Beneath his feet, the deck vibrates from the massive engines as they labor to drive the Battlecruiser Alexsander purposely forward. The fleet channels are once again flooded with the reports from the ships and squadrons as they move into final attack formation. Ahead, space is filled with the glowing drive trails of the leading ships of the fleet. Gazing out the starboard viewport, he spots the large gaseous nebula that extends farther than his eyes could possibly see. Massive electrical storms erupt throughout the nebula, flashing with strobe-like intensity. So intense is one particular display that he is forced to turn away to clear his vision of white spots. Rubbing his eyes gently, he takes a brief moment to relax and clear his mind. His vision clears just in time for him to witness a wraith squadron pour forth from the side of a fighter carrier. He watches intently as the squad forms up and slides into formation around a group of Battlecruisers.
Captain Torral always liked to gamble. He was never happier than at a table with a handful of chips to bet with and a deck of cards. Now, as the edge of the Zerg horde comes ominously closer into view, he thinks to himself if this final gambit may cost them all their lives. Fine time to entertain that thought now he thinks to himself. Quieting the doubts in his mind, he instead opts to do something productive. Taking one final glimpse from the forward viewscreen, he turns and walks toward the Command Bridge. As he enters, he spots Lt. Hamilton approaching to deliver the fleet readiness report.
“Lieutenant, do you have the final report in?”
“Yes sir,” he replies smartly. “All ships report armed and fully manned.”
“Excellent,” he says with a nod of satisfaction. “Have the special preparations been completed?”
“Almost done sir except one ship. Captain DeStefano reports that all her crew has left with the exception of a few engineering teams,” says Hamilton. “She says that she’ll be off the ship in a matter of moments.”
“She’s still not done yet?” Torral asks with slightly raised eyebrows. “Please remind Captain DeStefano that we are only minutes away from initiation of the strike and her former ship is crucial to the plan,” adds Torral with a slight edge to his tone.
“Yes sir, I’ve already conveyed that to her,” replies Hamilton nervously. “She should be leaving the Rodger Young now.”
“Good, I don’t want to lose anymore people if I can help it,” says Torral as his expression softens. “We have a lot riding on this working Erik.”
“We know sir, that’s why it will work,” he adds with a grin.
Smiling slightly, Torral turns to look at the tactical display and the fleet deployments. “How long before we hit the Zerg?”
“We hit their outer perimeter in roughly nine minutes from now sir.”
With that final bit of information, Torral knows that there is no turning back. “Let’s get to it then shall we.” He gestures for Hamilton to follow him and he briskly walks toward the tactical center. The room bustles with activity and is alive with the sounds of comm chatter. In the center of the room lies a large holographic projection of the fleet. The Zerg forces marked in red threatens to fill almost the entire view. On the screen, poised like a massive arrow, the UED fleet points straight for the monstrous heart of the Zerg horde. The leading edge of the fleet will be making contact within a matter of minutes. Fighter groups appearing as fast-moving blue blips dart between the battlecruiser groups.
“Let’s get it together people,” snaps Lt. Commander O’Donnel. His squadron complies immediately with his order as they tighten their formation.
Glancing all around him, Razor watches as his squad and the fleet prepares for the strike against the Zerg. He watches with detached interest as Captain Chin’s battle group shifts position to cover the fleet’s flank. If this plan of Captain Torral doesn’t work this battle is going to be over before it even begins he thinks to himself. Biting his lower lip, he briefly scans his systems for signs of trouble and is satisfied with what he sees. He keys his comm for a status report from his squad. “Sound off people,” he orders.
Pilots in turn sound off with a crisp report of their status. Satisfied with what he hears he tests his own fighter. Jiggling the stick slightly, his wraith responds effortlessly to his commands. Keying his weapons draws a frown as he sees his ordnance cut in half. “Damn,” he mutters under his breath. With only half the compliment of missiles on board, the fighters will have to use mostly lasers for fighting. Despite being a renewable source, lasers don’t give a hard-kill like a missile.
“Ok people, it’s pucker time,” he says. “With that asinine order to ration our ammo, we’re going to have to depend on lasers for most of our fighting.” A series of groans fill the comm as the pilots of the Wild Bunch comment on that bit of news.
“That’s enough of that crap!” he barks. “We are all in the same boat here so just deal with it.”
The comm quiets at the terse command. “Watch your energy levels and use your missiles only when you know you have a sure kill, understand?”
“Yes sir,” replied the pilots.
Softening his tone he says, “Watch your six and remember to cover each other. I’ll see you all after the battle.” Whispering a silent prayer he heard when he was a kid, Razor prepares himself for the coming trials ahead.
As the leading edge of the Zerg is on the verge of contact with the fleet, Torral watches the formations of the fleet on the tactical displays intently. Contact with the leading scouts will be in less than two minutes. Stepping quietly to his side, Hamilton joins his commander.
“May I ask you a question Mr. Hamilton?”
“Of course sir,” he replies.
“Do you think I’m making a mistake here,” he asks softly. “You can speak candidly with me on this.”
“It’s not my place to question your orders sir,” he responds rather quickly.
Turning fully to look him in the eye, Torral says, “If you have any doubts about the plan Erik I would like to hear them while we still have time.”
