Commander Cigol heard a beep at the shuttle's controls and went to attend to it.
"Valhalla, this is the Bismarck. We accept your surrender. We are sending over 20 shuttles to help with your wounded, and evacuate the ship. On board is our best surgeons, who will hopefully be able to help the Captain with his wounds. We are asking the status of his condition, so we may assess what we have to do."
The Commander quirked a brow and hit the communication controls and intercepting the message.
"This is Commander Cigol Nikephoros, Commanding Officer of the Valhalla. You will not, I repeat you will not send shuttles to the ship. She will remain outside of weapons range and accept no assistance from the Bismarck. I await for a shuttle dock to be cleared and taken into your custody. End."
He left the communications channel open and stared at the large juggernaut. The shuttle was no more than a knat next to the behemoth. All the Commander could do was wait, with a brow raised.
* * *
"...cleared and taken into your custody. End."
Everyone heard the transmission from both the Bismarck and the Commander's shuttle. Liala was still piloting the mauled battleship far beyond the weapons of the battle barge, but orders had been orders and they had long stand down from their any intentions that seemed hostile.
"This...this just seems wrong..." Chief Nai'ti spoke aloud as she shook her head.
"Everyone's luck runs out eventually De'Nala. And seems ours have," Liala sighed. "I just hope the Commander knows what he is doing."
Lieutenant Nai'ti let her eyes swivel to Liala's digital avatar and locked in. "The problem is...I think I know just exactly what he's doing. And I don't know whats worse. Him doing it or us never able to stop him from the first place."
"What do you mean?" Liala asked.
"Think Tonia. After the Ursan incident, his wife retired from the Kitt'ane Royal Fleet and took the kids away from the Inner Worlds to the frontier," stated Nai'ti.
"Wait..." Liala scanned the ship's computer and returned her gaze wide eye. "No, you don't..."
"They were on Calypso, Liala. They were on Calypso..." the tactical officer said, trying not to choke up.
* * *
Lt. Colonel Follox bursted onto the Time Dancer's command deck, hot and bothered.
"Alright! I need to know what the hell is going on out there and with my people, and I need to know now!"
"Valhalla, this is the Bismarck. We accept your surrender. We are sending over 20 shuttles to help with your wounded, and evacuate the ship. On board is our best surgeons, who will hopefully be able to help the Captain with his wounds. We are asking the status of his condition, so we may assess what we have to do."
The Commander quirked a brow and hit the communication controls and intercepting the message.
"This is Commander Cigol Nikephoros, Commanding Officer of the Valhalla. You will not, I repeat you will not send shuttles to the ship. She will remain outside of weapons range and accept no assistance from the Bismarck. I await for a shuttle dock to be cleared and taken into your custody. End."
He left the communications channel open and stared at the large juggernaut. The shuttle was no more than a knat next to the behemoth. All the Commander could do was wait, with a brow raised.
* * *
"...cleared and taken into your custody. End."
Everyone heard the transmission from both the Bismarck and the Commander's shuttle. Liala was still piloting the mauled battleship far beyond the weapons of the battle barge, but orders had been orders and they had long stand down from their any intentions that seemed hostile.
"This...this just seems wrong..." Chief Nai'ti spoke aloud as she shook her head.
"Everyone's luck runs out eventually De'Nala. And seems ours have," Liala sighed. "I just hope the Commander knows what he is doing."
Lieutenant Nai'ti let her eyes swivel to Liala's digital avatar and locked in. "The problem is...I think I know just exactly what he's doing. And I don't know whats worse. Him doing it or us never able to stop him from the first place."
"What do you mean?" Liala asked.
"Think Tonia. After the Ursan incident, his wife retired from the Kitt'ane Royal Fleet and took the kids away from the Inner Worlds to the frontier," stated Nai'ti.
"Wait..." Liala scanned the ship's computer and returned her gaze wide eye. "No, you don't..."
"They were on Calypso, Liala. They were on Calypso..." the tactical officer said, trying not to choke up.
* * *
Lt. Colonel Follox bursted onto the Time Dancer's command deck, hot and bothered.
"Alright! I need to know what the hell is going on out there and with my people, and I need to know now!"
"What the hell? Did they really say that?" Braesk shouted, angry. He knew what he had to do. He grabbed the 1st Lieutenant, and told him to take the comms. He was going down to one of the bays. He reached it, getting into one of the shuttles, and getting on the comms. Somehow, he was going to get there. He typed a few things, and with that, encrypted the message, and sent it out again. He wanted permission to help. He also put that the ship was standing down, and no weapons were online.
*****
Ascrith stood, holding a medal that he had with him. It was the Medal of Valour that the first leader wore on his shirt. It still was stained with his blood from when he was shot. Words couldn't describe it, and he didn't expect them to. He was sorry for what he did, but he knew that this wouldn't be very easy. He was, in fact, prepared to offer himself up. Which was why he was unarmed, and wore no armor, just some clothes.
*****
Ascrith stood, holding a medal that he had with him. It was the Medal of Valour that the first leader wore on his shirt. It still was stained with his blood from when he was shot. Words couldn't describe it, and he didn't expect them to. He was sorry for what he did, but he knew that this wouldn't be very easy. He was, in fact, prepared to offer himself up. Which was why he was unarmed, and wore no armor, just some clothes.
Cigol tapped a few keys into the shuttle and let the automatic docking procedures take over.
He passed bay a surface and saw his reflection in it. He saw the cuts and bruises and scars on his face, all indications of the battles they went through. He looked at the small device on his arm, monitoring his body signs and then took a final look at the sword on his hilt. He readjusted it slightly and fixed the collar of his dress uniform, just as the shuttle shuddered and docked. He heard the airlock pressurize and he opened it up and let his eyes adjusted to the bright light.
Cigol glimpsed around and did a double take as he realized there was obvious high levels of psionic energy on board the Bismarck. He closed his eyes and relaxed, using his own meager psionic abilities to block it all out, before descending down the ramp toward his welcome party.
There was only one person visibly awaiting his arrival. With no emotion visible on his face Cigol came to in front of the man, who must be Field Marshal Ascrith Taranis and braced to attention. With the sharpness and training of a prime officer, Cigol saluted, eyes forward and spoke.
"Executive Officer, Commander Cigol Nikephoros, of the Coalition Alliance battleship Valhalla."
He said nothing more, waiting for the Field Marshall to respond. His mind simply a narrow tube, slowly making its way down to his final goal.
* * *
"Lieutenant Nai'ti, the shuttles are still on an intercept approach," Lieutenant Briten reported.
"There's chatter on the comms," stated Ty. "They are demanding we accept their assistance."
Chief Tactical Officer Nai'ti simply shook her head. "Make sure every docking port is secured and lock down. Turn them away Ty and tell them orders are orders. No one is to step aboard this ship. No one."
Communications Officer Ty nodded. Nai'ti called up Liala.
"I don't want us to provoke them any further, but make it harder for them to dock with us," Nai'ti ordered.
Liala nodded, and she set to work. The Valhalla's thrusters and secondary engines went bursting in a random sequence, sending the ship tumbling wildly in space. Making it difficult for anyone to enter or leave.
"That should do it De'Nala."
He passed bay a surface and saw his reflection in it. He saw the cuts and bruises and scars on his face, all indications of the battles they went through. He looked at the small device on his arm, monitoring his body signs and then took a final look at the sword on his hilt. He readjusted it slightly and fixed the collar of his dress uniform, just as the shuttle shuddered and docked. He heard the airlock pressurize and he opened it up and let his eyes adjusted to the bright light.
Cigol glimpsed around and did a double take as he realized there was obvious high levels of psionic energy on board the Bismarck. He closed his eyes and relaxed, using his own meager psionic abilities to block it all out, before descending down the ramp toward his welcome party.
There was only one person visibly awaiting his arrival. With no emotion visible on his face Cigol came to in front of the man, who must be Field Marshal Ascrith Taranis and braced to attention. With the sharpness and training of a prime officer, Cigol saluted, eyes forward and spoke.
"Executive Officer, Commander Cigol Nikephoros, of the Coalition Alliance battleship Valhalla."
He said nothing more, waiting for the Field Marshall to respond. His mind simply a narrow tube, slowly making its way down to his final goal.
* * *
"Lieutenant Nai'ti, the shuttles are still on an intercept approach," Lieutenant Briten reported.
"There's chatter on the comms," stated Ty. "They are demanding we accept their assistance."
Chief Tactical Officer Nai'ti simply shook her head. "Make sure every docking port is secured and lock down. Turn them away Ty and tell them orders are orders. No one is to step aboard this ship. No one."
Communications Officer Ty nodded. Nai'ti called up Liala.
"I don't want us to provoke them any further, but make it harder for them to dock with us," Nai'ti ordered.
Liala nodded, and she set to work. The Valhalla's thrusters and secondary engines went bursting in a random sequence, sending the ship tumbling wildly in space. Making it difficult for anyone to enter or leave.
"That should do it De'Nala."
Ascrith stood alone with his thoughts, staring up at the open bay doors. He saw the shuttle come in, flying in low, and beginning his landing. Ascrith knew that he was going to be in trouble, soon, which was why he left everything alone. In his sheath was the sword that his master gave to him, the oldest relic they owned. His master was actually Jacob Robbins the 1st's, the man who started this up but died before it could be finished. Jacob Robbins the 2nd gave the sword to him before, he, too died, and Matthew Andrews took over.
Ascrith stood in front of the shuttle as it landed, and watched as the man came up to him. Ascrith stood in his dress clothes, a dress of black, white, and gold clothing. He wore a gold tie, with the SS lightning bolt on the front. When the man came up, he clicked his heels, and saluted with his right hand. In his right was a medal. After the salute, he handed the medal out with both hands, staring at this man who he beat.
"Commander Cigol, I present to you an old, and treasured relic that was given to me to protect. This is the Medal of Valour, given to only the bravest in battle. This particular one was worn by our first leader when he died." Ascrith said, staring at him. "I believe that you have earned this out of all the men I have encountered,"
Ascrith stood in front of the shuttle as it landed, and watched as the man came up to him. Ascrith stood in his dress clothes, a dress of black, white, and gold clothing. He wore a gold tie, with the SS lightning bolt on the front. When the man came up, he clicked his heels, and saluted with his right hand. In his right was a medal. After the salute, he handed the medal out with both hands, staring at this man who he beat.
"Commander Cigol, I present to you an old, and treasured relic that was given to me to protect. This is the Medal of Valour, given to only the bravest in battle. This particular one was worn by our first leader when he died." Ascrith said, staring at him. "I believe that you have earned this out of all the men I have encountered,"
double post
Commander Cigol Nikephoros took the medal and stared at it for a moment. He touched the small device on his arm, activating an open communications link to all the ships in the area, allowing everyone to see what was happening. He returned his gaze to the Field Marshall, devoid of emotion.
"I accept this medal, in the name of all those who served and are still serving in the defense of the Valhalla and those in which they are charged to protect."
He let that sink in for a moment, before pinning the Medal of Valor on his uniform. He braced at attention for few moments saying nothing. Then he began to undress. Taking off his uniform and revealing a regulation black skinsuit underneath. He folded his uniform with care, making sure not to mess up his ribbons and medals, and placed it near the shuttle ramp, before returning back to the Field Marshall.
