Chapter 374: End Of Saevor Drann 2

Aurelian immediately became more interested.

"What was that outpost researching?"

"Unknown. The courier records only identify it as Station Veyra Nine."

"Human technology?"

"Possibly. It received several shipments from Sanctuary Ardent during the occupation."

That was enough to matter.

Some of the equipment removed from the sanctuary before Aurelian arrived had almost certainly gone there.

Astra understood the same thing.

"If Drann is emptying the station, that transport may be carrying whatever they recovered."

"Yes."

Rhoswen’s mood improved immediately.

"Now can we stop waiting?"

Aurelian studied the route.

The transport had two escorts, both light cruisers. No additional Compact ships were close enough to respond quickly if something happened.

More importantly, the convoy route passed through an empty system near the edge of Solenne’s extended patrol range.

This time, the opportunity was worth considering.

Aurelian opened a channel to Solenne.

She answered from the Dawn Petal.

"I assume this is about the research transport."

"You saw it."

"I did."

"Can you intercept without weakening Sanctuary Ardent?"

Solenne checked the route.

"I can send three destroyers and one cruiser. They would reach the system before the Compact ships."

"Capture the transport if possible."

"And the escorts?"

"Give them the chance to surrender."

Solenne looked at him for a moment.

"You expect them to?"

"No."

"Neither do I."

Aurelian didn’t need to say anything else.

The patrol group left less than twenty minutes later.

This was not a major offensive.

He wasn’t ready for that, and neither was Sanctuary Ardent.

But there was a difference between launching an offensive and taking something Drann had left exposed.

If the research transport carried records from Sanctuary Ardent, Aurelian wanted them back.

While Solenne’s ships moved toward the interception point, the Alliance survey vessel finally entered the outer edge of the system.

Eirenne announced its arrival as soon as the jump signature appeared.

"Alliance vessel identified as the survey cruiser Meridian Ledger. One accompanying escort ship. Both vessels are broadcasting official identification."

Aurelian looked toward the tactical display.

At least they had come exactly as promised.

No hidden fleet.

No surprise military group.

Just one survey cruiser and a small escort.

"Open a channel."

The main display changed.

A Human woman appeared wearing the dark blue uniform of the Alliance Historical Recovery Office.

She looked to be in her fifties, though modern medical treatment made guessing her age difficult.

"Commander Aurelian Arcturus?"

"Yes."

"I am Senior Claims Officer Meriel Voss. Thank you for allowing us into the system."

"You were informed of the security restrictions?"

"I received them."

"And the sanctuary council’s statement?"

"I received that too."

Her tone remained professional, but Aurelian could already tell she wasn’t especially pleased about the restrictions.

"Then there should be no confusion," he said.

"I hope not. My office is here to verify the status of the recovered site, document surviving Human heritage material, and determine whether any Alliance preservation laws apply."

"That inspection will be limited to the areas listed in the council’s statement."

"I understand your position."

Aurelian noticed the wording.

Not agreement.

Understanding.

That was fine.

Meriel continued.

"I would also like to speak directly with the civilian representatives."

"They are expecting you."

"And the awakened population?"

"You may speak with anyone who agrees to meet you."

That answer seemed to surprise her slightly.

Perhaps she had expected him to keep the survivors away from Alliance officials.

Aurelian had no reason to.

The survivors already knew what the council had decided, and Astercourt had spent hours explaining exactly what the Alliance vessel was coming to do.

If anything, allowing Meriel to speak with them would make the situation clearer.

Sanctuary Ardent’s people did not consider themselves abandoned property waiting for someone else to claim them.

They considered the sanctuary their home.

"Docking instructions are being sent now," Aurelian said.

"Thank you, Commander."

The channel closed.

Rhoswen looked toward him.

"She seems friendly."

"She spoke for less than two minutes."

"Exactly. She hasn’t annoyed me yet."

Astra turned toward her.

"That is your standard?"

"It is a useful one."

Aurelian left the command center shortly afterward.

He did not intend to meet the Alliance delegation alone.

Astercourt and four members of the temporary civilian council were already waiting near the restored eastern reception hall, while Vaela had agreed to attend any discussion involving medical records or the preservation population.

Astra came with him.

Rhoswen also came, despite nobody asking her.

Aurelian decided arguing about it would take longer than simply letting her walk beside them.

The reception hall looked much better than it had after the battle.

One wall still showed repair seams where Compact fire had damaged the internal structure, and several ceiling panels had been replaced with temporary lighting units, but the hall was clean and fully powered.

More importantly, the sanctuary’s old Human markings had been uncovered.

Compact signs were gone.

The people arriving from the Alliance would enter a Human sanctuary that was clearly under Human control.

That mattered.

Meriel Voss arrived with six people.

Two were historical specialists, one was a legal officer, two were technical inspectors, and the last was an Alliance security officer who looked uncomfortable being surrounded by armed Arcturus personnel.

Meriel looked around the hall before approaching.

"This facility is larger than the preliminary reports suggested."

"Much larger," Astercourt replied.

Meriel turned toward her.

"And you are?"

"Astercourt. Temporary chair of Sanctuary Ardent’s civilian council."

The claims officer immediately offered her hand.

"Then I expect you and I will be speaking quite a lot."

"Probably."

Astercourt shook her hand.

Aurelian stayed slightly behind them.

That was deliberate.

This was exactly why he had wanted the council formed before the Alliance arrived.

If every question went through him, the sanctuary would look like Arcturus military property.

It wasn’t.

He protected it.

He controlled its defense while the emergency continued.

That did not make the people inside his property.

Meriel seemed to notice the arrangement as well.

"Commander, I was informed that you currently hold emergency military authority."

"I do."

"But civilian matters are being transferred to this council?"

"As quickly as they can reasonably handle them."