"You are ordered to immediately return to Volmag for debriefing. Have all crew prepare detailed reports regarding this encounter and have all sensor logs secured and encrypted for study upon your arrival.". Opless shut down the communicator in his personal quarters with a scowl. It took the crew of the 31 about 18 hours to restore communications. He had immediately sent a report to the Volma ruling council and now another 3 days later, their reply arrived. He had expected the order to return home, but he wasn't expecting the response to be so curt. He also wasn't sure if he should send a reply informing the council that they were still very much adrift in space as the engine repairs were not going well. The listening post at G'nalt had sent a shuttle with parts and added engineering crew, but it had just arrived the previous day.

He walked over to the view port and stared out into the star field. "If someone has a stealth ship capable of light speed, they could cause incalculable damage in the time it will take for us to get back to Volma" Opless thought. He had always been one to follow orders, but was struggling mightily with this one. As he stood pondering whether he should follow orders or attempt to try to track down the mysterious vessel he finally let logic win out. If they were capable of light speed, they would be long gone by the time they figured out where they went, even with the knowledge of the ships escape vector, He would follow orders and return home. Once they got propulsion up and running.

His door chime sounded pulling him out of his reverie. "Yes?" Opless intoned. "It's Under Lieutenant Sacul, Commander I need to discuss a signal we just received." came a voice from the other side of the door. Sacul was the chief sensor operator aboard the 31, a highly trained and efficient officer. "Enter." replied Opless. The door slid open with a soft hiss and Sacul stepped inside, the door closing swiftly after he cleared the threshold. The man snapped to attention and spoke swiftly, "Commander, per standing order 2319, I must advise you that we have received a signal from the monitoring probe in the Miramar system."

Upon clearing out the inhabitants of a planet the Volma left behind monitoring probes designed to activate if any non Volma craft neared the planet. Sensor officers across the fleet were to report any activations to their commanding officer immediately. Still staring out the view port, Opless motioned with his hand towards a chair in the room and the young officer sat down. "Continue, Under Lieutenant." Opless said. Sacul cleared his throat and continued with a note of hesitation, "The probes signal had very little details Sir. No information on what type of vessel. Almost as if it's sensors failed. What it did report was reading consistent with an atmospheric incursion." Opless raised an eyebrow and turned to face the man, "Our probes do not fail unless destroyed...."

An epiphany struck him in that moment. He knew with every molecule of his being that the stealth ship they encountered was now in the Miramar system, and most likely orbiting the 4th planet. "The 4th planet of Miramar was the first planet we liberated" Opless said. "They're going back to the beginning...." he muttered almost silently. "In our current position we are the closest ship that received the signal" The Under Lieutenant added. Opless sighed heavily and grumbled, "Which would be great if we had engines to get us there. Besides by the time we get there they will probably be long...." he trailed off as a new thought occurred to him. "Under Lieutenant, give me the chronological list of systems we have liberated after Miramar." Opless ordered. Sacul looked down at his datapad and entered a few command strings then began to read, "Sir, after Miramar there was Laurentian, Fal Ezra, Mastriol, Cranoz..." "Cranoz.." Opless cut in.

"If I were investigating, as they seem to be, I would follow the trail" Opless thought. "We need to get to Cranoz. If only we can get these engines running" He said. Sacul's eyes widened and he quickly said, "Oh, that was the other update I was supposed to give you Sir. The engineering team reports..." As if on cue, a strong vibration ran through the room. Opless turned around to the view port and saw the spinning stars begin to slow. "The engines should be back online shortly" Sacul finished. Opless closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Not fifteen minutes ago he had decided to follow orders and head home. But now he believed there was a chance to catch this mystery ship.

Quickly stepping over to his desk and engaging his communicator Opless spoke, "Commander, Navigation" he said. "Navigation here Commander" was the response. "Set course immediately for Cranoz two, best possible speed" he ordered. There was a distinct moment of hesitation before an acknowledgement returned from the navigator. "Yes Sir!, Engineers report they can only give us about sixty percent engine power for now, but that should increase as they optimize repairs. E.T.A on Cranoz arrival will be about 40 cycles." the navigator reported. Opless turned to the Under Lieutenant, "Good work, dismissed" Sacul stood and saluted Opless before turning on his heel and leaving the room. Turning back to the view port Opless knew he was defying a direct order. One of the more heinous crimes in the Volma lexicon of laws. He wasn't even sure what the punishment was as he couldn't recall ever hearing of a Volma officer defying orders. He spoke to himself quietly, "Well... someone has to be the first."