Counterstrike



- Hancock Station -

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Viewscreens cover the walls of this broad room, showing images both of nearby space and of the planet below. In the center of the room is a holographic display module, able to simulate almost the entirety of the L49 System. Several consoles have been set up at the base of the viewscreens, accessing the asteroid's navigational, communications, and weaponry systems. A sliding door leads to the main command deck.

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Sun Sep 23 3007

Contents: Exits:

Pirate Kristina  |CD| Command Deck

Battleclaw Silvereye 

Private Gurk 

Sergeant Major Lucius 

Weapons Console

Izolda

Communications Console

Navigation Console

"This is Sergeant Major Castus of the NLM. No, no word from the Sivadians. All in all that's a good thing and I don't expect any communications. That's the kind of thing the Phyrrians can pick up. They'll be here." Lucius says into the comm and leans back, pulling a metal cigarette case from a compartment on his armour, then a smoke and lighting it. "Understandable, Commodore. Sol's a big place, but a fleet is better than none at all. May I suggest we conference in person on Hancock?"

Lucius is at the comm station, and Gurk is standing behind him. Kristina is at navigation. On the main viewscreen are two Vanguard carriers as well as the Demarian Flagship and twelve demarian Silent Clawed Fleet frigates.

"That would be a good idea." The Paw's End replies. "If the Commodore is also amenable to the plan I will be over soon."

"Sounds fine to me," Commodore Snelling answers from the Casca. "My shuttle is prepped. Be over shortly."

Kristina shifts a little uncomfortably, "Any orders then, Lucius?" she asks, twisting to look up at the Martian for a second.

A man in a navy uniform comes in and whispers something to Lucius, who frowns. "Commodore, Battleclaw. Our scout ship has just informed us that the Phyrrian fleet jumped into New Luna orbit a couple of minutes ago. They're preparing to land, it looks like."

The Sergeant shakes his head at Kristina. "No. Keep a very close look on the outside."

Gurk growls softly but says nothing as he hears mention of the Phyrrians.

There is a pause from the Paw's End comm. "Can New Luna hold out, Sergeant? Or are you asking that we deploy to New Luna?"

Kristina stills and then nods. "Got it," she murmurs. "Just keep throwing orders at me if something comes through. Not much experience with something this big."

"New Luna can't hold out unless the Phyrrians can be downed by opening and closing umbrellas on the beach," Snelling replies.

"New Luna is lost to us. If thought it was defensible we wouldn't come out to this place, Battleclaw. The Commodore's right. We left a battalion of infantry on the ground as well as the Reserves and took the rest of our resources with us." Lucius says with remorse in his voice. "I'll see you on board."

Martin enters the command center with a PDA in hand. The Martian looks around the room quickly then makes his way towards Lucius.

"Understood." The Battleclaw replies before closing the channel.

Gurk says nothing, but glares up at the viewscreen.

Lucius leans back in the seat after the comm channel is closed, sighing and relighting his hand rolled cigarette which has since gone out.

Kristina frowns and then looks up at Lucius, "You're just gonna be leaving them down there?" she asks quietly. "Hell, glad I didn't stay on the planetside..."

Martin shakes his head and lights a cigarette up of his own. "Is the RNS here yet?"

Gurk shakes his head, still looking balefully at the screen.

Lucius glares at Kristina like she just kicked him in the balls and told him his mother was a whore. "Excuse me? What the /fuck/ do you want us to do? Two million civilians and a paltry defence force verus an entire Phyrrian Fleet? Don't give me that. We're here to go on the offensive, not listen to people pine. You didn't think people were going to die /en masse/?" He shakes his head at Martin. "No, but the Vanguard and Demarian Militia have. DM brought a lot of resources."

Kristina scowls back at Lucius, "I knew people were gonna die, but maybe if you'd started evacuation a whole hell of a lot sooner, we wouldn't handing over the lives of so many people," she retorts.

"Happy day." Martin says around his cigarette. "They bring that monster Paw's End with them?"

Gurk looks at Lucius and asks "Sergeant, am I needed for anything at the moment?"

"Firstly, I'm not in charge of the whole planet. You can blame the politicians for very slow reaction time. Military wanted to evacuate since day one. Secondly, the nanites kind of prevented us from doing anything. Thirdly, shut the fuck up until I ask you something." Lucius says coldly to the pirate-turned-pilot. His expression is much more docile when he turns to the Corporal. "Yes. And their Silent Claw fleet, too." He puffs his cigarette readily. "The Vanguard turned out with the Brutus and Casca. Amusing enough that two of Caesar's murderers are helping out to kill the Phyrrians." To Gurk, "Guard duty."

Kristina bristles but falls silent, and just focuses her attention whatever's out of the view screen, grumbling to herself in Spanish.

"Good." Martin says with a nod of his head. "Now if we could get the Indy or the Bay to show up we'd be doing great."

The Casca's shuttle docks with Hancock Station. The Commodore will be shown to wherever the meeting is.

Both officers from the other fleet would be shown up towards Hancock's Command Centre. Lucius doesn't say anything further, just puts his cigarette out at the comm station's ashtray.

The Battleclaw's shuttle arrives shortly after the Vanguard's. He arrives with a shorter female Demarian, and both head towards the command center.

