And so It begins

[Jason]

Banking hard to the left the sleek attacker just missed the expanding field of debris from what
was moments ago an enemy fighter.

“Reaper drop to port and pull up! I’ll have a shot!”, Claymore burst into his headset. On
command the other attacker dropped and opened up a window. Claymore let loose a
volley of blaster fire that tore into the pirates cockpit and exploded the engine housing.

“Now that’s how you play!”, Claymore declared just as Reaper’s attacker exploded next to him.

In the same instant a pirate dreadnaught gated in and discharged its massive array of weapons
into the side of Claymore’s carrier. Caught in the crossfire four more of his team vanished
in balls of light.

Whipping his ship about he headed for the dreadnaught. Winter dropped in beside him and
they preceded to blast their way to the dreadnaught before it could take out the carrier.

“What are you doing, Claymore? Your orders are to stay and defend the Ambassadors ship!
Get back there NOW!”, Claymore’s commander bellowed.

“If we don’t stop that dreadnaught the Ambassador will have more problems then some
pesky fighters.”, Claymore and Winter continued towards the dreadnaught, ignoring their
commands.

Closing the distance took no time and brought Claymore and Winter in close enough to use
their only ship killer torpedoes. Claymore thumbed the controls and a green light lit up
acknowledging the torpedoes readiness. At that moment Winter and her ship ceased to
existed as the dreadnaught’s main guns opened up. Claymore pulled back hard and managed
to shoot over the beams burning the space between them. It wasn’t till it was to late that the
young pilot saw the carrier take the full broadside of the dreadnaught and peal apart.

Anger filling his vision, Claymore spun about and fired the torpedo at the pirate vessel only
to see a fresh wing of fighters pour out of it’s mag locks. Two wheeled in and took the torpedo
into their own sides, exploding in white hot flame.

Cursing, Claymore dived in on the new fighters just as they launched their attack on him.
Before he could get a shot off he took every shot they threw. His screens screamed red and
warnings went off all over his attacker. In the next moment his engine core went critical
and Claymore’s game came to an end.

===

The door swung open and light flooded in.

“Got me killed again, Claymore?!”, a white haired Challryn-ree female mockingly asked as
she looked in to see the young human pilot banging his head on the simulator controls.
“Well if you’d follow orders, that wouldn’t happen.”, he stated without lifting his head.

“ME?! YOU are the one that didn’t stay with the Ambassador, YOU are the wing lead, I HAD
to go where you went.” , she stated poking him with every overstated ‘you’.

“He get us all killed again?”, asked a dark haired pilot walking up to the pair.

“AGAIN?! What the frak do you mean, again?”, Claymore, or as he was formally known Cadet
Cairon Dez challenged as he hopped out of the sim.

“Knock it off, Reaper. You’ll only give the boy a heart attack.” Winter smiled at Cairon as
she helped him shut the simulator down.

Reaper, Cadet Askins Rilles, laughed as the three old friends locked their arms around each
other and joined the crowd moving toward the observation deck.

“We’re about to take off. This is exciting, I’ve never been out of Isie space before.”, Winter,
Cadet J’rin Arkdabris, squealed.

“No one in the Empire has.”, Askins teased.

The three went up to the Acadamy Training Vessel’s observation deck which gave them a
view of the procession of ships gathering about.

“There’s the Ambassador’s ship, the Reagal”, J’rin pointed at sleek cruiser sized ship
moving to the center of the fleet.

“And there’s the White Star” Cairon said in awe, “That’s our station when we graduate.”

J’rin smiled. She knew Cairon’s dream had always been to be a fighter pilot aboard the
Empire’s flag ship. The massive carrier dwarfed most other ships in the fleet and was
chosen to escort Ambassador Tiel’drun, her father, to Scanlon Station.

“You think those are impressive, look at that”, Askins pointed to a ship that was slowly
moving up through the fleet to take the lead. It was a strange four pointed star shaped craft
that shifted it’s colors from red to blue. The front glowed green in the spaces between the
cruxes of the star. “That is the Watcher’s ship”, he stated in greater awe then Cairon mustered.

Impressive it was, but soon forgotten as the Academy ship took it’s place among the fleet.
Excitement flooded the observers as the realization that they where about to be some of the
first Isie to leave their Empire swept over them.

As the fleet moved to the new Hyper-Gate a whistle pierced the din of the crowd and drew
everyones attention to the main screens.

A distinguished Challryn-ree came into view, “As you know I am Ambassador Tiel’drun and
you all are the chosen few who are going to be the first to step into the Greater Galaxy for the
first time.”

A uproarious applause broke through the fleet and quickly subsided when the Ambassador
continued to speak.

“We have come along way from the days of fighting each other. And now we have shown
ourselves to be ready to join with the rest of the Empires. The Watchers have taught us
much and guide us well. We owe them great thanks.” Tiel’drun bowed to the Watcher
at the head of the fleet.

“Let us show the Greater Galaxy that we deserve the right to be among them. Let us put our
best foot forward and be a shining example for the rest of our people and for generations
to come”, Tiel’drun bowed this time to the fleet as more applause broke out.

“Thank you all. Now let us go to the stars.”

[Jason]

Ensign Relis walked down the corridor of the Ambassador class cruiser. Normally a warship
the Ambassador class was refit for more comfort in mind. Although they still pack a punch
when needed. Ambassador Tiel’Drun’s cruiser was no exception. Tiel’Drun was the head
of the Imperial Police before becoming one of Empress Kyein’s chancellors. While always
looking for the peaceful side to any situation, when push comes to shove Ambassador
Tiel’Drun likes to shove real hard.

