The LNS Valhalla hung motionless in space, almost indistinguishable from the debris that floated only meters from her dark grey hull plates. Suddenly the Tactical panel lit up alerting the Lieutenant that a situation was brewing out in the cold blackness beyond the transparasteel viewport. This was not good he thought.
TAC, new contactcorrection multiple contacts, bearing 129 mark 10, range 8K and closing. He called out as he scanned the screen in anticipation of the next question.
IDs? asked Captain Adamson. He called up the tactical screen on his own terminal but the Lieutenant beat him to the information.
I have three Dragon heavy fighters pursued by five Kusari fighters and a pause for confirmation, a Kusari gunboat. As he spoke the screen flashed red and one of the green blips winked out. Sir, make that two Dragons. The Lieutenant said. Captain Adamson turned in his chair.
COMM, he intoned, do they have us on scanner? The question was simple but the whole operation depended on the answer.
Negative sir, scanner returns are clear. piped in the Ensign at the COMM station. Captain Adamson inwardly sighed and turned back to the tactical screen watching the little dots swirl and dive in their dance of death.
Range now 6k. flashed the Lieutenant. Sir, Blue Flight requests permission to engage. Captain Adamson frowned. That was all he needed. It would be a simple matter to let his fighters assist the Dragon pilots. No doubt Blue Squadron could make short work of the enemy especially with surprise on their side. But all it would take was one mistake, one distress call and this whole operation could blow up and the consequences would be felt all over Sirius.
Tell Blue flight to stand by and maintain radio silence. he said. It was a shame he thought that he couldnt do more. But if he was going to succeed in allying the Dragons of Kusari with the Liberty Government and help turn the tide of battle before it began, he couldnt take chances. If Kusari found out his ship was here it would mean open war with them and maybe even Rhineland. He just hoped that the leaders of the Dragons understood that. TAC, where are they now? he asked.
Range now 3.5K, hold on his report was interrupted by the Ensign at COMM.
Sir, the Dragons are calling for help! Sir, theyre calling for us! he shouted franticly working the controls of this console. Theyre calling us by name!
Damn! Captain Adamson swore viciously. Do they have us? The Ensign whirled and looked his captain in the eye.
Active scanning on all channelsthey have us sir! he replied.
TAC, the Dragons have engaged cruise engines. he tilted his head. Theyre heading straight at us. He said. The Kusari are on their heels. the tactical officer called out.
Son of a but before he could finish the curse he was all business again. TAC, order blue flight to engage at point Alpha. Turning his head he looked at his screen. Bring all batteries on line and set shields to max. he said. Helm, engines to full, bring us out to 500m. the orders coming rapid fire now. Forward batteries concentrate fire on that Gunboat, Blue flight engage those fighters. Dont let them get away. COMM, jam all transmissions. I dont want anything to get out. He allowed himself a moments satisfaction as his crew executed his commands with expert precision.
The LNS Valhalla swung out of the debris field and moved quickly towards the flash of photon cannons. Blue Flight had caught the Kusari fighters off guard and had scattered them in all directions. They twisted and turned, trying to regroup but they were hopelessly out of position and were picked off by Blue Flight. The flashes and the explosions flared and died like small novas, taking life with them. The gunboat, however, had been tracking the Dragon fighters and had maneuvered out of Blue Flights charge path. It opened up with a deadly barrage and one of the fighters exploded like a small sun. However the captain of the Kusari gunboat had miscalculated his position and now had a Liberty Battleship directly ahead. The LNS Valhallas forward guns lanced out and rocked the gunboat sideways with its first volley and the second volley obliterated the Kusari vessel.
Back on the bridge, Captain Adamson watched in silent satisfaction as the Kusari ship disappeared in a plume of orange fire. Despite the victory he was not happy.
COMM, tell me nothing got out. He fumed.
The Ensign looked at his captain apologetically. Sir I have no idea. I dont think so. Theres no way to tell.
Thats not what I want to hear Ensign. His voice grated. Tactical, status report.
