Part IV
The Excaliber jumped out of hyperspace not far from the Damocles
and it's escorts. Four days had passed since the battle that finally
saw a victory against this strange and hostile foe. The Vyron warship
remained in high orbit of the third planet, still menacing, but without
any teeth.
"Send the Captain of the Excaliber my compliments"
Fisher said. The communications officer hurried to carry it out.
"Captain Gideon returns your compliments sir and
requests an open channel," the comm. officer reported. Fisher nodded
and the voice of Captain Matthew Gideon came in clear over the speakers.
"Nice work Dave," Gideon said, "glad to see you
made it out in one piece."
"We did okay," Fisher told him, "but the 43 took
a major hit. They'll be out of commission for a while."
"Tell me what you've got so far," said Gideon.
"We'll send you over a full report, but I'll give
you the short version," Fisher told him.
"The techs say it is amazing. Massive fusion
generators power the main cannons and there is some sort of Matter/Anti-matter
reactor for the ships systems and their super-cannons." Fisher took
in a deep breath and let it out slowly, "They also say the shields systems
are smashed beyond all recognition, no way for them to salvage it.
Maybe the ISA can do better."
"I hope so Captain," Gideon said. "What about
the crew?"
"Many were killed by our last attack," Fisher reported,
"the rest committed suicide, after scrambling all their computer systems.
It will take years to get anything useful out of them."
Gideon shook his head in annoyance for a minute
mumbling to himself. "What is it," Fisher asked?
"Nothing, I just think I know someone who might
be able to make something out it." Gideon said with a little it of distaste
easily noticeable in his voice.
"Who," Fisher asked simply?
"He works for Interplanetary Expeditions, his name
is Maximillian Eilerson," Gideon informed him. "He is arrogant, self
assured, cocky, snobbish and he was the biggest pain in my side throughout
the Drakh Crisis. He is also the best linguist IPX ever produced
and an excellent researher/acheologist. If anyone can figure it out
it's probably him."
"Well he'll have plenty of work he decides to come
out here." Fisher said. "It seems as though out friends, the Vyron
had plans for this star system."
"What kind of plans?"
"The build a forward base to attack your enemy kind."
Fisher informed him. "Oh and one more thing. The ship we have
here isn't the one that killed Whitestar 27."
"What do you mean," Gideon asked?
"The hull markings are all wrong compared to the
images taken by the 27."
"So there is another one out there," Gideon said.
"At least one," Fisher responded.
"I don't like the sounds of that," Gideon told him.
"No, neither do I."
"Thi.... is the E....S Achilles.....under ....attack.
We..... assistance....any ...plea....e help...." Captain Gideon turned
the recording off and turned to face his task force commanders.
"This was the last transmission recorded from the
Omega class destroyer, EAS Achilles, before it was destroyed by a Vyron
ship," he told them. "None of the crew survived."
"The Vyron have been taking a more violent stance
in the last few days since we beat them in sector 900 by 20 by 15.
My XO Comdr. Mattheson is passing you the official siting reports as well
as all confirmations. We have also been assigned a larger force to
deal with the problem."
"Have we learned anything of value from the Vyron
ship or the base," The Minbari Captain, Trugara asked?
"The base was appeared to be in it's first stage
of construction. As for the ship, most of the systems were damaged
in the final assault. Captain Fisher would you please fill us in
on that."
"Of course," Fisher said raising himself out of
his chair as Gideon seated himself.
"We arrived in system and I decided to have the
Whitestars begin exploring the nearby planets. Whitestar 17 went
to the third planet and discovered the Vyron ship on the far side.
The attempted to call for help and retreated from the Vyron. They
were being jammed but the 43 was able to pick up the transmission and we
moved to intercept."
"We didn't have long to wait," the Vyron came around
the planet we waited with our fire until the last minute. It proved ineffective
so I ordered a missile strike. The combined fire power of both Whitestars
and our full weapons compliment is what caused the damage to the Vyron
vessel. It also won us the battle and probably saved all three ships."
"As for the technology, that which still works is
highly advanced but the computers were screwed up by the crew before they
all committed suicide."
"A pity we couldn't have caused slightly less damage
to the vessel," N'Len the Narn captain said.
"Yes it would have been more convenient to have
a working shield to base our defense upon," Trugara agreed.
"We don't have time for convenience or pity, captains,"
Gideon said, "The Vyron ship will be towed to a neutral location were it
can be examined and studied for possible use against the Vyron. Until
then return to your ships."
"President Delenn has approved Admiral G'Kerns request
for more ships, you'll be receiving you reinforcements in less then two
days. Good hunting."
With that the meeting was dismissed. The other
captains and their staff left the briefing quickly, eager to get back to
their own ships. Fisher remained with Gideon.