Coming up to Tiel’Drun’s personal quarters Ensign Relis stopped and took a deep breath.
She was nervous not because of the Ambassador, no she’s met him several times, but
because of who he was having dinner with. The second most powerful man in the Empire,
the captain of the White Star Carrier, Tarook Direck, sat on the other side of this very door.
Even without the ability to bust her down to swabbing the lower aft sections of a garbage
scow, Captain Direck was an Orcie. A brutish hulking race who’s pure size and menace
masked a fierce strategic intelligence, but this wasn’t what cause Relis’s nervous shaking.
Ensign Relis, human daughter to no one special, had a crush on a dangerous and powerful
Orcie military commander.

Ensign Relis took a deep breath again and signaled the door chime.

“Enter.” came a muffled responce.

“Ambassador Tiel’Drun, a communiqué from Lady Onia Onnetta Farel Marcello.” The young
ensign handed over a data pad to the Ambassador.

Nodding Tiel’Drun took the pad and read carefully, frowning more and more as he read, “Seems
our new galactic neighbors may be in a bit of a bind.” The Ambassador handed the pad over
to the the White Star’s captain sitting across from him.

The pad looked smaller in the Orcie had, “Hmm, yes. Not good news. I’ve heard unsatisfactory
things about this MORD group. And I do not like that Watcher Dellus does not
acknowledge they even exist.” Captain Direck looked up at the blushing Ensign, “Wait a
moment Ensign, I may have orders for you.”

“Y..yes sir,” she managed to state.

“We should send some of the cruisers and a destroyer to go and assist her,” Direck began typing
into the pad.

“We will not, Captain.” Tiel’drun refuted taking a drink of the fragrant wine in front of him.

“And would you care to share why, Ambassador?” the menacing side of the Orcie clearly visible.

“She did not ask for it. I will not send ships to a potential ally that does not ask. That would
be a kin to telling them that I... that we do not believe they can handle themselves.”

“If these MORDS are half as deadly as the reports I received...., “Direck began.

“How about this, Captain. We will send the stealth tactical bomber group we have with us.
They can remain hidden and if they are needed they can spring into action. But they will
NOT move to assist unless otherwise asked. From what I gather the Archaen’s are a proud
race and I would not dare insult them.” Ambassador Tiel’drun continued cutting his steak.

“I can accept that,” the Captain typed into the pad then handed it to the Ensign, “Take this
to the bridge, have Captain Ject send out this order to the STB group.”

“Yes, Sir.” Ensign Relis snapped to attention and left. When the door shut behind her she raced
off to the bridge smiling the whole way.

Back in the Ambassador’s chambers the meal continued as if nothing interrupted it.

“We should be to Scanlon Staion in about four days. With Watcher Dellus guiding the fleet
through Hyper-space we’ll not have to exit to re-align. “ Captain Direck took a long swig from
his glass of ale.

“About that, the Watcher has to leave us shortly. Some emergency or other that he was not
willing to speak more about. So we’ll have to take the last leg of the journey without our
guide." Tiel’drun seemed a bit annoyed at this, but only Captain Direck would have known.
The two have been friends and allies for the better part of their lives. While always calm
cool and collective in presentation, Direck knew when that was not the case inside.

“Hmm, then we are about a week out then. We’ll have to come out of Hyper-space at least
once. As long as the drift doesn’t push us to far off that is.”

“Well then, let’s finish this meal so you can go and ready the fleet.”

[Jason]

=============================================

“We’re about to hit the gate, Cap.” Captain Tierbrak’s copilot, Commander Ricter stated as
the six bombers hurtled through the emptiness of the Trigart system.

“Once in, how long till we get to the Archaen’s last location?”, the gruff Orcie captain of the
Isie stealth bomber ‘Gunheads’ asked.

“About fifteen minutes.” Rictor paused and adjusted the comms frequence, “Cap, there’s a
distress call coming through.”

“From the Archaen’s?”

“No Sir, from a Sib’yl.” A confused Rictor put the message through.

**[INCOMING TRANSMISSION: EMERGENCY CODE: broad channel]**

MAY DAY! MAY DAY! THIS IS HIGH SIB'YL XVE SAN FE BROADCASTING ON ALL
CHANNELS SEEKING ASSISTANCE FROM ANY SHIP WITHIN REACH OF THIS
SIGNAL.

REPEAT -- I AM SEEKING ASSISTANCE FROM ANY SHIP RECEIVING ME! I AM THE
ONLY SURVIVING MEMBER OF A WATCHER'S CABAL. MY SITUATION IS
DESPERATE AND REQUIRE IMMEDIATE AID. ENEMY FORCES ARE IN PURSUIT.
PLEASE I -- SZZZZECH -- BZZzzz --- *
....................

“Where is that coming from?”

“...Um..., behind us, Sir.” Rictor double checked his readout.

“Behind...? The asteroid belt! All wings turn about now! Head for the belt and keep an eye out
for any distressed ships!” Tierbrak spun his bomber about, the five others followed suit, “Go
quiet.”

The six bombers faded from sight as the ships shrouds came online. The asteroid belt was at the
outlying edge of the Trigart system, far clear of the only Hyper-Gate in the region. Having
come out of Hyper-space to re-adjust their heading the bombers had completely avoided
the dangerous rocks, and any battle that must be taking place within.

Only moments after cloaking the bombers came within sight of a small dart like ship rocketing
in the direction of the gate. Behind it several strangely shaped fighters where gaining on the
damaged vessel discharging every weapon they had.

“There’s not much time left for that ship.” Captain Rugo of the ‘Rogue’ barked into his comms.

“‘Rogue’ you and ‘Redemption’ break off and cover that transport. I want it to make the gate.
The rest of us are going after the fighters and whatever that is clearing the rocks.” Tierbrak
ordered as an impossibly large battleship came out of the asteroid belt. The tumbling debris
seemingly avoided the massive craft.

