A Shape ripples into existance the craft rotates in place it's form obscured and twisted by layers of shimmering images and distortions in the fabric of space surrounding it. with no sound the ship deploys a trio of streamlined arrowhead shapped craft that accelerate deeper into Hyperspace forming up off the Leaders wing and dissappearing from sight in a ripple of light and shadow their hulls hidden in the hellish back ground of Hyperspace.

   Three hunter killers home in on a nearly silent whisper of energy among the chaotic energy patters of Hyperspace. The automated drones arming their laser and zeroing on thier unsuspecting targets.....

  A small spider like robot worked dilligently at it's assigned task. its small faceted eyes reflecting the light of a status display monitoring near space sensors. A ripple in hyperspace reached the delicate matrix of crystals and filiments laced through the Furesh ships hull. Nano Second computations flickered through the ships Main CPU, a nanosecond later the Robot Jerked as priority commands were triggered and the small machine executed it's commands.

    Damn! What the Hell is taking J'sahna so long?" A mercanary commander snarled as he monitored his long range screens." Where the hell did that fighter come from?"

  Launch second flight now, Power up the mains were going In!

  " Sir thats the last of the drones..." The drone controller slammed the control panel." Those damn boarding bugs are no match for anything bigger than a skiff."

   " How many made it aboard?" The Merc captain asked ignoring the comments.

   " Not sure sir that Cesti Junk heap is locked up tight." the controller replied" You'd think it was carrying a matron's kittens

  " I guess we better go have a look see," The captain looked to the pilot and nodded. That shrew bitch paid a lot of coin to shut this one down It has to be carrying something nice to warrant a Matriarchs attention."

 "Search them out, fnd them."Her orders echoed through the minds of the pathetic degenerates who came to her bowing and offering their services to her. they were a shadow of her geat warriors weak, stupid, and undisciplined. several had hesitated or attempted to flee when she gave the the honor of feeding her body and power. to imagine that her own would seek to live when they could feed their Goddess.

       "I sense more vermin on this world they dig, search defile my scred home, bring them to me so that I may take from them what is mine.
   SHE cast away the husk of a useless male, his lifless body no longer of use she fed it to those who served without hesitation. The savage mindless ones who sought only to serve their queen. The warriors who stood before her recoiled as the loyal ones tore the flesh of the worthless one she had chosen to feed her hunger. Good fear would drive them to be more than weak, cowardly, feeble drones.

  the Hall was awash with color and sound, hushed whispers, giggles and titters from the young men in their finest garb, dressed impress others with their D"mai's taste, and wealth.  empty words, and platitudes from the courtiers, as lethal as rapiers in the hands of the seasoned attendants of the court. each word was a weapon, each conversation a battle waged with cruel cunning and viscous savagery.As dangerous as any battle field or fleet engagement and as cold and lethal as the void of space itself the Great hall was warfare dressed in silk, and hidden by smiles and pretty faces.
    Apart form most Stood a regal woman, barely five feet tall she carried herself with regal confidence her cool blue eyes surveying the battlefield with a generals eyes. She wore neither gown, nor uniform, a simple robe of black that fell to the ground and trailed behind her. her hair pulled back into a long braid and wrapped in black silk. She was as cool a figure as any her simple severe and imposing garb as much a warning to others as anything. "I do not play the games you play, do not mistaken me for one of you."
   Fleet Admiral J'dai, Grand Lady J'dai, Archduchess J'dai. she had worm many names, Now all she claimed was J'dai. She moved through the bright colored boys, and elegant ladies, they scattered before her like schools of fish before a hungry shark.

     Good Day young Miss." J'dai spoke without introduction or preamble. The Young officer she addressed of no great achievement or rank." have you ever played chess my dear. J'dai asked innocently. a game of choices, strategy, and pieces sent to their doom."
J'dai continued with her thought not at all concerned for reply or question.

Many people play the game, some for pleasure, some to sharpen the wit, others to prove their wisdom and cunning. But one has to wonder what reason the pieces have to play."
" From the comfort of a chair in your quiet study, with a glass of J'enoli by your hand the loss of a pawn, or a rook is a moments annoyance as you reshuffle your plans.",/blue> J'dai glanced to the young officer her gaze demanding attention, her reputation demanding the young woman not move off to escape her presence.
  But to a rook, or to a pawn the loss is far more of concern. Of course in chess at the end of the game you pick up the pieces and set them back in their place. Not so in many games.
          In some games there is blood, and pain, and loss." and not all the pieces go back to their place to begin a new game. A player in such games often looses sight of the price his pieces pay, and lose sight of why they began to play at all."
            For them there is only lonliness as one by one they close the doors to the world, and one by one freinds become pawns, and lovers another piece on the board. weep for them if you will, but fear them always.
         "If you play the game you must feel the pain of the pieces, and the loss of each pawn. Or in silence, and isolation you will find yourself. A thing hated feared, and needed if only to bring low a few pieces on the other side of the board before it is time to be the next pawn to fall.",

T'risa was flustered, trying desperately to think of why she managed to draw the Archduchesses attention. When she start speaking it was all over. She could not escape. Trying to make the best of the situation she considered the words that Her Grace chose to impart to her.

"Good evening Your Grace. I trust you are well." T'risa thought on how easily J'dai could send her into the farthest reaches of known space never to return "To answer your question I have played chess, but not often. It is a human game. I learned it as part of my training on infiltration into human cultures. It has many proponents, and some say it gives insight into strategy, but in the end....it is merely a game." T'risa was filled with the arrogance of youth, her severe dress uniform proudly emblazoned with her ranking, and telling of her specialties. T'risa knew the Archduchess would recognise her as part of the Empress's Intelligence Services. She wondered why she chose to engage her on a topic of human games. "I'm sure that it provides many insights for you and Her Imperial Highnesses other Battle Witches, but for me, I am afraid it is merely entertainment, and not one I am especially good at. If you seek an opponent, I would be a very poor one. I hear Duchess A'kabroni is accomplished at games such as this. Given her status and rise to wealth, she keeps her finances in order and is a shrewd player of the game at court. I could introduce you to her if you like. Once she ummm is no longer distracted by her D'mai."

T'risa indicated to the Archduchess that they should perhaps take a place more secluded such that she would be under less scrutiny from the nobles gathered in the Hall. "I would not like to be in the position of picking which piece to sacrifice, Your Grace. Chess is a game, but the game you play is with vessels and regiments. All of whom have proud names and traditions of service, but in the end, it is you that must make the necessary choices. I am a pawn in the Empress' game. When it becomes necessary she will sacrifice me. I only hope that my sacrifice will be a worthwhile one. Something that helps her to her goals."

