U'shan Imperial space, Damocles Sector
Cocytus Gulf, 12:30 hours

All was quiet on the bridge of the ANS Odyssey as it raced through warpspace toward its destination. Although it was only a few hours from Arcadia at high warp, the relative proximity to the border was already worrying and reason for an unusually quick response. Captain Dominic Raines sat in his command chair pretending to go over the dataslate in his hand. It contained the detailed strategy given to him by Captain Regan, and while he had already read it four times over, he let his mind wander. Instead of idle thoughts, he considered alternate plans and contingencies. Going into space battles with a large fleet was a lot like playing a chess game. While there was always chaos and unexpected things happening, it was wise for a ship captain to try and control as much of the flow of battle as you could.

"Captain, we're nearing our destination," Hawa said, rousing him from his thoughts, "The Loyalists of the Imperial 3rd Fleet report they are on the way to assist us too."

He nodded and glanced over toward Sage at the sensors and navigation console, "Ensign Dael?"

"Long range sensors show Xerxes's fleet at 3 Astronomical Units and closing fast," she reported.

From the Engineering panel, Geordi glanced over and called out his own report, "All systems are fully charged and functional, sir."

Raines sat up straight and began to tense as he glanced over toward Aaron at Tactical, "Lt. Russo? Raise shields and arm weapons. Standby torpedo launchers."

Qua'lia and Keith both stood straighter as they guarded the entryway to the bridge and gave quiet nods signaling that all was well.

Hawa radioed Rin several decks down and said, "Bridge to Sickbay, secure all systems. Standby for potential casualties."

The captain finally fixed his eyes forward and spoke calmly, "Helm, prepare to take us out of warp on my mark. All hands, report to battle stations… hopefully for the last time."

No sooner had the ship gone to red alert, the Star League's fleet dropped out of warp in quick succession. As they reverted back to realspace, they found themselves in the edges of a large ominous nebula called the Cocytus Gulf… appropriately named for its mythical reference to a river in the Greek Underworld. The coalition vessels found Xerxes's force arrayed against them with a colossal rallying point at their center. At the heart of the Separatist formation was the notorious Typhon Cannon. The jellyfish shaped weapon floated through the eerie expanse of space like an interstellar predator ready to destroy any prey that was foolish enough to get too close.

"Woah… would you look at that?" Geordi muttered in awe as the rest of the Odyssey's bridge gazed upon it with a mixture of quiet awe and dread. "I've never seen anything like it."

From her station, Sage couldn't help but feel her stomach drop as she wondered if this was how hew brother felt when he originally stumbled upon the first model cannon being secretly built by the corrupt officers of the GSA. If he was able to destroy the other one, she would do the same to this one here. As the Alliance carrier Albion began to sortie some of its fighters, Hawa blinked in surprise and spoke up with concern, "Sir… communications are being hampered. It could be interference from the nebula's clouds or the enemy might be jamming us."

"Jamming us? Then that means they might have been expecting us," Keith pointed out in concern, "You don't think this is a trap… do you?"

Aaron looked up from his station and interrupted with growing dread in his voice, "Captain? I'm picking up energy fluctuations coming from the Typhon Cannon. That thing might be operational and charging up its reactors."

Raines clenched a fist with a grim expression, "Understood. Signal the fleet to assume a spread formation. We've got to try and break through that line and take out the cannon before it fires."

As the two fleets moved to meet each other in a head-on collision, the coalition starfighters and bombers moved first with Lt. Sterling and Zephyr Squadron spearheading the charge. He radioed in with a tense chuckle and a wink, "Here we go everyone. Let's make it showy."

"Don't take any unnecessary risks Lieutenant," chided Captain Regan, "We just got word the Imperial 3rd Fleet is running behind. They'll be five minutes late to the OZ. Until then, Zephyrs clear a path and gain space superiority."

"Roger that Albion," Sterling answered as the Alliance fighters opened fire with a hail of blaster bolts and missiles, "Moving to engage. Weapons free."

