Part V
And So It Begins
"You are to return to Earth immediately," Raindeck
said his anger fuming over the lightyears separating him from the Damocles,
"You better pray that I don't decide to bring you up on charges for dereliction
of duty."
"Ah, yes sir," was all Fisher could think to say.
Doesn't he realize what we've been through in the last few weeks, Fisher
thought, or what we've done.
"I cannot fathom how a ship commander with your
skills and training can just flaunt authourity that way," Raindeck said,
"If you want to see your wife Captain you schedule leave times together,
you don't plan 'fortuitous' meetings weeks in advance. Then on top
of that you go gallivanting across the Galaxy without even trying to report
in."
"Sir," Fisher began, "I only did what I felt needed
to be done. I couldn't broadcast that I had Colav aboard I could
have put the ship in unnecessary danger, Sir."
"Captain we will talk more about this when you arrive.
Raindeck out."
"Jerk," was all Fisher could say.
"Captain?," Cone said with a quizzical smile.
"Never mind Cmdr.," Fisher said, "How long till
we reach Earth?"
"About four hours," Cone told him.
"Good. I'm going to take a little nap," Fisher
said with a little yawn, "Take care of things for me."
"Aye Captain," Cone said, "Sleep well sir."
__________________
Dorack was furious. He had not been this outraged
in years. How could his own son have failed so miserably. Kor'Van
was a brilliant tactician and commander, but he was out done by a human
vessel. The anger threatened to consume him but without warning he
calmed as a sinister thought entered his mind, all humanity would soon
pay for the death of Kor'Van. In fact the entire Interstellar Alliance
would soon fall. Dorack had contacts within the Earth Alliance and
they had informed him that neither Earth nor the rest of the ISA members
would be ready for weeks. If they struck now the ISA would crumble
before them.
The forces of the Drakh and Vyron were already taking
up positions to face the new reality of things. The ISA knows of
us, he thought not they do not know our plans. We must strike soon
to drive terror into the hearts of of all their people, they will not be
able to stop us. Then I can redeem my son's name.
__________________
Never in his life had Admiral Tardan Billanii been
this afraid. The Emperor had returned from his journey to Minbar
and declared war along with the Interstellar Alliance on the Drakh and
Vyron. Billanii knew the Drakh would not be above revealing the deal
he had made with them if they thought it would assist in the war effort.
He also knew that if he betrayed the Drakh they would go out of their way
to destroy him.
"We have received a message from Centauri Prime
Admiral," one of Billainii's officers said as he approached, "We are to
return with the Glory immediately to oversee the planetary defence arrangements."
Billanii stood quite and began to stare blankly
out into space.
"Sir," the officer said.
Roused from his reverie Billanii turned to face
the relatively young officer, "Set course," he said.
"Yes Admiral," the officer said handing the Admiral
the orders they had received before returning to his station.
Centauri Prime, Billanii thought, the Capital of
the Republic, seat of the Empire, home of Emperor Vir Cotto.
The Emperor wanted him to take command of the defence
of the homeworld, Billanii thought, that means he still has trust in me.
A smile blossomed on the face of Admiral Billanii as he realized that this
could be used to his advantage.
He would not have to attack the Drakh or Vyron which
would be viewed as a break of trust, and he would be in a position to turn
the Capital of the Centauri Republic over to them.
He would send word to the Drakh forces and let them
decide what to would do. Yes that would be much better.
__________________
Susan Ivanova had seen a lot in her lifetime, first
as XO on Babylon 5, then as a ship captain and General in Earthforce, and
especially since she had taken over the leadership of the Rangers.
She was convinced now though that she never seen anything like the the
three beings or one being that sat before her.
"This is going to take more getting used to than
I thought," Ivanova told them.
"Take your time Entil'Zha," Colav said, "We understand,
even in the Great Union our brother races had difficulty understanding
us."
"The Great Union," Ivanova asked, "What is that?"
"Four three hundred years their was an alliance
of world that existed in our part of the Galaxy," Colav told her, "The
Great Union was a defence and trade alliance like yours but their was little
threat from any race in the region. Over that time our cultures began
to mesh growing into one another until their survived very little difference
in culture and religion. The six races of our Union including our
own, the Neiceans, controlled nearly three dozen systems peacefully until
the Vyron came."
"Ten years ago the Vyron swept from their homeworld
and conquered the Union and many other worlds. They had never been
a threat, we were unprepared for them. Our ships were of little use
against them and were quickly destroyed. The few we have left make
up the core of our forces."
"You have been providing
us with much useful information on the Vyron," Ivanova said, "Is their
anything we can do for you?"
"We have one request," Colav said, "When you have
driven the Vyron from your space, don't forget us. Help us free my
people."
Ivanova was stunned by the request, had she been
standing she would have need to sit.
"You want us to free your people," Ivanova said,
it was not a question.
"Yes," all three Colav's said, "We would then petition
for membership in your Interstellar Alliance. Our leaders authorized
both requests. Please, we can not do it alone."
"You understand that I can't make promises," Ivanova
told her, "Your base is several weeks away and Vyron space is even further.
The President and the Council will have to make that decision, and given
the resources required to establish forward bases in that region it may
not pass."
"You are at war with our enemy, will you not move
to defeat them?"
"We may, but it is more likely that we will drive
them from our space and then move to secure our border against them," Ivanova
said sorrowfully, "Only if they commit unspeakable acts against us will
our government consider taking the fight to the Vyron homeworld and then
only if we have beaten off the Drakh."
