Carpathia IV: Episode 300 - Charge
NCCS Shadowdancer-A
Shadowdancer, along with the rest of the fleet, cruised in tight formation, approaching the Blood Agony from behind. With a surprise attack out of the question, the fleet approached from behind, where weapons were lightest.
Nalma: Captain, the shuttles and runabouts are dropping back as planned.
Aire: Mark the coordinates. If we have to launch escape pods, that's where you go. Kit, send notifications to all stations.
Kit: Sending now, Captain.
A few more minutes passed, still in formation, with tension hanging thick in the air.
Nalma: Blood Agony is altering course towards us and reducing speed to induction. The dragon ships are adjusting course.
Aire: Are the dragons still on course to intercept before us?
Nalma: Affirmative. Estimate ten minutes ahead.
Aire: That's good. It means that they are worried about them. Maintain course and speed.
More minutes passed, ticking away in silence until, suddenly, an alarm sounded on the bridge.
Joust: Either Lazmaedia or Aionaptara. Be ready, everyone.
Aire: Alarm off and brace yourselves.
Amenaru: Cutting alarm.
The alarm went silent just as Lazmaedia materialized on the bridge, standing tall, twice as tall as anyone else and wings spread wide.
Lazmaedia: Well, my Valro, it seems someone has finally decided to make a stand. Very good.
Aire stood, straight and tall, making sure to project an aura of strength and confidence.
Aire: We will fight to preserve our lives and culture.
Lazmaedia: Oh, I am counting on a good, spirited fight. You will be very useful to cull the dead weight on my ships. Only the incompetent allow themselves to be killed in battle. You've already gotten started and now I permit you to finish the job.
Aire wasn't sure if his previous display of strength and confidence was still holding, for he was now too dumbfounded to concentrate on maintaining it. On the one hand, this was good news. The biggest problem with the plan was if Lazmaedia preemptively attacked them herself before they could even engage the Blood Agony. That, it seemed clear, would not happen. At least, for now, and he knew he had to be exceedingly careful with his response so as not to plant any notions that would change her mind.
Aire: A spirited fight is what you'll get.
Lazmaedia smiled, a snarly, pointed-tooth smile that any reasonable person would describe as horrifying.
Lazmaedia: I would expect nothing less of my Valro! Do your job well and I may just spare your life.
Aire: Rest assured, we have every intention of doing our job exceedingly well.
Lazmaedia: I'm counting on it! Now, you must excuse me. I have some dragons I need to take care of.
And as quickly as Lazmaedia appeared, she was gone. Aire returned to his chair and fastened his seatbelt.
Aire: Contact the dragons and tell them she's coming. After you're done, get me Admiral Zhang.
Kit: Yes, Captain.
Joust: Either this is a deception or she's really that deluded.
Aire: Let's hope for deluded. From what I've seen, I don't think she's ever done battle with a multispecies culture. There's no question in my mind that she's underestimating us.
Kit: I have Admiral Zhang, Captain. Putting her on the holopad.
Admiral Zhang appeared on the holopad, seated in her captain's chair.
Admiral Zhang: I take it Lazmaedia visited?
Aire: She did. She's off to confront the dragons. Kit has informed them.
Admiral Zhang: According to plan. Anything else?
Aire: She expressed hope that we would cull the... what did she call it?
Joust: Dead weight.
Aire: Yes, dead weight. She said that only the incompetent allow themselves to be killed in battle.
Admiral Zhang responded with a slow nod.
Admiral Zhang: Could be a deception, but her response tracks with what we know about her.
Both Aire and Admiral Zhang turned their heads, responding to an emergency message, Aire to Phobos and Admiral Zhang to someone undoubtedly telling her the same thing.
Phobos: Captain, the bay doors on the Blood Agony are opening.
Aire gave Phobos a nod and turned back to Admiral Zhang.
Admiral Zhang: It begins. We'll see you after it's done.
Aire: Wouldn't miss it, Admiral.
Admiral Zhang disappeared from the holopad.
Aire: Tactical status.
Nalma: No evidence of powered weapons or shields on Blood Agony yet, but I doubt that will be for long.
Aire: Keep monitoring.
Phobos: Vashta ships are emerging from the Blood Agony hangers. So far, all the same configuration as the two we confronted.
Aire: How many?
Phobos: Unknown. Fourteen so far, but more are coming and they're headed toward us. Around ten minutes to intercept.
Aire: Keep count and take note of anything we haven't seen before. Kit, shipwide channel.
The electronic boatswain's whistle sounded its three-toned call over the intercom.
Aire: Attention crew. This is the Captain. The Blood Agony has turned to face us and is now disgorging their heavy cruisers from the launch bays. We anticipate contact with the enemy in approximately ten minutes. Before we begin, I want to take a moment to say that you are the finest crew with whom I've had the pleasure to serve. Today, we are not explorers, but warriors and we fight for our right to exist. Focus on your tasks. Help each other when needed. For our families, for our friends, and for ourselves, we fight, and we will win. Aire out.
With the shipwide comm closed, Aire tapped the Engineering call button.
Minnie: Engineering here.
Aire: Charge weapons. Shields to full. How's the backup core?
Minnie: Backup core is ready. We'll keep things running down here for you.
Aire: You have our utmost confidence. Aire out.
Baal: Finally we're going to end this for good!
Aire: Easy Baal. When Admiral Zhang gives the order, we punch it. Teek, hand on the throttle. Everyone else, fingers where they need to be. This ends today.
A rousing chorus of "Yes Captain!" echoed through the bridge as the Shadowdancer rapidly soared to its fate.
Commissioned art in this episode from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Less_End
Colourbrand
Falke2009