The Odyssey wasn't far behind as it neared firing range and squared up against an enemy destroyer. Hawa grinned toward Raines commenting on their lead fighter pilot, "The kid's got some guts. I'll bet he could be a Power Ranger too if he wanted."

"Let's show some spirit too and give the Zephyrs some support," Raines answered, turning to his crew, "Target the nearest destroyer and open fire."

The large fleet battle began to rage across the stretch of the nebula as salvos of blaster cannons and torpedoes were exchanged between both sides. Several of the lead ships neared to within relative melee range with each other as starfighters from both sides buzzed about the large vessels in a chaotic storm, not unlike a cloud of angry wasps dueling and chasing each other in midair. The nebula was lit up by the colored energy bolts and explosions while hulls were stressed and force shields battered from the storm. One such U'shan destroyer suffered a fiery death as it broke in half from a pair of well-placed proton torpedoes launched by the Odyssey. The projectiles blasted apart the enemy ship's hull plating and tore its aft manifolds apart.

As the Odyssey swept past and alternated fire between several other nearby foes, Captain Raines directed the flow of action on the bridge. "Nice shooting Lt. Russo. Helm, break right and initiate maneuver pattern Delta-Zeta-4."

The cruiser shook hard as it absorbed a hit from some nearby fire but Sage kept watch on some consoles, "Direct hit to the port bow. Shields are holding. No damage."

Hawa didn't miss a beat in assisting her captain by turning to Geordi as they were jolted again by another hit. "Ensign Corrina, reinforce forward deflectors and keep them charged. Draw from secondary system power if you have to. Forward railguns, focus fire on that enemy frigate's engines."

The Alliance cruiser pulled a relatively agile banking maneuver and slipped underneath another Imperial warship. With the enemy's ventral side exposed, the Odyssey unloaded a blistering salvo of fire from its powerful beam cannons, shearing the bottom out from the Imperial escort ship and destroying it. Not far behind, the ANS Albion was making its way forward using its point defense lasers to shoot down enemy fighters while the Odyssey plowed a path for it through the enemy formation. At the Odyssey's Tactical station, Aaron coordinated the ship's targeting systems and regulated the power flow to the energy cannons. He adjusted his stance to keep his balance as the ship's shields were rocked by enemy fire, "Captain, it's getting a little hot out there. The enemy line is forming a dense defensive formation around the Typhon Cannon."

"Understood. Maintain fire and continue to screen the Albion's advance," Raines answered calmly, "Hawa, try to signal the Hoplon and the Korinthian battle group. Tell Prince Benedict if Xerxes is stacking his line against us, then our right flank might have a better chance to push through."

"Shields down to 63 percent," Geordi shouted out as the ship lurched again and Sage made her own announcement.

"Captain Raines, good news! The Imperial 3rd Fleet has just arrived!"

The captain gave a tense grin and rose from his chair, pointing ahead to rally his crew, "And not a moment too soon! Everyone, let's take the initiative and break through that line! Forward!"


From the opposite end of the battlefield, Xerxes watched as the Star League fleet drove into his own forces like a thundering wave. Here and there, several ships on both sides were severely damaged or destroyed in the vicious exchanges of weapons fire. Saurian frigates tangled with smaller Imperial escort ships while Korinthian cruisers along with a handful of Arcadian corvettes worked together to sweep aside several more U'shan destroyers. Xerxes looked on calmly and saw the bulky Korinthian flagship Hoplon and its phalanx of escorts pushing hard from the right flank while the Odyssey and Albion worked in tandem from the center of the battle line. As tempting as it was to target them, he kept searching for the carrier Acropolis but was disappointed that could not see it. Perhaps it had not participated in the battle after all?

He was interrupted as Captain Cepheus spoke up, "Lord Xerxes, elements of the Imperial 3rd Fleet have just dropped out of warp. They've begun attacking our ships. What are your orders?

