"Put the video feed on the main screen; I want to see what kind of explosion a corrupted world will make." The bondsmen nodded as they set about the task, their fingers flying over the luminescent runes that inscribed the keypad.
"Missile is being prepped. Captain, engineering is asking if they have your final consent. Do we have your consent?" The captain didn't hesitate,
"You have it helmsman."
As soon as consent was given the helmsman's hands swept over the runes, creating a strange pattern of shadows that played over the bridge.
Each button that was pressed turned the cool blue glow of the runes into a burning orange.
"Finalising the calculations captain; Missile launch in three minutes."
"Understood." He replied.
With the exchange between the captain and the helmsman now over; the bridge crew had turned to face the countdown that was next to the screen, their faces a mask that hid anticipation.
-2:27 minutes to go-
A sudden whine from the communications desk broke the silence. "Sir, reports from the surface indicate that the governor's citadel has been breached and the governor is requesting rescue for him and his family. What are your orders?"
The captain did not even glance at the communications officer,
"Did the governor give coordinates for the rescue?" He asked quietly.
The officer turned back to the screen.
"Yes. Do you want to power up the teleport chamber?"
The captain bowed his head, and seemed to stay frozen in that pose for hours.
"No," he said at last. "At this point we have to assume the worst has already happened. Block all communication with the planet, and prepare for attack."
The crew glanced at each other, unsure that they had heard correctly.
Eventually they turned to the bondsman, selecting him to question the still hunched captain.
"What attack, sir?"
The captain glanced at the bondsman, his eyes narrow and his lips grim.
"The attack, bondsman. That the chaos' forces will surely launch on this ship when they realise their fate."
Again the crew was puzzled by the information. The bondsman once again turned to the captain.
"But sir, we are over twenty-thousand miles away. How would the chaos launch an assault on such a distant target?"
-1:11 minutes to go-
This time the captain's lips were spread into a large smile.
"I'm not sure, bondsman. But I am sure they will find a way."
The Crew still had questions for the captain, but before they could ask, a wailing alarm answered them.
-0:55 minutes to go-
"Sir! Multiple gunships have left the planet and are heading towards us. Anti-air batteries are responding but it might not be enough. Orders sir?"
As he spoke the steady thump of machine gun fire reverberated through the ship, and began battering the incoming ships.
The captain was on his feet, shouting orders between the low thumps of the guns.
"Bring the reactor to full charge, I want starboard and port lasers ready to fire! Disengage torpedo safeties, load torpedo bay one through five and prepare to repel all borders."
Soon the bridge was a maelstrom of activity, as each man leapt to the task and orders were relayed through the intercom. In all the rapid movement and sound a message was lost, the message said: "This is imperial shuttle Typhon. We are currently in possession of an extremely important asset. The enemy is closing in, and we are unable to hold them off. Time is of the essence captain, we need your help. Concentrate your fire on the ships around us and prepare a hangar, the space marines are landing." None of the message was heard by any of the crew, even if they had listened, it was hard to understand through all the explosions and gunfire.
Soon a full alarm was blaring throughout the ship, and multiple strands of chatter could be heard through the comms, as each unit confirmed its acquisition and understanding of the orders. Urgent red lights flashed in every corridor, an urgent message that all understood: we are under attack, prepare for battle, prepare for death.