"That went well," Fisher commented.
"Not really," Gideon responded. "They all
think you used a bit of overkill in taking down that ship and that I'm
defending you because your human."
"Frankly, we don't even know what overkill is for
the Vyron," Fisher said. That ship took a blast as nearly as powerful
as your main weapon can put out and all it did was pop the shields and
bust up a few systems. If that is overkill then were all in for it."
___________________
Max Eilerson was working long into the night when
suddenly there was a beep coming from the door. Annoyed he got up
to answer it. He hated interruptions, especially when he was getting
somewhere. He had been on Babylon 5 for nearly a week now and
was finally making a break through in decoding the Vyron's language.
"What is it," he said as he opened the door to his
quarters on the station. Major Zack Allan entered the room.
He was dressed in his black Army of Light uniform the symbol of station
commander etched into his sleeve.
"Mr. Eilerson," Allen said, I've come to check on
your progress so I can report it back to Minbar.
Major Allan's words brought a wry smile to Eilerson's
face as he directed him his monitor.
"I've managed to decode some of the files and translate
them," Eilerson told him. "Nothing of interest, no technical readouts
or system controls. I did however find some interesting historical
files that may be of some use."
"The Alliance isn't looking for a history lesson,
Mr. Eilerson," Allan said.
"Yes, but as I said these are interesting," Eilerson
rebutted. According to this they were briefly part of a great war
one thousand years ago. It also says there civilization was defeated
by an Ancient race of darkness. Not long after, the ancient race
disappeared and left them in ruins. They retained much advanced technology
but lost the ability to travel through the stars. It appears as though
they have only just regained their ability to travel through hyperspace."
Allan turned away for a moment, then looked back.
"Your telling me that the Shadows destroyed these peep's world a thousand
years ago and they're out here trying to do the same to us?"
"It seems that way, Major," Eilerson said
"From what I have gathered here it seems they have been trying to build
ships that this ancient race couldn't takeout easily. That is why
they never ventured back into the stars till now they have only just discovered
how to defend themselves against these Shadows."
"But there are no more Shadows," Allan said
"They did not know that," Eilerson pointed out.
"Yeah, right." Allan said. "Look, good work Mr.
Eilerson. I'll send this to the president as soon as possible."
"Please do Major," Eilerson said. "Good evening."
"Good night."
Major Allan left the room and Eilerson returned
to his computer station and started working again.
_________________
General John Raindeck's image filled the monitor
in Capt. Fisher's private office.
"Captain the ISA has requested that I take over
tactical command of the task force," the general said. "Effective
immediately. Capt. Gideon will still be the commander in the field
but all major decisions will go through me."
"Excuse me sir," Fisher said, "but what precipitated
this change in command?"
"I know you to well David," Raindeck told him.
"You tend to think in broad conspiracies, just like Gideon."
"Well there is no conspiracy her Captain so just
drop it."
"Yes, sir," Fisher replied.
"I want you to take your task force element to the
Engaphi system," Raindeck ordered, "Your new reinforcements are ready?"
"Yes, General," Fisher told him, "the four Omega
class destroyers, Twelve Whitestars and three Hyperion scouts arrived yesterday
well be ready to go by tomorrow."
"I want you gone within the hour Captain," Raindeck
ordered.
Fisher knew better than to argue, "Yes sir.
Within the hour sir.
"Good," Raindeck said and good luck Captain.
___________________
For three days the Damocles Task Force was stationed
in the Engaphi starsystem. General Raindeck gave word yesterday that
the Damocles was to be officially separated from the Excaliber's command.
A new Task Force was formed around the Damocles and included six more Whitestars,
eight Omega destroyers, four Nova Dreadnoughts and fifteen Hyperion cruisers.
This left his official strength at one Warlock destroyer, eighteen Whitestars,
twelve Omega destroyers, four Novas and eighteen Hyperions. They
were now designated the 2nd Task Force of the ISA Protective Force or ISAPF.
"Comdr. Cone, any word from Babylon 5," Fisher asked
as he walked onto the bridge?
"Yes sir," Cone replied.
"Well what is it Comdr.?"
"Sir, Mr. Eilerson has uncovered some interesting
historical data, in addition he and his IPX have managed to get some of
the systems working," Cone reported. "They have also given at least
a partial reason why they didn't use their main weapon on us. Their
apparently do not have extreme range. Only a few hundred metres given
the data they have found."
"Yes, the data from Whitestar 27 did show they were
only about five hundred metres from the ship," Fisher said.
"It appears we have found a weakness Capt., if only
a minor one."
"Perhaps Alan. Will find out."
