Fourteen

"Forsaken attacks were deadly Draconian ones were far worse."

The island's emergency sirens screamed as the Draconians continued to close the Turret crews running to their positions, civilians trying to reach shelter deep in the Outpost. The Captain was running in the opposite direction up the stairs pushing past others who were heading down the stairs, debris and litter dropped by fleeing civilians and staff covered the stairs fortunately no-one had fallen. Reaching level 5 half way up the tower he ran out of the stairwell onto the level charging down the short corridor he shot past a pair of marine guards who still stood at their posts despite the chaos.

Entering the Command Room he looked around at the staff busying away at their work compared to the chaos outside the room was almost peaceful save from the the typing of commands into various consoles that surrounded the base. At the table already Senator Michaels stood surveying the main map. "Senator a surprise to see you." He greeted civilly although the Senator had no real military command the two had been getting on quite well.

"If they destroy this Island our people have built I'd rather go down seeing them coming. Only three ships?"

"Our mercenaries cut them down all three appear damaged although..." He whispered glancing at initial estimates on the incoming ships "the smaller ships appear to be the size of a Sea Wolf but outgun it, while the larget ship appears to hold more weapons than even a Floating Fortress." He finished "basically our worse nightmare Senator." He said looking up.

"Then there's only really one option..." Michaels said his voice quivering slightly. The Captain looked at him quizzically half expecting Michaels to utter the word 'surrender' he was pleasantly surprised when he heard the opposite. "Fight them until we can't."

"Close Senator, first we do two things." the Captain said "Communications, post our Coordinates on Sector 73 wide communications, push it as far as we can. Inform everyone that the Draconians have attacked a Forsaken Island and ask for any assistance anyone can provide." He said before glancing over at the defence controllers "Battle-station, bring Victory Mortars One and Two online."

"Captain, they have not been tested even once." One of the officers answered turning her seat towards him she was in her late twenties and had her red hair tied back into a pony tail. The Victory Mortars were new land based weapons similar to the Peacemaker Mortar seen on the largest ships, designed to engage targets at the longest possible range they fired huge explosive shells, based on weapons originally seen at Blackheart's Islands and completed with the knowledge provided by Kixeye Corporation they were the newest defence weapon available even if untested appeared quite potent.

"No time like the present Lieutenant, test shot on both Mortars as soon as they are powered."

"Already there Captain." The other Lieutenant said not turning from his console of lights. "Victory One, this is Command Deck, orders test shot when ready." The man said into his communication system. Moments later there was a huge roar from the guns that could be heard even within the Command Room "Victory Mortar Two, same orders, test shot when ready." He said for a second time again a massive roar crossed the island as the weapon turret fired.

"Analysis?" The Captain asked quietly

"Weapon 100-over-100. Shot Victor-Mike-One Sixteen metres from predicted, needs some calibration." The female Lieutenant "Analysis Victor-Mike-Two..." she said quietly before continuing for a moment "Weapon 100... correction 96% capability-100% operational gunners report weapon moved when fired. Shot six metres from predicted target." She said "sir the weapon is usable but we could lose it permanently if things get out of hand."

"Lieutenant, if things get out of hand we'll lose everything. Keep the gun operational but warn those gunners to keep an eye on its condition." The two gunner controllers nodded and got back to their consoles ensuring the other turrets were fully operational.

"Captain, Draconian targets Delta-One, Delta-Two and Delta-Three are entering weapons range of outer turrets." The Sensor station reported on the map the three enemy blips were entering the island's channel.

"Turret One and Two engaging target Delta One." The female controller reported as the two most outer Sentinel Missile Batteries opened fire. "Damage analysis... superior armour protection than a standard Forsaken fleet, they appear to float higher in the water than our own hulls probably faster than our ships are capable of." She said continuing to look at the ship in detail as the Sentinel's targeting sensors scanned it."Target Delta-Three firing, four mortar type weapons." Her male colleague said there was a quiet moment as the weapon shells arced across the air before four huge explosions rocked the entire island and all of the facilities grounded there. The shock wave from the blasts travelled through the Outpost knocking the staff flying from their consoles both Michaels and the Captain were flattened by the blast.

"Mother of all that is holy!" Michaels screamed pulling himself back to his feet "what on earth were they?"

"Damage assessment!" The Captain barked dragging himself back to his feet there was blood coming from his hairline running down his face his dark hair matted by the fluid. Michaels handed him a handkerchief from his business suit's front pocket. Which the Captain slapped against his head trying to stem the blood flow.

