Tim Murray
Through space, time and dimension
Thanks for the input on part one, here's part two.
Lt. Sperry reported. “The ASO’s have engaged and incapacitated their main drives. No reports of losses on our side or significant damage to their ship. The bogie never entered the atmosphere.”
Another volley hit The Armstrong as she lurched hard to port. Alarms went off and damage control teams reported extensive destruction to the port thrusters and shield generators.
Ensign Masterson looked up from the console, his eyes downcast. “Our shields and armor are barely holding. They’re down to thirty percent. Whole sections of decks four through six on our starboard side are missing. My cousin worked there.” His voice was filled with raw emotion.
“Get a hold of yourself, Ensign,” Jack ordered.
The Ensign steeled himself and painfully stuffed the rising tides.
Captain Arnold balled both fists and his face took on an angry visage. In a controlled rage, he gave his next order. “Commander Morgan, shove some dual phase missiles down their throats!”
“Aye, sir, my pleasure.”
“Lieutenant, fire four port missiles on my mark. Target the hyper drive, weapons, and bridge.” They want to take on an Alliance battle cruiser, here’s a reminder of our fire power you SOB!
“Aye, sir. Missile tubes locked and loaded, firing solutions acquired.”
“Fire!”
Four missiles hit their mark. The second Terelian cruiser blew up in a nuclear fireball. The view windows darkened as the crew covered their eyes. They wanted to cheer but now was not the time.
“I need the status on our ASO’s and Eregor, are they out of danger?” The Captain insisted.
With a sigh of relief, Ensign Masterson reported. “Both are safe for the moment. The ASO’s took out the cruiser but reports enough damage to their ship to take them out of action. They’ve landed and only suffered two minor injuries. They’re in med bay and expect a full recovery.”
A momentary smile crossed Bob Arnold’s lips.
Jack was glued to his display when he saw one of the Ging cruisers trying to break off for Eregor. Without looking up, he gave the next order. “Lt. Johnson, lock onto the bogie on our starboard side. He’s trying to break for Eregor. Once you have him, fire at will, four missiles.”
“Aye, sir. Locked, loaded and firing.”
The bridge crew watched four missiles exhaust flames hurl their payloads towards the Terelian battle cruiser. When they hit, the ship blew apart into pieces, shooting debris and crew into open space with the escaping air. This time, the crew cheered.
Jack broke the reverie after he scanned The Armstrong’s damage reports. He pursed his lips and his brow furrowed. “We can’t take much more damage, Captain. Our shields are down to twenty percent and the med bays are reporting heavy casualties.”
“We’ve done all we can to protect Eregor. The ASO’s will have to hold the position if it comes to a ground fight. Hopefully, their shields will last.” The Captain shook his head in resignation; he hated leaving personnel behind, but he had no choice now. They had no answer for the new phase blasts that was tearing his ship apart.
“Lt. Commander, contact Eregor base and The Apache, she is the closest to our coordinates for a rescue. Plot a course for Thumar and charge the hyper drive.” The Captain bowed his head in regret.
“Aye, sir.” The Commanders eyes showed sadness as he complied.
Every member of the bridge crew exchanged mournful looks. Knowing they were leaving their comrades to a questionable future.
Eregor base confirmed the order and The Apache was on her way.
Just as Lt. Commander Peters was about to engage the hyper drive, two phase blasts hit The Armstrong, one aft of the bridge and another port side at mid-ship.
Everything blew apart, consoles ripped out of the floor, ceiling beams punching holes into the deck with wire bundles hanging, sparking and crackling as they swung in slow arcs. Most of the control panel’s lights flashed on and off with sparks shooting out of cracked and broken clear plasteel.
Wiping the blood from his eyes, Commander Morgan tried to sit up, one idea pounding through his aching head: “Get us out of here,” he choked, his throat tight with dust. A section of his control panel was embedded into the deck, inches from his chest. Any closer and he would be dead.
