Back to posting.---------
Eishtmo, 05-25-2000 10:31 PM
Hawking/System #4553-03 Jump Node - VAD Axion
A loud bang could be heard as the Axion exited subspace.
"What the hell was that?" Barry demanded. He then looked up and saw the swirling gas of the black hole. "What the hell is that?"
"I don't sir," Pareen replied. "But I'm scaning now."
Barry shook his head. "Don't worry about it yet, find the Horan."
"Aye sir," Pareen answered.
"It might be a black hole," the XO said.
"Maybe," Barry said. "But we're not here on a survey mission. Comm, are we back online yet?"
"No sir," Clemmens said. "That trip did more damage than orgininally esitmated."
"Great, even if we find them, we can't talk to them," Barry muttered.
"Sir, I've found the Horan," Pareen said.
Barry walked up quickly. "Where?"
"Right there sir," the sensor operator replied. "They're less than a jump away."
Barry stepped back. "They should be farther along than that," he said. "They're also going in the wrong direction unless. . ."
"Unless it really is a black hole," the XO said. "Here's a preliminary report from secondary sensors."
Barry took the report and studied it. "Well I'll be damned. Stacy, do a detailed scan, but don't loose the Horan."
"Yes sir," Pareen said.
"Admiral sir," a crewman said as he saluted.
"What is it?"
"We've found what hit us sir," the crewman said. "It appears to be a probe."
Barry looked at the small sphere in the crewman's hand. "It's a probe alright," he said as he studied it further. Then he saw the name plate on it. "GTC Horan, great. They know we're here, but they don't know who we are."
"That was what I assumed sir," the crewman said.
"Alright, take this thing down to the lab and return to station, dismissed."
"Aye sir," the crewman said with a salute and he left.
"Sir, the Horan is changing course," Pareen yelled.
"Where's it headed?" Barry said.
"Towards the hole."
Barry looked at his executive officer. "Have they gone mad?"
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GTVA/SDF Command Conference Call
". . . and so we have initiated an Alliance wide draft. With luck, we'll be able to fully rebuild our forces within six weeks," the Advisor said.
"Six weeks," one of the Admirals yelled. "We'll be lucky if we're still alive in six weeks!"
"That's the best we can do now," the Advisor said. "Unless you want a completely untrained crew." The other officials said nothing. "Good, now, Admiral Leaky has an update on our current operation."
Admiral Leaky looked up. "Uh, yes, I do," the Admiral said as he shuffled his notes. "We have found a ship for the node, the GTD Gaia. However, she still needs to be fully outfitted before she'll be any use, and that will take a couple of weeks. Otherwise, operations are moving smoothly. As soon as the Gaia is ready, we can move ahead with the operation."
"Thank you Admiral," the Advisor said. "Now Admiral Arnold of the SDF has an update for us as well. Admiral."
"Yesterday at 1400 hrs, the SDD Fargo engaged a Shivan Juggernaut at point blank range," the Admiral said. "The Fargo was testing the viablity of our Flux cannons against the monster. It didn't pan out as well as expected. The Fargo did manage to get out in one piece, but damange to the Sathantas was minimal."
"Whatcha ya expect," the General said with a laugh.
Admrial Arnold frowned. "Anyways, we did manage to destroy three of the ships' forward beam cannons. We believe it may be the perfect target for a raid." An image of Vega IV appeared along with the icon representing the damaged juggernaut. "It's currently in orbit around Vega IV awaiting a repair team. We believe an orginized strike may be able to take it down quite easily."
"That would give us four kills," the Advisors said. "Definetly a boost to morale."
"That's what we were thinking," Arnold said.
"It would still need a substaintal force to take it down," Admiral Leaky said. "Preferably one in system."
The Security Advisor nodded. "I believe I have the perfect group for the job. I'll make the arrangements. Now, what else do we have to discuss. . ."
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PeachE, 05-26-2000 08:51 PM
GTVID Reaper
Outer Vega
"Admiral, a transmission from the GTVA Command."
Put it through.
=================================
To: Admirals Kohler and Pretala
From: GTVA Security Advisor
Subject: Crippled Sathanas
Admirals, during the test of some new weaponry, we managed to disarm 3 of the 4 main beam turrets on a Shivan Sathanas. The Sathanas is currently in orbit around Vega IV. We believe she is awaiting repairs. It is also our belief that a substantial force could take it down with little risk to their own ships. We would like for some of your ships to perform a small raid on the area, eliminating the Sathanas, and any other ships in the area.
A fourth kill would definately be a boost to morale, Admirals. I leave the choice of ships for the raid to your own disgression.
GTVA Security Advisor, Vega
=================================
Send communications to the Desdemona. We're taking our half of the fleet, minus the Phobos. She took a good beating in the last round and I don't want to risk that ship. Helm, get under way immediately. Have the other ships do the same. I don't want to give Pretala or Garret a chance to respond. We're moving out.
[Nearly 26 Hours Later]
---------------------------------
GTVIJ Desdemona
Outer Vega
"Admiral Pretala, Kohler's fleet is returning now."
"Thank you, Captain." Pretala wondered what had happend. They should have returned much sooner than this. "Get in touch with the GTVID Reaper."