Invisibly the two bombers spun off and came in on either side of the dart just as the remaining
four came out of cloak and opened up on the fighters. The massive forward pulse cannons
tore into the smaller boats erupting them into tiny white hot suns. Reactivating the shrouds the
four bombers made for the battleship.

A surprised and fearful, “What the hells!”, erupted over the comms.

“We have you covered M’Lady Sib’yl,” Rugo assured as ‘Rogue’ and ‘Redemption’ came
out of cloak. The top-side and belly gunners behind the pilot and co-pilot activated their guns
and spun them to the rear. Only two fighters made it past the other four bombers and where on
a direct line for the Sib’yl dart.

Opening up, the fighters sprayed the dart, only to have ‘Redemption’ swing in and take the hits.
Both of the bombers top-side gunners let loose a hail of deadly blaster fire that peppered the
space between the combatants. One fighter banked directly into the ‘Rogue’s line of fire and
disappeared in a silent explosion. The remaining dove below the bombers only to be torn
to pieces by the belly guns waiting patently below.

Unhindered the three made way for the Hyper-Gate now some distance off. Time was not on
there side nor was the dart happy to help speed things along. It’s extensive damage slowed it
considerably.

Tierbrak’s ‘Gunheads’ and the remaining three bombers moved quickly onto the battleship,
“We’ve need to make sure they don't get to the dart. Once in range fire the torpedoes.”

It didn’t take long close the distance, but before the bombers could even come out of cloak the
massive ship opened fire. One massive beam cut through space and blew the ‘Hull Breaker’
into oblivion.

“We’ve not dropped cloak yet!” the ‘Angel’s Touch’ Commander, Tielra, exclaimed just as
more shots pierced the darkness in the direction of the bombers, missing by only a hair's breath.

“They can see through the shrouds! Drop and fire!” barked Tierbrak, banking the bomber over
another massive beam that scorched the paint.

Coming out of cloak the bombers broke formation and made for the unknown ship. Fighters
poured out of unseen bays and swarmed toward the bombers. From behind the battleship
several frigates emerged along with two dreadnaughts. In the blink of an eye the space once
occupied by a single ship was swamped with a fleet of hostiles.

“Shiiiit...”, breathed Tierbrak slowly.

“There’s no way we can take all of them.”, Rictor calmly announced unnecessarily.

“I know..."Tierbrak stated quietly reading the screen, "I know... Well then... it’s been an honor fighting along side you all. Let’s take as many of these bitches down as we can.” the Captain declared in a regal tone.

“Aye aye, Captain.” came the response from all four crews. To cut and run wasn’t even a
thought.

At that moment, hell opened up in space.

[Jason]

Top-side and belly gunners had no lack of targets, firing indiscriminantely they hit fighters with
every shot. The bombers ducked and wove through the havoc of battle getting closer and closer
to the larger targets. Their heavier armor and shielding helping against the swarm of angry
fighters, but not completely.

“We’re taking to many hits!” barked the captain of the ‘Crossbonez’ just as it’s engines went
critical and the antimatter warhead torpedoes detonated. The Isie bomber and it’s crew ceased
to exist, but took with it an extensive number of enemy fighters.

‘Angel’s Touch’ plowed through her fighters to close with one of the frigates, “Almost within
range.” Commander Tielra stated looking through the torpedo targeting system.

“Once we have a lock, fire!” Captain Andria shouted pulling the bomber into a hard dive
between two fighters that could not pull out fast enough and blasted into one another brilliantly.

An explosion thundered in the cabin of the bomber, “I’ve lost the belly gun!” cried one gunner
echoed by the other as another shock shook the ship. “We’ve got no cover!”

“Torpedo away!” Tielra trumpeted as a bright object streaked from the bomber's forward
tubes. To keep the fighters from intercepting, the ‘Angel’s Touch’ opened up with it’s forward
pulse cannons clearing a path for the small package of death. Moments later the antimatter torpedo struck
home directly into the front of the frigate. The warhead detonated in a fabulous eruption that blew
the entire front section of the frigate completely off. Secondary explosions ripped through the
rest of the vessel until the frigate broke into pieces and exploded.

The ladies cheers aboard the 'Angel's Touch' where short lived. Caught in the cross fire of several
enemy fighters, the cabin of the bomber was sheered off. A second barrage sent the power core
critical and the war-boat lit up space.

---

“The ‘Angle’s Touch’ is gone, Sir.” Commander Colhun stated in the hushed cabin of the
‘Redemption’. The dart and it’s two escorts where not far from the gate now.

“‘Rogue’ take Lady Sib’yl to the gate, we’re going back to help ‘Gundheads’.”

“You’ll do no such thing Captain Loron,” interrupted Tierbrak from the heat of battle. “It’s more imperative that you get
that dart out of here. Coming back will only get you all killed as well!”

Reluctantly Loron agreed, no orcie disobeys orders, no mater the cost, “How much further to
the gate?” Loron asked an edge of remorse and anger in his voice.

“Few more minutes, the nodes are visible now.”, Colhun stated also feeling the anger. Orders
where orders, and they’ll follow them, but they didn’t have to like it.

---

The bomber rocked again, this time harder then the previous impacts. The shields where down and one of the engines was
no longer working, the other two barely operated, “We’re in range Captain, firing in three... two
... one...”

A bright light from the battleship filled the cabin with a direct hit and all went dark, “What the hell happened, Commander?”

“I’m not sure, Sir. We’ve lost power, we’re dead.”

“Can’t fire the guns either, Sir.” The gunners continued to depress the triggers hoping the lack
of power was only temporary.

“EM Pulse...” realized Captain Tierbrak flatly, “We’re dead in more ways then one...”

One of the dreadnaughts moved towards the silent bomber, the fighters pulling away. The lower
quarter of the large ship cracked and started to open, making to swallow the bomber.

