At the Wormhole from Gilead into Victoria
The courier drones emerged into Victorian space like a flock of sparrows, then broke into a dozen groups, each weaving for a moment to take star sightings and locate itself. First one, then ten, then a hundred and more all turned toward Cornwall and accelerated, each carrying the dying message of the Bawdy Bertha.
Just out of sensor range to the “south,” Admiral Kaeser’s Second Attack Fleet flew onward. It was still a full day’s flight from Cornwall.
On the far side of Victorian space, Admiral Mello’s First Attack Fleet, using transponders that identified them as a convoy of grain carriers from Cape Breton, passed Victorian Space Buoy #5 and plowed their way toward the Victorian home world.
Victoria slept.