A Mako class warship glided through the cold depths of the void. The battleship had been commanded by Caleb Hawke ever since Daniel's absence had become more apparent over time. The designation of the battleship was edged into its side in gold letters: 'Perditrix'. It was Jack Daniel's prized flagship and without it's rightful owner, Hawke felt like it was missing part of its essence, and the crew felt like the heart of the warship had been ripped out.
Things changed when Strix's voiced sounded from the comm's systems.
"Sentinel Hawke, I have picked up a distress signal directed to Scarlet. The origin is System Omicron Nu and it seems like Mr. Daniels is there for some reason. I say investigation is adviced."
"Scarlet hasn't issued us with any orders."
"Naturally all communications goes through me and I decided it would be prudent to inform you first. The reason being that Mr. Daniels likely requires the Perditrix to be present as his location as soon as possible.
"Very well, as acting commander of the ship, and, well, you being the ship... I guess I will follow the lead of the Perditrix. Very well, Strix, set course for the coordinates."
"Already did, Mr. Hawke. You didn't think you got the command of the Perditrix by accident, did you? Mr. Daniels and I knew we would be able to count on you. Meanwhile, I am attempting to establish contact with the source of the transmission. You will be updated when anything changes.
26th February 830 A.S - System: Omicron Nu / Battleship Illustrious
Lea was next to Jack. She took a look at him and his wounds. Blood but also cables? It suddenly hit her mind that this man, Jack Daniels had cybernetics on him. It surprised her but at the same time not. The reason why it did surprise her was the fact that she never saw something alike before. Time has flown since she sent the coordinates and yet, it was silence for now.
''Jack, are you alright?'' She asked showing his wounds due of a shot he received from a soldier. ''We are lucky to have short moment.''
Daniels stood up and paced around the ship, examining it.
"Beautiful ship you have there. I have personally always admired the design and engineering processes that go into creating a vessel. It's art, if you ask me. With a bit of luck, of course."
Jack smirked.
"And speaking of luck, we're not lucky. I can assure you, our foes have already regrouped, fortified their positions and of course, prepared for our imminent arrival. Speaking of which...shouldn't be long now. Our backup is surely en route and in close proximity by now."
Daniels clenched his fist and whatever flesh was left over his cybernetic hand was scorched away.
"I suggest you prepare yourself, bot mentally and physically."
The Preditrix emerged from the jump hole and remained stationary there a few klicks away from the breach in timespace.
"Sentinel Hawke, We have arrived in the system. A scanner sweep of the area indicates increased activity not far from our location. Mr. Daniels would likely be there."
"Then what are we waiting for, Strix?"
"Reinforcements. The channels have been buzzing with activity and it seems like multiple ships of the Core are also heading into our direction."
"Tell them to rendezvous at the Perditrix. We will move in and get the Guildmaster out as the rest provides cover fire in case there is reinforcements. Is the jump drive online?"
"All systems work within parameter range."
"Contact with the Guildmaster established?"
"Still working on that. Perhaps our closer proximity will yield better results."
"Get it to work and alert the fleet of our location. The Guildmaster's safety comes first, so I want no lone wolves to alert them of our presence before we can move in fast and hard. Relay the following message to fleet:"
This is Sentinal Hawke, acting commander of the Perditrix, and I am taking command of the rescue mission of the Guildmaster. We are currently waiting on the edge of the Bikini Debris Field under the following Coordinates: 5384,3674. All ships on the way to Nu are ordered to meet up with us so we can coordinate the retrieval of Guildmaster Jack Daniels. Strix is currently trying to make contact with Daniels as we speak so we can ensure his safe return. Hawke out.
''This is Sentinal Hawke, acting commander of the Perditrix, and I am taking command of the rescue mission of the Guildmaster. We are currently waiting on the edge of the Bikini Debris Field under the following Coordinates: 5384,3674. All ships on the way to Nu are ordered to meet up with us so we can coordinate the retrieval of Guildmaster Jack Daniels. Strix is currently trying to make contact with Daniels as we speak so we can ensure his safe return. Hawke out..''
Taden punched the coordinates into his Navmap and fired the cruise engines to full. He had just dropped into Omicron-Nu and immediately received the orders from the Perditrix. His Blacktip screamed at maximum velocity toward the rendezvous point. When the Mako class capital ship was in view Taden adjusted his trajectory and entered formation with the battle group. So far, response to the distress call seemed light, but he was certain that more pilots would rally to the Guildmaster's call.
"This is initiate pilot Taden Harrs, reporting for rescue detail. Is there any status on the Guildmaster or word on opposition forces?"
As Harrs waited for a response, he began a final check of his weapons systems and adjusted his ships power balance loadout. He also ran through a detailed inspection of his cybernetic systems. His suit was operating at full power and was at max power capacity as he was still tethered to his ships power system. He mentally fine tuned his augmentations, raising the strength and speed modifiers in his artificial limbs near their limits. He began to feed an artificial adrenaline, stimulant, and nerve calming chemical cocktail from the med-unit in his biosuit. Although he could feel the nerve agent doing its work, he still seethed with rage at the very thought of facing Infected scum! He clenched his fists on the controls of the Blacktip bomber, careful not to squeeze too hard with his mechanical left hand.
Taden sat in his cockpit poised and at the ready for action. He could practically taste the bloody/salty/sweet aroma of vengeance already!
