Darkness of Space

Sci-Fi

PG-13

Warnings: Space combat and mild language.

Disclaimer: The characters and their world are original and belong to the author. The concept of Aero-Fighters and the names of some of the Aero-Fighters used in the story belong to Battletech by FASA Corporation. Any other simularities are unitentional.

Background on the world: Okay I have to explain some things. The world this is set in, is the 31st century, 3053 to be percise. There's a lot going on in this world so I'll be very brief.

Humanity finally got to space and began to collinize it. On Earth, megacorporations became bigger then any of the governments and evolved into their own crime syndicates. Eight of these syndicates controlled most of the world with little interferance from the government. Between 2212--20 public and governmental outrage destroy seven of these syndicates. Then life was good and space travel and comunications got better. More collonies were formed and more people left Earth for a new life on other planets.

In 2700, after 400 years of plotting, planning and waiting, the ESA (Earth Syndicate Alliance) made a bid for world domination. The ESA is the next evolution of the megacorps. The one syndicated that had survived hid the rements of the other seven while they developed a plan for revenge.

The United States and Austrailia were the only two nations that successfully evacuated Earth when the ESA struck. They relocated their governments to the colony of Avolon in the Beta Canum Venaticorm star system (about 30 light years from earth.) After a long war with the ESA and much internal strife the Federated Imperial Republic (or Imperium for short) was born.

The ESA and the Imperium continued to fight with each other. These wars continued on and off until 3039 when a negotaited peace of 15 years was established.

The story is set in 3053, one year before the end of the treaty in the Ross 863 Star system (about 32 light years from Earth, and about 35 light years from Beta Canum Venaticorm)

Note: Hello to all,

I'm been trying to get something ready to post, but the other two stories I'm working on arn't ready just yet. Then I remembered I have this one. I originally wrote it back in 1996. Its a little old and I think my writing style has changed a bit since I wrote it.

Hope you enjoy. Comments always welcome.

William

By William D. Gregory.

July, 3053

In dark empty voids of space, there is only one certainty, death is a bulkhead away. The nations of the World depend upon space for commerce, pleasure and conflict. Other then the E.S.A., the greatest threat to space travel is pirates.

Death is a single bulkhead away. I keep hearing that line over and over in my mind. I guess its 'cause of Commander Sila saying it four or five times a day back at the academy. I now know its true, very true. We can survive for 72 hours in our flight suites, but a millimeter tear in it will kill.

Hell, I like my job, flying recon missions around the Harpax. The navy has been good to me. What? No not that wimpy organization known as the E.S.A. Navy. I mean the Imperial Navy. They may have the largest warship, but we got the best. And it's been proven.

Hey don't knock my country! I grew up here. That's right, born, raised and lived in the Avalon Metroplex, saw a great deal of things. I only wish I had gone to a private school. We got good public schools but I spent too much time chasing girls and a football. I still had good enough grades to get me into the academy. Thank God!

Flying Aero-Fighters has always been my dream. I followed the last war every day. God we should have trounced those morons! Oh well...

We'll win next time. But I've had a great time. The academy was hard, I don't know how I made it through the first two years of the academy but I did. And good enough to get into flight school. Now I'm flying. I got assigned to Recon Class Aero-Fighters, I wanted the fighter/bombers, but I'm happy. The chance for advancement into a higher class of fighters is .... well a snow ball in Hell has a better chance of melting then me getting promoted into the next higher class. I'm happy though.

I'm not married. And most people call me Rob.

In the great void known as space, two M-587 Avars cruise on a route patrol through the Ross 863 star system. There is not much in this system, just a colony of out siders. The rumor though, is the merchant ship Detax; owned and operated by Dayton Electronics, has been attacked by pirates in this system.

Pirates are the greatest enemy of space travelers, even greater then hyperspace it self. They strike with out warning and kill indiscrimitly.

The comlink crackled with a woman's voice, "Flight control to Recon 1, flight control to Recon 1. Respond please."

