Chapter 11: The Battle of Cardassia
Admiral Ross had opened a five-way communications channel within the fleet. "We'll launch a five-pronged attack. The Elites and our new Cardassian Allies will target the Jem'Hadar. The Klingons will target the Breen. The Federation and UNSC will take on the Orbital weapon platforms and battle stations. All ships are authorized to engage any hostile target other than their primary objectives. Cortana."
"Yes, Admiral."
"See if you can't find the power generator for the weapon platforms if we can destroy it, it will free up more ships to fight active hostiles."
"Already done sir, MAC gun solutions for the Pillar of Autumn already calculated. Guns are charged and ready to fire."
"Ok, standby to fire, Ross to all ships…Godspeed gentlemen. Cortana…Fire."
Five streaks of fire shot through the Dominion lines and impacted the power generator on the surface of the planet. Other MAC guns opened fire, Plasma, photon and quantum torpedoes raced toward Dominion and Breen ships. Several hundred were destroyed in the first minutes of the battle. Then the allied fleet raced in and engaged the enemy head on. A few battle stations in orbit were obliterated after being struck by massive MAC rounds. Others were boarded by Elite and human boarding craft. Several thousand Archer II missiles were fired at the enemy fleet. Several hundred Peregrine, Longsword and Seraph fighters entered the fray. More MACs fired into the fleet destroying several more ships. The Dominion Battle Cruiser that had been captured at DS9 also entered the fray, its massive torpedo bays spitting out dozens of warheads. The Defiant was also among the fighting along with the Pillar of Autumn.
After thirty minutes of fighting a large section of sky over Cardassia was opened up. Six Helljumper class ships decloaked and sent down thousands of troops, vehicles and weapons. SPARTAN-117 was among the first troops on the ground. Another hundred troops beamed straight into Cardassia central command where they were met by Garak, Kria and Pauley and SPARTAN-028 Jessica. The Campaign to retake Cardassia was launched from Central command itself. Dozens of five-man teams were dispersed throughout Cardassia City first, then other cities as more sky opened up above. In space the battle was going well for the Allies. More and more Jem'Hadar and Breen ships were destroyed. With the generator offline the platforms became nothing more than target practice for the Allied ships. In three hours there was no working Jem'Hadar or Breen ships in orbit of Cardassia. Two thousand more troops were sent groundside to secure the planet. Several Cardassian Battle stations had also been captured along with a few Breen and Jem'Hadar ships. Another twenty-four hours and Cardassia was cleansed of all Jem'Hadar troops.
The Breen government contacted the Federation after its defeat at Cardassia and withdrew its support of the Dominion and surrendered unconditionally to the Federation.