--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[FONT="courier new”]UNKNOWN LOCATION
OUTER SHELL, EPSILON ERIDANI, CORE WORLDS
2319 UTC, FEBRUARY 2, 0006AE [/font]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Outer Shell of planetessimals of Epsilon Eridani was unusually small compared to that of most colonized systems. Since its colonization much study had been done into the matter by astronomers studying stellar formation and the accretion of proto-planetary discs and their subsequent condensation into solar systems. Most of that data was, of course, gone by now, but enough remained to piece together the essentials of the matter, or survived in the heads of the humans concerned with such things to explain it: the outer shell was small because Epsilon Eridani had a low metalicity.
Low metalicity, and low concentrations of heavy elements to make things like planets, or space rocks. This explained why Eridani Prime had problems with natural resources, which made it curious that Shuurai, an industrial corporation, had established itself there, although its original Japanese settlers were more drawn to the archipelagic nature of the world, which was reminiscent of the home islands back on Earth. It also explained why the Outer Shell was so small. This might be bad news for industry, but it was also bad news for Amadeus Khan. For it was him they were after, and his number of places to hide was rapidly dwindling.
“Charlie Tango One to Alpha Romeo Six, no contact.”
“Roger, Charlie Tango One, continue sweeps.”
Word had come down from Eridani Prime that A. Khan's defection wasn't just treason, it was tantamount to a declaration of war. The Board of Directors had been understandably furious. A. Khan hadn't just stolen valuable research data required to continue the reestablishment of Shuurai's Research and Development division. He hadn't just delayed the prosperity and resurgence of the human race as a whole out of selfishness. He had stolen, quite literally,
billions of credits worth of materials. He had made off with data worth over 5.66% of Shuurai's net annual profit.
[1]
It had been an absolutely inconceivable breach of security. As soon as what had occurred had been discovered, heads had rolled, both literally and figuratively. It was an unprecedented failure in corporate security. All travel services provided to the citizenry had immediately been halted and searched. The Gates had been sealed. Life in Epsilon Eridani ground to a complete halt within an hour of the order going out. And then the hunters were released, and the search began.
They had worked methodically over the course of several weeks. Scanning across Eridani Prime, Secundus, Tertius, the Inner Belt, and out through the gas giants. No expense had been spared in the search, as all manner of methods were tried. Full electromagnetic spectrum scans, analysis of gravity wave distortions, materials diffraction scans, magnetic and gravitic anomaly detection, detailed investigation of radioisotope levels, all the stops were pulled out. Security Forces were deployed to sweep all areas of interest foot by foot. It was painstaking work. But slowly they had cleared the system. And it had left A. Khan and his cohorts only one refuge: the Outer Shell.
“Sierra Nevada Seven wide-broadcast to Alpha Romeo Six and Victor Group, erratic radioisotope emissions from object TY392, vectoring in probe.”
“Roger Sierra Nevada Seven, keep us posted.”
The Outer Shell was little different from the Oort Cloud or the Outer Shell of any other system, as much as happened to be enclosed in the Boundary anyway. TY392 was a smallish object right on the edge of the Boundary, and it was emitting unusual amounts of something no ice ball should: Helium-4. Elerium was difficult to come by these days, and it was not among the things A. Khan and company had gotten away with. Deuterium and Tritium were cheap and plentiful, especially in something made of water.
“This is Sierra Nevada Seven, TY392 He-4 emission is off the charts.”
“This is definitely not a natural phenomenon, rolling in for better resolution.”
“Roger, Sierra Nevada Seven.”
“Affirmative Alpha Romeo, He-4 venting confirmed from vector 43-6-24, this is definitely reactor plasma; proceeding on intecep—holy ****!”
“Report, Sierra Nevada Seven.”
“Some kind of dazzler!”
“TY392 is hot and armed, requesting permission to engage, Alpha Romeo!”
“Negatory, Sierra Nevada Seven, HQ wants Khan alive; take evasive action and return to stand-off range, reinforcements will be arriving shortly.”
They had found their prey.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] Yes, I do view the magnitude of that negative event, under the pretext of the actions of one man, or even a group of men, as completely absurd given its impact. 
.