"Recon 1 to flight control," Rob answered, "What's up Linda?"

"Recon 1 report fuel status, sensor contacts and estimated loiter time."

"Flight con ..... Linda we have 85% fuel remaining, zero, repeat zero sensor contacts and 6 hours of loiter time remaining. Over?"

"Read and noted. FYI Rob, the XO is standing behind me and he can ........"

"Flight Lieutenant Johnson," the Harpax's Executive officer broke in, "I would like word with you upon landing."

"Yes sir."

"Flight Control out."

"Your in for it now Rob!" Kayla, Rob's wingman, said with a mile-wide smile in her voice.

"Oh shut up."

Kayla grinned to herself.

Two days ago, the Imperial Navy received a distress call from the Mammoth Class Freighter Detax. It reported that it was under attack by unknown forces. It has been assumed that the attackers where pirates. The Imperial Naval Cruiser Harpax was dispatched to investigate the incident. Although, the Detax has not yet been located. This is unusual since pirates will board a ship, take all that is useful and then let the crew go. Some times several members of the crew will be killed as a show of force.

This, however, was a perplexing situation. There's no ship! The Detax has yet to be located. What are these pirates doing? I can't believe this shit!

"Okay Kayla, did you order the hydrogen cloud?"

"What?" asked Kayla.

"The hydrogen cloud at 342 by 133."

"Ya, I just noticed it. You going to report it?"

Rob sighed, "You'd better. I'm in enough trouble when I get back already."

"He he... Recon 1 to Flight Control."

"This is Flight Control, we read you Recon 1." Linda said.

"We have a hydrogen cloud on our sensors. Bering 342 by 133, 40,000 clicks distant. It measures .5 AU by .3 AU by .6 AU at its widest points and an average density of 10 kicks visibility." She reported.

"Read and understood, standby." Linda replied.

"Do you thing we should investigate it, Kayla?"

"Rob, that is the dumbest question ever asked. Of course we should investigate it."

"Flight Control, to Recon 1. Your report is noted. Hydrogen cloud is on file. Continue with your patrol."

"Flight Control this is Recon 1, requesting permission to investigate hydrogen cloud." Rob snap.

"Negative. Remain on your current flight profile. Flight Control out."

I've been with the Imperial Navy for 30 years now. Its been a long time. Seen a few skirmishes. Nothing really big. Well I was in on a battle close to Ventruricon ..... It was just a skirmish though.

I'm the captain of the Harpax. She's a good little ship. The nice thing about the service, is they just don't promote you out of a place you like. Like me. I love the Harpax. She's a work horse. She runs good. She's fast. Well not faster then a dedicated recon ship. But fast enough to chase pirates in. I've got a good crew. There's 254 people on the Harpax. And I know almost all of them by first name.

What was that? You think cruisers suck? Cruisers and destroyers makeup the backbone of the navy. You can't have over a hundred thousand Bismarck Class Battleships in your navy. Cost to damn much. Well but that's life.

Me, I'm married. 22 years now. I thing its the greatest thing. After my ship though, <wink> don't let my wife hear that. Well she wouldn't be mad. I have three young-ones. Ages, 8, 10, and 16. They're at home, on Kimanjano 3. It's an orbital city. I haven't seen them in almost a year now.

One good thing about the service, is they don't keep you away long. At least not during peace. We've got three weeks before a six month leave. Yep, they want to refit this old ship of mine. But I love this ship and I don't really want it to be traded in on a new command.

"Sensor station. Report!" Captain Burtron said.

"We have no new targets, Sir."

"Helm, new coarse. 322 by 180. On my mark."

"Yes sir. Coarse change to 322 by 180 plotted and laid in."

"Mark." Burtron said. Slowly Burtron began to fiddle with his computer console. Where is this ship? What have they done with her? I don't know what in the world to think here. Maybe ....... The Harpax listed to the right as it changed coarse.

