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SUMMARY: The synthetic Zerith invade the Icarus System. Can Lucius, Ariah, and Sethis stop it? Read to find out

Provarion looked up from his console. As previously instructed he gave immediate information on any new developments. "Commander, it appears that Sathis's ship has docked with the Deep Sea. I am reading signs of laser discharges. Most likely a fire fight is going on inside."

Lucius walked over to Provarion and looked at the read outs himself. Even though he greatly trust Provarion, there are some things that people must see and here for themselves. The general immediately felt a sense of relief at his fellow officer being rescued. But his calm was quickly broken by the stark message of helsman Berisnora.

"Sir, Girash, I am getting some new information of the ships dropping out of hyperspace. Sensors are no longer blinded by the flow up Tachylon particles. All of the nine ships are Type-Beta Silergeant. They are the highest class of Zerith ships in record."

"Your telling me that we have to face nine of those things," shouted Lucius." I was barely able to destroy ONE in our previous encounter and 3/4 of my ship and a colony died. This is defintely a problem. Yet...Our duty and mission remains the same."

"Your orders commander," asked Lucinda. The entire bridge seemed to tense waiting for his answer.

"Simple Sergeant," said Lucius." We will do what we need to do to save those colonists. First we will link up with Sathis and Ariah. Then we will make preperations for battle. I have a plan that might save us...or kill everyone in this syste. Yet if we do nothing, the result will be the same.

Provarion looked up from his post and stared at his commander. "I am never one to feel human emotions," it said." Yet even I sense theduty of which you speak. I may not be human, but I'll be damned if I let them die without fighting." These words startled the entire crew, and sent a wave of morale surging through them. If a robot could find the courage to face the Zerith, they could as well.

Lucius looked into Provarion's eyes with renewed respect."Yes, yes we will. But first we need to bide some time. Provarion, I want you to launch a single long range torpedo towards the enemy and explode it prematurely. The effects won't bother their senes for long, but it should allow us enough time to pick up Sathis's ship. Besides," said the commander." I still need to return that knife of his."

Provarion looked up at the captain, never breaking eye contact as he gave the command for the torpedo to be launched. The cyborg put in a timer of the device and did the necessary calculations to have it explode 30,000 miles from the target. A single torpedo left the Nelson and sped off towards the new Zerith fleet. It exploded and for a few precious minutes the Zerith's sensors were disabled. In that time the Nelson raced towards Sathis's ship.

As soon as the Zerith began heading back towards the ship Ariah was right behind him. She kept her mouth shut and asked no questions. She wasn't an idiot. This was a perfect time for a drink, but that would have to wait. She slid into the empty seat and strapped herself in before the door even closed.