reactivate, rebuild, recall

[Lutz.Torwald]

Omicron Lost, Sector 4G

The Psamtik was shaken as the starboard hull was hit by another volley of nomad torpedoes.
However the fighter's ,who fired them, were quickly vaporized by the battleships flak turrets.
The hangar deck was a mess. Engineers tried to get the last squadron of Nepthys fighters up and running, pilots were running around trying to get into their ship as fast as possible. In all that chaos Jack Severan, followed by 2 marines, walked right up to a shuttle that had just landed moments ago. He stopped next to the small exit and saluted, the 2 marines followed his example.
Jason climbed out of the airlock and with a quick smile returned the salute to Jack.
"Asking permission to enter your ship."
"Granted Commodore, welcome back home."
There was no time for a warm welcome. The 2 men quickly made their way out of the hangar deck and towards the staircase, leading to the lift's.
"How is the Situation?"
"Messy. At least. We have nearly everything that can fly out there already. The last squad is taking off as we speak. The Arikomo and our bombers are trying to hold the line near the jump hole."
Jason wasted no time and took 2 stairs at once, hurrying into the right lift.
"Heard anything from the Command?"
"Forces from Minor are on the way but they will need at least 15 minutes until they arrive on scene."
With a swoosh the lift stopped and it's door opened. Jason was nearly running down the hallways leading to the bridge.
"So we are on our own here." He managed to say before entering.
Jason got to his position next to the holo table in the midsection of the bridge. Meanwhile Jack was making his way back down to gather damage reports from all station's.
The commodore was not pleased by the sight. At least 4 nomad fighter wings, accompanied by 3 Cruisers had made their way into Lost and his hastily assembled defense line was barely holding them off.
Just as he was in the middle of his thoughts another bomber wing approached the Psamtik and fired a volley of its torpedo's.
Again the ship was shaken and the commodore hit the ground.
Jason got back on his feet, fiercely concentrated on the holotable in the middle of the bridge.
"Tell captain Izuma to focus on the bomber squad at starboard, 3 klicks away!"
A young communication officer turned around and looked up to the commodore.
"Sir captain Izuma has been killed."
"Damn it! Who is leading Gamma wing now?"
"Lieutenant Sira sir!"
"Give the order to her and refocus our flak fire to 49 degree upper half!"
Space around Ichton station was a mess.
Fighter's tried to chase nomad ships all over. Rhino, Grizzly and Dromedary freighters tried to evacuate the installation. The Psamtik itself was sitting between Ichton and the attacking nomad force, trying to safeguard the evac.
The ship had taken quite some hits already.
Decks 12 and 13 were completely decompressed and some flak turrets were damaged or inoperational, but still the Psamtik stood its ground.
Gamma wing did not manage to keep up with the nomad bombers and another volley of torpedoes hit the Osiris.
"We're getting shoot to clump out here! "
Jack Severan shouted in his usual, cold and strict voice as he entered the bridge.
"I fear we don't get to see another ship out here so fast my friend. We've to re-arrange defense to gain more time for the evacuation transports. How is it looking down there?"
The commodore had a concerned look on his face. Well knowing that his ship couldn't handle much more hits.
"We've lost 12 to fires and 24 to decompression on the lower decks. The chief is not sure if the reactor can hold out much longer."
Jason signaled his communication officer to open a channel to the station.
"Attention Ichton station, continue your evacuation we'll buy you as much time as we can."
"Acknowledged Psamtik. We are nearly done over here if you can gain us like 10 minutes we will be in the clear."
The transmission from the station was barely loud enough to understand it.
"Roger, Godspeed Ichton station."
Jason again gave a signal and the channel was closed.
Jack stepped up next to him and gripped his shoulder firmly.
"You know we won't make it out of here without any help." He said with a low voice so only Jason was able to hear it.
"Yes I do. Still we have to hold out here for as long as we can."
The two returned their focus to the battle in front of them.
The single reseph cruiser was under fire from 2 nomad cruiser's. Its hull had been severely damaged already.
"This is the Arikomo to Psamtik command. We won't make it. Multiple fire's all over the ship, the bridge has been hit and our reactor is dying off."
Moments later the escape pods launched, but only a few made it out of the combat zone.
"From what I can tell they have a clear path to attack us now."