"Captain?" Asked a younger officer. "Recon 1 has picked up a hydrogen cloud."

"I'm aware of it being there. It's been documented." Could something be in it?

"Course change complete. My new bearing is 322 by 180 sir." Replied the helmsman.

The captain only nodded.

"Sir, Recon 1 is requesting permission to investigate the hydrogen cloud."

"Negative. Recon 1 is to stay on its original patrol path." Burtron had a haggard look on his face as he stared blankly at his computer terminal.

"Helm! All-a-head standard rudder."

"All-a-head standard, Aye."

The hum of the Harpax's engines drowned out any sound of thought in Burtron's mind. The Imperial Navy is a peculiar organization. Not only do they still have separate terms for things, like helmsman and helms-woman. Or like calling all Lieutenants Mr. no matter what their sex may be. And they use many terms that are traditional to the old sea going navies of long ago. They are just strange that way.

The Harpax slipped further on towards the hydrogen cloud and towards destiny. What was its destiny. Well, no one was sure. The Detax had to be around here somewhere.

"Stay on course. Humph..... I hate the captain some times." Rob complained.

"Well he's the Captain and your not."

"Ah be quiet." The Avars continued along their original course and mission. Though they were not sure what was on the horizon for them.

"I got something here!"

"What you bitchin' about Rob?"

"I got a small energy signature. It's emanating from the other side of the cloud." Could this be the Detax? Hmmm....

"I see it now. Gee its small! Our passive sensors hardly register it. Should we try the actives?"

"Ask control first on that one."

The Harpax is an older ship. Built around the turn of the century. And she has yet to be updated. Even though, she still has good shields, weapons and fast engines.

In this ship the captain sits on a pedestal in a D shaped bridge. Actually it's two D shaped levels, with the smaller one on the bottom. The captains station is in the middle with an access ramp crossing the open bottom level. Directly in front of the captain, along the outer wall of the upper level, is a view screen. The bottom level is dedicated to the Tactical Action Center. The Executive Officer of the ship basically lives down here during combat and any duty cycles that he is not in direct command of the ship. This design is not used on larger ships since the T.A.C. can be larger than the actual bridge.

The Tactical Action Center is responsible for defense, weapons systems, damage control, flight control and a hundred other things. The bridge controls everything else.

"Captain, I have a small energy reading on the far side of the cloud. In sector 208." The sensor operator whispered to Burtron who was standing next to him.

"What kind of energy reading?" Burtron asked.

"Really faint. Almost small enough to go undetected by our passive sensors. Sir, should I switch to active scan?"

"No. If any one is looking for us. We'll give ourselves away." Burtron turned to walk away. "Flight Control!"

"Yes Sir?" Asked Linda.

"Have Recon 1 proceed into sector 208 at best possible speed."

"Aye aye." Linda began to dispatch Burtron's orders.

Now if that energy reading is the Detax, then we found her. If its not.... Burtron walked back to his chair and sat down. I think general quarters is a good idea about now. Burtron pressed the alarm button.

Alarm klaxons sounded across the ship. People began running around in total chaos. Although there was no chaos. Just people running to where they were saposta be at general quarters. Red alert. "All personnel, all personnel. General quarters, repeat general quarters. This is not a drill, all personnel man you battle stations." Sounded across the ship.

"Flight Control to Recon 1."

"Recon 1, go a head Flight Control." Answered Rob.

"You are to proceed to Sector 208 at best possible speed. Faint energy reading to be investigated."

"Roger. Recon 1 out. Hey I picked it up first!" Rob complained again.

"SHUT UP!" Kayla screamed. "Just fly Rob, you're going to get us in a lot of trouble if you keep acting like this. Gee, you sure are bitchy today."

Rob mumbled something in the mic, as he accelerated his Avar towards sector 208. Both Avars flew across the edge of the hydrogen cloud at nearly 200 thousand kilometers per second. As the ships neared the target sector a dark, black object loomed in front of them.

"What is that? Do you see it Rob?"

