Pearl of the Stars
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The Fleet exited the jump point at the Faraday system and immediately executed manoeuvres so that all vessels were positioned behind the jump point, all except Razor’s unit that is. Captain Jane Erstwhile and her vessels were to act as bait and whilst the remainder of the Fleet prepared an ambush, Razor and those vessels she was escorting accelerated away from the jump point at a speed of two-tenths the speed of light.

The Faraday system was small compared to most, the star itself being a Brown Dwarf. Only the planet closest to the star and its three moons were suitable for human habitation, however there was a military installation in orbit around an enormous gas giant, just over twelve minutes from the jump point.

“This is Captain Grace Ifhans of the Council Fleet,” Grace said clearly as she began to record a message. “We are being followed by a hostile fleet. Please come out to meet the vessel designated Razor, and act as support. Out.” As soon as she finished speaking the message was whisked away to be received by the military installation in orbit around the gas giant, in the hope it would not be too late for the installation’s commanding officer to instruct the small security detail to aid Captain Jane Erstwhile and her unit.

It was a risky move. Should the ambush fail, then the chances of Razor’s unit surviving were slim at best, however an ambush was the Fleet’s best chance of turning the retreat into attack.

“It’s a sound idea,” said Major Hynes as he noticed the worried expression upon his Captain’s face. “Providing everyone plays their respective roles correctly, we should suffer minimal losses.”

“I’d rather no losses at all Major,” Grace replied with a half-smile. She knew what he said was the truth though, and was not expecting to come out of the skirmish unscathed. She turned her attention to the Lieutenant currently monitoring the jump point. “Lieutenant, do we have a predicted time frame?”

“The enemy fleet was gaining rapidly before we jumped,” the Lieutenant replied. “Assuming they have the same jump capabilities as we do, they should appear within seven minutes.” Grace nodded, and lit a cigarette whilst she waited.

***

Seven minutes later, the enemy fleet appeared and immediately began to chase down Razor and her unit. Grace switched communications to Fleet wide, and spoke quickly.

“All vessels accelerate and engage the enemy. Give them Hell!”

With the Pearl out in front, the Fleet quickly reached a speed of three-tenths the speed of light, cutting a swathe through space as it bore down on the enemy fleet.

“Fire at will,” Grace commanded and moments later, the Pearl began to fire, the vessel’s computer selecting targets as her weapons crew ensured everything ran as smoothly as possible. The Guardian of Asgaard scored the first kill as she and her unit broke ranks and pulled out beyond the Pearl. The enemy vessel was torn apart by a combination of lasers and rail gun fire.

“The enemy is coming about,” the Lieutenant commentated. “They’re releasing fighters.”

“Rally our own fighters,” Grace gave the instruction. “I want every bird in the air, now!” The command was carried out and within thirty seconds, a hundred fighters left each council vessel and began to engage the enemy fighters.

The Pearl of the Stars concentrated her fire upon a single enemy ship, destroying it with ease before she moved on to the next. Before she had a chance to do so though she rocked as she took a direct hit to her forward section, and veered violently to starboard.

“What the fick is going on?” Grace yelled, glancing at the empty pilot’s chair. “Number Two, get my ship under control!”

“Aye Ma’am,” she replied, switching control of the Pearl to her own station.

“Lieutenant, get my pilot to the medical bay immediately.”

“Aye Ma’am,” the Lieutenant replied as he darted forwards. The pilot had taken a blow to the head and as such was unconscious, so the Lieutenant threw him over his shoulder and ran off at speed. The Pearl rocked again as she took several hits to her starboard side.

“Report!”

“We’re leaking atmo, eighteen starboard sections are open.”

“Seal all affected sections, we’ll deal with that later.”

“The enemy is gaining on Razor!”

“Fire nukes, take the ficklers out!”

The Pearl of the Stars weaved her way through debris from both Council and enemy vessels, searching for a clean shot.

“We’re eight vessels down Ma’am.”

“Fick!” Grace turned as Major Hynes cleared his throat in an effort to get her attention. “What is it Major?”

“The enemy fleet is within range of our nets,” he replied. As he spoke he noticed the glint in Grace’s eye.

“All Fleet vessels turn stern on to the enemy and release nets,” she said over the Fleet wide coms. It was no easy task though, decelerating and turning so quickly and the forces endured by those on board were incredibly powerful, however the Council ships were well made, and a manoeuvre that would once have ripped any given vessel apart was completed by all with ease.

“Release!”

The nets were exactly that, electro-magnetically charged nets that could reach a velocity of half the speed of light. The enemy fleet did not stand a chance. As soon as they caught in the net they were dead in the water and all that remained was for the Council vessels to pick them off one by one.

“They’re making a run for Galahad, forty of them.”

“Let them go,” Grace replied. “They’ll be out of range soon enough.”

“Aye Ma’am.”

“I want a senior officer kept alive for questioning,” she said as she turned to Major Hynes. “That’s up to you Major, take a squadron of marines and see to it.”

“Yes Ma’am,” the Major replied with a smart, sharp salute, before he left the bridge. Captain Grace Ifhans headed towards the pilots station, and placed her hand gently upon the shoulder of her number two.

“That was some pretty decent flying there, what’s your name pilot?”

“Johnson,” she replied. “Emily Johnson, Ma’am.”

“Johnson,” Grace said quietly to herself. “You were at the academy?”

“Yes Ma’am.”

“The Dean was right to give you to me,” she said as Johnson smiled widely. “Consider yourself my pilot, until I find someone better.”

“Yes Ma’am, thank you,” she replied with a salute.

***

An hour later Captain Grace Ifhans sat in the meeting room and one by one, the unit heads images appeared on the screens surrounding the table.

“Anything to report?”

“I lost two of my unit,” Captain Danielle Casper of the Acquiesce was the first to speak. “Not to mention the damage to my own vessel.”

“I’m a ship down, however the damage to the Imperium is relatively minor,” said Captain Frank Holding.

It was a similar story throughout the Fleet. All lead vessels were capable of flying however most required some repair. Nine vessels in total had been destroyed but the vast majority of their crews had either been picked up already, or would be shortly.

“We will stay at Faraday whilst the most severe repairs are carried out, then a jump to Galahad.” The Galahad system was uninhabited aside from a few small military installations. “With a bit of luck, the enemy will stick around there to carry out their own repairs.” Grace paused for a moment as a message came over her personal communications device. “If you’ll excuse me, Captains. I have a prisoner to interrogate.”

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