“They plan to take us alive.” Rictor pointed out.

“They have no problem killing their own. I wouldn’t say what their about to do to us ‘taking us
alive’.” Tierbrak started flipping some of the dead switches to no avail, “Haul, can you get
below and arm the warheads?”

“Of course!” the gunner jumped from his seat and made to the hatch in the rear of the cabin.
Cranking it open he entered the engine room. Molten metal dripped from the dead engine and
only the mag shield run on a phase generator kept the vacuum of space at bay, holes punched
through the hull in to many places to count. In the middle of the engine room, Haul yanked
open a hatch and slid down into the weapons bay.

“Hurry it up, Haul, we don’t have all day.” Tierbrak yelled back from the cabin.

Sliding between two racks of torpedoes, Haul stepped in front of the lot. Unscrewing the
warheads, the weapons expert armed three of the six devices. “Done!”, he yelled back.

The bomber was swallowed by the dreadnaught and laid surprisingly gently on the deck.

---

The Hyper-Gate shimmered with the heat-wave before spinning and opening into a field of
white light. The Sib’yl dart shot in followed by ‘Redemption’. The ‘Rogue’ spun to face the
battle, to far away to see, in hopes that ‘Gunheads’ would limp up. Captain Rugo waited until
a bright light lit up the distance. Sighing Rugo and his crew placed the tips of their figures to
their foreheads then their hearts. Spinning the bomber back around, they entered the gate.

[Jason]

“Captain Direck, we are getting a Hyper-Space message coming through.”, a young ensign at the
comms reported, adjusting his settings to clean up the signal.

“Put it through, Ensign Catsh.”

“This is ‘Rogue’ of the ST-Bomber group Hydra, to the Isie White Star, clearance code Alpha
Delta Uniform 0945-382. Please respond.” came a static polluted signal.

“This is Captain Direck of the White Star, we read you Rogue. Please report on your mission.”
The Orcie Captain sat back in his command chair.

“We did not make it to the Archaens, Sir. We intercepted a distress call in the Trigart system
from a Sib’yl set upon by unknown hostiles. We rescued the Sib’yl, but only Redemption and
ourselves are left.” Rugo did not elaborate on what he meant, nor did he have to.

When hearing the news Captain Direck lowered his head and brought the tips of his fingers to
his forehead then to his heart. The rest of the bridge followed suit then remained silent. The
B-135s where top of the line heavy ship destroyers with cloaking technology not readily
available to all ships. Normally accompanied by a couple of wings of fighters the B-135
bomber groups where the spearhead of any Isie assault. Capable of soaking an immense amount
of damage before succumbing, what the Hydra wing faced must have been a formidable and
frightening group.

“Sending you the gun cam images we received from the rest of the squad before...”Rugo
trailed off the thought. “We are in Hyper-Space now and still escorting the damaged Sib’yl
dart. We are only about ten minutes away from the Archaen’s last known location. Do you
wish us to continue or come about and head to you?”

“I want you to continue, Rogue. We are only five days out from Scanlon Station now, that puts
us...” Direck looked over at an ensign bent over another read out. He looked up and signed, “At
least four days out from you," the Captain continued, "Stick with the Archaens for now until
we can return from escorting Ambassador Tiel’Drun.”

“Understood, Sir. Continuing to escort the Sib’yl. Rogue out.” The signal went dead.

Captain Direck sat back in his command chair on the bridge. Four bombers gone, not to mention
their crews of fine men and women. He knew that at some time fights would break out now that
they where a part of the Greater Galaxy. He just wished it wasn’t so soon. Captain Odellus
Direck may be an Orcie and thrive on the battlefield, but loss was still loss and he did not wish
for his fellow Isieans to suffer it.

“Captain, the vids from the squadron’s gun cams have completed their download. Do wish them
on screen?”

“No, I’ll view them in my ready room. Have First Officer Nellus meet me there.” Direck got up
and headed for his ready room off the bridge. *You all don’t need to view this, at least not yet.*,
he thought as he sat and keyed up the videos.

[Jason]

The bomber rocked again, this time harder then the previous impacts. The shields where down
and one of the engines was no longer working, the other two barely operated, “We’re in range
Captain, firing in three... two ... one...”

A bright light from the battleship filled the cabin with a direct hit and all went dark...

The lights slowly brightened in the conference room. Sitting around the holo-table Ambassador
Tiel’Drun and his command staff and Captain Direck and his sat in silence.

Direck leaned forward and typed into the table. An image of the strange carrier came up and
rotated slowly, “We’ve never faced anything with this kind of power before. Who are they?”

“The Mords.” Tiel’Drun stated flatly, staring more into nothing then the carrier before him.

“Who are the Mords? And why do you know this?” asked Direck a darkened look crossed his
features.

“Pirates, more or less. And that...,” Tiel’Drun pointed to the floating ship, “is the Dra’kun, a Light’s
Battle Carrier.”

“And why where we not told of this sooner!” barked Direck bolting to his feet and slamming his
fists into the table, causing the image to waver. “Good people died that did not have to if we
new what we'd be facing.”

With all the menace of a pockrit viper Tiel’Drun stared directly into Direck’s eyes, slowly
rising to meet him. “This ship should not exist, nor the Mords for that matter. Don’t you EVER
think I would send our people to their deaths for nothing.”, the last said with so much venom
that even the battle hardened Orcie sat back down. The command staffs remained frozen,
many years working for two of the most powerful people in the empire has taught them when
to keep quiet.

After a pause Tiel’Drun continued. “The Mords are pirates, that is all they are and will ever be,
though they have aspirations for far more. They stole this carrier from the Lights; this
embarrassment has kept them from warning anyone in the Greater Galaxy that a band of thugs
are now in possession of a weapon with enough power to wipe out any minor empire.”

“And how did you find out about this?”

