Disclaimer: Volition-inc. owns Descent: Freespace, Admiral Shima, the PVD Hope, Operation Templar, and several other things. I own Vincent Schaard, Lt. Risnan, Lorkhena, and Admiral Deais (pronounced "DAY-yis") as well as most of the plot, except where it intertwines with or makes reference to the plot of the game.
Fun Fact 2: Operation Templar was originally part of the multiplayer campaign in Freespace 2, and is actually carried out some years later than this chapter, which is why the Operation begins here "in secret." This way, the story can be as close to canon as possible. Speaking of canon, this is the first chapter after the end of canon dates; the destruction of the SD Lucifer marks the end of the Descent: Freespace campaign, and after the end of the campaign, all dates are given only by year. Therefore, all major events from this point on are only as accurate as the year; I made up all the days and months.
Chapter Nine: 3/30/2335 Commence Operation Templar
A message is relayed over the intercom, "All active pilots, report for Command Briefing."
Risnan remains seated at his desk, as the rest of us head out into the corridor. Risnan said he could never face Shima again, so he's never reported to a single Command Briefing. Some of us wonder what Shima really thinks of him, if she has, perhaps, forgotten he's on the ship, leading her newest fighter squadron.
I don't dwell on this for long, however, as my mind is focused on yesterday's events: the collapse of the only jump node to Sol. It's been on everyone's mind, and we all had trouble getting to sleep last night. After the calamity at the defense of Vasuda Prime, we expect the worst. Shima already is standing in front of the blackened screen in the briefing hall, waiting for us, and no one makes a sound as they sit down. Everyone has arrived, eagerly waiting for Shima to start, although I can see she is still making a visual head count. She finishes and begins the briefing.
"Welcome pilots," she greets us in the usual way, nothing betrayed in her voice, "I know many of you are anxious, nervous, even afraid after these latest events. Terran Command received this message at Delta Serpentis Communications Outpost 337 yesterday at 1817 hours."
She stands to the side of the screen, as the image of a pilot fades in through static; all GTA and PVN vessels have a camera in the cockpit to allow visual identification of pilots in connection with communications, actions carried out in battle, etcetera. The pilot's voice fades in next, along with the familiar ambience of subspace.
"-ome in Command. This is Alpha 3, in pursuit of the SD Lucifer, en route to the Sol system. The Lucifer is down, I repeat, the Lucifer is down!"
A cheer bursts from the crowd, myself part of it, but we are soon stifled as the message continues.
"The reactors have been destroyed, but the Lucifer is still trying to make it into Sol…it's reached the jump point. We're all jumping out of subspace," the subspace ambience fades, and we know they've reached Sol, "The Lucifer is emerging into the system, but I don't think it'll make it; there are several small explosions and electrical arcs occurring across its hull…the portal is closing! It's cut the Lucifer in half! All ships, hit your burners! This is gonna be bi!!?!?!?!?!?!!??!?!!?!!!???!?"
"After this point, the transmission cuts out," says Shima, returning to center stage, "However, we now can confirm that the Lucifer has been destroyed. In addition to this transmission, there have been reports of severe disorganization and the emergence of defensive tactics among all Shivan forces immediately following the event, which must be a result of the loss of their flagship. As of now, the war against the Shivans is over.
"This brings me to the more grave matter at hand. Because of the unusual circumstances in which the Lucifer was destroyed, the Sol jump node has collapsed. Both Terran and Vasudan scientists and engineers have examined the node and carried out computer simulations; they have concluded that the massive shockwave caused by the Lucifer's explosion during its exit from subspace was enough to destabilize the node to the point of collapse. We have paid for the end of the war with the bridge to our homeworld, and we of the Bastion have lost several excellent squadrons. We may find a way back home one day, but until we do, we have more pressing matters to deal with.
"The Shivans are slowly being mopped up and pushed back through the systems they previously held, but the Hammer of Light still maintains its sense of organization and continues to present a threat to the GTA and PVN. In fact, their efforts have doubled since the Lucifer's destruction. Terran Command has formulated Operation Templar; a tactical strike on HOL vessels intended to cripple the organization. Because every other Terran destroyer has either been eliminated or severely damaged in the war, we of the Bastion have been assigned to carry out this operation. However, we will not be alone; the Vasudan Navy is in a similar position, but they are willing to send one of their three active destroyers, the PVD Hope, to join us.