* * *
"Nai'ti," Ty called out. "I just got an active audio/visual link from the Commander's shuttle."
"On screen."
The view screen blinked to life and they saw the Commander standing facing Field Marshall Taranis with what appeared to be a uniform on the floor nearby.
"Whats going on?" Nai'ti asked.
"I don't know," Ty admitted. "It just activated a few moments ago."
* * *
"At this moment, the Valhalla should be getting instructions in its computers to initiate a set of protocols I am bound to initiate in the event that I am captured. A hold over of the days, when I was an intelligence operative for the Coalition," Cigol explained. "I have modified them of course. But to put shortly; I am no longer in the Executive Officer of the Valhalla. I no longer hold the rank of Commander. And I no longer have any ties to the Coalition."
* * *
"Wait!? Liala can you confirm?" asked Nai'ti in shock.
Liala's digital avatar popped up, "What ever he did is blocking me from stopping it. There's a letter of resignation in there and..."
Liala disappeared for a moment before popping back. "He told me to stop. There's nothing I can do..."
All eyes turned back to the viewscreen as they watched their former Commander and friend, place himself in the pit.
* * *
"I am a dead person as far as the Coalition Alliance knows Field Marshall. The being you knew, Commander Cigol Nikephoros died moments ago when you gave him that medal. I am a nobody. A nobody who has nothing to loose."
Cigol unsheathed his sword, eyes still locked on the Field Marshall.
"My wife and children died on Calypso, Field Marshall," Cigol said bluntly. "They died and I was not able to save them. But, that is the way in which the universe works. A stroke of randomness, can cause waves in which we must deal with. This is how I shall deal with it. With a duel between you and I. A duel to avenge my family and those that have fallen."
Cigol threw the sheathe aside and stood in a combat stance.
"One thing that is different between you and I, or even my Captain, Field Marshall, is that I am not a barbarian. I am a civilized person and I accept defeat with modesty. I know I will die on this ship. I know I will not leave. But I will do so in combat, just as my wife, but civilized combat. A reminder that even if you killed me, it will not be done in the reigns of savagery, but that of gentlemen."
Cigol raised his sword.
"And if you live, you shall be reminded of it...haunted by it each and every single moment."
* * *
"My god..."
Everyone turned toward the lift to see a disheveled Captain Nikoli braced against the wall and watching the viewscreen.
"What...what in the hell is...that bastard doing...?"
"I accept this medal, in the name of all those who served and are still serving in the defense of the Valhalla and those in which they are charged to protect."
He let that sink in for a moment, before pinning the Medal of Valor on his uniform. He braced at attention for few moments saying nothing. Then he began to undress. Taking off his uniform and revealing a regulation black skinsuit underneath. He folded his uniform with care, making sure not to mess up his ribbons and medals, and placed it near the shuttle ramp, before returning back to the Field Marshall.
* * *
"Nai'ti," Ty called out. "I just got an active audio/visual link from the Commander's shuttle."
"On screen."
The view screen blinked to life and they saw the Commander standing facing Field Marshall Taranis with what appeared to be a uniform on the floor nearby.
"Whats going on?" Nai'ti asked.
"I don't know," Ty admitted. "It just activated a few moments ago."
* * *
"At this moment, the Valhalla should be getting instructions in its computers to initiate a set of protocols I am bound to initiate in the event that I am captured. A hold over of the days, when I was an intelligence operative for the Coalition," Cigol explained. "I have modified them of course. But to put shortly; I am no longer in the Executive Officer of the Valhalla. I no longer hold the rank of Commander. And I no longer have any ties to the Coalition."
* * *
"Wait!? Liala can you confirm?" asked Nai'ti in shock.
Liala's digital avatar popped up, "What ever he did is blocking me from stopping it. There's a letter of resignation in there and..."
Liala disappeared for a moment before popping back. "He told me to stop. There's nothing I can do..."
All eyes turned back to the viewscreen as they watched their former Commander and friend, place himself in the pit.
* * *
"I am a dead person as far as the Coalition Alliance knows Field Marshall. The being you knew, Commander Cigol Nikephoros died moments ago when you gave him that medal. I am a nobody. A nobody who has nothing to loose."
Cigol unsheathed his sword, eyes still locked on the Field Marshall.
"My wife and children died on Calypso, Field Marshall," Cigol said bluntly. "They died and I was not able to save them. But, that is the way in which the universe works. A stroke of randomness, can cause waves in which we must deal with. This is how I shall deal with it. With a duel between you and I. A duel to avenge my family and those that have fallen."
Cigol threw the sheathe aside and stood in a combat stance.
"One thing that is different between you and I, or even my Captain, Field Marshall, is that I am not a barbarian. I am a civilized person and I accept defeat with modesty. I know I will die on this ship. I know I will not leave. But I will do so in combat, just as my wife, but civilized combat. A reminder that even if you killed me, it will not be done in the reigns of savagery, but that of gentlemen."
Cigol raised his sword.
"And if you live, you shall be reminded of it...haunted by it each and every single moment."
* * *
"My god..."
Everyone turned toward the lift to see a disheveled Captain Nikoli braced against the wall and watching the viewscreen.
"What...what in the hell is...that bastard doing...?"
"Then, Cigol, I will not die as a barbarian. I will die as a gentleman. And I will die knowing that I caused the deaths of my killer's family. I will die with that thought on my mind. But if that is your wish, so be it." Ascrith said, putting one hand behind his back, and pulling out his sword. He looked at it, knowing exactly what he, and the old Commander will do. They will die. Not as barbarians, clashing at each other's throats, but as gentlemen, fighting for their crew.
****
"Valhalla, what is going on down there?" Braesk asked, staring up at the ship, then back at the bay. He could see two people standing there, both with swords. Both alone. And he knew that feeling. He had gotten it so many times before. But he didn't expect Ascrith to do what he was going to do.
****
Ascrith then took a combat stance, holding out his Master's sword, ready to fight this man. He knew none of them were getting off this ship, but he knew that one of them would die in battle, and the other would die slowly. He hoped Cigol didn't die slowly.
"Then we begin, hmm? You first, Commander. I do not wish to hit again for the first time,"
****
"Valhalla, what is going on down there?" Braesk asked, staring up at the ship, then back at the bay. He could see two people standing there, both with swords. Both alone. And he knew that feeling. He had gotten it so many times before. But he didn't expect Ascrith to do what he was going to do.
****
Ascrith then took a combat stance, holding out his Master's sword, ready to fight this man. He knew none of them were getting off this ship, but he knew that one of them would die in battle, and the other would die slowly. He hoped Cigol didn't die slowly.
"Then we begin, hmm? You first, Commander. I do not wish to hit again for the first time,"
Cigol didn't hesitate.
In one of the most obvious moves and show of emotion, he lashed out like a viper, aiming at Ascrith's heart. He knew it would be deflected easily, but it was a symbolic attack. An attack, that should effectively hit home to Ascrith, just what Cigol felt, or the lack thereof.
* * *
"Captain!"
Lt. Nai'ti ran to Captain Nikoli's assistance and gave herself as a crutch to their commander.
"We need to get you back to the Infirmary."
He pushed her away and shuffled himself to the commander chair, before dropping down into it.
"What...what the hell is going on?" he rasped, as he watch Cigol begin a duel with Field Marshall Taranis.
Lt. Nai'ti stood at the side of the captain and watched the duel on the viewscreen. "Comman...former COmmander Cigol has resigned from the Coalition Alliance and ordered all support ships from the Bismarck to not dock, while he went over there."
Captain Nikoli shook his head furiously, "I don't...I don't ca...care, what he did! I want...to know why my XO...is aboard that ship!"
Everyone was silent and they really couldn't give their captain an answer. Then Liala spoke.
"Captain," she said, with a pause. "His family was on Calypso. They died in the attack from Bismarck."
Alexi Nikoli's face light up red, in anger.
"That sanctimonious, pale skinned, skinny, blue blood hypocrite! Get me a link to him NOW!" the Captain coughed and wheezed.
Lt. Nai'ti immediately called for Dr. Lucas Rodden to the bridge.
"Valhalla, what is going on down there?"
"That was from the Bismarck, Captain. A Captain Braesk. He's been attempting to have his shuttle dock for the last thirty minutes," Communications Officer Ty noted.
"Let the bastard on. Get a line to the Time Dancer and that other ship out there. And don't forget to get me a line to Cigol ASAP," the Captain ordered.
Ty nodded and tended to his work. He opened up a channel to the Bismarck's shuttle, "Valhalla to shuttle craft, transporting Captain Braesk. Your craft, and your craft only is allowed admittance to dock with our ship. Please standby and allow our Fighter Control to guide you in."
Communication's Officer Ty, opened up another channel, and began transmitting. "Valhalla to Time Dancer and the Hand of Terel, our Captain requests an immediate response from both vessels. I repeat, our Captain requests an immediate response from both vessels."
Ty closed that link and began the final set of orders. He worked at his controls trying to get a line to the former Commander's communication device. Of course, he was blocked. He tried a different method, and was blocked again. The communications officer was getting upset.
Why the hell would the Commander do this? Why?
The thought was surely upon everyone's mind. He tried another set of codes and was blocked again. Liala's digital avatar popped up on the screen.
"Need some help?"
"Probably. There's authorization codes in here that I don't even think are suppose to exist. Think you can break through them?" Ty asked Liala.
Their cybernetic crewman shook her head. "If it's the Commander's work, I doubt it. And I can't spare the power to try the brute force method. There might be another way though. The shuttle he took...its comm line is still active yes?"
Ty reviewed his board and nodded, "It is. Actually wait..."
Ty tapped at a few keys and looked at Liala. "I'm going to need you to hack into-"
"Done."
With that Liala's digital avatar disappeared. Ty waited for a few moments, and an alert appeared indicating a backdoor line between the ship and the commander.
"Captain, we have a line to Commander Cigol..."
"You hypocritical paleskin! Get your insubordinate ass back this instant before I have you strung up so far in the brig for a court-martial, you won't even get the luxury of a firing squad!" Captain Nikoli yelled, nearly frightening most of the crew on the deck.
In one of the most obvious moves and show of emotion, he lashed out like a viper, aiming at Ascrith's heart. He knew it would be deflected easily, but it was a symbolic attack. An attack, that should effectively hit home to Ascrith, just what Cigol felt, or the lack thereof.
* * *
"Captain!"
Lt. Nai'ti ran to Captain Nikoli's assistance and gave herself as a crutch to their commander.
"We need to get you back to the Infirmary."
He pushed her away and shuffled himself to the commander chair, before dropping down into it.
"What...what the hell is going on?" he rasped, as he watch Cigol begin a duel with Field Marshall Taranis.
Lt. Nai'ti stood at the side of the captain and watched the duel on the viewscreen. "Comman...former COmmander Cigol has resigned from the Coalition Alliance and ordered all support ships from the Bismarck to not dock, while he went over there."
Captain Nikoli shook his head furiously, "I don't...I don't ca...care, what he did! I want...to know why my XO...is aboard that ship!"
Everyone was silent and they really couldn't give their captain an answer. Then Liala spoke.