“The IGP has undercover agents in every empire, ours, I’m sure, included. They got the word
out, though the Lights refute it. It has become a game of he said she said and with no sight
of the Dra’kun since, it started to look as if the Lights where correct.” Looking up to the holo
of the carrier, Tiel’Drun continued, “I see they where not.”

“Why where we not warned about this then at least?” anger creeping back into Direck’s voice.

“What, and have the Empire panic? There was no proof that this ship was real. Only certain
personal where given knowledge of it’s possible existence. Those where the
Empress’s Chancellors. And that was it, end of discussion.” Tiel’Drun headed off any further
argument from his old comrade.

“What we need to worry about is their rumored leader.” Tiel’Drun turned back to the
image of the battle carrier.

“And who might that be, a god?” Direck stated with as much sarcasm as possible.

“Close enough to be one.”

Direck looked at the Ambassador questioningly, a nervousness not normal to an Orcie crept
up from deep within him, “What do you mean?”

“Mor’Deus supposedly leads these rogues.”

“And who, pray tell, is Mor’Deus?”

Tiel’Drun sat back down and breathed a heavy sigh. He did not like having to keep secrets from
the military, especially not his friend. “A rogue Watcher.”

A deeper silence filled the chamber then any thought possible. Direck just stared at Tiel’Drun
as if urging him to say this was a joke, “A Watcher? But... how, why?”

“I’‘m not sure. According to the Watchers it’s not possible, no Watcher can break from the
collective, but after seeing the Dra’kun...” the Ambassador shrugged.

“How can we stop a rogue Watcher?” for the first time Commander Rider, Captain Direck’s
first, spoke up, a female Orcie whose sweet melodic voice contrasted with the garish scar that
ran from her neck over the now cybernetic eye to her forehead.

“The Chancellors did not want to take chances that this was just a rumor. And knowing the
powers that we face now in the Greater Galaxy have begun to build...”

An alarm rung out cutting the Ambassador off. The comms of the present company came alive
with chatter. An unknown unit had just jumped in before the small fleet.

“They are between us and the gate, Sir.” informed Direck’s security chief over his comm.

“I’ll be right out.” Direck stood as did the rest of his staff, “We’ll continue this later.”

The room cleared as Direck and his crew went to work and the Ambassador and staff made for
the docking bay and his shuttle.

“I’m sorry, Sir, you and your staff will have to remain here. The opposition has launched
fighters.” Commander Rider informed Tiel’Drun blocking his path to the bay.

“Take my staff someplace safe and take me to the bridge.”

“Yes, Sir.” Rider directed an ensign to move the Ambassadors staff and turned to lead Tiel’Drun
to the bridge.

On the bridge the crew moved with efficiency, readying for the possible battle to come. On the
screen ahead two frigates stood before the Hyper-Gate unloading what appeared to be every
fighter that could possibly be shoved into the small bays of such ships.

“Do you recognize those?” asked Direck without turning around.

“Yes,” stated Tiel’Drun flatly, “those are the Lights frigates that where with Dra’kun.”

“They don’t look like they're here to talk peace.”

Long ranged weapons from the frigates opened up and blasted towards the Isie fleet and enemy
fighters swarmed closer.

[Jason]

Explosions rocked the White Star.

“Damage?” roared Captain Direck as alarms blared across screens.

“Forward launch bays took direct hits. No substantial damage, but several fighters launching
where destroyed and are currently blocking the bay.” Commander Rider informed going
over her screens in her command chair.

“Damn them, clear the debris, until then launch from the rear bays.”

“Already commenced launching.”

Direck turned to Ambassador Tiel’Drun, “We do not have enough fighters to take on all that’s
coming, even launching the few off our escort frigates. We are going to need the cadets.”

Tiel’Drun stared at Direck, “No, they are not ready.”

“We don’t have a choice, if we don’t launch them they’ll never get a chance to become ready!”

Precious seconds ticked by, “Fine... give the order.”

The Captain turned to his first and nodded. Rider hit a command on one of her screens and
barked orders into her comm.

==

Alarms blared across the ship as every few moments it rocked from impacts. One strike
knocked Cairon into a bulk head as he headed to the launch bay to meet his wingmen. Coming
through the hatch he walked into a seen of organized chaos. Crews darted around prepping
fighters and drones and helping pilots into their ships. Outside the grav-shield fighters, attackers
and drones moved to intercept the enemy fighters already firing on the fleet as defensive
batteries went to work.

“Where the hell have you been?” howled J’rin as she slid into her attacker’s cockpit.

“What’s going on?” ignoring the question Cairon shot back one of his own.

“Pirates, they knocked out the White Star’s forward launch bays. We’re needed.” Askins
answered coming up behind Cairon and heading towards his attacker.

“Good, well not good, but...”

“Your attacker is this way, Claymor.” Cairon’s crew chief interrupted and pointed to the ship
on the other side of J’rin’s, steading them both as another impact rocked the Blue Wing cadet
ship again.
Climbing into orb like cockpit of the attacker, Cairon busied himself with pre-flight checks as
the canopy closed down in front of him.

“You have ship to ship guns and missiles as you’re only facing fighters, no torpedo rail or pulse
cannon.” his Crew Chief informed him, making sure he was fully loaded.

“Thanks, Jiron. Was that stabilizer fixed?”

“Yeah, this time try not using your attacker as a ram.”

“You got it.”

“Good luck.”

Cairon’s attacker lifted and turned towards the mag-shielded bay door. Beyond the green haze
was the vacuum of space and in that space he was about to live or die, “Fun.” he thought out
loud.

“Delta, you are clear to launch.” the side of the bay went green and his attacker rocketed along
the magnetic catapult throwing him clear of the ship. Directly behind him came J’rin and
Askins, their white and black attackers a contrast to his red.

