Revelations
"Captain Fisher,"
Cone said, "We have arrived at the Orion Transfer Point beacon."
"Very good,"
Fisher responded, "Take us out of hyperspace and begin active scan."
If Cone was curious
as to has Captain's intentions he did not show. The fact was Fisher
had been planning this little rendezvous for weeks. The Narn situation
had put those plans in jeopardy but...
"Captain, jump
point forming, it's the EAS Macedon."
"Thank you.
Open a channel I'd like to speak to Captain Fluentes immediately," Fisher
ordered sounding all business, "and route it to my office."
"Aye Captain,"
the comm. officer responded.
David Fisher
hurried to the back of the bridge and strolled purposefully into his office.
"Open channel,"
Fisher told the computer. After a brief pause the Earthforce emblem
was replaced by the beautiful face of Tessa Fluentes-Fisher. Her
long brown hair was tied back into a regulation hairstyle that did nothing
to hide her beauty.
"Hello David,"
she said, "Glad you could come."
"So am I," David
said, "It didn't look so good for a while."
"Did you have
any luck with the investigation?"
"No," David told
her, "any evidence of who did it and why were completely erased by the
Aleutian Nebula."
She leaned back
into her office chair. During the Vyron crisis three years ago her
ship the EAS Macedon was damaged beyond repair. After the conflict
Tessa had been promptly offered the command of a new Omega class destroyer
which she requested be renamed after her former ship.
The though of
the Vyron nagged at some small part of Fisher's mind but he quickly disregarded
it.
"I suppose the
Narn are busy blaming the Centauri," Tessa was saying.
"The last I checked
they were," David said dryly, "So do you want to come over?"
"Actually I have
dinner all ready over here," Tess told him, "Come quickly we don't have
a lot of time."
"I"ll be there
soon," he told her, "I love you."
Fisher closed
the channel and left for the hanger decks.
__________________
Kor'Van walked
the command centre of his warship. Everything was proceeding well,
he thought to himself. The Narn were blaming the Centauri for the
destruction of the G'Daern and the Vyron fleet was poised to lash out at
the mighty Interstellar Alliance. Soon if all went well the ISA would
be torn by internal strife caused by his actions. Not long after
they would strike and destroy the Alliance and all it stood for.
Kor'Van would
take extreme pleasure in inflicting damage on the humans. He felt,
as all his kind did, that the humans were the cause of all their suffering.
Kor'Van had been given the honour of leading the force that would attack
the Earth Alliance, a task he would enjoy to its fullest. On that
day he would unleash such chaos as humanity had never known.
That day would
be a very good day for the Drakh.
_________________
Normally Emperor
Vir Cotto would enjoy the few quite moments alone. He would walk
slowly through the Imperial gardens and try to remember simpler times.
These days it seemed harder and harder to remember those simple times.
Reports were coming in that the Narn were mobilizing their forces along
with the Drazi and a few others and preparing to strike out at the Centauri
for something they had not even done. Admiral Billanii had assured
him that no Centauri vessel had been anywhere near the G'Daern's last position.
The Narn didn't seem to care, they only wanted to blame someone and the
Centauri were as good as any.
Vir wasn't worried
about an invasion, his advisers had told him that the Republic had more
then enough ships to defend themselves, he was worried it would prevent
the Republic from rejoining the Interstellar Alliance.
The legacy of
the Drakh had left the Centauri people drained and untrusting of the Galaxy
outside their borders. This incident would not help him heal those
wounds.
"Your Majesty,"
Duran Fulano the Emperor's personal secretary called.
"I did not want
to be disturbed," Vir said annoyed.
"My apologies
Your Majesty, but President Delenn has asked to speak to you. The
transmission has been feed to the thrown room," Fulano told him.
"Very well,"
Vir said shaking his head as he headed for the thrown room. He did
not have a very good feeling about this.
"I am afraid no
evidence has been discovered to exonerate your people," Delenn was saying
as Vir sat and listened to all the evidence the Rangers had gathered so
far, "Until something is proven the Narn and the others will believe what
they have chosen to believe."
"And that is;
the Centauri have once again moved to attack us, we must destroy them before
they destroy us," Vir said, "It is the same old story Madam President.
Delenn, we cannot allow this to happen."
"I know," she
said as a look of frustration crossed her face, "But the Narn have chosen
not to listen. They will not back down until we either start a war
or find the proof of your people's innocence in this."
"Only discovering
the real perpetrators will do that at this point I think," Vir said.
"And the only
way I can protect your people is to bring the Republic into the Alliance
immediately," Delenn told him, "and that would be political suicide for
both me and the Alliance."