"Our first mission will be to pursue several HOL vessels of great symbolic and tactical importance; these vessels are the PVC Lance, PVC Pike, and the PVD Hammer. Reports indicate that they are currently here, in Delta Serpentis, stationed near the jump node to Ross 128. As you know, Ross 128 was the sight of the first Shivan attack on Terran forces, and even now it is swarming with Shivans. We believe that, because of this, the HOL vessels will not flee to the jump node; nevertheless, the Bastion and Hope will be jumping in approximately four thousand meters from the Hammer, to engage it.
"We will engage the Hammer, deploying the 13th to disable it and destroy it, the 1st to cover the bombers of the 13th, and the 66th to go after the Hammer's escort. The Hope will deploy one bomber squadron and three squadrons of fighters to disable and destroy the cruisers. Finally, this Operation will remain covert; you are not to speak of it to anyone who is not stationed on either the Bastion or Hope.
"See your squadron leaders for your mission briefings; we ship out at 0900. That is all."
It's 0831 now, so I join the rest of the Black Knights in sprinting back to our quarters to get the briefing from Risnan.
"I knew it," says Lawrence, "There couldn't be any other explanation; if you can't use a jump node, it's not working."
"Yeah," says Sanford, "But I still wish I could've seen the death of the Lucifer; that must have been magnificent, like a hundred Typhons frying all at once."
"Oh yeah," says Tate.
"I'm glad we're getting back into the fray so soon," says Ron, "If we'd been chasing the Lucifer, we'd be stranded right now, with no Shivans to kill."
"I guess it's back to work, then," I say.
We reach our quarters where Risnan is still at his desk, writing something. He smoothly hides it in his desk, and stands to address us.
"Well, boys and girls," he says, "There isn't much I can tell you that you haven't already heard from the admiral. So, all I'll say is this: suit up!"
As usual, we make for the hangar bay, once we've donned our flight suits, and see Risnan waiting there for us. We've all arrived, so he signals us to get into our ships. We power up, but wait for the Bastion to make the subspace jump before we lift off. We hear the intercom make its announcement.
"All pilots and crew, prepare for subspace jump."
Only moments later, the Bastion accelerates, forms a subspace portal, and enters it. We emerge some distance from two Aten cruisers and one Typhon destroyer, the Hammer. About two thousand meters fore-west, the Hope arrives, but something is wrong.
"Lift off on my mark," says Risnan, "Mark!"
We lift off, and a Vasudan voice comes in on our comm. channel: "Bastion, this is the PVD Hope. We have arrived in system, but it appears that the Hammer of Light has already begun a retreat to Ross 128."
Somehow, they knew we were coming. The Lance, Pike, and Hammer are all facing the jump node to Ross 128, and may make their escape before we can catch up to them.
"Affirmative," Shima's voice comes in over the comm, "Hope, reprioritize your bombers to disable the cruisers; we must cripple their vessels if we are to succeed in this mission."
"You heard her, boys and girls," says Risnan, "Hit your burners so we can fry those crazy bastards!"
We rush after the fleeing ships, but I think we all know we can't catch them. They're too close to the node, and I only just get within firing range of the Hammer before it jumps to Ross 128. The cruisers are still two thousand meters from the node, but their escort wings, in addition to those of the Hammer, manage to keep our full attention. There are too many to handle, and every Stiletto bomb fired at the cruisers is shot down before it can make its mark. The Stiletto is a bomb designed to take out subsystems, like engines, but like any bomb, it can be targeted and destroyed in mid-flight.
I'm wearing down a Horus interceptor as I see one of the cruisers, the Pike, making the jump to Ross 128.
I hear Sanford's voice, "Damn it! They're getting away!"
"Forget about the cruisers," now it's Risnan, "The rest of the fighters are going after the Bastion and the Hope."
The Horus fries and I turn to see two Seths destroy a turret on the Hope.
"All bombers, withdraw," Shima's command goes out to both the Terran and Vasudan bomber wings, "All fighter wings, you are reassigned to protect the Bastion and the Hope."
"You heard her, boys and girls," Risnan says this as the Lance jumps out, "This is a free-for-all: take out any HOL ship you see."
