Chapter 23: Battle Joined
Reviewers:
Silvanas: Thanks for all the reviews. Are you perhaps my first fan? I'm not sure if I'm going to continue the trial, but if I do I'll use your ideas. Your ideas about the Super Necrons are cool, but they would probably be like the Dragon's personal guard. The weapons are really good! We'll see how many of them the Dragon has right now. Tuvok AND Chakotay dying? Probably not. One of them maybe.
Liljimmyurine: Sorry about that. It's been corrected. I didn't know the specifics about Genestealers, so thanks for helping me with it.
BGTom: Maybe, but remember that most of the crew of an Imperial ship are considered expendable. You're right about the space marines though.
Grayangle: Sorry it was too short, I didn't know what else to put in. The Legion you're thinking of is the Word Bearers. The Emperor won't do all his changes at once. He'll try to make it gradual. As for the people who don't want him or don't believe it's him, you'll find out later.
Picard was approaching his new ship. From the outside it looked like a massive fortress. The bow was tipped with a power ram and eight torpedo tubes. The middle was a maze of gun ports and strike craft bays. Two massive barrels adorned the vessel's spine along with a number of lance turrets. At the read was the cluster of massive plasma and impulse engines. Six transwarp nacelles were mounted just in front of the main engines and were at the moment covered with armor plating. The bridge was mounted a kilometer in front of the engine cluster.
"We're coming in for docking Admiral," the shuttle pilot reported. Picard, Geordi, Dr. Crusher and Worf were about to set foot on the first Enterprise not built entirely by Starfleet.
"Very well," he replied. The shuttle landed in one of the docking bays near the middle of the ship. As the ramp lowered, the sound of thousands of boots slapping the deck rang. The officers descended and were greeted by the sight of over two thousand of the vessel's highest ranking crew standing at attention. Three came up to meet the arrivals. The first man to approach was a head taller than Picard, with graying hair and a scar running along the right side of his face. His right eye was also augmetic.
"Greetings Admiral Picard. I am Commander Pierson, your executive officer. Allow me to introduce the rest of your senior staff." He turned to a brown haired man with bright blue eyes. "Officer of the Watch Marcus Halloway, and Second Engineer Mardukas." Mardukas was a fairly short man, with many implants and augmentations, most of which were hidden under a robe.
"Would you care for a tour Admiral?" Pierson asked.
"Very well," Picard replied.
Mardukas took Picard and his officers on a two hour long tour of the Enterprise-F. They saw the strike craft being loaded into maintenance cradles. They toured the main sickbay, which could hold over four hundred patients comfortably. Beverly stayed to familiarize herself with all the new equipment.
"I've never seen anything like this!" Geordi said as he got his first look at the generarium. Massive plasma reactors vibrated and Starfleet engineers, tech priests and their underlings hurried everywhere. "How much power can this place generate?"
"Approximately two thousand times that of your last ship," Mardukas answered. "I will be serving as chief engineer until you learn your way around everything." Geordi only half heard him.
"Admiral, if you and Mr. Worf will follow me, I will take you to the bridge," Pierson said.
The bridge was at least five times larger than the one on the Enterprise-E. Dozens of officers and crewmen rushed from station to station.
"Admiral, welcome to the bridge," Pierson said. He indicated the captain's throne. "Would you care to take your seat?" As Picard took his place on the captain's throne, Pierson turned back to him.
"And now Admiral, there is one last officer I would like you to meet. Computer," he called. "Activate AI." A slightly transparent image of a woman with short black hair and wearing the uniform of an Imperial lieutenant appeared.
"Standing by for orders Admiral," she said, looking at Picard.
"Who are you?" He asked.
"I am AI construct Liandra. Experimental prototype artificial intelligence, at your service."
"Liandra is the first of what we one day hope to be many AI's that assist captains. Liandra is a direct link to the main computer core. Actually, she is the computer core. She is based off the Emergency Command Hologram from Voyager," Pierson said.
"I see."
"Would you like a status report?" Liandra asked.
"Very well," Picard answered.
"All systems are operating at optimum capacity. All crew are at their assigned stations. All stations report ready. We are ready for departure sir."
