>> Chapter 3>>

Chapter Two
LS Skaal Tel Torturer
Cal-Senbu System
19:48 New Daiamid AHL 3.27.21

"It looks like the Raiders were wiped out, sir," a sensor's officer said.

"Damn! Those pitiful idiots! They can't even destroy a force half their size?" replied the captain.

"I'm picking up debris from a non-Republican ship. It isn't from a Raider craft either. Conducting scans now. Metallurgy and molecular readings indicate that this particular fragment came from the asteroid belt in the Hiigara system."

"What? Are you saying that the Exiles were here? Send word to the Palace immediately that the operation might have been compromised."

"Yes sir."

"And add that another strike on the convoy might be necessary, as this one failed."

HNS Halo
Sullat System
16:09 New Daiamid AHL 4.6.21

The Imperator class carrier Halo orbited the fourth planet in the Sullat system, a Hiigaran naval shipyard. A research station, and dry docks completed the naval construction at the system. With an immense asteroid belt orbiting the star only fifty-eight million kilometers from the planet, several mining colonies within the belt provided the shipyard with an unlimited supply of resources. Because of the system's strategic importance, it had an entire Hiigaran battle group guarding it.

Hiigaran combat vessels had undergone a major refit and overhaul period, letting them keep pace with advances made by Imperialist and other forces. This period had produced the Avatar Mk II class ship, the Blade Mk VI, and had upgraded other vessels, such as the Imperator class to have more and better capabilities. In the Halo's case that had meant its strike craft capacity had gone up to sixty fighters and thirty corvettes. All strike craft had been modified with the ultra-efficient fusion drives developed by the former Kiith Somtaaw and had other changes, such as increased armor and more powerful weapons. This period had also produced several new designs. The former Kiith Somtaaw's Kuun-Lan's siege cannon design had been upgraded for higher efficiency and lower cost and had been mounted on a modified destroyer chassis, resulting in the Inferno class Siege Cannon Barge, with the cannon in a spinal mount similar to a Firelance's ion cannon. Besides its main armament, the Inferno class had two point defense energy cannons. Another new design was the Crusader Escort Fighter. With the fleet's need to defend against Imperialist and Turanic Raider ambushes, the fighter combined an upgraded Arrow hull with modern drives to produce a fighter capable of incredible speeds, up to one thousand one hundred meters per second maximum normal speed and one thousand two hundred thirty meters per second with the use of its turbo booster.

The commanding officer of the Halo, Group Captain Yuri Niesun, frowned. He thought that he and his task force had been brought here to reinforce the garrison protecting the Sullat system. But as soon as he had completed his jump into the system, he received new orders to assume high orbit and await the arrival of a new heavy cruiser called the Liberator. He thought back to the conversation via holovid with the base commander, Admiral Jev Kespurn.

"What? Excuse me sir. But why am I here if I'm not going to do anything?" Captain Niesun had asked.

"You are not doing nothing Captain," Admiral Kespurn had said. I have new orders for you. Stand down to high orbit and await the arrival of the Liberator. Heard of her before?"

"Yes sir, I've heard of the new ship. So what happens after I rendezvous with the Liberator?"

"The captain will have new orders for you. I personally have not been informed of what those orders are, so they are most likely secret. But I can tell you that he was originally scheduled to take the Liberator out for a shakedown cruise, which went awry. How, I don't know. What he's been assigned to do next, I don't know."

"If it’s a long field assignment, will he come in and assume command of my force?"

"Most likely. And probably other ships as well. Anyway, he's not scheduled to come in for seven more days, so you can give your crew some shore leave. Though I'm afraid there's not much to enjoy here."

That was seven days ago. Captain Niesun returned his thoughts to the current situation. The Liberator was to arrive in two hours and twenty-one minutes. The last of his crew was returning on the Halo's shuttles, and final preparations for departure were under way. His carrier had five squadrons of twelve fighters each. This force included two squadrons of Blade Mk VI Interceptors, a squadron of Thunderbolt attack bombers, a squadron of Crusaders, and a squadron of Super Acolytes. His thirty corvettes were organized into squadrons of sixes, and included twelve Tempest Multi-Gun Corvettes, six Hammer Heavy Corvettes, six Porter Mk II Salvage Corvettes, and six Repair Corvettes. The Repair Corvette had never been given a name by High Command or Fleet Command before it, but the majority of the fleet called them "Fixer ships".