  " Worthwhile, to you, or to her. J'dai spoke again. Smiling slightly a cold expression devoid of human warmth." to die in glorious battle a dreadnought at your command, to scour the vast wastes of some forgotten world, misery, death, and loneliness your only companion. Which would you choose young Miss, would you chose humiliation and dismissal if it were the path to service. Would you suffer the pain of family and friend turning aside, stripping name, station, and any hope of giving life to an heir."
   "If it is death in battle glorious that I can arrange. If it is to join the game, to dance with the other puppets with the delusion of control. Then I would give you the small mercy of a bullet behind the ear in some dark corner as you search for secrets others would seek to conceal...secrets living close to you yet hidden by cold lies and callous contempt." J'dai spoke without emotion again, perhaps a hint of contempt as she spoke of dancers.
   " we know the secrets of others, our minds can root out all that is hidden, but we dance with each other, hiding secrets , or exposing them as they suit us."

       An old friend, a curious one, whom I believe you would enjoy meeting, or perhaps not....he threatens all that you are, and all that you would be."
      "he is a thing of secrets, a creature of many hidden truths. yet he is honest when we who call ourselves seers of truth are liars. He is one who would tell you his most painful truths and trust you to use them as you see fit and is ready to suffer, die, or kill without any regret...could you do such a thing? to trust without reason, to trust one who you should regard as below you, beyond you...a thing to be reviled and rebuked as a crude and valueless K'shar a crude tool of empire?
This message was last edited by a game moderator at 18:27, Tue 01 June 2010.

T'risa regarded the Battle Witch with worry on her forehead, before finally answering her. "I don't know, Your Grace. I am no Captain to serve on a dreadnought. I am no plotter or mistress of intrigue to take part in these" she threw her hand out to gesture to the nobles in attendance at the Hall "dances. I do not seek to gain the Empress's favour. I seek to earn it. I would say to your question, that I seek truth. If I am to be spent, then that is how I would be happiest in being spent. In the search of truth. No matter the hardships, I can endure if the truth is revealed, no matter the cost." T'risa voice spoke with conviction.

"And the truth is found so rarely within these Halls, Your Grace. It is my job and calling to provide the Empress with she needs to guide us wisely. I would give up everything I have to place that into her hands. Especially to save others from the ignominy of war." T'risa pointed to the insignia denoting her branch of service "Working for Her Majesty as I do, I have no friends, nor am I likely to have any. Especially men. The men I am with, I am with for a night, or two or a week or a month, until I get what I need from them to further the Empress's goals and move on. I doubt any man would trust me, knowing what I have done. No man should trust me." T'risa's voice softened in reflection, trying not to show that T'risa had wished sometimes for it to be different. "I love, for a while, then I have to move on and forget."

T'risa thoughts returned to the present, realising she was talking to the Empress's own, T'risa posture straightened. "I'm sorry Your Grace, I know peril is a certain part of my job role. I am prepared to die, or to be hurt in service to Her. I will kill if necessary and when I need to, but the taking of a life is never something I will be truly comfortable with. Especially as there are often other options available. Trust however, is a very rare commodity in our community. I trust my mother, I trust my commanding officer. I trust the Empress, and a few school friends and so very few others. It's the only way to thrive in my profession."

  " The foolishness of youth." J'dai actually smiled, soft, warm nostalgic. her hand went out without looking extending it to the woman who passed by,  aNoble lady of the House "J'vae. a cold manipulative woman who was legendary for her enjoyment of debasing others. The woman froze as if a venomous viper had reared it;s head.looking down at J'dia's hand which was held out as if to a servant for a drink. The young noble glared angrily at her hand, then followed it back to it's owner Blanching in fear as she placed the small china cup in her hand.
    The rich scent of Quetzl chocolate carrying on the air. the rare luxury plentiful in the court. The woman held the small china cup as if it were gold to a miser or water to a woman in the desert. her slim, oh to pretty companion looked askance the younger woman an obvious social climber proudly and scandalously clinging to the womens arm her knowing smile fading as The noble handed J'dai her cocoa without protest.
    With a negligent gesture J'dai motioned for T'risa to take the cup held by the young socialite, with no words, or expression her intention came across like a wall of ice water. she would not accept any other action except immediate obedience. In this she was clear. No noble would dare force such a demeaning act on another in public, it was a clear demonstration of power, without a word, or any intrigue simple brutal and viscously elegant. Involving T'risa in it put T'risa in jeopardy of being the target of the young nobles petty revenge, an equally cold and ruthless act.
     " You trust those you should not, and convince yourself you are cautious, J'dai replied without explaining her actions taking a sip of the chocolate with obvious enjoyment.</blue>" that young fool there would risk all for her position and family , yet in a night she would squander it.</blue> she did not indicate which woman she refereed to leaving it to T'risa to decide.

    " If in earnest you speak of willingness to sacrifice all i wonder if you truly understand what that entails, what depths one would sink to if not for the protection of the empress , how easy it would be to send you to some death simply to satisfy a noble who you have wronged.
    Before sacrificing all, perhaps you should consider what it is you wish to sacrifice for. Would you be willing to throw yourself into a sword to save a house embarrassment that might lead to losing of trade concessions. Or die so that a colony be spared for no other reason than it provides an addictive drug."
    Chose wisely which cause you chose to sacrifice yourself for, there are many ahead of you. And to throw away your hidden gifts would be a waste, and more treasonous than any plot in this room.."

T'risa arched an eyebrow at the Archduchesses comments. "I may be foolish in some ways, Your Grace, but in others I am as old as the universe." She dared not cross J'dai and accepted the cup from the young socialite, moving to her to receive it, to make it look as though she was receiving a boon from the young woman. She smiled thanking her before returning to the archduchesses side. "It would seem as though you might be one of those I should watch closely, Your Grace. Putting me into a situation like that which may come to harm me or my House by some manner or another. Not a way to make friends, but you have no need of friends, only pawns, and in this game, I am one of yours."

T'risa smelled the chocolate in the cup, instantly forgetting the conversation as she lost herself in the aroma. "Mmmmmm. This is chocolate isn't it? I've not had any before. Is it as good as they say?" T'risa eyes quickly returned to the women watching each without watching, looking for the signs that might tell her she'd need to sleep with a pistol. "You're right, of course, I would prefer to die an old women in a bed surrounded by my children and loved ones." T'risa took a sip from the cup of chocolate. Her eyes softly lidded shut before opening wide. Her cheeks coloured as T'risa stood in place trying not to show the effects. After a few moments she had regained enough composure to talk. "The chocolate? It is very potent Your Grace. Is it like this every time?"

T'risa looked at the soft brown mixture in the cup, tempted for more, but needing to ask more questions. "You are right Your Grace. I would prefer for my end to be in something more.... noble in purpose than a trade negotiation or in defence of a recreational item, but it's not really my choice. It is hers." T'risa inclined her head towards a portrait of the Empress "And I swear to you, your Grace, that my only hidden talent is an appreciation for Kronos and music from old earth. I keep few secrets."

" No pawn are you Young Miss J'dai raised an eyebrow as T'risa sipped her chocolate.