"Communications coming on screen now"
Pretala stared at the face of someone who looked like he had seen the depths of hell and survived to tell the tale. Pretala tried to refocus his eyes, not believing the man in front of him. But Kohler's face had definitely changed since yesterday. And he thought he noticed a grey streaks across Kohlers black hair. "You look awful, Kohler. What the hell happened?"
Kohler looked up at the screen with a look Pretala had never seen before. "If you don't mind, Admiral, I have some business to attend to, taking care of the immediate repair of my ships. But, if you allow me some time, set up a staff meeting of the ship commanders with my second in command. I'll debrief the fleet then."
Pretala worried a little about Kohler, now. Kohler sounded so cold... hard to describe. "Very well. I understand. I'll have the meeting arranged... " Pretala wouldn't have usually asked, but given the objective, a single Sathanas, crippled at that, he thought the discrepency was worth asking about. "By the way, Kohler, where's the Rimmon? I'm not picking her up."
Kohler looked up from his desk once again. "She's still at Vega IV... spread out over a thousand kilometers."
And the communication ended abruptly.
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Ice Heart, 05-26-2000 11:18 PM
The Iron Fist and its attack force exitted subspace at the intended point, ahead of and a little right of the Jagganath. The NHD Kauket sat off the Iron Fist's left flank, while the NHD Abydos was on the Iron Fist's right flank and the NHD Geb was on the Abydos' right flank. The corvettes and cruisers had been formed up so that each of the three Ramses-class vessels had two cruiser escorts, with the little NHC Urthekau, the modified Aten anti-fighter cruiser, off the Iron Fist's left flank. The two corvettes had formed up with the Kauket to make up for the lack of another Ramses destroyer on the Iron Fist's righthand side.
The opposing forces that had remained were surprised by the sudden appearance of the rest of the Loyalist fleet, but they moved into action quickly. The NHD Isdes, which had been on the right hand side of the Jagganath, now moved towards the left hand side to bolster the Jagganath's weak defenses on that area. The two Pretender cruisers and three corvettes moved as well to defend that side. They knew of the superdestroyer's Achilles Heal just as well as Harak did. The only flaw with attacking at this weakest defended point was the Iron Fist would be unable to use its massive main beam when it was in position. However, while the fleet closed in, the flagship would have time for one shot from the massive cannon. A shot Harak intended to make worthwhile.
"Gunnery, have you managed to locate one of the forward beams of the Jagganath?"
"Yes sir, we have it targetted and a firing solution is ready."
"Excellent. Take it out."
With that order, the huge beam powered up and shot out, slamming into the center forward beam of the Jagganath and rendering it completely useless. Now, the Jagganath had only two beams to front or to left, making it no more dangerous than a Ramses-class destroyer in that regard. Now they could assault it from the front as well if need be, though Harak would prefer to take it on from its left side as that side was also not completely covered in hull plating yet.
Shortly after the Iron Fist's successful beam attack, the other destroyers powered up and fired their main beams, each of which were dual forward beams. Though not nearly as powerful as the Iron Fist's single forward beam, they were still quite lethal. All shots had been focused on the Jagganath, the beams ripped into its surface across its face and left side. All the Loyalist destroyers fired, save the Geb which reported a critical malfunction in its anti-capital ship beam fire control. Harak winced as a beam burst through a segment of the construction collar. He knew the collar would be lost, but still it was not a loss he enjoyed. When this war was over, they would need all the construction facilities they could get to rebuild their fleet. They had already lost one, and would lose another if the Jagganath was destroyed today. Harak hoped that no more would have to be destroyed in the conflict.
The swarms of fighters and bombers that had already been launched before the Iron Fist and its taskforce attacked were now joined by more squadrons launched as they entered. The Pretender forces were not engaging wildly, throwing disorganized small groups of fighters at him, as he had expected. Instead they were pulling back and gathering strength to face Harak's forces as a coherent group rather than a mob. They were sacrificing the outer perimeter sentryguns, but they were gathering near the inner perimeter so those sentries could still support them. A wise move., he thought, Harak's respect for the Pretender or whomever was commanding the station defense forces went up another notch.
As the Loyalist force approached nearer, the Isdes cut loose with its four beams, concentrating on the Iron Fist. The beams chewed deep in the front of the flagship. The favor was returned a few moments later when a pair of beams from the Abydos hit the Typhon's right side. It appeared that the Pretender's fighter and bomber wings had decided to attack, the ships launched from the installations and the Isdes moved to meet Harak's fighter and bomber wings and the orderly formations of squadrons and wings on both sides disentegrated into a mass of twisting, swirling dots. In those first few seconds, as the small ships came with in missile and gunnery range for the first time, well over two dozen fighters on either side were lost. Beyond that, it became the frenzy of individual dogfights as both Loyalist and Pretender fighters tried to keep their foes off their bombers' backs.
