The trip to Hapsal was definitely nothing short of eventful. They'd been intercepted by Ropesk Security Patrol four times. While easily dispatched, they were beginning to grate on Nia's nerves.
Yuri on the other hand, had, as stated before: been a quick study. Asking to be more involved in the operation of the DAISY, she had quickly handed him some small navigational tasks to get him started. Like a fish to water, he breezed through them, and was steadily becoming more and more confident as time passed.
As they passed the halfway mark, something caught her attention, a signal being transmitted throughout the sector. She frowned. "That's weird."
"What is?"
"There's a really powerful IP communication broadcasting throughout the Ropesk sector."
"Huh?"
"Here." She began, activating the built-in screen. "It's quicker if I just show you. Look at the monitor."
Nia moved, coming to a stop beside Yuri, who was now standing in the middle of the bridge as the monitor powered up.
"... reading this Yuri?" A man spoke, his bald head shining under the light. "If you're watching this broadcast, I demand that you return to Ropesk immediately."
"Hey!" Yuri called out as Nia turned to him and asked. "Who's the cue ball?"
"That's Demid Panfilov. The Feudal Lord of Ropesk."
"You mean to tell me this whole broadcast is just for you?!" Nia asked, surprised.
Up on the screen, Demid Panfilov continued. "Yuri. Because you chose to break the law, an important loved one of yours is now suffering the consequences."
"Loved one?"
The image on the screen changed. Panfilov was temporarily shifted from view, and replaced with a green-haired teenage girl. She struggled against her captors despite their size, holding her in place.
"Yuri! Yuri!"
A second later, he spoke. "Huh? Kira!"
"Kira? You know that girl?" Nia asked.
"Yes. She's my..." He began. "She's my... she's my little sister!"
"What? You've got a sister?"
"Yeah. She's the only family I've got." Ignoring the monitor, he turned to her. "I can't believe this! They've got her, and it's all my fault."
She watched as he stood there, a serious look on his face. Before she could do anything to comfort or reassure him, Demid Panfilov's voice continued to boom from the monitor's speakers.
"And so... now you can see the situation." Demid's smirking face appeared on the screen again. "If you see this broadcast Yuri, I'm sure you'll understand what you have to do, I'd hate to see a young man with such a promising future turn into anything as lawless and as desperate as a zero-G dog."
As quick as the smirk appeared on the Feudal Lord's face, it disappeared... changing to a look of seriousness.
"Obey the law, return to Ropesk and devote yourself to the betterment of your planet. As is your duty!"
"Damn him!" Yuri said, pacing the length of the bridge. "How dare he pretend to be a benevolent ruler, when he's holding my sister hostage!"
"So uh, what are you gonna do? It's up to you ya know. I can take you back to Ropesk..."
"No way! I'm not gonna give in to his dirty tactics. Isn't there some way I can fight him?"
"Fight him eh? Well... we won't get very far against his military might with just this one ship, I promise you that." Sitting down in the operator's seat, she bowed her head in thought. "And I don't fight a battle unless I know I can win it."
The silence stretched on for a few seconds, before it was broken.
"Oh Kira... what am I going to do?"
"Well... as long as you understand what we'd be in for, there might just be a way."
"Really?"
"But you have to be prepared to do anything. Do you understand? Come and talk to me when, or if you think you're ready."
"All right."
After docking with the spaceport on Hapsal, Nia and Yuri found themselves being welcomed into the first tavern they stumbled across, by an older, unattractive man.
"Welcome, welcome! I'm the owner of this establishment. The name's Radimir. Relax, and please enjoy your time here."
As Radimir went back behind the bar, Nia and Yuri followed him.
"You know that somebody from Ropesk disobeyed the ban on space travel and went off into the sea of stars." He began, wiping one of the glasses draining on the sink behind him. "I don't know who that person is, but I'll tell you one thing. They've sure got guts. But folks like that usually go to an early grave, if you know what I mean."
As Radimir laughed, Yuri had a sudden thought.*This guy doesn't know when to shut up...*
Turning to Radimir, the two placed their order, Yuri: a steak and fries... and Nia: a seafood basket with a bottle of alcohol.
A sigh from Radimir drew their attention, and as they glanced over, he sighed again. Nia and Yuri exchanged glances, before Radimir spoke.
"I'll bet you want to know why a grown man like me is so despondent, don't you?"
Not really sure what to say, Yuri regretted the first thing out of his mouth. "Uh, I guess."
