While Captain Skyblade awaits for the arrival of the 417th Rebel Fleet at Turin, he continues to receive radio reports of the action going on in and around the Sol system...
As soon as the 417th warfleet emerged from hyperspace, an unwelcome blip appeared on the Triton Corsair's computer.
"It's the Confederation warfleet that chased us off at Centauri, sir," spoke the chief sensor operator.
"As I thought," came Skyblade's reply. "The Confederation is counter-attacking, and they will do anything in their power to prevail. If they suceed in destroying our fleet, the entire offensive will be at steak. The 17th Battlegroup (the fleet that fought along with Skyblade's at Centauri) , the 417th warfleet, and our own fleet are the line between the Confederation and Pashlife. They must be stopped here..."
Before the Confederation exited hyperspace, fifteen Rebel Cruisers began to release their fighters. The updated Mantas now carried four turbolasers, a missile rack with three missiles, and twin javelin pods with 100 rockets. Using this firepower, Mantas were beginning to take a leading edge against Patrol Ships and Gunboats when dogfights occured...
As the Confederation fleet exited hyperspace, they were given a warm welcome. The F-26 Mantas were stationed at front, prepaired to lead and spearhead the assault. Behind them, fifty Destroyers fired an amazing number of torpedoes, to which has gone unmatched to this day. The Rebel Cruisers stationed at rear would come in to deliever final blows to the capital ships.
"Beware, battlegroup! Sensors indicate that there are twenty cruisers, sixty frigates, three-hundred patrol ships, and one-hundred gunboats now in the Turin system," radioed Admiral Phillips.
"Roger, sir," Skyblade replied. "They've come in force, but the Rebellion will live on..."
The 237 Mantas stationed at the front of the Rebel fleet, many of which were not ship-based, began to make a direct run for the frigates that first appeared in Turin. The Mantas were much like bees, in which swarmed the frigates at high speeds, turbolasers blazing.
"Skyblade to Manta wings. Use javelin rockets and missiles for use against the big ones. Take care of dogfights with your turbolasers..."
seventeen seconds after the battle had began, two frigates were decimated by the Mantas alone. The hundreds of torpedoes that had been launched by the Destroyers now began to impact with such force, that some of the frigates were pushed back from their original course. Fifteen seconds later, seven frigates were destroyed, with three others disabled.
"Destroyers, engage targets at close range," Admiral Phillips radioed from his Cruiser. "Avoid hostile rockets at all costs."
Meanwhile, Vance Vollorium, who commanded the entire Manta fighter wing, lead his fighter and twenty others toward a Frigate.
Vollorium, now a Lieutenant for his performance during the commando raid, gave orders. "Break left, break left! Incoming rockets...Davis, you take fifteen of the fighters for a direct assault against the northern quarters of the Frigate. I'll take the other five for an attack against the engines."
Two Mantas from Davis' command received a heavy rocket, making the crafts spin away from the battle, and explode within seconds. Vollorium continued to dodge proton fire as he led his small number of Mantas at the engine. Using a combination of lasers and javelin rockets, the engines were destroyed in a short matter of time, disabling the frigate.
"Davis, package is wrapped. Finish him off with cannons."
As the Frigate's hull collapsed, Vollorium received battle data over his computer screen.
"twenty-three frigates destroyed, six disabled. Our own loses measure thirty-six Mantas, nine destroyers. Enemy fighters about to exit hyperspace."
Skyblade, who was somewhat pleased with the current success of the battle, took his Destroyer to a direct assault against the lead frigate of the assault. Coming up at the stern of the ship, he hoped to catch it by surprise.
"Torpedo tubes one and two, fire at will. Fead that frigate half our missiles, and commence fire with protons."
Eight torpedoes slammed into the frigates side, nearly spliting the craft in half. The missiles, which had been targted at the bridge, hit with deadly accuracy. Now that the ship was without command, it did as Skyblade had planned. It collided with a close-by frigate, while at the same time proton turrets fired at the dead ship. The two frigates exploded with amazing force, severly damaged three other frigates.
"Way to go, Triton Corsair!" Phillips radioed with excitement. "Commence battle from current position."
