[b]I-Sphere Space[/b]

Within minutes of receiving the message, the crew of the [i]Jetha[/i] -- the first research ship -- had it transferred to the ship's massive computers, normally used for DNA processing. Linguists on board the ship, long lacking a new subject, also began to view the message. The brute force method of the computers would take ages if left alone, but the linguists would be able to add their theories along the way, hopefully speeding up the process. However, what was nearly immediately deciphered were the attached coordinates. Punching the information into the smaller bridge computers, they narrowed down the locations in the system that the coordinates could be referring to, and decided the Jovian's moon was the most logical one.

The astrogators did their work, and the pilots initiated a brief burn. The [i]Jetha[/i] was therefore set on course for a lunar flyby, after which, it would fall into an orbit around the Jovian. It was risky, heading towards a set of coordinates without context. It could just as easily be a warning as an invitation. The crew of the research ship could only hope that they weren't fired upon, as the [i]Jetha[/i] was fragile and the cargo valuable. In the event of attack, however, the six frigates following behind could release their nuclear payloads rapidly and avenge the fallen.

The second of the research ships, [i]Sajaga[/i], having heard of the first's plan, took an alternate route, burning straight into an orbit around the Jovian. She found no need to expose herself, especially when her sister already intended to do so.

Hours passed as the ships sped through the void. When it was finally in visual range of the moon, it slowed, just enough that it would whip around the satellite and fall into place around the Jovian. As it passed, the vulnerability of the ship would be obvious to all who were looking, the [i]Jetha's[/i] structure thin and hull minimal on the many rings around its spine and the fuel tanks around its tail. The assault frigates were a different matter, bulky and lacking rings. The crew hoped the contrast would be apparent, as they passed above the moon's surface.