The Walkers, updated 9-28-03

[chewy027]

2401.2 – 2402 ~ Vengeance

As soon as the Host of Heaven battle group appeared on the other side of the wormhole, battle claxons began blaring. There in front of them were two Terran vessels of the same type they had encountered before, and another Terran vessel of a different variety, much bulkier and slower then the other two.
“Admiral Nefta, we have detected a three ship Terran battle group directly ahead of us Ma’am. Two of the same class of ship that destroyed Revelation One are among them. In fact, Ma’am, I believe one of the ships is the same exact ship that was encountered previously.”
“Very good, Lieutenant” came the cold reply, “all Angels raise shields and close to attack range. Target weapons emplacements and engines of the lead ship. You may fire at will”
The two battle Groups slowly wove their way towards each other vying for the best tactical position available to them. The weapons of each were similar as each used a variation of the same type of projectile technology, though the weapons on the Terran ships seemed to be a bit more powerful and more prevalent. However, the Vandron ships were shielded and could risk a more direct assault hoping to absorb the damage that may be dealt to them.
Angel Two closed within range first and avoided the fire sent its way from the enemy ship. In return it raked the aft portion of the lead ship sending fiery molten steel out into space, and destroying one of the ships main engines. At the same time, Angel One opened fire and raked the top of the ship destroying the weapons emplacement positioned there. As Angel Three closed within range, the second Terran frigate fell in behind her and unleashed a flurry into her aft shields. The shields held and Angel Three was able to pound her target with her own fire, destroying the Last of her gun batteries. This in effect knocked the first Terran frigate out of the fight.
“Target one has been neutralized Admiral, it no longer poses an immediate threat to any of our ships,” said the Lieutenant with a bit of tension leaving his voice.
“Excellent…bring us around to face the second frigate” came the reply from the Admiral. “All ships focus fire on the second frigate. And Lieutenant, what is the status of the third Terran vessel? Where has it gone?”
“The third vessel has vectored away from the battle Ma’am. They appear to be running away.”
“We’ll have to see about that won’t we,” came the icy reply. “Captain Orton, break off your attack from the frigate and proceed after the fleeing enemy vessel.”
“Yes, Ma’am” the answer came over the com. “We have just taken out the engines of the second frigate, we are now mov…” fire from the second Terran frigate fizzled against the Angel’s shields and made the transmission skip, “…ing to intercept.”
“Very good Captain Orton” she knew that the fight was not yet over, and thus didn’t allow herself to relax for an instant. “Helm, bring us around for another pass near the frigate’s aft, and avoid those guns as best you can,” she commanded with an extra emphasis on the word ‘avoid.’ “Angel Three make a pass to the ships starboard side and take out that gun emplacement.”
The ships moved in beautiful synchronization around the crippled vessel all the while dodging fire or absorbing it within their shields. Angel Three missed the gun battery but succeeded in bLasting away what appeared to be the crew quarters. While Admiral Nefta’s Angel One swung behind the enemy frigate and blew away the final engine. At the same time, Captain Orton caught up with the third vessel and began raking it with DUC fire. A gaping whole was blown in the side of the ship on the second round of shots, and what must have been Terran passengers began flying from the gash.
“Show them no mercy,” ordered the Admiral as Angel One scored two more direct hits on the second frigate that sent it spinning wildly out of control.
“Now you know how Revelation One felt,” Nefta said in a cool menacing voice as she watched the Terran vessel begin to consume itself with a blistering explosion that ripped the ship apart like a tin can. “Now you know how my sister felt…” her voice trailed off into silent thought. At the same time, Captain Orton watched as the same fiery end came to the vessel that had tried to flee.
“Angels, focus all fire on the final ship,” Nefta ordered not willing to concede victory until there wasn’t a single Terran left in the sector. The battered frigate had tried to escape on its one remaining engine, but it simply wasn’t fast enough. The Host of Heaven swooped in and rained death onto the final Terran vessel. The wormhole from which the Host initially exited would now be active for some time as the lifeless debris from the Terran vessels floated aimlessly into its maw.
“Well done Captains. You performed as expected and for that you have my appreciation.” With that Admiral Nefta silenced ship to ship communications and made ready for her report back to High Command.

