The Battle
by snow_squirrel
An angry siren screamed as blinding red lights bounced off the walls of the Academy. Each pet was sprinting to its post, knowing that any dawdling could be fatal. Bri made it to the defense quadrant in record time and began firing up the plasma shields. If this was who she thought it was they would be of no use, but it couldnÕt be... A striped Tuskaninny next to her was launching the reconnaissance droids. She watched briefly as they headed out through the airlock then went back to her own monitor. With distress she realized the shield were already dangerously weak, yet she could see nothing firing at them.
The Supervisor burst into the door and began bellowing out orders. ÒCombustion cells to overdrive! Deploy cloaking droids to zone 12,40! Channel more power into the plasma shields, we canÕt let them get through!Ó Each pet punched buttons furiously on its control module as the attack quadrant began its campaign against the invaders.
ÒTschew, Tschew!Ó the laser beams screamed as they were flung from the gamma cannons. For minutes they were launched aimlessly into space until finally a camouflaged ship was hit. Its camouflage capability was corrupted, and through some sort of chain reaction the rest of the ships appeared along with it. They were surrounded.
Bri noticed a dark logo was displayed on the front of each ship. A crooked dagger dripping slimy green ooze was held by a... what was it? Large feet protruded from a thin frame with muscular arms and claws for hands. A sleek sheet of scales acted as skin, its oily texture glinting in the starlight. But its head was the most ghastly part. One large eye was centered on the skull, with a smaller eye on either side. The pupils glowed a fiery red and transmitted fear upon whoever they rested. A small mouth did not deter the to thin, sharp fangs frron protruding out towards the monsterÕs scaly stomach. Point ears lashed out behind its shoulders and a lone spike shot up from the creatureÕs forehead, its tip bloodied from a recent battle.
ÒHyper Jump! We need to get out of here immediately!Ó the Supervisor screamed. But it was no use, every ounce of power was already being used in the battle to keep the station standing. The Academy began rocking slightly as the shields grew ever thinner.
It was at that moment that Bri realized exactly what they needed to do. It was a risky plan, but perhaps their only chance at survival. ÒPermission to speak, sir!Ó she asked loudly above the drone of the alarms.
ÒPermission granted,Ó the Lupe said desperately. Simmering golden sparks were flying from the ceiling as the station lurched like a sailboat in a hurricane.
ÒIf we assign all remaining shield energy to the battle section of the ship and power down all the other systems, we might have enough juice for a small Hyper Jump out of trouble.Ó She knew very well that the rest of the station would surely be destroyed, but if there was a chance that everyone would survive...
The Supervisor briefly considered this then nodded his head and pushed the intercom button on the wall. ÒAllocate all remaining shield energy to the battle section of the ship. Power down all other systems and prepare for Hyper Jump in two minutes!Ó Immediately the lights went out all over the complex and the gamma cannons ceased their firing. There was complete silence as the shield surrounded the battle section and it became stable again.
The silence was shattered as massive explosions ripped through the stale air. Looking out the window Bri watched sadly as the Academy she had come to know and love was torn apart by some invisible force. The learning section was the first to be devoured by this acid like weapon, which admittedly didnÕt concern her much. But when it moved on to the Habitation Quarters the full impact of the situation hit the Kougra. All of her lifeÕs possessions were being destroyed at this very moment... everything she had striven so hard to gain... gone.
ÒOne minute until Hyper Jump!Ó the Supervisor shouted, straining to make himself heard above the piercing explosions. Every pet buckled themselves in and braced for the jump, the turned their eyes back to the window. They were the only part of the ship remaining. And to BriÕs horror, she noticed that the shield energy was dropping at an even faster rate than before.
ÒLook, theyÕre firing at us!Ó someone screamed as bright green beams of energy ricochet off the dwindling shield. The ground began to shift again, but this time more forcefully.
ÒThirty seconds until Hyper Jump!Ó
ÒWe arenÕt going to make it!Ó
ÒWhy arenÕt we attacking them? WeÕre sitting ducks!Ó A small explosion erupted in the middle of the room. Debris was launched in every direction and a large chunk of steel smashed right into BriÕs monitor. Now there was no way of knowing how much of the shield remained.
ÒTen seconds until Hyper Jump!Ó
The predators around the station were now moving in on their prey. They had obviously discovered the plan by now and were determined not to let the Defenders get away. Each ship aligned to form a tight circle around the Academy and they all began glowing a jade hue, throbbing to a steady tempo.
ÒTheyÕre going to self-destruct!Ó Bri realized in horror. Such an explosion would penetrate the remaining shield with ease and vaporize the small portion of the station left. Suddenly the largest ship was a green fireball. The ships around it responded by setting themselves ablaze as well, and a wave of pure energy was heading towards the station at a faster speed than had ever been seen before. Tidal waves of power emitted whipping lashes of lightning... it was right outside the window...