"Turret one, destroyed... Turret Two fifty percent capacity. The blast radius of those shells were wider than I've ever seen." The female controller said looking over at the Captain concerned.

"Delta-One and two continuing to close in range of turrets three and four. Victor-Mike-One also in range." The other controller said in a matter of fact way despite the losses sustained at Turret one and two." The Captain hesitated for a moment trying to focus through the pain coming from his head, concussion was a very real possibility however he didn't want to leave.

"All turrets to fire as targets come to bear." Michaels said seeing the Captain's momentary distraction. The man the Captain had considered to be a rival for so long an ally when it counted, he didn't say a word instead just nodded to the politician. There was a deafening roar as the first Victor Mortar fired its first salvo. "If we are going down we go down swinging." He said smiling grimly. "Delta One engaging defences with missiles and thud cannons. Turret three under fire." One of the turret controllers said at almost the same time a slight cheer from the other controller as the Victory Mortar round hit Delta-Three midships.

"Direct hit Victor-Mike-One!" He said triumphantly as an explosion engulfed the massive ship almost completely concealing it from view. For a moment the Captain's heart skipped a beat not knowing to expect to see the target again or to see wreckage.

"Did we kill it?" Rachel asked appearing at the Captain's side she wore just a simple green jumpsuit her hair tied back into a braid that ran half way down her back.

"You should be in the shelter" the Captain whispered he said looking at her concerned.

"I am where I should be." She said quietly in return continuing to fixate on the massive Draconian vessel.

"Damage assessment complete, Delta-Three intact." The Controller reported looking at his display "Victor-Mike-One and -Two in range continuous barrage." He said looking over his shoulder at the Captain who nodded.

"Deltas One and Two past turret three heading for Turret Four. They are targeting the Metal factory." The female lieutenant reported the Metal factory was in fact five buildings attached by thin corridors and connections, any time they were talked about the factories it was used in its singular.

"Safety Officer, ensure all workers are clear of that area. Damage Controllers, have salvage and rescue teams on standby." The Senator ordered taking care of the civilians was his area of expertise. Outside the Outpost the sentinel missiles and victory mortar shells rained down on the three Draconian ships as they moved down the channel. The large Draconian vessel took several hits as did the two smaller ships however they appeared to be able to take a lot of damage sailing past the first two sets of defence turrets.

"And we have a kill" the Captain said quietly watch as one of the smaller ships was consumed by a raging fire and began to capsize. Unfortunately the second smaller vessel and the larger ship were continuing to close the large Draconian vessel's four mortars continuing to rock the entire island, parts of the roof plaster within the control room crumbled as impact after impact caused damage to the entire structure.

"Victor-Mike-Two is offline."

"Draconian Damage?"

"Negative, it shook itself loose from its moorings, we can't move it or fire." The turret controller explained, the Captain sighed the weapons were still experimental and it was only a matter of time before something went wrong, at least it had done something before failing. "Howitzer battary in range, weapons engaging Delta-One." They continued the close range defences were part of the original Island defences and had been out ranged by newer turrets but were still potent. The three guns tore into Delta-Two cutting into the thin Draconian craft's hull beaching several decks with their explosive shells. One smashed through the spine of the ship cracking its watertight hull the ship's structure seemed to fold in on itself as the weapons fire from the howitzers and sentinels crushed bulkheads, the ship split into two almost equal halves as it began to sink beneath the waves into the channel's shallow waters.

"Two down" Rachel said smiling triumphantly.

"The last ship is turning" Michaels said looking at the monitors and the map, sure enough the large ship was turning in the narrow channel even under fire from Sentinels, Howitzers and Victory Mortars the ship was still intact and engaging with Missile and Mortar fire. "It can't be allowed to leave, it has done all this damage."

"We'll do our best" one of the Controllers said smiling as her weapons found their targets. The Draconian vessel completed its turn and began to retreat back down the channel as weapons fire continued to strike the massive ship's hull.

"At the mouth of the channel five further ships..!" The Radar operator shouted out with the Draconians so close he hadn't been needed in the fight however now he was becoming needed.

"They called in reinforcements" Senator Michaels said quietly seeing the ships "no communications." He said seeing blank computer screens.

"Wait they look different. They are flying a different flag!" Rachel said pointing at the surviving observation cameras. Surely enough the ships wore a red pennant on their communications masts with a horned demon head skull with a pair of swords.

"Incoming ships firing" the Radar officer reported. Everyone in the room prepared themselves for the next stage of the attack.