As the Commodore, Battleclaw and his assistant enter the command centre, the marines at the door snap into attention. Lucius gets up and does the same, yelling, "Officer on deck. Atten-shun!" Without much of a pause, the navy crew do as they're told by the senior NCO.

"Any more word from New Luna?" Snelling asks.

Kristina melds herself into the background of the happenings, mimicking whatever the rest of the people in the are doing.

Martin snaps to attention at the command.

Silvereye bobs his snout to the gathered New Luna soldiers, glancing over the command center and focusing on his own fleet in the viewscreen.

The Station's command centre is packed full at the moment. Everyone is at a station. Several guards are in the room, dressed in marine combat armour. Lucius is at the comm station, while Martin is near him and Kris is at the nav console. Silvereye and Commodore Snelling of the Vanguard have just entered.

"They're shelling, it looks like. The scout ship is far away." Lucius says as he breaks the position, causing everyone else to relax and get back to their duties. "It's far but it can see vague details. Nothing else for now. The General's not available right now but I'm acting as his second. So let's discuss.. somewhere that there are seats." He looks around and selects a portion of the centre that is empty for the moment, the only place like - the small off duty area, with a coffee machine and a small picnic style table. The armour glad man grabs his helmet and walks towards there.

Smoketrail flanks Silvereye, just a stride or two behind him. Though she does not wear an obvious uniform, she holds herself alertly, eyes and ears roaming the room as she absorbs the layout and occupants.

Snelling nods, clasping her hands behind her back. "As you wish." She smiles tautly at the Demarians and then makes her way toward the sitting area.

Silvereye hmms at Lucius, his tail flicking as he follows the marine over to the off-duty area. "Do you have any information on the number of ships involved in the Phyrrian attack?"

Martin stares at the screen blankly. The Martian works his mouth up and down slowly try to tear his eyes away.

"Six. For now. But there's no reason to think they don't have ships waiting in some staging area to jump in quickly should someone else come." Lucius takes a seat at the table, leaning his battle rifle against the wall. "What kind of offensive action could we take, when this comes down to it?"

Kristina taps her fingers lightly on the edge of the console, chewing on her lip slowly, and very thoroughly.

>> Outside the Ship: A streak of crimson strikes across the darkness like a fiery lightning bolt, ending in a scattering of silver starbursts, leaving only the HMS Regreb Bay in its wake.

>> Outside the Ship: HMS Regreb Bay brakes and descends to the planetoid's surface.

>> Outside the Ship: HMS Regreb Bay enters orbit from the planetoid below.

"Only six...?" Smoketrail murmurs beneath her breath, her gaze shifting from Lucius to Silvereye as she rocks her weight back, attention divided between the various status and viewscreens in the room and the immediate conversation.

>> Outside the Ship: The HMS Regreb Bay executes a sensor scan of the local space.

"They're conserving resources, I guess," the Commodore muses.

Silvereye nods slightly to Smoketrail. "The Phyrrians seem to be moving piecemeal..." He then glances to the Commodore. "And denying us a chance for a decisive confrontation anywhere outside Phyrria, which ultimately must be our goal."

"Yes, that would appear to be their strategy. There's no need for them to use more than that fleet to destroy New Luna. A planet of two million people, I mean... It's not a hard target." Lucius shakes his head, pulling out another rolled cigarette. He lights it. "Then what's the plan?"

>> Outside the Ship: Five ships appear suddenly from spindrive, twisting from distorted to normal, running lights highlighting the Royal Navy ensigns painted onto the superstructures. The vessels move in formation toward Hancock Station, and a shuttle issues forth from the.

Kristina clears her throat a little, "Don't mean to interrupt, but Sivad's here," she calls over to Lucius.

>> Outside the Ship: With a sudden shimmering, the HMS Regreb Bay lowers its shields.

>> Outside the Ship: The HMS Regreb Bay Launch departs from the HMS Regreb Bay's docking bay

>> Outside the Ship: The HMS Regreb Bay Launch carefully manuevers and enters the Hancock Station's docking bay

>> Outside the Ship: With a sudden shimmering, the HMS Regreb Bay raises its shields.

Martin glances over at Kam then nods. "Okay that is everyone I think.." He says lowly.

"Pick off the easy ones first, no?" Smoketrail rumbles with a rhetorical air, eyest straying toward Kristina at the announcement with a flick of an ear in mild surprise before she returns her attention to the others. "The Phyrrians might have resources waiting to see if they're needed, but there's obviously a point at which they decide enough's enough. They left Ungstir to regroup when Kip surprised them."

The Commodore looks over at Smoketrail, a curious look on her face. "I really want to meet this Kip fellow. Seems like he'd be handy."

"The problem is that we have no idea how large the Decimator fleet really is." The Battleclaw replies. "But we will need more than we have here...We can either confront the Decimator Fleet when it is forced to commit what we have to assume would be its largest forces, against Sivad and Mars, and then go on to Phyrrian, or gather our forces and attack Phyrria first." He chuffs at Commodore Avery. "He would have done us all a favor if he'd made the Overmind disappear instead of a dozen ships."

