Thenos’ trap was set. There was a lethally armed line of defences now in the gravity well of Gromov, mainly on the side that the pirates would approach from, but work had started on fortifying the route to the star. Behind the beam platforms that made up this defensive line were multiple repair facilities, which would maintain the defences and all ships within range. If the pressure was too much, a damaged ship could simply retreat behind the defences, knowing that any assailants would take heavy damage trying to get past the defence platforms. Thenos had handed out his initial orders, and now the entire fleet was positioned in the centre of the defences. The marines had been prepared. The first platoon, led by Major Kolt, would deploy to the Halycon when Thenos gave the command, and take the ship. Of course, the complexity of this plan was protecting the shuttles that would transport the marines to the Halycon, but Thenos had already thought about that. Suddenly, a message came through, accompanied by a little hologram showing the enemy’s fleet composition. As Thenos had suspected, the pirates were recklessly throwing all that they had at Gromov.
Make ready everyone, said Thenos to all his commanders, and good luck.
In a sudden display of light, the pirates appeared at the edge of the gravity well. The majority of the enemy ships moved to engage Thenos, heading for Gromov. No doubt the pirate leader had already figured out that this was the battle where they either lived or died. A retreat would only lead to pursuit, and escape meant trying to fly past Gromov to reach the star. As Thenos had predicted, the Halycon stayed at the edge of the gravity well, defended by the five Cobalts that remained for the pirates. Meanwhile, the unidentified pirate capital ship and seven Kodiaks headed to a zone just out of reach of the defences. With this, the battle began, as the Halycon and the pirate capital ship released their swarms of oddly designed, barely functioning, pirate fighters and bombers. Acting on instinct, and not receiving any objections from Thenos, the Aeria Drone Hosts launched their own fighters and bombers, which moved to engage the enemy. Fighters clashed and bombers initiated evasive manoeuvres as the Advent strike craft attempted to push towards the enemy ships, while the pirates tried to free up the airspace so that they could start damaging the defences. However, when it began to look like the poorly-trained pirates were losing, the enemy capital ship made its move. It came closer, opening fire with powerful forward weaponry. Focusing on it properly for the first time, Thenos saw that it was far larger than the Revenge. He gave out orders.
Destras, move to engage the enemy cruisers and the unidentified flagship, but try not to stray to far from where the Illuminators and defences can assist you. Disciples, follow the Revenge and engage the enemy Cobalts when I say. Lastly, I want two Aeria fighter squadrons accompanying the Revenge’s own with me.
Thenos began to give orders to the bridge crew, and Daala distributed more precise instructions to the bridge crew, who sent them throughout the ship. The Revenge’s deck shook slightly as it roared into life. The Destras and Disciples started flying alongside it as the majority of the fleet began to move forwards. Disciples began to peel off, and took a longer route, flying round the enemy fleet, while the Revenge continued to build up speed. Destras began to change course in order to engage enemy Kodiaks, but the Revenge flew straight towards the enemy capital ship. Thenos knew that capital ships had difficulty turning, but were unstoppable once they reached top speed. Thenos checked with the Gunnery Officer if the port laser gunners were ready. The Revenge shot past the enemy capital ship while firing into its hull with its laser cannons. In a few seconds, the Revenge was clear of the enemy attacking force.
Congratulate the crew, Thenos told Daala, then we need to slow down if we’re going to stop at the Halycon.
Soon, the ship slowed as the Disciples rejoined it. Thenos watched as the Halycon grew larger in the view from the bridge.
Bring us alongside the capital ship, Thenos ordered Daala, then told Ryan, you are free to engage enemy frigates, but I expect you to flee if you start taking damage. We are not losing ships today.
Ryan’s frigates now moved to take on the Cobalts, while the Revenge moved so that it was parallel to the Halycon, but didn’t fire. Thenos didn’t want to damage what would soon be his property. When the moment was right, Thenos sent orders to the hangar, that the troop shuttles were to depart for the Halycon’s hangar. Thenos turned on a small radio and put in the earpiece. He tested the connection.
“Major Kolt, this is Thenos, do you read me?”
“Loud and clear, sir,” came the Major’s reply.
“Good stuff, report to me when it’s next convenient,” Thenos ordered. Marines usually stayed in contact via radio, as they focused their psychic abilities on disrupting the enemy. Those who survived a fight with Advent marines often commented on how there guns seemed to end up twitching to the side just as they fired their perfectly lined up shot. Also, the Advent always seemed to be able to counter every clever strategy and flanking manoeuvre, knowing exactly where to shift their fire. Of course, this telekinesis and mind reading didn’t always work when combined with the physical strain of battle, but it definitely enhanced the survivability of Advent marines, who lacked the heavier armour of the –UE_’s marines in their light exosuits. Seeing that the shuttles had been launched, Thenos ordered for the anima of the fighters in this section of space to escort the shuttles and pin down any enemy fighters. Meanwhile, the Revenge’s gunners opened fire on the Cobalts in the area, helping the Disciples with their targets.
We need to turn around and face back towards the main enemy fleet, Thenos ordered, it will take a while, but that enemy capital ship will eventually turn and chase us.
The Revenge began to turn, as Thenos could see from the bridge window. It looped round the Halycon, as Thenos got a report from his Destra commander.
