[Twenty-four vessels detected. Bearing twenty-five point seven eight nine]
Emery stepped up to the forward console. A projection bloomed across the display—icons marking ships scattered in formation. One massive hauler at the center, five medium escorts, and a swarm of smaller craft around them like gnats.
VIA overlaid their details.
[Registry scan complete. The majority match records of refugee transports departing from the Ceryon Warfront three standard weeks ago. Warning: anomalies detected]
Emery frowned. "Anomalies?"
[Four vessels lack active transponders. No serial code. No manifest. Hull markings are inconsistent with the refugee registry. Probability of hostile vessels masquerading within fleet: ninety-one point seven percent]
His jaw tightened. Pirates or Raiders.
Before Emery could dig deeper, the console flared with an incoming signal.
[Incoming Transmission]
[Azure Kraken to Jawbreaker. Come in, Ironscar. Report]
