Disclaimer: I do not own Vandread, it belongs to Gonzo, the things are mine are characters from Theora.
Allies Out There
By Eric Tsai
Chapter 7 "Reaching Home"
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This story, well is getting closer to its end, but still a way to go. See you at the other side.
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"We are exiting subspace." Belvedere reported as the tunnel of light came to an end as they returned to normal space.
"We should be at the edge of Tarrakian space." Amarone, one of the four operators, said as their ship along with the Combined had returned to normal space.
While onboard the flagship of the Combined Fleet, Liberty, Admiral Strom watched as the stars appeared before them once again.
"So we are finally there." Adam Strom said to himself as surveyed his bridge, while the captain of Liberty gave out orders to the crew.
In the bridge of Independence, David E. Lin watched as his unit, the very tip of the spear known as the Combined Fleet, moved forward.
"Commodore Lin, we are the detecting objects ahead of us, they appeared to be Tarrakian minefields." The Intelligence Officer reported to David and as quickly as he could, he ordered his ships to pull back.
"Open a channel to the Nirvana and the Liberty." David told the communication officer as he walked over to her terminal.
Onboard the Nirvana, the comm. window appeared and immediately David informed of the situation.
"There are several options available to us, we can try to unlock the security using cybernetic warfare, destroy them, or fire EMP weaponry."
"We shouldn't destroy them, since we will need these against the Harvest." Magno said as several of the important officers of the Combined Fleet participated this virtual meeting.
"I recommend cybernetic warfare, since we have enough ships and computing power if we all link up with the defense weaponry's computer." The One of the flag officer, who appeared to be a vice admiral said.
While other officers, flag officers of the Combined Fleet, nodded and looked at Admiral Strom and awaited his order.
"Very well, commence cybernetic warfare and begin operation at 1200 hours and prepare the EMP weaponry just in case." Officers nodded and returned to their task after turning off the comm. screen, except Strom, David, and Magno.
"You think this is going to work?" Strom asked David.
"I think it will and plus we know someone onboard the Nirvana actually knows the code. Right, Captain Vivian?" The fact surprised everyone.
Magno nodded as she looked at B.C.
"You are in fact a high ranking Tarrakian Intelligence Officer, right?' David asked as he looked at the sub commander of Nirvana.
B.C. did not reply, but looked down at the floor beneath her feet.
"As I thought." David said somberly as he looked at Admiral Strom.
"This issue doesn't really matter as we are facing a greater threat." Strom said as he faced B.C.
Magno nodded, then said, "B.C., what are you doing? Go back to your station." The sub commander looked with surprise shown over all of her expression.
"Yes mam." Then he returned to his station with a happy smile on his face.
Seeing one matter being resolved, the three leading figure all smiled before returning to the task ahead of them.
The news about B.C. was quickly spread through Nirvana, most were very neutral about it and when Hibiki and Meia heard it, they shrugged and said nothing.
One hour later, the operation began. The cyber security of Tarrakian military was very behind compared to Theorian and Aniesian technology, so the system was unlocked very quickly and the Combined Fleet was allowed pass. However, what troubled them the most was something else.
"Commodore, we are detecting several capital ships, at least a dozen or so." The Intelligence Officer onboard the Independence said as alarm started going off and the red light began flashing.
"Incoming transmission from the unknown ship, they are identifying themselves as Tarrakian Imperial First Fleet, they are telling us to identify ourselves, stop, and prepared to be boarded for arrest." The Communication Officer said as she decoded the Tarrakian transmission.
"Tell them this: 'This is the Theora Federation Ship Battle Carrier Independence, flagship of the Theora Starfleet 1st Armada, 4th Fleet, 6th Squadron, 1st Unit and the Combined Fleet, Theora and Aniesia Joint Taskforce 11. Any attempt to board this vessel or any vessel of the fleet will be viewed as a breach sovereignty and sign of hostility." David said as the comm. officer typed it.
Moments later, after the message was sent out, the reply came in shortly afterwards.
"Sir their reply is as such: 'Stop and prepared to be boarded or else we will open fire.'" When the Communication Officer was finished, she turned to look at David for a response.
David then sighed.
"All ships, raise shield, but don't fire unless fired upon." The comm. officer nodded and sent the message to the captains of the sixteen other ships.
At 1231, the Tarrakian ships fired at the Combined Fleet Theora and Aniesia Joint Taskforce 11; thus started the battle.
At 1232, Taskforce 11 entered combat alert and all fighters and gunboats were ordered to launch.
Fleet Command of the Combined Fleet, received the report at 1233.
1241, the deployment of all Taskforce 11 fighters and gunboats were completed.
At 1245, the main body of the Combined Fleet began passage through the minefield.
"Here we go." Hibiki said as he and Meia jumped on board their respective vessel.
"This is leader, all fighters engage at will after launch until further orders were given." Meia said over the radio the cockpit closed.
As soon as they were launched all planes flew through forward and as they flew toward the frontline, the pilots of Nirvana realized that they were not the only ones launched to engage the enemy.
