Later...
The man-made planetoid Pael. Bigger than Chora Luna, it was also the first REAL space colony - that is, one that supported a civilian population. There were barbers, bakers, and even real estate agents. In total, about two thousand people lived on Pael.
Seven of them were gathered in security headquarters. They sat at a polished oval table, away from the main consoles and videoscreens. Six of them were security personnel, and the seventh was Elaine. She'd called this meeting together, and she looked worried.
She had good reason to be. They were being watched.
In a small cramped room some way above security headquarters, Simon sat watching a small screen. On it was the display from a security camera trained on the oval, siphoned off from the main security system - undetected, of course. The image was crisp and the sound clear.
The door opened and Marko came in. He was panting. "It's hard finding this place," he said. "All those stairs and panels - nearly got lost." He saw the image on the screen. "Have they-"
"It's just starting."
Elaine looked at the security personnel. "Gentlemen, I'm sure you're all aware of the attack on Chora Luna. I called this meeting together because I believe the next target of the space pirates is Pael. If you look at the Chora Luna assault on its own, it seems pointless. Clearly, it was just a feint. The enemy is testing our strength, our defenses - and they will attack again."
One of the security personnel interjected: "Won't that mean they attack Chora Luna again? If their purpose was to test our security..."
"That is a possibility," admitted Elaine. "But from their point of view Pael is a much more valuable prize. Perhaps the attack on Chora Luna was designed precisely to divert our attention away from Pael."
Marko smirked. "Course, she can't tell them why she's really concentrating her efforts here - the portal stone!"
"Quiet!"
"And so," said Elaine, "I want security stepped up. Twenty fighters have been transferred from Chora Luna and will arrive in two hours. I want you to let in the barest minimum of traffic. If they look remotely like a space pirate, send them elsewhere."
She paused. "I also want you to consider the possibility of evacuation."
Simon leant forward. "Here it comes..."
One of the security personnel said, "We've produced a comprehensive evacuation plan..."
"I've read it," said Elaine. "It seems weak. According to the plan, everybody on Pael leaves through the same exit. An enemy who had knowledge of our intentions could easily block this off."
"Impossible. There are no security leaks on-"
"Gentlemen, you must consider this possibility. The attack on Chora Luna was very well-coordinated, and I think they had inside information."
Simon smiled.
"All this might be true," said one of the security personnel, "but the gate is the only way in and out of Pael. It's wide enough to take freight and fighters, and I think the enemy, whoever they might be, would have trouble blocking it off."
Elaine looked at the security personnel. "Are there any other ways off this station?"
The security men looked at each other. "There is the exit hatch on level 4-G. We used it during the construction phase. It was supposed to be sealed over, but I don't think they got around to it. It's very narrow, though - only small fighters could get through it, one at a time."
"Send a team to fix up the exit and get it in working order," said Elaine.
Simon sat back. "Rats."
"What?" said Marko.
"She's not going to give us any clues as to where the portal stone is. She just called this meeting together to secure an escape route."
Marko nodded. They'd been watching the security system - through Simon's hookup - right around the clock, working in shifts. They'd monitored Elaine's every move, and she hadn't once gone near the portal stone. They had a very large list of places it wasn't, but still no idea where it was.
Marko tapped the screen. "Well, we better keep watching."