Surprisingly, the first Loyalist bomber wing to come within launch range of the Jagganath was a wing of old Osiris bombers. They had been somehow largely ignored as the Pretender interceptors chased more modern Loyalist bombers. The six Osiris dropped their loads of Cyclops bombs almost simultaneously. Point defense took out half of the munitions, the other half detonated on the forward left segment of the Jagganath and the construction collar. A moment later, the bombers were no longer ignored and were beset by a newly arrived wing of Pretender Horus. The speedy interceptors quickly chewed up the bombers, all save one which deliberately plunged itelf into the side of the Jagganath, setting off its remaining bombs in the process. The act both made Harak proud and disturbed him at the same time. They could not allow themselves to make foolish sacrifices. Fortunately, as more bombers made their attack and managed to get away successfully, Harak noted the act was not repeated unless the pilot knew he was doomed anyway.
The Pretender's bombers had come within range as well and launched their salvos, which were spread across all the destroyers, save the NHD Geb which had somehow not yet received a scratch. Many of the warheads were shot down, but many impacted. Casualty and damage reports from his ship and the other ships streamed in to his console. The Abydos had gotten by with only minimal damage, the Geb with none, the Kauket only minimal save for a pair of engines down, and the Iron Fist minimal save for one of its main fire control stations being destroyed.
The destroyers closed in towards their position to fire on the Jagganath's weak left side, moving through the swarm of fighters and bombers, spitting flak and anti-fighter beams at Pretender fighters and bombers. They exchanged anti-capital ship beam salvos with the Jagganath and its defenders as they closed in. From a distance, the battle and all its bright colors would appear to be beautiful, at least until one considered that each pretty fireball was a pilot dying, each time a beam swiped across an enemy capital ship it killed crewmembers.
The NHD Isdes was taking a pounding, but hanging on and giving back as good as it got. The sentry guns, both conventional and beam, fired on the Loyalist ships, adding to the salvos from the Isdes, Jagganath, and the cruisers and corvettes. The battle was far from over, but at least Harak's ships were now in position.
It was then that he glanced, by chance, that the NHD Geb was powering up its leftside beams. Good he thought they've gotten their fire control back together. Then perplexedly he wondered But why those beams? The forward beams could target the Jagganath far better.
He received his answer why a moment later...
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Eishtmo, 05-26-2000 11:33 PM
Hawking System - GTC Horan
"Is Omega securely straped on?" Ripper asked.
"Yes sir," Thomas said. "Are you sure that this is a good idea? I mean, straping Omega to the side of us could put us at risk."
"Maybe," Ripper said. "But we used the external boosters up getting here, and if we're going to survive this, we'll need all the thrust we can get."
"If you say so sir," Thomas said with a sigh.
Ripper activated the internal comm system. "Marcuson, how's it going down there?"
"We've managed to give you 50% more power to the engines," Marcuson reported. "If we need to, we can wrangle another 20% out of it, but we might overload the core."
"What about Omega?"
Marcuson chuckled. "Are you kidding? They haven't been using half of it's power. We managed to take it to full, and then some. I'd say it now can put out about as much as we do."
"Good," said Ripper. "See what you can do about that extra 20%."
"Aye sir," Marcuson said.
Ripper changed the intercomm system to all ship. "Crew of the Horan, this is the Captian speaking. We will be entering the, uh, Sandra Maneuver in 15 minutes. Report to your assigned stations. Ripper out."
"The Sandra Maneuver?" Sandra said. "You're trying to make me blush, aren't you?"
Ripper just smiled. "Jaminison, what's that destroyer doing?"
"Sensors are still down sir," she said. "All I can give you is what the probe sent before it went out."
"Damn," Ripper muttered. "Any luck getting them on the air?"
"No sir," said Sission. "They're either not reciving us, or ignoring us."
"A joy to behold," Ripper said. "Alright, all hands into postion."
The bridge crew began running around, moving into their seats, and buckling themselves in. Ripper did the same, his five point harness holding him tightly down.
"How tight should I make this?" Thomas said.
"As tight as possible sir," Sandra said. "When we begin the maneuver the black hole will pull on us with a lot of strength. So much, if you fall out of that chair, you'll never get back up."
"Thanks for the explaination," Ripper said. "Alright Thomas, if you're buckled in, deactivate the artifical gravity."
"Aye sir," Thomas said. The low hum of the Horan dropped a notch in pitch. Suddenly, a cup on the nav table floated up. Sandra grabbed the cup and quickly stoded it away.
"Alright, are you guys ready?" Ripper said. No one said a word. "Okay then, let's go."
The Horan's engines fired off with Omega's following shortly there after. The disk of the black hole was brightened by their intence heat of the material hitting each other. The Horan/Omega combo neared the hole at high speed, the light of their combined engines were bright blue.
"We're entering the hole's gravitiational field," Jaminison said.
"Here we go," Thomas yelled with excitment.
The ship began to shake violently. Ceiling tiles began to bend down on some decks. Unfilled boxes aboard Omega were crushed by the intense gravity of the hole.
Ripper's arms felt like lead. He slowly lifted them only to have them crash back onto the arm rest. "Damn," he said.
"We are still an hour away from the completed burn," Sandra said with difficulty.
"Is this going to get any worse?" Ripper yelled.
"Yes sir," Sandra said.
The tiles now began to be ripped from the ceiling, smashing into the floor. Shelves were torn from the walls, glasses and bottles smashing on the ground. The heads of the sprinkler system were ripped from their pipes, spewing water into the passage ways, until the auto systems shut off the pipes. Then the hull cracking began.