"Ha ha ha! That's what I thought you'd say. You see, lately this tavern just hasn't been making the money it should." His face turned sour as he continued. "If things keep up this way, I'm surely going to lose the place."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"It's tragic, right? I've always done my best, always put my customers first. And after all my hard work, this is my reward?" Radimir sighed again. Yuri was honestly getting sick of the sighing. "It makes you wonder what the point of it all is. This tavern is my treasure. I'd rather throw myself off a cliff than lose it."
"You shouldn't let it get you that down. It's not the end of the world you know."
"Hm... you seem like a person with a kind heart, let me ask you a favour."
"What is it?"
"Please, please lend this destitute man a little money. What do you say?"
"No way!" Interrupting the conversation before either man could get a word in, Nia spoke; loud and forceful.
"Anything, even the smallest amount would really help -"
"Nope, not a single G." Again, she cut in. "I don't trust guys that go on and on about all their hard work, and always doing their best."
"Isn't that a little harsh Nia?"
Turning to face Yuri, Nia looked him dead in the eye, a serious look on her face. "Just promise me one thing: no matter how far you fall, never, ever get as low as this guy."
He trusted Nia. She had rescued him from his home planet. Taken him out into space and showed him a world that he could never even dream of. And this was only the start.
His answer was quick and true. "Okay."
"That's cold! That's really cold..." Radimir groaned.
Excusing herself from the bar, Nia retreated to the women's bathroom, while Yuri stared at his half full glass. With some time to finally think about Nia's earlier offer on the DAISY, Yuri began weighing up the pros and cons.
Noticing Nia's disappearance from his side, Radimir, hoping to maybe persuade Yuri out of some money again, began. "You look like a kind person. Could you take pity on an old man and spare 500G? Even 300G would be great."
Narrowing his eye's, Yuri gave his reply.
"What? What kind of question is that? Just concentrate on the cooking. Look, my steak is starting to burn!"
"Yeah, okay sorry..."
As Nia returned, they settled into a comfortable conversation as they ate, exchanging stories and plans as Radimir left them alone to tend to his other clients.
She hadn't brought up her offer yet, for that he was glad. She really intended to let him think about things before they talked.
As they finished up their meals, and Radimir cleaned up the dirty dishes, the two found themselves on the end of more than one look from the tavern owner.
Before either could question him, Radimir opened his mouth, surprisingly helpful this time. "So... you two look like you could use some work? I've got some cargo that needs delivering to Bagut. It pays 300G."
"Why the nice guy act all of a sudden?"
"Well..." He began, glancing down. "It looks like you guys could use the money. And it's honest work too. Most tavern owners will have jobs for anyone willing to accept them. Cargo hauling mostly."
Exchanging glances, Nia nodded at Radimir, and the man beamed. "Okay then, great. Take the cargo to the tavern on Bagut, the bartender there will be expecting you."
After exchanging shipping and transfer details with Radimir, the two left the tavern behind; passing a tipsy woman on their way out the door.
"You again! I've been waiting for ya."
After taking care of the cargo transfer with the spaceport guards that had obviously been waiting for them, Yuri and Nia proceeded to the tavern to receive their payment. As before, the two once again found themselves surrounded by the gang of ruffians from before.
Noticing the chubby form of Torlo out front, with the dark skinned Kachko beside him, Yuri also recognized the two others from the first fight. Amongst the other four, there were three that he didn't recognize... though upon closer inspection, Yuri did, in fact, recognize them. The three of them were the same ones that had chased him off the Bagut dock earlier.
"What do you want now? You're not getting the Epitaph, so don't even try -"
"Shut yer mouth!" Torlo said. "If I had that Epitaph, I could be livin' high on the hog for some time, wouldn't ya say? Now hand it over! And I ain't takin' no for an answer this time!"
"You just aren't going to go away quietly, are you?" Yuri said, pulling the plasmic sword from his waist. "But I'm warning you. It's not going to go quite the way it did last time."
He activated the blade's pulse, glowing bright blue... and the gang shuffled nervously. "Hey! That thing's -"
"A plasmic blade?!" Torlo finished for Kachko.
"Well?" He asked, red eyes glowing like fire. "Come on. Let's do this."
"Yikes! Hey, h-hold on." Torlo, realizing the situation they were in, and that things were very much different from last time... spoke up hastily. "Okay, okay! I give! I won't ever raise a hand against ya again."
During the pause in the conversation, Torlo continued. "So... I hear you're headin' over to Central Elgava. Lemme give you a little tip."
"Yeah? What's that?"