The Exarch folded his hands and let a small smile form on his face as he observed the Loyalist Imperial fleet attack his Separatists, "Let's give them a little demonstration of our power. Prepare to fire the Typhon Cannon on the combined fleet. Maximum dispersal."


While the fierce space battle continued to rage in the distant Cocytus Gulf, Princess Sera paced nervously in the gardens of Arcadia's royal palace. Despite the bright blue skies, the mild weather, and the peaceful chirping of birds in the trees, she could not relax knowing that all her friends were likely involving themselves in a major naval battle right now in some distant star system. There shouldn't have been any major reason to worry given the track record of the Rangers and the crew of the Odyssey who she knew so well. Yet, she couldn't shake the ominous premonitions that she was getting right now. She glanced over toward Skyler Orion who had come to keep her company on that day and saw that the cargo pilot was idly lounging in sun with a cup of fruit juice on hand.

The princess sighed and sat down beside her comrade with scrunched features before hearing the smuggler yawn, "Sit back and relax, Princess. You look like you're ready to walk straight up the palace walls."

"Sorry Skyler, I just can't help but be a little concerned. But you seem awfully calm about everything going on right now."

Skyler chuckled and quipped lightly, "A couple shots of Old Caldwell's will help take the edge off, Your Highness. Barring that, I'm just reminding myself there's not much we can do at the moment. We have to let the crews of the actual warships do their jobs, yeah?"

Sera slumped back in her chair and gave a glum look toward the bright blue skies above. Skyler picked up on it and prodded her a little bit, "It seems you're not being honest with yourself Princess. As much as you refuse to admit it, you are a free spirit at heart, just like me. You want to be out there and not cooped up here like a caged bird."

Sera glanced over in mild incredulity before Skyler amended her statement with a light chuckle, "Okay... maybe you are like me, except you have good manners and actual standards. But you know what I mean. You don't like being told what you can and can't do... which is why I'm a little confused about something else. Why did you really agree to that arranged marriage?"

"That's really not any of your concern Skyler," Sera muttered in mild annoyance as she frowned, "I don't even know why we're talking about this right now."

"Well then what else are we supposed to talk about?" Skyler retorted in amusement, "It's not like we're going anywhere."

Sera gave another frustrated huff and let a short silence pass between them. After a while, she finally spoke again, "If you really want to know why I agreed, I was just trying to be like the Rangers... to do what I felt was right thing."

"For who?" Skyler asked, "For your family? For you?"

"For my planet and it's future," Sera argued, "A stronger alliance with Korinthios would be good for us and they have a strong military which would help ensure our defense."

Skyler took an idle sip of her juice, "Funny... I thought your world already has six highly effective guardians. And weren't your parents making overtures to the GSA before? The Alliance is stronger than virtually everyone out here."

Sera frowned as Skyler pressed on, picking her apart with surprising insight, " You know what I think? I think you got scared... scared about your future and what your place in it would be. You got so worried and distracted that you forgot about the personal strength you've already gained out here on your adventures."

Sera sat silent for a long moment realizing Skyler's insightful commentary wasn't too far off from the truth, as much as she hated to admit it. After a time, she nodded and stood up from her seat with a resolute tone, "Hmm. Maybe you're right Skyler. Maybe it's time I stopped being scared and remember who I am. Thank you."

"Cheers Princess," the smuggler agreed with a lazy smile, "Glad to hear it!"

Sera took a deep breath and looked to the skies, "And I'm going to start by doing the right thing... only I'm going to require your help. I need you to fly me back into orbit and take me to the Acropolis."

Skyler sat up in genuine surprise and opened her eyes wide, "Come again?"

"That's right. We're going to join the fleet at the Damocles Sector and help them if they need it. Besides, I'm going to need the 'Best Pilot in the Galaxy' to steer my ship," Sera answered.

"Ah, Princess... you know flattery will get you anywhere and everywhere with me," Skyler joked. She was surprised when Sera fixed her with a surprisingly sober expression.

