The Sword of Damocles II- Teaser

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."

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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."

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