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Bering...Forever - Val - 10-14-2018
![[Image: BV9qtr1.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/BV9qtr1.gif)
Bering...Forever
Marshall Station, in the middle of October 825 A.S
That day was a normal day for Yann and his crew. The war against the Unioners continued very violently. The Commander was ordered this time to execute a patrol of the Texas system near the dark matter nebulae, passing through Hudson via Bering. According to some informators, strange ships have been detected there. Yann has gathered his crew, about 70 people in order to make a short briefing of the mission.
Yann: Okay guys. Do not waste too much time. We are going this time to do a recon mission in the West of the Texas system. Look at the map behind me.
He pressed a command that turned on the projector. A sharp image formed on the screen behind Yann and where we could see a detailed map of Texas.
Yann: Here is our route. We will first pass through Hudson to avoid the possible Navy forces which are waiting for us behind the gates and breaches. Since the destruction of the O'Neil, the entire Navy is on maximum alert in the area. Nevertheless, Hudson will lead us directly to the South Dallas debris field, which I hope, will help us to avoid problems.
He made a brief interruption.
Yann: Then we will move to Sector 5D, then directly to Granda Negra. Finally we will leave the nebula to go to sector 5B. Then if everything is clear we will return to Marshall.
Hardly had time to finish that one of his crew men raised his hand to speak.
Crew: Captain, what exactly is the purpose of this mission? There is virtually nothing in this part of Texas.
The Commander, who realized he had forgotten to mention the purpose of the mission, turned off the screen and answered.
Yann: Good question. Our scouts reported that they have detected several unknown vessels in the area that have suddenly disappeared from the scanner. And as the SNS-Bering has a disruptor cloak, the Admiral entrusted us with this mission. In order to travel safely we will be escorted by an escort of five fighters from the Delta Wing and as well the SNS-Princeton, a repair ship.
The meeting ended. Yann ordered his enthusiastic crew to reach the SNS-Bering docked at the drydocks. The Commander crossed the long corridors of the base, some of which had been damaged by the NEMP strike a few weeks earlier. Just before joining his ship, Yann paused a moment in front of his cabin and entered. Many books of mechanics and stories adorned the few shelves. He then looked at the logs that he kept as soon as he had free time. Many thoughts crossed his head. The fight against the Nomads had been obsessing him since O'Neil had been destroyed. Anyway he doesn’t care anymore about Liberty. Maybe the real fight was somewhere else? That were questions he couldn’t really answer. However, Yann went several times in the Omicrons and has seen how great the threat of the Nomads was. He left the room and headed for his ship. Once in the airlock separating the base and the cruiser, he asked his second if everything was ready. Whenever he spoke to anyone, Yann had a cold voice, his face without feelings or expressions and a mysterious, almost indescribable look. It was as if he was determined, and it was impossible to see through his eyes. Nevertheless his crew knew he was a great man, and they loved and admired him. The captain also had a rather singular relationship with the crew. He was really worthy of being a great Captain.
Second: Everything is ready Captain. The fighters and the repair ship are waiting for us near the Freeport. The crew is also inside the Bering.
Yann: Excellent. So, it's time to go.
The two men boarded and headed for the ship's command post. The automatic gate of the bridge opened. Yann climbed the few steps that separated the entrance from his seat and checkpoint. In front and a little lower than the platform were three crew members, the second in command. The latter sent the rest of the crew the following message:
Second: To all the crew, to your posts! We are about to leave! I hope everyone know what his mission is! Good luck!
RE: Bering...Forever - Val - 10-15-2018
We could hear voice messages from the engine room teams and various compartments of the ship. The ship was ready to leave. After a series of maneuvers, the cruiser was finally separated of Marshall.
Yann: Activate cruise engines. Propulsion at 150, tachyon propeller at 2000. Direction Freeport 2. Maintain the shields at 50%, and deactivate the main armament.
The characteristic noise of the engines resounded within the ship, largely stopped by the sound insulation systems. The cruiser accelerated and headed for the rendezvous point at a moderate speed. A few minutes later, they arrived at the Bristol complex.
Second: Escort flotilla spotted and waiting, Captain. I engage the communication.
Yann: Reduce propulsion at a slow pace. Delta Squadron, do you receive me?
Delta.1: Five on five Commander Blackwings. We've been expecting you. Nice to see you again.
SNS-Princeton: Here the Princeton repairs ship. We will provide you with coverage and repairs if needed.
Yann: Excellent. We can in this case begin. Take an escort position and prepare to go through the trade lane
Delta.1: Received. In escort position.