"You're gonna run into a security force hired by Demid Panfilov. He's got 'em stationed all around the Void Gate that leads to Central Elgava. So unless you do something about 'em, you prolly won't be getting anywhere near Central Elgava."
"Something like? what do you mean?"
"Well, I hear when they get off their shifts, they like to get together for drinks at the tavern on Hapsal. And they say that's the best place to have a chat with 'em, if you know what I mean."
"That's a good tip." Yuri replied, lowering his plasmic blade a little, though still prepared for an attack. "I'll keep it in mind."
'S-so, are we good?"
"Yeah, sure. We're good. As long as you don't try to jump me again."
Torlo threw his head back and laughed. "Of course I won't! And now I owe you. Well, see ya later."
With a friendly wave and a big smile, Torlo Adkin left, his gang following quickly behind him. Well that was a complete about face.
Making their way over to the bar, Yuri noticed that the people weren't even paying them any attention; as if this sort of thing happened often.
"Ah, the cargo from Hapsal. The bartender Radimir got in touch with me about this... said that you'd be delivering it." Turning around to grab the currency card from the shelf behind him, he handed it to them. "Here's your compensation for the job. 300G. It's all yours."
While standing there talking with the bartender, they inquired about a job, to which the bartender replied that. "Adkin Transport lays claim to all the jobs round here. So I'm afraid I don't have a single job for you. Sorry."
In the meantime, he had also revealed an interesting little tibid of information.
"There are always all kinds of transportation ships flying to Ropesk, bringing in lots of luxury items for Lord Panfilov."
"You don't say." Nia said, a gleam in her eye.
"I bet the ships carry riches beyond the imagination of us ordinary folk."
"Those ships, do they use the starlanes around here?"
"Huh? Oh yeah. I think they use the starlanes around Bagut too."
"Very interesting. Thanks." Smiling as if she knew something the bartender didn't.
"Huh?"
Flashing Yuri a confident, knowing smile and a wink, Nia downed her last shot, before heading for the door, Yuri right behind her.
"What's that?" Yuri asked.
Out in space, travelling along one of the empty starlanes to Ropesk, a big transport ship sat, thrusters burning steadily.
"That's one of those transport ships the bartender was talking about."
"Oh yeah. Carrying all kinds of luxury goods to Panfilov."
"Private property of the Feudal Lord, right?" Nia asked. "So it won't hurt anybody if we just help ourselves, will it?"
"What do you mean, help ourselves?" Yuri asked. "You mean steal the cargo? That would make us pirates!"
"That's right. So what's the harm in taking a little treasure from an evil Feudal Lord anyway?"
"Well..." Yuri began shifting uncomfortably in confusion.
"C'mon Yuri? Quit dragging your feet, or it's gonna get away!"
"All right, fine!" He caved.
As Nia pushed the DAISY into position behind their target... the transport ship had already caught sight of them during Yuri's moment of indecision. As Yuri plugged himself into the operator's station, Nia pushed the DAISY as much as she could.
The two soon discovered that the transport ship was much too fast for the heavily modified DAISY. Taking time to assess the situation, Nia pulled back steadily on the controls, giving up the chase. Continuing their current course would only lead to another failure.
The transport ship was already within range of Ropesk, and though the DAISY was good in a handicapped fight 2 on 1, fighting off Panfilov's military wasn't a good idea.
"See! I told ya they'd get away if ya didn't step up your game!"
Disappointed in himself for letting Nia down, Yuri replied with a meek "S-sorry."
Picking his head up in a moment of clarity, Yuri continued. "But there'll be more transport ships passing through here later, I'm sure. There always are. Don't worry."
"Tsk. I was really lookin' forward to beltin' down some cold ones today."
On the return trip to Bagut, the silence was broken suddenly by Yuri, who had finally made up his mind.
"Nia? You said there was a way to fight Panfilov..."
"Yeah. It's kind of a gamble though. Are you sure you're up for it kiddo?"
After Nia's earlier quit dragging your feet comment, Yuri had indeed come to a decision. "Yes."
"Okay. Here's what we do. There's a planet named Toropets in this sector. There's a little shipyard there."
"Hold on. You mean, we buy a ship there?"
"That's right. If we can get a hold of a destroyer-class ship, we just might be able to pull this one off."
"But wait a minute." He said, coming to a quick realization. "I don't have that kind of money."
Smiling confidently from her position at the pilot's console, Nia reassured him. "Don't worry about that. I've got an idea."