"Captain," she said, with a pause. "His family was on Calypso. They died in the attack from Bismarck."
Alexi Nikoli's face light up red, in anger.
"That sanctimonious, pale skinned, skinny, blue blood hypocrite! Get me a link to him NOW!" the Captain coughed and wheezed.
Lt. Nai'ti immediately called for Dr. Lucas Rodden to the bridge.
"Valhalla, what is going on down there?"
"That was from the Bismarck, Captain. A Captain Braesk. He's been attempting to have his shuttle dock for the last thirty minutes," Communications Officer Ty noted.
"Let the bastard on. Get a line to the Time Dancer and that other ship out there. And don't forget to get me a line to Cigol ASAP," the Captain ordered.
Ty nodded and tended to his work. He opened up a channel to the Bismarck's shuttle, "Valhalla to shuttle craft, transporting Captain Braesk. Your craft, and your craft only is allowed admittance to dock with our ship. Please standby and allow our Fighter Control to guide you in."
Communication's Officer Ty, opened up another channel, and began transmitting. "Valhalla to Time Dancer and the Hand of Terel, our Captain requests an immediate response from both vessels. I repeat, our Captain requests an immediate response from both vessels."
Ty closed that link and began the final set of orders. He worked at his controls trying to get a line to the former Commander's communication device. Of course, he was blocked. He tried a different method, and was blocked again. The communications officer was getting upset.
Why the hell would the Commander do this? Why?
The thought was surely upon everyone's mind. He tried another set of codes and was blocked again. Liala's digital avatar popped up on the screen.
"Need some help?"
"Probably. There's authorization codes in here that I don't even think are suppose to exist. Think you can break through them?" Ty asked Liala.
Their cybernetic crewman shook her head. "If it's the Commander's work, I doubt it. And I can't spare the power to try the brute force method. There might be another way though. The shuttle he took...its comm line is still active yes?"
Ty reviewed his board and nodded, "It is. Actually wait..."
Ty tapped at a few keys and looked at Liala. "I'm going to need you to hack into-"
"Done."
With that Liala's digital avatar disappeared. Ty waited for a few moments, and an alert appeared indicating a backdoor line between the ship and the commander.
"Captain, we have a line to Commander Cigol..."
"You hypocritical paleskin! Get your insubordinate ass back this instant before I have you strung up so far in the brig for a court-martial, you won't even get the luxury of a firing squad!" Captain Nikoli yelled, nearly frightening most of the crew on the deck.
Everything happened very quickly aboard the Hand of Terel.
The instant Robbins had opened fire on her Elder Amaar had rushed forward, allowing the bullets to impact the shield she had in place around her body projected by a personal shield generator hidden in her clothing since before her first meeting with Robbins, part of the 'precautions' she'd told Tolarim about. Nariel, like most Terelains, was skilled in an ancient martial art they called Tae Kil Raan but unlike most Terelains of the present age it was not just the Peace Forms she knew, exercises to keep the mind and body fit, but also the War Forms. She'd been practising them daily for twenty three thousand years. Suffice it to say, she was very good.
Nariel had whipped her hand out to knock the gun from Robbin's hand with a blow intended to break his wrist, which would be followed by another blow to is chest. Even though he was wearing body armour she expected the blow to at least distract him whilst her husband also reacted, he too was closing in on Robbins to attack him himself.
Neither Elder showed any emotion, not even shock or surprise or anger. Their faces were completely blank, impassive. This too was part of the art of Tae Kil Raan for Terelain warriors entered a semi-meditative state they termed Alir during combat, a place of complete detachment from the situation, of utter calm. The Ancient Terelain word would roughly translate as 'Standing in the calm of the Eye of the Maelstrom'.
At the same time the others on the bridge had activated the shields on their workstations, designed to protect them in case the bidge was boarded by hostiles. A signal was automatically sent to the Honour Guard below. The two hundred and fifty strong complement of marines knew exactly what they were to do. A contingent was dispatched to secure the bridge whilst the rest of them headed towards the hangar bay, where the Death Korps men were fighting the guards stationed there.
These guards also had personal shields, though not as powerful as the ones owned by the Elders. They had all had them activated before joining in the card game, since they weren't about to sit down and relax with a bunch of armed men who might turn on them without some kind of protection if things went wrong.
The opening attack on the marines had startled them but only four of them had been killed when their shields had overloaded and failed during the initial attack and now they had drawn their weapons themselves and had returned fire, taking cover where they could find it, guarding the exits that led into the rest of the ship. The ceremonial spears they had appeared to have been modified with small plasma emmiters and whilst they were unwieldy and slow to fire a bolt of plasma could do just as much damage as a blast from their energy pistols.
Finally, Aelya had detected the attack by the Bismarck's computer and reacted accordingly. She was a demilitarised AI... but that just meant that her programming had been altered slightly to incorporate emotions such as compassion, mercy, empathy and a regard for sentient life beyond the crew of her ship and the other members of the Fleet. The rest of her capabilities had largely remained intact, though the Hand had not been equipped with what they would consider to be a military grade cyberwarfare suite, she nevertheless had some capacity in fending off cyberattacks and Terelain technology was quite advanced.
Aelya had moved to seal off already-infiltrated subsystems and began a purge cycle for them whilst blocking off her attacker's access to the uncompromised systems, simultaneously attacking the Bismarck's own computer systems in order to overtax the intelligence assualting her, which she had quickly realised was not a true AI, but what her people reffered to as an API - an Artificially Preserved Intelligence. Though it was rather crude in comparison to the elegant cyberengineering that comprised Aelya's own psychological matrices, or that of the preserved mind-states of a Terelain API.
Aelya had survived seven hundred years of the most brutal and terrible interstellar war she'd ever ncountered, as well as observed hundreds more as the Flicker-Life races arose to interstellar capabilities in the region the Terelains hailed from. She was twelve thousand years old and she knew quite a few tricks to mess with this upstart computer trying to usurp her control over the Hand's systems.
"Valhalla to Time Dancer and the Hand of Terel, our Captain requests an immediate response from both vessels. I repeat, our Captain requests an immediate response from both vessels." The voice of the Valhalla's communications officer came over the intership comms, distracting Tolarim from the fight that had broken out in his bridge, he'd already drawn his on pistol but dared not fire when the Elders were so close to Robbins.
"This is the Hand of Terel. We cannot render assistance. Captain Robbins of the Bismarck has just attempted to assassinate my Elders and his men are attempting to take control of this vessel. We're a little busy at the moment. We'll render assistance as soon as we can." Then, remembering that this was an open broadcast to all ships he said, "This an act of war against the Third Kingdom and by the Ancestors I'm going to make you treacherous HRA Tk'aeya regret this if it's the last thing I do! If the Elders die then the Younger Gods have mercy on you, because we surely won't!" He turned to his helm officer, "Mr Rilam as soon as Aelya is done purging the systems take us back into Aether-space. We can drop off the HRA wounded on a neutral planet and then get back home. Comms get a signal through to the Fleet, tell them about this mess."
As soon as the fighting had erupted within the diplomatic ship, the Hand's fighter escort, thirty Fang class Interceptors and fifteen Claw class Multi-Role Bombers, opened fire on the White Flag fighters that had escorted Robbins to the Hand and who had taken up defensive psoitions alongside them. The pilots were not about to let themselves get caught unawares.
The instant Robbins had opened fire on her Elder Amaar had rushed forward, allowing the bullets to impact the shield she had in place around her body projected by a personal shield generator hidden in her clothing since before her first meeting with Robbins, part of the 'precautions' she'd told Tolarim about. Nariel, like most Terelains, was skilled in an ancient martial art they called Tae Kil Raan but unlike most Terelains of the present age it was not just the Peace Forms she knew, exercises to keep the mind and body fit, but also the War Forms. She'd been practising them daily for twenty three thousand years. Suffice it to say, she was very good.
Nariel had whipped her hand out to knock the gun from Robbin's hand with a blow intended to break his wrist, which would be followed by another blow to is chest. Even though he was wearing body armour she expected the blow to at least distract him whilst her husband also reacted, he too was closing in on Robbins to attack him himself.
Neither Elder showed any emotion, not even shock or surprise or anger. Their faces were completely blank, impassive. This too was part of the art of Tae Kil Raan for Terelain warriors entered a semi-meditative state they termed Alir during combat, a place of complete detachment from the situation, of utter calm. The Ancient Terelain word would roughly translate as 'Standing in the calm of the Eye of the Maelstrom'.
At the same time the others on the bridge had activated the shields on their workstations, designed to protect them in case the bidge was boarded by hostiles. A signal was automatically sent to the Honour Guard below. The two hundred and fifty strong complement of marines knew exactly what they were to do. A contingent was dispatched to secure the bridge whilst the rest of them headed towards the hangar bay, where the Death Korps men were fighting the guards stationed there.
These guards also had personal shields, though not as powerful as the ones owned by the Elders. They had all had them activated before joining in the card game, since they weren't about to sit down and relax with a bunch of armed men who might turn on them without some kind of protection if things went wrong.
The opening attack on the marines had startled them but only four of them had been killed when their shields had overloaded and failed during the initial attack and now they had drawn their weapons themselves and had returned fire, taking cover where they could find it, guarding the exits that led into the rest of the ship. The ceremonial spears they had appeared to have been modified with small plasma emmiters and whilst they were unwieldy and slow to fire a bolt of plasma could do just as much damage as a blast from their energy pistols.
Finally, Aelya had detected the attack by the Bismarck's computer and reacted accordingly. She was a demilitarised AI... but that just meant that her programming had been altered slightly to incorporate emotions such as compassion, mercy, empathy and a regard for sentient life beyond the crew of her ship and the other members of the Fleet. The rest of her capabilities had largely remained intact, though the Hand had not been equipped with what they would consider to be a military grade cyberwarfare suite, she nevertheless had some capacity in fending off cyberattacks and Terelain technology was quite advanced.
Aelya had moved to seal off already-infiltrated subsystems and began a purge cycle for them whilst blocking off her attacker's access to the uncompromised systems, simultaneously attacking the Bismarck's own computer systems in order to overtax the intelligence assualting her, which she had quickly realised was not a true AI, but what her people reffered to as an API - an Artificially Preserved Intelligence. Though it was rather crude in comparison to the elegant cyberengineering that comprised Aelya's own psychological matrices, or that of the preserved mind-states of a Terelain API.
Aelya had survived seven hundred years of the most brutal and terrible interstellar war she'd ever ncountered, as well as observed hundreds more as the Flicker-Life races arose to interstellar capabilities in the region the Terelains hailed from. She was twelve thousand years old and she knew quite a few tricks to mess with this upstart computer trying to usurp her control over the Hand's systems.
"Valhalla to Time Dancer and the Hand of Terel, our Captain requests an immediate response from both vessels. I repeat, our Captain requests an immediate response from both vessels." The voice of the Valhalla's communications officer came over the intership comms, distracting Tolarim from the fight that had broken out in his bridge, he'd already drawn his on pistol but dared not fire when the Elders were so close to Robbins.