"Yep. I'm switching on my active scanners." Rob flipped a couple of switches in the cockpit. A narrow beam of energy spread from his craft towards its intended target. The Detax, they hoped. "Report it to Flight Control."

"Will do. Flight Control, this is Recon 1."

"Captain, battle stations manned and ready. Alpha Group standing by for launch." A Petty Officer reported.

"Very good. Flight Control, launch Alpha Group." Burtron stood up and walked over to the sensor station. "What do we have.?"

"I have the faint energy reading in sector 208 and an active sensor signature from Recon 1-A (Rob's Avar's official designation) in sector 177. Five sectors from the target." He said faintly.

"Are we in range for visual identification of the target?"

"Not yet sir. Another five minutes and we'll come around the cloud. Do you want me to use a tight band active scan, sir?" Asked the sensor operator.

"Wait until we come around the cloud. Don't want anything. . . better any one in that cloud a really good fix on us." Burtron walked towards the ladder down to the T.A.C. The XO met Burtron at the ladder.

"Well, do you think its a trap sir?" Asked Tommy, the Harpax's Executive Officer.

"I don't know. . . I think it might be. What was the Detax carrying?"

"The information Dayton gave us was: four containers of dry bulk and eight of electronics. Nothing you would want to hijack a ship for. At least not in my opine."

"Did they say what the electronics was?" Asked Burtron.

Tommy nodded. "Nope, I would think its not sensitive items or they wouldn't be transporting it with out a security ship."

Burtron nodded. "Well. . ."

"Sir, we are around the cloud." Reported the helmsman.

"Sensors, start your tight band active scan. You got thirty seconds. See what you can get. Tommy I want the Avar's to perform an active scan and a visual inspection of this thing." Burtron headed back to his chair.

"Yes Sir." Answered the XO.

"Sir Alpha Group is away with out incident." Reported Flight Control.

Burtron nodded. This is strange. If she was hauling sensitive items, they would have sent a security ship. If she's just hauling commercial goods, why was she attacked. These pirates must be small timers. I wonder what ship is closest for aid? Burtron sat down and brought up a duty manifest on his screen. The Horatio. . . nope too far away. The Gates. . . nope. Under repairs. Damn there has to be help some where. The Ardent. Four light years away.

"Communications, send call for assistance to the Missile Frigate Ardent. Mark it urgent." Barked Burtron.

"Sending communication sir." The petty officer replied.

"Sensors, report!"

Well this is turning out to be a fine day. What is this? A discrimination field? Civilian freighters usually don't have those. Why this one. What is she carrying. Do a visual inspection of object. Shit! Well we now know that she is the Detax! Hurrah, I should jump up and down for joy.

Rob's Avar flew closer to the Detax for visual inspection, while Kayla remained back at a safe distance covering Rob. The Detax looked intact. No blast damage at all; no signs of an attack. It was strange. She just looked like she was left for no reason at all. None of the cargo containers where missing, no holes blown in her. It was strange, and getting stranger by the minute.

"What do you have Rob?" Asked Kayla.

"A whole lot of nothing. No holes, no energy readings save one, no life signs. Nothing."

"What kind of energy reading? I'm too far away to pick it up." Kayla commented.

"It looks like a discrimination field on eight of the twelve containers. I don't have any idea why it would be there. It just is. You should report it."

"Will do. Well shit. There's Alpha Group. What do those morons what?" Sighed Kayla.

"Alpha Leader to Recon 1, report conditions." Alpha Leader asked.

"All is nominal Alpha Leader. . . Oh and stay out of our way." Snapped Kayla.

Alpha Group consisted of twelve Sabutai Fighter/Bombers. They have a nasty little punch and lots of armor. But lack the speed for fast pursuits or quick getaways. Alpha Group, like all fighter/bomber groups have a healthy hatred for recon units. Its just an interservice popularity contest. Most of the higher ranking officers in the Imperial Navy Aerospace Command are ex-fighter/bomber pilots. To them, if your not F/B your nothing. But most of them aren't assholes about it, but there are those few who are.