"Sir, we have a hull breach on deck 30 and below," Thomas said.
"Make sure those decks are evacuated," Ripper yelled.
Suddenly a loud bang was heard. "Sir, the fusion mortor is taking intense damage," Thomas yelled. "If we don't do something now, it'll explode!"
Ripper sat there for a moment. "Damn," he said. "Dump it!"
"Aye sir."
The fusion mortor, a relic of the T-V War detached and fell off. The black hole dragged the shattered weapon into it's mouth.
The next hour was more of the same. Later, much later, the members of the Horan would recount this trip in dozens of books, documentaries and even a movie. It would be a trip none of them could ever forget, no matter how hard they tried.
"Sir, we have completed the maneuver," Sandra said after the hour was up.
"Good," Ripper said with a sigh of relief. "Helm, set course for the node."
"Aye sir," the helmsman said.
"Thomas, turn back on the gravity," Ripper said. "And begin a damage report."
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HeX, GTVIJ Desdemona
Outter Vega
Admiral Pretala stared for a moment at the blank comm. screen in front of him and then turned to his second in command.
"Get the conference room set up," Pretala ordered striding to the sensor operators controls, "and try to get me a report on what the bloody hell happened out there. Send scouts to recon the area if you have too! I want to know what could have beat the crap out of half Kohler's fleet!"
"Aye sir," Captain Robertson said. Pretala leaned over the console next to the scanning officer and brought up a scan of the ships in Kohler's fleet. He frowned at what he saw, they had almost been torn to pieces! A Shivan ambush perhaps? Or maybe something bigger? A new type of ship or weapon they hadn't seen yet? Pretala was shaken from his thoughts by the voice of Captain Robertson.
"Sir? We have a transmission incoming from the GTCv Bane. It's Captain Pretala sir."
"Thank you Jim, put her though."
On the comm. screen, the face of a rather stiking female captain appeared. Her green eyes gave the feeling of absolute control even as she saluted the Admiral. Pretala smiled at his eldest daughter and returned her salute.
"At ease. Your report Captain?" Pretala asked, his face suddenly becoming serious.
Captain Sasha Pretala lowered her hand from it's salute, "Admiral, we have just received a report back from one of the bomber raids you sent out eariler. They say they managed to down a destroyer and two cruisers. However, one scout wing reported seeing a very large force of destroyeres and corvettes warping out near their position."
"Were they warping out of system? Perhaps back to Capella?"
"Negative sir, they were warping deeper in system. The scouts couldn't get a lock on their exit vectors."
"What class of ships were in the force and how many?"
"Too many sir. A Juggernaut 3 Ravanas, 2 Demons, 6 Cains and about 4 Molochs. 16 ships, almost as big as our fleet here sir."
"What are those Shivan monsters up to?" Pretala said narrowing his eyes, "Well keep up the patrols Captain and…take care of yourself."
Captain Pretala smiled, "I always do. Captain Pretala out."
As the face faded from the comm. screen Pretala began to pace. What were the Shivan's doing with such a large force? Perhaps they planned to overrun one of the nodes? Or was this the force that nearly wiped out Kohler's fleet? Pretala looked out through the main portal as shuttles carrying the commanders from the main ships of the fleet neared the Desdemona. All would be come clear soon enough.
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Kellan, 05-27-2000 12:52 PM
Zeta System
NHD Abydos
The Abydos lurched as a wave of bombs struck or were shot down, mere metres from the hull of the Ramses-class destroyer. Half a dozen Loyalist Serapis interceptors swooped low over the viewing ports of the bridge, cannons blazing as they chased down a wing of hostile Bakha bombers. Ryksos felt rather than heard the explosions of three bombers laden with bombs just behind the bridge. The bridge shook slightly.
“Status report!” barked Ryksos.
“We’ve sustained minor damage from the enemy bombers, Admiral. Outer hull is holding. Minor casualties on the upper decks, but few fatalities. All of those are from fall-related injuries.” Ryksos allowed himself a tight smile. All of his preparation had paid off. The Abydos had been honed to peak performance, with the reactor boosted to 94% efficiency and additional ablative armour applied to key systems. It wouldn’t stand up to much punishment, but it hadn’t slowed the Abydos down, either.
Two growing golden-red orbs on the Geb’s near flank brought Ryksos’ attention. As the cannons powered up, a brief thought flashed through his mind – what is the Geb’s captain doing? A moment later his question was answered. The twin beam lashed out – at the Abydos. The power of the energy beams slammed the destroyer over several degrees as the weapons burned through hull plating. Over his internal communications system, Ryksos heard the screams of the dying as they were immolated.
“What was that!” demanded the Admiral. There was the sound of commotion and dissent on the bridge. Ryksos turned to silence the rowdy crew. As he did so, a female Vasudan officer from the weapons control pit ran at him, brandishing a queth – a large hunting knife with a curved, serrated blade. She screamed something unintelligible at him – it sounded like “We die for the Eishtmo.” Security guards stationed on the upper tier of the bridge, behind Ryksos felled the Vasudan before she got close enough to do any damage to the Admiral. He nodded at them. Then a transmission came in. It was from the Iron Fist itself.