“Try not to get us killed this time, Claymore.” joked J’rin.

“Ha ha.” Cairon spun his ship around, over the Blue Wing and into absolute chaos.

===

The fighter exploded in a torrent of debris and flames as the oxygen burned. Cairon’s attacker
burst through the scattering wreckage, his deflector forcing away the dangerous fragments.

Cairon took several shots to the side and had to eject one of the missile pods before it could
detonate. Askin’s swept over and blasted into the pirate firing on his wingman. Spinning off,
the fighter braked and lifted, coming back onto Askins. Before he could complete the
maneuver, Askins pounded the heavier fighter till it’s shields gave and the bolts punched
through it’s haul. The pirate fighter broke apart and erupted.

“On your six, Winter! Two coming in hard!” Cairon banked to sweep in on J’rin’s tail with
Askins tight to his side, both lit up the eternal night with blaster fire. One of the pirate fighters
took shots to the cockpit and jerked sideways, slamming into it’s partner. Both vanished in a
ball of flame before being snuffed out by the cold vacuum.

Delta wing’s two droid fighters swung in, firing a barrage of missiles that swept past the three
attackers and into several pirates coming up from below them.

“Gotta love those things.” Askins grinned as the three pilots pulled up and towards the Hyper-
Gate some distance off.

“Why aren’t those two frigates getting involved?” J’rin asked before they had to dive back into
the fray.

“I don’t know, afraid of hitting their own maybe?” Askins armed his missiles to give the blasters
a rest.

“Not our concern, let the guys with the plans figure it out.” The three dove into the melee and
began their assault anew.

===

[Jason]


“Breach ships incoming, Sir!” one of the ensigns reported.

Through the view screen absolute chaos ruled. Ships from both sides rocketed past the display
on missions to annihilate each other. Defensive guns worked furiously to keep track of the darting
war machines.

“Redirect defensive weapons to the breach ships.” Direck was focused and calm.

“Most have been stopped, but a few have broken through and are attaching to the haul.” Rider
began barking into her comms, “Marine units to the breaches, I repeat, Marine units to the
breaches.”

“Thank you, Rider.” Direck leaned forward in thought, “Why aren’t those frigates coming in?”

Rider glanced up to the large display then back down to her readouts, “Afraid of being hit, Sir?”

“No, those are Lights frigates, more then enough firepower to damage us heavily. Their doing
something else... Rider, where are those breaches, where are the intruders?” Direck broke
his eyes from the main screen and looked over at Rider.

Punching in a series of commands she informed, “Engine room 3, mess deck, ordinance...
Marine 7, watch your fire those intruders are in the ordinance bay!... the final group is near the
central core.”

“Shit! Lock of the central core NOW!” Direck began punching commands into his own
displays, Rider following suit.

“We’re to late, Sir. They’ve blocked are ability to shut them out, I’m countering them as fast
as I can, though. So far they haven’t gotten to our defensive weapons or life support.”

“Captain Direck, this is Commander Chek, the intruders are in groups of ten. We’ve gotten
two of the groups down. Having trouble with the ones in the ordinance bay and the group at
the Central Core.”

“Keep at it, Commander, we need them out of the Core.”

A large explosion rocked the whole of the White Star. Alarms screamed around the bridge as
systems failed and backup ones came online.

“The group in the ordinance bay just blew the whole lot. We have a breach going all the way to
the exterior, mag shields and bulk head doors are closing.” Rider stated shocked.

Direck turned to Rider, then barked into his comm, “Commander Chek kill those in the Core
before they can blow it!”

“Working on it, Sir.”
===

Weapon fire burst over Commander Chek’s head, forcing him to duck back below the makeshift
barrier in the corridor. Six of the opposition where down, all but one dead, and she was
following fast. Only three where firing on the Marine unit now, the fourth deeper in the core.

“Ridrin, where the hell are you?” Chek called into the comm bead in his ear.

“Just about there, Sir.” Sergeant Ridrin led a small squad around the core to the rear of the
blockaded pirates. Coming to the corner he leaned out enough to see the pirates concentrated on
the rest of his unit at the far side of the corridor. “Duck and cover, Sir.” he said quietly back to
Commander Chek.

Before the pirates realized the Marines they where firing on had stopped firing back, Sergeant
Ridrin and his squad opened up on their back sides cutting the three of them apart.

“Move move move!” bellowed Chek as he jumped the barrier and moved to the core meeting
Ridrin and the rest at the entrance.

Glancing around the door, Commander Chek and the Sergeant could see the strangely dressed
pirate at a console feverishly working. Quickly ducking into the room the two let loose a
deadly hail of weapon fire into the raider, not a shot landed home. Instead ozone crackled as
the pirate turned to the two Marines. The woman before them stood in tight leathers that left
little to the imagination. Her head was shaved on one side and the other side covered half her
face, but the glowing siegel burned brightly through on her forehead, a Sib’yl.

“Tsk tsk, gentlemen, no way to treat a lady.” her voice purred and yet sounded like fingers on
a chalk board.

“Show me one and I’ll let you know.” Commander Chek had seen many things in his life, this
was new, yet he still showed no fear.

The dark Sib’yl did not seem amused, but instead of striking them down she giggled and turned
back to the console. Before the Marines could react she typed in one last command, pulled a
data crystal and vanished.

Commander Chek cautiously walked deeper into the room. When he was sure she left he
called to the bridge, “Um, Captain Direck, we have a problem.”

“We have a number of them, Commander, but for now it seems the Mords may not be one of
them.” On the bridge, Direck watched as the remaining enemy fighters jetted off towards the
retreating frigates. The Hyper-Gate opened and the pirates disappeared through. “Get everyone
back into the bays, I want full damage reports and repair crews to what’s left of the ordinance
bay.” he commanded Rider.

