"Change of plan, people," Crusader said. We can't afford to waste time, so we're going to take our fightercraft aboard the Carriers so they won't slow the fleet's movement down. After surveying the galactic map, I've determined that the entire fleet can reach Agena in four jumps by travelling through the Tau Ceti, Pollux, and Alcyon systems. Now lets go!"
"Yes sir!"
Within a few moments, all Mantas and Star Cobras in the fleet were aboard Crusader's Carrier. With that, the fleet was on its way.
---------------------------
Agena system, some time later
"Hyperjump complete sir, all ships present and accounted for."
"Excellent. We'll hold here and--"
"Sir! Scanners are picking up activity....Pirate fleet at 3 o'clock!"
"How many?!" Crusader snapped.
"A Kestrel and 24 Rapiers, sir! They appear to be raiding several disabled merchat vessels!"
"They're nothing a fleet of this caliber can't handle. Tell all Frigates, Destroyers, and Destroyer M5's to engage at once!"
Only moments after the orders were given, a hail of torpedoes and missiles hurtled right for the enemy. The Kestrel recieved the majority of this fire, and was destroyed almost instantly.
The Rapiers, however, with their attention aroused, headed straight for the HC Warships undeterred.
What are they doing? They're only fighters, they can't expect to hold their own against full-blown warships!
However, Crusader was soon snapped out of his thoughtful reverie by what transpired next.
"Sir....the enemy fighters are actually holding their own against our forces!"
"WHAT?"
It was true. The two dozen fighters had retaliated with torpedo fire, and were now doing strafing runs on the HC warships with proton cannon and heavy rocket fire. Some were destroyed in their own turn, but they were taking several warships with them also.
"This is insane! How can they--" Then it hit him.
These aren't normal Rapiers....these are new models! They're unlike anything we've met before...there's only one thing to do.
"We're going to engage the enemy. Tell Carrier 2 and the Super Cruisers to follow me in, and have the Destroyers and Frigates fall back into formation with us!"
And so it was. Before long, the mightest ships in the fleet were within range. I don't care how powerful you are, even a SuperKestrel can't stand against the power of a SuperCruiser, much less a Carrier!
"FIRE!"
Dozens upon dozens of turbo lasers struck the Pirate vessels almost simultaneously, with Crusader's Carrier leading the charge. Some of them shot off heavy rockets at it, but their efforts were vain against the massive ship. In a few quick moments, it was all over.
"What's the damage?"
"We lost 4 Frigates and Destroyers sir, as well as a couple M5's. Unbelievable for a couple dozen fighters!"
"No Lieutenant. They were no fightercraft; certainly not average Rapiers. They held up to our fire much longer than they should have, and had a much greater reserve of weaponry than is possible for any fighter. That can only mean that weve encountered--"
"Greetings, Admiral Crusader."
Crusader turned to see a Human Confederation officer on the communication screen. "Fleet Admiral UE Crusader, Ive been instructed to warn you about--"
"About the new Pirate vessel? Unfortunately, you are a bit late. Weve already engaged a two dozen of them in battle, and lost ten warships in the process."
The officials eyes grew wide at that. "Two dozen? But that means they're already being mass-produced!"
"Obviously," Crusader said, a bit irritated. "And if I had had intel on the new ship sooner, we would have been more cautious and perhaps avoided the losses inflicted upon us."
"Im sorry sir, I contacted you as soon as--"
"That doesnt matter anymore; you did the best you could. Send on all information the HC has gathered on the new Pirate ship, and contact President Skyblade about our engagement down there."
"Yes sir, Ill get right on it."
"One more thing. It is plain that the new Pirate ships are being manufactured in an area not too far from our current position. We cannot afford a major Pirate threat while fighting a war with the Aliens! Tell Captain Skyblade that I request permission to investigate the Pirate systems near Agena for signs of this, as well as authorization to use whatever means necessary to capture or destroy what I find as a result. Now go, I will hold in Agena until I receive a response."
"Sir!"
Crusader sighed. "And now we wait."
----------------------------
Update on Fleet Admiral UE Crusader's forces:
2 Carriers
6 SuperCruisers
12 BattleCruisers
20 Cruisers
13 Ospreys
22 Destroyer M5's
11 Frigates
11 Destroyers
60 Mantas (aboard Carrier)
115 Star Cobras (aboard Carrier)
Current system position: Agena
----------------------------
------------------
(url="http://"http://www.oxy-web.com/uec/7thAxis.htm")7th Axis: A Round 5 Planetarion Galaxy(/url)
We will strive for nothing but excellence and success. We've got 20 spots left, secure yours today!
(This message has been edited by UE Crusader (edited 08-02-2001).)