We split up, our temporary designations forgotten, obsolete. I find a Thoth with its sights on the Bastion's forward heavy turret, and take it down with a swarm of Hornets. Next is a wing of bombers from the Hammer; I take the three Osirises in a few quick passes to avoid their turret fire. They go down without too much trouble, but now a few Anubis fighters have taken an interest in me.
They won't last long, the Anubis being more obsolete than the Angel Scout Fighter; the Hammer of Light must be desperate to still make use of them. I swing around to blast one with gunfire and some more hornets, and fire my burners to get out of the others' sights. The Anubis doesn't have afterburners or strong shields, so I easily outclass them and don't bother wasting any more ordnance to take out the rest of the wing.
"We could use some cover over here!" one of the withdrawing bomber wings is under attack.
"D, Tinman!" I call over the comm, "Form on me, we have to cover the bombers' retreat."
"Gotcha, Vince!" I hear D's reply shortly after watching him take out a bomb headed for the Hope.
"I'm with you," Tinman surprises me, pulling up alongside my ship barely a second after D. The three of us together make short work of a wing of Thoths firing on some Ursa and Amun bombers. The Amuns are Galatea survivors, and the six bombers are part of a mixed squad; they must have been assigned to take out the Hammer, as the PVB Amun and the GTB Ursa are each the heaviest of our bombers. They won't get the satisfaction of a job well done today, but we have to ensure they survive for tomorrow.
The rest of the battle does not take very long, but it stalls us long enough for the escapees to put some serious distance between us. There are a few losses on our side, whereas all the HOL ships are destroyed. None of the HOL fighters or bombers have intersystem jump drives, although I'm certain they all would have remained to defend the Hammer even if they could have followed it instead; none of them made intrasystem jumps either.
"All ships return to your docking bays," I hear the Hope's commander, Admiral Deais, "We will pursue the Lance, Pike, and Hammer in Ross 128. Despite the danger, this opportunity cannot be allowed to escape us."
There are one or two grumbles but no real opposition, so I return to the Bastion with my squadron. We don't head for the cafeteria as usual, instead we gather in our "common room," which is more akin to a small war room. The gray, metallic walls and heavy chairs make it a room we don't often use, although the computer touch-screen on the table is useful for mission briefings.
We change into more comfortable clothes and sit down, Risnan among us.
"Our first failed mission," says Fred.
"It's not our first," says Lawrence, "We lost some cargo during that escort in Regulus."
"Yeah, but we got the job done. The escorts made it through."
"Hey," says Risnan, "We haven't failed yet. This mission was a long-shot anyway; we anticipated that the ships could make an escape. The Bastion and Hope are fully-fueled and ready to go through four systems to catch up with those HOL maniacs."
"Then that's why Admiral Deais made her decision so quickly," says George.
"Right," says Risnan, in his usual, laid-back tone, "So buck up, and get some rest. The afternoon shift is due to engage the Hammer in Ross 128, but if we have to chase them any farther, we'll get called in again."
Risnan leaves, complaining about an empty stomach and how tiring his job has been lately. I decide to continue the conversation.
"That was a pretty good battle," I say, "but I think those HOL guys are slacking."
"They must be getting desperate for new recruits," says D, "Cutting training short, using any ship they can get their hands on; they're still using Anubis fighters!"
"I know!" says Al, "How ridiculous is that? It's like sending a robin up against a hawk."
Everyone else joins in, except for Lorkhena. Something is bothering me about the mission, and I have to bring it up.
I wait for a break before I say, "Lorkhena, what do you think of them: the Hammer of Light?"
"They have forsaken their people," she says, "And even their lives, all in the face of terror. They are no longer Vasudans, and I pity them as much as I pity the Shivans."
"What do you mean?" says Ron.
"Vasudans that have joined the Hammer of Light do so because they have given up all hope of defeating the Shivans. In doing so, they abandon their Vasudan brethren and throw their own lives away. As regards the Shivans, many believe they are a fusion of technology, electronics and armor, and living creatures. This would suggest they were created, that they were created for destruction. This is a species with no other purpose than to destroy all other sentient life; they know nothing else, and although I pity them, I do not hesitate when a ship, HOL or Shivan, enters my sights. Ours is a battle for survival, a battle we will not lose."