"Okay..." Leaving his acceptance at that, he turned, wondering to himself. I don't know about this, but right now, Nia is the only one I can trust.
"Good. We're here."
"But what do we do now? I still don't have enough money to buy a ship."
Flashing him a big smile, Nia answered. "Don't you worry your pretty little head about that kiddo. You just leave it to Nia. Wait right here."
As he watched Nia disappear up the main corridor, Yuri replied with an all right. He still wasn't sure what she was up to though, but trusted her all the same.
The wait didn't take as long as he had expected, though to be honest, he wasn't sure what to expect anyway.
He watched as Nia's familiar form appeared in the distance, an excited smile on her face. "Sorry for the wait. Here you go, 10,000G." She said, handing him a currency card. "That ought to be plenty to buy something in the destroyer-class."
Taking the card in surprise, Yuri looked up at her. "Wh-where in the universe did you get all this money?!"
"Well, I kinda pawned something. Something of yours actually."
"Something of mine? What do I have that's worth this kind of money? I —" Something seamed to click in Yuri's mind, and he absently reached for the now gone Epitaph from his waist. "Wait a minute!"
"That's right. I pawned the Epitaph."
"WHAT?! You did what?!" Yuri's face showed a mix of anger and confusion. "How could you? My father left that to me when he died —"
"All right, enough already!" Cutting him off before he could really get going. "What's more important, something a dead guy gave you, Or your still alive sister?"
"W-well..." Nia stood there watching Yuri closely. "My sister, of course."
"See? So, first we go rescue your sister. Then we'll have plenty of time after that to think about getting your precious Epitaph back." She said, watching the teen calm considerably. "And it's not like it's gone or anything. I just pawned it. When we get the money together, we can get it back."
"I-I guess you're right." He said, shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry Nia, I was just... I didn't expect that, was all."
"No hard feelings. As long as you get it. Now, let's go get us a ship built."
"Okay. So how do we do this?"
"Well, first we go down to the ground and buy a blueprint from the ship design company there. Then we just take that blueprint to a shipyard." She explained. "And by the way, as long as you have the blueprint, any shipyard on any planet can build that exact same ship."
"Okay, thank you Nia."
Leading Yuri off towards the orbital elevator, she thought that the conversation had gone a lot better than she hoped. And as the elevator doors closed shut behind them, she saw Yuri smile... clutching the currency card tighter.
"That's quite the ship you got there. And you bought it with your own money, so that makes you the captain."
"I'm a captain?"
His head was spinning, still trying to catch up with the events of the day so far.
"Yup. And from now on, sink or swim, the responsibility lies with you."
Captain huh? This doesn't feel real. He thought.
"And considering everything that's happened, I'd be happy to offer my services as one of your crew members. Just assign me to a post." She said, leaning against the chest high sill of the massive window in front of them.
"You're going to be on my crew?" Yuri asked.
"What, you don't want me?"
"No, of course that's not it. I just feel like you're being way too good to me."
"Ha ha, don't worry about that! After all, you're my client until I get you safely to Central Elgava. Anyway, what's important is that now you're ready to go up against Panfilov."
"I am, aren't I?"
With a serious look on his face, Yuri stared through the massive glass window that overlooked the shipyard. In the massive shipyard dock below, Yuri and Nia stood side by side, watching as the automated control arms slowly began putting his ship together. Piece by piece.
Hold on Kira! He thought. I'm coming to get you!
"Hey bartender! A round of drinks over here for me and the kid." Nia called out across the bar, drawing the attention of most of the people in the room.
As the bartender took a client's order, Yuri's mind continued to be drawn back to his ship, currently being built at the shipyard in orbit. Wow. My own ship!
"You've got a little gleam in your eye kid."
"What? Oh, I..."
"Heh heh, that's okay. Having your very own ship for the first time is a huge deal. I don't blame you for being excited." She said, tapping her fingers against the bar. "And not only will you have your own ship, but you can customize it in any way you like too, pretty sweet huh?"
"I can, can't I?" Yuri said. "When I was working at the repair shop, I used to dream about how I would put parts together to make the best ship ever."
"And now you can put those dreams into action kiddo. After you help your sister, you can set your sights on raising some dough and remodelling that ship of yours."
"That sounds great."
Their conversation ended as the barkeep walked over, sticking the pad up for the cook to begin making the order.
"What'll it be?" He asked, leaning on the benchtop in front of Nia.
"A bottle of your best scotch and juice for the kid. Just keep 'em coming."