The massive numbers of Confederation fighters now exited hyperspace, firing weapons like angry bees. The Mantas, which had been dealing with the frigates, now fought back against the fighters.
"Skyblade to fleet. All destroyers take on remaining frigates. Vollorium, you lead the Manta fighters wings against the Confederation fighters. Go, go, go!"
The Confederation fleet of frigates, now a shattered battleline, began to crumble. While the frigates were numbered at sixty upon arrival, losses had dropped the number to a staggering sixteen. Rebel Destroyer losses were thriteen: A small cost for what damage had been inflicted. However, the Manta wings were beginning to suffer...
"Vollorium to Triton Corsair. Losses are high. My wing has dropped many Confederation fighters, but we can't afford our losses. We request immediate assistance!"
Skyblade got on the comm to Phillip's Cruiser. "Sir, the Manta wings have lost almost half their ships. If we continue the battle at this rate, we'll lose them all."
"Captain, how many ships does the Turin defense fleet have?"
"Hmmm...Computers state that Turin has a defense fleet of one hundred and fifty Mantas, and twenty destroyers," came Skyblade's reply.
"Well then, looks like we've got some help. Radio Turin immediately and order the planetary defense fleet to commence to combat, and hurry!"
Skyblade quickly announced the plan to Turin, and before long, large numbers of Manta fighters raced by to join the action. The site was beautiful, and morale jumped sky high. The twenty destroyers stationed at Turin also began to make their way towards the battle...
Meanwhile, the remaining sixteen Confederation frigates were in deep trouble. Now outnumbered badly by their rivals, the frigates had no choice but to fall back behind the lines of fighters.
"Skyblade to fleet. Frigates are attempting a fallback, and maybe a possible retreat. Destroyers, get rid of as many of those as you can, for they may return to haunt us."
The slow and clumsy frigates could not outrun the Destroyers that plowed them down one my one. Tremendous amounts of proton fore ripped away at the hulls, while the remaining missiles were used.
"R.S.S Wasp to Skyblade. Frigate fleet has an additional eight losses, with three more badly damaged. The remaining have exited the battle."
"Great work, Wasp! You'll get a promotion, I promise. Now go and help those Mantas finish off the Confederation fighters. The Mantas have been working hard, and they need relief. And remember, there are still twenty Confederation cruisers on their way here. Save all remaining torpedoes and rockets for those suckers. Those are your orders. Skyblade out."
Captain Skyblade took his Destroyers towards the waves of gunboats and patrol ships. In doing so, a wing of five patrol ships made a quick run directly towards the Triton Corsair. Proton fire tore away at the front section of the ship, causing minor damage.
"Skyblade to turret gunners. Target those patrol ships...They're after our own craft."
The Patrol Ships sped by the Triton Corsair, and made a sharp turn to make a second pass. On doing so, four proton turrets returned fire, knocking out two patrol ships instantly. The other three were about to destroy turret number three, but Vollorium thought otherwise. Two of the patrol ships suddently exploded from waves of turbolasers, and the other retreated to join his comrades.
"Thanks, Vollorium! Those fighters were about to knock out my turrets. I have a report that the R.S.S. Hornet is receiving damage. Take your wing over there and see if you can help out."
As the Triton Corsair fired volley after volley of protons into the ranks of Confederation fighters, exploding patrol ships and gunboats was becoming an increasing site.
As the Triton Corsair downed yet another fighter with protons, Skyblade suddenly noticed the R.S.S. Wasp. It was being swarmed by ten gunboats, and heavy rockets had totally decimated the ship.
"Wasp to Skyblade, Wasp to Skyblade! We're taking severe hits! Our shields are failing! Requesting immediate assis-"
The voice was cut off just as Skyblade watched the Wasp explode into a huge ball of flames. Shrapnal began to hit the Corsair's shields. Skyblade whispered a quick prayer for his friends aboard the Wasp.
After being briefly stunned, Skyblade continued to feed orders to his fleet. His radio again echoed...
