Operation Hammer of Dawn

[Omicron]

Barrier nebula, Magellan

Red Talon's base

"Wing commander here, we've got base and hostiles on visual. All ships break and engage." arrival of Fedayeen's assault craft took smugglers by the complete surprise as planned. The only patrol on the guard duty composed of just two Switchblades and leading Sabre, swiftly put against a wall by twelve fighters. In desperation, base launched two Roc class bombers and another Switchblade that just happened to be on stand by. Being totally outmatched, it is what Starry Ice's crew was waiting for.

Mercury looked around the interior of the Remora Class breaching pod. Seated upon two shock-couches in the compartment were the four members of Jade team. Looking down, he checked his restraints and the rifle mag-locked to his greaves. Satisfied, he keyed in a private channel to the Starry Ice bridge on his helmet commlink. “Director, whats the situation?” he asked the recipient.

“Golanski's fighters are reaching the base now, the garrison is moving to engage, launch on my mark” came back the voice of Director Kell Tainer.

“Copy that Director” Mercury replied. Turning to his teammates, he switched to the squad channel “We move out on the Director's mark, safety's off, the moment we pressurize to the station's atmo, we move in” he stated. His order was met with nods of affirmation from the three armor-clad soldiers. Looking to the opposite wall, he imagined the situation outside. Right across from them, in the Starry Ice's drop bay was a second Remora breaching pod containing Onyx Team. Once the order was given, both pods would descend upon the station below and chew through its hull with plasma cutters. Once they had breached, the pods would be pressurize to match the atmosphere within the station. Then they would begin their part of the assault.

Moments later Mercury was shocked out of his reverie by the sound of the Director's voice over his commlink “The garrison is engaged, commence breaching operation.” Reflexively, Mercury hit a series of commands into the console next to him. He was greeted by the sound of machinery as the pod began its descent to the station hull. This was swiftly followed by the sound of the plasma cutters roaring to life as the pod burrowed its way into the station. After what seemed like an eternity, the pod's lighting flashed red and their restraints snapped free.

Mustering his team, they took up positions around the exit door. Meanwhile only meters away from them in void of space, assault group continues to eradicate defenses. "Admiral, base's clear. I pressume they are preparing actual counter attack instead of sending out bits and pieces.". The only fighting chance Red Talons had was to deploy every single fighter onboard they have left. As last enemy fighter splashed, admiral congratulated his people.

"Good job, Jones. Be alert and give some fighter cover on Starry Ice until it resets its cloaking device. Strike team 1 report your current status." He said, feeling Tainer will need support once whatever is inside spews out on the battlefield. "Darrow here, we've sanitized the area. Of five fighters, three tried to run. They were unable to breach through jamming. We are holding until given new orders." Confident about total victory here, suddenly an alarm sounded. Two Raven Talon's in escort of civilian transport unknowingly of assault try making a run to the besieged base. "Kate, break off from Fedayeen and neutralize new contacts. Ptolemy command, extend jamming to that vector as well. Darrow, spare four interceptors... no witnesses."

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