Delta Squadron began to enter in escort formation around SNS-Bering. The repair ship was following in the back at a fairly close distance. The fleet departed and took the trade lanes. Once at the Jump Gate, the ships took the direction of the Jump Hole leading to Hudson.
Yann: To all the ships. We are now entering an area controlled by the Union. Keep the radio quiet until we are in Hudson. If hostile ships arrive on us, hold the formation.
The trip to Hudson, however, went smoothly. They crossed the Jump Hole. Once inside the system, they resumed their journey. In order to be as discreet as possible, they traveled through the many asteroid fields of the system. Once again they arrived at Texas Jump Hole without major incidents.
Yann: Blackwings to everyone. We are about to jump into the Texas system. The Navy may be waiting for us there. If so, engage the fight if we have to deal with forces lower in number. In any case, listen to my orders. The easiest has been done so far. Make Admiral Linford proud of this mission.
The fleet jumped ready to fight, and reached the South Dallas field. The Navy patrols very rarely, and only a few people within their ranks know about this Jump Hole. Contrary to their expectations, no Navy fighters appeared on the scanners. Considering themselves lucky, they continued their mission.
Second: No hostile ship detected Captain. We are alone. Radiations present but harmless. What are your orders?
Yann: Blackwings to the fleet. From now on we are in danger. Our destination is now Granda Negra and then we will come out of the cloud in the area. Remember. This cloud is very radioactive and scanners or contact radios do not work. Whatever happens, stay in training. The unknown ships we are chasing may be in the area so stay alert.
Very carefully, the ships moved towards Grande Negra. This cloud is extremely dangerous and nobody ventures there because of the great danger. Although aware of the dangerousness of the situation, Yann was serene even if he remained cautious. He trusted his highly experienced men, but was nevertheless lucid about the many threats in space. After a few minutes, the fleet left Dallas Field and entered within the dark cloud.
Second: We come in. To all ships, hold the formation.
Yann: I'm going from now to take the controls of the ship.
The interior of the cloud was very dark. Numerous flashes were blurring magnetic devices, and many radioactive particles were constantly disintegrating and damaging the hulls of the ships.
Yann: All right ... Nothing so far. Let all the ships take the exit of the cloud, to the North.
No one of the ships answered. Blackwings interpreted this as the disruption caused by the very big storm of dark matter. Nevertheless after several minutes of crossing, the cruiser finally left the cloud ... alone.
Yann: Hm, where are the others? They didn’t follow us? I don’t see any ships.
Second: Damn it? Where are they? Maybe the storm has diverted them?
Yann: Anyway, they will end up going out. Once they will be, they will contact us. Meanwhile, let's get away from the cloud. Magnetic indicators are still disturbed.
The Bering moved away from the disturbance. However, to general surprise, magnetic intensities became more important.
Second: Captain ... the magnetic intensity is really high.
Yann: Do we know a magnetic zone in this sector?
Second: Negative. Oh ... wait ... I detect signals similar to those of a cloaking device...
Yann: What?!
Blackwings activated the cloak disruptor of the Bering. The EMP field thus revealed what it would become a hell: the Nomads.
RE: Bering...Forever - Val - 10-16-2018
The SNS-Bering was now alone, facing an entire Nomads fleet. The crew members became frantic. Yann tried to bring order.
Yann: Calm down! Do not lose your temper! Everyone at his post! We will fight while waiting for reinforcements. I take the commands.
Second: Captain! I can see ten vessels circling us. Two are larger than the others.
Yann: Ghh. I’m afraid without reinforcements we have no chance. I will try to hide us in the cloud behind us. If we are lucky, they will not follow us.
The cruiser falls back towards Grande Negra. Almost all the power of the generator was transferred to the shields. Without losing a second, the Nomads launched the attack. The cruiser was a good distance from the Nomads gunboats; therefore he could avoid the shots of them. However the smaller ships were bombers and their armament began to dangerously weaken the shields.
Second: Captain, the shields are only at 20%! And the cloud is still far away!
Yann: I know. They were waiting for us, these monsters. And our escorts do not answer...
Second: The shields are gone! I reactivate it with the rest of our batteries!
What could have been a saving of time turned out finally to be a waste. The gunboats fired two salvos, one of which touched the shield, bringing it down to 45% of its capacity. The bombers then destroyed the shield. The Nomads vessels concentrated their fire. Major damage reduced the ship's chances of reaching the cloud in time.
Yann: We must hold! Open fire against Nomads ships. The gunboats first. As our shield is dead, we don’t really have the choice.
Precise fire from the Bering allowed the destruction ofthe two nomads gunboats. This was still insufficient. And the ship continued to suffer more and more damage.