The Halo was a command carrier, and it was different from normal carriers. It had more comprehensive sensors and communications systems. Also, it had heavier armor around the bridge area. The last major difference was a medical suite four times the size than the ones found on ordinary carriers. These changes resulted in a slightly elongated hull, as well as a larger bridge area.

Other ships in his task force included the Ion Frigates Stellar Light and Nova, the Assault Frigates Jouster and Tyrant's Doom, the Multi-Beam Frigate Firewalker, the Deacon Destroyer Undertaker, and the Revelation Destroyer Victory. The final ship in his force was a modified Shaman class carrier, the Guardian, that had heavier weapons and armor but a lower strike craft capacity. Its 48 fighters included twenty-four Sentinel Defense Pods, twelve Seeker Recon Fighters, and twelve Leech Breaching Pods. Its eighteen corvettes consisted of six Avenger Corvettes, six more Hammers, and six marine shuttles. Essentially a modified Repair Corvette, the marine shuttle had no weapons except for a high-powered fusion torch capable of cutting through the thickest armor. It also contained an oversized drive system capable of operating within gravity wells. The final modification was a marine holding area with enough room for twelve fully equipped marines in the place of the fighter-docking pad. Intended for use with Salvage Corvettes, marine shuttles would latch onto enemy capital ships and unload their marines while the Salvage Corvettes flooded the enemy’s computer with corruption files and viruses to disable automated internal defenses.

At the appointed rendezvous time the Liberator jumped in. Captain Niesun stared at the ship in awe. In several spots the gray surface armor was charred and buckled, with signs of ion cannon damage. On the starboard side of the drive array, there was a hole that burned seven meters deep into the Liberator, with the ship's drives and generators exposed. The damaged ship proceeded to dock at the largest orbiting dry dock. Immediately, repair vessels began to mend the hole. A shuttle from the orbiting command center docked with the Liberator and flew into the Halo. From the shuttle disembarked Captain Edson and Captain Saborn. They were greeted in the hanger by Captain Niesun and walked to the captain's private conference room. Once there, Captain Saborn removed a datacard from her pocket and inserted it into the holographic projector mounted on the table. A three dimensional star map projected into the air.

"This is the Sullat system. You are here," Captain Edson began. "A few weeks ago, we were at the Cal-Senbu system, located here. There, we encountered a Republican convoy that was ambushed by the Raiders. That’s where we got our dings and pits. We provided assistance in the losing battle, and managed to hold on until the Republicans sent a rescue task force. We chatted with the commander of the task force, Rear Admiral Huljard Selquet. He informed us that the convoy had something to do with the Beast. We left, and decided the damage was not significant, and continued with our shakedown as much as we could.

"10 days ago, Intelligence intercepted a Imperialist transmission ordering a strike by an Imperialist carrier group on that same convoy. Well, that strike never happened, because the convoy had disappeared. When the Imps reached the ambush site, the convoy was gone. Apparently, the Beast had reached the convoy first. Only one thing remained: a distress pod, but no survivors. Their life support ran out two days before we recovered it. The Beast managed not to infect the pod, and that’s why it continued broadcasting. The survivors recorded a distress call before they died. Why and how the Beast attacked the convoy, we have no clue. So, we've been sent to hunt down the convoy with just enough force to defend ourselves.

"Now, the reason we're being sent out is that the Republicans have their hands full with the Imperialist invasion in the Virgoril sector and the regular harassment from the Raiders and other Imperialist factions. But they are helping out as much as they can, so we will be joined with two Kudaarks, three Sajuuk-Cors, a Skaal Fa, and a Saarkin-Cho. The final ships in this motley collection will be another Firelance, an Inferno, and an Archangel. This will bring our total strength up to a cruiser, a dreadnought, two carriers, one assault carrier, two destroyers, a missile destroyer, a SCB, six Ions, a multi-beamer, four Assault Frigates, and the usual support craft. In this case it would be four Mercies, four collectors, and two controllers. Much more suited to a Rear Admiral than a Fleet Captain, eh? Got it? Good. We ship out tomorrow at 09:00," Captain Edson finished with a grin.