"We see," Colav said quietly, "Our time was wasted
than."
"No not wasted," Ivanova said earnestly, "the information
the Damocles gave you will make your ships effective against the Vyron
and I'm certain we can begin military aid shipments within a few weeks.
In fact the Alliance plans to send weapons and advisors to Seeker
bases. With your permission, they will begin training and updating
your ships so that the Vyron will have to split their attention.
It is never good to fight a war on two fronts, you provide us with a second
front."
"The Seekers of Light would be open to such things,
Entil'Zha."
"Good," Ivanova said, "Then let's focus on that
for a while."
__________________
Dorack rarely commanded a cruiser, preferring to
stay aboard his Mothership. On this day though Dorack stood in the
command centre of one of the most powerful warships in the Drakh fleet.
Like all other ships in its class, this cruiser was over three kilometers
long. The difference was in the power of the ship, this cruiser had
the strength of two ships of the same class. The classic Raider fighters
flew about the Drakh cruiser along with Vyron fighters. Nearly two
dozen capital ships from both Drakh and Vyron forces had gathered to make
the first open strike in the war.
"All ships," he commanded in his gravely tones,
"Jump out of hyperspace and begin the attack."
Captain Tessa Fluentes-Fisher stood on the bridge of the EAS Macedon,
Orion VII turning slowly below her. She still felt the relief of
knowing her husband was still alive. He had sent her a message the
day before telling her of all that had happened and she could hardly believe
it. The Universe, she though, enjoyed playing games with people.
She had commanded this Macedon of nearly three years,
ever since the Vyron had destroyed the last during the Battle of Angedilla.
Now the Vyron were back and she could hardly believe it. It had been
three years since the last Vyron war, and yes it was a war despite the
spin EFHQ tried to put on it back home, but know they were back and allied
with the Drakh no less.
"Captain, we are reading an energy spike coming
from sector 32, multiple jump points opening," the ships scanner
operator said.
"Can you get a make on those ships," Fluentes asked?
"It's coming through now ma'am," he said.
A look of pure dread crossed his face, "Ma'am, we have Drakh and Vyron
ships incoming."
"Shit," Fluentes said with feeling, "Battle stations,
arm all weapons, launch fighters, contact the fleet."
"Ground control says automated defence satellites
are on-line," Commander Dusan said, "They say were on our own for a while,
reinforcements will take about twenty minutes."
Fluentes reviewed the situation quickly, six enemy
ships plus fighters against us, the Omega Aggressor and three Olympus corvettes
plus fighters and a Orbital Defense Grid.
"Tell them to hurry," she said.
The EAS Damocles burned a trail through hyperspace.
Captain Fisher was relaxing enjoying his favourite oldies group from the
late 20th early 21st century, a band called 'Our Lady Peace" from Canada.
"Captain Fisher," Cmdr. Cone's voice broke in over
the music, "Orion VII is under attack by Drakh and Vyron forces.
The Macedon and a few other ships are caught in the attack."
"Set course for Orion VII immediately," Fisher ordered,
"Prepare all fighters for launch the second we arrive, and begin charging
the weapons now."
"Aye sir," Cone replied, "We're not for from the
system it will take only a few minutes to get there."
"Just get us there," Fisher said as he began putting
his uniform back on and headed for the bridge.
"ETA," he ordered.
"Two minutes," Cone told him.
Things were not going well at all, Tessa Fluentes
thought. The Drakh were pushing hard for the planet making it difficult
to hold them back, while the Vyron were running cover for them using their
shields as a buffer.
"We can't hold them Captain," Dusan yelled over
the noises of battle. A Drakh cruiser was bearing down on their
position it was so close now that its Fluentes could see the weapons charging
to fire.
"All fire concentrate on that ship," she ordered
knowing it was probably futile.
Without warning, almost before her gunners had started
firing, the Drakh ship exploded showering all nearby ships with debris
and knocking out many enemy fighters.
"It's the Damocles," Dusan said triumphantly.
"Hello Macedon," Fishers voice cut in over the ships
speakers, "We were kicking around the neighbourhood, and though we would
gone the fun."
"Thank you Damocles," Fluentes said, "Your always
welcome to play."
Fluentes looked at her crew, "Lets kill some bad
guys shall we."
The Damocles was raising several kinds of hell as
it drove through the battle lines. The F/P Cannon burned through
two Drakh cruisers in the first few minutes of the battle. The Pulse
cannons spat out bolts of heavily ionized energy while the Plasma cannons
hurled destructive fire at the Vyron ships.
"We have reached the Orion defence perimeter sir,"
Cone reported.
"Very good, bring us around and target all weapons
on the lead Drakh vessel," Fisher ordered.
The massive ship began to bring its main weapons
to bare on the Drakh behemoth.
"Sir the Vyron are moving to block our main guns,"
Lt. Cordane reported, " I can't lock on to the Drakh ship."
""Then kill the Vyron first," Fisher said with annoyance.
Dorack was not happy at the arrival of the Warlock
class destroyer. It had taken down two of his ships almost before
they had realized it was there. Dorack was even less happy when he
realized this was the ship that had killed his son. He wanted to
destroy that ship and present its charred remains to the families of its
crew.
"The Vyron are reporting that their shields are
beginning to fail," one of his minions said.
Bitterly he realized that he could not inflict enough
damage before Earthforce reinforcements arrived. The Warlock had
tipped the scales.
"We have done enough here," Dorack said, "Jump into
hyperspace. We will fight again another day."
________________