"Skyblade, Commander Phillips speaking. The Confederation fighters are now falling back. The good news is that the Confederation has lost 53 frigates, 183 patrol ships, and 74 gunboats. Our own losses measure 25 destroyers, and 149 Mantas: A low cost for what has been inclicted on the Confederation. The bad news is that the Confederation cruisers will be exiting hyperspace in forty-five seconds. Prepare your destroyer ranks. Phillips out."
As roughly 113 Confederation patrol ships began to retreat from the still-massive Rebel fleet, Skyblade sent his orders."
"All destroyers, fall back to original battle stations. We must get organized before the cruisers get here. Vollorium, you take what Mantas you can to the cruisers to get restalked with missiles and javelins. Destroyers, arm your rockets and get those torpedoes hot."
As the twenty-five destroyers stationed themselves in a battleline, the mantas raced back to the cruisers. The Turin defense fleet remained outside the cruisers and provided escort. The cruisers would remain behind the battle to deliever the final blow...
The commander of the Confederation cruiser, the C.N.S. Avenger, ordered his crew to pull the fleet out of hyperspace. He was extremely dissapointed that the seemingly unbeatable frigate fleet and waves of fighters had fallen back in panic and retreat. But he boastfully stated that the Rebel fleet would never destroy the large number of cruisers he commanded...
"There they are, I have visual!" Skyblade yelled over the comm. "Confederation cruisers are releasing fighters. All Mantas, avoid neutron fire and attack the engines. Let the capital ships take the Confederation cruiser head-on. All ships, move forward!"
The Mantas, now refreshed with more weapons and high morale, raced towards the Confederation cruisers. Their weapons shattered the engines of the large vessels, meanwhile doing their best to dodge the fire offered by the fighters.
The cruisers stubbornly resisted the small fighters that came at them. They fired neutron blasters and proton turrets rapidly, tearing their way through the Destroyer battleline. In a few minutes, battle reports raced across the Triton Corsair's viewing screen.
9 Destroyers lost, 32 Mantas destroyed. Four Confederation Cruisers destroyed, one disabled.
"We can't take those losses!" Skyblade announced. "Order the Destroyers to pull back once all secondaries are used!"
Heavy rockets all across the batteline raced toward the cruisers, and a few remaining torpedoes ripped away at the stabilizer wings. The Mantas continued to poud the engines of the cruisers in a desperate attempt to hault the massive crafts.
"Mantas, take on enemy fighters. All Rebel Cruisers, commence to battle. Let those Confeds have it!" Roared Admiral Phillips over the radio.
The Fifteen Rebel Cruisers released nearly one hundred torpedoes in half a minute. Heavy rockets also appeared frequently. The site was tremendous, and the Confederation's last attempt to win this battle looked grim.
Aboard the C.N.S. Avenger, the commander was in panic. His shields dropped to below 10%, and torpedoes continued to slam against his ship while emergeny lights flashed everywhere.
The commander, who had just been knocked to the floor by a voilent explosian and a now a bloody wreck, weakly stated over his still-functioning radio, "All Confederation cruisers, re...retreat from battle. This day bel-..belongs to the Rebellion." As soon as he finished his sentence, his ships exploded from overwheling amounts of proton fire.
Skyblade ordered his fleet to hault, and watched as a few torpedoes chased the Confederation cruisers during their attempt to exit Turin. While the seven remaining and damaged cruisers hyperspaced for the safety of the core worlds, Skyblade couldn't help but let a beam of pride appear on his face.
"The Rebellion has triumphed! Our government lives on, and the Confederation has attacked, but failed. We shall prevail, till the days of our corrupt and former government are over. Long live the Rebellion!"
Chears rang all over the Comm. The courageous and battle-weary Rebel fleet headed for Turin, ready to make yet another attack on Sol when the day came...This was truelly one of the Rebellion's finest moments.
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~Captain Skyblade
President of the Corsair Development Team
(url="http://"http://artworks.tmgmedia.net")Corsair Homepage(/url) | (url="http://"http://pub57.ezboard.com/bcorsairdevelopers")Corsair Web Board(/url) | (url="http://"http://pub101.ezboard.com/bstarbasedelta")Starbase Delta(/url)
(This message has been edited by Captain Skyblade (edited 06-01-2001).)