"This is the Hand of Terel. We cannot render assistance. Captain Robbins of the Bismarck has just attempted to assassinate my Elders and his men are attempting to take control of this vessel. We're a little busy at the moment. We'll render assistance as soon as we can." Then, remembering that this was an open broadcast to all ships he said, "This an act of war against the Third Kingdom and by the Ancestors I'm going to make you treacherous HRA Tk'aeya regret this if it's the last thing I do! If the Elders die then the Younger Gods have mercy on you, because we surely won't!" He turned to his helm officer, "Mr Rilam as soon as Aelya is done purging the systems take us back into Aether-space. We can drop off the HRA wounded on a neutral planet and then get back home. Comms get a signal through to the Fleet, tell them about this mess."
As soon as the fighting had erupted within the diplomatic ship, the Hand's fighter escort, thirty Fang class Interceptors and fifteen Claw class Multi-Role Bombers, opened fire on the White Flag fighters that had escorted Robbins to the Hand and who had taken up defensive psoitions alongside them. The pilots were not about to let themselves get caught unawares.
The Death Korps men broke off, their shields soaking the plasma and energy bolts, then shutting off to vent the kinetic energy they absorbed. Each of them reloaded their guns, slamming another clip into the gun, and cocking it. They moved like Neo from The Matrix, dodging and landing behind their cover, and firing their weapons at the same time.
As soon as they got behind their cover and reloaded, they tossed two grenades each. One smoke, and one flash. They didn't dare fire anything besides that, otherwise, they'd risk blowing out the hull. As soon as that happened, they got out of their cover, and began firing again, their masks filtering out the smoke, and letting them see.
They had laser sights on their guns, so they could find their targets easily. Their masks also found the weak points, and so they directed their shots to those weak points. 8 gauge slugs and 13mm APHE bullets streaked across the smokey room, finding their targets.
The men who were on board the White Flag fighters thought that the Geneva Convention would make them invincible to attack. They had no intention of helping either side. But they were wrong. However, their bay doors were still down, and the men running the Autocannons ran out with the massive 40mm guns. Behind them, all of the fighters blew up in a massive inferno, covering the area behind the Death Korps with flame. No one cared, though.
Robbins saw the attack coming, and tossed the gun into the air, and moved his hand with her attack, stopping her from hurting him. Of course it would be a distraction, and to some effect, it worked. He did get pushed back, but he kicked out, using the body to flip him backwards into the air. He flew backwards, landing on his feet, and pulling out another high powered 9mm gun. He grabbed the second gun that flew into the air, and with both of them, open fired.
The Super Computer was prepared. The API had an AI backing him up, and that one would never be hacked by anyone skilled enough to try. Both of them together held the coding and information, so that if you hacked one, you couldn't do shit. And both of them were so protected, hacking them was like trying to solve a 5x5 4D rubics cube that fought back.
****
Ascrith blocked the attack easily, knowing full well what it was meant for. But he had to look like he was putting up a fight. And so, he aimed for the man's hand, slashing through the air slow enough for him to block. Ascrith had one intention that day. To end it all. He was tired of all this war, tired of fighting. He needed a break, and death was the only way out. And what more honor was there to die at the hand of an enemy?
Braesk docked, and tried to get out of the shuttle. The doors slammed down, and he removed the guns he was carrying, laying them all out. He carried no weapons. Not even a toothpick or a pencil. And with that, he tried to find the command deck.
"Someone tell me where the Captain is!"
As soon as they got behind their cover and reloaded, they tossed two grenades each. One smoke, and one flash. They didn't dare fire anything besides that, otherwise, they'd risk blowing out the hull. As soon as that happened, they got out of their cover, and began firing again, their masks filtering out the smoke, and letting them see.
They had laser sights on their guns, so they could find their targets easily. Their masks also found the weak points, and so they directed their shots to those weak points. 8 gauge slugs and 13mm APHE bullets streaked across the smokey room, finding their targets.
The men who were on board the White Flag fighters thought that the Geneva Convention would make them invincible to attack. They had no intention of helping either side. But they were wrong. However, their bay doors were still down, and the men running the Autocannons ran out with the massive 40mm guns. Behind them, all of the fighters blew up in a massive inferno, covering the area behind the Death Korps with flame. No one cared, though.
Robbins saw the attack coming, and tossed the gun into the air, and moved his hand with her attack, stopping her from hurting him. Of course it would be a distraction, and to some effect, it worked. He did get pushed back, but he kicked out, using the body to flip him backwards into the air. He flew backwards, landing on his feet, and pulling out another high powered 9mm gun. He grabbed the second gun that flew into the air, and with both of them, open fired.
The Super Computer was prepared. The API had an AI backing him up, and that one would never be hacked by anyone skilled enough to try. Both of them together held the coding and information, so that if you hacked one, you couldn't do shit. And both of them were so protected, hacking them was like trying to solve a 5x5 4D rubics cube that fought back.
****
Ascrith blocked the attack easily, knowing full well what it was meant for. But he had to look like he was putting up a fight. And so, he aimed for the man's hand, slashing through the air slow enough for him to block. Ascrith had one intention that day. To end it all. He was tired of all this war, tired of fighting. He needed a break, and death was the only way out. And what more honor was there to die at the hand of an enemy?
Braesk docked, and tried to get out of the shuttle. The doors slammed down, and he removed the guns he was carrying, laying them all out. He carried no weapons. Not even a toothpick or a pencil. And with that, he tried to find the command deck.
"Someone tell me where the Captain is!"
"Someone tell me where the Captain is!"
The operators in Fighter Control, scrambled to their stations and tried to get someone on the line, before suddenly Liala popped into existence on one of the screens.
"Captain Braesk? Yup its you. There's a lift a few meters from here. One of the operators over there will point you to it. Get on it and I'll bring you up."
* * *
"You hypocritical paleskin! Get your insubordinate ass back this instant before I have you strung up so far in the brig for a court-martial, you won't even get the luxury of a firing squad!"
The voice squawked all around, causing Cigol to clumsily block the attack from Ascrith. That didn't stop him however and he quickly recovered, bobbing to his feet, and feinting to the right, probing Ascrith's reactions.
"Don't you ignore me you son of a bitch! Answer me god dammit!"
"I thought I adequately blocked all attempts to establish a communication line. As usual, I underestimated the dynamism of Navigator Liala and Mr. Ty. In any event, I am no longer a member of your crew, or a citizen of the Coalition, Captain."
* * *
Captain Alexi Nikoli still in his medical gown, sat fuming in his chair. Dr. Lucas Rodden came half jogging out the lift, straight for the captain.
"Dammit Nikoli! I told you to stay in the Infirmary."
"Not when my XO, is committing desertion Lucas. Not at all," the Captain coughed.
"Take it easy Captain," the Chief Medical Officer stated, as he pulled a hypospray out his med box and injected its contents into their commanding officer. "You need to get back to the Infirmary."
"Not until that blue blood bastard gets back to this ship!" the Captain roared.
"I do believe I made it obvious, that will not happen Captain," Cigol said, many forgetting that he was still on the line. "You know that it is impossible now Captain Nikoli, C.A.I.N protocols."
"Damn the C.A.I.N protocols. What about that of the Valhalla? We don't leave our people behind nor do we let them commit suicide," Captain Nikoli said.
They could hear the clash of metal against metal as Cigol and Ascrith commenced with their sword duel. It took a moment for Cigol to reply.
"You are correct Captain Nikoli. I remember all too well a similar discussion concerning you," Cigol admitted as they saw him dodge another attack. "However this is different Captain."
"Bullshit. Your logic is flawed on that! This is no different, you're just a hypocrite!" responded Captain Nikoli. "When Rosline died, you and the Valhalla crew scrapped tooth and nail to make sure I wasn't a Captain Ahab on a crusade for revenge. How is this any different than you loosing you family on Calypso?"
They saw Cigol miss the ball again, obvious that a chord was struck. He was slashed, blood gushing from the superficial cut.
"It is different Captain because you are needed. You are meant to live and carry on the charge," Cigol said.
"And you're not?!" the Captain yelled furiously. "Who the hell do you think you are to be a martyr!?"
"I am not Captain, the thought didn't cross my mind," Cigol admitted. "I am simply here because I am selfish, wanting to kill the man who's inflicted so much pain. Kill the man who represents so many others out there who's broken families apart. Kill the man who's so much like the Sekans, the Ursans, Robert Neil and Eragon Horde. A final release to do what, officers and protectors of the Coalition Alliance couldn't ever do. And..."
Cigol paused for a moment to send forth another attack before finishing.
"To discharge the duty of an Executive Officer, of his Captain; ensure the ship is ran smoothly and the Captain is not in harms way."
There was an audible beep and a zipping sound.
"He's closed the line Captain," Ty reported. "And the Hand of Terel reports they are having some issues."
"Get them both back!"
Captain Nikoli slumped in his chair, as Dr. Lucas Rodden tended to his stubborn patient.
Cigol just couldn't do this. He couldn't abandon them like this. Not when people here on the Valhalla thought of him more than just their superior, but a friend...family...
The operators in Fighter Control, scrambled to their stations and tried to get someone on the line, before suddenly Liala popped into existence on one of the screens.
"Captain Braesk? Yup its you. There's a lift a few meters from here. One of the operators over there will point you to it. Get on it and I'll bring you up."
* * *
"You hypocritical paleskin! Get your insubordinate ass back this instant before I have you strung up so far in the brig for a court-martial, you won't even get the luxury of a firing squad!"
The voice squawked all around, causing Cigol to clumsily block the attack from Ascrith. That didn't stop him however and he quickly recovered, bobbing to his feet, and feinting to the right, probing Ascrith's reactions.
"Don't you ignore me you son of a bitch! Answer me god dammit!"
"I thought I adequately blocked all attempts to establish a communication line. As usual, I underestimated the dynamism of Navigator Liala and Mr. Ty. In any event, I am no longer a member of your crew, or a citizen of the Coalition, Captain."
* * *
Captain Alexi Nikoli still in his medical gown, sat fuming in his chair. Dr. Lucas Rodden came half jogging out the lift, straight for the captain.
"Dammit Nikoli! I told you to stay in the Infirmary."
"Not when my XO, is committing desertion Lucas. Not at all," the Captain coughed.
"Take it easy Captain," the Chief Medical Officer stated, as he pulled a hypospray out his med box and injected its contents into their commanding officer. "You need to get back to the Infirmary."
"Not until that blue blood bastard gets back to this ship!" the Captain roared.
"I do believe I made it obvious, that will not happen Captain," Cigol said, many forgetting that he was still on the line. "You know that it is impossible now Captain Nikoli, C.A.I.N protocols."
"Damn the C.A.I.N protocols. What about that of the Valhalla? We don't leave our people behind nor do we let them commit suicide," Captain Nikoli said.
They could hear the clash of metal against metal as Cigol and Ascrith commenced with their sword duel. It took a moment for Cigol to reply.
"You are correct Captain Nikoli. I remember all too well a similar discussion concerning you," Cigol admitted as they saw him dodge another attack. "However this is different Captain."
"Bullshit. Your logic is flawed on that! This is no different, you're just a hypocrite!" responded Captain Nikoli. "When Rosline died, you and the Valhalla crew scrapped tooth and nail to make sure I wasn't a Captain Ahab on a crusade for revenge. How is this any different than you loosing you family on Calypso?"