"Very well. Helmsman, bring main drives to one quarter until we've cleared the station. Then set a course for our jump point."
"Yes sir." The ship gave a gentle shudder as the main engines were brought online for the first time. Gradually the great vessel glided out of its launch cradle, a great beast hungering for its first taste of battle. It used transwarp engines to get to the point where it could jump into the warp. Throughout the great ship, blast shields closed and shutters locked into place, preventing accidental gazing into the warp. Ministorum preachers moved through the ship, bestowing protective blessings on the crew.
On the bridge, Picard was being informed about his first mission.
"We should reach the staging area for the First Fleet in approximately five days," Pierson reported. "Once we arrive we will begin a campaign to destroy the Tyranid fleets that are encroaching on our territory. A compliment of Klingon and Andorian vessels will meet us there as well. They have expressed an interest in assisting in the destruction of the Tyranids."
"So the Andorians and the Klingons wish to join us," Picard mused. The Klingons likely just wanted to fight. Since the Imperium had introduced them to the Orks they had become soldiers. They had been allowed to retain much of their government. The only change had been the addition of an Imperial embassy on Kronos. The Andorians however. They had been quiet since the end of their war with the Vulcans. They likely had taken this as an opportunity to resume their warlike ways. That had Picard slightly worried. Since the Imperium's arrival, many races had been getting more aggressive. The Imperium's passion for battle was beginning to affect some of the Federation's members.
"Yes sir. Our plan is to have our fleet draw the Hive Fleet into an ambush. The Klingons will cloak and move inside the Tyranid formation, where they will kill the largest hive ships. In the following confusion our main battle fleet will crush the Tyranids once and for all. Once their main fleet is gone, we will move on to the second wave, not giving them any time to recover."
"What if the Tyranids somehow detect the Klingons?" Picard asked.
"They will not likely be able to penetrate the cloaking devices. Even if they do the Klingons will still have time enough to do their job."
"Are the Klingons expendable?"
"We are all expendable if it means doing our duty to the Emperor," Pierson replied.
Picard retired to his quarters a few minutes later. He was still not comfortable with the Imperium's way of waging war. They believed in victory at any cost. He spent the next five days pouring over every piece of information the Imperium had on the Tyranids. He read everything from Magos Bioligis reports to records of the Battle of Maccrage. He slowly began to understand that what Lord Admiral Madthayn had said was true. The Tyranids could not be reasoned with. They were essentially a massive colony of insects, seeking only too feed.
Early on the fifth day, Picard was woken by the beeping of his communicator. Tuning over on his elaborate bed that had come with his quarters, he picked it up, still half asleep.
"Picard here."
"Admiral, we are approaching the rendezvous point," Liandra's soft yet commanding voice reported. "Your presence is requested on the bridge."
"I'll be right there," he replied. He dressed in a uniform unfamiliar to him, the uniform of an Imperial Admiral.
Fifteen minutes later Picard stepped out of the lift, a cup of black coffee in his hand. It was too early in the mourning for Earl Gray. Liandra appeared next to him.
"Admiral, we've just dropped out of warp and Lord Admiral Madthayn is hailing us."
"On screen," Picard ordered. Madthayn appeared a second later. He appeared happier then the last time Picard had seen him.
"Admiral Picard! I am pleased you have made such good time. We have been able to drive back several Tyranid attacks and push them into the Bolrossa system. That is where we will destroy them. I and my entire fleet stand ready Admiral." The Lord Admiral's fleet consisted of over two thousand ships, most heavy cruiser class or above. The Klingon and Andorian fleets numbered three thousand and all had been refitted with Imperium technology.
"We stand ready as well Lord Admiral. I have read about the Tyranids and I now realize that you were right when you said there is no other choice but to destroy them."
"I am pleased." Madthayn opened a channel to the entire fleet.
"This is Lord Admiral Madthayn to all forces. The Tyranids are one of the worst foes mankind has ever faced. Today we stand ready strike a blow against them and show that mankind and all its allies will not allow them to devour even one world protected by His Glorious Majesty the Emperor! Today, we will run to longer. This day WE FIGHT!" Cheers rang throughout the fleet. "Admiral Picard, have your vessel take point. It is only fair that you fire the first shots."
