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After a couple of drinks, the general was ready to go. He walked into the admeral's building, and introduced himself to the receptionist. "The admeral is in his room. If you would step into the lift," she turned around and pointed to the shaft behind her, "it will take you right to his office. Have a nice day." She smiled and went back to work. Martin mumbled a thank you and headed for the lift. As he got on, the cool doors clid shut, and the lift began to rise. When the display hit 7, the lift stopped smoothly, and the doors opened. Martin stepped out, and headed towards the door in front of him. A little nervous, he opened it, and saw the admeral sitting at his desk. "Ah, good to see you made it, general. Please, sit down." Admeral Smith motioned towards the chair. After Martin had sat down, Smith said, "Do you remember me telling you about the possibility of there being Rebel Frigates?" Martin nodded. "Do you also remember what you said about the resources needed?" "Yes, I said that we-" "Let me finish. You had a very good point there: we don't have anywhere to get the needed metal. Supposedly." Smith grinned, then handed Martin a folder. Martin glanced at the folder's title. "P-9371? Never heard of it." Smith smiled. "Exactly. Very few people have." He went over to the wall and flipped two switches. The first turned of the lights, while the second activated the giant monitor on the wall. "P-9371 is the sole planet in the system RCS-3971, two jumps away from here." Smith brought up a holographic display of the planet and overlayed a green targeting grid on top of it. "As far as we know, P-9371 has both the highest density and highest quality of metal that has been discovered. With this one planet, we can match ConFed warship production 3 to 1 for the next 25 years. What do you think?" Smith looked eagerly at Martin, waiting for his response. "But where are the materials going to be stored? And where are the ships going to be made? Our nearest secret shipyard is on Beeblebrox, and-" "We're building two stations in the system," Smith interrupted. "One is a storage type 3 station, with a small shipyard onboard. The other is a type 4, with a large shipyard, as well as a large fleet of Mantas, a dozen Destroyers, and six Cruisers. We're not letting anyone take that system." He smiled. "I'm sure you're wondering why I'm telling you this." "Well, yes sir." "First off, you need to relax. I'm not going to pull rank here, so you don't have to salute me, or call me Admeral. Call me Smith. Now, our first major shipping fleet will be making its way into that system in a month. However, the stations are running behind. We're sending 4 bulk freighters full of building materials. You are to meet with them in Yemuro. The needed materials are on New Istanbul, and you will proced to RCS-9371 from there. All ConFed opposition should be destroyed without mercy. Understood?" Martin nodded. "Good. Here is all of the information needed on the planet. After you deliver the equipment, go to Defense Station Alpha. They will give you new orders. Dismissed." Martin walked back to his ship, reading all of the information. Why him, though? And what was his new mission?
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