The Sword of Damocles II- Teaser
Part II
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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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