Not everyone had been so lucky. Bodies lay tangled in debris across the deck with pools of blood marking their locations, some buried. Bob Arnold, Jack noted in relief, was still breathing. He couldn’t tell with the young navigator, Lt. Sperry, laying two feet away. Jack's ribs burned with pain, he must have bruised them. His breathing was short and his body screamed in agony as he crawled over to his Captain.
Captain Arnold turned his bloody head, desperation filled his cloudy gaze as he weakly grasped Jacks' arm. “Commander, save the ship!” he barely coughed out before losing consciousness.
Jack painfully stood and slowly moved to the secondary command panels. They survived with the last commands an injured, unconscious Lt. Commander Peters inputted before the blast hit.
Ensign Masterson limped over to his side, holding his broken arm. “Are you alright, sir?” He barely got out between labored breaths, looking around at the carnage.
“I’m alive Mark, how about you?”
“About the same, sir, how can I help?”
“Contact Thumars' space docks and apprise them of our situation. Let them know we’ll need full fire control and medical teams waiting for us.”
“Aye, sir.”
The emergency call was returned. “They’ll be waiting for us at the edge of their space. They're more bogies still stalking us, what do we do?”
Jack wiped the blood dripping from his head wound with his torn sleeve. “Take them out as we leave.”
They both heard movement and grimaced in pain as they turned around to see Lt. Sperry crawling over to them. She was in bad shape.
“I can help if you get me into that chair, my arms aren’t broken,” she said, wiping the blood from her mouth.
Both men barely lifted her into the seat. She screamed as her broken legs were jostled, her right femur was pushing out through the skin. Fortunately, no major blood vessels were severed. Jack tore the tattered bottom of his shirt. Ensign Masterson held Sperry as Jack applied a cautionary tourniquet above the protruding bone. This slowed down the bleeding. She fought through agony and tears of pain to compose herself.
“I’ve got the weapons console, sir.” Her words coming out in staccato.
Jack hit the com button to engineering. “Commander Ellis, are the hyper drives and impulse drives still up?”
Crackling intermittently interrupted the reply. “Aye, sir, just barely. I can give you full impulse for a short time. The RMT’s will get us out of here, but we only have one shot at it before their gone.”
Jack scowled at the news. “Do we have aft missiles?”
A loud clang was heard before Ellis answered. “We’re losing support beams!” Shouting filled the background.
“Commander, do we have weapons?”
“Port and starboard phase cannons are gone with twelve missile tubes operating. You still have full aft missiles. Over half of engineering is out of action. One more hit and we’re space debris.”
“Copy, Commander, stand ready for my mark, I’m getting us out of here,” I hope.
Jack winced in pain and turned to Mark. “There are three wounded enemy ships out there. If we cut and run, they’ll close in for the kill.” He turned to Alice. “Set up a full aft missile spread. When they get close enough, I’ll give you your mark.”
“Aye, sir.”
“They’re coming about at attack speed.”
“Ensign, one-half impulse to our jump point, Lt. Sperry, lock missile pattern, full spread.”
“Half impulse, Ensign.”
“Aye, sir.” He grimaced through his pain as he looked at his cracked screen. “They took the bait and their weapons are charged and ready.”
“Full impulse; let’s get some distance between us. Are you ready Alice?”
“Aye, sir.”
“1000 yards to jump point.” Ensign Masterson reported.
Jack watched the cracked console glass and gave both orders. “Fire missiles, engage hyper drive.”
“Missiles launched.”
The vids showed over fifteen flaming trails streaking to their targets.
“Hyper drive engaged.” Ensign Masterson confirmed.
The last thing Commander Morgan saw before entering the artificial worm hole was one cruiser blowing up and the last two spinning to starboard with massive hull breaches.
The AS Armstrong barely limped into hyperspace and the remaining Terelian ships were on fire. Debris from the three that were destroyed was falling into orbit around Eregor and her second moon.
