The Tension was palpable when the fleet awaited the arrival of whoever opened this wormhole.
However after the wormhole stabilized there was no activity,nothing came through the event horizon.
-This is strange.
Simon said while sitting in his command chair.
-No one expends so much resources to open a worm hole this big and doesnt use it.
He continued as he got the reports from all the ships dropping mines in the vicinity of the portal,stating that they needed to go back to Luna for more mines to drop.
-This is certainly strange but i don't think that this was created by the Alliance as even the Federation itself would have a real problem creating something this massive not to mention sustaining it for as long as it has already.
Mikael said over the comm's.
-What is the status of the probe we just sent?
Simon asked.
-It will enter the event horizon within five minutes,Sir.
His tactical officer answered.
The wormholes worked both ways so if there was no one cooking then they would send a probe to see who opened this thing.
The waiting is always the worst. Five minutes that took the probe to reach the portal felt like five hours but the wait ended shortly as the probe entered the wormhole and disappeared for a few seconds just to appear on the other side and send visual and telemetry data.
There was no massive fleet or any super weapon on the other side.
All they saw was a planet that looked habitable but without any life signs and a massive battlefield full of drifting ships and debris.
The probe took its measurements and got a fix on its location.
It turned out that the planet was on the other side of the galaxy and if they wanted to travel there using a normal FTL it would take around three to four months to get there and with the refueling stops and going around Federation space it would take around six months just to get there.
Simon ordered additional probes to be sent to determine what was that place and who opened the wormhole.
Waiting for the probes to do their jobs he contacted the council.
-There seems to be no enemies in the vicinity of the wormhole but there was a battle there at some point and according to Athena it took place thousands of years ago.
We are waiting for the probes to determine the source of the energy for the worm hole and who initiated it.
He reported as soon as he was connected to the entire council.
-Did you manage to determine the location of the initiation point?
The Elani empress asked.
-Yes and it seems to be on the other side of the galaxy.
We don't have any specific star maps of the region and as far as we know no one ventured there or anywhere close as the journey would take around four to six months or even longer.
-Do you think we should send a ship to the other side?
The chairman asked.
-We can send one but it would be dangerous as we don't know how long the wormhole will remain active and what is waiting on the other side of the galaxy.
If we want to send a ship we should send either the Thanatos or the Anubis as there is a chance of getting stranded there and those two ships have the highest chance of making it back without the wormhole.
Simon explained his point of view.
-Then why don't we send one of the two and some escorts?
One of the council members asked.
-Because one ship even as big as one of our dreadnoughts will be easier to bring back than a small fleet not to mention that if we lose one of the ships then it is only the one and not a fleet.
The other reason is that we don't want to lose the ships right now since we still don't know what the Alliance will do.
They can send another strike force any moment and in that case it's better to have as many ships in the system as possible.
Simon said.
-Then why do you propose to send a dreadnought through the wormhole?
Especially if we only have two of them and the third won't be ready for another two months.
-The reason is as stated before.
The Thanatos and the Anubis have way bigger chances to come back using the conventional FTL than any other ship we send, especially if you take their armaments and shields under consideration.
Besides, I don't recommend sending a ship through the wormhole at this time since we are still in the process of gathering data on the other side.
Simon said.
After some deliberation the decision was made.
-Admiral Black we want to send a ship to the other side when it is certain that there are no hostels in the vicinity and we have taken your advice to send either of the dreadnoughts but we won't order anyone to go as this might be a one way trip.
The chairman said.
-If you're asking if I will volunteer then yes I will as it is my idea and i won't send anyone else on a mission like this.
Also I have talked it through with my crew and Athena and everyone is ready to undertake this mission if needed.
Simon said,predicting the chairman's questions.
-Then we will send the resupply to the Thanatos as soon as possible along with more soldiers and some scientists.
The chairman said.
-Thank you chairman and as far as the resupply goes we should be ready to cross over in about six hours as I have already ordered a resupply to extend our supplies for half a year just in case.
Simon said,with a smile.
The Terran ships usually had the supplies for around two months onboard but they had the capacity to store much more supplies if need be.
-On a personal note,Your majesty please tell Alesia that one way or another I will be coming back,she won't get rid of me that easily.
He said jokingly.
Everyone laughed at this and their mood got better.
-You better come back or she will find you and skin you alive.
Liara said with a smile.
She liked Simon and was already considering him as a family member.
-Ok,you better get ready Admiral as this will be the furthest anyone has ever been as far as we know.
The chairman interjected.
-Yes sir.
Was the only thing Simon said.