The Lieutenant cleared his throat. Sir we lost Blue 4. Security has tractored in the pods and Lt. Saras is ok. The Kusari are being processed and sent to the brig. All decks reported in. No damage to report sir. After a pause he added The dragons have retreated to the Sigma 13 jumphole.
Alright, thank you Lieutenant. Bring in Blue flight and see if you can get rid of some of that evidence. Keep an eye out for any more contacts. He returned. Turning to the helmsman he said. As soon as everyones home, set course for the Sigma 13 jumphole, best possible speed. This was a disaster. His calm demeanor belied the fact that he was fuming inside. The only way this could get worse was His musing was cut short by his Tactical Officer.
Sir, new contacts, bearing 80 mark 27, range 12k, closing fast. He said. Captain Adamson didnt even need to ask for IDs. It could only be the Kusari Navy coming to look for its lost squadron. He could not be found here. Must not be found here.
Helm, get us out of here. Turning to his COMM panel he flipped the switch. All hands brace for emergency jump!
Let me know what you think.
<span style="color:#CCCCCC">"BOLT FROM THE HEAVENS"
</span>
"Nobody ever won a war by dying for his country, you win wars by making the sorry SOB's die for theirs!"
The story so far has Kusari attacking shipment from Liberty and open war with Britonia. This is just RP saying that the Liberty Government sent the Valhalla to enlist the aid of the Blood Dragons to protect Liberty shipping and to help against the Kusari if open war were declared. And something went wrong. (I love it when things go wrong)
<span style="color:#CCCCCC">"BOLT FROM THE HEAVENS"
</span>
"Nobody ever won a war by dying for his country, you win wars by making the sorry SOB's die for theirs!"
Now what is it exactly that you are offering Commodore? intoned the man across the onyx table. And be quick about it, I dont have all day. The finely dressed man leaned back in his chair and stared straight at the Naval Officer. His golden uniform, made of the finest silks that were the pride of Kusari, was neatly pressed and decorated with numerous commendations. A distinct contrast to the man he sat across from, whose own blue wool uniform looked like it had been worn for quite some time. Despite the tension in the room and the Kusari mans intent gaze, Commodore Adamson did not reply right away. When he did, his voice was even and measured.
You know what we have to offer, Masaru-san. I must say Im surprised to see you so reluctant. That is not your reputation. A small smile flicked across the Commodores lips. The Dragon Officer stared at him for a second more and then a smile crept onto his face as well.
And Im surprised to see that you play these games so well, that is not your reputation. He smiled. Leaning forward he picked up the papers before him and motioned to one of his aids who promptly produced a pen. In a quick and graceful gesture he affixed his signature next to that of his counter-part and the deal was complete. He turned his gaze back to the Commodore and said Now when can we expect the first of the shipments?
The first transport has been dispatched already, Masaru-san. The Porter will arrive in Honshu two days from now. He replied. The money will hit your accounts tonight after I verify the numbers.
Excellent. said Masaru. I have no doubt that everything will go as promised. Masaru motioned to a man near the door who picked up a tray. He moved swiftly to the table and set it down. Quickly he offered Commodore Adamson and Masaru a pair of small ceramic cups in the shape of dragons egg with a greenish liquid inside.
Saki? said the Commodore raising an eyebrow.
No. laughed Masaru. Tea. I am still on duty. Raising his cup, Masaru said To new friends and old enemies. And drained his cup.
To new friends repeated Commodore Adamson who drank his own cup. The green liquid burned as it went down and almost made the man cough.
Now to other business. Said Masaru, his voice returning to serious tones. There is still the issue of the missing government recon squadron. Im afraid that the dosi know you are here. The Commodore shifted in his seat and let out a sigh.
I was afraid of that. Was all he said.
I would love to join you for dinner, Commodore but I am afraid that time is of the essence and we must go now. Every minute we sit here greatly increases our risk of being found. Masaru began packing all his files into a small briefcase while his aids began to expertly pack the remaining gear. And Im afraid this ship of yours is far too big. Why they sent you here to us in a Dreadnaught I will never understand. He finished stuffing papers into his satchel and turned toward the door. The Commodore gestured to one of the marines posted at the door.