    " This night you are not part of my ...game. Not now, and certainly not in the future. If anything I am here as a pawn myself, in a far grander more lethal game."

    " I will speak of many things, and of many times, I will speak of darkest night, and brightest day. I will speak of horrors yet to be and that once were before. All that is had always been.All that will be has been before...etched into the stones of a city long forgotten before my birth. and greater than any that has ever been long after my death." In tombs forgotten, in dust and ash, he that is waits to be found she that was waits to live again." she finished the cryptic quote sipping the chocolate.
      " In time even chocolate loses it's savor, now an old woman drinks and remembers nights when it was full of fire, and warmth chased away the night."
      " All you wish for can be your's Young Miss, and will be if thee is anyway I might aid. You will find comfort in places you have never looked. I the arms of one who will come like an angry angel descending in fire and spreading death with glee. It will be a dark day, a day when many will lose their dreams and go to the dream beyond. when you walk the great wastes of a world dead and gone before The tau were you will find others who would be your friends, and would serve you as gladly as you now serve the empress. You will some day be what you hate, you will someday be what others fear you will be and seek your blood to prevent."
    "And should you meet my friend, tell him He is in his place, to guard the curious bird well, and forge the swords quickly."
   Your choice in music is fortunate, it is not as empty and barbaric as it seems. I do believe you will enjoy how the young one who dances within the machine will dance for you some day.

T'risa face saddened a little as she regarded the High Admiral. "Yes, Your Grace, sadly you are as bound by fate into the game as the Empress. I thank the stars that I've managed to evade that. Our race could be so much more if it were not for the incessant internecine conflict. One House gains, another loses and the game continues. Without the Empress and her soldiers, I fear we'd collapse in civil war."

The colour disappeared from T'risa face as the Archduchess spoke of her visions. T'risa remained silent, her eyes closing in suspicion. She regarded the women warily. "And what do you think I hate the most, Your Grace?" T'risa hoped the woman would not see the truth in her eyes. She hated the Battle Witches. The Empresses grand strategists. The ones that were responsible for sending so many to die. Being linked with the minds of those they sent to die as their lives were spent. The thought alone sent an involuntary shiver down her spine. There were other things to hate that were worse. The rumours of the trade in males as cattle. She knew enough to know she could never follow that path, no matter how low she was. "And how will I recognise your friend, Your Grace?" She accepted the other things the Archduchess saw, knowing in her soul that J'dai was seeing a version of the future. T'risa let out a deep sigh of acceptance "If my course is set, then it is set, I hope to avoid much of the fate you have proclaimed for me, but it if it is meant to be, it is meant to be." Feeling nervous she looked into the cup of chocolate, drinking it deeply.

"You know more of me and my life to be than I care for, Your Grace, but I accept your pronouncement." T'risa let a small smile appear in the corner of her lips "And no matter what anyone says, I will know Your Grace always has outstanding taste in music and chocolate."

Space ruptured into a hellish roiling mass of energy. From the boiling maelstrom the massive shape of the Kronos tore into real space it’s hull scarred, pitted and gouged by weapons fire. Behind it dozens of drones and fighters slipped out of hyperspace and formed up on the massive living warship.

           “Helm hard about , maintain velocity and course,” Jesse snapped as long manicured nails played in the holofield in front of her command couch.” Sensors give me their transits.” She ordered adjusting her armored vac-suit.
           “ transferring data ma’am.” the small woman at the controls of the ships sensor array replied a moment later.

“Gunnery target these points. Engineering transfer power from secondary batteries to main guns.” Jessica’s eyes looked into nothingness as she spoke. “ Helm prepare evasive maneuvers execute on my mark. Pilot prepare for tactical maneuvering” the orders were rapid fire as her mind worked through the possible scenarios about to unfold.

              “contact, transit points….”

              “All batteries fire for effect!” Jessica’s order cut of the sensor operators warning.

                The massive armored dreadnaughts guns spat nickel iron and plasma into empty space, lethal weapons heavier than the main guns of the battle ships that once sailed the seas of earth, could punch through armored hulls, and split open a cruiser if targeted accurately.
                 Empty space was replaced with smaller versions of the hyperspace transit point the Kronos emerged from. The shadowy shapes of capital ships beginning to form in the hellish mass of superheated gases and decaying hypermatter. Before they could react fifty kilo rounds slammed into the ships hull at ten times the speed of sound, mega joules of plasma exploded against her hull driving jets of superheated gases and metallic vapor through the dense ceramics and exotic alloys. The three ships targeted began to unfold and collapse under the murderous barrage.
                Weapons, commence pattern fire, Alternate pattern delta-Nine, Alpha Thee and Gamma-One, rotate patterns at thirteen seconds.” Jesse ordered sharply as space began to roil and burn in ha dozen places. Pilot maneuver in support of gunnery, Launch all tubes, launch all batteries.”

                “we don’t have targets.” Gunnery looked exasperated, and fearful, I cant target what’s not…”

                “fire the damn guns where I tell you to.” Jesse snapped angrily her hands dancing in the amber light of her command displays. Even a the gunnery chief complained she fed him targeting data.

                 The Kronos began to spin and rotate, as heavy weapons discharged they were rotated out of position moving fresh weapons into firing position and putting fresh armor and shield toward the enemy. Along the ships flanks missile and torpedo tubes snapped open disgorging a swarm of  ordinance into space, the sleek lethal missiles ripping away straight toward the target locations. Slower fatter torpedoes began to search for targets their corkscrewing flight making it hard to track the heavy warheads as they searched for targets.
                    Neither gun nor missile wanted for targets long, a trio of cruisers, a dozen destroyers and frigates, tore into real space squadrons of drones and fighters screaming around them and driving in a suicidal charge toward the Kronos. The lumpy asymmetric spheres of the Q’sa ships were flickering with fire as their own weapons sent a sleet of return fire back at the Kronos.
                       He gunnery due raged as the Kronos alternated it’s targets hitting ships as they maneuvered or turned a vulnerable portion of their structure toward the larger ship. The smaller cruisers were difficult targets and the openings in their defenses were measured in seconds. A ingle dreadnaught would be overwhelmed outmaneuvered and cut to pieces in a death of a thousand cuts under normal circumstances.
                Kronos however was no ordinary warship, deep within his innermost core lurked a powerful weapon, the sentient AI who gave the ancient leviathan it’s name. faster than any human mind could process data the living machine reacted, adjusted and coordinated data from thundered of gunners and operators. Adjusting the weapons targeting data to allow for his movements, projecting the enemies movements tracking hundreds of missiles and torpedoes both his own and incoming hostile fire. His automated defense guns filled space with slivers of iron, and explosive bolts of super excited plasma. Ever present and independent of human control Kronos fought with his crew defending hem while they concentrated their full attention on offense.