They saw Cigol miss the ball again, obvious that a chord was struck. He was slashed, blood gushing from the superficial cut.
"It is different Captain because you are needed. You are meant to live and carry on the charge," Cigol said.
"And you're not?!" the Captain yelled furiously. "Who the hell do you think you are to be a martyr!?"
"I am not Captain, the thought didn't cross my mind," Cigol admitted. "I am simply here because I am selfish, wanting to kill the man who's inflicted so much pain. Kill the man who represents so many others out there who's broken families apart. Kill the man who's so much like the Sekans, the Ursans, Robert Neil and Eragon Horde. A final release to do what, officers and protectors of the Coalition Alliance couldn't ever do. And..."
Cigol paused for a moment to send forth another attack before finishing.
"To discharge the duty of an Executive Officer, of his Captain; ensure the ship is ran smoothly and the Captain is not in harms way."
There was an audible beep and a zipping sound.
"He's closed the line Captain," Ty reported. "And the Hand of Terel reports they are having some issues."
"Get them both back!"
Captain Nikoli slumped in his chair, as Dr. Lucas Rodden tended to his stubborn patient.
Cigol just couldn't do this. He couldn't abandon them like this. Not when people here on the Valhalla thought of him more than just their superior, but a friend...family...
"Ssthat Leader to bridge, hostiles eliminated. Moving to assist the marines in the hangar bay." One of the pilots reported over the intership comms.
The tactical officer replied, "Ackowledged Ssthat Leader." He then flicked the ship's internal comms, "Commander Kahr to hangar bay. initiate Defensive Protocol Vitralis."
The chaos of the hangar bay was cut short by the commander of the Terelain forces releasing a particularly harsh and rancid-sounding curse, "I hate Protocol Vitralis!" He shouted.
The artificial gravity generators handling the gravity in the hangar bay suddenly went into overdrive almost tripling the gravity in the room. At the same time the hangar doors opened out onto vacuum, without the atospheric shields in place. In the same instant, the Terelain defenders increased the power to their sheilds to trap the air in a small bubble around them. The increased drain would only allow them about a minute before the shields overloaded and failed and they'd be completely exposed to the vacuum of space.
Defensive Protocol Vitralis; open compromised areas of the ship to vaccuum and hope that you can space the enemy, so named because it was first employed by the Terelain battleship RNV Vitralis during the Battle of Aerin as a desperate last-minute attempt to prevent Gilloran boarders from taking the ship.
It was risky, and in all likelihood the Terelain marines would be killed, but they were Moralinri and it was thei duty as the Warrior Bloodline to die in defense of the Kingdom and her people.
At the same time that the hangar bay doors opened, the Terelain fighters arrived one by one and began opening fire on the Death Korps soldiers.
Meanwhile, Elder Amaar released a cry of pain as Robbins' last hail of bullets managed to overlod her shields, she'd turned with preternatural grace, however, almost as soon as he'd tossed his gun into he air, relaising that he was about to attack her again and she dived behind a nearby console. Bullets still struck her back, however and she was bleedingprofuely from several gunshot wounds.
Her husband's exression did not change from it's almost peaceful state, but his claws did unsheathe themselves and he threw himself at Robbins with a furious rain of fast, powerful blows, heedless of the guns he was using. Robbins had hurt his wife.
Nobody hurt his wife.
Aelya was quite oblivious to the physical combat aboard the Hand she was focused almost entirely upon the task in hand - defending and counter-attacing the enemy API/AI. She suppressed the virtual equivalent of a joyouslaugh. She hadn't had this much fun in centuries. combining an APi and an AI back-up to foil enemy infiltration was rather creative for such a young species. She was almost impressed.
Almost.
Aelya would have sighed if she could. This would have been a whole lot easier if her old comrade-in-arms Euthyra was here to give her a hand. He'd been the Tactical AI aboard the Fleet Flagship. Together they'd have been able to melt this rather irritating computer's circuits. As it was, with her alone against it, she was having to pull a few of her fancier cyber tricks to try and fend it off.
She dedicated a couple of subroutines to defending the Hand's systems and concentrated the bulk of her processing power towards outsmarting the supercomputer. First she attacked its connections to the Bismarck's systems, and then she turned her attention to the systems themselves, seeking to undermine them in any way possible, including attempting to overload systems to cause fires or seal bulkheads.
The tactical officer replied, "Ackowledged Ssthat Leader." He then flicked the ship's internal comms, "Commander Kahr to hangar bay. initiate Defensive Protocol Vitralis."
The chaos of the hangar bay was cut short by the commander of the Terelain forces releasing a particularly harsh and rancid-sounding curse, "I hate Protocol Vitralis!" He shouted.
The artificial gravity generators handling the gravity in the hangar bay suddenly went into overdrive almost tripling the gravity in the room. At the same time the hangar doors opened out onto vacuum, without the atospheric shields in place. In the same instant, the Terelain defenders increased the power to their sheilds to trap the air in a small bubble around them. The increased drain would only allow them about a minute before the shields overloaded and failed and they'd be completely exposed to the vacuum of space.
Defensive Protocol Vitralis; open compromised areas of the ship to vaccuum and hope that you can space the enemy, so named because it was first employed by the Terelain battleship RNV Vitralis during the Battle of Aerin as a desperate last-minute attempt to prevent Gilloran boarders from taking the ship.
It was risky, and in all likelihood the Terelain marines would be killed, but they were Moralinri and it was thei duty as the Warrior Bloodline to die in defense of the Kingdom and her people.
At the same time that the hangar bay doors opened, the Terelain fighters arrived one by one and began opening fire on the Death Korps soldiers.
Meanwhile, Elder Amaar released a cry of pain as Robbins' last hail of bullets managed to overlod her shields, she'd turned with preternatural grace, however, almost as soon as he'd tossed his gun into he air, relaising that he was about to attack her again and she dived behind a nearby console. Bullets still struck her back, however and she was bleedingprofuely from several gunshot wounds.
Her husband's exression did not change from it's almost peaceful state, but his claws did unsheathe themselves and he threw himself at Robbins with a furious rain of fast, powerful blows, heedless of the guns he was using. Robbins had hurt his wife.
Nobody hurt his wife.
Aelya was quite oblivious to the physical combat aboard the Hand she was focused almost entirely upon the task in hand - defending and counter-attacing the enemy API/AI. She suppressed the virtual equivalent of a joyouslaugh. She hadn't had this much fun in centuries. combining an APi and an AI back-up to foil enemy infiltration was rather creative for such a young species. She was almost impressed.
Almost.
Aelya would have sighed if she could. This would have been a whole lot easier if her old comrade-in-arms Euthyra was here to give her a hand. He'd been the Tactical AI aboard the Fleet Flagship. Together they'd have been able to melt this rather irritating computer's circuits. As it was, with her alone against it, she was having to pull a few of her fancier cyber tricks to try and fend it off.
She dedicated a couple of subroutines to defending the Hand's systems and concentrated the bulk of her processing power towards outsmarting the supercomputer. First she attacked its connections to the Bismarck's systems, and then she turned her attention to the systems themselves, seeking to undermine them in any way possible, including attempting to overload systems to cause fires or seal bulkheads.
The Death Korps were okay. Hell, they were more than okay. They were thriving. While the other soldiers had to increase their shields, the Death Korps kept the shields as they were, and activated their boots. They had their masks and pressurized suits to keep them safe. Now they had a choice. Get shot up by the fighters, or get shot up by the men. They looked at each other, and nodded.
Jumping into the air, their magnetic boots disengaging, and the force of the vacuum pulling them out towards space, they flew, feet first, straight for the fighters. That's when they open fired. The 40mm gunmen looked up, and opened up with a barrage of shells straight for the cockpits, while the men hit the shields, fired, and bounced off, landing on the ground again, flipping over, and firing a few shots at the enemy foot soldiers.
The Lieutenant, meanwhile, fired the AA12 at the hanger bay door controls, hoping that it would shut down. He didn't know how long they had before the fighters destroyed them. Already, two died from shellfire.
Robbins saw him coming, and emptied the rest of the clips into him, dropping the gun after it was empty, and punching him. But he had a surprise. He wore steel knuckles, and on his wrist, he wore a thick, titanium blade. The blade was out, now, and he was going to kill this man for the genocide he committed.
Robbins fell, though, with a deep, deep gash in his chest, arm, and stomach. Nothing he couldn't survive from, but still... Painful. Very painful. He screamed out in pain, watching the blood fall from him. But the vest saved him from the deadliest damage. He'd be okay, but he needed help. And soon. His training kicked in, and he kicked the man with both feet, again and again.
****
"Cigol, if you strike me down now, you will avenge your family, and ease my suffering. I am giving this opportunity to you, soldier to another. For there comes a time when a man becomes tired of the pain he caused, the lives he took, and the men he condemned," Ascrith said, holding his sword out to block the next attack.
He heard the Captain shout out the orders, and listened to this man. He knew that it would be devastating if he killed him. He also knew that he wanted to die, too. So, in a way, both of them would go down in honor. One after another.
Braesk followed the lift, and got to the bridge. He was so confused. What was going on.
"Captain, are you okay?"
Jumping into the air, their magnetic boots disengaging, and the force of the vacuum pulling them out towards space, they flew, feet first, straight for the fighters. That's when they open fired. The 40mm gunmen looked up, and opened up with a barrage of shells straight for the cockpits, while the men hit the shields, fired, and bounced off, landing on the ground again, flipping over, and firing a few shots at the enemy foot soldiers.
The Lieutenant, meanwhile, fired the AA12 at the hanger bay door controls, hoping that it would shut down. He didn't know how long they had before the fighters destroyed them. Already, two died from shellfire.
Robbins saw him coming, and emptied the rest of the clips into him, dropping the gun after it was empty, and punching him. But he had a surprise. He wore steel knuckles, and on his wrist, he wore a thick, titanium blade. The blade was out, now, and he was going to kill this man for the genocide he committed.
Robbins fell, though, with a deep, deep gash in his chest, arm, and stomach. Nothing he couldn't survive from, but still... Painful. Very painful. He screamed out in pain, watching the blood fall from him. But the vest saved him from the deadliest damage. He'd be okay, but he needed help. And soon. His training kicked in, and he kicked the man with both feet, again and again.
****
"Cigol, if you strike me down now, you will avenge your family, and ease my suffering. I am giving this opportunity to you, soldier to another. For there comes a time when a man becomes tired of the pain he caused, the lives he took, and the men he condemned," Ascrith said, holding his sword out to block the next attack.
He heard the Captain shout out the orders, and listened to this man. He knew that it would be devastating if he killed him. He also knew that he wanted to die, too. So, in a way, both of them would go down in honor. One after another.
Braesk followed the lift, and got to the bridge. He was so confused. What was going on.
"Captain, are you okay?"
"Cigol, if you strike me down now, you will avenge your family, and ease my suffering. I am giving this opportunity to you, soldier to another. For there comes a time when a man becomes tired of the pain he caused, the lives he took, and the men he condemned."
Cigol struck out with an underneath attack and looked at Ascrith in his eyes.
