Then the approaching patrol ship powered up its weapons.
The mood inside Black Crown's command room changed immediately.
Aurelian leaned forward, his expression hardening as new weapon signatures appeared across the tactical display. "Varos, don't fire first."
"And if they enter weapons range?" Varos asked, his attention fixed on the approaching ships.
"Warn them. If they attack after that, defend yourself."
Vaelith immediately looked toward Aurelian, the anticipation returning to her face. "Now can we deploy?"
Aurelian did not answer immediately.
Crownward had no legal claim to the reserve site. Neither did Orison, at least not one that had been established.
Varos claimed his people had restored the facility, while the approaching consortium claimed that its financing gave them ownership.
Both sides apparently had contracts, and neither claim had been independently examined.