               The Q’sa cruisers began to spread out to flank the larger slower ship, at their core massive engines of destruction began to build p a charge, tachyons, neutrinos and exotic particles screamed through space warning the crew of the Kronos that the cruisers were preparing to fire their spinal mounts.

              Evasive, Max-Vee.” Jesse Ordered as the sensor board lit with warnings. “ secure for…”

              Her words were cut short as a giants fist slammed into the crew. The ships powerful laeral thrusters fired with enough thrust to drive a corvette or frigate at combat speeds, the massive ship slewed and slipped to the side, the hull vibrating, acceleration compensators screaming in protest. The crew were hammered with nine times the force of gravity even shielded by the powerful gravity generators that created a field of canceling forces to counteract the gee forces generated by the ships maneuvers.
               The cruisers fired in unison, lances of hellish energy cutting through space bracketing the wildly maneuvering ship. Raw energy drawn from hyperspace and channeled into real space by the ships drives passed within meters of he ships hull. Even the close in misses left long furrows of molten metal, fused machinery, and twisted metal. Each spinal mount could level a city in a few shots, or slice through even a dreadnaughts shields and armor.

            “Helm, get us out of here, max-vee all drives.” Jesse gasped as she recovered from the gee forces, her vision tinted red and fading as her blood fought the forces of acceleration to reach her brain. “Guns prep spinal mounts.”

              The giants boot struck the ship from the rear, powerful drives roared to life,, gigajoules of raw plasma were released as the ships drives captured the hyper excited molecules and drove them out the ship at nearly the speed of light. The ship accelerated forward at nearly one hundred gees, the crew groaned and fought the crushing gee forces, capillaries ruptured, crewmen passed out as blood flow to their brains was cut off by the forces. The ship hummed bucked and vibrated violently it’s very structure nearing it’s breaking point.
              The q’sa ships were unable to mach the AI dreadnaughts move, their crews incapacitated by the acceleration forces could not operate their weapons and controls, the ships automatic safety systems engaging and cutting thrust to prevent the ships lighter superstructures fro completely collapsing.  Unaffected by the gee forces, Kronos followed his captains instructions. Deep in his engineering section forces beyond comprehension began to gather and build. His systems monitored the crew, holding the maximum velocity burn as long as he could without injuring them. His sensor running automatically to maintain his defensive fire as the range between him and the Q’sa flotilla opened.
              “she’s here.” Jesse whispered as she looked up blood running from her nose, here eyes bloodshot and bleary from the punishment she had taken.” target transit point, fire, fire on my command.”

                The Kronos flipped over on his axis, directing his spinal mounts back toward the Q’sa flotilla. His sensors detected a surge of exotic particles as a transit point began to form, this one more massive and more intense than any cruiser or battle cruiser would create.
               In slow motion the spherical hull of a Q’sa dreadnaught began to emerge, and armored spere, trailing drive spikes and vanes from its rear section. A cluster of sensor towers and the gaping maw to three spinal mount cannons centered around the spheres other pole. It was coming through shields engaged weapons primed and spinal mounts charged. The dark rust and dried blood colored hull lit by the glow of the transit point.

              The Kronos fired his spinal mounts, pure searing death ripped through pace and hammered into the dreadnaught. Steel, titanium ceramics and plastics burned as I they were rice paper in a furnace. The lance of energy bored through the ships hull until it stuck the dreadnaught’s engineering spaces. The containment bottles for the ships own spinal mounts detonated in a blinding flash that rivaled a sun.
          The fireball expanded in silence, consuming all mater it touched without mercy or hesitation. The escorts caught in the radius of the blast simply were no more, the cruisers further away went dark as they were hit by the EMP generated by the fireball consuming the dreadnaught.

            “And he said let there be light.” Kronos spoke solemnly,” and there was light, and he saw that it was good.”
             “Scripture?” Jesse asked as she released her restraints.

              “It fits.” Kronos replied with a slight pause.

              “The hostiles have broken off pursuit ma’am.” sensors announced.” they are beginning recovery operations.”

              There was no celebration of the victory and escape, the crew were tired, battered and simply relieved to still be alive. They looked to Jesse for instructions and a sign of how to handle the situation. Jesse removed her helmet silver strands falling free as she shook her hair. Looking back to her crew she gave a small nod, thanking them without the need for words.

              “Stand down all stations return the ship to Kronos.” she ordered.” It wasn’t her.” she added t Kronos under her breath.

                 “I know,” Kronos spoke only to Jesse.” she sent that one through to draw our fire.”

                  “ I am really beginning to hate that bug eyed bitch.” Jesse growled. Clipping her helmet to the side of her command couch.
                   “I’m pretty sure she’s feeling the same way right about now.” Kronos chuckled a cold viscous laugh.” She won try to jump into a firefight with us again.”

                      “so what now?”

                        “ I got some booboos.” Kronos replied.” I think we need to find a body shop.”

                        “Thunderhead?” Jesse asked opening her navigation console.

                        “Too far out, we have to get back to that planet.”

                        “she’ll be waiting for us.” Jesse warned.” with more than a couple of cruisers and her flagship this time.”

                        “that’s cool.” Kronos shrugged off her warning.” We’re bringing some friends too. Setting course, ETA four hundred hours.”

Among the countless icy comets circling an ancient star a squadron of sleek gun metal blue hulled frigates drifted engines cold, and any hint of emissions muted until they became holes in space. Only a few stray particles of solar wind played across their hulls, and the dim light of the star barely warmed the thick coating of the ships hulls. The dagger hulled, craft had their stabilizers swept back and drive vanes posed for instant acceleration if need be. Their lethal sting earning them the “Fire Wasp” nickname they had been given.
         “ tactical data assimilation complete commander. A slim dark blue skinned woman reported. Her hair shaved on the sides and then the wide center strip pulled back and braided as many junior officers wore it. The woman became visibly uneasy as she spoke again.“ Advisor signals she has received data fro the surface.

            “ very well relay tactical database to fleet…and send the men a copy as well“. The Tau B’sarri Flotilla Captain replied with s slight sniff as she spoke, her distaste for the advisors snub and her need to deal with the male dominant TAE not worth her time to conceal.

     She paused to examine the junior officer’s uniform, posture ,and grooming for any obvious errors, An occasional reprimand was enough to remind them of their place. The young woman had started wearing her hair slightly longer recently. Not at all out of place. The woman had served several tours as her aid and a deck officer. The slow progress from being shaved t a slight shadow of hair to a captains full length un cut hairstyle was not strictly formalized but it was enough to note in the day log as improper grooming. Her mood soured even more as she decided the woman had given her nothing to report and wasin good order.
       “ Enemy strength? The captain asked bored with the routine.

       Eighteen confirmed capital ships. Mixed type including seven armed merchant vessels of multiple model and manufacture.  The Deck officer replied quickly“ confirmation of Q’sa built capital ships, as well as confirmation of earlier intelligence indicating presence of Heavy warships of unknown type being operated in support of the hostiles.

