The sleek, black craft slid out of the dry dock for the first time. Its for long fins reflected absolutely nothing, even though they where in direct star-light. The three proton cannons where prepped but the crew knew that they where safe. Who in their right mind would attack a Kestrel? As it rounded the planet four more Kestrels jumped into the system. "This is it," thought the captain of the pirate ship Maxum. "This is where it all ends." One by one the other Kestrels hailed the Maxum and they all deployed the their Lightnings and some of them even had Hawk fighters. The proton cannons where brought to life and everyone waited for the pirates to jump in.

As the four Kestrel's and their escorts waited one by on the other pirates started to join their formation. A small group of merchants drew back behind the pirate armada, but stayed close enough to watch. Within 15 minutes the pirate navy was 17 ships strong and only needed an enemy. Suddenly 2 Confed Cruisers, 6 Frigates, and 12 Gunboats jumped in the system.

The pirates, quickly seeing they were out-numbered, fled. The Cruisers deployed their Patrol Ships, and the Gunboats went to pick off the straggling pirates. They first caught up with an Argosy called the Descent. They swarmed in like wolves on a wounded carribou. Within minutes the Descent was down and and spiraled flaming down into Evildrome's atmosphere.

No more then 3 pirate ships hadn't jumped out of the system. Another Argosy and 2 Kestrels. The Gunboats raced in on the attack and were met with strong resistance. As the three pirate vessels seemed to turn the tide on the Gunboats, the Frigates came in, with protons blazing and torpedos not far behind. The pirates knew they could not win, and engaged their hyperspace drive. However, hyperspace takes time, and before they started going all but one of the pirate ships was destroyed. That ship was the Maxum.

(This message has been edited by moderator (edited 11-28-2001).)