"Be honest. Don't tell me that you aren't the slightest bit concerned for the Rangers too. You said it yourself, they're your friends and you care about them, right?"

Skyler grimaced slightly before relenting. She gave a nod and replaced the grimace with her trademark cocky smile realizing that she couldn't argue the point, "Well, when you put it that way, Your Highness... I guess I'd be lying if I said no. There is one slight problem though. Kidnapping royalty is a serious offense."

Sera gave a sly smile of her own, "You've already got quite a bounty on your head. Wouldn't you want to add to the legend in big way?"

Skyler laughed and put an arm around her shoulder as they left the garden, "I'm proud of you. Maybe we have rubbed off on you a little and you're not so pure and innocent after all. Come with me then Princess. Let's go help our friends."


Another cloud of fire and shrapnel blossomed as the Odyssey slugged its way past an U'shan escort cruiser, destroyimg it with a torpedo volley and a flyby broadside. Everyone aboard the Alliance ship was suddenly jolted from a hit by enemy return fire as some secondary circuits on the bridge were blown out. Geordi grunted in frustration as he did his best to regulate the ship's systems, "Shields are down to 50 percent. Minor damage to the comm array and to Drive Engine 3."

"Compensate. Get Tiah and a repair crew on that engine ASAP!" Hawa ordered before turning to her commander, "Dom? We may eventually break through, but we're taking a pounding out here."

Raines radioed the Hoplon quickly and tried to send another signal despite the interference, "Prince Benedict, 3rd Fleet is drawing away some fire but we've got our hands full over here. We need you and your ships to make a straight run on that cannon."

"Understood Captain. We won't let you down," Benedict answered with determination as he led his ships on a final push toward the end of Xerxes's defensive line. He narrowed his eyes on the giant superweapon and called out to his crew, "Target the Typhon Cannon. All weapons and torpedoes, fire everything we've got!"

The Korinthian ships unloaded an opening barrage of fire but they were shocked when another large U'shan vessel moved into the path and used its shields to absorb all the attacks. Xerxes's large flagship Akula blocked the attack and moved clear just as the Typhon Cannon began to move and rotate. Xerxes laughed in malicious delight as the cannon's muzzle began to glow with a growing light deep within. With the Korinthains' first strike expended, they were now completely open to an enemy counterattack. On the bridge of the Akula, captain Cepheus stood by and turned to Xerxes beside him, "The cannon is fully charged, my lord. Targets have been set and fire control systems are all green."

Xerxes looked out across the line to where the Imperial 3rd Fleet and the Star League's forces were arrayed. He knew that several of his own ships were also in the way, but accepting those potential casualties was an acceptable risk to utterly destroy his enemies. The Exarch gave a quiet nod, "Fire."

From across the battle line, everyone in the Star league ships watched in wide eyed horror as the Typhon Cannon finally came to life. The colossal muzzle fired a powerful beam of pure concentrated energy which seemed to shake and sear even the very vacuum of space around it. The blinding yellow burst of blistering light swept out along the ranks of the coalition starships and dispersed into a secondary scattershot of energy beams wrecking wide swaths of fiery death and destruction in every single direction it went. From the bridge of the Hoplon, Benedict stared in alarm at the massive oncoming bolts of searing death and gave a shout to his crew as the flagship's forward shields were completely engulfed in flames, "Brace for impact!"

On the other side of the field, the crew of the Odyssey was just as transfixed by the sight as the wave of blistering destruction swept around toward them. Captain Raines tightly gripped the armrests of his chair and gave one more coherent order before he and the Rangers on board were all caught in the violent hellish tidal wave of light and heat, "Move to shield the Albion! Bring all shields to bear!"

In that next instant, every captain and crewman aboard the allied starships were rocked by a terrific impact and blinded by unrelenting plumes of intense fiery death.


A/N:
Aaaand then everybody died. The End. Okay, not really so don't worry. The final battle(s) here are far from over so stay tuned. More is on the way ;)