Then the speaker in the conference room came to life, "Uh, sirs, ma'am, Admiral Kespurn wants you in his private quarters ASAP. He said it pertains to Captain Edson, sir, and the rest of you would probably want to see it. Sir."

"Right. Tell him we're on our way and get a shuttle ready," Captain Edson responded.

In Admiral Kespurn's private quarters, the three captains stood at attention. The Admiral's expression was both grim and amused at the same time. From his desk, the Admiral brought out a small, metal case. This he opened up and presented the contents to Captain Edson.

Admiral Kesprun began, "For laying you and your ship down in the defense of an ally in another one of your crazy stunts, High Command decided that you're ready to be a Commodore. Here's your new rank insignia. Oh yes, they also decided to present your crew with a Sa's Unit Citation. Congratulations on the promotion. Commodore Edson, be careful with the new ships under your command. We don't want them being beat up like your cruiser. Now, get back to work."

Commodore Edson replied, "Yes sir!"

HNS Avatar Mk II Liberator
Cal-Senbu System
19:23 New Daiamid AHL 4.9.21

Commodore Edson watched the planet beneath his ship slowly spin. With the Liberator and his other ships awaiting the arrival of the Republicans, scheduled to happen in twenty-nine minutes, he and his men had little to do but wait. And wait. But not just for the Republican ships. With the recent encounter with the Turanic Raiders in the same system, Intelligence had removed the 'pacified' classification of the system and replaced it with a 'neutral', meaning that the system could be under anybody's control at any time. Since there was no need for him on the bridge, he gave command of the vessel to Captain Saborn, and went to the officer's mess for some food and a cup of coffee.

Six minutes before the scheduled arrival in system of the Republicans, Commodore Edson returned to the bridge. He sat in his command chair, and prepared to issue new orders.

"Alright, comm, tell our ships to form up in military parade behind us. Helm, bring us to heading one-four-zero. When the Republicans jump in, I want them to see us. Be prepared to respond if they decide to hail us."

Minutes later, his fleet was in military parade formation facing the point where the Republican ships were supposed to exit hyperspace. His task force, now being called Lightning Fleet, was already an impressive sight by almost anyone's standards even without his other vessels.

"Sir, hyperspace entries detected. They're friendly, yes, its the Republicans," said the sensor's officer.

"Commodore, comm. They're hailing us."

"Bring it up," Commodore Edson replied. The officer did so, and seconds later the holo image of the captain of the Republican carrier sprang to life in front of Commodore Edson.

"This is Group Captain Kellor Jaquel of the carrier Gargoyle. I assume I'm speaking to Commodore Edson?"

"Yes, Captain, you are. What is your status?"

"All of my ships are one hundred percent ready. Are there any resources in this area, as we are a little short?"

"Yes, there is a small cluster of asteroids at coordinates two-four-three point seven-five by three-two point four-three-seven. Do deploy some escorts, we had a recent skirmish in this system and it is not considered secure. Please come aboard my ship. I have some last minute briefing to do, and it is only proper that you join us."

"Of course, sir. My shuttle can dock on your starboard docking port?"

"Very well."

In Commodore Edson's private conference room, Captain Saborn, Captain Niesun, Commodore Edson, Captain Jaquel, and Captain Sara Vesan, commander of the Dreadnought Justice gathered around the briefing table.

"Alright, people, listen up. This is Captain Jaquel, leader of the Republican part of our task force. Now, we have some questions to settle. First up, what’s the composition of your group, Captain Jaquel?" Commodore Edson asked.

"I have three Ions, two assaults, a Missile Destroyer, my carrier, two collectors, and two support frigates. My strike craft wing has five squadrons of fighters, with a squadron of interceptors, two squadrons of bombers, a squadron of defenders, and a squadron of defense fighters. I have two squadrons of minelayer corvettes, two squadrons of heavy corvettes, and a squadron of repair corvettes. I believe this force is complimentary to yours," Captain Jaquel replied.

