The Great Adventure: Book 1, To what end? chapter 2
Chapter 2: The Aggressor
"Munitions Officer, plot target solution, I want a full lock on the ships"
The ensign replied with a solid "Yes Captain!"
"Helmsman, bring us about, course setting oh one eight!"
Yet another "Yes Captain!"
"Ship security, wake up the military on transport in this ship, and prepare for possible boarding action!"
Ayesha turned away, glory in her eyes for the moment.
"Captain, we has visual lock on the enemy ships, they are fast cruisers, lightly armoured, but well armed. There on intercept course for the Carrier"
"Bastards" Ayesha said, as if to no one.
"Captain, new sensor spike, it's a dreadnought class battle cruiser, of planet. It was cloaked. Its on boarding actions, it's trying to get to the Carrier!"
Ayesha turned round, cursing.
"Alert, Captain Ayesha to Captain De'lar, you have dreadnought class battle cruiser attempting to board you, prepare to repel!"
There was only static on the intercom for a few moments before it chattered into life again.
"Aware of threat, Captain, thank you, suggest immediate fleet interception, we will hold of as long as we can"
"Helmsman, bring us to new heading, intercept the Dreadnought, full speed and shields"
"Yes Captain"
"Munitions Officer, target there bridge, I want there captain dead!"
"Yes Captain"
She felt a small tap on her shoulder and she turned around sharply.
"What is it, first officer?"
"Captain, we don't stand a chance against that thing, it's nearly twenty times bigger than us, fleet protocol dictates we do not intercept"
Ayesha turned back sharply. Hell to that she thought. Her clan is on that carrier, so is he mate.
"Prepare to intercept all hands to stations, Cloak this ship and ram that bastard!"
Nervous looks from the bridge were followed by a deathly silence as the action sunk in.
Suddenly from behind her to the left, a figure rose from its seat and pulled out a pistol.
"You heard the Captain, do it now, or face me!"
She smiled when she heard the familiar voice of her clan bodyguard, a large lion who was just past his prime behind her.
"Yes Captain, orders have been complied with"
"Well done all, now arm yourselves will you everyone" Ayesha replied with a smile as she ready her ceremonial clan rapier.
*****
Kilam was looking out of the view port, thinking to himself quietly as the commotion behind him took place. An exchange of words was happening between Maximus and some officer n the other end of the channel. It wasn't polite. He was tired, he was reaching a point in his life now where he should of retired ten years ago. However, he had made his oath to Maximus's father that he would watch and guide his son, as he lay dying. With his paws stained with the blood of the Lion he failed to protect, he had made a vow so strong, so emotional and intense that he would take it to the grave. He promised the his lord, his friend and his blood brother that he would look over his son and guide him, protect him and tutor him, because his father could not. With tears in his eyes he promised that he would not fail.
A tear dripped down his eye now as he thought about it.
Rhine stepped next to him.
"Do not think of old time's friend, I know you think of them now. Try not to torture yourself. You could not have protected him against the assassin, especially if it was his own kin. How were you to know that his own son would kill him?"
Kilam smiled a little.
"Thank you Rhine; you are a truly noble individual. But it is hard sometimes, very hard. I want to flay Leschvac for killing his father."
Rhine nodded.
"Don't we all, but none more so than Maximus"
"Aye, that is one thing I suppose. I think will all get our turn to hurt that He'mar"
"Traitor he was, Kilam. He was also heartless, supposedly. However, im sure Maximus will find out if he was or not when he cuts it from Leschvac's dead carcass"
It was at time that a small dark square appeared in the view port. It was easy to miss at first so they didn't take any notice. However, it kept getting closer and closer, greyer and greyer. Suddenly realisation dawned on them to what the thing was.
"Rhine?" asked Kilam.
"Yes" replied Rhine as he stared out of the view port with wide eyes, towards the enemy ship.
"I think its time to run now"
*****
"Admiral, there is a General Maximus on the com link for you"
Cresol turned around and nodded. The conversation was be relayed over the loudspeaker, so all could here.
"General Maximus, how can I help you? Oh and by the way, very good job down on the planet there, I knew we could rely on you, as always"
"Cresol, where is he?" Maximus was at a low growl.
Cresol knew what was about to happen.
"General Greda is here, what would you like him for, may I ask?"
It was a well known fact that these two individuals didn't get along. Cresol and Maximus were very good friends, both coming from low stations and working up. Greda however, was one of those who were given rank because he was 'someone special to someone up high'. He was an idiot as well.
"Maximus, what is it you want?" Replied Greda sarcastically.