"Sir, there's a discrimination field on containers 1 through 8. I can't get readings of their contents." Reported the sensor officer.

"What about life signs?" Asked Burtron.

"Little to. . . Well sir, if there were mice on board, I don't think I can read them. There's no power to the rest of the ship. Only the first eight containers are powered. And I can't read what's inside them cause of the discrimination field."

"Calm down son. Hmmmm. . . Launch all fighters. Communications, what is the status of the Ardent?" Burtron yelled.

"E.T.A. 45 minutes sir." Replied the communication's officer.

"Shit. Helmsman, new coarse, 134 by 180, flank speed."

"Aye, aye sir." There was a slight lurch as the Harpax accelerated away from the Detax. In five minutes the Haprax was screened by 48 fighters as she moved away.

Things for Rob where getting hairier by the second. As the Harpax moved away from the Detax, the first eight cargo containers opened up. From them spilled out 20 Ariel class fighters, Rob soon found himself running away at top speed back to the Harpax. However, there was still more in store for Burtron and Rob.

"HHOOOOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!" Rob screamed into the mic as he maneuvered his ship away from the on coming tided of enemy fighters. "Thank God I'm on the rebound!"

"Rob where in the name of hell did the Ariels come from? The Detax? I'm charging weapons, get back, get back. Where's Alpha Group?" Kayla said rather chaotically.

"Twenty bogies in sector 208. Ariel class Aero-fighters. Their closing fast." Screamed the sensor officer.

"Dispatch Beta Group to intercept." Commanded the XO. "Ready all weapons. Are the turbo lasers charged?"

"Aye sir, all weapons at your control." Replied the fire control officer. "Two minutes to target range."

"When in range. Fire at will."

"Fire Control to all laser turrets, two minutes to target, fire at will."

"Where the hell did those dam things come from?" Burtron asked while thinking out loud. "Sensors, active scan, 360 angle, find out if there's any capital ships out there."

The Harpax illuminated itself with hundreds of mega joules of energy and gave away its position to the enemy. But where the fighters the only enemy? Is there any capital ships out there? Burtron's mind crunched the facts of the situation rapidly. Ariel, 30 years old, worthless, junk, but can be deadly.

"Sensors report."

"Nothing Sir. Not a fraggen damn thing. If there are capital ships in the cloud, they might have a cloaking device." Reported the sensor officer.

"Helm, get us away from that cloud, ASAP!"

When it rains it pours.

"Flight Control, this is Alpha Leader."

"We read you." Linda said.

"I have visual contact with three. . . yes three Neckvar Class Corvettes. Baring 311 by 090, range .8 AU Estimate speed to be flank. They are on an intercept coarse with the Harpax. Over?"

"Read, prepare to commence attack runs on enemy targets."

"This is Alpha Leader to Alpha Group. Break patrol, form up for attack runs." Alpha Group formed up into four, three ship, V formations. The standing tactic is: attack in small formations from multiple directions to confuse enemy defenses and minimize losses while maximizing damage. This is the theory. But, the practice might not always work.

Alpha Leader and his two wingmen sped toward the front of corvette #1. At 500 meters they began firing their weapons in a long strafing run over the top of the ship. As they approached 100 meters, the corvette's defense started firing. The laser fire coming from the corvette lit up the darkness of space like a candle. Alpha Leader's left wingman took the first hits. Then Alpha leader, and his right wingman, as they passed over the top they took more and more hits. Armor from their Sabutai fighters was quickly disintegrating. The wing of Alpha 3 blew off in a dazzling spray of sparks and material that was forced into the plasma state in under a nanosecond. She spun off out of control along the side of the corvette. The corvette's side guns finished off Alpha 3.

