When they emerged from FTL they were exactly where they wanted to be, on the fringe of the Sol system.
Both humans were so happy that they started to shed tears.
-Just a few more hours and we will be home.
Simon said, trying not to cry.
-Yes it's almost …
Mikael tried to say something but was interrupted by Steuner.
-Didn't you say that your planet has no star ships?
He asked and they immediately focused on their sensors.
It didn't take long for them to find a ship going straight for earth and Simon identified it.
He would never forget this shape.
-This is not one of earth ships, it's those bastards that like to abduct people.
He said with hatred in his voice.
-Then I say we teach them a lesson.
Mikael said, also seething with anger.
-We are doing a micro jump to take positions between them and the planet.
Simon ordered,and it took only a few seconds to execute this maneuver.
Immediately ,the alien ship reversed its trajectory and hailed them.
Mikael took the call.
-This is a federation science vessel Therin. Why did you intercept our cours?
A bug-like alien appeared on the screen and demanded answers.
-This is captain Mikael Fowler from a cruiser Phoenix and we intercepted your course under the suspicion of your intention to capture humans from earth and trespassing in this system.
He answered with a cold voice.
-Now you have two choices,leave our system or face the consequences.
He added .
The bug captain was shocked hearing the ultimatum.
-Under what jurisdiction are you demanding for us to leave?
We have a federation permit for this expedition.
Mikael removed his helmet and the alien captain got the shock of his life.
-This is not federation space and under a terran jurisdiction i order you to turn around and never come back.
-Your human,where did you get those ships?
The alien was in disbelief.
-That's none of your business now, get out of here or you will be fired upon.
Mikael was losing his patience.
The alien captain laughed at the threat which was a very unpleasant sound.
-Listen you hairless ape, you might have three cruisers but they are so outdated that it's laughable.
My ship can easily destroy you all even if it's a science vessel so I suggest you move out of our way and stop interfering or die without changing anything.
The bug just got the scans of the three ships and was sure that they posed no threat.
So he got arrogant,and also it would look bad if he turned around just because some primate ordered him to do so.
-As you wish.
Mikael answered with a grim voice and cut the connection.
A moment later the alien ship was targeted and an alarm blared but the arrogant fool didn't expect to face a full barrage of kinetic munitions.
His shields were practically useless.
He returned fire and ordered evasive maneuvers but it was already too late.
The human energy weapons were absorbed by his shields taking them down to 90% and missiles were getting shot down by point defense lasers but the MAC's rounds ignored his shields and tore into his ship with a brutal kinetic force.
The damage was catastrophic as one of the rounds hit the engines which luckily didn't explode and another ripped through their shield generator.
Others just ravaged the hull and caused many breaches, killing almost a third of the crew.
His own shots were absorbed by the three ship's shields, not causing any damage.
The alien captain wanted to surrender and send a distress signal but he never got a chance.
The alien ship's bridge was vaporized when a salvo of energy weapons slammed into it.
The additional damage caused the ship's hull to break in half venting what little atmosphere there still was inside,killing all the crew.
-Well now we have some new things to research and I definitely want the energy weapons and shields from that ship.
Simon said when it was all over.
-Their weapons were definitely way more powerful than ours.
Steuner said looking at his shield integrity that went down to 72% after getting hit only twice.
-If we didn't have the MAC's then they would almost certainly defeat us.
Mikael said while looking at his shields that were down to 30%,he took most of the enemy fire.
-We are also lucky that they didn't send any distress signal or we would really be in trouble.
Simon added.
-Ok lets collect the smaller parts and tow both halves to the moon then we can decide what to do with them.
Mikael said, sending his drones.
The other ships did the same.
While this was happening the earth governments were in an uproar as their little shootout took place halfway between mars and the asteroid belt and was detected a few minutes later on earth.
All telescopes were immediately directed in that spot and there were three spaceships and the remains of the forth one.
Immediately all the news stations and internet forums went insane.
There was finally an undisputed proof that humanity was not alone in the universe.
There was an emergency session of the UN called almost immediately and every government on earth had emergency meetings to discuss this matter.
While the population was divided,some were enthusiastic about this whole thing and others started riots and plundered the stores.
Some even thought that there would be an invasion and started preparing weapons and the underground shelters.
There was chaos all over the planet.
The armies across the globe were put on stand-by just in case that the aliens were hostile.
Not that they could do anything about it if the ships decided to bombard them from orbit.
Every possible scenario was being looked at and discussed.
When the ships started moving in the direction of earth there was a division amongst the world leaders.
Some wanted to strike preemptively as soon as the ships were in range of their weapons.
Others wanted to contact the aliens to gather more information and if possible to achieve diplomatic relations.
For now however all they could do was to wait.
The ISS crew was ordered to evacuate just in case but they declined that order not wanting to miss the first contact.
Thanks to the instruments on the station they were able to see in real time when the ships dropped wreckage on the lunar surface.
After that the ships held position over the moon's orbit.