Aboard the commanding dreadnought Oghan's Wrath, the Imperial commander stares down into the holo-display showing the disposition of forces around the Anvil. Across the table, her XO lounges in a chair with her heels kicked up.
"We just need more time! Damn those theocratic fools!"
Her officer shrugs carelessly. "Could be worse, we could've emerged in the middle of the fight. The investment of the structure is almost complete, if we can stall them but another handful of days we'll have fortifications that the Cult themselves would break their teeth on, nevermind the Voidborn and the mangy pack of allies they've mustered."
The Admiral shakes her head. "Far from the point, Illaria. I got a clandestine message two days ago that there are certain...members within the Senate that would not be upset if the situation here devolved."
Despite only being around a century or so, and with little experience in the Senate, the commander grasps the point swiftly. "So what are they doing about it?"
A gesture and a tap zoom the map out and illuminate a network of hyperspace routes. "According to my contact, a merchant convoy left Gardan-" A point on the map near the edge of Imperial space lights up. "- bound for Sangros three weeks ago. They didn't make the handoff point, and when Customs at Sangros sent out a ship to backtrack them, they found that they'd made a course change bound straight for us. A distress beacon claimed it was an engine malfunction."
Illaria laughed. "An engine malfunction that takes them right into a potential warzone? Riiiggghht. What do you think their play is?"
"No clue. And Command won't send reinforcements for fear of provoking the very fight we're trying to avoid."
Now the younger officer looks glumly at the hologram. "Then I reckon we're pretty well fucked."
"Not entirely. I sent out another message yesterday. Should hear back any day now."
"Oh really? What'd you say?"
Another tap opens the ship logs. "See for yourself."
(The transmission, if y'all were curious. No, your factions don't know where it was sent, even if you might know what it said.)
"When the clouds obscure the sun's rising, the ignorant defy the soldier."