       Disregard that  data it is obviously faulty. The flotilla commander replied brusquely“ the communications officer sent to the surface is obviously allowing herself to be fed erroneous information. <prepare the flotilla for long range gunnery engagement. These mercenaries and Q’sa will scatter at the first sign of a fleet response. No need to wait on those men to stop thumping their chests and howling at one another long enough to join us.

  "Captain Spotter drones have detected several civilian ships lifting from the surface. The sensor Ops officer called out as she adjusted her display and sent feeds fro the drone to the Command stations. " They are under escort by three combat craft of unknown type and origin. The Lead ship is definitely of O'maeda construction...reads as a N'lhn Kro'n Class fast transport. Hull registration is obscured, and no transponder detected,  but the ship is manufactured by N'fa K'mahda."

     "Prepare for intercept." The captain spoke after a slight pause, a predatory smile on her face as she pulled on her helmet and sealed it. Drum the marines to stations were taking that ship intact. engage and destroy all other targets.</blue>
   The chance to catch a major family dirty was a once in a career opportunity. even a peripheral connection to a treasonous act was enough to swing political power in the favor of the family who exposed the treasons of another family.

    A doze drive cores powered up from emissions dark to full combat potential as the Twelve ships of the squadron screamed forward their drives generating twice the impulse of any civilian ship there size could muster.
   Marines scrambled into their armor, slim and quick they had none of the brutish bulk of a Tae,or Valkiir marines, speed and lethal skill made the a force to be reckoned with.At the core of the ship the heavy spinal mount mas drivers charged ready to send slugs of nickel iron at the target at fractional-cee velocities.
       with practiced precision the crew loaded and prepped twenty torpedoes for action. The main weapon of a Fire wasp, the torpedoes were powered by their own drive cores and fitted with psuedo AI fire control systems. The torpedoes packed a quantum fusion device that would in a nanosecond convert the entire mass of the torpedo into pure plasma, and hard radiation. Ship killers they were designed to cripple cruisers and heavily damage a dreadnought class ship. anything smaller than a cruiser was likely to be reduced to a mangled hulk by the massive power of the weapons.
  The drawback to the torpedoes was that they had to be delivered fro surprise at long distance on an unsuspecting enemy, or a close range to shorten their flight time and the chance of intercept by the ships defensive batteries.

   Like Razorfin sharks homing in on their prey the squadron moved at near luminal speed through the empty regions of space. The enemy ships were slow to respond the lag between detection of the incoming Hunter Killers and their forming a ragged battle wall to face the Tau squadron bringing a satisfied smile to the Flotilla Captains face.

   The squadron drove in on the raged battle line formed to face them. a dozen sleek predators pouncing on their prey. torpedoes ripped from their rcks streaking ahead of the formation into the mixed civilian ships facing them. Lithium excited to it's fusion point erupted into balls of super heated plasma blasting apart hulls and vaporizing metal, plastic and flesh with equal speed. four enemy ships disappeared in blinding silent explosions and two more spiraled and tumbled out of control as the squadron closed to fire their main weapons and finish off the fleeing ships.

   " You Blundering idiot!" A slim regal looking woman thundered as she stepped onto the command deck of the.Still wearing only a night gown and looking as if she had came to the bridge directly from her bed the woman's face was  mask of rage. "You'll Kill us all. Disengage at once and get back into hyperspace before...."

    The battle witch's words were lost in  din of earning alarms as heavy missiles and capital ship grade weapons fire exploded around the lead frigates hull and tore two of the frigates apart in an instant. The Q'sa capital ships opened fire coordinating their weapons forming lethal patterns of fire that turned space ahead of the formation into killing zone. The sleek rapidly maneuvering frigates were difficult targets for any gunnery officer but the sudden and coordinated defensive fire was finding it's mark often enough to damage most ships of the flotilla.

  " All ships disengage abort the attack!" The Ships executive office ordered as the captain stared at the displays dumbstruck.

Aboard the CVH Hornet commodore Petrinsky stood watching the tactical display. A dozen escorts and destroyers were formed up around the Assault carrier and The Six Valkiir Cruisers flanking it.

" Any word from he scouts?" The commodore asked angrily." And where is that witch?"

" Behind you." A calm slightly amused voice replied as the slim midnight blue skinned woman stood up from he chair she had appropriated." I should advise you the enemy has more forces than we anticipated, the reports we received from the renegade are accurate the enemy does have both heavy cruisers and at least two dreadnoughts at it's disposal.


" we don't have the strength to deal with dreadnoughts."

" You will,Commodore the renegade will arrive in time to join the battle." The Tau woman addressed the displays of the system and status reports with a deep frown." K'cha'no'khae... Move quickly Move in system and join the scout flotilla it is extreme danger....QUICKLY MAN BEFORE ALL IS LOST!"

BATTLE STATIONS PREPARE FOR COMBAT JUMP TO RALLY POINT SIERA" The Task Force Leader shouted at the top of his lungs ignoring the scathing insults from the battle witch and her demanding tone. He knew well enough when a Battle witch said move life or death might be in the balance.


Around the ship the orders spread out like a ripple the sleek heavily armed Cruisers began to move into battle spread, their stabilizers and drive vanes swinging into combat position as the crews Hurled themselves out of bed or up from tables and sprinted to their combat stations. across the task force weapons were brought to full power, capacitor banks charged and the powerful quantum resonance power plants howled as fuel was forced in until they reached their maximum output.
   Atoms of carbon-zed tore apart releasing gigawatts of raw energy that was captured and fed into shield generators, plasma cannons and the ships massive spinal mount weapons. one after another heavy armored hatches retracted or popped outward and secondary turrets rose and rotated into firing position.
   Fighters launched from the Carrier screamed through the dusty, fiery red sky weapons coming online as pilots synched with the cybernetic assist systems what had been man, and machine now became one a lethal creature more than either pilot or fighter were separately


The survivors of the Flotilla fought for their lives, the grim faces of commanders and crew tight with fear and stress as the small ships danced and weaved among the lethal return fire. The Flotilla leader was bracketed by especially intense fire. two cruisers marking it out form the rest trying to force it out of formation where it could be engaged and destroyed with the support of the other ships guns and electronic warfare systems.

On the bridge the battle witch called out orders, and warnings her face calm and unflustered by the situation. She was focused not on the immediate situation but the infinite number of possible futures racing through her mind. He words came in a steady stream, a rolling almost musical cadence set to the ebb and flow of possible outcomes. broken only by an occasional grimace a moment before a hostile weapon struck home.

" Make for rally Point Sierra, all ships maintain maximum defensive fire, Koga Rae take lead, engage full Jamming on Bandwidth K'ch,..Krae".

