cutting arm.

The second followed shortly afterward.

Aurelian relaxed slightly.

Rhoswen, on the other hand, sounded disappointed. "Again?"

He glanced toward her window. "What?"

"Nobody fired."

"That’s generally the goal."

"For you," she muttered.

The situation might have ended there if Eirenne had not noticed something in Talyra’s earlier sensor records.

"One of the recovery ships has already removed an object from the wreck."

Aurelian immediately looked toward the highlighted recording.

Several minutes before Talyra revealed herself, a rectangular container had been pulled from an internal section of the technical vessel and transferred directly into one recovery ship’s cargo bay.

"Can we tell what’s inside?"

"No," Eirenne replied. "The container is shielded, and Talyra doesn’t have a clear enough scan."

Aurelian reopened the channel. "You’ve already removed material from the disputed wreck. That material will remain sealed until the review determines ownership. Confirm."

The converted cargo ship answered almost immediately.

"No."

Its engines began increasing power.

The two patrol ships did the same.

Talyra’s expression sharpened as the contacts changed on her tactical display. "They’re preparing to leave."

Aurelian’s own expression tightened. "Do not fire unless they threaten you."

The first patrol ship accelerated toward Talyra.

Its weapons powered up.

"Commander," Talyra warned.

"I see it."

Aurelian opened the channel one final time. "Power down your weapons and hold position. The recovered material will be inspected with observers from all parties present. If you continue an armed approach, Crownward will defend its vessel."

The patrol ship continued accelerating.

Then it fired.

Talyra moved before the shot reached her. Her destroyer rolled away from the incoming beam, allowing it to pass harmlessly through empty space.

Her response came almost immediately.

One precise shot crossed the distance and struck the attacking ship’s forward weapon mount.

The emplacement disappeared in a burst of debris, but the shot never penetrated into the crew section.

The second patrol ship began turning toward her.

"Talyra, watch the second ship," Aurelian ordered, keeping his eyes on the tactical display.

"I have it."

The converted cargo vessel and four recovery ships immediately accelerated away from the wreck, apparently deciding Talyra was distracted enough for them to escape.

They were too late.

Three new contacts appeared at the edge of the wreck field.

The Orison patrol group had arrived.

Their approach placed them almost directly along the fleeing ships’ intended route, forcing the converted cargo vessel to reduce acceleration.

Within moments, the entire group found itself caught between Talyra behind them and three Orison patrol ships ahead.

Aurelian studied the tactical situation. He could order the Orison ships to close immediately, but there was no reason to make the situation worse if the other side was willing to stop.

"Give them another chance."