“Admiral,” Chontamentet began, “how is your vessel?”
Ryksos scanned the damage reports that had appeared on his console quickly. “One of our left flank beam cannons has been destroyed and there is a minor hull breach on deck 23. Engineers are working on patching it. I also lost over fifty personnel. Admiral, can you confirm that those shots were fired by the Geb?”
“Yes,” was the Admiral’s short reply. “I have ordered the Geb’s IFF status set to hostile, along with the NHCs Amentet, Khepri and Urthekau. I suggest you do the same.” There was a bright flash on the screen as, in front of the Iron Fist the Urthekau exploded. “Don’t worry about the Urthekau, Admiral,” Chontamentet said, with a slight, wry smile.
Another blast of beam fire hit the Abydos’ flank, though thankfully it missed the hull breach that the last salvo had opened. “Open fire on the Geb,” Ryksos commanded. A moment later two lances of light smashed into the side of the Geb, returning the destroyer’s favour and eliminating a beam cannon. Two more beams cut through the hull of the Jagganath. Ryksos looked down at the limp form of the would-be assassin. “Security, take that out.”
As the guards lifted the body of the female, Chontamentet looked on. “An assassination attempt, Temara? I can’t say I’m surprised.”
“Neither can I,” Ryksos said. “However, the assassin failed, as you can see. The guards that you suggested I position on the bridge were successful in killing her.”
“I am glad that I haven’t lost a commander as good as yourself. We’re going to have our work cut out for us anyway with the Geb. Good luck Admiral. Chontamentet out.”
Ryksos turned back to his command console. There was still a battle to be fought, and one that was going to be considerably harder than had initially been thought. With every minute that passed more and more lives were sacrificed. Even now, as Ryksos watched the cameras on a wing of bombers bound for the Geb flak burst around them and they and their escort fighters died fiery deaths. Four loads of dual bombs streaked past the camera. Two were shot down. The other two struck home on the Geb’s remaining right flank beam cannon. The Abydos was safe; at least for now.
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Ice Heart, 05-27-2000 09:29 PM
Harak saw the pair of beams from the Geb hit the Abydos. As Harak watched, the cruisers Amentet, Khepri, and Urthekau fired on nearby vessels as well. He noted the Amentet and Khepri had taken station near the Geb as well. The defectors appeared to have planned well to attack the Abydos. The Urthekau was the only mystery, in its position on the Iron Fist's left flank. Then a report came in of a crewman detonating an explosive in a suicide attack on the main beam's fire control. Harak watched the Urthekau move to position itself in front of the forward fighterbay. The saboteur was supposed to destroy the main beam and make it safe for the Urthekau to sit just out of range of the Iron Fist's weapons and ahead of the fighterbay and pick ships off as they emerged. Harak smiled as the report also stated the beam had sustained only minimal damage and would be online in a minute. "Gunnery, target the Urthekau with our main beam when the cannon is online."
Then, "Communications, contact the Abydos." A moment later, he Admiral Ryksos' face appeared on the Harak's comm display. "Admiral," Chontamentet began, "how is your vessel?"
Ryksos' report was quick and to the point. "One of our left flank beam cannons has been destroyed and there is a minor hull breach on deck 23. Engineers are working on patching it. I also lost over fifty personnel. Admiral, can you confirm that those shots were fired by the Geb?"
"Yes," Harak replied shortly. "I have ordered the Geb’s IFF status set to hostile, along with the NHCs Amentet, Khepri and Urthekau. I suggest you do the same." Harak heard the beam powering up and spared a glance out the forward viewport to see it slam through the rear of the little cruiser and tear it apart. "Don’t worry about the Urthekau, Admiral," Chontamentet said, with a slight, wry smile. The next flight out of the fighterbay, a wing of Taurets, waggled their wings shortly in appreciation before moving on to engage the enemy.
A moment later, the Abydos was fired on again and Ryksos turned to give orders to his crew. "Open fire on the Geb," Ryksos commanded. A moment later two lances of light smashed into the side of the Geb, returning the destroyer’s favour and eliminating a beam cannon. To Harak's satisfaction, two more beams cut through the hull of the Jagganath. Ryksos looked down at something off screen. "Security, take that out." He ordered shortly.
A pair of guards bent to lift whatever it was and Harak got a brief glimpse of an obviously dead female Vasudan. "An assassination attempt, Temara?" He asked Ryksos, "I can’t say I’m surprised." There had been two attempts on Harak's life, as well as an attempt on Aris Kraken, commander of the NHD Anubis.
"Neither can I," Ryksos said. "However, the assassin failed, as you can see. The guards that you suggested I position on the bridge were successful in killing her."
"I am glad that I haven’t lost a commander as good as yourself. We’re going to have our work cut out for us anyway with the Geb. Good luck Admiral. Chontamentet out."
Harak cut the communication and turned back to his own ship. The Amentet and Khepri were almost in position to attack the Abydos. The right side beam cannons of the Iron Fist were not currently engaging any targets. Harak smiled...that would change. "Gunnery, order starboard anti-cap ship beams to concentrate fire on the Amentet and Khepri. That should take some pressure off the Abydos."