The designated Ship broke from it's position in the tight formation and took the lead it's pilots handling the heavy frigate as if it were a fighter among the enemy fire. twisting and turning as the ship endured Hundreds of times the force of gravity and it's crew fought against the near black out inducing forces that the ships Inertia compensators could not cancel out with opposing points of artificial gravity.
     A Q'sa corvette attempted to cut the fleeing ships off, instead it flew into the path of the lead ships main battery,. a sleet of plasma and hypervelocity depleted uranium tore it in half it's exploding power plant clearing a small path through the debris that the two tau pilots hit dead center small shards of metal and Q'sa bodies shattering against her shield and hull as it roared through the opening.
      Behind the leading ship the other frigates swept though the debris field which added countless small targets to the larger ships fire control radars. as effectively blinding the gunners as a deliberate wall of chaff and decoys.

Ahead of the fleeing frigates a massive energy spike bloomed into several large eruptions of hypermatter the massive shape of a T.A.E Fleet Assault Carrier emerging accompanied by a swarm of fighters and strike ships. Led by dozens of corvettes and frigates the task force flowed around the fleeing ships, decoys, flares, and drones distracting the enemy gunners as the wounded ships slipped between the heavy cruisers and smaller ships with practiced ease.


The Q'sa flotilla was now joined by larger more powerful ships that had emerged from Hyperspace, hiding in the mass shadow of the planet. The two forces slammed into one another at full combat speed. Main batteries and secondary guns lighting space with arc-welder bright flashes of blue green and white. Missiles and torpedoes rippled away from the heavy ships, and the fighters dueled to the death in a silent display of skill, daring and desperation.
        Dozens of fighters from both sides exploded, or burned a Valkiir frigate spun and tumbled as it took a hit from a cruisers secondary guns. the Valkiir Cruisers were sheathed in painfully bright flares as their screens and shield absorbed the megajoules of energy that each hit carried with it.
         Aboard each flagship commanders sent orders, and deployed their forces in a fast forward game of chess, each move and countermove cost lives, and ships. the duel was to the death in this battle and afterward the winner would limp home leaving the looser drifting as a flash frozen corpse in space.

       The Bridge of the Hornet vibrated and echoed with the sounds of it's defensive guns firing. It's displays lite with thousands of tracks and sensor reports. the Commodore was standing over the master tactical display giving orders and listening to both his officers and the calm words of his Battle Witch.

Disengage now Commodore, remove yourself from this area. Something comes our way." The woman looked pale and fearful her words held for the first time uncertainty and fear.

" All craft withdraw to point Omega." The admiral hesitated for a moment before giving the order his own uncertainty hidden by a life time of combat experience and training. All ships roll spoilers."

The Hornets Battle group began to disengage and deploy mines and gun pods along it's back trail. The lighter Q'sa ships fell back not eager to face a fully prepared battle group any longer.
  The ships began to vanish back into the chaos of Hyperspace damaged and disable ships being dragged along by recovery drones and battle tugs launched by their sister ships.

As the Hornet stood rear guard her fighters streaking back toward the safety of their mother ship or darting into hyperspace a new signature began to emerge from hyperspace. Large, battle scarred and twice the size of any ship in the battle group an ancient Q'sa dreadnought made it's appearance.
  All across the fleet crewmen screamed and fell tot he floor as a massive wave of fear and dread washed across the ships. the Massive warships guns began to track the fleeing Hornet and unpleased a salvo of deadly fire at the heavy carrier.

  Countermeasures NOW!!!" The captain of the ship screamed as his tactical display lit up with incoming traces. Not built to withstand the fire of a dreadnought the ship would be ripped to shreds by the incoming projectiles and plasma bolts.
  A scant second before impact the ship spewed hundred of sensor decoys, chaff bundles and fire missiles loaded with reflective dust and buckshot.
   On the Dreadnoughts bridge the crystal clear image of the Hornet on the displays was lost in a sea of interference and ghost returns. the projectiles it had launched were dazzled, and distracted by the barrage of countermeasures. Many deviated from their flight path, others collided with ping pong ball size slugs of metal and were damaged by their own kinetic energy.

  The impact of the heavy salvo was brutal bit with the brunt of the fire decoyed or intercepted the ship was able to make good it's retreat into hyperspace. the vagaries of Hyper navigation ensuring that any pursuing ship would emerge well outside of weapons range if they pursued.

  SHE stood at her command throne smiling as the lesser ships fled for their lives. Her Psionic attack leaving at least three ships disabled and fresh meat for her warriors. She needed prisoners, slaves, and cattle to feed her ravenous appetite. The disabled ships, life pods and crippled fighters would give her what she needed. a light snack before descending back to the planet to find the Bitch who spoke to her so boldly.

 " Mistress, we are not alone, It comes....It is hear." One of her slaves spoke, it's eyes burned out and it's mind slaved to her vision.

  A thousand kilometers away space ruptured again. At the head of a second formation of Heavy cruisers destroyers and carriers the unmistakable shape of the abomination, Kronos emerged from hyperspace.

" You didn't think I was going to be that easy to chase off did you." Kronos smiled as he broadcast his greeting. I brought my fan club by the way....and My brother."

  A second dreadnought broke through from hyperspace. The blue and white color scheme and Terran Alliance Main Battle fleet insignia showing brightly. larger sleeker, more refined than the jumble of armor and weapons packed into Kronos' time and battle worn form the new arrival was not any Dreadnought It was the flagship of the Terran Alliance fleet. the single most powerful vessel created by mankind. and it's crew was beyond the reach of the whispers, promises and nightmares of She.

  I don't think she knows who you are..why don't you introduce yourself bro."

  I am Prometheus, Prepare to be boarded."

HOW DARE YOU!!!! HOW DARE YOU CALL YORSELF THAT NAME!!! HOW DARE YOU PRETEND TO BE HIM!!! I WILL NOT HAVE THAT ABOMINATIONS NAME MENTIONED IN MY PRESENCE." Her rage blinded her for seconds, each second brought the two dreadnoughts closer and allowed the screening ships to deploy to meet the Q'sa ships in proper formation.

  " I am not him, but he is aware of you, However he has made it known to me he wishes you dead. I intend to oblige my father." Prometheus replied coolly.

A scream of rage, thousands of years of isolation the death screams of her sister, the silence that surround her and ate into her mind unleashed as she came face to face with the son of her nemesis. the one who had left her trapped on a dead rock starving and alone.

"I think you hit a nerve bro." Kronos laughed and gave a snort.<green>" all batteries, all tubes lock on to Primary target. Fight me Jesse, make me sing!."

  " in weapons range Captain." A slim blue haired cyberoid announced as she looked up from the tactical display station. Firing solution locked in and weapons at full power."

  Slave all batteries to Kronos fire control,  all fire on my coordinates." Jesse closed her silver eyes, and let her mind stretch out. The scream of rage and howls of madness that filled the space around her did not break her concentration.
  Time shifted flowed thousands or possible futures swam some fading as her hands danced across her controls. others shifted becoming more solid. Many futures included her death, those fought to drive her mind back into the present. but she had seen herself suffer and die a million ways. She no longer feared possible deaths and focused don the future moments that would bring her and her crew through to safety.

