//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Gaze to the North // Story: Highfleet: Uncharted Skies // by Stalin with Da Spoon //------------------------------// Aboard the Sevastopol. The Grand Duke stood in front of a large table, with his comrades standing beside him, as they looked at several photos taken by three recently dispatched reconnaissance T-7 supersonic jet's, deployed from the Novorossiysk carrier. The photos featured several landmarks, cloud formations, mountains, lakes, and other standard reconnaissance data recorded by the instruments of their aircraft. The aircraft were ordered to only recon within a one kilometre range from the carrier. The data was at least somewhat calming, showing that they were in a remote area, with good water and cloud cover. Prince Fazil was the first to speak. "I must admit, I did not expect us to have wound up in such a... Nice location, at least by the standards of Gerat." Admiral Daud nodded. "Indeed, we could've likely ended up somewhere way worse." General Pyotr was busy inspecting one of the photos closely as he commented on something. "It would appear this planet has similar plant life to that of our world, including trees, flowers, and quite green grass, so oxygen is no doubt plentiful." The Grand Duke nodded, as he examined the atmospheric readings taken by the Sevastopol's engineers. From the looks of it, there was barely any sign of carbon emissions in the air, and the air had plentiful amounts of oxygen and other standard air based elements. Knowing this, he also discovered something rather odd... The gravity on this planet was slightly lower than on Elaat, meaning their airships would need less fuel to fly through the air, and calculations showing this would result in saving over twenty-five percent of their fuel reserves. Luckily, they had completely filled up on fuel at Khiva, so the worry of running out was low. "Have we located any potential signs of intelligent fauna?" General Pyotr shook his head. "Negative, no signs of any kind of fauna within the one kilometre scanning radius." "I see... And what about our standard navigational instruments?" "From what we have seen, our compasses, longitude and latitude scanners, altitude readouts, sonar and radar are all functioning properly, so this planet is indeed similar to ours." "Good, so we will not be fumbling in the dark." Admiral Daud slowly nodded. "Indeed, and as Romani Fleet Code dictates, when the operating area is totally un-charted and lacks records, chart course straight north." The General and Duke both nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Pyotr, give the order to the fleet to set course for the north." "Yes, Grand Duke." The General quickly made his way out of the room, and towards the bridge, entering as everyone saluted him and he saluted back, before walking over and speaking to the central communications officer. "Alert the fleets to prime engines for take off, the Duke has ordered us to fly directly north." "Yes, General." The officer saluted and quickly turned to his work station as he adjusted the radio, attuning it to the command frequency, as they spoke into the microphone. "All ships, initiate take off procedures and set course for direct north, at zero degrees." The General turned to the window to see all of the currently landed ships slowly beginning to ignite their engines, while the crew in the bridge hustled around into their seats, flipping switches, adjusting knobs, and turning keys, as the ship began to shake, with alarms blaring, until the engines fully ignited, and the Sevastopol rose into the air. The Grand Duke and his comrades soon entered the bridge, everyone saluting as the Duke nodded, before walking up and looking out the front viewing port. The duke watched as the Sevastopol and the rest of the fleet slowly rose into the air, before they all ignited their forward thrusters and set off. The ship itself slightly rumbled, the sound of the metal hull creaking and straining, a common sound on most Romani ships who see deployment for extended periods of time. The Duke then turned to the communications officer and issued an order. "Alert the Novorossiysk to send forward a reconnaissance jet squadron, and tell them to go to a maximum of five kilometres." The officer saluted as he turned to the radio. After a few minutes, the Duke watched as multiple jets took off from the tarmac on the top deck of the carrier, observing as they disappeared over the horizon. Admiral Daud could not help but smile, seeing the fleet in the air once again, with the sky clear and the path through the wind charted. However, his smile soon vanished as he turned to the Duke. "Sayadi, if we were to theoretically encounter intelligent alien fauna, perhaps capable of communication, what are we to do?" The Duke entered a state of deep thought and contemplation, thinking to himself about what it would be best to do when encountering an alien species. It honestly depended on their intentions, motives, and beliefs. If they were hostile, the fleet would likely be forced to defend itself. However, if they were neutral, or perhaps even friendly and welcoming, negotiations could be conducted, and maybe even a treaty between the empire and the alien race. Whatever it would be, the Duke was unsure for now, as he turned to Daud. "We would simply have to wait and see how they would respond to us." As the fleet soared across the skies, leaving behind a trail of smoke, slightly fogging up the sky, a few bunny rabbits emerged from their burrows, watching the metal behemoths streak across the sky with intrigue, before retreat back into their burrows. Several birds and avians flew alongside these massive titans of steel, curiosity getting the better of them as they perched on the outer railings of the ship decks. Certain crew members saw these avians and simply shooed them away, or offered them some bread crumbs. It was very clear to the wildlife, that something truly unknown had arrived in their land, and while their intentions were unknown, they seemed to be truly powerful. And as they soared north, the sun itself seemed to gaze upon them in intrigue.