ÒSLAM!Ó a brilliant white light blinded Bri and she covered her eyes to shield it. Then it was gone as suddenly as it had came and she slumped in her seat gasping for breath. Staring out the window, she saw the world of Neopia rotating gently far off on the eastern horizon. So we made the jump after all, she thought ruefully. And then she blacked out.
The Supervisor burst into the door and began bellowing out orders. ÒCombustion cells to overdrive! Deploy cloaking droids to zone 12,40! Channel more power into the plasma shields, we canÕt let them get through!Ó Each pet punched buttons furiously on its control module as the attack quadrant began its campaign against the invaders.
ÒTschew, Tschew!Ó the laser beams screamed as they were flung from the gamma cannons. For minutes they were launched aimlessly into space until finally a camouflaged ship was hit. Its camouflage capability was corrupted, and through some sort of chain reaction the rest of the ships appeared along with it. They were surrounded.
Bri noticed a dark logo was displayed on the front of each ship. A crooked dagger dripping slimy green ooze was held by a... what was it? Large feet protruded from a thin frame with muscular arms and claws for hands. A sleek sheet of scales acted as skin, its oily texture glinting in the starlight. But its head was the most ghastly part. One large eye was centered on the skull, with a smaller eye on either side. The pupils glowed a fiery red and transmitted fear upon whoever they rested. A small mouth did not deter the to thin, sharp fangs frron protruding out towards the monsterÕs scaly stomach. Point ears lashed out behind its shoulders and a lone spike shot up from the creatureÕs forehead, its tip bloodied from a recent battle.
ÒHyper Jump! We need to get out of here immediately!Ó the Supervisor screamed. But it was no use, every ounce of power was already being used in the battle to keep the station standing. The Academy began rocking slightly as the shields grew ever thinner.
It was at that moment that Bri realized exactly what they needed to do. It was a risky plan, but perhaps their only chance at survival. ÒPermission to speak, sir!Ó she asked loudly above the drone of the alarms.
ÒPermission granted,Ó the Lupe said desperately. Simmering golden sparks were flying from the ceiling as the station lurched like a sailboat in a hurricane.
ÒIf we assign all remaining shield energy to the battle section of the ship and power down all the other systems, we might have enough juice for a small Hyper Jump out of trouble.Ó She knew very well that the rest of the station would surely be destroyed, but if there was a chance that everyone would survive...
The Supervisor briefly considered this then nodded his head and pushed the intercom button on the wall. ÒAllocate all remaining shield energy to the battle section of the ship. Power down all other systems and prepare for Hyper Jump in two minutes!Ó Immediately the lights went out all over the complex and the gamma cannons ceased their firing. There was complete silence as the shield surrounded the battle section and it became stable again.
The silence was shattered as massive explosions ripped through the stale air. Looking out the window Bri watched sadly as the Academy she had come to know and love was torn apart by some invisible force. The learning section was the first to be devoured by this acid like weapon, which admittedly didnÕt concern her much. But when it moved on to the Habitation Quarters the full impact of the situation hit the Kougra. All of her lifeÕs possessions were being destroyed at this very moment... everything she had striven so hard to gain... gone.
ÒOne minute until Hyper Jump!Ó the Supervisor shouted, straining to make himself heard above the piercing explosions. Every pet buckled themselves in and braced for the jump, the turned their eyes back to the window. They were the only part of the ship remaining. And to BriÕs horror, she noticed that the shield energy was dropping at an even faster rate than before.
ÒLook, theyÕre firing at us!Ó someone screamed as bright green beams of energy ricochet off the dwindling shield. The ground began to shift again, but this time more forcefully.
ÒThirty seconds until Hyper Jump!Ó
ÒWe arenÕt going to make it!Ó
ÒWhy arenÕt we attacking them? WeÕre sitting ducks!Ó A small explosion erupted in the middle of the room. Debris was launched in every direction and a large chunk of steel smashed right into BriÕs monitor. Now there was no way of knowing how much of the shield remained.
ÒTen seconds until Hyper Jump!Ó
The predators around the station were now moving in on their prey. They had obviously discovered the plan by now and were determined not to let the Defenders get away. Each ship aligned to form a tight circle around the Academy and they all began glowing a jade hue, throbbing to a steady tempo.
ÒTheyÕre going to self-destruct!Ó Bri realized in horror. Such an explosion would penetrate the remaining shield with ease and vaporize the small portion of the station left. Suddenly the largest ship was a green fireball. The ships around it responded by setting themselves ablaze as well, and a wave of pure energy was heading towards the station at a faster speed than had ever been seen before. Tidal waves of power emitted whipping lashes of lightning... it was right outside the window...
ÒSLAM!Ó a brilliant white light blinded Bri and she covered her eyes to shield it. Then it was gone as suddenly as it had came and she slumped in her seat gasping for breath. Staring out the window, she saw the world of Neopia rotating gently far off on the eastern horizon. So we made the jump after all, she thought ruefully. And then she blacked out.
