Chapter Seven: Head into the Clouds
The rising sun sent red highlights over the armada that lay moored at Horizon Cave. Slowly, one by one, the ships detached their docks and powered up their drive units. As the sun rose fully over the horizon, the ships were in the air – countless ships. It was a majestic sight to see old enemies fly side by side, the polished metal hulls of the warships gleaming in the sun. Insignia from previous battles marked the most prestigious ships – every single vessel on Prestale that was able to fly and shoot was amassed here. Among them were the great names from the legends of the military exploits of both Anatoure and Deusis: CLAIHM SOLAIS, BARTHALON, CONNORT, MISE, TELLEMEA, AUDACIOUS, MINERVE, REVENGE, THUNDERER, even the recovered and patched-up ARMADA and ANSWELLER on the Anatoure side. From the Deusis came the CONQUERANT, the FORTUNE, and the GLOIRE. Other ships were present, as well. Besides the countless Vanships that had been hastily outfitted with guns and torpedos, there were the SILVANNA, her blocky shape set apart from the rest of the fleet to one side, as well as the CU CHULAINN and the BATTLEMASTER alongside the SILVANNA. As one, the fleet began moving in perfect sync, rising up to face the sun.
Tom glanced out of the viewport at the amassed fleet. It was an impressive sight, and he smiled slightly. This was probably the first time in history that Anatoure and Deusis fought together. Yet, it was also a majestic sight. The fleet glimmered before him in battle formation, not one ship straying out of its place. Like a sleeping dragon, he mused. The Guild awoke something in us...maybe it's the urge to survive. This has never happened before. Then, maybe, it was a good thing that it happened. He let his gaze wander over the ships. His eyes finally settled on the SILVANNA.
I hope she'll be safe over there. Tom allowed himself a small smile. If we win, this'll be my chance to start a new life. If we fail...then we'll all go down. At least we'll go down fighting. A sense of trepidation filled him. But the Guild must be stopped. The commander of the CHULAINN grinned. It is well worth the risk. We'll win. We have to. This has gone far enough – I'll draw the line right here. He faced the fleet and the rising sun once again. This would be the day their legend was born, even if they failed.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home...
Sophia stood next to Alex's command chair as the SILVANNA started moving out into the open. As they passed the edges of Horizon Cave, she was overwhelmed by the number of ships that were assembled. The number of ships that had followed her call to arms. She glanced down at her captain. He was calm as always, but she knew a fury was burning deep within him, a pain that he had kept bottled up for too long.
If we loose, it'll be over. If we win, I'll have something to live for, she mused as she thought about both Alex and Tom. They had been good friends – until Tom's apparent "death", and Alex's failed peace mission to Deusis. We'll win, she told herself.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home...Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named.
Alex stared out of the window in front of him. He smiled grimly. This was well the largest fleet he had ever seen – yet it was still barely a match for the Guild and their battle vessels. Still, he couldn't help but smile as he thought about the expression on Delphine's face when she saw "her" people had risen up against her.
Delphine, the time has come for you to pay. All those years... Alex reminisced in his memories for a moment. All the pain...All the havoc. He knew they could win. They'd deliver some holy justice on Maestro Delphine.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home...Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named...He that shall live this day, and see great old age...
Caroline stood in the center of the bridge of the BATTLEMASTER, watching the sunrise sweep over the armada with awe. Still, she knew the odds were bad, but it was a heartening sight to see that the first step towards reconciliation between the people of Prestale had been made. Strange...what we couldn't accomplish by sending a peace proposal – what the Guild tried to prevent by foiling that mission – they did for us. They united us and gave us a common enemy. She shook her head.
Weird what little it takes to bring people together. The only thing is that it is under such regrettable circumstances. She had confidence in their plans, but the odds were still bad. Still, she knew every single man and woman aboard the ships would give their best. They would win because they could.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home...Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named...He that shall live this day, and see great old age...shall yearly, on the vigil, face his neighbours...
Madosein smiled. Even though their fight with the Guild was an unfair one, he had the confidence of an experienced commander. He knew that numbers and firepower weren't the only thing that mattered in battle. He knew that their men would fight at their best – because they had nothing to loose anymore, but everything to win.
This day would mark the beginning of the end of the Guild. The elderly man allowed himself a slight smile as he observed the armada that had assembled. They had come from everywhere, they had been old enemies, yet they were willing to fight under the same flag, for the same goal. "Raise the signal!" He shouted. On one of the top masts of the CLAIHM SOLAIS a string of flags began to rise – the Imperial Flag of Anatoure, the flag of the Deusis Confederation, and their respective battle standards.
As if on cue, the other ships began raising their standards, as well.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home...Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named...He that shall live this day, and see great old age...shall yearly, on the vigil, face his neighbours...Old men forget, yet all shall be forgot...
The spacious bridge of the URBANUS was bright with the rays of the rising sun. Vince stared out of the bridge viewport. The fleet lay before them like a dormant dragon – for now. He knew that soon the dragon would arise and raise hell for the Guild. He smiled as he thought about it.
He knew it was unlikely many of them would survive the coming clash, but he had sworn an oath as a military officer to uphold honor and peace, and protect those who couldn't defend themselves. It was his duty. Moreover, it was his wish. He smiled again. "Here we come..." he muttered.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home...Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named...He that shall live this day, and see great old age...shall yearly, on the vigil, face his neighbours...Old men forget, yet all shall be forgot...But he'll remember with advantages, what feats he did that day...
Tom rose from his chair and stood in front of the window, the sun silhouetting him against the rest of the bridge. "We will fight today, not for revenge, but for our future. Today will decide whether we will live, or perish. We will face the Guild, and, however the outcome, will face our destiny with our pride and honor. Today is the most important battle we have ever fought. Today is the single battle we have to win. And we will win. Failure is not an option."
Tom paused as his crew cheered over the intercom. Failure was indeed not an option.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home...Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named...He that shall live this day, and see great old age...shall yearly, on the vigil, face his neighbours...Old men forget, yet all shall be forgot...But he'll remembe,r with advantages, what feats he did that day...Then shall our names, familiar in his mouth like household words – CHULAINN, CLAIHM SOLAIS, SILVANNA, URBANUS – be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red
Tom waited until they had calmed down. "We sail into history. Today, we make our destiny. Today, there will be no surrender. Today, there will be no retreat."
This story shall the good man teach his son...and this day shall ne'er go by, from this day to the end of the world, but we in it shall be remembered – we few, we happy few, we band of brothers...
The four ships that were scheduled to depart for the Grand Stream accelerated away smoothly from the rest of the armada. A single Vanship squadron was flying in a salute formation in front of them, escorting the battleships until they were just out of visual range of the fleet, then swerved around and returned. Then, the four ships were alone on their journey.