The NHD Kauket had lost the left side beams it had been using against the Jagganath and was now turning to attack it. Harak had a better idea. He ordered the Kauket to turn about and engage the NHD Isdes with its forward and right side beams. The rear beams could then keep firing on the Jagganath. He gave the Kauket nominal command of the two corvettes as well so it would have some help against the Isdes. The Isdes had sustained a fair amount of damage, but it was still a dangerous target. But a Ramses and two corvettes should be able to make short work of her. That would take some of the pressure off so they could concentrate on the Jagganath and the Geb.
The Jagganath's left beams opened fire again, though one was cut off abruptly as a well placed beam from the Abydos obliterated it. The Jagganath was now down to just one anti-capital ship beam on that side, and it had sustained mulitiple hull breaches as well. It was still going to be a tough nut to crack, but they were doing well against it.
Harak received more good news in the report from Admiral Kraken and the diversionary attack. The fighter assembly plant had been destroyed. However, the reinforcements the Pretender had sent to aid the facility were beginning to push back the Anubis' defenses. Kraken would hold them as long as possible, but he estimated fifteen minutes at the most before they were forced to withdraw. Once they were withdrawn, and the jamming provided by the specially equipped Anubis was withdrawn as well, the Pretender's forces would likely rush back to defend their prized superdestroyer. Hopefully all they would find would be a debris field.
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PeachE, 05-28-2000 10:55 AM
GTIJ Desdemona
Outer Vega
Mission Debriefing
Classification: Omega
A large screen was at the front of the Conference Room. Kohler approached it and inserted a small disc. Schematics and statistics for three ships appeared on the screen.
Kohler then approached the head of the table in the center of the room, where the Commanders from the other 19 ships sat. As he took his place at the head of the table, he used the remote controller to select the first of the three ships.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a new Shivan Corvette class, very similar to the Moloch, as you can see. Her hull is somewhat weaker than a Moloch's, but she carries three more beam turrets. I've taken the liberty of designating this ship the Mikelats"
Captain Paris began to speak, "Admiral Kohler, if..." only to be cut off by the Admiral moving on to the next ship.
"This is a new destroyer class ship. A sister to the Ravana. Slightly larger than the Ravana, slightly stronger. She does make up for these advances with a slower speed, but she's also better armed than a Ravana. I've taken the liberty of designating this ship the Belial."
"But Admiral, surely" This time it was Commander Forge who would be cut off.
"And finally, a new Juggernaut. She's a kilometer longer than the Sathanas, a few hundred meters taller. And she's got quite a different design from the Sathanas, as you can see. There are no 'arms' protruding out the front to support the main beam turrets, etcetera. As for strength, her hull is as strong as a Sathanas, if not stronger. She has a few more beams, both anti-cap and anti-fighter beams. And she does not have he sister's same vulnerabilities at the rear of the ship. Some our ships found this out when we tried to use anti-Sathanas maneuvers. I've taken the liberty of designating this ship the Mastema. This scan data was obtained at the loss of dozens of fighters and the Rimmon. Put it to good work."
The room was silent for a time and then Admiral Pretala now spoke up, "How many of these ships did you encounter at Vega IV?"
"Four Mikelats, Two Belials, and One Mastema, along with the crippled Sathanas, a few Cains, Molochs, and Ravana's. I believe the Shivan count was over fifteen capital ships, not to mention hundreds of fighters."
"So you were outnumbered?"
"Incredibly."
Commander Sasha Pretala now spoke. "Admiral Kohler, where are these ships headed?"
"Captain Ma'zal has prepared a list of possibilities that I believe he is ready to report now." Admiral Kohler sat down as the tall Vasudan took over the presentation.
"The Shivan fleet, composed of standard Shivan vessels and the newer designs, did not arrive until the attack on the Sathanas was almost complete.
We believe that this operation was an ambush operation by the Shivans. It was originally thought they were trying to lure one of the outer fleets to the inner system in order to leave Vega. However, this theory has been dismissed because of later events.
As the Sathanas was destroyed, the Mastema entered the area. Due to the incredible number of fighters and capital ships in the area, Admiral Kohler was forced to retreat from the battle area. Intelligence has ascertained that any other actions would have led to the destruction of the first battle group.
It is known that the Shivan fleet jumped out as our group retreated..."
"Did they jump out of system? Towards us?"
"No. All indications are that the Shivans jumped deeper into the Vega system. While it is possible they are heading for the Talnia node, the most likely possibility is that they jumped back to the Capella node."
Admiral Pretala stepped up. "Well, I suppose that that's all. I'll inform GTVI of this. Perhaps now they will reconsider our recquisitions. Kohler, I suggest you do the same for GTVA Command in Beta Aquilae."
"Very Well, Pretala."
"If that is all, I suggest we move to close the meeting. Opposed... Movement passed unanimously. Get back to your ships people."
Recording ended.
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HeX, 05-28-2000 01:57 PM
Desdemona
Outter Vega
Half an hour after the meeting
"This is not good," Admiral Pretala said as he went over scout reports, "I think we are in major trouble Captain."
"That bad sir?" asked Captain Roberton.