"Any special occasion?" He asked, sliding the bottle over to Nia while bringing up a shot glass and the juice.
"Definitely. Celebrating the kid's first ship." Nia said with a smile.
"First ship eh? Quite young huh?" He said, eyeing Yuri up and down. "Well, congratulations in any case. Anywhere you hoping to go?"
"Central Elgava. I hear Ropesk is nothing compared to the planets over there."
"Well you're not wrong. Then again, you'll need to get through Panfilov and his military if you ever have a hope of getting through the Void Gate."
Looking around to make sure that no one was listening, he leaned in; lowering his voice slightly. "You know, those ships the Ropesk Security Patrol use are getting old and worn out. They just aren't what they used to be."
Taking in what the bartender had said, Yuri thought on it, before the man spoke. "If you're ever planning on going up against Panfilov, a destroyer is your best bet, though not many have the money for a ship like that. Those that do however, aren't willing to go up against the entire Ropesk military, so good luck... cause you'll be on your own."
Leaning back as he finished speaking, the bartender cleared his throat. "If you need anything, call me."
Winking at the two as he slinked off towards the other side of the bar, Nia and Yuri turned to each other, and as Nia clinked her shot to his glass, she toasted.
"Here's to you kiddo." She said, a smile on her face. "Yuri. Captain of the STARGAZER."
Standing just inside the entrance to the command bridge, Nia watched Yuri absently run his hands along one of the operators stations. The silver room was illuminated by the cool white lights overhead; Yuri's wide-eyed expression on display for the world to see.
It was endearing, to be honest. Yuri was definitely unlike anyone she had ever met before.
"A s-ship. My own ship."
He was talking to himself, that much she knew.
"So how does it feel kiddo?" She had taken a few steps forward, coming to a stop behind him; hips cocked to one side, hands at her waist. "Sorry. Captain."
"I just can't believe this is all happening." He said.
"Well you better believe it."
The silence inside the bridge seemed to drag on forever as she waited for Yuri to speak.
"Nia." Yuri began quietly, still facing away from her. "Do you think I can do it? Do you think I can stop Panfilov?"
"Where's all this coming from?"
"I don't know if I'm good enough Nia. I'm only a 16 year-old kid, what right do I have in trying to take down Panfilov." He asked, voice full of something she couldn't quite describe. "Doesn't that make me selfish?"
"Listen Yuri." Nia began, trying to find the words to explain. "The Space Pioneering Law says that the person who discovers a new planet has the right to govern it. Panfilov is taking advantage of that law to play king of the mountain, but with power comes responsibility. That means if there's trouble on the planet you discover, it's all your responsibility."
"So what your saying is —"
"That's right. No one's gonna mess with you if you bring Panfilov down. So go get him kiddo!"
"I'll do my best!"
Voice full of conviction, face hard as stone, Yuri turned to her; eye's blazing like fire.
"Then let's go get Panfilov!"
The starlane from Bagut to Ropesk lay deserted, save for the lone Otlichny-class destroyer, engines glowing blue with a fierceness that raged just like inside the Captain's heart.
Standing atop the bridge's raised dais, arms crossed, Yuri continued to stare out at the black ocean ahead, watching the millions of shining lights as they flew by.
As he stared out at the sea of stars before him, Yuri could only see the bright lights that they were giving off, though he didn't see the small dot that was the planet Ropesk in the distance. He didn't see the spaceports floating in orbit around the planet. He also didn't see the fleet heading their way, led by a very unique looking ship.
"Uh oh. Here comes a big one."
"A big one? Is it Panfilov?"
"I think we can bet on it."
The three ships headed their way were led by the biggest and weirdest looking ship Yuri had ever seen... not that he'd seen that many anyway.
"A communication?" Yuri asked, as the communications alarm sounded.
"It's him." Nia called out from his right.
On the screen, Demid Panfilov's ugly head appeared, a smirk on his face. "Ah, Yuri my boy. I see you've finally come to your senses and decided to return to Ropesk."
"Panfilov!"
"Bring your ship to a halt. Your sister is at the spaceport." He began. "As a reward for deciding to obey the law, I'll let you join her right away."
"Wait a minute. How do I know Kira is really at the spaceport?"
"You can see for yourself on the monitor."
The screen changed to a view of an isolation room, with Kira standing in front of a small window, looking out into space. He could barely make out the small distinctive forms of the Ropesk military ships in the background.
"All right. Good." Yuri said with a confident smirk. "Now I know Kira will be safe when I bring your ship down!"