"Thank you, Kam." Lucius says with no hint of former malice in his voice anymore. He even smiles at her. He shakes his head at the high ranking Vanguard officer seated at the table with him. "A bunch of civilian crews dropped him off on Nocturn last night. The Kamir are unwilling, apparently, to involve themselves." He nods at Silvereye. "I'm personally of mind that we should wait. I don't /want/ to wait. But it means we have an actual chance of doing damage."

When enters, whenever that is, the two MCA clad marines at the door snap into attention.

The command center doors open, and walks in, accompanied by a Specialist aide. The good Captain has that particular sleepless look about him, and he carries a teacup. "Good evening. I hope I've missed nothing too important?"

Kristina just bobs her head up and down and falls silent again, staring out of the view screen in silence.

Martin pulls out a cigarette once more and goes back to staring at the screen.

"Don't think that's an option anymore," Smoketrail begins to answer the commodore before Lucius' additional information has her tilting her head in acknowledgment. "Wait for what, though?" she asks with a frown. "We have a little time, now that we know we didn't all spontaneously die on the 22nd. We can buy more time if we can keep moving - though I understand it would be tougher for more fully populated worlds," she admits dryly. "What do we really know about this Decimator fleet? How can we find out more?"

Silvereye nods to Smoketrail. "Well, we're getting first hand information from their attack on New Luna, so at least we will get that out of what's going on down there." The Battleclaw replies somberly. "I agree that waiting might be in our best interest...But too much waiting and we will be in the same situation as we would be if a sudden direct attack were to go bad, battered and unable to mount an offense. Make no mistake, if we go to Phyrria, we must go to win."

"I don't know anything about them, except that they've got the Odarites on their side," Snelling says. "That's how they got to Luna. Four-million dead because we let those bugs drop off a nanite infestation."

"We need to give the order that any Odarite ships are to be destroyed without any chance, then. But that's small potatoes. Are we all of one mind when it involves waiting for a big attack on Sol or on Sivad? It's the only way we're going to stand a chance at winning." Lucius says, rubbing his jaw. "There are also a few more issues I need to bring up, but we'll deal with that after this."

Kristina nibbles on her lower lip as she tears her gaze away from the viewscreen to peer over at the assembled grouping of people for a moment, and then she's back to looking out.

Smoketrail nods to Snelling with ears grimly flattened. For all that she is surrounded by ranks without bothering to divulge one of her own, she seems comfortable enough throwing out her opinions without apology. "Odarites are a major problem. For all we know, they're still carrying out some plan right now - they've thrown their lot in with the Phyrrians. They'll have a vested interest in either seeing that the Phyrrians win to secure the future they bargained for. Though if we can convince some that it's not as certain as before, and they'd better work at trying to secure a place also in a future that doesn't have Phyrrians in it anymore..." She wrinkles her snout in distaste at Lucius' initial suggestion. "Perhaps some thought should be given to trying to capture and turn some of them. They may still have useful information on the Phyrrians we don't know."

"Waiting for a large attack on Sol or Sivad seems to me to be leaving OATO's less militarily-inclined members out to dry," says, leaning against his cane and taking a sip of tea. "What about G'ahnlo? Castor? Centauri? I've some doubts that the Phyrrians will simply sit back and ignore those worlds while we wait for a major attack on Sivad or Sol." He tilts his head. "It seems to me to be prudent, even, to attack while they're attacking, say, Centauri--using less force than they might. Manufacture moments of superiority, what?"

Silvereye hmms at Lucius. "There is difficulty in waiting for a Sivadian/Solar attack. I doubt it would go over well with the higher ups on both sides. To use Ikeopo or Solar as a battlefield and to sacrifice the smaller worlds...like New Luna or Demaria. We would have to make attacking Sivad or Sol a priority." He nods to. "That's an alternate strategy...However it is our assumption that we cannot win a war of attrition with the Phyrrians. They've already wiped out one of hte Arm's best shipyards and we cannot replace our forces as quickly as Phyrrians. We would have to fight that war perfectly, having overwhelming superiority at every engagement which the Phyrrians will not allow."

"Actually, I wager we *could* win a war of attrition," Snelling suggests with a shrug. "They used all the material they could get from the Line of Pain to build that fleet of theirs. They must have to keep a great deal of the fleet close to Phyrria to protect the Overmind. So, we stretch them thin. Make it expensive. It may not be so easy to replace what they lose."

"Yes. They also may be carrying nanites on all of their bodies. Capture isn't the way, Miss. We can't afford to take a chance that they aren't bugged, no pun intended, with things that can kill all of us. No clemency. We don't have time to convert collaborators to our cause. They need to be killed." Lucius spares this thought no more mind and nods at. "Sure, I meant against a world which they would have to attack with significant resources. The more they attack with, the less they can bring home. The thing is.. they have cloaked ships as we've seen. Ryan's transmission showed warships decloaking." A navy officer comes over to whisper something into Lucius's ear. "The Phyrrians pulled out five of the six warships. Jumped away. There's still one left. We want to, we can destroy it. That's not up to me though." He nods at the Battleclaw, then Snelling. "Alright well.. We need to find away to draw them thin or stretch them out. Here's the question of the minute though. Do we move to New Luna and destroy their lone carrier?"

"Fuck yes," the Commodore replies bluntly.