"You idiot, Greda, stop firing nuclear weapons into the civilians in the north!"
"Why General Maximus, what ever do you mean?"
"Stop It now Greda, and remember, im coming for you, and im going to kill everyone of your god forsaken family you slug. Im going to enjoy taking you out"
"Threats Maximus, Threats. I say, I wonder if your half brother Leschvac on the council would be pleased to find out that his brother is threatening one of the Empires most devoted of servants."
Cresol gritted his teeth.
"Did you order that nuclear strike?"
"No I did not admiral, the High Council did" Greda said smoothly.
"That's it Greda, That is it. Tell Leschvac when I send your head back to him that he is going to follow you very shortly" replied Maximus
Just then there was a small almost inaudible gasp on the receiver.
"I do say, Maximus, is everything alright over there?" Asked Cresol.
"You might need to break off some of the fleet, Admiral. There is a Dreadnought ship headed straight towards the carrier. It's going to board!" Growled Maximus.
*****
Flight Commander Froja was returning back to carrier from orbit on the planet. His ship was running on vapours, his fuel nearly gone. He had used almost all his ammunition, strafing numerous times the enemy position with his fighter bomber wing. He had lost Zulu two, his wing man, somewhere down below. He hoped he had made it out alive. He was only several hundred miles from the ship and he was looking forward to a decent meal and a shower. It didn't look that way though, not now. In front of him he could see a couple of light cruisers speeding towards his Carrier, swarming around a large grey dreadnought shaped battle cruiser, its mass and bulk blocking out the nearest stars light source.
"This is Commander Froja to all wing men, report ready status"
A cackle of replies off the other star fighter bomber craft confirmed his worst nightmares.
Nothing. Everyone was nearly out of everything.
"Commander Froja to Wing. Intercept nearest light cruiser. All weapons go. Good Hunting Friends"
It was futile, but they had to try.
*****
The door at the other end of the office burst open and "the Arrows" second in command nearly fell into the room.
"Sir, Were at ramming stations. Get kitted up!"
The Arrow put his pistol down sharply and released his breath sharply.
Damn woman Captain, first sign of danger and she decides to ram the bloody thing. Typical.
He grabbed his helmet of the table and went over to his clothing rack. You would normally find coats and such on these back at home. It was wooden and again oak. Very old fashioned.
On this one however was his body armour, his over coat and his weapons, hanging there idly.
"Is everyone ready, Captain?"
"Yes sir, all squads are mobilised. All Entrances sealed. Were just waiting for you and the impact now sir"
The Colonel liked this wolf. He was clever, quick on the mark and a bloody good fighter. Plus, he had a good personality. He was an ideal Second IC.
The Colonel pulled his armour over his fatigues and hooked up his power pack to his weapon in his hands. He was just about to put his helmet on when he was thrown from his feet to the floor, smashing his face onto his oak table on the way down. The Captain landed on top of him heavily. All was still...The lights flickered then went off. A medal landed on his head.
*****
The little meteorite pushing through space happily. Nothing had ever bothered it. It just floated through space, seeing things that no one had ever seen. New worlds, stars, comets and all sorts of universal wonders. Today however, it had seen something more impressive that probably would never be seen again; or at least it would never see it.
In its course, directly ahead, lay a large ship. That large ship had somehow imbedded itself into another ship of smaller proportions, straight into its side. This was new. However, pushed into the big ship that had just embedded itself into the smaller one there was another ship. And then on that one, there was a smaller ship again sticking from it. A quad boarding action. Two ships boarding two other ships. Masterful.
The meteorite continued on happily, before I realised it was about to hit the bridge of the largest ship. If it could have squealed it would have. It didn't want to break up and die.
*****
"Damage reports!" Shouted Ayesha over the din of the crew getting back to there seats. Only her bodyguard was still standing, his pistol in one paw, and his sword in the other.
"Captain, emergency life support on line, direct hit, we managed to ram the ship in its weapons bays and our sensors indicate they are offline. Were being boarded by one of the small cruisers. The hit us in the engine rooms"
Ayesha turned round and nodded, and her bodyguard left the bridge.
"Security details to engine rooms repel boarders. Military on ship, report!"
A buzz of static from the intercom was heard.
"Report Military!"
Eventually a pained voice replied.
"This is Colonel Banks, Captain, how can we assist?"
"Board the Enemy ship Colonel, head for life support, and cut it. Kill them all."
"Yes Captain, on our way"
Ayesha growled.
"First officer, you have the bridge"
He saluted sharply, blood trickling from his jaw.
Ive got work to do, thought Ayesha.