“Sir, this is something you may really want to know about.” Commander Chek and the Marines
continued to star blankly at the spot the Sib’yl once stood.

[Jason]

Ambassador Tiel’Drun Arkdabris stood the entire battle, hands clasping the rail around the
bridge untill his knuckles where white. Watching over the shoulder of Ensign Brakus his eyes
never left the screen showing the data from the fighters. He only barely heard that the White
Star was boarded, nearly showed no reaction when the explosion ripped a hole into the ship.
When the Sib’yl left and the battle ended only then did he start to relax.

Tiel’Drun made his way to his cruiser the "Peacekeeper" with his staff. Captain Direck would meet him
there when all was taken care of on the White Star and report on what just took place. The
short shuttle ride back was quiet as the small ship moved around the debris field of destroyed
fighters from both sides.

Entering his ready room, Tiel’Drun sat down heavily in the large leather chair behind his desk.
He’s seen a lot in his long life, and done just as much. But watching his daughter battle an
enemy backed by a rogue Watcher was the hardest thing he ever had to sit through.

“She’s not a child anymore, Love.” Tiel’Drun’s wife and J’rin’s mother stood next to him at
the large black marble desk. Her long black hair a counter to her daughter’s stark white locks.

“I know, but that doesn’t make it any easier to watch her go to war. She’ll always be my little
girl.”

“And mine, Love. You made sure she had two of the best students in the academe as her
wingmen. They will do all they can to keep each other safe. They did in this battle.” Aliarin
put her arms around Tie’Drun and hugged him tight.

“Thank you, My Dear. “ Tie’Drun kissed his wife gently on her cheek.

“Don’t worry, Love, you won’t lose her like you did me.”

The comm chimed and Tiel’Drun’s assistant spoke, “Sir, Captain Direck is here to see you.”

“Thank you, send him in.”

The portal slid open and the Orcie walked into the Ambassador’s ready room, “You look tired, Old Man.”

“I feel tired and old. Please sit, tell me what the hell happened.”

“Thank you,” Direck sat in the smaller leather chair across the desk, “I can only guess as to what
just went on, but maybe you’ll know more.”

Tiel’Drun raised an eye brow, “How so?”

“Well one of the intruders was a Sib’yl, I’m guessing from that rogue Watcher you spoke about
earlier. She made it to the Core and accessed the mainframe, but she didn’t try to shut the ship
down or even to take it over.”

“So what did she do?”

“She used the White Star to piggy back over to the Ambassador and access the system here.
After she pulled some information out, she vanished; I assume back to the one of the frigates.”

Tiel’Drun looked at Direck with a confused look, then a realization dawned on him. He looked
down and typed into the pad embedded into his desk, feverishly searching for the last access
into his system. After a short time the color drained from his face.

“What? What did she get?” Direck leaned forward straining to see what the screen brought up.

“She got the location of Operation Light Sword...”

“What is Operation Light Swor...”

The comm chimed again, “Sir, an Archaen ship is coming into range.”

“Thank you.” Tiel’Drun pushed the mute command and turned back to Direck, “I’ll explain
later, for now I need to send out a warning and we need to meet our new arrivals.”

[Jason]


“Charging capacitors.”

“Targeting system online.”

“Target area cleared of all personal.”

The bridge of the ship was alive with activity. Crew moved about prepping the weapons
system for it’s first test fire. The cruiser sized vessel moved slowly into position and lined
up on target.

“We won’t have a better target then we do now, ladies and gentleman. Let’s make this show
a good one.” Captain Xyon Kris took his command chair overlooking the bridge and watched
the view screen intently.

“Bertha in line now, Sir.” Ensign Crips worked the targeting system which fired maneuvering
thrusters to assisted the aiming of the weapon. In the view screen a massive carrier sized
asteroid drifted into view.

“Are we ready to fire?” Captain Xyon asked, his eyes never leaving the forward screen.

“Aye, Sir.”

“Fire!”

Blue electrical discharges sparked off the rear of the ship on either side and below. Moving
forward, they lit a path to the front of the vessel where they coalesce into a point before a
large breach. The opening was nearly wide enough to fly a corvette into it. After a few
moments, deep within the opening, a glow started to emanate. Brighter and brighter it got
until a massive beam shot forth and through the joining electrical charge. The blue lighting
merged and fired throughout the beam as it hurtled uninterrupted to it’s target. Striking ‘Bertha’
dead center, the rock swelled then ruptured, exploding molten rock and debris into space.
Nothing remained.

Cheers went up on the bridge and the several ships surrounding the Light Sword. A few seconds
later the power went out on the massive beam cannon turned ship.

“Bloody hells, what happened?” Captain Xyon remained seated, pleased the weapon fired, not
happy with the power problems that should have been fixed months ago.

“Drain, Sir. Life support and shields still up as is maneuvering thrusters. Shouldn’t be to long
before the rest of the power returns.” Commander Iska read the display on her command chair
beside her captain. Seconds after finishing her report the power returned and the command
centers came alive again.

“Well, we better make sure then that our first shot is always the one to end the fight, or we’re
sitting telrek birds.” Captain Xyon nodded to his comms officer and faced the forward
screen again.

On the screen a handsome woman appeared, not military she wore a suit common among the
political ranked individuals of Isie, “Good work, Captain. The Council and the Empress will
be pleased.”

“Thank you, Lady Ondia.”, Xyon brought his fist to his heart and half bowed in the Isie’s
military salute usually given only to the highest of ranks.

Smiling, Lady Ondia nodded back, the complement not lost on her, “Will that power problem
persist?”

A second screen appeared next to Lady Ondia and a scientist from the dock yard came into
view, “Unfortunately it appears so, M’Lady. The weapon draws so much power that a small
brown out will occur.”

