[i]Near KV-77 III, Greater Orpil Flock Territory[/i] 

 The two Ministry of Harmony carriers kept a respectful distance from one another; each ship was a sleek, graceful thing, looking less like a space-faring vessel and more like a wave frozen with cutting-edge technology. Each of them had deployed their full compliment of drones, which were designed to resemble the giant birds of prey that loomed large in the memory of the Orpil species. Most people within the Greater Orpil Flock found them extremely distasteful and uncomfortable to be around, which was exactly the effect that the Ministry of Harmony wanted these drones to have.

 The [i]MHV Endless Hunter[/i] began the display. Her drones split into three flocks and, pulsing their signal lights against the empty space, they seemed to wink in and out of existence. Each flock moved as one, chasing one flock while in turn being chased by other in a frantic dance in orbit of the [I]MHV Endless Hunter[/i]. Finally, one flock caught another, and the captured flock broke apart in a flash of light and movement, only to reform some distance away. The dance continued.

 Now the other carrier began to display. Two massive wings of light, comprised of the drone fleet, appeared to spread from the sides of the ship. It held them open, spreading feathers in the same sort of display that an aggressive Orp might use to intimidate somebody of lower social status into doing what they were told. Small groups of the drones began to turn their lights off, creating the impression of holes being torn into the wings. More and more of these dark spots appeared in the wings of light until, finally, knots of drones in formations designed to look like feathers tumbled away. The wings of light were now nothing more than little stumps, and the signature dance of the [i]MHV Wing Clipper[/i] was completed.

 With introductions complete, the two ships recalled their drones, clinging to the underbelly of their respective carriers, waiting for an opportunity to take flight once more. The Endless Hunter and Wing Clipper turned and began drifting slowly towards the moon that hung above the dusty rock of KV77 III. Radio chatter connected the two ships now, as each crew took the opportunity to swap stories about just how dull their respective patrol tours were with their counterparts. On one of the most heavily encrypted channels, the two captains - each a high-ranking member of the Ministry of Harmony in their own right - discussed something of rather more consequence and significance than who had snubbed who during the last group meal.

 "Still no sign of the [i]Faultline[/i] whatsoever."

 "Straight to business it is then, I guess. No, no contact from her."

 "I guess Firo really is committed then. We'll do one last sweep of KV-77 to show willing and buy him some time, then report her missing."

 "If we're lucky, it won't even come to that."

 Around fifty astronomical units away, the Nest-class carrier [I]MHV Faultline[/i] began warming up the engine that would carry the ship on a course straight back to Ave-Mux and a reckoning with Minister-General Fortidae of the Ministry of Harmony.