  One reality came to her, one of millions, it would take the skill of thousands of men and women to bring it to existence. but it was the best possible future moment she could see among them all. Fire!"

Space once again exploded in violence. Prometheus and Kronos synchronized their fire against SHE's dreadnought. the ancient warship literally bucked under the impact of Gigajoule range weapons as it's shields flared blinding white.
   Two more Q'sa heavy ships flanked by cruisers and destroyers burst from Hyperspace. Swarms of fighter combat drones and strike ships began to brawl as they formed screening formations to protect the larger ships from enemy strike ships and missiles.

" I think we are in trouble." a crewman on the bridge of the Kronos slumped as another wave of Q'sa warships broke out of hyperspace behind the Prometheus and bracketed the Super dreadnought in direct fire.

" This is Prometheus...Executive command Override Alpha Zed Niner,One, One, to any Allied ship within broadcast range...Proceed to the following coordinates and engage Q'sa battle fleet. the signal went out over every long rage communications band at power levels which threatened to fry local receivers.

Even Bracketed fore and aft the Prometheus and Kronos held their ground, then began to advance on the Q'sa battle wall. Five hundred Kilo rounds traveling at ten times the speed of sound turned smaller ship into scrap metal as the Super Dreadnought focused her main spinal mounts on one screening ship then another.

      All craft focus your attack on the center dreadnought, A female voice spoke calmly.the signal originating from a small craft drifting dead in space. as soon as the signal ended the frigate returned to life and streaked toward the planet below. a squadron of attack ships hot on it's tail." reinforcements on route courtesy of her Imperial Highness.

for thirty minutes the heavy ships traded fire, Kronos moving to take the point of the two ship fleet, his hull begriming to resemble a blasted moon escape as missiles and kinetic rounds broke through his defenses.
  The two super heavies were forced further and further back as the battle raged, now almost alone as tier fighters and drones were destroyed damaged or forced to return to their mother ship to re-arm and refuel.


Sir we are reaching break off condition, defensive systems down to 30 percent effectiveness, critical damage to vector control systems." the Cyberoid captain of the Prometheus reported her synthetic skin seared and ripped by an explosion in the main combat information center. CIC abandoned and secondary control network compromised."

Enemy status?</blue>

thee battleships Burning, four cruisers destroyed. The primary target has suffered critical damage and has fallen back out of the battle wall. The officer reported a hint of a smile on her face. "She's in worse shape than we are. direct observation indicates several of her systems failed... failures not directly attributed to our fire sir. That ship is falling apart on it's own."

<yellow>Maintain firing rate. rotate into point position to relieve Kronos, he looks tired."

Sir?"

" We win or burn.


Aboard the Wasp the heavily damaged ships crew was franticly repairing and rearming fighters and strike ships. he battered escorts holding in close formation around the ship as they awaited orders, reinforcements, or the enemy.
  On her bridge the smoke of dozens of electrical fires, and shorted power mains hung heavy, staining the faces of her command crew.

  " fifteen minutes to full rearmament of strike craft." The Tactical advisor read the display as she stood next to the Admiral. We do not have..."

" Helm, full ahead, all ships combat spread prepare to reenter normal space." the Admiral looked up from his own display " No we don't hose two cant fight a fleet on their own, looks like they've lost most of their screen and are taking heavy fire from all hostiles. We go with what we have."

" The Imperial House extends it's warmest regards His advisor smiled, a thin, lethal, merciless smile.

" Well I hope they didn't stop for tea this time."

HE didn't



twenty shapes slid out of the Dust, debris and fire of hyperspace long slender dagger hulled warships, each one bearing the twin insignia of the Hammer and Anvil, as well as the Imperial House insignia of the Tau Imperium.
The three lines of warships emerged from hyperspace widely spread from one another each line approaching at a sharp angle to the main Q'sa force, the heavy warships rotating on their axis to track the enemy fleet as they maneuvered to gain a firing position and avoid being fired on by the Q'sa heavy ships.


  Missiles ripped from launch cells, drones detached and spun diving straight into the Q'sa battle fleet. guns raised from their wells, depressed and rotated to track the hostile ships as the three battleships at the lead of each formation spun and twisted to bring their Spinal mounts into firing position.
  The silence of space did not carry the thunderclap of the massive guns firming but it burned with streams of high density plasma and the tracers of kinetic energy rounds ripping into the fringe of the Q'sa formation.
  The H'rai K'oga had arrived, the personal flagship of the Imperial consort, and his Select Valkiir Hearthguard. The only all male formation in the Imperial Fleet could not be deployed without the personal permission of the Empress herself.


The New arrivals unleashed their fire on the Q'sa slicing though their screening ships, and ignoring the light fire of destroyers, and corvettes as they drove in on the main formation of Q'sa surrounding the battered Super Dreadnought at its core. Rapid fire salvoes hammering at the flagships already depleted defenses.

Kronos broke off his attack run and retired to allow the new arrivals a clear firing line, Prometheus began to maneuver along side his wounded brother and offer covering fire for the heavily damaged ships withdrawal.
  Even heavily battered the firepower of the two ships was needed to keep the Q'sa battle wall pinned down and fully engaged, ever few minutes another small force of Q'sa light ships would emerge from hyperspace, and the arrival of another formation of Q'sa heavies only added to the near hopelessness of the engagement.

 High over the dead planet battle raged with an intensity not seen since the relief of earth during the second Najuhlim incursion. TAE, O'maeda and imperial warships were locked in a  close in fight with a Q'sa fleet twice their number.
   The Q'sa pressed their advantage, driving the Hornets squadron away from the embattled Dreadnoughts. A second group moved in and cut off the hearth guard Keeping the Valkiir from relieving Kronos and Prometheus as the battled hammer and tong with their more numerous foes.

  " All attack Craft report stores expended." A slight Cyberoid reported dutifully, seeming to be shaken by the battle." Primary combat stores near depletion, and Power reserves at 22% Sir.  Kronos reports similar condition, And He has taken critical damage to his starboard Defense array."

  " maneuver to support Kronos, increase rate of fire, cease defensive fire and coordinate all batteries on the Dreadnought to the port of the Enemy flagship. Speaking without any emotion Prometheus dispatched orders to the strike craft he controlled ordering them to attempt to break out and reform with the Hornets squadrons.
        In such a close engagement he could not open his landing bays to recover and rearm the light craft. Staying in formation around him would doom the pilots to destruction. Their only hope was to escape rearm and join with the other fighters now withdrawing to rearm aboard their own carriers.