"Alright, next issue-oops. I forgot to bring our strike wing leaders aboard. Bridge, this is the captain. Comm, tell our carriers to get their strike leaders aboard our ship...Yes, good. Okay, now since they aren't here, we'll move down the list. Here's for command distribution. I am in overall command. When we decide to split up, here's how the fleet divides. Captain Niesun, you get command of your carrier, the ion frigates Stellar Light and Cauldron, the Jouster, the Undertaker, and the Justice. Captain Jaquel, you get command of all Republican ships save the Ion Frigate Wolverine, and I get the rest of the vessels. But we will try to stay together as much as possible, as splitting up seriously degrades our firepower. The only time that we will split our group is when we absolutely need to, such as when we are setting up ambushes. "

Just as he finished the three strike wing leaders were admitted into the room. The first to enter was Commander James Jensen, strike wing leader of the Halo. Second was Flight Captain Tanya Purmin, off of the Guardian. The last to enter was the Republican officer, Flight Captain Wersor Xelt.

"Welcome. Please be seated. Now, we were just doing some last minute briefing. This part concerns you. Overall command of all strike craft falls under Commander James Jensen, due to his combat record and is the captain with the most experience among you. He sets the rules, but you individual leaders interpret them and decide how to carry them out. This holds true with everybody. Well, I guess that wraps things up. After we finish harvesting the area, we ship out."

HNS Avatar Mk II Liberator
Cal-Senbu System
07:02 New Daiamid AHL 4.10.21

Commodore Edson was awakened by a blast of incomprehensible noise from the speaker in his room. Then he was awake enough to make out the words being spoken.

"Sir, we have Beast hyperspace signatures on our port side at a distance of about one hundred klicks! They have already launched cruise missiles that are coming in on multiple attack vectors! I read one carrier, six IAFs, and two subverted Skaal-Tels along with an assortment of strike craft, but mostly missiles."

This woke Commodore Edson up completely. He was suddenly fully alert with adrenaline pumping through him. Here we go again, he thought. He barked out a response immediately, "Launch all fighters! Have them go out and seek and destroy the missiles, except the Defenders and Sentinels. Keep them fifty klicks away from us facing the incoming missiles to kill off any remaining missiles. Have our corvettes form another defense line at twenty klicks. Send our bombers out to kill the source of those missiles. Have all ships go to red alert. Sound general quarters. Have all ships prepared for the Naar Directive. I'll be up on the bridge in a minute."

"Understood, sir," came the reply. Commodore Edson could here the grimness and regret in the voice, just as he expected. If executed, the Naar Directive meant killing his own crew. A subverted crew, but part of his crew nonetheless. But he hoped, just as all commanders in his situation before him, it would not have to come to that.

A Super Acolyte
Cal-Senbu System
07:06 New Daiamid AHL 4.10.21

Commander Jensen stared out of his cockpit towards the not yet visible Beast Cruise Missiles racing towards Lightning Fleet. His fighters had formed up, racing towards the missiles at full speed, and he was impressed. All three carries had launched all of their fighters and corvettes in less than two minutes.

"Alright, you all heard the Commodore. Attack groups, break by squadrons. Maintain squadron formations. Be prepared for individual action. All squadrons, arm self detonation systems. We don't want to get subverted. Triikor Interceptors, escort the bombers. The rest of us, lets go kill some missiles. Squadron commanders, you are free to proceed," said Commander Jensen.

He heard acknowledgements and saw the Crusaders of Protector Squadron race out ahead of the group, demonstrating their superior speed. The Interceptors of Cobra Squadron slowed slightly, letting the attack bombers of Slasher, Gauntlet, and Tempest squadrons to catch up. The rest of the fighters, Interceptors of Champion and Lancer Squadrons and Super Acolytes of Wraith Squadron continued on. Wraith Squadron ordinarily flew modified interceptors, but for Lightning Fleet’s mission they had been equipped with Super Acolytes. The Defenders of Warrior squadron wouldn't be seeing much action today, Commander Jensen thought. Unless we foul up, that is.