"Delenn," Vir
said, "I will not begin a full mobilization of my fleet but I will act
to protect my people. Should the Narn attack I will have to retaliate.
I will have no other choice. My position here is not as secure as
it has been, their are plots and intrigues everywhere, I must act if only
to preserve order in my own government."
"I understand
Vir," Delenn said quietly, "but do remember that if it comes to that I
may not be able to stop the War that may occur."
"I understand,"
Vir said, "Thank you."
Delenn bowed
slightly, "Goodnight Your Majesty."
"Goodnight, Madam
President."
Vir thought for
a moment of returning to the garden but decided instead to go to bed.
Sleep, he thought to himself, will be in short supply soon enough may as
well get as much as I can now.
_________________
The Damocles had
spent only about a day in the Orion region. Tessa had been operating
out of Orion VII for the past three months while the Damocles had been
all over the Alliance. Finding time together was nearly impossible
unless
one cheated. That is what they had done. Both ships given their
missions had every right to be exactly where they were. It did not
matter that the Captain's of those ships were man and wife, it was just
a happy coincidence. Or at least it was for anyone who asked.
"Captain we're
picking up a faint transmission on a non-standard frequency," Cmdr. Cone
said, "It could be raiders, recommend we investigate."
"Raiders don't
usually operate this deep in Earth territory Commander," Fisher reminded
him.
"I know sir,
but it does happen occasionally, we should check it out."
"Very well,"
Fisher said," Change course and take us to the source of that transmission."
"Aye sir," Cone
said turning to relay the order, "Change course to 0.3 mark 4.4 by 6"
The helm acknowledged
and the Damocles began to turn toward the new heading. "How long,"
Fisher asked?
"ETA, two minutes,"
Cone responded. Both men waited in silence for those two minutes.
"We have arrived
at the signal coordinates, Captain," Cone reported.
"Activate defense
systems Cmdr. and take us out of hyperspace," Fisher ordered.
The Damocles
exited hyperspace and began to scan the surrounding area. "There
is a small ship at the edge of scanning range Captain," Lt. Cordane informed
him.
"Can you out
what kind of ship it is," Fisher asked?
Cordane shook
his head, "No sir, it's to far to get a silhouette at this distance."
"Set intercept
course," Fisher ordered, "let's take a look shall we Cmdr."
The Damocles
slowly approached the unknown vessel moving smartly into sensor range.
"Captain," Cordane
reported, "It's a Drakh Raider class fighter."
"Battle Stations!"
Fisher commanded, "begin scanning for a Cruiser. Those fighters don't
go anywhere alone."
"Sir there is
a Drakh cruiser approaching from behind some nearby asteroids," Cordane
said.
"Launch Thunderbolts
and Cobras," Fisher ordered, "prepare for combat."
Starfighters
began pouring from the Damocles as the Thunderbolt and Cobra crew took
to the stars. The Thunderbolts were the tried and true fighters of
Earthforce but the Cobras were brand new. Single man fighters, the
Cobras were armed with two pulse firing particle cannons that were more
than a match for any fighter in the ISA. They also had all the best
characteristics of their predecessor, the X formation wings and atmospheric
capabilities. The particle cannons were located in two projections
on the nose of the craft that looked very much like the Cobra's hood for
which they were named. They also had a rotating pulse cannon turret
slung underneath the fighter. As for the rest they looked like nothing
more then a smaller more agile Thunderbolt.
"Enemy ship is
launching fighters sir," Cmdr. Cone reported, "They are moving to intercept."
"Order fighters
to engage at will," Fisher said, "Lock all guns on the Drakh ship."
"Weapons are
locked," Cone told him.
"Stand by," Fisher
said waiting calmly.
"The Drakh vessel
is within 800 metres Captain," Cordane reported nervously.
"Open Fire,"
Fisher ordered.
Massive bolts
of energy began flying form the Damocles' main plasma and pulse cannons
striking the Drakh cruiser. The Drakh ship responded with its own
massive strikes firing their main weapons. The ships were locked
in a deadly duel but it soon became clear that the Damocles had the advantage.
Their fighters were keeping the raiders to busy to even get a shot at the
Damocles while the Drakh ship was not prepared to face the onslaught from
the Damocles.
The Drakh cruiser
began to turn tail and run.
"Lock the Fusion/Particle
beam cannon on that Drakh ship," Fisher ordered.
"F/P locked,"
Cordane reported.
"FIRE."
The powerful
blue-green beam burst forth from the Damocles and struck the Drakh cruiser
in the drive section. The cruiser began to list heavily as the weapon
burned through its hull. "Fire again," Fisher ordered. This
time the Drakh vessel exploded spectacularly.
"Report on the
Raiders," Fisher said.
