In the CIC the command centre was flooded with combat chatter. The sound was awful for anyone present to hear. Price had already launched every frontline fighter he had. All there was left were empty reserve fighters and the strike units. He was seriously considering launching the Strike Vipers to assist. "They're getting cut to pieces out there." Goradin remarked. Price and Howard could see in his eyes that the young officer knew what he was hearing. "How long till reinforcements arrive?" Goradin quickly switched between the tactical map and the DRADIS screen, looking for the contacts of both Bravo squadron and the Alien Bane. "We're looking at about 15 minutes for Bravo squadron if they're burning hard. Alien Bane will take no less than 25 minutes to get here." "We're outnumbered four to one. We can't hold them off that long." The XO said to no one in particular. "Get strike squadron 1 and 2 to drop their heavy payloads and into the tubes. Keep 3 and 4 on strike loads." "You wa

After exchanging customary greetings to their comrades in arms based in the Babarus Costa System, Invictus jumped out to fulfill her latest orders. Before committing to the long and perilous journey, the ship docked at one of the deep-space stations littered across the entrance of the Warp-Passage. It wasn't really a matter of choice. Theoretically the battlestar could hop across in a few jumps without resupplying, but the holes in her armor needed to be repaired among other things. Holding off the pirate forces surely helped the Naval forces stationed there, but Invictus took a pounding doing so. Aside from the two scarred openings in her bow armor caused by Lance fire, the armor was riddled with dents, holes and craters from artillery fire, accompanied by laser scorch marks. Seeing the damage first-hand from the cockpit of his own Viper Price knew his ship had suffered. The dings and craters from enemy guns... Well he had expected something like that. His own crew could hammer out t

While the senior officers were enjoying their beers in the pub, Mercer had joined his squadron in another tavern close to the docking-arms for a celebration. It was a mixed party. Both to celebrate the memory of his fallen comrades and to celebrate him getting his wings. Officially his training as a pilot wouldn't be over for a few weeks, but since he had fought so hard and skillful during the last battle, Major Burke had awarded him his pilot's wings. No longer did he bear the junior's name 'Nugget' and became Flight-Sergeant Mercer 'Storm' Trune. Just a few hours after the battle, Major Burke had assembled the entire squadron in the Pilot's mess for the awarding ceremony. Even the skipper and XO were present and congratulating him on his achievement. The celebration didn't last very long though. The ship was damaged and was needed elsewhere. Between jumps, before arriving at the station, a sort-of funeral ceremony was held for the fallen. Those they could find anyway. The bodies were

This vessel has been shadowing us for quite some time while remaining undetected. Maybe as long as we entered this region. For all we know there could be an entire fleet out there. At this time it is imperative to reach the Orar system as soon as possible, with as many ships as possible, as Lord-Admiral Ravensburg instructed. I intend to carry out this order. If you wish to protest against my orders I suggest you take it up to him. Until then you are to prep your vessel for immediate Jump Action towards Point Bravo. Do I make myself clear?" The short silence that followed was broken with a clearly angry growl saying "Aye" before the connection was broken. Looking up he found Lieutenant Goradin staring at him as if he was nailed to the ground. The way he talked the Commissar down made him stare in disbelief. Not many officers we keep our emissions down, four days. Maybe a bit more." "Very well. Let's hope we can pass unnoticed." For the duration of his shift nothing of note happened

Slowly and gracefully the three ships joined formation with the massive supercarrier. Though the Invictus with its three kilometers length was an impressive sight for anyone to see. She was simply a speck, however, compared to the majestic might of the Twenty Kilometer long vessel. The differences didn't end there. The Invictus was mostly smooth and, aside from a few main turrets and the lines of Point-defence Guns, had a flat and sleek appearance. Ark Imperial was littered with 'small' turrets. Small being at least tens of meters high and wide which boasted multiple barrels per turret, the ventral section mounting dozens of skyscraper-sized antennae for fire direction of the vast array of weapon batteries. The entire broadsides were covered with launch bays, each as tall as city blocks, twelve double columns along each side. The launch bays were flanked by four lance turrets which were hundreds of meters long, about as many meters wide and equally high. Each turret boasting six barre