A minute later, his Super Acolytes caught up to the action. Friendly fighters raced across the battlefield, unleashing their energy cannons, which were devastating the Cruise Missile formations. A few Beast fighters were prowling the battlefield as well, but missiles and energy cannons fired by Interceptors quickly destroyed them. But the carrier kept on producing new missiles, and the battle was creeping ever closer to the fifty-kilometer line. Commander Jensen decided that his Super Acolytes were going to change that.

"Wraiths, forget the missiles. At this rate they'll reach the fleet and the carrier still won't be done making them. Assume attack formation beta. We're going for that carrier. Target the drives, without power they can't do a damned thing."

This put his Super Acolytes into a very loose inverted claw formation. This allowed them to have the massed fire advantage of the wall regular claw while letting the leader be up front instead of in the rear. But more importantly, it gave the fighters room to dodge the carrier’s infection beam. The Wraiths closed with the Beast carrier, and at maximum range, opened fire at the same time. Their twelve ion beams cut into the carrier's drives. The blue beams burned through the armor. Vaporized metal and subverted Beast material, commonly called Beast crap by Hiigaran naval personnel, drifted into space. Their second volley further damaged the drives, but still did not penetrate into the reactor core.

Then the Attack Bombers arrived. Immediately sensing what the Wraiths were doing, the squadron leaders ordered their bombers into finger four formation and to concentrate fire on the carrier’s drives. Thirty-six plasma bombs slammed into the Beast carrier’s rear, punching a hole through the armor and breaching the main reactor. Gasses and pieces of the reactor began to vent from the hole created by the Attack Bombers, then the rear of the carrier began to glow.

“All fighters, get clear! The core on that fucker’s going to blow!” Commander Jensen screamed.

The Beast carrier had put emergency allocation of power on damage control as soon as the plasma bombs had hit. It did not make a difference. The core on the Beast carrier detonated, releasing a fireball that consumed the ship. Pieces from the ship hurled outwards in all directions. Several Kaark Attack Bombers had lingered behind to pour additional fire into the carrier. They were hit by the shrapnel, and then consumed by the fireball. One of the pilots had been broadcasting; his scream echoed in all of the other pilots’ comm units.

The Interceptors and Crusaders were destroying the remaining Cruise Missiles, while the Super Acolytes and Attack Bombers swarmed over the destroyers. The Attack Bombers’ plasma bombs smashed through the hull and into the insides, the Beast destroyers’ nervous center and ship systems. The ion cannons from the Super Acolytes raked across the hulls, burning deep gashes into the armor. Then, Commander Jensen received a message from Commodore Edson.

“Kill one of those destroyers, but leave the other one alive for awhile. One of our Porters is going to attempt to recover information from it. Just make sure the Porter makes it back home alive. Also, transmit visual data of one of the destroyer’s identification numbers.”

“Yes sir. Transmitting now,” Commander Jensen did not understand why, but did as he was told. He selected the record option on his HUD and flew as slow of a pass as he could over the port side of the destroyer. The energy cannon turrets rotated, and fired off fragmentation rounds at him that narrowly missed, detonating less than thirty meters away from him. As soon as he was clear he pushed his throttle to the firewall and transmitted the information.

HNS Liberator
Cal-Senbu System
07:26 AHL 4.10.21

“Now Captain Jaquel is there any reason why you wanted this visual data?” Commodore Edson asked.

“Yes, sir. Would you transmit the images to my bridge? I will tell you once I receive them,” Captain Jaquel replied.

“Very well.” Commodore Edson hit the transmit button on the bottom of his miniaturized screen, selected Captain Jaquel’s bridge, and waited.

“I have the file. I’m viewing it, damn! Its what I was afraid of. This destroyer is from Admiral Selquet’s task force, and it’s a good bet that the other one is too. This is very bad. If these ships were subverted, then it’s a good bet that the rest of the task force and the convoy were too.”

“We had already decided that the convoy had been subverted, but the Admiral’s task force? It would have taken a huge Beast fleet to have pulled that off.”

“Which is exactly why this is so bad. Also, I understand that the Admiral was a friend of yours.”