"Worse Jim, much worse. That group Kohler ran into seems to have returned to Capella for the time being but that fleet our scouts saw earlier hasn't. In fact it's grown in size! To make matters worse, the fleet seems to be set up to hit our node."
"How many ships?"
"Two Juggernauts, 4 Ravanas, 2 Demons, 8 Cains and about 5 Molochs. That's 21 ships Captain. More then we have here and more then doubble the fire power. If they hit us we'll have no chance of winning. GTVI had better get us some serious support."
Admiral Pretala slumped in his command chair with a look of defeat on his face. If GTVI didn't get some more ships out here then Beta Aquilae would be open for the taking. Pretala stood up and strode to the main view port to watch the repair teams at work on the nearby ships.
"Well Captain we're going to have to hit them first. We can't afford to have a fleet of that size hit us at full strength. Dispatch every Hydra and Odysseyus we have in our hangers to hit that fleet with everything they've got. Tell them to try to down the destroyers and cruisers but to only take out the main beams on the Juggernauts. Maybe if they can't hit us with those beams we'll have a chance to stop them."
"Every ship, sir that's 50 wings! The Desdemona will be without fighter cover! What if that force Kohler mentioned re-appears?"
"Captain if we don't hit that fleet now all that will be left of us will be our fighter cover! We'll deal with that second fleet when and if they arrive."
An hour later, wave after wave of fighter and bomber wings burst from the Desdemona's hanger and warped out to face the Shivan onslaught. Pretala silently prayed it would be enough. If the Shivan's sent any more ships to reinforce the fleet, Beta Aquilae would be doomed. Pretala didn't wait around to listen to the incoming reports, it would be a slaughter on both sides and he didn't need to hear the exact count to know they would loose a signifigant number of ships. As Pretala strode towards the turbolift the comm. officer ran up and handed him a transmission from GTVI Hq. Pretala began to read it and realized it may not be a hopeless as he had thought.
---------------------------------------------
FROM: GTVI Headquarters, Ikeya System
TO: Admiral Tiberius Pretala, Vega System
We have gone over the reports you sent us of the growing threat to your node. From this evidence we have concluded that further support is required and ships are being dispatched to your location from reserve forces. The ships will be arriving in a few hours at your location under orders to obey your commands. We are also sending something else that may be of use to you, a device from our Project Upsilon (consult your Omega Clearance Files for information on this project). We are giving you clearance to inform Admiral Kohler of this device but no more then Rho level information on it. The device and reinforcements are on their way to your location as we speak. By the time you receive this transmission they should be leaving the Ikeya and Vasuda systems. Understand that we can send no further reinforcements as other nodes require assistance. However rest assured that we will offer all the support we can spare and any of our resources. Good luck Admiral, we are counting on you to keep those bastards out of Beta Aquilae.
END TRANSMISSION
---------------------------------------------
Pretala smiled, an Upsilon Device would be just what they needed to stop that fleet, or at least part of it, if it started moving. Pretala returned to his chair and sat down with new determination.
"Comm.," he said, "Get Kohler on the screen. Tell him we are getting reinforcements. Also bring up the files on Project Upsilon on my console. I'll need to write a brief explanation for Kohler. When I'm done, send the information to Admiral Kohler."
"Project Upsilon?" Captain Robertson asked.
"You wouldn't have heard about it, it's classified level Omega. I'll explain later."
---------------------------------------------
TO: Admiral Kohler
FROM: Admiral Pretala
RE: Upsilon Device
Kohler, we may just have some things that're going to save our butts out here. We are being sent reinforcements, no words on numbers or types but any help is good help. GTVI HQ is also sending us an Upsilon Device. I know you haven't heard of it before but that's only because Omega Level material doesn't exactly get mentioned often. The Upsilon Device is a bomb of sorts, too large to be carried on a bomber. A Triton Freighter is the only ship capable of moving it, much like the Meson bombs. The bomb is not an explosive but a subspace weapon. It will cause an intrasystem subspace corridor to become unstable and collapse on the ships within, completely destroying them. Any ships that do survive are pulled out of subspace with severe damage to their jump drives and major hull fractures from the stress of a forced exit. The device only works on intrasystem corridors for some reason so we can't use it to collapse nodes yet. Engineers are working on a version that might be able to collapse intersystem nodes but information on that is still classified Omega. We are being sent one of these devices along with a Triton Freighter with a modified jump drive allowing it to enter the subspace corridor of an incoming ship or ships. This may be what saves us out here Kohler. We oly have one so we have to choose the time to use it. Let's just hope it works like the techs say it will. Oh and on another note, I noticed one of your ship Captains glancing at Captain Pretala quite a bit during the meeting. I'd like you to please remind your men that we can't afford any personal business out here to interfear with operations. Pretala out.
END TRANSMISSION
---------------------------------------------
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Kellan, 05-28-2000 02:24 PM
Vega/Beta Aquilae Jump Node
GTCv Brazen
A blue subspace point formed and the Brazen shot out of it – straight into the GTVA blockade. A large group of ships were arrayed in front of the Brazen – some only small, but others far larger. Menacing destroyers and a massive Juggernaut loomed large. As the Brazen slowed down, Richards, the sensor operator, cried out.