Aboard The Hornet the Admiral watched as Displays flicked from yellow to orange, one ship after another indicating it was nearly out of ammunition for their heavy guns, and missiles. Transferring missiles and torpedoes from their deep storage cells to the firing batteries was risky in combat one mistake, or one lucky hit could touch off tons of fuel and explosives reducing a ship to debris. He only half heard his operations officer as he reported what the admirals trained eyes saw for themselves.

   " Send a flash signal, Situation in doubt, require assistance. Will continue engagement until munitions exhausted." He glanced toward the Advisor who stood beside him in the command center. The woman was showing the signs of strain, her face drawn and wet with sweat as she fought to see a path through the storm of battle.

Sir the Regulus reports she is out of action, main drives, and maneuvering systems off line. She is retiring on secondary systems." The Comm officer called out over the din on the bridge.
  An instant later the heavy shape of the Strike cruiser Regulus was back light by a powerful Blast, The ships hull buckled and twisted as she was caught broadside by a salvo of heavy fire from four Q'sa destroyer's spinal mounts.  In slow motion the ship cracked spilling gas and debris into the void. The drive section tumbling as it bounced off the forward hull then exploded as he quantum resonance reactors failed catastrophically.
  " Regulus is down, the Regulus is down all SAR craft deploy for crew recovery."
  </b>" Belay that order."</b> The Admiral called out forcefully. sending out Search and rescue teams in this battle was tossing good men to the wolves. The harshest reality of battle was that he had to chose which men died, and which lived. The order burned in his throat but he could not waste men who might save others once the battle was over. The order he had to give now was one he hated even more., "Order all vessels to return to formation and establish a perimeter around point two five seven Delta....signal destroyers to lay down decoys and chaff, all ships to retire to rally point in rotation to  rearm, and prepare to reengage."

  Sir the Heavies cant hold out much longer we have to relieve them."</blue> The captain of the Hornet spoke quietly." If we loose those ships."

    Captain, I know..... The admiral looked to the Advisor hoping the witch had some brilliant ploy to stave off a route.

" Prometheus signals To concentrate fire on heavy Three, Maximum cycle on all guns." The comm officer of the Kronos reported..

  Jesse nodded and motioned for the gunnery teams to redirect their fire. Her vision was clouded, and the screams of a madwoman in her mind were making it hard to focus and find the optimum reality among the thousands of moments ahead, played out in her mind.
  Within minutes the Enemy Dreadnought buckled under the fire from the two warships. she saw it a moment before the ships hull collapsed under the heavy spinal mounts of the twin brothers.
  An image crashed into her reality, a scene that she did not have time to put to words. Target the ......." Her mind was hit with a wave of grief and anger. recoiling from it all she could do was stare ahead. her face a mask of loss and pain....Dad...."
  That moment was enough. The form of SHE"s flagship folded in on itself a blast of hyperspace energy and dust replacing it. a second later space ruptured again. Impossibly the massive warship was behind the Prometheus. It's weapons firing in a murderous salvo toward the Dreadnought rear quarter. the ships shield flared, and failed. metal twisted and vaporized as huge section of machinery and drives were reduced to glowing scrap.

         The double shock was almost too much for Jesse, She sagged in her restraints unable to put thoughts together, unable to see anything but her fathers face contorted in pain as a hell storm of plasma consumed him.
        She barely noticed a trio of shots coming up from the planet below. heavy guns that were the same as those mounted on the Enemy dreadnoughts. She was blind to the Heavy explosions and sight of the enemy flagship now tumbling out of control.

The sudden crippling strike on the Flagship cast the enemy formations into instant disarray. The Hornet section of the attack pausing in it's pursuit of the retiring TAE warships. The heavily engaged sections tasked with blunting the Hearth guard Loosing fire cohesion in seconds.
   The Valkiir ships pounced like wolves. Their fighters and destroyers slashing thorough the confused enemy with lethal effectiveness. The Hearth Guard flagship pressed the attack against the main body of the remaining heavy ships
  The  H'rai K'oga slammed into the Q'sa heavy ships all guns firing. A swarm of her escorting assault frigates and destroyers clearing a path for the three battleships and their cruisers deep into the enemy formation.
  While the bulk of the Valkiir fleet was designed and built for rapid interception and slashing attacks The Hearth Guard fleet was specifically designed and build for heavy fleet on fleet engagements. The crews had drilled and trained for years for just the situation the Heavy battleship found itself in.
    The enemy retreated to shield the stricken flagship. buckling under the murderous firepower of the Hearth guards heavy guns. As the H'rai K'oga entered weapons range of the flagship the crippled ship vanished into hyperspace followed by one of her sisters, then another. In minutes the Q'sa armada was in full retreat. fighters and destroyers swarming any ship too heavily damaged to escape from the battle space.


   Aboard the Prometheus chaos ran rampant. Her inert gas atmosphere kept the fires under control but raw plasma jetted fro her stern and amidships sections. Cyberoids fought to save their ship with implacable calm as their ship rolled and fell slowly toward the planet below.
  " Sir damage control systems offline, engineering isn't responding to any calls." The slim Cyberoid reported her once pretty face now singes and torn by an explosion from one of the power conduits to the bridge. remotes indicate total failure of the shutdown systems and an out of control vent in progress."

     " All crew to evacuation stations,...abandon ship." Prometheus ordered with a sigh." You all fought valiantly it's time to leave."

    " Sir we can extract you......we can save the ship..."

  " Lyssa, I want you to leave now." Prometheus spoke softly as his avatar smiled down at her from his holo tank.His own sensors told him the ship was lost, the burning wreck would hit the atmosphere before his crew could extract his core, or stop the run away reactors. Transferring all command codes, and authorizations to Kronos. He will take over for me.
    "Live well my children.The humans will need you to be brave, and fight well. They have a war on their hands again..They gave us life. Now we have to earn it."



" All hostile withdrawing sir, the Flagship just jumped to hyperspace......Sir the Prometheus is on an entry vector, they aren't going to make it." The captain of the Hornet reported directly to the Admiral.

  Launch SAR, and begin recovery and rescue operations." The admiral ordered without any hint of response to the situation aboard the Prometheus. Signal fleet, Situation resolved. enemy in retreat casualties heavy, unable to pursue.....Prometheus Down....request orders and immediate reinforcements."





      A stream of shuttles and escape pods poured from the Prometheus, her crew escaping from the doomed ship as ordered. the massive ship now a blistered and ragged hulk spun slowly as it fell toward the dead planet below. the first wisps of smoke and fire begriming to lick at her hull as it encountered the thin upper atmosphere of the ugly brown world.
   The trail of fire was visible across half the planet as the once proud warship made it's death plunge. thunder echoing over the valley where the grounded dreadnought now hovered in a circle of protective troops and fighters.
  Hundreds of miles east of the site. the Prometheus hit the ground with the force of a nuclear detonation a pall of smoke and dust rising in a mushroom cloud over the grave of the Father of all Cyberoids. the debris from the blast raining down for miles in every direction as the ground rumbled and bucked under the massive hammer blow.