"That is an issue that you must deal with. I am not here to bring you swift vengeance nor even give you such benefit. I am already dying. And I don't have much time to complete, my last mission."
Cigol blocked a blow, and countered.
"In that case Field Marshall, you will cease holding back and assault me with everything you have."
* * *
Captain Nikoli whipped around to Captain Braesk and coughed.
"Yes I am fine god dammit!"
He began to cough again, obviously not fine. He feel to his knees and began to convulse.
"MEDICAL EMERGENCY!" Dr. Lucas Rodden called out, as he scattered over to the Captain.
Lt. Nai'ti joined nearby both to help the Doctor and as a precaution with Braesk on the command deck.
"Dammit, the nanities are sending his body into some type of shock. Something has them going haywire," Dr. Lucas Rodden exclaimed as he turned Nikoli on to his side. "Lieutenant, get me the Psyconel from the storage pouch on the right, and the Dopamethyl at the bottom!"
Lieutenant Nai'ti did as she was told, trying not to fumble with the drugs. Everyone stood in shock, that once again the Captain was facing death.
* * *
Cigol got an alert on his arm device and he glanced it.
I seem to be serverly lacking in time. Both I and the Captain...
Cigol struck out with an underneath attack and looked at Ascrith in his eyes.
"That is an issue that you must deal with. I am not here to bring you swift vengeance nor even give you such benefit. I am already dying. And I don't have much time to complete, my last mission."
Cigol blocked a blow, and countered.
"In that case Field Marshall, you will cease holding back and assault me with everything you have."
* * *
Captain Nikoli whipped around to Captain Braesk and coughed.
"Yes I am fine god dammit!"
He began to cough again, obviously not fine. He feel to his knees and began to convulse.
"MEDICAL EMERGENCY!" Dr. Lucas Rodden called out, as he scattered over to the Captain.
Lt. Nai'ti joined nearby both to help the Doctor and as a precaution with Braesk on the command deck.
"Dammit, the nanities are sending his body into some type of shock. Something has them going haywire," Dr. Lucas Rodden exclaimed as he turned Nikoli on to his side. "Lieutenant, get me the Psyconel from the storage pouch on the right, and the Dopamethyl at the bottom!"
Lieutenant Nai'ti did as she was told, trying not to fumble with the drugs. Everyone stood in shock, that once again the Captain was facing death.
* * *
Cigol got an alert on his arm device and he glanced it.
I seem to be serverly lacking in time. Both I and the Captain...
"So be it! En Guarde!" Ascrith said, blocking the attack and making a thrust with his sword. He had no idea what the Commander wanted. Perhaps he wanted a way out. Whatever it was, Ascrith was going to provide that. Too late had he been branded the villain, by more than one empire. Well, now, if he was going to be the villain, he would fight the good guy.
****
"Med bay! I repeat, Med Bay, we have a problem here!" Braesk shouted into his comms. All he heard was that there was some sort of nanotechnology that was trying to help the Captain survive. Unfortunately, it was also slowly killing him. They had a choice. Leave the nanites in, and let the captain die, or fix that problem. And Braesk just might have an answer to that.
The Colonel got on one knee, close to the Captain. He was looking. Looking for something. Something that would perhaps explain why the Nanites acted so weird, or what nationality they were from. He hoped to god it wasn't the nanites they gave to the wounded. If it was, there was going to be some problems.
"Look, I have something that might help. I have a med flask full of Marine Nanites. But they were designed for our Marines. They probably will help repair him, but there will be some... Interesting side effects,"
****
"Med bay! I repeat, Med Bay, we have a problem here!" Braesk shouted into his comms. All he heard was that there was some sort of nanotechnology that was trying to help the Captain survive. Unfortunately, it was also slowly killing him. They had a choice. Leave the nanites in, and let the captain die, or fix that problem. And Braesk just might have an answer to that.
The Colonel got on one knee, close to the Captain. He was looking. Looking for something. Something that would perhaps explain why the Nanites acted so weird, or what nationality they were from. He hoped to god it wasn't the nanites they gave to the wounded. If it was, there was going to be some problems.
"Look, I have something that might help. I have a med flask full of Marine Nanites. But they were designed for our Marines. They probably will help repair him, but there will be some... Interesting side effects,"
"Look, I have something that might help. I have a med flask full of Marine Nanites. But they were designed for our Marines. They probably will help repair him, but there will be some... Interesting side effects."
"If I got one batch of alien nanites going crazy, what in the hell makes you think I'll let him take in another batch!?" Dr. Lucas Rodden yelled in frustration, as he tried to keep the Captain alive.
"Doctor, he's only trying to help," Lieutenant Nai'ti said softly.
"Well if you want to help so god damn much, help me get him to the Infirmary," the Doctor said, as he began to pack up the medical kit. "We don't have time to wait."
Dr. Lucas Rodden looked at Braesk, with the sternness and anger of an old ox. "And if it comes down to it...I'll prep him for those nanites Captain."
* * *
Dr. Micheal Stratos, was frantic. He didn't know what was going on with the Captain's nanites and he was suppose to be the leading authority on xenology. He scanned the multiple screens of data, inputting variables, bringing up logs of their encounters with the Ursans and their technology, but still couldn't find anything. In a fit of frustration, he slammed his fists into the console's keyboard before slumping into his chair, tears starting to streak down his eyes.
"I...I just can't do it...I have failed..."
Liala suddenly popped into existence on one of the screens, hands on her hips.
"Get off your ass Doctor, and figure something out!"
Dr. Stratos shook his head, "I can't. There's nothing in there that can help."
Liala pursed her lips, "What about the psychokinetic thing?"
"I can not make any connection," Stratos admitted in defeat. "There's some suggested lines of it being a factor, but I don't have any proof or evidence."
"If only we had G'Char, or even the Commander back here..." Liala said to no one in particular.
The moment after she said that, there was a beep and suddenly the screens began to distort. Dr. Stratos looked on in horror.
"Liala!"
"Wait...sor...sorry...Doc...Doc...seems...like another....su- su- surprise," the Navigator said in a distorted voice before, blinking out, then reappearing.
"Another surprise from the Commander," she said, brushing her virtual uniform. "On you terminal should be a new data packet left by the Commander. I think you may find your answer Doctor."
Dr. Michael Stratos, opened up the data packet and former Commander Cigol appeared.
"Hello Dr. Stratos," said Cigol in that usually non-motive, almost careless attitude. "A few hours ago, I am sure you are aware, the Captain was severely injured and his Ursan nanites, ceasing to operate within their normal functions."
A new screen popped up, with information on the nanites that the Doctor had never seen before.
"In this data packet are some classified information on the nanites, gathered by C.A.I.N, but mostly theories and postulations from myself."
A new screen appeared and Dr. Stratos immediately snatched up a datapad to begin taking notes.
"Your hypothesis of the nanites being affected by some unknown psychokinetic energy, seems to be the best probable culprit, in our current situation. Upon gathering reports from those who were on the Time Dancer, including yourself, I believe I know why."
Another screen, this time video captured from a marine appeared. The unknown combatant, watched as Field Marshall Ascrith Taranis, slammed Captain Nikoli across the deck and the marine began to immediately attack the hostiles.
Then it clicked, and Stratos' eyes widen.
"If you will notice in the Heads Up Display of the marine Doctor," Cigol spoke as the video continued. "There was a spike in radiation. Not enough to harm anyone, but enough to be noticeable, if searched carefully. This is similar to the information we obtained with G'Char who too displayed psychokinetic abilities."
The video ended and Dr. Stratos raced out of his office, toward the medbay to notify the Doctor what was happening. In his hurry he failed to realize there was more to the video. However, Navigator Liala was still present and watched on.
"I should be currently embarked on one final mission, before I must enact C.A.I.N protocols. I have taken with me, a moderate amount of our left over Ursan nanite enzymes, in which I hope to use to disrupt the cause of the psychokinetic interference momentarily and allow the Captain to begin the healing process. Please do not try and stop me Doctor, for I have already taken the necessary precautions to ensure that you do not. It was a pleasure to work with you, once more Doctor Michael Stratos. End recording."
The video ended, and Liala sat watching the paused screen of Commander Cigol, his face blank, but his eyes telling all.
He didn't abandon them. It wasn't just about his family on Calypso. But his family here on Valhalla.
And in the end, even on his death bed, he was going to make sure they were alright.
* * *
"So be it! En Guarde!"
Cigol aimed his sword down, and gave an upward swoop to block the sword, whilst doing a dodging twirl to the left. He could feel the increase in psychokinetic pressure from Field Marshall Taranis, and knew that this time the game was really afoot.
There was another alert from the arm device, and Cigol once again quickly glanced at it.
Ah, so the Doctor has received the data.
With that confirmation, he knew the end was drawing near and with that resolve, he broke forward toward Ascrith.
Cigol let loose himself, this time commencing with a barrage of lightening fast attacks. Tapping away at Ascrith sword, probing this way and that, estimating his endurance and stamina. He could only do so much analyzing with time slowly counting down, but he had to be certain, had to be sure, to make each strike against the man's body count.
"Your swordsmanship is quite exceptional. I am quite surprised, I have held this long...disbarring you holding back," Cigol noted aloud casually.
"If I got one batch of alien nanites going crazy, what in the hell makes you think I'll let him take in another batch!?" Dr. Lucas Rodden yelled in frustration, as he tried to keep the Captain alive.
"Doctor, he's only trying to help," Lieutenant Nai'ti said softly.
"Well if you want to help so god damn much, help me get him to the Infirmary," the Doctor said, as he began to pack up the medical kit. "We don't have time to wait."
Dr. Lucas Rodden looked at Braesk, with the sternness and anger of an old ox. "And if it comes down to it...I'll prep him for those nanites Captain."
* * *
Dr. Micheal Stratos, was frantic. He didn't know what was going on with the Captain's nanites and he was suppose to be the leading authority on xenology. He scanned the multiple screens of data, inputting variables, bringing up logs of their encounters with the Ursans and their technology, but still couldn't find anything. In a fit of frustration, he slammed his fists into the console's keyboard before slumping into his chair, tears starting to streak down his eyes.
"I...I just can't do it...I have failed..."
Liala suddenly popped into existence on one of the screens, hands on her hips.
"Get off your ass Doctor, and figure something out!"
Dr. Stratos shook his head, "I can't. There's nothing in there that can help."
Liala pursed her lips, "What about the psychokinetic thing?"
"I can not make any connection," Stratos admitted in defeat. "There's some suggested lines of it being a factor, but I don't have any proof or evidence."
"If only we had G'Char, or even the Commander back here..." Liala said to no one in particular.
The moment after she said that, there was a beep and suddenly the screens began to distort. Dr. Stratos looked on in horror.
"Liala!"
"Wait...sor...sorry...Doc...Doc...seems...like another....su- su- surprise," the Navigator said in a distorted voice before, blinking out, then reappearing.
"Another surprise from the Commander," she said, brushing her virtual uniform. "On you terminal should be a new data packet left by the Commander. I think you may find your answer Doctor."
Dr. Michael Stratos, opened up the data packet and former Commander Cigol appeared.