"Even Phyrrians are finite. And if they were secure in their superiority and had no thoughts to the cost of casualties in their ranks, there would have been no need for the nanite attacks. They wanted to cut down on the numbers and take down the weaker numbers in the herd before taking on the main body..." Smoketrail surmises before Lucius opinion draws a curl of a lip back from sharp canines. "And in the absence of intel, you would rather just try to club everything to death? I thought we already determined that we don't have an overwhelmingly superior force in order to do that." Shaking her head with a short chuff of exasperation, she visibly bites back on further words to wait for the others' reactions.

Kristina glance over in Martin's direction for a moment, and then tilts her head back to listen to what the grouping of people in charge are saying.

"The counterquestion is, is the destruction of a single carrier worth revealing that we've an organized--loosely at this point, but nonetheless organized--force this early?" responds, handing his teacup off to the Specialist aide. "I've not had time to review the threat estimates on Phyrrian ships. What does killing a carrier cost us?"

Silvereye hmms. "It would be an opportunity to see their capabilities and figure out that cost, Captain...But it could also be a trap."

Martin raises an eyebrow at the woman and shrugs. "Kill the bastards." He says flatly. "They would know already if they read the news. They'd know the Arm was getting together." He says flatly.

"No. I want to club the Odarites to death for selling themselves out." Lucius answers to Smoketrail. "Well, we make the decision in the next ten minutes or we stay here. They jumped out of system. A jump back in the system won't be immediate. But we'll be able to jump out if they jump in. If it's a trap, we leave. If it's not, we stay and blow the fuck out of their carrier. NLM is for it. Vanguard is for it, from what the Commodor is saying. RNS? DM?"

"What of the nanites?" asks, tapping his cane as he shifts his weight a bit. "The engineers on my ships have been working for the last day straight to allow us to cut out electronic systems--shut down the computers and fight the ship, at reduced efficiency, perhaps, but it's a bloody sight better than being dead in space, with electric and electromechanical systems. Let's see the bloody Phyrrians shut that down, what?" He realizes he's gotten off-track and shakes his head briefly. "The point, though--they're not done. Is anyone else prepared--well, I suppose we all are, but is anyone else /equipped/ to fight with things the Phyrrians can't simply nullify yet?"

"Not an attitude I would argue with. But I would prefer it occur after we wring them dry of whatever they can tell us," Smoketrail growls in response to Lucius, tail flicking sharply behind her in agitation. But as she rocks most of her weight back, she seems content to let the rest of the conversation play out without her immediate participation.

Silvereye shrugs at. "They can't nullify all of it or they wouldn't have warships. I can't say that the militia fleet is immune to nanites, but infection isn't so simple if we can mount a proper conventional defense against their carriers and those sappers they used against Ungstir. The DM will support an attack by the Vanguard and the NLM, but I have to wonder if it would be that effective. But if we can provide relief to the people on the ground...It might be worth it."

"Kill one carrier and that's a big chunk of dead metal they can't use anymore," Snelling says, glancing over at Silvereye. "Who knows how much they've got packed aboard the ship, but whatever they have, they lose that too. Anything they lose costs them plenty and makes them think twice, maybe, about whatever target those other five ships are going after right now."

"With shields up and the ship on quarantine, that is to say, nothing in our out, the nanites don't appear to be able to enter." Lucius shakes his head. "That's besides the point. If there are cloaked ships decloaking when we jump in, we jump back out. I don't think we can really risk helping those on the ground, other than destroying their aggressors. It's the sad truth that the Phyrrians could come back to finish the job and we can't be caught in orbit when that happens. Majority says aye." Apparently, Lucius is ignoring the aide's opinion. "Admiral, we're going. Will you offer the and fleet to come with?"

"We're gonna get squished," Kam comments quietly to no one inparticular, just rubs at her forehead with a sigh.

"This does not seem the cautious course of action," remarks, sighing as he looks to each of the gathered commanders. "To attack without firm--without even reliably imprecise data seems short-sighted to me." He pauses. "But I suppose learning must start somewhere. You have the Naval Service's ships for this attack."

Silvereye nods slowly. "The Demarian Militia will not be left behind." The Battleclaw replies.

"We're attacking with data provided by our scout ship which is in the Lincoln Belt near New Luna." Lucius says calmly. "Alright, people. I suppose we should proceed to our ships and move out within a few minutes." The armour clad man rubs his hands together and gets up, strapping his weapon to his back. He proceeds for the intercom and says something into it.

Hancock Station Intercom Broadcast Lucius --

>>>> From the : Action stations. Action stations. This is not a drill, set condition one and prepare to jump on mark.

Martin starts to check his armor over and nods. the Maritan then head for the comm station. "Broadcast fleet wide?" He asks looking at the various higher ups.

Smoketrail follows Silvereye's cue, settling herself behind his left shoulder once more after an acknowledging nod to the others.

and his aide depart quietly, heading back to the.

Snelling nods to her compatriots, then returns to the shuttle bay for the trip back to the Casca.

Kristina hasn't really moved from her spot, eying the view outside of the viewscreen with a small grumble.

Martin nods and steps back. "Lucius, shall I get the fleet to lanuch or shall we lanuch them when we exit from FTL?" He asks.