Lt. Sperry reported. “The ASO’s have engaged and incapacitated their main drives. No reports of losses on our side or significant damage to their ship. The bogie never entered the atmosphere.”
Another volley hit The Armstrong as she lurched hard to port. Alarms went off and damage control teams reported extensive destruction to the port thrusters and shield generators.
Ensign Masterson looked up from the console, his eyes downcast. “Our shields and armor are barely holding. They’re down to thirty percent. Whole sections of decks four through six on our starboard side are missing. My cousin worked there.” His voice was filled with raw emotion.
“Get a hold of yourself, Ensign,” Jack ordered.
The Ensign steeled himself and painfully stuffed the rising tides.
Captain Arnold balled both fists and his face took on an angry visage. In a controlled rage, he gave his next order. “Commander Morgan, shove some dual phase missiles down their throats!”
“Aye, sir, my pleasure.”
“Lieutenant, fire four port missiles on my mark. Target the hyper drive, weapons, and bridge.” They want to take on an Alliance battle cruiser, here’s a reminder of our fire power you SOB!
“Aye, sir. Missile tubes locked and loaded, firing solutions acquired.”
“Fire!”
Four missiles hit their mark. The second Terelian cruiser blew up in a nuclear fireball. The view windows darkened as the crew covered their eyes. They wanted to cheer but now was not the time.
“I need the status on our ASO’s and Eregor, are they out of danger?” The Captain insisted.
With a sigh of relief, Ensign Masterson reported. “Both are safe for the moment. The ASO’s took out the cruiser but reports enough damage to their ship to take them out of action. They’ve landed and only suffered two minor injuries. They’re in med bay and expect a full recovery.”
A momentary smile crossed Bob Arnold’s lips.
Jack was glued to his display when he saw one of the Ging cruisers trying to break off for Eregor. Without looking up, he gave the next order. “Lt. Johnson, lock onto the bogie on our starboard side. He’s trying to break for Eregor. Once you have him, fire at will, four missiles.”
“Aye, sir. Locked, loaded and firing.”
The bridge crew watched four missiles exhaust flames hurl their payloads towards the Terelian battle cruiser. When they hit, the ship blew apart into pieces, shooting debris and crew into open space with the escaping air. This time, the crew cheered.
Jack broke the reverie after he scanned The Armstrong’s damage reports. He pursed his lips and his brow furrowed. “We can’t take much more damage, Captain. Our shields are down to twenty percent and the med bays are reporting heavy casualties.”
“We’ve done all we can to protect Eregor. The ASO’s will have to hold the position if it comes to a ground fight. Hopefully, their shields will last.” The Captain shook his head in resignation; he hated leaving personnel behind, but he had no choice now. They had no answer for the new phase blasts that was tearing his ship apart.
“Lt. Commander, contact Eregor base and The Apache, she is the closest to our coordinates for a rescue. Plot a course for Thumar and charge the hyper drive.” The Captain bowed his head in regret.
“Aye, sir.” The Commanders eyes showed sadness as he complied.
Every member of the bridge crew exchanged mournful looks. Knowing they were leaving their comrades to a questionable future.
Eregor base confirmed the order and The Apache was on her way.
Just as Lt. Commander Peters was about to engage the hyper drive, two phase blasts hit The Armstrong, one aft of the bridge and another port side at mid-ship.
Everything blew apart, consoles ripped out of the floor, ceiling beams punching holes into the deck with wire bundles hanging, sparking and crackling as they swung in slow arcs. Most of the control panel’s lights flashed on and off with sparks shooting out of cracked and broken clear plasteel.
Wiping the blood from his eyes, Commander Morgan tried to sit up, one idea pounding through his aching head: “Get us out of here,” he choked, his throat tight with dust. A section of his control panel was embedded into the deck, inches from his chest. Any closer and he would be dead.