"Hello Dr. Stratos," said Cigol in that usually non-motive, almost careless attitude. "A few hours ago, I am sure you are aware, the Captain was severely injured and his Ursan nanites, ceasing to operate within their normal functions."
A new screen popped up, with information on the nanites that the Doctor had never seen before.
"In this data packet are some classified information on the nanites, gathered by C.A.I.N, but mostly theories and postulations from myself."
A new screen appeared and Dr. Stratos immediately snatched up a datapad to begin taking notes.
"Your hypothesis of the nanites being affected by some unknown psychokinetic energy, seems to be the best probable culprit, in our current situation. Upon gathering reports from those who were on the Time Dancer, including yourself, I believe I know why."
Another screen, this time video captured from a marine appeared. The unknown combatant, watched as Field Marshall Ascrith Taranis, slammed Captain Nikoli across the deck and the marine began to immediately attack the hostiles.
Then it clicked, and Stratos' eyes widen.
"If you will notice in the Heads Up Display of the marine Doctor," Cigol spoke as the video continued. "There was a spike in radiation. Not enough to harm anyone, but enough to be noticeable, if searched carefully. This is similar to the information we obtained with G'Char who too displayed psychokinetic abilities."
The video ended and Dr. Stratos raced out of his office, toward the medbay to notify the Doctor what was happening. In his hurry he failed to realize there was more to the video. However, Navigator Liala was still present and watched on.
"I should be currently embarked on one final mission, before I must enact C.A.I.N protocols. I have taken with me, a moderate amount of our left over Ursan nanite enzymes, in which I hope to use to disrupt the cause of the psychokinetic interference momentarily and allow the Captain to begin the healing process. Please do not try and stop me Doctor, for I have already taken the necessary precautions to ensure that you do not. It was a pleasure to work with you, once more Doctor Michael Stratos. End recording."
The video ended, and Liala sat watching the paused screen of Commander Cigol, his face blank, but his eyes telling all.
He didn't abandon them. It wasn't just about his family on Calypso. But his family here on Valhalla.
And in the end, even on his death bed, he was going to make sure they were alright.
* * *
"So be it! En Guarde!"
Cigol aimed his sword down, and gave an upward swoop to block the sword, whilst doing a dodging twirl to the left. He could feel the increase in psychokinetic pressure from Field Marshall Taranis, and knew that this time the game was really afoot.
There was another alert from the arm device, and Cigol once again quickly glanced at it.
Ah, so the Doctor has received the data.
With that confirmation, he knew the end was drawing near and with that resolve, he broke forward toward Ascrith.
Cigol let loose himself, this time commencing with a barrage of lightening fast attacks. Tapping away at Ascrith sword, probing this way and that, estimating his endurance and stamina. He could only do so much analyzing with time slowly counting down, but he had to be certain, had to be sure, to make each strike against the man's body count.
"Your swordsmanship is quite exceptional. I am quite surprised, I have held this long...disbarring you holding back," Cigol noted aloud casually.
"Protocl Vitralis isn't working commander!" The Terelain corporal shouted into his comm, "They've got pressure uits and mag-boots. Put the atmo-shield back up, before you kill us all for no damned reason!"
"Acknowledged, corporal. Activating atmospheric shields. Kahr to fighters, atmo-shields engaging now, continue fire on enemy combatants." The tactical officer said.
"Copy that, commander." Was the reply from the squadron leader leading the fighters attacking the Death Korps men, of which several had now arrived inside the hangar bay.
The shields on the fighters had largely held under the hail of bullets from the Death Korps men that had come flying at them, as they had been designed to handle attacks from more powerful weapons than most anti-personnel guns. Nevertheless, the cockpit of one fighter shattered and the pilot inside was riddled with bullets. The fighter itself span out of control as the atmospheric shield suddenly re-appeared and the artificial gravity suddenly normalised. Luckily for everyone still alive in the hangar bay, it struck the floor right below it and burst into flames without rupturing the hull.
The Terelain marines were still firing at the Death Korps men, three more had fallen to their enemies, but they were holding their ground. Each one willing to die before they ceded a single inch of this ship to the genetically-enhanced humans.
The blast fired by the Death Korps man at the hangar bay door controls blasted them apart, but the doors didn't close. Instead, the destruction of the controls locked the doors open and sent a signal to the ship's AI, Aelya, who would seal the door in an instant. It reached one of her subroutines, which determined the situation using cameras in place around the hangar bay as well as diagnostics on the controls. It decided not to seal the doors, since it was obviously an attempt by hostiles to prevent friendly reinforcements from engaging them.
Reinforcements for the Terelain defenders started arriving from other areas of the ship as the Honour Guard marines responded with precision born of centuries of training to seal off access to the rest of the ship.
The fight in the Hand's bridge was starting to get brutal. Robbins' first few shots were blocked by Elder Nathaniel Tynian's personal shield, but eventually the sheer number of bullets impacting the shields allowed some to get though, mostly impacting his shoulders and chest. Bleeding from numerous bullet-wounds, he still didn't stop attacking Robbins with his claws, unleashing vicious blow after blow against the human.
The Elder was also a Master of Tae Kil Raan like his wife, perhaps even more so, and he was deep within the Alir meditative state where pain, anger, fear and other emotions and sensations simply slid off of the surface of his mind. He was entirely ignoring his wounds, therefore, in his attempts at disabling, or perhaps even killing Robbins.
Terelains also possessed medical nanites, and it had been common practice for thousands of years that every citizen was to have them injected into their bloodstream. These microscopic self-replicating machines acted to bolster and self-correct their immune systems and help to heal wounds. The nanites in the blood of the two wounded Elders were working overtime trying to stop the bleeding from the bullet wounds and prevent shock. Nontheless depending on the severity of the bullet wounds and what Robbins had actually hit, one or both of them might die anyway without medical treatment soon.
"Acknowledged, corporal. Activating atmospheric shields. Kahr to fighters, atmo-shields engaging now, continue fire on enemy combatants." The tactical officer said.
"Copy that, commander." Was the reply from the squadron leader leading the fighters attacking the Death Korps men, of which several had now arrived inside the hangar bay.
The shields on the fighters had largely held under the hail of bullets from the Death Korps men that had come flying at them, as they had been designed to handle attacks from more powerful weapons than most anti-personnel guns. Nevertheless, the cockpit of one fighter shattered and the pilot inside was riddled with bullets. The fighter itself span out of control as the atmospheric shield suddenly re-appeared and the artificial gravity suddenly normalised. Luckily for everyone still alive in the hangar bay, it struck the floor right below it and burst into flames without rupturing the hull.
The Terelain marines were still firing at the Death Korps men, three more had fallen to their enemies, but they were holding their ground. Each one willing to die before they ceded a single inch of this ship to the genetically-enhanced humans.
The blast fired by the Death Korps man at the hangar bay door controls blasted them apart, but the doors didn't close. Instead, the destruction of the controls locked the doors open and sent a signal to the ship's AI, Aelya, who would seal the door in an instant. It reached one of her subroutines, which determined the situation using cameras in place around the hangar bay as well as diagnostics on the controls. It decided not to seal the doors, since it was obviously an attempt by hostiles to prevent friendly reinforcements from engaging them.
Reinforcements for the Terelain defenders started arriving from other areas of the ship as the Honour Guard marines responded with precision born of centuries of training to seal off access to the rest of the ship.
The fight in the Hand's bridge was starting to get brutal. Robbins' first few shots were blocked by Elder Nathaniel Tynian's personal shield, but eventually the sheer number of bullets impacting the shields allowed some to get though, mostly impacting his shoulders and chest. Bleeding from numerous bullet-wounds, he still didn't stop attacking Robbins with his claws, unleashing vicious blow after blow against the human.
The Elder was also a Master of Tae Kil Raan like his wife, perhaps even more so, and he was deep within the Alir meditative state where pain, anger, fear and other emotions and sensations simply slid off of the surface of his mind. He was entirely ignoring his wounds, therefore, in his attempts at disabling, or perhaps even killing Robbins.
Terelains also possessed medical nanites, and it had been common practice for thousands of years that every citizen was to have them injected into their bloodstream. These microscopic self-replicating machines acted to bolster and self-correct their immune systems and help to heal wounds. The nanites in the blood of the two wounded Elders were working overtime trying to stop the bleeding from the bullet wounds and prevent shock. Nontheless depending on the severity of the bullet wounds and what Robbins had actually hit, one or both of them might die anyway without medical treatment soon.
That's when Jacob knew he was in trouble. Bleeding profusely, out of bullets, and only using close combat weapons, he was running out of options. The Death Korps soldiers were not doing so well, or so he thought. But he knew that if he got out of this alive, he'd be considered a great hero. An amazing hero. He just wished he had his normal weaponry. But he did have something. Something good.
He pulled, out of his pant leg, a large knife the size of his forearm, the point curved, and looking like a big bowie knife. He sliced at the hands, trying to cut them off. Maybe he'd die there, maybe he'd live. In any way, he'd be famously known as the commander of the only humans who could kill these people in close combat.
The Death Korps men fought bravely, and decided to charge forward. The 40mm Anti Fighter cannons from the bay doors of the gunships opened up on the ships, trying to destroy them. The soldiers charged, bayonets out, swords at the ready, and guns a blazing.
****
"Okay. But I think the captain will need this. It was designed for enhanced men, and if he doesn't have those enhancements, it'll build them into him." Braesk said, and watched with concern. He may fight dirty, but he never liked seeing war up close.
Ascrith blocked, but missed, and the sword cut his stomach. Blood began to flow, but he didn't care. He threw himself at him again, and again, trying to kill him, and kill himself. He knew that they both would die.
"I... Am... not... trying hard..."
He pulled, out of his pant leg, a large knife the size of his forearm, the point curved, and looking like a big bowie knife. He sliced at the hands, trying to cut them off. Maybe he'd die there, maybe he'd live. In any way, he'd be famously known as the commander of the only humans who could kill these people in close combat.
The Death Korps men fought bravely, and decided to charge forward. The 40mm Anti Fighter cannons from the bay doors of the gunships opened up on the ships, trying to destroy them. The soldiers charged, bayonets out, swords at the ready, and guns a blazing.
****
"Okay. But I think the captain will need this. It was designed for enhanced men, and if he doesn't have those enhancements, it'll build them into him." Braesk said, and watched with concern. He may fight dirty, but he never liked seeing war up close.
Ascrith blocked, but missed, and the sword cut his stomach. Blood began to flow, but he didn't care. He threw himself at him again, and again, trying to kill him, and kill himself. He knew that they both would die.
"I... Am... not... trying hard..."
Dr. Lucas Rodden motioned for one of the medical attendees to take the flask and place it on one of the medical scanners as he tended to Captain Nikoli.
"Liala, are you there?"
Navigator Liala blinked into existence on the large medical display. "Of course I am Doctor."
"Thorough analysis of the flask," he said as he rushed to prep the Captain for surgery. "I need to know if you can access their programming insert a contingency, just in case they fail."
Liala nodded and a stream of information began to cover the medical screen. "Just as he said, they do seem to be medical nanites. Heavily modified though. Reading additional levels of coding. Some of it I can read."
"Yes yes," Dr. Rodden said, as he put on his mask and gloves. "That's expected, but can you get the OUT once they are done? And where the hell is Stratos?"