“Yes, he was-is. Goddamn it!” Commodore Edson turned his attention to his strike craft coordinator. “Is the Porter there yet?”

“Yes sir,” the strike craft coordinator replied. “It’s trying to make its way through the firefight unnoticed. Wait, sir, it’s locked on, and its not infected. They’re attempting to download what’s left of the main computer. They say they’ve got something, but it will take a while. Completion of download in forty-six seconds and counting.”

“Well, tell them to get the hell out of there when they finish. Once they do, have our fighters blow that destroyer out of space.”

“Will do sir!”

A minute later the Salvage Corvette was on its way back to the Halo, and the Beast destroyer was nothing more than ionized gasses and free-floating particles in space.

Two hours later, Commodore Edson, Captain Saborn, Captain Niesun, and Captain Jaquel were in the officer’s conference room onboard the Liberator. All were relieved after the short but furious battle, and all were grim, reviewing the last communication recordings from the Beast Destroyer, formerly the RNS Reprisal.

“What do you mean, there are hyperspace entries? We’re supposed to be the only ships in this entire region!”

“Sir, I have multiple contacts, wait, they’re Beast! Those bastards are here!”

“How the hell? Captain, we have multiple Beast contacts!”

“I know, the Dragon just contacted us, we’re under attack! Corona reports that their fighters have been launched and are engaging multiple Beast missiles.”

“The Beast have subverted the Quasar! Wait; there are more hyperspace entries behind us! Beast IAFs have jumped in! A Heavy Cruiser supports them. I read six frigates and one cruiser. They’re firing on the Bastion! FUCK! They hit her with an infection beam!”

“This is the Dragon. Emergency hyperspace! Set course for the Marraga System! Recall all fighters. I give you one minute before we have to run! What the, shit! They hit us with a missile! Commencing Naar Directive.”

“This is the Corona. Sensors report we’ve lost all of our ICFs and the Implacable. We can’t hold out much longer. Damn, they’re targeting our fighters as they enter the launch bay! Oh no, incoming missile!”

“Judicator here, we’re locked onto it. Targeting guns, fire! We’ve got it.”

“Thanks.”

“This is the Reprisal. Incoming Beast fighters, heading two-one-zero! We read multiple Interceptors. Cascade, prep for missile volley!”

“Roger that. Missile tubes prepped. They’re in range. Firing!”

“Titan reporting. Looks like you managed to take out most of them. Now it’s our turn. All guns, fire! Direct hits!”

“This is the Corona, all of our surviving fighters are docked. Ready to hyperspace!”

“What? Damn! This is the Reprisal. There are three missiles coming our way! They’re coming in too fast. Our cannons can’t track them. And another two are going for the Titan!”

“Prepare for Naar Directive!”

“One of them is coming right at the bridge! No! Aaaauuuuggghhh-”

The computer’s voice kicked in, saying, “End of recording.”

Commodore Edson spoke up, “Now, you’ve all heard it. What do we do about it?”

Captain Jaquel said, “Sir, why don’t we go to the Marraga System? It was their hyperspace destination. The recording ended before the hyperspace jump. It is possible that the Dragon and some other ships survived the encounter.”

“True, but it is also possible that the Beast followed them there,” Captain Niesun replied.

“But we know that they’re in distress! We can’t just leave them there to die. What’s worse, they’ll be turned against us!”

“It would be an ambush than a rescue if we go in now. We’ll be destroyed or infected just like them.”

“If there’s a chance that they’re alive, then we have to go in and get them!”

“That’s enough! Both of you cool it!” Commodore Edson said. “Now, I’ve heard both sides, and I’ve made my decision. Both of you have valid points, but I’m inclined to agree with Captain Jaquel. Besides rescuing allied forces, we would be continuing with our mission. Of course, we will take precautions. We will exit hyperspace a day in normal space away from the system. We will launch our fighters once we are thirty minutes away from their intended coordinates. Agreed?”

“Yes sir,” came the reply from Captain Niesun and Captain Jaquel.

“Now, get back to your ships and notify your men. We ship out in 40 minutes.”

>> Chapter 3>>