Once everyone is on their own ship, Lucius shakes his head at Mart. Then he comms to the fleet. "So here's the deal, people. We shouldn't launch any ships that can't jump on their own. We're only personally going to launch the today because it's very capable of holding its own. Any ships that need support shouldn't be launched. Any Phyrrian backup decloaks or shows up, we all jump back here. Can I get an amen?" He turns to Kam. "Looks like you're going to be doing some good today." He smiles at the woman.

Kristina nods, and turns to Lucius, "Okay then, so tell me what to do," she says with a wry grin. "It's better than just sitting here and staring at other ships floating in space."

>> Outside the Ship: With a sudden shimmering, the Hancock Station raises its shields.

Silvereye returns to the Paw's End and its rather posh bridge. The one with the overstuffed red chairs with velvet lining and the wood paneled consoles. "We are moving to New Luna." The Battleclaw informs his crew. "We will be providing relief for the people of New Luna against a Phyrrian attack. stations, all vessels." He takes his seat as the lighting goes down and the shields go up.

"I'm going to stay out of the way now, Silver," Smoketrail comms the battleclaw as she heads down to the lower decks of the Demarian flagship. "I'm of more use on the ground than here. Good luck."

The RNS vessels, two Third-Rate Ships of the Line and three frigates, drift into tight formation with short puffs of thrusters. Aboard the bridge of the Third-Rate Regreb Bay, lowers himself into the command chair and speaks into an intercom microphone: "Beat to quarters, all hands to action stations." The drumroll and bosun's whistle recording sounds, and continues. "We are jumping to New Luna and engaging a Phyrrian carrier there. This is our first fight in what will be a long war, gentlemen. Acquit yourselves honourably for King and country, and Godspeed."

The Casca and Brutus fall into line behind the other vessels of the makeshift interstellar fleet. Commodore Snelling paces back and forth on the command deck of the Casca. "Lay in a course for New Luna. Time to get a little payback for our friends on the moon."

but... hrm. I can't see Rya taking that all that well either. o.O"

Martin climbs into the comms station on the and starts to look it over. "Ready." He calls out and punches the intercomm. "Words to the crew?"

Walters is already at his duty station aboard the. He taps a couple of buttons at his console, then looks towards. "Captain, beg to report that torpedo tubes one and two are ready to load on your mark."

Kristina pauses for a moment and then heads for the navigation station on the. "Guess this is where I'm supposed to be," she mutters, eying the more familiar controls with a bit of relief.

The Paw's End and its Silent Claw escorts begin to advance on the jump point. The Imperator-Class forms the center while the frigates fan out around in. The Silent Claws activate their ECM packages and the entire fleet appears ready for war.

Hancock Station Intercom Broadcast Lucius --

>>>> From the : Mark.

Keying the comm up simultaneously with the intercom, Lucius says, "Mark." Quite simple. He motions at Kristina to jump.

The forward view becomes a wash of shimmering silver as the spindrive field wraps about the ship, allowing it hyperaccelerate deeper into space ...

>> Outside the Ship: The shimmering field of the Hancock Station's spindrive wraps around the starship, as it suddenly accelerates outbound in streak of deep ultramarine, heading deeper into space ...

>> Outside the Ship: Interstellar Transit Space 

>> Outside the Ship:

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The shimmering spindrive field glitters like a sphere of polished crystal surrounding the starship. Across it surface a brilliant view of the realspace streaks past, the curved reflections of passing stars dopplering from bright red to deepest blue. Every now and then a white sunburst glares through the field, surrounded by lens flare circles o light, fading across the spectrum.

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Sun Sep 23 3007

Contents: Exits:

DCV Silver Streak

Lucius turns to Martin and Kristina, smiling. "Time for some retribution. I'm not quite sure what we should do for the people on the surface. We can't land. We can do some orbital bombardment if this works out well and destroy Phyrrian forces. But I mean... we need to be ready to jump out at a moment's notice. I hate to say it, but the Fleet is more important than New Luna."

With a shattering of silver starbursts, the spindrive field collapses, returning the ship to normal space.

>> Outside the Ship: Interstellar Space 

>> Outside the Ship:

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The darkness is lonely, this deep into interstellar space. A handful of stars, a lost rock tumbling through the emptiness, a scattering of hydrogen ions are the only company in this sea of sable.

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Contents: Exits:

>> Outside the Ship: A streak of crimson strikes across the darkness like a fiery lightning bolt, ending in a scattering of silver starbursts, leaving only the Hancock Station in its wake.

Kristina nods, "Yeah, but let's not bomb any of the cities or something by accident," she grunts. "Or we could just be making the Phyrrian's job some much easier."

The forward view becomes a wash of shimmering silver as the spindrive field wraps about the ship, allowing it hyperaccelerate outbounds ...

>> Outside the Ship: The shimmering field of the Hancock Station's spindrive wraps around the starship, as it suddenly accelerates outbound in streak of deep ultramarine, on a trajectory to New Luna ...

>> Outside the Ship: Interstellar Transit Space 

>> Outside the Ship:

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The shimmering spindrive field glitters like a sphere of polished crystal surrounding the starship. Across it surface a brilliant view of the realspace streaks past, the curved reflections of passing stars dopplering from bright red to deepest blue. Every now and then a white sunburst glares through the field, surrounded by lens flare circles o light, fading across the spectrum.