As Alpha Leader and Alpha 4) approached midship, Alpha 4 broke up in a electrifying explosion. Alpha Leader quickly broke off the run. "Alpha Group, this is Alpha Leader, Do not repeat DO NOT attack! Do not attack!" His message was not received quickly enough.

Alpha 5, 6, and 7's started their attack run at the aft end of the corvette, from their they would swing up the ship toward the front and rake it with laser fire. Alpha 8, 9, and 10 had the same plan but from the other side. Both groups started their runs at the same time, they would swing up the ship at 150 meters. At 100 meters, the defenses fired. Alpha 6, 8, 9 where hit and exploded. At midship, 7 and 10 were waxed. The other two did not make it past the front of the ship.

"ALPHA LEADER TO ALPHA GROUP, STOP ALL ATTACKS NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Alpha Leader this is Alpha 2, we are aborting our run."

"Holy shit! Alpha Group just got wasted! What kind of ships are those Kayla?"

"They appear to be heavily modified Nekvar Class Corvettes. I can't scan much of it so I can't really tell much. They are nasty little shits though."

Beta Group engaged the Arials that where chasing Rob and allowed him and Kayla to escape to a safe distance.

"Captain, Alpha Group has taken heavy losses." Reported a petty officer.

"Sensors! What is their speed and coarse?" Burtron screamed.

"Their moving at flank and are on an intercept coarse with us, sir."

Now this is not going to be fun. Burtron thought. "Bring us around to 177 by 290, increase to emergency." The Haprax's engines groaned with the added stress of emergency speed. Burtron grabbed a hold of the helmsman's chair to support him self as the ship turned. The bridge filled with the noise of reports from all over the ship. Burtron started to get a headache.

"What's the condition of Beta Group?" Burtron asked.

"They have lost five ships, four others taken moderate damage. But the Ariels have been turned back. They report fifteen kills sir, and the rest are not combat worthy." Linda reported.

Burtron nodded. "Send Beta Group to attack the first corvette. From a distance though. Tommy!"

"Yes Sir?"

"Get me a torpedo lock on the first corvette. I want her blasted back to were she came from." Tommy nodded.

"Torpedo officer! Get me a torpedo lock on the first corvette. Fire a full spread when complete." Tommy yelled. The torpedo officer flipped a couple of switches on her panel and typed something in to the computer. Just as soon as she had started, her screen flashed with the words "LOCKED ACQUIRED." From the bow of the Harpax six MK-48, missile like torpedoes flew towards their target. The first corvette quickly turned to the left in an attempt to bring more weapons to bear on the incoming torpedoes.

Back in 1967, Egyptian missile boats launched Soviet made surface-to-surface missiles at the Israeli destroyer Elath. They sank her at a range of twenty miles. The development of anti-missile point defense systems became an operational necessity to protect warships from enemy missiles. Originally made of smaller missiles or gatling gun type 20mm cannons; the point defense systems of the 31st century are lasers.

The point defense system of the target lit up, destroying four of the six torpedoes. Two still got through. The first impacted in the center of the ship and the second hit the engine package. Sparks flew from the ship as vaporized and plasma state material fell away leaving huge gapping holes in her hull. She listed to port, and then began spinning as she lost all stabilization. In five minutes, she disintegrated.

Meanwhile, Alpha Group had joined with Beta Group and commenced attacks against the third corvette. Since the corvette was engaged with the Harpax, her gunners where either unwilling or did not notice the Aero-Fighters attacking her. By the time she stopped firing and tried to limp away, she glowed red as internal fires heated the outer hull. Soon their was only one corvette left.

"What's left out their Rob?" Kayla asked.

"Just that last corvette and about five or six Ariels." Hmmmmm, some sitting ducks. "You want to go get us some kills?" Rob said with a look of a bad boy on his face.

"Ya mean kill some uncombat worthy, out of date Ariels?" Kayla could tell Rob was grinning evilly in his fighter.

"That's what I mean Kayla. You game?" Rob didn't get an answer. All he saw was Kayla out accelerate him towards the group of damage Arials. You shit! No your not going to polish them all of. You hoser!

