Pearl of the Stars
Panzer

The Panzer reached her maximum cruising velocity quickly. Captain Dihou watched as on the radar, she saw the rest of the unit slow and turn, ready to defend the Panzer’s escape from the hostile star system.

Already the alien vessels were closing on the unit, but Captain Dihou knew she could do nothing. Apart from the fact the Panzer was an MRV and as such had little by way of an arsenal, even an entire squadron of battlecruisers could do little to even the odds in what would certainly be a walk in the park for the enemy.

“We’re closing on the jump point Ma’am,” a Second-Lieutenant informed her. Captain Dihou was only half-listening though. She could not tear her eyes away from the atrocity that was about to take place.

Imperium and Midnight Runner led the charge, aiming for the centre of the enemies formation. On either side perhaps trailing by half a click, Rapture and Cannon Fodder were to back them up. The last line of defence, Mighty Warrior, had not moved. Such was the trajectory of the Panzer that Mighty Warrior’s position in space meant it was impossible for any enemy vessel to have a straight run at the fleeing MRV, thus giving the Panzer more time to make her escape.

Midnight Runner was taking heavy fire, but her shields were holding out, for the time being at least. Her cannons, as well as those of the rest of the unit, appeared ineffective against the enemy vessels that were far superior in every possible way. Projectiles simply bounced off their shields and when Rapture loosed her net in an effort to trap a vessel within an electro-magnetic field, the net simply disintegrated on impact.

“We’re not going to stand a fickling chance,” she said quietly, voicing the thoughts of every man and woman witnessing events.

Imperium took a barrage of fire to all sides and exploded, breaking into three. The largest piece veered wildly and caught the rear of Midnight Runner, causing another massive explosion.

“Imperium and Midnight Runner are down,” the Second-Lieutenant said, as if anyone needed to be told. “Rapture is taking heavy fire.”

“How far to the jump point?” Captain Dihou asked.

“Thirty seconds Ma’am,” he replied.

A lot can happen in thirty seconds.

Rapture and Cannon Fodder suffered similar fates to their sister vessels, now Mighty Warrior was all that remained.

The enemy fleet bore down on the remaining vessel in it’s entirety. Captain Dihou could only imagine the conversation taking place on the bridge of Mighty Warrior. She knew, as did everyone in the Council Fleet, that death was a near-certainty. However staring at a fleet a thousand strong that possessed the capability to destroy anything in it’s path was not the way any battleship captain wanted to go out.

Bad odds are one thing.

Complete and total annihilation are another.

“Put me through to Mighty Warrior.”

“Aye Ma’am,” the Second-Lieutenant replied, giving his captain a nod to indicate he had done as was requested.

“Captain Wilder, this is Captain Dihou. I do not expect a response, but I feel I must thank you all the same.” She cut the transmission, a sad smile upon her face. “Jump when ready.”

“Aye Ma’am.”

Panzer jumped, leaving behind the most hostile star system imaginable. The vessel’s destination was unknown, but embedded within the transmission Captain Holding had sent was what he thought to be the fastest and easiest route back to Council controlled space, and the Pearl of the Stars.

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