“It doesn’t affect life support does it? You all will be ok?” concern crossed the Lady’s features,
almost betraying feelings shared with Xyon.

“No worries, Lady Ondia. The Light Sword operates on what would be a skeleton crew. The
forward beam cannon is it’s only weapon, so with it and the engines, life support isn’t taxed if it
shuts down.”, Xyon reassured.

“Not that it will, M’Lady,” chimed in Commander Iska, “The life support is on a separate
reactor as well as shields, so when the power goes down we are still safe.”

That seemed to relax Lady Ondia, which Xyon was grateful for. He did not want to be pulled
from this ship and the honor that came with it because his lover got worried.

A chime sounded out on the bridge and was echoed from both the screens. A urgent message
was coming through, important enough to alert everyone at once.
—

Samuel tightened the last bolt of his section of the Broad Sword when the alarm sounded.
Looking around everyone seemed just as confused has he did. They where in the dry dock
orbiting an uninhabited planet that wasn’t even technically IN Isiean space. No one, but the
the Council and a select few, even knew what was going on here, much less where here was.

“Attention all personnel to the shelters, this is not a test. Attention all personnel to the
shelters, this is not a test.” the feminine computer voice chimed out over the voxes, soon further
instructions will follow, but no one was going to wait for them. The shelters where basically
life boats that fired down to a secure location planet side. If the alarm was ordering everyone
to them, something was very wrong.

Making his way through the ever increasing crowd, Samuel was glad to see his wife appear
next to him from the engine room.

“What’s going on.” she asked, motor oil smeared on the side of her face.

“Not sure. We should find out soon.” Samuel locked his arm through hers and they continued
on to the shelters.

Sure enough a second announcement followed, “Attention. All inhabitants of the docks need
to make their way to the shelters or the nearest available space worthy ship. Evacuate the
docks in a safe and orderly fashion please. An unknown hostile force is on it’s way to the dock
yard. Planet-side evacuation is required.”

The warning repeated itself continuously until Samuel and Andris made it aboard one of the
shelters. After it filled, the hatch hissed shut and the sounds of the station and the building
worry was cut off. A light above the hatch lit green and a concessive force launched the
evacuees planet ward. More and more shelters fired off as they filled, followed by several ships
detaching from the dock yard and heading towards the planet. Others that could not make
an atmospheric landing headed out towards the asteroid field half way through the system and
the hyper-gate beyond.

Most of the shelters where down when several pockets of space warped and tore open, light
pored out to be swallowed again. In place sat several frigates of varying design and one
massive battleship. Later the battleship would be determined to belong to a minor empire that
was wiped out ages ago. At the moment where it came from mattered little. It’s externally
placed cannons turned towards the dry dock and the three sister ships of the Light Sword still
in varying degrees of construction.

The escape shelters and several ships where still departing when the battleship opened fire.
The dry dock split open as the massive projectiles punched through it. The holes vented
atmosphere and personnel that did not make it. Most of the projectiles exploded tearing the
station apart further, as well as anything not fast enough to clear the blasts.

Several Isian corvettes roared up to the frigates and pulse fire flashed between them. Space lit
up with the remains of the station, ships that didn’t get away, some enemy frigates and Isian
corvettes unable to stand against the fire power thrown at them.

The crew of the Light Sword stood slack jawed at the amount of destruction wrecked in such a
short amount of time. The ship was heading back to the docks to assist in the evacuation when
the attack came. It’s support craft had made it already and where engaging the enemy.

“Get Lady Ondia out of here now!” Xyon barked at the captain of her ship. Nodding he turned
the Delphine about and headed to the hyper-gate among a calamity of swearing from the Lady
herself who wanted him to turn back.

“Power up the capacitors, get the beam cannon online. Ensign Crips, there’s a commission for
you if you lock that battleship in and get me a kill.”

“Yes Sir!” Crips turned back to his display and immediately starting punching in commands.

“Sir, the battleship if firing on the other Swords!” Commander Iska pulled a zoomed view of
the dry dock onto the screen.

The whole of space was filled with debris of all sizes. The station itself was no more and the
other Swords where free floating off their mores. Only one corvette remained, but that wouldn’t
last against the three remaining frigates. The massive guns of the battleship where pummeling
the Swords, the youngest of which was already succumbing to the torrent. It broke apart silently
the reactors not yet online to detonate. The other two where a different story. Almost as if on
command they both went up. Their reactors igniting in a monstrous explosion that took the
last corvette and two of the frigates with it.

“We are fully charged, Captain.” Iska did not look up at the screen, her brother was on one of
the corvettes.

“We have target lock, Sir.” Crips voice carried the weight of professionalism, “And are now in
range.”

The battleship was turning to broadside the incoming Light Sword. Hatches where also opening
on it’s side revealing a host of missel batteries.

The blue electrical discharges started up at the aft of the Light Sword and launched forward.
Joining together before the barrel, the beam fired out as the battleship launched it’s payload.
The massive beam cut straight through and disintegrated the incoming fire. It struck the
battleship at it’s center and liquefied the massive armor plating. The blue beam pierced straight
through the imposing ship; seconds later it blasted apart in a brilliant ball of light taking the
remaining frigate with it.

“Good shot, Lieutenant Crips.” Captain Xyon stated as the power died and the screens went out.

“Thank you, Sir.” in the dark, Crips smiled.

Silence fell over the crew while the reactors recharged. Everyone hoped their loved ones made
it planet side, some knew they did not.

Iska remained professional, “Captain, I reported the outcome. The Empire is sending rescue
ships to the planet. We are to head to the following coordinates and meet up with the White
Star. We’ll be picking up some boarder patrol groups along the way.”

“Very well. Commander Fi’ris, take us to the hyper-gate.”

“Yes, Sir.
----------------------------------

Continued in "Sword and Shield"