Attracted by weird sensor readings, or certain Curacaoans, people moved to Hudson, finding one dozen easy Cultist snubs and a carrier there. In the beginning, only a bunch of snubs were around and tried their luck, but in the end, two gunboats and a Corvo were needed to get rid of the twelve Cultist drones. And then the Carrier got triggered. It destroyed one ship after another and in the end chased Ezrael to the Cold Bay Depot, where Liberty and Rheinland had their capitals sent to. With the quick gunship distracting the carrier, the capitals were able to fight the Cultists from the distance, winning without losses.
The ships moved to the jump hole, to investigate it. The 5th fleet launched probes through the jump hole, and when it was convenient to move through it, all ships present did.
The surprise was big when the expedition fleet noticed there was no way back. The jump hole was a one-way connection. Ships wouldn't be able to move back. At least communication to the outside was possible. That would come in handy later.
So they started the search for a way back.
And they explored the system...
Not finding much...
Moving to A...
Moving to B...
Eventually, they would find Cultist forces. One group stronger than the other. The snubs fell like flies. Cleverness was needed now. Even Elena Voigt was put out of action, however Ezrael picked her lifepod up and her ship's debris got collected by the 5th. They wouldn't leave stuff behind
Unlike the Cultists, who were protecting an abandoned depot, filled with scientific data, cloaks, improved armor upgrades and Manticore Beam Cannons. However, the ships guarding the depot were unique and indestructible. Distraction was the key to pilfer the loot. At least something the whistling commies were good for.
The ability to call reinforcements was absolutely the key to get out of the system. The Rheinland Battleship was equipped with a fleet jump drive, allowing the people to leave. All it took was the 5th fleet sending a fuel ship into the wilderness.
And so...
... the expedition fleet jumped out.
... Just to find themselves in the Dyson Sphere. In the very center of it. Now the 5th fleet, RFP, Ezrael and a few other people know what lies here. Active.
The only exit was an alien jump gate, and nobody knew where it would lead.
Leaving the heart of the Dyson Sphere, the expedition fleet found itself at the outer hull of the sphere, in the atmosphere. Knowing what lies here, Ezrael hinted to use the gate another time instead of moving around - the Marduks were just waiting for them out there.
And so the fleet moved through Iota, heading for Minor. However, Elune didn't like that and intercepted some of them, failing in the destruction of them, though.
The expedition fleet restocked at Freeport 11. The question was now: Through Omicron Rho or Corsair territory?
They headed for Kappa. Corsairs were more funny than Core.
They moved through the Edge Nebula in Kappa and Gamma.
Then through Omega-55.
Moved through Omega-11.
Just to reach Rheinland again. Safe territory!
And Ezrael brought Elena to Trenton, just to leave again without a trace. And still she doesn't know his name.