"Alright! Suit up, stock up, lock, and load people! We jump in five. We're bringing the fleet, but expect trouble. We know there's a small orbital defences platform, but there could be a supply fleet that visits.", Jack shouted to the amassed group as he hopped down, "Mark you have team Osiris. Sael, Neera, Jay, and Chlorate, you guys are included with them. Jace, Aster, Essex, and Vier. Your with me. Mark, prep the Possessor for launch. You'll be marking defensive targets for our guns in orbit once we have control of space. Once all defenses are eliminated, that's when the landing force goes. Frigates and landing craft only. Everyone to assigned teams and stations!"
Mark gave a grin before walking the short distance to a large tarp covered piece of equipment. "Hey Chlo. Ready to be my copilot? Come on and climb in.", Mark said raising the tarp for the Android to move under and board.
Neera gave the man Jace a smile, "You too. I look forward to seeing you again." She said before shaking his hand then leaving to group with the rest of the team.
The fleet began to move forward into the void of space away from 188604. Jump drives spooling up across the amassed ships. The fleet consisted of 37 ships, numerous frigates, and some cruisers gathered around the two massive battle carriers at the group's center. Faint flashes and distortions of space marked their jumps as they each zipped to faster than light speeds. Closing the distance to their destination within a couple hours.
The same flashes and ripples erupted as the ships seemed to pop into existence in the space not far from Spora.
"Status report.", Jack asked from his command chair on the bridge.
"Orbital unit detected."
"Wait.....Sir! Numerous ship contacts detected in proximity near the planet in orbit! More showing up! They seem to be forming a field around the planet."
Jack listened to his bridge crew, "Fuck! How did they know we were coming?! Are they reacting to our appearance?"
"No sir...... they're just sitting there. No life signs detected. There's traces of particles leftover from a few drive detonations."
"It's a damn minefield.", Jack said cursing before opening a ship wide comms, "To all hands, condition yellow. I repeat, condition yellow. Additional forces detected, they know we're here. The mission hasn't changed, we will still succeed. To your stations. Fighter escorts deploy, indigoes spread out and prepare for barrage fire commencement. SS1s assume defensive posture. Landing parties move to ready status, all security forces prepare for possible boarding actions. They may not be moving, but doesn't mean they're not hiding."