Quillien strode onto the flight deck of the Byzantium.  As the door swept open she cast her eyes around the crew, all attentive to their duties as the cruiser slipped through the blackness of space.  Her watchful eyes took in the cold black waste as it lay mapped out beyond the  shielded plexi view screen before being disturbed by her thoughts by the helmsman.<br/><br/><em>“Pluto is coming into range now Captain”</em>The helmsman spoke.<br/><br/>So it was.  The furthest of Sol’s orbital bodies had become the first line of UEG’s defense.  The planet bristled with weaponry that pointed towards the inky depths.  Silently and waiting patiently to unload their remorseless arsenal against any perceived threat to UEG’s dominance.<br/><br/><em>“Power down the engines.  Unfurl the sails”</em>Came Quillien’s response as her eyes maintained their vigil.<br/><br/>The roar of the engines diminished and the gentle shimmer of the ship slowed as it was carried forwards by sheer momentum alone as the glow of the engines slipped into darkness.  From each side of the ship extended a elaborate arrangement of masts.  Between these the sails opened up akin to petals of a flower.  The high tensile coat shimmered in the faint starlight.  They flexed slightly as they caught against the solar winds that buffeted the craft.  Slowly the forward momentum began to pick up, and drive the vessel onwards.<br/><br/><em>“We will be coming into range of their defences in sixty seconds”</em>There was a flicker of concern in the helms voice.<br/><br/><em>“Hold steady this course helm.  Most of Pluto’s defenses are automated.  The Byzantium is transmitting a recognisable UEG signature, even if the ship itself is unrecognisable, the planetary defenses will see a UEG Corvette class cruiser, nothing more.”</em><br/><br/>This much was true.  Should any eyes have been turned towards the ship as it coasted across the heavens they might have picked up on it curious contours.  There were a few unconvinced glances shot her way from the crew.  She smiled quietly.  Projecting an air of assurance from her words even if she was secretly less convinced<br/><br/>Quillien walked another couple of steps towards the viewing window. Her face was now hidden from the rest of the crew as she looked outwards.  In the distance, the blinking light of the star Sol and she smiled.  It wouldn’t be long now.<br/><br/>The Byzantium swept past the small cold planet.<br/>