"Indeed but I guess they need some time to setup another attack force with those cruisers. If they break through they will be able to make it to Ichton without anything in their way."
"Any idea how to stop them?"
"You won't like it Jack."
The three nomad cruisers had grouped together in front of the Psamtik. The 2 smaller ones shielded the bigger against bomber attacks, meanwhile they either prepared their cruise drive or cloak.
At least 3 fighter squadrons where buzzing around them shooting down all long range torpedoes and missiles coming their way.
"We've to catch them first. Right out of the cold. We need to cruise right into the middle and drop everything we have on them. Maybe it will buy enough time."
"We will be a sitting duck right next to their gun's and bomber's."
"Yeah but if we hit them first, they won't have much to throw at us."
"Risky. Then again we could only take a few more hits until we are out of the game anyway."
The argument was cut as the nomad fighters made another assault towards the Psamtik and its weakened squadrons.
A few minutes after that a female voice was heared over the speakers on the bridge.
"Gamma 4 to Psamtik control. They're breaking through our battle line! We don't know how long we can hold them!"
"Damn it. Full speed forward!"
"Commodore Taris to Gamma leader. Hold the line! Reinforcements are on their way."
"Psamtik control to all remaining escorts. Spearhead our assault against the 3 nomad cruisers! Helm and machine room prepare everything for ramming speed once the way is clear! All forward batteries remove security fuses and protocols! Get ready for rapid fire ! "
No one dared to refuse or question those orders. It was too late for that anyway. With a humbling sound the large engine of the ship sprang to life, and the Psamtik hushed forward like a giant spear, directly at the center of the cruiser formation.
"So how is our status?"
"Sir, damage control teams report they got all fires under control, but turrets 12 and 10 are still inoperable, we got all that was able to fly into the air already. We've got everything we have out there sir. We could only throw canisters and containers from the docking bay if things get worse."
"Let's hope we don't have to. Helmsman give me 20 degree up, full throttle forward!"
"Yes sir!"
The Psamtik slightly changed its path, now directly moving towards the large cruiser in the center.
"Gamma 4 to Psamtik control! We did the best we could for you. May the ones we save today remember us forever! All fighters form up with me! We're going for an attack against the cruisers!"
"They are suiciding out there Jason." The cold voice of the XO began to shudder.
"They buy us a chance, a small one at least."
One after another the remaining Order fighters and bombers were either shoot down or rammed into the massive blue warships. Taking some of their turrets and fighter's with them.
The Psamtik was within their range now and the cruisers wasted no time. Blue energy bolts were coming right towards the ship, some missed but the majority hit the already weakened front of the Osiris. Even though taking such heavy fire, the ship did not dare to loose on speed.
An automated voice announced the coming over the bridge speakers.
"Attention! Collision alert! Time remaining until impact: 32 seconds"
"We've come a long way together Jason. You, me and this fine ship. It's sad it end´s this way."
"If we take all 3 cruisers with us it will be a good ending in my eyes."
Severan and a marine stepped up behind the commodore.
"I know you will hate me for that, but please think better of me afterwards."
With that the 2 men grabbed Jason and pulled him into one of the escape pod's. He hit the cold, metal floor and banged his head. It took him some seconds to get back to his feet, more than enough time for Jack to seal the airlock.
"You can not do this to me! Its my ship! I have to go down with it!"
"It was a pleasure to fight alongside you Jason"
Jack slammed his fist onto the red button next to the airlock, releasing the escape pod into the space. Seconds later the engines of the pod sprang to life and Jason was pressed against the airlock as the escape pod made its way towards Ichton station.
In the distance he saw how the Psamtik rammed into the bigger cruiser and unleashed a hellfire upon the other 2.
All 3 nomad ships were severely damaged and only 1 cruiser managed to cloak itself, before the massive Osiris was struck by an explosion.
Its hull cracked open and the forward part of the ship was pushed away, while the engine part was blown to pieces.
Jason faded in and out of consciousness. He heard a voice and knew it was one of the evac transports that got his pod. He managed to get a last look at the remains of the Psamtik.
" Leb wohl stolzes Schiff. Lebt wohl meine Freunde."
He managed to say ,in nearly perfect Rheinlandish, before he faded into darkness.