"As you wish. Helm bring us to the front of the fleet. Mr. Worf, stand by to launch strike craft." Worf had been appointed Master of Ordinance.
"Aye sir. All fighter squadrons standing by."
"Admiral, Tyranid vessels approaching!" Reported the sensors operator.
"Well then, let's go to work."
The fleet assumed a wall formation that would make the most f its formidable firepower. The Enterprise held the center along with the Harbringer of Vengeance. Fighters launched from hundreds of carrier ships, ready to intercept any Tyranid vanguard craft. They did not have to wait long. The Tyranid fleet consisted of over seven thousand ships, including nine hundred hive command ships.
"They must have learned from their past mistakes," Picard said.
"Indeed Admiral. They know that they require their main command ships to coordinate, so they have produced more to lessen the chances of enough being destroyed to disrupt them," Liandra replied. "I suggest we focus our attacks on the largest vessels and reach our way through the ranks. The Tyranids will likely attack all at once and attempt to overwhelm us. What are your orders sir?"
"Open fire with all available weapons as the Tyranids enter range, but concentrate Nova Cannons on the largest vessels."
"Understood sir. Relaying orders."
The Tyranid vanguard craft were met by thousands of Imperial Marauders and Fury interceptors. Bio plasma met Imperial Lascannons and missiles. With their first wave stalled, the main Tyranid fleet began moving forward. The Enterprise's Nova Cannons and Lance Turrets blew one hive ship apart. The rest of the combined fleet met the Tyranids head on. Despite being outnumbered, the Imperials were holding their own. The combination of the lumbering Imperium battle cruisers and the swift darting Alpha Quadrant ships, the Tyranids were slowly being outflanked.
"Admiral, General Kolgoth reports his forces are taking heavy losses but they have turned the Tyranid fleet's left flank," Liandra reported. "The Andorian fleet is currently engaging a division of the Tyranids that are attempting to flank our fleet. They report success so far."
Unknown to the Imperials, the Dragon and a portion of his fleet were watching the battle and gathering the souls of the dead. Once enough of the vessels were destroyed, he would attack and claim what he needed.
"Communications, open a channel to Madthayn," Picard ordered.
"Yes Admiral," Madthayn asked a moment later when he answered the hail.
"Lord Admiral, the Klingons are taking heavy losses. I recommend we sent a force to follow up their advance and allow them to retreat and regroup."
"Very well Admiral. I am sending three divisions to assist."
"Admiral, the Tyranids are attempting to break up our formation," Pierson reported.
The Tyranid fleet was charging the Imperium armada, attempting to get in amongst them where they could do more damage.
"Fire all weapons, and instruct whatever ships available to target the largest hive ships on the Tyranids right flank. Fire Nova Cannons at the vessel bearing one two five mark three." The vessel Picard had designated was blown apart, temporarily stunning the ships near it. The Klingons and Andorians used the brief respite to destroy dozens of bio ships. The Imperium was slowly driving the Tyranids back. Suddenly several ships near the rear of the fleet exploded if flame.
"Admiral, I'm detecting Necron vessels in our rear quarter. They just appeared there!" Pierson reported.
"How many?" Picard demanded.
"One hundred twenty. Including the vessel that destroyed the Enterprise-E."
"Is the Tyranid fleet contained?"
"Yes sir. Most of its command ships have been destroyed. Lord Admiral Madthayn is leading a charge through what is left of their fleet."
"Then bring us about and target the Necron command vessel." Picard ordered.
"Sir, signal from the Harbringer of Vengeance." Liandra reported.
"Acknowledge it."
"Admiral Picard. I see we have additional guests. I suggest you wait and allow the main fleet to join up with you. Necron vessels are far more powerful and resilient than Tyranid ships."
"Very well, but hurry. The vessel sighted at Kitomer is here."
As the fleet reorganized itself, most of the ships went with the Enterprise. The rest stayed to finish off the Tyranids. As soon as both fleets entered weapons range, the battle was truly joined. Necron arc lightning pierced right through void shields and shattered hull plating and broke entire ships in half. The Enterprise took several good hits, but their shields stopped most of the incoming fire.