Second: We lost our two turrets back. The muzzle of the front barrel has multiple breaches. A fire has already occurred in Section 9 near the generator. 70% power supply. We are starting to lose speed.
Yann: Condemn the sections where the damage is most important. Transfer an additional energy of 20% to the auxiliary engines. The cloud is only at 6.0K. We can do it.
If only that had been possible. The Nomads had understood the Bering plan, attacked the engines. An explosion destroyed them but luckily the structure of the ship was not impacted.
Second: The engines are destroyed! We cannot move forward! We are trapped!
The Captain reflected for a moment. All the deck officers looked at him with fright. Then after a few seconds, Blackwings activated the interface to communicate with the crew members.
Yann: Here your captain. The Nomads hold us. And I'm afraid the reinforcements will not arrive in time. I order you to abandon the ship immediately. Join the two rescue modules provided for this purpose. This may be my last order. Be Harmony with you my friends. Good luck.
The entire crew was stunned. However, they obeyed and joined the capsules ... On deck the stupefaction was at its height.
Yann: I want you to leave too. Leave me alone. I'll leave when you're all in the capsules.
Second: But...
Delta-1: SNS-Bering! We are incoming! All units engage the Nomads!
SNS-Princeton: This is the Princeton! Captain, we can’t provide you repairs until the Nomads are not destroyed yet!
Yann: Finally…I wondered when you would arrive. It is too late for the ship. We are about to evacuate. Stay at distance. You must be ready to protect the capsules.
SNS-Princeton: Received! We are waiting your further commands.
Second: Captain, I…
The captain looked at his second with an air wich suggested to obey imediately. We couldn’t see the slightest sign of weakness on his face. He watched, facing his destiny. The deck crew left then.
Second: Captain ... Good luck.
Yann remained alone on the deck. The multiple explosions began to crush the cruiser. The Captain then activated the remain turrets in an automatic mod.
The Delta wing was destroying several Nomads. The Bering looked nothing more than a steaming wreck. Yann waited for the signal. And he finally received it.
Second: * Crrr * We are * crrrrr * ready * crrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr * join us!
Yann stood up. He took with a strange gadget looking like a remote control. He looked at the bridge one last time. Then he went to join the rescue modules ... in a ship starting to explode.
RE: Bering...Forever - Val - 10-17-2018
Yann took the bridge lift. There were several power cuts and the elevator stopped several times. This didn’t prevent Blackwings from reaching Deck 1 and crossing the many corridors in flames to rejoin the lifejackets. An explosion almost hurt him, but it didn’t stop him. Suddenly a nomadic torpedo touched the compartment he had just crossed. A breach opened and carried a lot of debris into space. Yann was sucked but managed to hang on to a beam that was still in extremis. He took out a cable gun and shot towards the opposite wall. The magnetic clip pierced the wall and clung to it. The captain lifted the cable and closed the section. He lacked air and took a short break.
The capsules were only a few tens of meters in front of him. However the shortest way was blocked by a collapse of the upper floor. No choice but to take another path. Suddenly, Blackwings received a communication from his second.
Second: Captain! Hurry! The ship is about to explode!
Yann:I know thank you. I am close but the obstacles slow me down. Leave if the ship begins to explode. Do not wait for me.
Second: But, Captain, we're not going...
Yann: It's not questionable and you know it. We'll meet again soon.
He cut off the communication, knowing that it could be the last. He took the opportunity to contact with his transmitter, the Princeton.
Yann: Here Blackwings. The capsules will be ejected in less than a minute. You can recover both at once?
SNS-Princeton: Affirmative, we will recover them as soon as they are ejected.
Yann: Delta-1, protect the capsules at any costs. I arrive.
The captain finally reached the capsules. The rest of his crew, with many wounded waited for him.
Yann: Everyone is here? He asked anxiously.
Second: We have losses, Captain. But the rest seems to be there.
Yann: Very good. So let's go from here.
Both capsules closed and ejected from the ship. Through a window, the SNS-Bering exploded. Many crew members were shot down. Yann watched the scene of the explosion. Without feeling, without facial expression. Princeton recovered the capsules and the Delta squadron destroyed the rest of the Nomad forces. The rest of the fleet returned safely to Marshall.
Once on the station the wounded were driven on a medical cruiser. The report was depressing. Nearly 20 SNS-Bering crew members out of nearly 70 died. All had been on this ship for years. The reality is always terrible. Admiral Linford arrived in the hangar and presented himself before Yann.
Yann: Things have changed, Admiral. This means that we have to change in order to change things. This is only the beginning Admiral.
And indeed, the things will change. Forever.