Sir! We’ve lost a Destra!
What? Thenos exclaimed, How?
It tried to retreat, but two Kodiaks chased it through the defences. Those Kodiaks are nearly destroyed now though, so there will be only three left.
Then the crew’s sacrifice was not in vain. Perhaps move closer to the line, so that you can increase the firepower on them.
Yes sir.
Then, the radio crackled into life.
“Progress report, sir. We’ve secured the hangar. I’m leading first section to the bridge, and the sergeant will be about five minutes until he reaches the nearest weapons battery and starts to clear it out with two section. The lieutenant and three section should be a bit longer in reaching the engines.”
“You’re working very fast,” commented Thenos.
“Yeah, well these pirates are poorly trained and equipped. They go down in one shot and they can’t shoot in a straight line even without us disrupting them.”
“I see, not like back on TDN Proteus then,” said Thenos. That had been the last time he had fought with the marines, about a year ago. It had been a good fight, with Thenos’ forces outnumbered almost two to one, but they had pulled through and taken the ship. After that, though, Thenos had been told he could no longer risk being involved in ship board combat, but now… Well, perhaps he could go into battle personally again, instead of leading from a chair on the bridge. Looking forwards, Thenos saw that the pirate capital ship had turned, and was heading towards the Revenge.
Time for a little surprise, Thenos told the bridge crew, let’s initiate Cleansing Brilliance.
There was a psychic cheer from some members of the bridge crew. Daala began coordinating the efforts of the various officers, as the enemy flagship, now only accompanied by two Kodiaks, began to head towards the Revenge. The Disciples, having finished with their targets, and seeing that the guns of the Halycon had fallen silent, were now free to form up with their capital ship. Thenos received reports that all of the eleven remaining Destras were retreating to the repair stations, as they were fairly badly damaged. Thenos also ordered the Illuminators to stay back, but asked for bombers to continue harassing the enemy ships. A radio message came through.
“This is Kolt. I’m glad to say that we have the bridge sir. You were right, this armour can soak up rounds. Made taking the bridge far easier, and we didn’t take any losses.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Who’s still alive up there from the enemy?”
“The captain, and some officers. You should see the tech up here. They’ve got some kind of adapter that allows PsiTech apparatus to be controlled by non-Advent. It’s pretty- wait, an officer’s saying something, that, no! Disarm him!” the Major shouted, but a gunshot rang out through the radio. The sound of combat ensued, until a loud thud signalled that Kolt’s radio had hit the ground.
“Kolt! Are you still there?”
Sir, Daala said, we’re at optimum range for Cleansing Brilliance.
Good, good, just open fire. Give them all we’ve got.
A blinding beam of energy shot out from the front of the Revenge. It struck the enemy capital ship, burning away at its armour. As with most pirate vessels, it was unshielded, but had a strong hull.
“Major, do you read me?” tried Thenos again.
“Sorry sir, this is Corporal Deleon. The Major’s wounded quite badly sir.”
“Fatally?” asked Thenos.
“Negative, sir, we’re already giving him medical attention, bur it looks like a punctured lung. A guy on the floor, we thought he was dead, shot him through a tiny gap in the armour plates. Sorry sir, but all the bridge crew’s dead now.”
“It’s all right, none of our own marines are dead. Secure more of the ship while we finish out here.”
The pirate ship was already firing as it charged at the Revenge. The gunnery crews onboard the Advent ship opened fire with the forward mounted beam and plasma weapons, and began to make visible damage on the enemy hull, which was already damaged from the Cleansing Brilliance manoeuvre. The pirate ship moved closer, in an attempt to broadside the Revenge, so the laser weapons on the starboard side of the ship began to fire at the pirate vessel. Meanwhile the Disciples were engaging the two remaining Kodiaks, running rings around them and blowing holes in their rear armour. However, the shields of the Revenge, already damaged by the unreturned fire from the Halycon earlier, didn’t hold out long, and soon the hits from the enemy ship were impacting the hull of the Revenge. A small explosion told Thenos that a Kodiak was down, but that didn’t help the situation. Despite the support from the bombers and now the Disciples, the enemy capital ship was just too big and well armoured. It was doing better than the Revenge now, but then Thenos received a psychic message.
Thought you could do with some help sir, said the Destra Commander, so I brought the Destras and Illuminators up here to help.
The assistance is appreciated. Let’s take this monster down.
The newly arrived ships joined the fray, and poured fire into the enemy vessel, now alone. An explosion occurred in a section of the enemy ship, then another, and the ship began to move, trying to escape to the edge of the gravity well. However, the Advent ships kept firing, until a gaping hull breach occurred in the pirate battlecruiser. The ship began to contort, as the vacuum of space sucked at the ship’s innards. Explosions wracked the ship, ending with one massive, blinding explosion. As the fireball fizzled out, Thenos congratulated his fleet.
Well done, he broadcast to the minds of every crew member, we have won a great victory here. At Gromov, the Garran Collective has proved something. We are not hiding. We are not running away. From today, we stand and fight. From today, we claim our rightful place, here in Distant Stars!
Thenos received damage reports, and comments that the crews were cheering. There would be a lot to organise, such as the crew of the Halycon and the analysis of the strange pirate tech, but that could wait. Now was a time to celebrate.
