Inherited Vengeance by |6|

Published on Kiith Iopia on date Unknown

“Chaser 3 to Chaser 5, tighten up that formation!”

“Roger that Chaser 3, compensating.” Silhouetted against the starry backdrop, ten glinting shapes raced in a tight delta formation towards some distant objective. Resembling a ray, or some other elegant marine creature, the Specters moved along, plasma trail streaming behind their dangerous forms.

“Target destination closing, all go for sensor masking.” Again, the confirmations echoed across the radios, and out into deep space. Abruptly the fighters began to warp, their shapes becoming something more supernatural, defied the laws of known physics. In a matter of moments the objects faded from view, leaving no trace of the snaking engine wash or distorted images. “Masking complete, moving towards current objective.”

“Acknowledged Chaser 1, proceed with caution, you are now under enemy sensor ranges.” An electric hum filled the command station onboard the Garrison, an Avenger class communications and command cruiser. A lone figure sat within the room, glancing across various instrument panels and transmission readouts.

“Confirm on enemy sensor contact Garrison, see you on the other side.” The transmission abruptly lost clarity, trailed from a strong clear signal to mere static echoing through the room. The figure reached down and turned off the comm panel for Chaser squadron, knew it was useless at that point. It then rose, strode across the room and gazed out of a port, into the starts and nebulae.

“Gentlemen, we are it, retribution embodied.”

“Take formations for skirmish runs, two of you with each.” The unseen fighters broke into five groups of two, their target now revealed. Trails of plasma fire, and the unmistakable shimmer of distant vessels were closing fast, formed parade style.

“Chaser 3 and 4, noncoms are your first targets.”

“The rest of you, focus on the fighters first, then move to the cap ships.” The silent command was known to the pilots. Weapons armed, they spun up to full speed and set up for attack runs. The Taiidan fleet continued uninterrupted, weapons powered down and sensors set passive.

“Chaser 5 and 6 in range, weapons hot.”

“Chaser 1 to Chaser squadron, engage all hostiles.” The Specters moved towards their targets undetected and with utter surprise. Weapon fire burst from the barrels of the fighters’ cannons. Taiidan radio transmissions doubled in that instant. Resourcers and destroyers alike scrambled under the hail of weapons fire. The Specters approached from all angles, focusing fire into a central point and ripping holes in the hulls of the Taiidani vessels. The blaze of cannons lit the darkness of space and sent fire dancing across the armor of the central Taiidan cruiser, the Harbinger.

“Chaser 1, all vessels down, focusing all fire on the Harbinger.” In a matter of seconds the entirety of the Taiidan assault force was destroyed, buckled under the sheer force of intruding vacuum. The only remaining unit, the Harbinger, was unscathed.

“Chaser squadron, Harbinger is moving away from the combat area, intercept and destroy target.” The ten uncloaked fighters deftly maneuvered alongside the massive ship, avoiding the point defense weaponry and searching the hull for any signs of weakness. At once the fighters made a coordinated thrust to the front of the ship, spotting the command bridge. The behemoth seemed to detect its imminent doom in that moment, as ion cannon beams began to rend the space around then.

“Chaser 5 to Chaser 3, watch that incoming fire, keep those formations loose!” The Specters moved quickly in their intentions, striking the hull, sending frozen oxygen and Taiidani corpses flowing into the void. Even with multiple hull breaches pock marking the ship, the Harbinger refused to cease it’s flight.

“We can’t do enough damage Chaser 1, it’s not flinching!” The fighters continued their assault, dodging through the beams of red hellfire. “I can’t get a draw on the bridge Chaser 1, there’s too much fi…” A bright phosphorescent plume of flame erupted in the ranks of fighters, the culprit focus of ion cannon fire tearing through the Specters like so much paper.

“Damn, Chaser group report in!”

“Chaser 2 here.”

“Chaser 5 intact.”

“Chaser 6, tanks ruptured, thrust is nil.”

“Chaser 8 and 9 reporting in.”

“Chaser group, move to close range, take out those cannons!” The dwindling squadron moved near the lumbering hulk of the Harbinger, fire focused on the now silent ion cannons. The volleys of point defense cannons now pelted the attackers, disrupting their assaults and sending armor fragments spinning into space. The flame trails of the failing craft sent dancing orange light across the scene, lighting the ruptured and violated hull of the Harbinger.

“Chaser 8 and 5 are down 1!”

“Roger that, keep on those cannons!” Without flinching the Specters continued their barrage against the ion cannon, to no effect. The steel skin of the leviathan blistered and warped, the hungry jaws of vacuum tearing at its body.

“Chaser 8 and 9, move to open another hole, these attacks might be working!”

“Chaser 2 and 9, report in!” The lone fighter spun about, looking for any sign of its fallen brothers.

“Chaser 6 to Chaser 1, sir the Harbinger is entering hyperspace!”

“Acknowledged Chaser 6, I’ll do what I can.” The sleek Specter blew full thrust, throwing it’s pilot into his seat and making a dash towards the front of the Harbinger. Blue light began to shine from the bow of the craft, beaming from the opening gate. The fighter continued on its course, speeding towards the opening gate, and the slowly advancing Harbinger. With a blast of acceleration, the fighter sped into the waiting gate just before the cruiser. A brief flash emanated from the gate as the cruiser was entering. All at once the rift turned a bright white, the flash blinding all onlookers. Blazing white cracks began to travel the length of the Harbinger, shearing across its surface and pouring light into the vastness of space. Plasma fire, glowing a radiant purple, belched forth from the gate and engulfed the hulk. Unable to escape the rampaging destruction about it, the Harbinger gave one final mighty groan as it’s skin split. Breaking under the billowing plasma fire and forces of the jumpgate turned back upon it. With a roar of flames and a massive shockwave, the Harbinger was gone. The gate shut upon the remains, sending electrified shards and components into the emptiness.