“Sir, they’ve locked weapons!” Rayner was quick to send out a broadband signal over all GTVA channels, and a few others for good measure.
“Hold your fire, we’re GTVA!” A moment later the reply from the Richards came.
“They’ve stood down their weapons locks.” Rayner looked over his console. “Captain, incoming communication from the GTVIJ Desdemona. That’s that ugly-looking Juggernaut thing, I think. It’s Admiral Pretala.” Frost ordered him to be put through at once. An authoritative voice came through on the comm.
“This is Admiral Pretala. Identify yourself.” The message was curt and to the point. Frost replied quickly.
“Captain Bethany Frost here, Admiral. GTCv Brazen reporting in.” There was a pause.
“Why can’t I see you on the screen, Captain Frost?”
“I’m afraid that the comm-screens are offline, sir. We’ve taken a bit of punishment from the Shivans since our last repair.”
“I’ll say,” the Admiral said, amusedly. “That ship looks like hell. What we’re you doing in Vega anyway?” Frost took a deep breath. She didn’t know how the Admiral would take this, given what had happened over the past days.
“We were part of the GTVI operation to open up the Capella node, Admiral.” There was a noticeable pause. Frost thought she heard the Admiral draw a deep breath.
“Then you’d better come aboard the Desdemona. Take up position with the rest of the fleet. We’ll be sending repair vessels as soon as possible and you’ll be assigned to the fleet later.”
“Okay sir. I’ll be waiting for a transport. I’m afraid we lost all of ours, and our fighters too. Oh, and the repairs will be welcome.”
“Very well. Pretala out.” The Admiral signed of quickly. He sounded like he had a lot on his mind. Frost began to order the crew to move the Brazen into position, and to prepare for visitors. She wanted the Brazen back up to full working order as soon as possible.
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Velocity7, 05-28-2000 09:28 PM
5/28/2384
Capella Nebula
GTC Redway
---
Dazed and confused, the members of the Redway and Afyror continue to make their supply raids on the Shivans. Although their beam cannons and newly advanced armor plating from the encounter with the Horan back on Corbet Station made their lives a bit easier, things still seemed much harder, with more Sathanas juggernauts that are expected to show up, and possibly one stronger than the giant destroyer.
The two cruisers were now near the center of the supernova, although it had already exploded, the heat had mostly disippated, due to recent Shivan mining.
"Sir, we've got about 3 incoming jump signatures," an officer exclaimed.
Velocity 7 looked up. "Put it on the screen."
He stared at the picture for a moment. "Send wings Beta and Gamma to strike. Alpha will go on at--"
The comm officer interrupted. "We're receiving an incoming transmission. It's from Command."
"Put it through."
The screen flickered for a moment. "I don't know what the hell you are doing here, Redway, but the GTVA has ordered that your cruisers be turned around back into Vega space."
"We're trying to create a diversion," Velocity 7 explained, "we've already caught about most of their supply depots."
"Don't you remember when we found another Knossos portal lying around back in Gamma Draconis? You've probably only destroyed 1/3 of what they really have."
Velocity 7's face stiffened. "You should be grateful that we are helping your cause, Command, if we don't continue this raid, you might not have enough forces to battle the Shivans at the Vega/Capella node and then close it down."
"But what about you, then?"
"We will make it back. Just let us continue our raids."
The officer thought for a moment. "I don't know, you'll have to wait about 5 hours for the courts to decide." The screen switched back to the nebulas of Shivan miners.
"Great, just what I need," Velocity 7 muttured to himself.
"Sir," an officer replied, "Beta and Gamma have begun their attack."
"Good, see to it that they make it back in one piece. We'll bring the Redway in for fighter support."
The Redway then began its slow movement through the mixture of varying gases towards the sight of battle. "Fire all cannons," Velocity 7 ordered.
"Aye sir."
Giant glows of light suddenly appeared, rather than the small ones. "Officer, I said open fire on the fighters, not the miners!"
"But Commander, due to the upgrade, the fighter beams have been extensively intensified, including our reactor."
"Oh..." Velocity 7 frowned.
---
Capella Nebula
GVC Afyror
---
"Helm," B'tok asked, "how far are we from the Redway?"
"Approximately twenty thousand kilometers, according to the radar."
"Try to stay in a radius of fifty," the Vasudan ordered, "we don't want to get out of communications range. The nebulas have caused serious communication problems, especially the electro-magnetic field we have entered."
A lightning bolt struck the ship, shaking everyone onboard the bridge. "Damage report," B'tok asked.
"We've got decks 17 and 18 disabled, Captain, and the sensors are gone."
"That is not very good to expect," the Vasudan said to himself, "keep going. I know it's out here."
"What is?"
"I shall explain later."
"Very well, Captain," the helmsman (should I say helmsvasudan?
) then began its evasive manuevers through the shocking nebulas.
"Comm, have you been able to contact the GTC Horan yet?"
"Not yet sir, not even the Redway has been able to 4 hours ago. Do you think the Horan knows the Redway completed its mission with the box?"
"I'm not sure. We'll have to wait, see, and hope that they thank us in some way."
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And that's it for page 4. At this point, most of the major posters for the rest of the story are now posting. Those you saw earlier may or may not post again. Keep an eye open for them.
