//OOC: This is not set in the Discovery Freelancer Universe as it will feature plots and devices not seen in Discovery, as such it is not the precursor for any factions, characters or indeed anything that could be used in game. If you want to chime in with ideas and such, or if you want one of your existing characters to make a cameo, feel free to PM me.
The ship emerged into the void, the last traces of the jumphole vanishing behind it. Extending sensor probes it took stock of the surrounding space. Gathering the data it slowly increased its speed, all the better to see and learn. This configuration hadnt been seen for millennia in this space, when last this vessel had been here there was no sentient life. That had changed. Its sensors picked up an artificial structure, something was here. Engaging its FTL drives, the ship moved in for a closer look, taking care to use its stealth capabilities to avoid detection. Unnoticed and unheeded it continued its data gathering. When it was convinced that this structure was inhabited it sent a transmission back to the fleet.
Dont question me child, get in the shelter. Phillipe pushed his son into the doorway, the general alert had come something was in system, something headed straight for the base. The base Commander had issued a general alert. Phillipe had no time to question it.
We have to move, you must go to safety and I must head to the dock. I may be called upon to defend you yet. The boy started to cry, his tears making visible marks down his dirty face. Dont cry I will be back, I will not let you face this life alone.
With his son safely in the care of the shelters guardians, Phillipe headed for the lifts that would take him to the bay where his Titan was parked.
All pilots report to docking bays, repeat all pilots report to docking bays. Phillipe rushed as fast as he could down the corridor, stopping only to change into his flight suit, he jumped into the cockpit and began pre-flight checks.
Base this is Zeta 3, ready for takeoff. Phillipe waited for a response.
Roger that Zeta 3, good luck out there.
Noted, Base, see you on the flipside. Zeta 3 out Phillipe hit the controls and the docking clamps released funnelling him into the launch bay, his take off was effortless and painless.
Zeta 3, this is Zeta Leader, form up. Weve been assigned recon duty; we need to know whats out there. Phillipe thumbed the controls, locking into formation with the squadron leader. He hoped that it was just some larger than normal debris, but then you could fill the void with the hopes of many and still achieve nothing.
5K and closing. Zeta squadron were now in range of whatever it was, visually the thing was immense, easily bigger than the station they had only recently undocked from. Dear lord, what is that thing? Phillipe gasped into his comms.
I wish I knew. Wait. Somethings happening. All units break formation, we have multiple fighters inbound! Phillipe obeyed his commanders orders; thumbing the controls once again he grabbed the joystick and manoeuvred his vessel into a more combat ready position. Then it all went wrong, at 3K from the main ship, laser fire began to erupt from turrets concealed within the hull of the vessel, tearing apart one of his wingmen, who didnt even have time to reach for the escape pod. Phillipe fly wildly avoiding the fire to get within range of one of the fighters.
Zeta Squadron, engage fighters, Base, evacuate all non combatants well hold them off as long as we can. Godspeed and good luck, Zeta Leader out. Phillipe muttered a short prayer, this was going to be rough. His targeting array was having trouble locking on to the fighters and he was having to do it all manually. Something about those ships was throwing off any attempt to scan or do anything. Shots rattled of his shield. Shield Failed Phillipe tried to dodge. Hull failure Imminent Phillipe hit the escape pod button enclosing his seat in a vacuum proof bubble, as his Titan became nothing more than scrap metal. Floating in space he reconciled himself to death. Shedding a single tear as the laser fire ruptured the seal and killed him.