As if on cue, there was mass of commotion coming from outside the private ward, and Dr. Stratos came bumbling in. He saw Captain Braesk, eyes widen and looked to Dr. Rodden. He saw the body of the Captain and remembered why he came. He hurriedly rushed over to a medical terminal.
"It IS a psychokinetic disturbance," he said as he remotely accessed the same information he saw a few minutes earlier. "It happened when he came into contact with the Field Marshall."
"And just how the hell does that help us Michael? " the Doctor said as he helped to put Captain Nikoli on a gurney, headed toward the operation room.
"I..." Dr. Michael Stratos, trailed off realizing that was all he had.
Rodden came up to him and pat him on the shoulder, "You did all you could Michael..."
Dr. Stratos slumped his shoulders, and Liala gave an annoyed eye roll.
She accessed and played the rest of the video on the medical display. "This is exactly why you wait until the video is COMPLETELY finished..."
The Doctors looked on confused.
"But what does that mean though? Why take the rest of the Ursan nanites?" Dr. Rodden asked.
"Give Stratos a moment Doc."
Stratos stood there like a deer caught in headlights before it clicked. He turned to Dr. Lucas Rodden.
"He's going to try and infect the Field Marshall with the nanites! The Commander hopes that by getting the Ursan nanites into his body, they should effectively disrupt the Field Marshall's psychokinetic abilities," Dr. Stratos explained.
"But how is that possible? The nanites will have the same reaction, if not worst, if the Field Marshall has psionic abilities," the Doctor commented.
"Wait for it Doctor," Liala quipped.
"Well..." Stratos said in thought. "Well, the Commander said he took the one's with the enzymes. Meaning that the Ursan influence still resides in them and that it should suppress the Field Marshall's abilities, if only momentarily. And looking at the data, he's also modified the nanites to transmit a signal to those in the Captain, giving them the information they need to properly adapt."
"Doctor! The Captain is starting to flatline.!"
"God dammit! Liala, the flask!"
"They appear safe, and I have tried all I can with them," she responded.
Doctor Rodden, grabbed the flask and looked at Dr. Stratos. "That sounds all good in theory Michael. But unless Commander Cigol can initiate this plan of his in the next 30 minutes, the Captain is going to die. And I won't let that happen. Even if I have to give him another dose of alien technology."
With that the Doctor rushed out the ward toward the Operation Room, leaving Captain Braesk, Liala, and Dr. Stratos alone.
* * *
Cigol, quirked a brow at the comment, and failed to realize the counter blow that Ascrith sent his way. The pale and skinny former Commander, smashed to the ground, and continued along in a roll, before springing himself back up toward his opponent.
"It would appear so," he quipped, before charging in once again, forgoing much of the grace and finesse of his attacks.
He reached out with his left hand, grabbing Ascrith's neck and tried slamming his head into a nearby tool cart.
Both combatants were bruised, battered, and blooded. Cigol knew he had many bone broken, lost a few of his fingers, and was quite sure his left eye was gone. Judging from the way Ascrith looked, Cigol knew he probably gave him a bit of a run for his money. No matter, as long as his sword cut him, and his blood pumped faster, that's all that count.
But time...there never was enough time.
And so, Cigol charged forward again.
* * *
"My god...I have never seen Commander Cigol fight so...viciously..." Lieutenant Nai'ti said, as she sat in the command chair, unable to do much of anything else.
"I don't think I have either," spoke Communication's Officer Ty. "It's like watching a whole other person. Follox, probably wouldn't want to take him on."
"To which, any word from the Time Dancer or Hand?" asked Nai'ti.
"Negative on the Time Dancer, but the Hand is definitely in some sort of trouble," Ty noted. "Either way, I don't think it's our problem."
"It is Ty," Nai'ti sighed. "Get me their CO, and send them the live feed of this all channels, so everyone over there can see it. Maybe, it'll pause what ever the hell is going on. If need be, Liala can go over and see what's happening."
Ty nodded, and Nai'ti's eyes fell back onto the viewscreen, showing the duel between Commander Cigol and Field Marshal Taranis. It felt so wrong, to just sit there, helpless and unable to do anything. It was her job to make sure everyone of the ship was safe and secured.
Watching someone walk off to their own death, felt like a stab; felt like she failed her charges.
"Liala, are you there?"
Navigator Liala blinked into existence on the large medical display. "Of course I am Doctor."
"Thorough analysis of the flask," he said as he rushed to prep the Captain for surgery. "I need to know if you can access their programming insert a contingency, just in case they fail."
Liala nodded and a stream of information began to cover the medical screen. "Just as he said, they do seem to be medical nanites. Heavily modified though. Reading additional levels of coding. Some of it I can read."
"Yes yes," Dr. Rodden said, as he put on his mask and gloves. "That's expected, but can you get the OUT once they are done? And where the hell is Stratos?"
As if on cue, there was mass of commotion coming from outside the private ward, and Dr. Stratos came bumbling in. He saw Captain Braesk, eyes widen and looked to Dr. Rodden. He saw the body of the Captain and remembered why he came. He hurriedly rushed over to a medical terminal.
"It IS a psychokinetic disturbance," he said as he remotely accessed the same information he saw a few minutes earlier. "It happened when he came into contact with the Field Marshall."
"And just how the hell does that help us Michael? " the Doctor said as he helped to put Captain Nikoli on a gurney, headed toward the operation room.
"I..." Dr. Michael Stratos, trailed off realizing that was all he had.
Rodden came up to him and pat him on the shoulder, "You did all you could Michael..."
Dr. Stratos slumped his shoulders, and Liala gave an annoyed eye roll.
She accessed and played the rest of the video on the medical display. "This is exactly why you wait until the video is COMPLETELY finished..."
The Doctors looked on confused.
"But what does that mean though? Why take the rest of the Ursan nanites?" Dr. Rodden asked.
"Give Stratos a moment Doc."
Stratos stood there like a deer caught in headlights before it clicked. He turned to Dr. Lucas Rodden.
"He's going to try and infect the Field Marshall with the nanites! The Commander hopes that by getting the Ursan nanites into his body, they should effectively disrupt the Field Marshall's psychokinetic abilities," Dr. Stratos explained.
"But how is that possible? The nanites will have the same reaction, if not worst, if the Field Marshall has psionic abilities," the Doctor commented.
"Wait for it Doctor," Liala quipped.
"Well..." Stratos said in thought. "Well, the Commander said he took the one's with the enzymes. Meaning that the Ursan influence still resides in them and that it should suppress the Field Marshall's abilities, if only momentarily. And looking at the data, he's also modified the nanites to transmit a signal to those in the Captain, giving them the information they need to properly adapt."
"Doctor! The Captain is starting to flatline.!"
"God dammit! Liala, the flask!"
"They appear safe, and I have tried all I can with them," she responded.
Doctor Rodden, grabbed the flask and looked at Dr. Stratos. "That sounds all good in theory Michael. But unless Commander Cigol can initiate this plan of his in the next 30 minutes, the Captain is going to die. And I won't let that happen. Even if I have to give him another dose of alien technology."
With that the Doctor rushed out the ward toward the Operation Room, leaving Captain Braesk, Liala, and Dr. Stratos alone.
* * *
Cigol, quirked a brow at the comment, and failed to realize the counter blow that Ascrith sent his way. The pale and skinny former Commander, smashed to the ground, and continued along in a roll, before springing himself back up toward his opponent.
"It would appear so," he quipped, before charging in once again, forgoing much of the grace and finesse of his attacks.
He reached out with his left hand, grabbing Ascrith's neck and tried slamming his head into a nearby tool cart.
Both combatants were bruised, battered, and blooded. Cigol knew he had many bone broken, lost a few of his fingers, and was quite sure his left eye was gone. Judging from the way Ascrith looked, Cigol knew he probably gave him a bit of a run for his money. No matter, as long as his sword cut him, and his blood pumped faster, that's all that count.
But time...there never was enough time.
And so, Cigol charged forward again.
* * *
"My god...I have never seen Commander Cigol fight so...viciously..." Lieutenant Nai'ti said, as she sat in the command chair, unable to do much of anything else.
"I don't think I have either," spoke Communication's Officer Ty. "It's like watching a whole other person. Follox, probably wouldn't want to take him on."
"To which, any word from the Time Dancer or Hand?" asked Nai'ti.
"Negative on the Time Dancer, but the Hand is definitely in some sort of trouble," Ty noted. "Either way, I don't think it's our problem."
"It is Ty," Nai'ti sighed. "Get me their CO, and send them the live feed of this all channels, so everyone over there can see it. Maybe, it'll pause what ever the hell is going on. If need be, Liala can go over and see what's happening."
Ty nodded, and Nai'ti's eyes fell back onto the viewscreen, showing the duel between Commander Cigol and Field Marshal Taranis. It felt so wrong, to just sit there, helpless and unable to do anything. It was her job to make sure everyone of the ship was safe and secured.
Watching someone walk off to their own death, felt like a stab; felt like she failed her charges.
Braesk looked guilty. Very guilty. He had tears in his eyes as he heard the cries of the wounded, and he held his hand up to his face. They caused this. They did all this damage, and no one was going to stop him from winning a medal for this. No one would tell him to stop. But he wanted to. And when he wanted to apologize, no one would forgive him. It was just that lonely for him.
He looked up at everyone, and said something under his breath. He may not have done anything good, but if he could save the captain, maybe it was the only good thing that he could do. And if that was true, he was glad that he had the chance. And he'd be able to give the captain a good life after this.
"I'm sorry... And I know that nothing I can say will make me a better person. Nothing I can say will be enough for you. I can't bring back the dead, and I wish I could. I can't do all of that, but if it means saving the rest of your crew, I have a hidden medical bay for the Honor Guard on board the ship. It's old, sealed off, but it has more of these for the rest of the wounded, and I can make them disintegrate once they've done their job,"
****
Blood flew from his face as it slammed into the tools. He was hurting, and hurting badly, like Cigol. His face looked mutilated, but he wasn't done yet. He elbowed Cigol in the neck, and picked him up, throwing him across the room. But Ascrith was hurt badly. The side of his face was bashed in, all broken, like glass that has tape on it.
He walked up to Cigol, and grabbed his head, slamming it into the ground.
He looked up at everyone, and said something under his breath. He may not have done anything good, but if he could save the captain, maybe it was the only good thing that he could do. And if that was true, he was glad that he had the chance. And he'd be able to give the captain a good life after this.
"I'm sorry... And I know that nothing I can say will make me a better person. Nothing I can say will be enough for you. I can't bring back the dead, and I wish I could. I can't do all of that, but if it means saving the rest of your crew, I have a hidden medical bay for the Honor Guard on board the ship. It's old, sealed off, but it has more of these for the rest of the wounded, and I can make them disintegrate once they've done their job,"
****
Blood flew from his face as it slammed into the tools. He was hurting, and hurting badly, like Cigol. His face looked mutilated, but he wasn't done yet. He elbowed Cigol in the neck, and picked him up, throwing him across the room. But Ascrith was hurt badly. The side of his face was bashed in, all broken, like glass that has tape on it.
He walked up to Cigol, and grabbed his head, slamming it into the ground.
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