"My gosh, how many fighters were launched?" Jura asked as counted fighters and gunboats launched.
"Several thousands." Meia said calmly as they flew toward where the flashes of battle were.
"All turrets fire at will. Lower the window armor. Main gun fire at my command" David shouted as a Vanguard approached the bridge and before it could get any closer, the it was shot down by one of the interceptor and it exploded right in front bridge immediately after the armor were lowered.
"Main gun, target the nearest enemy capital ship." David ordered as holographic displayed the situation outside.
"Targeted." The gunner shouted as he had his hand on the trigger after doing all the calculations.
"Fire." Then a large energy beam shot out the bow of the Independence, hitting one of the Tarrakian ship, sinking it.
"Sir, enemy reinforcements." Just as their cheered, the Intelligence Officer picked up more dots on the sensor screen.
1250, the main force of Tarrakian 1st Imperial Fleet joined the battle.
At 1254, sign of Mejalee fleet detected.
At 1255, contact of Mejalee fleet reported to Fleet Command of Combined Fleet.
At 1257, Taskforce 11 reported receiving fire from Mejalee fleet, which was identified as Mejalee 24th Coast Guard Fleet from intercepted transmission. The Mejalee fired at both sides, thus it became a three way fight.
1300, the flight group from Combined Fleet main body arrived at front line.
"Here we go." Hibiki shouted as he and Meia combined their crafts together, forming Vandread Meia.
The Vandread somehow was different this time, as the form changed silent, but it still had the resemblance to the old Vandread Meia.
"Strange." Meia whispered as she studied the feature of the ship.
"Meia." Hibiki shouted and hearing that Meia immediately return her focus to the battle field, as they evaded a missile by a mere inch.
"Pay attention, Meia. You can't just phase out on me." Hibik said as Meia panted as she knew that was too close.
"Sorry." Meia apologized, but Hibiki just replied with a smile, telling that it was alright.
Then they did it as they used to do; they accelerated the Vandread and to their amazement, it was going a lot faster than usual.
"Strange." Hibiki said as he and Meia accelerated once more and this time they charged time into the enemy line.
As before, there was a trail destruction at where they passed through, but similar to the speed and maneuverability, there was an increase to its power.
"Wow, this is great." Hibiki said as he and Meia turned the Vandread for one more runs.
The fight continued and with the reinforcement from the main group of the Combined Fleet, Taskforce 11 was able to push the Tarrakian and Mejalian fleet back.
While the Combined Fleet continued to cross the minefield under the cover of their ECM and cloaking device.
At 1330, the rearguard of the Combined Fleet beginning their cross through the minefield.
At 1340, the rearguard crossed the minefield; the entire Combined Fleet had crossed the minefield.
"Admiral, the crossing is complete." Admiral Strom nodded after hearing the report from the comm. while he watched the battle on the tactical display in the CIC.
"Very well, decloak." At that very moment, the ships of the Combined Fleet became visible.
The cloaking device had been invented during the Ulyesian War, it was an old technology, but it was something the Tarrakian and Mejalian had never seen before.
"Sir, we have thousands of ships emerging behind the first group of enemy." An operator said onboard the Tarrakian flagship.
"What?" The Tarrakian commander said as the Combined Fleet appeared on his screen.
While onboard the Mejalian ship, the commander and the crew was shocked as well.
"Admiral, there seems to be confusion amongst the enemy." The Intelligence Officer said as he pressed several buttons on his touch screen.
"Have the Fourth Fleet ready for one volley of main guns." As soon as the admiral said it, the order reached the commander of every unit.
At 1350, Theora Federation 4th Fleet received order for one volley of main gun discharge.
1351, Theorian 4th Fleet, including 6th Squadron's 1st Unit, fired one synchronized volley of main beam cannon at enemy fleet.
1352, impact of energy beam at Mejalian and Tarrakian fleet. Destroying two third of the Tarrakian fleet including the flagship, while the Mejalian fleet lost half of their ships.
1400, the Mejalian and Tarrakian fleets began their retreat.
"Sir, the enemy is retreating." Admiral Strom nodded and his executive officer gave out the order.
"All units seize fire." Then everything came to a stop.
"Casualties?" Admiral Strom asked after asking to open a channel with the Nirvana.
"The fighters and gunboats we sent out consisted of tenth of our fighters and we lost one fourth of that group and two frigates and five corvettes." Then comm. link to Nirvana was opened.
"Captain Vivian, the enemy is in retreat." Just as Magno was about to respond, a buzz sounded.
"Admiral, we have incoming transmission from…" The comm. officer was reluctant to continue but seeing the look of the admiral, he continued.
Just at that moment, Hibiki and Meia joined the communication through the Ezra's help with Magno's permission.
"From the governments of Tarrak and Mejalee, they are proposing a cease fire." At that moment everyone's jaws dropped.
"What?" Hibiki's voice echoed as he and Meia, along with the other pilots returned to their home.
To be continued…
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Another chapter done, please review.