The Demise

[Strategia_In_Ultima]

-----CHAPTER FIVE: TREYGHAL-----

Tamarillho suddenly remembered something. Didn’t Cho say he’d send a Heavy Combat Scout and a squadron of Interceptors to the Vulture’s assistance?

“Incoming transmission, Commander.”
“Who from?”
“Small warship, distance three k-clicks.”
“Put ‘em on screen.”

The screen flickered for a moment, as the pinkish-red stellar storm with its occasional energy discharge vanished and made way for the face of a commanding officer. A Captain, Tamarillho knew. The three-star silver eagle pin was a dead giveaway.

“This is Captain Treyghal of the NKCNS Fortitude. You seem to be having trouble with a combat lander, no?”
“How ever did you guess, Captain?”
“The energy signatures on the remains of C-Devonshire, and the fact that that ship is the only thing in the system with pulse-cannon turrets.”
“Don’t come closer, you might attract their attention.”
“We’ve been ordered to protect you. It looks like you need it.”
“Is something wrong with your long-distance sensors or something?”
“Why?”
We’re trying to lure the damn thing into the Cartsial. We’re safe – for now at least – inside a clear corridor. If that thing enters it’ll be destroyed.”
“You do know it might not work?”
“Captain, that ship is large enough for it to trigger three pockets when it enters. Trust me, it’ll work. No need to put yourself at risk. Durryn, evasives NOW!”
A new pocket condensed in front of them, she saw on her small viewscreen. She could already see the small energy discharges ever-present in the cloud growing in strength and frequency.

The ship made a sudden turn hard right and accelerated to one-quarter third-max speed she guessed. Another pocket condensed in front of them. She opened her mouth to shout an order at Durryn, but he already reacted and banked sharply left. He led them into a relatively stable, wide corridor.

“Captain,” Tamarillho resumed, “you have been assigned to protect us. As such, under every merchant and military law you must listen to me. Back – off – now.”
“Sorry Commander, no can do. Closing on enemy. Gonna switch off visual, audio link will remain open.”
Captain Treyghal’s face flickered out of existence and turned into a random pinkish-red cloud.
“Ma’am, he’s still closing on that Kent.” her TO informed her. “Distance seventeen thousand clicks and closing.”
“Regarding what?”
“Us. Distance to Kent – fourteen k-clicks.”
“Treyghal, back off NOW!”
“Commander, we mustn’t lose you. I can’t tell you why, but it’s crucial you and your ship survive.”
“Don’t bother with the secrecy Captain, I’ve figured it out on my own.”
Her entire bridge crew looked at Tamarillho with an all-round look of astonishment. They probably didn’t even knew there was something odd about all this.
“Then you must also know it’s critical your ship survives.”
“Well, I’m touched with your concern for my personal safety.”
“Distance Kent-us three hundred clicks. They’re at the edge of the storm. Distance Fortitude-us nine thousand k-clicks and closing. He’s increasing speed.”
“Captain, if you don’t back off now I’ll have you court-martialed for insubordination on escort duty.”
He didn’t reply.

“Commander, he’s closed the channel.”
“Dammit.”
“This doesn’t look too good.”

Tamarillho transferred the TO’s viewscreen output to her own screen. He was right. It didn’t look good. The Kent was holding position outside the storm, however it now targeted its weapons at the Fortitude. It was already arming one of the long-rangers.

“Reopen the channel with the Fortitude.”
“Aye ma’am.”
“Fortitude, this is the Vul- I mean, the Star Asteroid. Retreat immediately. You are entering a direct-fire zone. That ship is targeting you with a long-ranger.”
If Treyghal received the transmission, he didn’t bother to reply.

“Distance Fortitude-Kent five-fifty clicks and closing. Treyghal’s slowing down.”

Tamarillho suddenly felt strange. She missed something. She didn’t know what, she just missed something that had been there before.

“He’s picking up speed! Distance one-seventy and closing!”
“Treyghal! Back off now!”
This time he replied.
“Commander, you are in great danger. I’ll create a diversion, you run like hell.”
“Are you LISTENING to me?!? BACK OFF!”
“Tamarillho, stop talking and start running. You’re in great danger.”
“He closed the channel. Distance Fortitude-Kent..... one-fifty clicks.”
Tamarillho saw a red crosshairs appear onscreen, moving a little, accelerating. A ---WARNING--- sign blinked red above the viewscreen.
“Long-ranger away. Distance Fortitude-missile one-ten clicks and closing fast. He’s opened a channel.”
“Tamarillho, this might be your last chance. Run – now.”

Then, Tamarillho realized what it was she missed.

“Durryn, sixty right, get us out of here, max possible speed.”
“Ma’am?”
“Just do it already!”
“Aye aye.”
“Distance Fortitude-missile forty clicks and closing.”

A small flash lit up a corner of the viewscreen before it disappeared outside its field of vision.

Tamarillho knew what was missing, and why Treyghal had picked up speed and sacrificed himself and his crew.

The energy discharges had stopped.

-----END OF CHAPTER FIVE-----