The Imperial counterstrike was just as deadly. As powerful as the Necrons were, even their self-repair capability couldn't keep up with the massive amount of fire being thrown at them. Smaller vessels began exploding or phasing out. The larger Tomb ships and the Dragon's flagship kept moving forward. The Dragon's ship seemed to be immune to anything that struck it. Its weapons destroyed a dozen ships with each volley.
"Admiral, our fire I having no effect at all on the Necron flagship," Liandra reported.
"I can see that. Order all ships to concentrate their fire on that vessel!"
"Still no effect sir. Its hull is able to regenerate faster than our weapons can impact. Wait, I'm picking up a transwarp aperture opening."
From the transwarp portal emerged over 700 Federation ships, led by Voyager.
"Captain Janeway is hailing us," Liandra said.
"Open a channel," Picard responded. Janeway's face appeared on the main view screen.
"Greetings Admiral. I heard you were having a bit of trouble."
"That would be an understatement captain. I am glad to see you hear. That Necron flagship is proving invulnerable to our weapons."
"I may have a solution." She turned to Tuvok. "Fire transphasic torpedoes." Dozens of the anti-Borg torpedoes were launched from Voyager and other vessels. The torpedoes had been largely abandoned by the Federation after the destruction of the Borg. They proved their worth there however. The weapons slipped through the Necron vessels' shields and struck the hull. They actually managed to inflict small craters in its armor. However that caused the Dragon to turn his attention towards Janeway's fleet. He transported over several of his personal guard to find the secrets of this new weapon.
"Captain, intruders on deck seven!" Kim reported.
"Send security teams," Janeway ordered. Tuvok left the bridge to head up the defense of Voyager.
Necron warriors tore through Voyager's security forces. They were led by several warriors that moved with lightening speed and wielded twin bladed staffs. Where they struck, flesh disintegrated. One of the warriors was about to eviscerate a man when Tuvok fired a maximum strength phaser blast that vaporized half of its back. The warrior phased out, too badly damaged to immediately self repair.
"Form up and concentrate your fire. Set phasers to maximum." The teams moved along, losing more men to the Necron super warriors. Suddenly, one materialized right in front of Tuvok and speared him with its blade. He gasped, and then three officers vaporized the warrior. That was the last one.
"Get the Commander to sickbay!" His midsection was already beginning to crumble away.
Back in space, the Necron fleet began to retreat. With the failure to get the data on the new weapons, the Dragon decided to take the soul energy he'd already collected, which was significant, and regroup. The Tyranids had been destroyed, and the Imperium fleets were moving in to tend to the damaged vessels.
"Admiral, the final damage reports are in," Pierson reported.
"Let's have it then," Picard answered.
"Nine hundred ships destroyed, four hundred damaged. Strike craft losses stand at thirty percent. Damage is being repaired as much as possible before we return to Terra. Our own damage is mostly hull plating."
Meanwhile on Voyager, Janeway was rubbing her head. She had been thrown from her chair by an arc lightning strike.
"Damage report." Chakotay glanced at his console.
"Hull breaches on decks six and seven. Repairs are underway. Shield generators took a beating. We'll have to fix that at Utopia Plenitia. Twenty seven dead, fifteen wounded. Including Tuvok," he added the last part reluctantly. Janeway immediately stiffened.
"I'll be in sick bay," she said, then almost ran off the bridge.
Inside Romulan space, the Farseer in command had picked up the presence of the Dragon.
"I have probed the minds of our escorts," he said. "They are deceitful and arrogant. Exactly like the mon kiegh. We must leave this place and make contact with the Imperium. They may know of a way to get us back to our galaxy. There we must recover the Amulet of Vaul." The crew hurried to bring the transwarp drive they had recovered online. When it was completed, the Eldar vessel leapt into transwarp, leaving behind several stunned Romulan commanders.
Whew! Long chapter huh? I hope it was interesting enough. How did I do on the battles? Please tell me I did good. Stay tuned for the next chapter. Will Tuvok die? What will the Eldar tell the Imperium, and what is the amulet of Vaul? Find out in Revelations! See ya then!
ENTILZA