Not everyone had been so lucky. Bodies lay tangled in debris across the deck with pools of blood marking their locations, some buried. Bob Arnold, Jack noted in relief, was still breathing. He couldn’t tell with the young navigator, Lt. Sperry, laying two feet away. Jack's ribs burned with pain, he must have bruised them. His breathing was short and his body screamed in agony as he crawled over to his Captain.
Captain Arnold turned his bloody head, desperation filled his cloudy gaze as he weakly grasped Jacks' arm. “Commander, save the ship!” he barely coughed out before losing consciousness.
Jack painfully stood and slowly moved to the secondary command panels. They survived with the last commands an injured, unconscious Lt. Commander Peters inputted before the blast hit.
Ensign Masterson limped over to his side, holding his broken arm. “Are you alright, sir?” He barely got out between labored breaths, looking around at the carnage.
“I’m alive Mark, how about you?”
“About the same, sir, how can I help?”
“Contact Thumars' space docks and apprise them of our situation. Let them know we’ll need full fire control and medical teams waiting for us.”
“Aye, sir.”
The emergency call was returned. “They’ll be waiting for us at the edge of their space. They're more bogies still stalking us, what do we do?”
Jack wiped the blood dripping from his head wound with his torn sleeve. “Take them out as we leave.”
They both heard movement and grimaced in pain as they turned around to see Lt. Sperry crawling over to them. She was in bad shape.
“I can help if you get me into that chair, my arms aren’t broken,” she said, wiping the blood from her mouth.
Both men barely lifted her into the seat. She screamed as her broken legs were jostled, her right femur was pushing out through the skin. Fortunately, no major blood vessels were severed. Jack tore the tattered bottom of his shirt. Ensign Masterson held Sperry as Jack applied a cautionary tourniquet above the protruding bone. This slowed down the bleeding. She fought through agony and tears of pain to compose herself.
“I’ve got the weapons console, sir.” Her words coming out in staccato.
Jack hit the com button to engineering. “Commander Ellis, are the hyper drives and impulse drives still up?”
Crackling intermittently interrupted the reply. “Aye, sir, just barely. I can give you full impulse for a short time. The RMT’s will get us out of here, but we only have one shot at it before their gone.”
Jack scowled at the news. “Do we have aft missiles?”
A loud clang was heard before Ellis answered. “We’re losing support beams!” Shouting filled the background.
“Commander, do we have weapons?”
“Port and starboard phase cannons are gone with twelve missile tubes operating. You still have full aft missiles. Over half of engineering is out of action. One more hit and we’re space debris.”
“Copy, Commander, stand ready for my mark, I’m getting us out of here,” I hope.
Jack winced in pain and turned to Mark. “There are three wounded enemy ships out there. If we cut and run, they’ll close in for the kill.” He turned to Alice. “Set up a full aft missile spread. When they get close enough, I’ll give you your mark.”
“Aye, sir.”
“They’re coming about at attack speed.”
“Ensign, one-half impulse to our jump point, Lt. Sperry, lock missile pattern, full spread.”
“Half impulse, Ensign.”
“Aye, sir.” He grimaced through his pain as he looked at his cracked screen. “They took the bait and their weapons are charged and ready.”
“Full impulse; let’s get some distance between us. Are you ready Alice?”
“Aye, sir.”
“1000 yards to jump point.” Ensign Masterson reported.
Jack watched the cracked console glass and gave both orders. “Fire missiles, engage hyper drive.”
“Missiles launched.”
The vids showed over fifteen flaming trails streaking to their targets.
“Hyper drive engaged.” Ensign Masterson confirmed.
The last thing Commander Morgan saw before entering the artificial worm hole was one cruiser blowing up and the last two spinning to starboard with massive hull breaches.
The AS Armstrong barely limped into hyperspace and the remaining Terelian ships were on fire. Debris from the three that were destroyed was falling into orbit around Eregor and her second moon.
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