Following the events concerning the Crystal ships of Malier, and of the war between the Asgard Warriors and Hellfire Legion against the Sirius Federation and Southern Alliance. As well as the initiation of the war between the Asgard Warriors and the Coalition Remnants that call themselves the Sirius Coalition Revolutionary Army.
"Admiral, ships coming through the Vespucci Jump Hole," The sensor officer yelled out. "I think they are the force we were warned about by America Base. They are flying SCRA colors, I think we've hit our target."
"Alright, bring us in and begin firing. I want that fighter taken out first, we can worry about the gunboat later. Begin firing missiles as soon as he is in range. Have the Solaris turrets focus on the gunboat to make it think twice before engaging us, it'll buy us some time." Admiral Soren replied in a calm, firm, voice. "Sir, they are entering cruise, and we are still too far out to hit them with disrupters."
Appears they are embracing the most well-known SCRA reputation. Run. Soren thought. He just wished they would admit defeat in their petty little war so he could get back to tracking down Darkstar and the Phantoms. Repay them for what happened just under a year ago..
** ** ** ** **
"We have ships all over the place looking for him. But I'm reluctant to do too much given that the last time we encountered it it left us with nothing except 4 damaged battleships and the Caedo floating like a ghost ship with all of its circuitry fried. And even if he somehow got control of one of those ships, there is no telling where he would take it. We are just going to have to wait this one out Jack... What the hell?!" Aurelia yelled as Luciaden started falling to the floor beside her. He got out one sentence before he fell unconscious. "I'm going to kill that man..."
Aurelia grabbed him before he fell all the way to the floor. "Alpha, call the med bay." She pulled him up so he wasn't dragging across the floor. As she did an object fell from his hands, clattering as it hit the floor. Fleet Admiral Alpha picked it up, turning it in his hands. A sword with spikes guarding the grip, with a long silver-colored blade. "This isn't his.." Then they noticed the pool of blood that had slowly accumulated beneath Luciaden. Aurelia gasped. "His hand!" In fact, it wasn't so much as the hand being injured, but the lack of a hand to be injured. That, along with the blood-drenched clothing covering his torso clued them into just why he was unconscious.
The medics arrived and put him on a stretcher, then taking it out of the room to the med bay. Aurelia following..
Admiral Soren walked in just afterwards. "Hey, I just finished with Val, what was it... What the hell happened here?!"
** ** ** ** **
"Sir, cruiser incoming, the fighter is turning around. We have also lost the gunboat on scanners." The sensor officer reported. "Never mind he gunboat now, we have to deal with that Liberty Cruiser. Same orders, take out the fighter first, we can outmaneuver the cruiser."
In their war declaration, the SCRA gave credit to AW only in the form of ferocity against those that challenged them, and stating they had a lack of skill to back up their ferocity. Soren was going to make sure the SCRA regretted that assumption. Starting with one of their powerful, and equally expensive, Liberty Cruisers.
"Sir, coming in range of the SCRA's fighter." "Commence with firing. I want that fighter neutralized so we can focus on the cruiser."
Soren had really been expected some fight from the SCRA. Even the SCRA. He was, however, baffled when his targeting officer reported the fighter's weaponry had been completely destroyed from a missile hit after only 20 seconds of fighting. "Alright people, lets get behind that cruiser. The fighter isn't a problem anymore. Captain Nautiker, get us behind him, I don't want to have to deal with that forward gun. Lieutenant, what are our shields at?" "Still at 80% sir, and regenerating faster than we are losing capacity." Soren gave him a skeptical look, but when he accessed the information via his own terminal, it showed it to be correct. "Gunners, you know what to do. Infernos take the shield, battlerazors cut in after that. I want to do as much damage in as little time as we can."
"We have an incoming ship sir, flying Hellfire colors. They are sending a transmission request." "Grant it."
"Chimaera, this is Kestrel Lyania do you require any assistance?" Captain Nautiker had an amused grin on his face when he looked back at Soren. "Require? No, but I'm not one to turn down aid when I can get it. Go and enjoy yourself."
The fire from Lyania's fighter, and the Battlerazors and Infernos of the Chimaera easily punctured the shields and slammed against the enemy ship to produce explosions followed by blown-open armor platings, or simply gaps heading straight into the ship.
"Target's hull at 90%.. 70, 60, 50% hull structure on target ship. Enemy charging cruise engines!
They are already entering cruise, our disrupters can't catch them." The Lieutenant's had a mournful tone to it. Obviously he had been looking forward to gaining his first kill with the Chimaera's new weaponry, and felt robbed. "We can't all expect our enemies to show the same courage and fortitude as we do Lieutenant Diszek. They have no honor, and will run whenever they do not have the advantage of numbers. Sure enough, the time will come when we will have our chance to strike against those who are unwilling to follow etiquette that should be common in a soldier."