Lt. Cordane sat quietly at his monitor. As
Weapons Master on a Earthforce ship he was required to maintain a watch
over the ships scanning systems. For days he waited and watched thinking
nothing would happen with such a large force present in the system.
As it turned out he was deadly wrong.
"Comdr., Vyron fleet jumping out of hyperspace in
sector four," Cordane yelled out.
"Battle Stations," Cone ordered, "Captain to the
Bridge."
Fisher walked onto the bridge as the klaxons began
to blare. "Report," he ordered.
Cone nodded to Cordane who began to speak.
"Sir, a Vyron fleet just jumped in on the far side of the system."
"How many ships," Fisher inquired?
"Four of their cruisers and six other ships.
Configurations unknown."
"Open frequencies to all ships," Fisher ordered.
"Channel open sir," Cone responded.
"EAS Damocles to all ships, form up on the Damocles
and follow us in," Fisher ordered over the comm. "Launch all fighters
and prepare to engage the enemy. Stay at least five hundred metres
from the front of those ships" He signaled that the transmission
be ended.
"Bring us in Commander," Fisher ordered.
The massive power of the 2nd Task Force went to work
against the smaller force of the Vyron fleet. Somehow these two fleets
were evenly matched. The new Vyron ships were similar to their larger
craft, but no less able. These ships only measured two thirds of
the length of the cruisers. The dorsal and ventral weapons cylinders
were gone though the port and starboard ones remained. The command
pod was shorter but underneath it were two heavy beam weapons.
"Were taking another hit Captain," Cone reported
as the ship quaked and rattled around him. The battle was not progressing
well. "Four more Whitestars are pulling back, two Omegas have been
critically damaged, three Novas have been destroyed." The ship again
shook with impact. "We've destroyed two of their ships, one cruiser
and a destroyer. Only one of their ships is falling back."
"Lt. Cordane," Fisher said ignoring Cone's report,
"prepare another missile volley, lock on the weakened cruiser, and fire
at will." A huge array of missiles bursts from the silos on the Damocles
and race for the one lagging Vyron cruiser. Obviously damaged the
ship tries to shoot down the missiles before they can strike. They
Vyron largely fail as dozens of the missiles catch the ship in its centre
of mass and engulf in it in pure white fire.
"Target destroyed Captain," Cordane reported.
"We lost another Whitestar, sir," Cone said.
"They're pulling back sir," Cordane noted, "they're
forming up."
"There are a jump points opening behind the Vyron
ships," Cone reported. "Three jump points nothing coming out yet."
"Their Vyron reinforcements, I know it," the Comm
Officer said.
"No their not," Fisher said as a familiar form moved
through the Vortex into realspace.
"Comdr. Mattheson," Gideon said. "Clear my
skies."
"Yes sir," Mattheson replied. "All weapons,
all craft, lock on hostile targets and fire at will."
Massive amounts of energy sailed out from the weapons
of the Excaliber and the other fifty ships of the 1st Task Force.
The Vyron trapped between two powerful fleets had no where to run.
Minbari Sharlin Warcruisers fired their powerful weapons while Whitestars
and Narn cruisers laid down cover fire. The Excaliber caught a Vyron
destroyer with its full forward weapons compliment as missiles and energy
weapons from over a dozen ships hit it. The ship exploded in a flash
of bright fire.
"Captain we are receiving a message from the Damocles,
sir," Na'Tael said.
"Put it through," Gideon ordered, "How are you Dave?"
"Fine thanks," Fisher's reply came over the speakers.
"Glad you came though."
"Couldn't let you have all the fun," Gideon responded,
"Look we better finish this later, there is a battle going on after all."
"Agreed," Fisher said as the comm shut down.
"The Vyron are breaking off," Cone reported.
"Jump points forming."
"Let them go Comdr.," Fisher ordered. The
battle had taken nearly four hours.
The fleet was battered and bruised.
Twenty-three ships were destroyed or damaged beyond repair. 15, 000
had lost their lives on the ISA side and thousands more were injured.
The Vyron had struck fear into every ISA member world. Nine Vyron
ships had effectively held off nearly one hundred vessels.
Reports from Minbar suggest that the ISA is beginning
to prepare for all out war.
The EAS Damocles had suffered moderate damage the
battle. It's F/P Cannon was knocked off-line and it's hull was breached
in several places.
Captain Fisher lay on his bed starring at the ceiling.
It had been one of the longest days of his life. He had joined Earthforce
after the Minbari war and had rarely seen a day of true heavy combat.
The last time was back when the Drakh attempted to invade Earth.
He was a Lt. aboard an Omega Destroyer, the Guthrie. That battle
didn't compare to what had happened here today.
Sleep, Fisher thought to himself, will not come
easily tonight.
_____________________