High Command was summoned immediately after the ships exited the wormhole and thus was able to witness the majority of the battle as it unfolded. However, Admiral Nefta did not have her audio feed back to Serenity activated, and High Command was anxious to speak with her about the apparent victory.
“Excellent work, Admiral,” came the approval of Vice Lord Defcon. “Your actions today will be noted as the first of many victories for the Vandron.”
“Yes, indeed, Admiral,” said Chagnon stepping into the conversation. “Though I must admit I am curious as to why that Terran vessel was fleeing.”
“It was a transport vessel of some kind, perhaps even a colony ship,” the icy Admiral Nefta replied.
“You knew this when you ordered it to be attacked?” asked Chagnon.
“Yes.”
“Why then was it not spared?”
“I did not wish for it to alert the Terran’s to our presence in the system. We caught them by surprise when we exited the wormhole, and I do not think that they had time to alert their command. Even so, if it was a colony ship, as I suspect it was, there were two worlds that fit the description of the Terran home world in that system. I could not let them gain a foothold now, only to have to fight a harder battle later.”
“A wise decision, Admiral,” came the reply from Chagnon, “but the fact remains that innocent civilians were destroyed with that ship.”
“Like the innocent soldiers slaughtered aboard Revelation One!” she caught herself before any more of her emotion flooded out. “I apologize, Lord Chagnon, for that outburst.”
“We know that your sister, Lieutenant Sharnon, was the Captain of Revelation One, Admiral. And we understand how this must make you feel toward the Terrans,” replied Chagnon with an air of pity in his voice. “However, Admiral, you must not allow your emotions to get the best of you next time. While your reasoning may have been militarily sound, I suspect that your intentions were fueled by a deeper motivation.” The room was silent as Chagnon paused to collect himself. “Remember Nefta, our aim is peace and cooperation. We will do what we must to defend ourselves, but we must not allow ourselves to stoop as low as our enemies.”
“I understand my Lord,” Nefta replied in a steely voice.
“Admiral," said Defcon, "your orders are to return home to Serenity for a more in-depth debriefing, as well as to refuel your battle group” and after a pause went on “and to be awarded for your valor in the engagement. High Command out.”

Over the next few tenths there were no new encounters with any Terran vessels, the Rebels remained silent, while the anxious Aquilaeians sought to not only continue trading our resources, but to begin trading everything, in the form of a partnership; a proposal to which we gladly agreed. It seems that the bond between our two peoples is growing stronger by the tenth. At the same time, thanks to Vice Lord Junon’s tireless efforts, we developed more efficient ion engines and shield generators, and began looking at applying our religious understanding through the development of so-called religious technology. Our third and fourth Comet colony ships were built and escorted into the Parvenium system where they founded a military installation on Parvenium V which was renamed Parvenium Prime and a storage colony on Parvenium IV which was not renamed. Parvenium Prime would be the capital planet for the Parvenium System until the more agreeable, carbon dioxide rich, rock planets could be colonized, while Parvenium IV would begin stockpiling the resources received from the Aquilaeians. The vessels that had escorted them into the system became the Parvenium Protectorate and stationed themselves above Parvenium Prime in case any trouble should arise. This small battle group consisted of three Frigate Class Vigilance MK1s.
Meanwhile, Admiral Nefta returned to a hero’s welcome (the details of the battle had not been made public) and refueled her battle group. She was also awarded another ship for her bravery, Vigilance One MK2, the most advanced frigate class vessel in the fleet at the time, though she chose to continue to use Angel One as her flagship. She was given orders to move back into the Churba system and hold the approach into the wormhole from the known Terran system to which it was connected. It was believed that here she could not escalate the war by destroying more innocent lives. To these orders she complied, but prayed to the Almighty every day that he would induce a Terran battle group to pass her way so she could continue to exact her icy revenge.

[ September 07, 2003, 05:31: Message edited by: chewy027 ]