"Damage report!" Burtron screamed. The Harpax rocked from side to side from as she took hits from the last corvette.

"Minor damage, fifteen percent of turrets out, docking bay alpha on fire. Engines are fine though." A petty officer replied.

"Dispatch more damage control teams the docking bay alpha. Torpedo officer, can you get a lock?" Tommy yelled.

"I'm trying sir. But I'm getting some interference." The torpedo officer flipped a few more switches. Suddenly the Harpax violently listed to the right. Light flickered on and off. The station that the torpedo officer sits at erupted in a violent shower of sparks. She quickly jumped up trying to grab the interface line from her brain to the ship's computer and pull it out. She screamed loudly as her brain imploded from the sorting out of the console.

"Shit! Sir, might I suggest we come around and bring the other side to bear on the corvette." Tommy spoke quickly to Burtron.

"Sir, torpedo control is gone." A petty officer said to Burtron.

"Helm bring us around 180 degrees. Tommy get all your weapons ready to fire. Flight Control, have all available ships commence attacks on that ship. Communications! Where the hell is the Ardent?" Burtron's mind was in a daze. I never thought I would be in a situation like this. My ship is hurt. I've lost a great deal of people. And my family. My kids, will I ever see them again?

The Harpax rocked as she turned about. The rest of the Aero-Fighters closed on the corvette; even Rob and Kayla's Avars attacked. The Harpax lit up the blackness of space with hundreds of thousands of MegaJoules of energy from her guns. The corvette stood her ground for a few minutes. And then the concentrated fire took its toll. In a last ditch attempt at success, the corvette tried to ram the Harpax. However her engines exploded. The corvette listed to the right and fell away.

"Get us away from that corvette." Burtron yelled to the helm. The Harpax, her engines still good, put considerable distance between her and the corvette before it exploded. "Flight Control, began recovery of Aero-Craft. How badly are we hurt Tommy?"

"We have 67 dead, 100 wounded. We have last twenty percent of our weapon turrets, Hyper Drive is currently down. And we have an intermittent life-support failure. All in all, we're still in one piece.

"Communications, how long until the Ardent gets here?" Burtron asked.

"Twenty-two minutes sir."

"Begin recovery of our fighters and fix the problem with the life support." Burtron surveyed the bridge of his ship. The smoke of two fires that had broken out still burned his eyes. Medics were taking people off the bridge for Med-Lab. Over a dozen terminals and crew stations were black and had shorted out. The Harpax over all seemed broken, fire still blazed in Alpha Bay, the dead and wounded littered the ship and she looked beaten. The surface of the hull had been breached eight times, but the areas were closed off. But she was still there. Still moving and most importantly, still alive.

"Sir, I have a hyperspace signal on my screen. I don't think its a ghost caused by damage." The sensor operator called to the Captain.

Tommy looked at Burtron, and in stereo said, "the Ardent?"

An enormous ship came out of Hyperspace right on top of the Harpax. Her turbo laser turrets started firing at the Aero-fighters that were waiting to land on the Harpax. Torpedoes flew from all over the ship and struck the Harpax. The Harpax was rocked by explosions. . . . .

That smell, I think its home. . . . . . . Burtron thought.

"Kayla!!!!!!" Rob screamed into the mic as Kayla's Avar was hit several times by laser fire before spinning out of control and exploding. Rob gunned the accelerator of his ship and commenced and attack run but found himself spinning out of control. Death is just a bulkhead away. How true, how true. . . . . . . . Rob thought.

In a matter of a few minutes, what seemed like a hard fought victory for the Harpax ended in a large ball of plasma floating in space. The unknown ship turned about and jumped back into Hyperspace.

Flight Lieutenant Johnson, Robert A. awoke in a hospital bed at Space Dock 312 too see a young woman in an Imperial Navy Judge Advocate General's uniform standing over him. She looks like Kayla. . . . . . . He though.

The end.