The Fleet, on its way back to Makemake, had detected a large enemy fleet on their approach to Neptune. That AI fleet was probably just a small part of a much larger force, but even them alone could take on us. In conclusion, the station's evacuation and our escape was just in time. If we were a few days - no, in fact hours - late, we would have to face them.
"All ships, deactivate main drives and retract radiators. Reduce power plant output to minimum safe levels. Use of heat sinks is prohibited." I ordered. All ships complied, and The Fleet reduced it's emissions. The compulsory emissions (mainly those caused by life support systems) were directed away from the enemy fleet as well as possible.
"Switching to emergency battery power." Omar said from the main engineering deck. "Lodos' power plant is a bit too powerful even when running at minimum, considering our desired emission rates."
"Copy that." I said. "Mei, you heard the engineers."
She nodded silently.
After slowly sailing away from the ice giant for about a day or two, we were far enough from the enemy fleet to reactivate our engines. Even if we were detected, they would be unable to follow us. So The Fleet came back to life; ships extended their radiators and started up their main engines to continue accelerating towards Makemake.
"Commander…" Mei said. "I suggest we try to contact Tachibana's battle group. It would be in our best interest to know what he is up to, and whether he is doing good or not."
"You are right, admiral." I said. "We should check on him, and if possible, the people of Makemake."
Lodos sent a message outwards, to the trans-Neptunian region, hoping to be heard by someone friendly.
'---NEW REPUBLIC NAVAL FORCES---
M Lodos III
Commander Tachibana, we would like you to report the status of your battle group, and if available, the status of the settlement on the dwarf planet Makemake once you receive this message.
---END OF ENCRYPTED PACKAGE---'
Since information travelled only as fast as light, it was going to take at least a while until we got a reply.
But the wait was far from boring…
"Wait a minute." said Professor Yamamari. "I have been observing the refinery for a while, and just now, a few vessels appeared near it. They are following the station in about the same orbit."
"Just like I thought." said the station commander. "They are indeed interested in our facility."
"A little more interested, and they will no longer be." I said.
"Exactly." the station commander crossed his arms. "That, commander, is exactly what is going to happen."
"I doubt the AI would approach a station before a throughout scan of its structure." said Mei. "I say that they could see the danger of an explosive trap and stay away, or maybe send a probe."
"The artificial intelligence we are dealing with surely IS intelligent." said the professor. "But sometimes, Admiral Mei, sometimes… sacrifices are worth making. I can't say anything for sure about its future behaviour, I simply wonder what the AI thinks of it."
"We should see in a while anyway." I said. "This observation will give us some good data to analyze the AI's behaviour. Prof, can you display your observation view on a larger monitor?"
"Sure."
A monitor on the bridge activated – we could now see what the professor was seeing. The station was just a blurry red silhouette from this distance, slowly travelling on its orbit. Near the station were two AI motherships, and on the background was planet Neptune.
"Here." said the professor. "See that single pixel?"
"That?" asked Mei, pointing at the monitor.
"Yes." he replied. "I think they are probing the station before getting close."
"I told you they were not going to fall for a simple trick like this." Mei said.
"Not so soon, admiral." said the station commander. "We humans are also smart. I guess we sometimes tend to forget that this AI is a creation of ours."
"I would argue it is not entirely." said the professor. "However, the point is made; we too are smart… so there is no need to go off-track here."
The AI probe slowly flew closer and soon afterwards, got lost in the blurry silhouette of the station. From such a long distance, this was the best resolution we could get.
"Your station did not explode." I told the station commander.
"Indeed." he said with full confidence. "If I'm going to sacrifice that station, it better be worth more than a stupid probe."
"So you DID program it to explode on a capital ship's approach." I said.
"Yes, I did." he said.
"Shh! Shut up!" said Professor Yamamari. "Here they go!"
One of the motherships slowly began approaching the station. Pixel by pixel, we could see it moving on the screen. And then, the blurry silhouettes merged. The emissions suddenly changed color, and by releasing a great amount of energy, the silhouettes enlarged, covering the screen for a fraction of a second. When the short moment of chaos came to an end, the biggest thing on screen was a piece of rotating debris.
Next thing that happened was the shutdown of the observation display and a round of applause from Professor Yamamari.
"Good work, commander." he congratulated the station commander. I joined the applause just then.
"Well, I guess that works then." said Mei. "…which adds 2 points to your kill count."
"That's it from me, then." the station commander said. "Now that there is no refinery station left to take care of, I will continue as an engineer. You will find me on the engineering deck, if you ever need me personally."
"Wait." I said. "I have a proposal. You've been commanding that station for some time, as a part of Alliance military I believe, so you do have some command experience."
"I… do."
"We are in need of people with command experience, aboard many ships. Why don't you continue as a commanding officer of one of the ships in the fleet?"
"Sir, I don't think running a giant airborne refinery assembly and a spaceship is the same thing - I am an engineer after all." he said.
"What about being a chief engineer?" I then asked.
"That… Now that COULD be." he said.
"Alright." I said. "As soon as I have the chance, I will transfer you to one of the ships that need you. And… thanks for all your efforts."