The sleek bird of prey launched from the hollowed out asteroid, quickly disappearing into the blackness of space, its stealth characteristics hiding it from all but the most probing of sensors. A mock freighter had been set adrift, full of sensors and strategically armored. Several minutes passed, during which there was complete silence on the observation deck of the nearby Kestrel warship. Suddenly, as if coming from within the fabric of space and time itself, a series of bright blue flashes erupted to right of the freighter. The shots were brighter than anything Rak had seen before, and he squinted. As the first shot smashed into the bow of the target, a cascade of sparks flew down the sides of the vessel. As the remaining shots slammed into the freighter, the exterior metal was liquefied, and the energy of each impact forced the burning steel further into the fortified armor.
Three torpedoes followed the proton barrage, penetrating the most weakly defended parts of the armor plating. The first explosion ripped through the aft section of the freighter, launching shrapnel in every direction. The second torpedo exploded directly above a mock reactor, launching a lethal shockwave in all directions. Burning plasma tore through the fortified armor like a knife through butter. By the time the last torpedo detonated, the armor was a rotting wreck. It was quite an achievement, considering that the experimental armor design was estimated to have a strength rating of over two hundred.
The entire deck starting cheering. The Kestrel C had passed one of its most important tests. Its final test would come in an hour, when it would engage an automated Kestrel in a live-fire engagement.
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Captain Drake Lansing had congratulated his crew on the successful test soon after. However, upon further reflection in his ready room, he realized that was just a drop in the bucket compared to the upcoming battle. He knew that his understaffed prototype had to fight off a fully armed and armored Kestrel, remotely piloted by one of the only AIs in existence. Although he knew that he was expected to win, Byzantine, the AI controlling the opposing Kestrel, has never lost a battle match in his Kestrel. Lansing called a senior staff meeting to discuss tactics, because he and his officers were brilliantly unorthodox when I came to one on one tactical engagements.
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Byzantines Kestrel departed from Atinoda Stardock precisely on time, and was quickly lost in the darkness of space. Following several analyses of the tactical capabilities of the Kestrel C, the AI decided to use strike and fade tactics. Once lost in the depths of the asteroid belt, he rapidly ducked behind one of the larger roids and completely shut down the warship.
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When the order to proceed with Operation Space Superiority was dispatched to Lansing, he eased the prototype Kestrel C out into the asteroid belt. He configured the computer to search and destroy, and sat back. He closed his eyes tight, and breathed a silent prayer. As the vessel started a static search pattern, the sensor officer on the ship began picking up signatures a lot of them.
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Unknown to the crew of the prototype, Byzantine was broadcasting an immense amount of ghosts for the passive sensors on his opponents ship to pick up. Safely hidden behind an asteroid, he had sent his two lightnings out into space to act as bait. He had a clear line of fire towards them, and would ambush the prototype when it came into contact with his fighters. He had also deployed several torpedoes slaved to his control. When Lansing activated his active sensors, which he would, the torpedoes would slam into his ship, forcing him to run in passive mode
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The sensor officer on the prototype Kestrel C, which was affectionately named Carl, was an experienced commander by the name of Kevin Bigham. Bigham was an expert on the operations of sensors, and quickly realized that simply using passive sensors would lead them to an eventual death. Instead, he ordered the computer to activate his suite of high powered active sensors. Almost immediately, he was able to make out one target that looked like Kestrel, but was really the two lightnings. He locked onto the coordinates, and transmitted them to the computer. However, just after he had reported the contact to the captain, several large bangs reverberated throughout the ship.
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The captains reverie was ended by two loud thumps against the hull of the ship. The bridge of the Kestrel immediately began glowing bright red, klaxons blaring. A frantic tactical officer reported multiple torpedo hits, and that shields were down five percent. Drake ordered active sensors off, and then set course for the contact, at maximum speed.
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When the active sensors suddenly dropped offline, before which was a marked increased in acceleration towards the lightnings, Byzantine knew he had Carl right where he wanted her.
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As the prototype entered into passive sensor range of the two lightnings, they were horrified to find that the Kestrel was nowhere in site. Frantically, the crew attempted to get out of range of the bird of prey, but it was too late.
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As soon as the ship entered into Byzantines weapons range, he unloaded with everything he had
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A barrage of torpedoes slammed into the aft section of the Kestrel, pummeling its shields. That was followed by a wave of missiles, which further compounded the damage. However, almost instantaneously, Carls onboard computer rocketed the ship hard to starboard, followed by the launch of ten torpedoes and eight missiles. As the projectiles hurtled toward the Kestrel, Landers unleashed his four proton turrets.
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The projectiles smashed into the forward section of the Kestrels bridge, the shields violently reacting the plasma and explosives. However, before significant damage was done, Byzantine slammed his Kestrel hard to the right, hurtling in between two rapidly gyrating asteroids. Sure enough, they absorbed the impact of the remaining munitions, which split them into pieces.
Emerging from the wreckage of the two asteroids, the Carl fired her primaries. The enhanced energy weapons literally melted through the shields, like an angry fire breathing dragon. The searing bolts tore through the reinforced steel hull, depressurizing the wounded ship, and causing secondary explosions to erupt through out. The battle had been one.
The Kestrel C was ready for production, and it would prove to be one of the most revolutionary starships ever sold.
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_Begin Hyperspace Transmission
To: All Interested Mercenaries
From: Atinoda Corporation
Encryption: None
An extremely powerful, revolutionary version of the Kestrel is coming to market soon. You can preorder one now, and get delivery within two weeks. Brochure and product information enclosed.
End Hyperspace Transmission_
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General Rak - PowerBroker - (url="http://"mailto:power64@optonline.net")mailto:power64@optonline.net(/url)power64@optonline.net