"This is Knight Dwanian from war vessel Voidmourn, affirmitive Perditrix. Coordinates received, we are jumping to Nu shortly."
Whesto commanded battlestations on the bridge and ordered the boarding group of marines to get ready. The Voidmourn went through the green haze of Omicron Minor with a wing of fighter vessels. The crew was quiet in anticipation and focus. They jumped to Omicron Nu. Whesto left his seat and told his substitute to handle the ship.
"Bring us to the coordinates and group with the Perditrix, do it quietly. I'll handle the comms until further notice."
He then went to the door to the bridge and picked up his combat helmet under his arm, linked up the comms and joined the marines at the back, looking at the live navmap and scanners on a handheld device. Battle rage started to fill his veins but he used it to stay determined and focused.
The Perditrix appeared on the scanners and the Voidmourn was on course. In a couple of minutes they would be in formation. Awaiting further orders. Whesto and the marines looked at each other, not a word was said, but their looks were also determined.
Jason saw the ship and looks at it in awe. This is where they went? Then he saw the others show up and went in formed with them. Man, I am glad to see you guys, let's bail them out, shall we?
Location: WV-Ambriamus, Omicron Nu. Incoming Transmission...
Centurion Crow sulked in his captains chair , aboard the bridge of the Ambriamus. It was among the first to arrive but first to action. Radiation signals from a large vessel was able to be detected and traced. Once confirmed to be the "Overlord" in question from the distress signal, the Ambriamus trailed it's prey. Every moment felt like it devastated Crow who only yarned for action, held back to be a shadow waiting for more forces to arrive. He continued his sulking when a communications knight caught his attention with a message. "Centurion, we've received a message on an open channel from the Perditrix. It's taking command of the operation, and set a rally point on the edge of the Bikini Debris Field. Should we rally with the rest of the fleet?"
Crow stood up, loudly took his mighty breath, and stretched. "Negative, sir knight. Don't break radio silence. We continue shadowing the ship. They may have heard that message and may try to escape the rallying fleet. Let's make sure that doesn't happen. Call the ship to battle stations!""Aye, sir!" All of the bridge suddenly churned with haste, as an alarm began it's blaring cry. With the rushing of boots all across the battlecruiser as it bared it's arms, ready to pounce.
The Preditrix held stationary for the time being as the other ships were closing in on its position. Taden Harrs was first to arrive, enquiring about the situation. It was Strix who answered him as he uplinked to his ship's computers.
"Guardian Harrs, You are currently communicating with "Strix", an AI of the Core who currently assists Sentinel Hawke with operating the Perditrix. As for Mr. Daniels, there is no reason to believe that he is either dead or alive. We still have to wait for this schrodinger effect to be resolved. Mind you, Mr. Daniels is no cat."
It was not long before other ships came into scanner range. Voidmourn was approaching, a thresher destroyer, commanded by Knight Dwanian. It quietly took position at the flank of the Perditrix as another signature came into view: Jason McPherson's Requiem. Hawke replied to him:
"That is what we are here for, Sentinel McPherson. Let's get the Guildmaster back to us in one piece."
No further ships came into range and Hawke told Strix to decrease transmission range so the chatter of other Core vessels outside of Nu didn't disrupt communications.
"Status?"
"A battleship, a fighter, and a destroyer. We could have more, but this is acceptable if the enemy presence is not too extreme. And by extreme, I mean above average. There is also a Core signature, possible a battlecruiser, that is unresponsive to our directives and moving in on the location of the source of the emergency transmission. Do you want me to take over its system and direct it here?"
"Nah, let it be. It might lead us right to the target. Furthermore, the enemy might believe that is indeed isolated. Alright, Strix, open the comms."
"This is Hawke. We are moving. We will engage our cloaking device shortly. The Perditrix will emit its own signal that can be used to roughly track our location by Core ships. Follow it. Ahead of us is a Core Battlecruiser who is currently heading straight for the enemy group. We will circle around them as they are distracted and emerge at their flank. This is where the Perditrix will decloak and we will initiate our assault. Be ready.
Location: WV-Ambriamus, Omicron Nu. Incoming Transmission... This is Hawke. We are moving. We will engage our cloaking device shortly. The Perditrix will emit its own signal that can be used to roughly track our location by Core ships. Follow it. Ahead of us is a Core Battlecruiser who is currently heading straight for the enemy group. We will circle around them as they are distracted and emerge at their flank. This is where the Perditrix will decloak and we will initiate our assault. Be ready.
The Centurion slowed his breathing in an attempt to meditate over the moments to come. Trying to slow down time for himself, to buy time to think. Crow came out of meditation to a communications knight waiting, fearing the orders to come. "Send a transmission to Sentinel Hawke."
"This is Centurion Crow, in command of the Ambriamus. We're the Battlecruiser currently trailing our suspect. We'll get you your distraction, don't keep us waiting. You're fire support will be needed."
"Alert our squadrons, Sir Knight. We're lighting this candle. Helmsman, flanking speed! We'll keep our position to its rear, and at range. Lest we face it's maw and destruction."
The Ambriamus began it's war cry with the rolling growl of its engines. As every crewman willed her forward. The escorts pulled by the same force. Onward, to battle.
In the Dark of the Night, the Core strikes through.
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