I understand completely Captain Masaru, we have to get underway ourselves. Turning to the marine he said. Show the Captain and his men to their ship. The marine saluted smartly and moved for the door ahead of the Dragon Captain and his men.
Commodore, on behalf of the Blood Dragons, I thank you for your hospitality and your generosity. Masaru said as he reached the door. May the stars be kind to you.
And to you as well, Captain. Returned Adamson. I look forward to meeting again some day.
We will Commodore. Replied the dragon. We will. And with that they were gone.
On his way to the bridge, Commodore Adamson reflected on the deal he had just made. In exchange for protection of Liberty shipments in Kusari space and an alliance if the war with Bretonia spilled over into Liberty, he had promised a small fortune in credits and arms shipments. Furthermore the Blood Dragons had demanded sizable shipments of food and medical supplies as well. How they were going to keep the Kusari government from discovering these shipments were beyond him but Captain Masaru had assured him that he would handle everything. The credits were easy. Smuggling weapons and supplies in with consumer goods to Honshu was something else entirely. If the Kusari ever found out it could hasten the war that Adamson was sure was on the horizon. Pushing these dark thoughts aside he stepped onto the bridge of the LNS Valhalla just in time to see the sleek Dragon Cruiser pull away and enter cruise.
Situation Report he called. The answer was quick in coming.
Sir, the BDC Bushido had departed. Tactical holds no contacts. All decks report ready sir. Reported Cmdr. Snow, the Valhallas capable first officer.
Very good. Said the Commodore as he sat down in his chair. Helm, take us to the Omicron Delta jump hole, full ahead. He could feel the slight jolt that accompanied the ships acceleration.
Ahead full aye. Reported the helmsman. ETA is 13 min.
Several minutes passed by as the crew went about their duties. Commodore Adamson let his mind play over again the meeting with Masaru. If this mission was successful, he mused, then maybe we have given Liberty the edge they need in preventing a war with Kusari. At least the advantage if it came to open battle. His thoughts were interrupted by Cmdr. Snow who was looking over the Comm station and conferring with the Ensign at the controls.
Mr. Snow, what is it? he asked.
Turning the Commander said Sir, I dont know but the Comm is acting strangely. The sensor returns look distorted. Im having a diag run but the equipment looks fine. He looked down to verify some readout.
Tactical, the Commodore called out. Whats your status? He called up the Comm display on his own terminal.
Nothing unusual sir, though I am getting a lot of interference. Possibly an anomaly. The Lieutenant replied.
Helm, ETA to jumphole? asked Adamson.
Two minutes. Came the reply. Something wasnt right. Adamson could feel it. Looking at the Comm display he saw it a second too late.
TAC, mines to port! Shouted the Lt. as klaxons peeled out their warning. Too late.
Helm, hard to starboard, full reverse yelled Adamson but his command was cut off by the sudden, bone shattering jolt of a mine explosion. The entire universe rocked like a drunken sailor as the floor became the ceiling and the bulkhead rattled like tin cans. Several seconds went by before Adamson gained his bearings again. Somehow the helmsman had managed to stop their forward flight and they hung motionless with mines just meters from the hull. Out the view port more mines glinted in the dying light of the distant sun. Suddenly the Tactical console rang out an eerie warning. It took a moment for the Commodore to realize the sound meant incoming torpedoes, and that the lieutenant at tactical was slumped over unconscious.
Helm, evasive action! Maneuver epsilon! Get us out of here! he shouted above the noise. He vaguely heard the acknowledgment from the helm. He started towards the tactical station but was beat to it by Cmdr Snow.
Countermeasures away! He cried. Multiple bogies! Theyre all over us! said Snow. The Valhalla lurched backwards away from the field of death and swung around only to find several vessels bearing down on her from the void. Death flashed from every point. Oh my God. Thought the Commodore.
Battle stations! He cried
Chapter two...let me know what you think
<span style="color:#CCCCCC">"BOLT FROM THE HEAVENS"
</span>
"Nobody ever won a war by dying for his country, you win wars by making the sorry SOB's die for theirs!"
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