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Martin lights a smoke and looks out at the swirling colors. "Almost time aye Lucky? Gonna live up to that nickname?" He asks with a slight grin.

Cyral clears his throat and straightens his uniform. He says, "I think now is a time for a commemerative speech if someone has one?"

"Let's hope so. I got the turrets." Lucius removes his work gloves, and puts them next to his helmet and rifle. His fingers hover over the controls. A few moments later, the sights of interstellar space dissapear as the fleet jumps in. First comes Hancock Station. Luc keys the intercom and submits an order. He powers the turrets up.

Hancock Station Intercom Broadcast Lucius --

>>>> From the : This is command. Launch the NLM.

"How close are you gonna want me to take her in, Lucius?" Kam asks, glancing over with a grim smile.

The Demarian fleet drops out of FTL just after Hancock on its flank. Fighters immediately begin to pour out of the Paw's End, forming a moving picket around the fleet.

The 's thrusters light slowly and it exits the landing bay. The ship's guns swivel slightly then waits for further orders.

Lucius is at the gunnery and communications console, multikeyed for this event. Kris is piloting Hancock. Martin is off to the side on another comm console. Silvereye is on the Paw's End bridge. , Cyral and Walters are on the 's bridge. Commodore Snelling is on the Casca's bridge. The fleet has just came out of OtherSpace. The has been launched. The Paw's End has launched its fighters.

The RNS fleet drops out a moment after the Demarian fleet appears, mirroring the Militia's position on the other side of Hancock. On the bridge of the ,

leans forward to examine the sensor contacts on the viewscreen and speaks into his comm microphone, tuned to the RNS channel. "All ships, shields up and weapons charged. All fighters launch. Adamant, Venerable, and Triumphant, you will join the squadrons in screening the and Puma from fighter attack." The three frigates move to precede the two Third-Rates, and continues. "All stations report status. And Jeeves--" this last to the Specialist aide standing nearby "--tea, if you would."

With a shattering of silver starbursts, the spindrive field collapses, returning the ship to normal space.

>> Outside the Ship: Local Space 

>> Outside the Ship: - New Luna Local Space ZMO -

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Quiet and pristine is the sector of space where L49 rests, on the very edge of the central cluster of populated stars. Two planets revolve about the yellow star, one set comfortably within its habitation zone, while the other is much more distant. Far back from the two planets, two thick asteroid belts can be seen, and a thin asteroid belt sits slightly in from the nearer planet.

The local space is quiet and empty, with no other starship to keep one company. Only the normal telecommunications chatter can be barely overheard from the planetary orbit.

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Sun Sep 23 3007

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Tranquility  New Luna Orbit

L49

>> Outside the Ship: A streak of crimson strikes across the darkness like a fiery lightning bolt, ending in a scattering of silver starbursts, leaving only the Hancock Station in its wake.

"Loading tubes one and two, Captain," Walters reports. He pauses a moment, turning to the specialist. "Two lumps, please, Jeeves." There's a faintly audible hydraulic whine as the hunter-killer weapons are loaded. "Tubes one and two loaded. Awaiting confirmation to arm warheads, sir."

Cyral tabs his comkey, "Port Guns all Green Sir. May I offer a word of encouragement?" He doesn't wait for a response,

"If we are mark'd to die, we are enow

To do our country loss; and if to live,

The fewer men, the greater share of honour.

God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.

By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,

Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;

It yearns me not if men my garments wear;

Such outward things dwell not in my desires.

But if it be a sin to covet honour,

I am the most offending soul alive.

No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from.

God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour

As one man more methinks would share from me

For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!

Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,

That he which hath no stomach to this fight,

Let him depart; his passport shall be made,

And crowns for convoy put into his purse;

We would not die in that man's company

That fears his fellowship to die with us.

This day is call'd the feast of Crispian.

He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,

Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,

And rouse him at the name of Crispian.

He that shall live this day, and see old age,

Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,

And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.'

Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,

And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.'

Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,

But he'll remember, with advantages,

What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,

Familiar in his mouth as household words-

Harry the King, and ,

and Talbot, and

Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.

This story shall the good man teach his son;

And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,

From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be remembered-

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,

This day shall gentle his condition;

And gentlemen in now-a-bed

Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,

And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks

That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day."

"Y'know, I'd just as soon listen to some really bad alien poetry," Commodore Snelling growls to her subordinates as the Casca and Brutus move into position on the outskirts of New Luna territory. "Pompous-ass Sivadians." This starts her on a little rant that soon trails off into a blunt: "Fuckall." This because one of her subordinates on the sensor console has spied an outward bound contact. "Fleet," Snelling reports, "one large Phyrrian warship, just outside orbit of New Luna."

The Phyrrian warship closes on the sentient organic fleet, but not at too great a speed. It saves the speediness for the dozens of automated fighters and sappers that drop from the belly and start zooming at the various vessels that just jumped in.

>> Outside the Ship: Changing vectors, the Hancock Station heads towards an orbit around New Luna.

