December 30th, 3018.
Ducal Estate, Kentares IV
Sheppard, what's got you calling in a fuss?"
"Sir, twenty minutes ago we detected a Jump emergence at the Nadir point. We're not quite sure of what type it is yet, but we've not had any indication of DropShips detaching or ASF launches from it. As far as the telescopes have been able to make out, it doesn't HAVE any Droppers with it."
"That's... odd. I doubt they're just passing through though. Get the Messengerprepped to launch. If that's some sort of spy JumpShip..."
"Incoming transmission from our new arrival. Text only, unencrypted... Marc, it's addressed to Kerlin Ward."
I turned to my houseguest and shrugged.
"There should not be anyone outside of the touman I have brought with me that knows I am here." Kerlin replied.
"Curiouser and curiouser. You think it's some sort of trojan virus?"
"If there's any kind of e-warfare in this I can't see it. The data packet is too small to be anything except some sort of simple message."
"A courier ship?"
"Possibly, but again, there should be no one trying to reach me."
"Ok, they have my attention. Patch it through. Let's see what they have to say."
"Sending now."
From: Liberty-class JumpShip BNC Olympus
To: Kerlin Ward, Khan of Clan Wolf, primary owner of record of Sovetskii Soyuz-class WarShip SLS Kharkov
We have been trying to reach you about your ship's extended warranty.