[color=gray]With the anti-ship batteries being deployed and the Lincoln in relative safety, Alexis took this moment to breathe. The Coalition was regrouping and preparing to launch another attack on the Lincoln and it's clutch. They only had enough time to fix the hull breaches temporarily, but the scars would remain for the rest of this mission. With the immediate threat of a boarding action gone, Alexis and Aston both dismounted from their ultra-lights. The 'fresh' air of the warm bridge felt nice compared to the recycled oxygen of the MAS's life support system. People were running around the bridge and the hallways of the ship to recover from such a harrowing battle.

[color=white][b]"Can somebody tell me how the Coalition managed to pull the Lincoln out of hyperspace? We need to know what we're up against before we launch a counter attack."[/b][/color] After she asked, an adjutant approach her with a holopad.

[color=white][i]"Ma'am, the hyperspace course we plotted had us pass closely by a Coalition listening post. We were only in it's sensor range for three seconds but that short time was enough to identify us as unauthorized. It would appear the listening post was a deep space proximity station for Jehan, and that this planet is used by the Coalition to test experimental technology."[/i][/color] he explained as he showed the data on the holopad.

Alexis crossed her arms, [color=white][b]"So we offered ourselves up as test subjects. Wonderful."[/b][/color] the captain turned her gaze to Admiral Ardin who was being suspiciously quiet through the majority of the ordeal, [color=white][b]"Did you know about Jehan? Is this where we're supposed to be?"[/b][/color]

Ardin nodded first then shook his head. [color=gold][i]"We have intelligence from many Ghost operatives that Jehan housed several Coalition R&D facilities. But the Ghosts also confirmed that the superweapon isn't on Jehan."[/i][/color] Ghosts... Now there's something Alexis wish she had access to right about now. The UEE's black operatives, trained since childhood and cybernetically enhanced. Ghosts were essentially one man armies, deployed either alone or in teams of two deep into enemy territory to spy, sabotage or assassinate targets. But they didn't have Ghosts, and the likelihood of encountering one seeded on Jehan was slim to none; they wouldn't expose themselves for UEE regulars.

Alexis disregarded the thought of Ghosts as Ardin continued, [color=gold][i]"The Coalition wouldn't risk researching such a weapon so relatively close to the front. Jehan was never a part of the mission. That said, captain, I believe this presents us with a unique opportunity to glean intel on some of the Coalition's sensitive documents regarding other projects. It might even hold a clue to where we will find the superweapon."[/i][/color]

Alexis nodded, [color=white][b]"You're suggesting we stay to raid Jehan? We don't have a fleet to blockade the planet and we need our remaining MAS's in orbit, not planetside, to assist us with the coalition defense group. Additionally, there's no doubt in my mind that that same listening post sent a distress signal to any nearby patrol fleets. If Jehan is as sensitive as you make it out to be, the ships on the other side of this moon are only a small part to a much larger problem. Not to mention to space station that is armed to the teeth. And we still haven't confirmed if there are any anti-orbital cannons on the surface of Jehan that are powering up."[/b][/color] Alexis took a breath, [color=white][b]"With all due respect, Admiral, we simply can't mount a siege on Jehan. We need to cut our losses and carry on further into Coalition space. Other opportunities will present themselves."[/b][/color]

In the silence of contemplation, Hark spoke up over the radio. [color=firebrick][i]"Captain, deployment of the cannons is on schedule. Some of my marines did some recon on this moon and they've uncovered an abandoned warehouse partially buried from the sand. Seems the moon is too windy and sandy for permanent installations. Nevertheless, the warehouse is still fully stocked with ammunition for MAS weaponry, as well as missiles and power cores. I've sent a squad to secure it."[/i][/color]

That little bit of good news helped Alexis relax a little, [color=white][b]"Good work, sergeant. I'll send a dropship to receive the cargo. Continue reconnaissance of the moon, we might be lucky enough that the sand has buried more than just ammunition."[/b][/color]

[color=firebrick][i]"Understood, captain. I'll keep you updated. Hark out."[/i][/color]

Alexis tapped away at her holopad to give the command to launch a dropship to the warehouse. This warehouse most definitely helped to keep their MAS's going through the duration of the mission.[/color]