Space Empires Volume 1: Space Empire

[Sabin]

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SPACE EMPIRES VOLUME I: Space Empire
Chapter IX: Hammerite
Stardate: 2451.02


Mirai sighed with depression. To think that the crew of a such an important structure rebelling...unthinkable. She already attempted to negotiate with the crew of the starbase, but they would not step down. She knew that drastic action would have to be taken, since the project was very important and expensive. It already took the Space Empire 5 years in trying to set up the operation, and they were only 3/4ths done. She, the staff, and Grand Master Sabin have decided their action, and their final hand was to be played soon. From her position on the platform, she watched as the Blackbeard, a ship designed for capturing the errant starbase was ready. She would only have to give the order for them to start. She still had many questions as to why this happened, and told her troops to capture as many enemy combatants during the take-over. Fingering the hem of her uniform's skirt nervously, she decided to give the order. Picking up a ultraphone, she spoke into it. "Men and women of the Blackbeard, commence the operation within half an hour, dismissed...and good luck." The crew and soldiers of the Blackbeard began to discuss to themselves as they entered the Blackbeard. They, too, were wondering why this happened and how come they had to sign the forms that told them to keep silent about the operation. Within ten minutes, the Blackbeard left it's berth, and began it's flight towards the starbase, code-named Hammerite. Soon, the ship entered the orbit of the sun, and the crew was astounded by what they saw. Before them orbited more than a dozen 2500kt starbases, with more in production. They talked among themselves in awe about what they were seeing, and the motives of Space Empire.

However, their time for such activity was quickly running out. The Blackbeard was nearing the Hammerite. The crew then observed a trio of Saber-Xs nearing them. The intercom for the entire ship crackled to life. "This is Saber-X 003. We will disable the shields of the target. From there, the Blackbeard shall conduct boarding operations. We begin the attack now." The lead Saber-X opened fire upon the Hammerite. Many powerful phasers lanced out towards the Hammerite, tearing into the thick and powerful shields of the starbase, which soon began to shrink before the barrage. The Blackbeard began flying quickly towards the starbase, conducting evasive manuevers to avoid the torpedo and phaser fire that flew past them into the starbase. The Blackbeard began accelerating, the phasers and torpedos becoming images of powerful light to the crew, with the starbase flickering as it's shields failed, creating bright lights when they finally fell. The Blackbeard continued it's charge, and rammed into the starbase. The Blackbeard's hull held, despite the damage caused to it and the Hammerite. The hatches of the Blackbeard opened, and troops wearing combat armor designed for use in space exited the vessel in droves, quickly entering the Hammerite, even while some of their comrades met bloody deaths that were caused the debris that floated freely in space. The troops quickly met resistence, the enemy crew attacking the soldiers viciously, their defensive phaser emplacements and personal armed with phaser pistols, and even armor for some, their counter-attack ravaging the troops. However, the equipment of the Space Empire troops was meant for war conditions, and soon many corridors that were formerly filled with weapon emplacements and guards were turned into destructive bloodbaths. The enemy soon lost morale, and began to flee, only to be cut down by enemy fire.

(The Third Deck, Damage Control Center.)
Cody Dimmer was terrified. He heard the many screams of his comrades in the distance, and they were coming closer. Many times over the communication channels he heard demands for surrender, that were either refused or accepted. He knew that continued resistence was futile, unless he did something to prevent the capture of the starbase. But how? He asked his group if anything can be done, and Alex Baka had an idea. Alex thought that by altering the repair systems, the capture could be prevented by having the starbase deconstruct itself. However, to do so, he must have time to do it. Soon, the majority of the group guarded a small, tight corridor. Cody occupied a defensive cannon emplacement, ready to open fire upon any enemy that entered through the door at the end of the hall. He felt nervous, his blood was racing, the heart beating swiftly like as if it was his final hours-which was correct. He heard the door open, and opened fire, in conjunction of his comrades. Many phasers sliced through the persons who attempted to enter the corridor. Finally, they stopped firing, only discover that they slaughtered their own men. He grieved, knowing that by taking hasty action, he had killed his friends and allies...then the bloody and damaged door opened again. He and his comrades this time tried to let the persons entering to identify themselves, only to find their hesitation being turned against them. A barrage of phasers traversed the corridor and flayed all who got hit. His comrades fell quickly, their return fire ineffective against the beam shields and thick armor of the attacking troops. A beam penetrated his station, knocking him and through the door that lead into Damage Control. His station came to a stop, even while he was bleeding. He heard the sounds of phasers and screams begin anew, and knew that his faction's attempt to defect failed. His view quickly became red, and then faded into black...

(The Space Palace)
Mirai was relieved. The operation succeeded in recapturing the starbase, with minimal losses. The Blackbeard was repairable, her reputation saved. She also knew that Grand Master Sabin felt she deserved a minor reward, and gave her a pay raise. She was, over all, delighted. She was invited to a party to celebrate her great success at managing the operation, and was wearing the full trimmings available for her uniform, ready to make a speech. She glanced at the mirror, and saw a herself, confident and ready. "Nothing can go wrong" she thought to herself. Smiling at herself, she stepped towards the door, which slid open. She left the room, content.