>> Outside the Ship: New Luna Orbit 

>> Outside the Ship: - New Luna Local Space ZMO -

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The orbit about New Luna is relatively clear of clutter and traffic, with only a handful of weather and communication satellites to keep the planet company. Starships seldom tarry in orbit, either descending to the surface or quickly acclerating outwards to escape the effects of L49's flare activity.

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New Luna  Deepcrest Landing Pad

 Landing Pad

 Break Orbit

"Allied fleet," Lucius comms, "Have the fighters close and destroy the enemy's. The further out they are the more expoed they are. Let's take care of this carrier once and for all with our own weapons and try not to get close to it. We make them work to get their fighters in range." He nods to Kristina. "Bring us in weapons range of the carrier. Then open up with the mass cannon and beam cannons. I'll fire the turbocannons and railgun." To Martin, "Tell the to focus on destroying the enemies small craft. Have its two fighters stick around as point defence, they can't do any good out there alone anyways." For a ground pounder, he has a pretty decent idea what needs to go on on a bridge. Too much guard duty during battles maybe.

Martin glances up from his station and frowns. "Fucking Sivadians. I don't wanna here that crap." He snear. In response the Martian punches the comm and says a few words in Martian Latin into it, for those that know it is a prayer to Mars. He blinks at the ship and nods to Lucius and calls in the command.

The 's bays open and out fly its fighters, two stay to defend the ship and the others depart and zooms towards the enemy fighters. The warship's cannons power up and start to open fire on the fighters once they are in range.

Kristina nods to Lucius, her hands moving over the controls with a small touch of hesitance, and forward they move, in the direction of the Phyrrian ship, the redhead biting down on her lip anxiously. "Okay, let's do this," she mutters.

"Altheor's Teeth if that's what the Sivadians say for a single carrier they'll be reciting novels for the assault on Phyrria." The Battleclaw quips. His attention is on the viewscreen and the approaching fighters. "Move our fighter screen to picket position two. We'll let Hancock get the first shots at the carrier, save the Paw's End's guns for taking out the sappers. They are our top priority. We fire when they are in range." The fighters around the Paw's End and its escorts accelerate to a new position in front of the ships, bunching up to allow the larger ships a clear shot when the Phyrrians enter range.

The automated Phyrrian fighters break away from the fleet, circling around the capital ship, staying out of range while the sappers - 36 total - zoom toward the incursion fleet. Twelve are going toward the, 12 toward the Paw's End, and 12 toward the Casca and Brutus.

Gurk watches Hancocks viewscreen, bloodlust crawling into his eyes as brief, bright suns flare to life then burn out of existance as bolts of energy flash silently through space.

Dirionis enters the command center quickly, expression grim as he strides into it a bit.

The Sergeant clenches his teeth a moment before informing towards Lucius and Martin, "1st and 2nd squad are being assembled in the landing bay." He looks towards Gurk,

"Your with me. Lets go." With that he heads back the way he entered.

Gurk turns and heads after Dirionis.

"Well said, Leftenant Thomas, but perhaps only the last bit next time? Leftenant Walters-Cobb," says, glancing down from the 's viewscreen, "prepare to fire tube one at the center formation of sappers. Manual detonation at your discretion." He switches to the RNS fleet channel and adds, "Squadrons, move to engage the nearest group of Phyrrian contacts. All ships may fire guns at will."

"Rodger, sir! Arming warhead." The glow of the console only enhances the appearance of intense concentration. "Target acquired - sappers approaching . Bird away!" There's a slight shudder as the sends a missile out into space, speeding towards the target area. Walters attempts to detonate the missile in the center of the formation, and weapon explodes in a bright, harsh flash of light. "Target well hit! Nine sapper destroyed, Captain!"

"Helm, keep approaching that carrier. Fire the three beamcannons into those sappers coming towards the . I'm going to open up with the turbocannons and railgun on those going near our neighbours." Lucius does just that, toggling his computer so that it fires the four turbocannons and railgun on the formation of sappers heading into the Paw's End.

Kristina gives a curt nod to Lucius as he barks out his next orders, shifting her attention fromn navigating the Hancock in order to fire off the indicated cannons in the direction of the sappers. Unfortunately, the shot goes awry, and lets the one remaining sapper through.

All it takes is one. Despite a valiant effort by the NLM and the RNS, nipping away at the sappers, one of the persistent and nimble mechanoids manages to bob and weave through the blasts of energy until it can make a final - can mechanoids *seem* desperate? - lunge to avoid Kristina's shot and it latches onto the hull of the. Moments later, the nanite infestation kicks in - the 's shields fail, her lights flicker, dim, and then go dark. She drifts, powerless.

Martin taps the comm station a few times then looks over to Lucius. "The is dead in the water." He says and shakes his head. "Fighters are still moving. Call them back sir." Another command is punched then his eyes go back to the view screen.

With the now a lost cause the two fighters start to dart a retreat towards Hancock.

Silvereye frowns as the goes dead. "Altheor's Teeth." He growls. "Not one of them gets through!" The bridge springs into action with renewed urgency. The gunnery commander takes over for the Battleclaw, "All Silent Claws, open fire. All turrets, open fire." Once their barrages are off the fighters move in to engage.