"Our fighters
have accounted for most of them sir," Cone reported, "quite a feat considering
those Raiders are more powerful and bigger."
"Move the Damocles
in, lets help them finish the job."
"Here is the damage
report Captain," Cmdr. Cone said as he entered Fishers office.
"Thank you Alan,
leave it on the desk," Fisher said.
"We suffered
only superficial hull damage and lost six fighters. Three pilots
went down the others got out in time. They're receiving some minor
medical care but the doc should be able to patch them up."
"I'm trying to
write up a report to Earthforce but I'm not sure what to tell them," Fisher
admitted. "I have no clue as to why the Drakh were here or why they
would risk sending a signal this deep into Earth space. The only
thing out here is a few completely random and worthless asteroids and a
whole lot of nothing."
"Maybe that is
what they were looking for, a lot of nothing. Face it this is a pretty
good staging ground for a strike into Earth space. You've got a clear
line to Proxima, Orion, even Earth," Cone said.
Fishers link
beeped before he could respond, "Fisher, go"
"Captain," Cordane's
voice came over the link, "there is jump point forming. One ship
has entered local space."
"Any make on
it yet," Fisher asked?
"Yes Captain,
It's a Vyron Battle Cruiser."
Fisher looked
at Cone, "It's also a good rendezvous point."
Fisher and Cone
returned to the bridge. Cone took his station near the Captain as
Fisher sat down in the command chair. Both men had there eyes fixed
on the Vyron vessel.
"The Vyron haven't
come back in three years, why are they here now," Cone asked?
"I don't know
but I bet the Drakh have something to do with it," Fisher said. "Power
defense grid, arm all weapons and set to rotate randomly between standard
and ion mode."
"All weapons
set, Captain," Cone reported, "All cannons locked on the Vyron ship."
"Fire," Fisher
said coolly.
The Damocles
began firing its main guns at the Vyron vessel and again Fisher was amazed
by the ship. It was over 1800 metres long, and had four large weapons
nacelles surrounding a central command pod. These sections were connected
in the aft section with massive pylons which were attached to the drive
section.
Of course the
most impressive thing about this ship was its energy shield which could
deflect almost amy weapon system that the ISA had. Except for the ion bolts
that the Damocles was now firing.
With each bolt
that struck the Vyron shield it became more and more permeable to the more
standard weapons. Not every shot would get through but most were.
The Vyron weren't
sitting Back and taking though, they began firing their disrupter pulse
cannons at the Damocles. Interceptor fire from the Damocles kept
some of the pulses away but many struck the Damocles shaking it violently.
"Report," Fisher
called.
"Vyron ship is
taking heavy damage," Cone reported, "Their shields are beginning to fail
completely."
"Sir," Lt. Cordane
interrupted, "More jump points are forming several Vyron cruisers, destroyers
and fighters are coming through. There are also a few Drakh.
More then we could hope to handle."
"Helm set course
away from the battle," Fisher ordered, "Prepare to jump. JUMP!"
The Damocles
opened the gateway between realspace and hyperspace and hurled itself inside.
Several of the faster Drakh ships were able to followed it inside.
"Captain, four
Raiders are on our back," Cordane reported.
"They wouldn't
be foolish enough to try to fight in hyperspace would they?" Cone asked.
"It's never turned
out well for any one how has tried," Fisher said.
"Here they come,"
Cordane said.
The Drakh fighters
began pouring weapons fire at the Damocles but the Damocles returned their
fire with equal vigor destroying two of them. The remaining Raiders
began pulling in front of the massive vessel.
"What are they
doing," Cone asked?
The two vessels
pulled ahead of the ship, one was blown away by the forward plasma cannon,
the other completed its task. It fired into the Damocles' navigational
array before being destroyed by the Damocles.
"Sir we've lost
the beacon, we can't reestablish," Cone reported dismally.
"Can we send
out a transmission?" Fisher asked, few ships lost in hyperspace had ever
been found again.
"There is to
much damage, Captain," Cone told him, "We may be able to send a weak transmission
but it would most likely tell the Drakh where to find us."
"Very well,"
Fisher said with resignation, "Repair the communications system, if we
have any hope it will be if we can contact Earthforce. We should
also try to repair the nav array if only for the small chance we can lock
on to another beacon."
"Aye sir," Cone
said, "We'll get right on it."
Fisher sat back
in his chair. He knew the odds of getting back out of hyperspace
were slim. Only one Earthforce ship, the Explorer Cortez, had ever
been found after being lost in hyperspace, and that is only because someone
knew it was missing.
Despite everything
all Fisher could think about right now was his wife. If we don't
get out she'll never know what happened to me and I will not allow that
to happen.