"What?" Panfilov's face changed to one of shock and rage at Yuri's words; eyes blazing.
"I'm gonna bring you down and rescue Kira. I am not going back to Ropesk!"
"I see." Panfilov's expression changed suddenly, his face unusually calm compared to before. "So, you defy the laws of your planet to the end, do you?"
Yuri was getting angry now. "Don't give me laws of your planet! They're just a bunch of rules you made up to try to keep your own people prisoner!"
"Hmph. I travelled the sea of stars far and wide, and finally found Ropesk... a planet to call my own. I broke my back colonizing it. Without me, it would be nothing today! Why shouldn't I be allowed to govern it as I see fit?"
"But what's wrong with wanting to explore space anyway?" Yuri asked, wanting answers. "You used to be a zero-G dog yourself, didn't you? You should understand!"
"And that's the very reason. You kids, always wanting to run off and do things that I'm too old to do now..." His face was going red. "I can't stand it! I won't allow it!"
"Wait. You're just jealous? That's why you've kept us all prisoner? I think I've heard enough."
Cutting the link, Yuri turned to the command crew, made up of robots, shouting orders as the first of the enemy's attacks began to reach them.
The two sides traded light attacks for a time, testing the other's strength. Nia's weapon coordination was exceptional, each round of fire that erupted from the STARGAZER's weapons system struck home. After two hits to one of Panfilov's escorts, the ship exploded.
Inside the VARYAG, one of Demid Panfilov's operators turned to him. "Lord Panfilov. That's a formidable ship. I'm afraid we might not be a match for it."
"Damn that boy! Well, he forces my hand." The Feudal Lord shouted, slamming a meaty fist onto the console below. "Prepare the panfilov cannon!"
"Yes my Lord. panfilov cannon standing by."
The man laughed, a crazy look in his eye. "Death! That will take care of you all."
He felt the ship move, locking on to the enemy vessel as the VARYAG vibrated with a purpose, while the panfilov cannon powered itself up. After only a few seconds, the massive port side cannon spewed out a red laser stream, almost blocking out the viewport with the intensity of the light.
The STARGAZER shook like it was possessed, and Yuri was knocked back into the captain's chair, shouting as he gripped the armrests. "What was that?!"
"That was an extremely high-powered laser!" Nia said, consulting with the terminal before her. "We don't want to get hit with that thing, let me tell you."
"Got it!"
The next stage of the fight went much differently than the first, the light attacks that had been traded between the two sides were now swapped for coordinated ship volleys.
While the STARGAZER was able to absorb the enemy ship volleys, Nia stressed the importance of keeping away from the VARYAG's panfilov cannons, and she had also taken over piloting the ship.
While the DAISY was considerably smaller than the STARGAZER, Nia did a superb job at avoiding the high-streamed blasts that headed their way. After the first hit, Nia was adamant on getting through this fight in one piece, putting the STARGAZER through some moves that would have made the helmsman almost wet his pants... if he was human.
After the destruction of the second escort ship, Nia had a much easier time keeping out of the VARYAG's line of fire. While several volleys continued to strike them, the STARGAZER seemed to shrug them off easily.
As the battle continued, the tension mounted, and both sides found themselves waiting with bated breath as each ship continued to take the punishing attacks of the other.
Until...
"Let's finish them off." Yuri shouted, his voice echoing with confidence. "All guns fire."
The robot operator that was currently replacing Nia called out to him, hands flying across the console at lightning speed. "Energy limiters disabled... target locked. Assessing barrage firing intervals 2, 3, 8. Fire!"
The combined power of the STARGAZER's weapons ripped through the VARYAG's hull, leaving fissures and crevices that erupted with light and shrapnel.
The explosions started at the port-mounted panfilov cannon, tearing through its length as the bracing arm connecting the bridge to the right wing cracked. The command bridge was next, its viewport shattered, and several small figures found themselves sucked out into space.
The bridge gave way and the engines beneath overloaded, crushing the engineering and maintenance departments below as the thrusters exploded; eclipsing the ship, and sending a wave of energy hurtling through space like a ripple.
The silence that came next was deafening, and after a moment, Yuri sank into the captain's chair as Nia let out a relieved breath. Letting out a sigh of relief, he closed his eyes, thanking whoever or whatever had been watching over him. Opening his eyes, he saw Nia sitting below, watching him.
Standing atop the raised dais, looking down at the command crew, he called out, drawing their attention. "Fire Control Coordinator, keep an eye on the rest of those ships. Helmsman set course for the spaceport."