Bracing himself visibly, Hamilton responds to the question with some caution in his voice. “I just don’t think that using four of our Battlecruisers for this strike is such a good idea sir. We’re spread pretty thin as it is and using up those ships, even if they are heavily damaged, seems kind of wasteful.”
Eyeing him thoughtfully, Torral responds. “Very good Mr. Hamilton. That’s what I thought originally but I weighed the risks and figured it was worth it. Besides, we needed some deliver vehicles large enough for the packages.”
“Twenty-seven seconds to contact sir,” announces the tactical officer.
With a nod, Torral acknowledges the report. “Very well.”
“I understand that sir,” Hamilton continues. “I just hope the Zerg are willing to cooperate,” he adds wishfully.
“As do I Erik… as do I.”
“Fifteen seconds to contact,” announces the tactical officer.
Keying the fleet-wide channel, Torral issues the first of many orders. “This is Captain Torral. Initiate Thor’s Hammer. I repeat, initiate Thor’s Hammer.”
With those words, the fleet prepares to fire on the approaching horde. Along the leading edge of the UED fleet forty-one Battlecruisers charge their energy arrays in preparation of the opening volley. The fighters of the leading strike shift in space to escort the four “special” Battlecruisers as science vessels move into backup positions. In the tactical center of the Alexsander, Torral watches the display as the range to target slowly counts down until the fleet is on the verge of colliding with the vicious mass. Taking a deep breath he keys the comm and calmly utters two words.
“Commence firing.”
Like a living wall, the Zerg horde drives relentlessly in towards the UED ships. Science crews target the largest concentrations of Zerg and bathe them with lethal doses of radiation. Large clouds of green, irradiated matter fills pockets of visible space mercilessly tearing into the hapless Zerg minions. Those unfortunate enough to be caught within the fields of radiation writhe in agony as the radioactive matter assaults their bodies. Their blood boils and expands rapidly causing their abused forms to explode outward from the onslaught. The coldness of the space is once again littered with the frozen bodies and gore of the Zerg. Large masses of the Zerg fall before the science crews alone long before the first volley from the fleet reaches them. The noses of the Battlecruisers glisten brightly as their Yamato cannons charge. In mere moments, white-hot flashes erupt forth as the massive energy beams obscure the ships. The energy blasts slice through the approaching Zergs viciously; vaporizing all that happen to be unlucky enough to be in the massive beam’s path. The blasts finally reach their intended victims and upon contact, the targeted overlords are ripped apart instantly. Missile fire from the Valkyries of the fleet surge forth one again to assault the Zergs. Space itself is seemingly streaked with the plasma trails from the massive volley of missiles from the frigates.
“Pour it on people,” yells Commander Jessica Trudeau as rage laces her voice. “We can’t let up, we have to blast a corridor large enough for the strike to pass through!” The frigates under her command comply with her request immediately as yet another volley pours forth.
In the tactical center, Torral observes the actions of the fleet. So far the plan seems to be working. The leading edge of the Zerg forces wink off the display screens as they succumb to the intense fire from the fleet. He knows that won’t last for long when the Zerg eventually breech the outer perimeter. At that point, the battle will deteriorate into a massive brawl. His thoughts are interrupted as the tactical officer reports.
“Strike groups reporting ready to proceed sir,” announces the tactical officer.
“Very well,” replies Torral. “Tell the strike commanders to proceed with the attack and good luck.”
“Strike commanders reporting message received sir.” With a slight nod, Torral turns back to the combat display to observe the battle.
With a single command, the strike group surges forward from the UED fleet with its ultimate goal, the center of the Zerg mass. Another volley from the fleet clears their path as the strike continues purposely forward. A barrage of energy blasts issues forth from the Battlecruisers as yet more overlords are vaporized. Traveling along the flanks of the strike, two squadrons of Valkyries proceed the group firing into the incoming Zerg. At the center of the strike the four “special” Battlecruisers glow intensely from the defensive matrixes enveloping them. Closing from the front, a massive wall of Zergs barrel recklessly towards the strike group as the leading fighters move to intercept.
“Here they come boys,” says Razor tersely. “Remember, we’re here to ensure that the cruisers make it as far into the center as possible. Try not to get engaged into a protracted fight. Stick close to them and keep them covered.” Roger that lead replies the squadron.
“We going to cloak yet boss?,” asks Wild 4.
“Negative Warren, one more volley from the cruisers and we should have a relative free run on them. Save your missiles for any overlords or those devourers,” orders Razor.
“Roger that,” responds the group.
Twenty-three overlords along the strike’s path are immediately destroyed by Yamato blasts and the Zerg are without detection along the group’s path temporarily. “There’s our signal boys,” yells Razor. “Engage your cloaks and make it count!” The squadrons of wraiths shimmer slightly from the energy distortions of their cloaks engaging as they rocket ahead to raise havoc amongst the Zerg. A war whoop issues forth from Wild 5 and Razor can’t help but share his sentiments as the squadrons move to attack. The accompanying science vessels continue to add to the carnage as the irradiated clouds exact a heavy toll on the Zerg.
From the tactical, the Zerg horde is on the verge of penetrating the fleet’s perimeter. Torral watches the leading blue mass, representing the strike group, seemingly disappears into the heart of the Zerg fleet as sporadic reports on their progress fills the comm. He turns his attention instead to the immediate threat to the fleet. “Now it becomes a fight,” he says out loud.