The railgun of Hancock cleanly misses all of the small sappers, dodging out of the way as they weave towards the Paw's End. The turbocannons, however, are not nearly as nice as the railgun. They rip through the sappers with no remorse, taking out half of them in clean, bright explosions.

The thirteen vessels of the Demarian Militia fleet open fire with their turrets, torpedos held in reserve. It's not clear who scored the killing shots but after the volley only a pair of sappers remain to be picked off by the Militia's Kingfisher fighters. On the bridge the Battleclaw breathes a sigh of relief but growls. "Had I known Hancock was that effective I would've deployed some fighters to help the Martians..."

Hancock Station Intercom Broadcast Lucius --

>>>> From the : The Franklin appears to have been lost with all hands. We'll keep you updated, but keep vigilant for more of those bastard sappers.

The defense of the Vanguard ships is admirable, and most of the sappers zooming toward the Brutus are taken care of while the Thunderchild-class fighters launch from the bays of both capships. But when the debris clears, one sapper still manages to latch onto the Brutus. As with the, the shields fall, the lights flicker, dim, and then go dark before the carrier drifts, inert.

At that moment, a Navy Colonel enters the bridge from parts unkown. "Sergeant Major, you're relieved. Please stay and man the turrets, but I'll be doing the decision making now." He taps his flight wings and sits down in the command chair. "Alright, time to concentrate on that bastard carrier now. Move us in closer and fire the mass driver. It's got much longer range than any of our other weapons." The gruff voices colonel orders to Kristina.

Lucius doesn't appear to have a problem with getting up and sitting in another seat. In fact, he seems relieved, making a quick intercom transmission before he grabs his gear and sit back down. Him not being within range of turret weapons, he says to Martin, "Order the two fighters to scan the for lifesigns.

Martin nods and taps the comm. "Flight Alpha, double back and scan the . If the enemy get too close haul ass home." He speaks then looks over to the new officer. "Orders sir?"

Scans of the will show that there are plenty of life signs. It's not like the atmosphere got vented. But they may just have a few hours.

The two fighters from the pull a sharp turn and do a fly by of the ship. "Crew is alive. Systems are dead. They need rescue." Comes a Lunite voice over the intercomm.

Kristina nods at the new voice's orders, her hands moving over the navigation console, and the station moves itself forward, in the direction of the carrier.

The Hancock's mass driver fires on the Phyrrian carrier, but the massive mechanoid vessel manages to lumber just clear of the matter as it careers past. So, no big gaping hole in the carrier, but now Hancock Station has the full, undivided attention of the Phyrrians. Thirty fighters start zooming through space toward the station.

Hancock Station Intercom Broadcast Lucius --

>>>> From the : This is Sergeant Major Castus. Keep on the vigilant, Callot, we could have incoming company.

"Puma, prepare to fire torpedoes on the capital ship on my mark," says over the RNS fleet comm. "Squadrons, fall back toward the fleet and then vector toward the carrier; see if you can't cause some trouble while her fighters are distracted." He cuts the comm. "Safe with our shields, are we?" he mutters, cursing under his breath. He raises his voice again: "Mr. Walters-Cobb, fire our remaining torpedo at the carrier on my mark and reload both tubes." The captain accepts a teacup--stainless steel, high-sided, and shaped to fit into a tight-fitting cupholder on the arm of his chair--and sips, toggling the fleet comm back on. "Mark. Formation, advance into gunnery range."

"Bird away!" Walters notes before accepting. "Tubes reloading. Ten seconds on tube two, fifteen on tube one, sir." After the Captain is served, more tea is handed out to the rest of the Officers of the Line. Walters takes a sip of his tea. "Excellent as always, Jeeves."

Two torpedoes from the Puma join the lone torpedo from the, and the salvo hurtles towards the Phyrrian carrier.

Two of three RNS torpedoes strike the hull of the Phyrrian carrier, but the damage is absorbed by the ship's shields and armor. The third torpedo, however, finds a seam somewhere near the belly where all those sappers and fighters dropped from. Apparently, the seam - once breached - lets the torpedo go exploding through the most sensitive areas inside the carrier. Such as the reactor. The Phyrrian carrier erupts in a quickly expanding ball of energy and shredded metal - leaving a lot of very confused fighters to try to refocus.

The NLM Colonel makes a swirling motion with his fingers. "Ma'am, turn the station to face those fighters and open up with everything you got. Fire a mass driver shot, shoot those three beam cannons. Sergeant Castus, fire the turbocannons and railguns."

Lucius keys the four turbocannons and single railgun to open up on the fighters.

Martin punches the comm and speaks into the mouthpiece. "Good to here. Screen the Franklin, a salvage team will be sent once the enemy is cleared." He says.

The fighters keep their formation covering the crippled ship.

Kristina nods as the next set of orders come from the person in charge and she makes a turn of the Station in order to face the oncoming fighters.

The beam cannons miss, but that's mostly because they're just going through wreckage and vapor by the time the matter fired by the mass driver passes through the cloud of perplexed Phyrrian fighters. The Battle Over New Luna is over. The carrier is gone, with whatever assets she had. Franklin and Brutus are disabled, but recoverable. Not a bad outcome for the first non-Kamir assisted victory of the Phyrrian War.