Soren said this as he watched the Liberty Cruiser run, flames billowing out its side from damage done by the Chimaera Dual Battlerazors. "Captain, set course for Freeport 4, we will station there until I can get in touch with America Base and have them clear the Chimaera with Vespucci's guardians."
It was a short cruise from the Vespucci jump hole to Freeport 4. Yet, the Chimaera was there for only a bare few minutes before the Southern Alliance's LNS Las Vegas appeared from the trade lane to the California Jump Gate.
"Admiral, they are transmitting to us. Sending it to the bridge speakers."
The voice of a Liberty Captain filled the bridge. "Asgard Warriors Cruiser, Chimaera, we received a distress signal from your ship. Do you require any assistance?" Soren picked up the microphone clipped to the terminal in front of him. "Thats a negative Las Vegas. We handled the situation, your presence won't be needed." With that he sent a click over the comm, signifying the end to the conversation, and then had the comm officer cut the transmission.
The Chimaera moved to get into a mooring position with Freeport 4 as the Las Vegas maneuvered to reenter the trade lane. Soren shook his head over the events that had taken place in the last hour. Outnumbered, outgunned, and outclassed, yet still his ship came out on top, without a scratch on her. Either his bridge crew was much higher-skilled than it was before, or there was a complete lack of any sort of competency in his enemies. Soren shrugged and just decided to call it a mix of both theories.
"Captain, I'll be going to my quarters to write a report on the incident, your in charge."
John Kyle took a deep breath; the Asgard Warriors had saved his bacon again. The relentless attacks of the SCRA were starting to have an affect but not because they were working, which they werent. The nomads and bounty hunter attacks had finally stopped in Drakes absence. But John did not have to worry about either of those things. Now he had a war to fight, Admiral Moris fleet looks good, as does Marks fleet. The AW in later times had begun to clash with more and more factions helping their Legion allies.
And so John felt he must do the same for them Even though Lucaiden wouldnt really give a rats ass if I die or notsuch is life. John thought. His com screen lit up and a face appeared, John had gotten used to the AW status report calls by now. They were regular and often John was stuck speaking to some new recruit that the higher ups enjoyed laughing at. However not today, John recognized the man, he did not know who the person was but he knew that the man was an Admiral hed seen with Luciaden once.
Greetings allied commander, this is Admiral Hilfe. The man said
John nodded and replied, Greetings Admiral. Whats going on?
As you know very well the Phantom Empire is not a friend but a bloodthirsty mortal enemy of the AW. They are becoming more active as of late, and while we do not require assistance it would be nice having more ships support us in the field. Hilfe said, he wasnt concerned; the AW was the only group that to this day had not worried about fighting phantoms.
John hesitated, he wasnt supposed to make decisions without Drake present but alas that was not possible right now. Where do you most need support? John questioned.
The Admiral stroked his chin, I will contact you again later, I must confer with my superiors. However I believe they will want at least one ship defending Omicron Theta. The Admirals image disappeared from the view screen and John walked away.
(*)
Fleet Admiral Arthur McClellan, commander of the Hellfire Legion battleship Balistner. Had been ordered out into the border worlds by Mark Kaine weeks before, his mission was observe why the nomad activity had gone down. There was no explanation, they simply retreated freeing the Legion to help its allies and defend itself from attack. Although McClellan was a capable man, he was stubborn only taking orders from Mark Kaine and Drake Thastus.
Lieutenant, plot a course for the jump hole I want to see what is going on. McClellans voice was harsh, a salty man would be the title given to one such as he in Sol. His pirate like voice shared a bit of Scottish decent with every word. He was a seasoned warrior and a former Bretonian Admiral whod found his way to the Legion.
Sir, there is an unidentified object appearing off our port bow, requesting instructions. The tactical officer awaited his Admirals instructions
Lieutenant, scan them and open a channel. The Admiral waited, when he was concerned his muscles tightened visibly. His burnt mahogany hair, fell just above his forehead, he stood 6 foot and was well built with eyes matching his hair. This is Fleet Admiral Arthur McClellan of the Hellfire Legion battleship Balistner state your business in these parts.
The channel remained quiet, until a face appeared. Arthur being a veteran knew what he saw, a Phantom warship and its commander staring him down. Surrender or be destroyed
Arthur took deep breath, Cut the channel. Gents, ready guns and warp drive for my mark. Lets see if this nomad technology works
(*)
John Kyle awaited the weekly transmission from the Balistnerthey had never been late in communicating with headquarters. And with them 12 hours behind schedule he knew something was up. Do we have anyone in that area who can get a hold of Balistner? Any allies maybe?
Sorry John, Mark Kaine had been standing behind him, We havent got anything out therenomads either got them or a malfunctioning comms array is behind it. If only we knew Mark thought
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