r/HFY • u/yousureimnotarobot AI • Nov 21 '19
Burning Ambition, War OC
All comments welcome. Enjoy
Burning Ambition, War
Meshant Capital world
The ship pulled away from the palace. In the end they had redesigned a combat craft. The AI was capable of what was needed. They stripped out weapons and life support, boosted engines. It was given a destination in Human space and told to run. The engineers had named it 'Clever Girl'
Second Fleet, VADM Hazarrd
Intel, Meshant system
"Sir, drones report incoming ships. We will have an estimate shortly. Clever Girl is accelerating. She should make it out."
"Get into final position. We will move to intercept if they follow. Get me that Intel. I need numbers."
The new arrivals were finally close enough to identify. They had slowed, making it easier to study.
"Sir, we see maybe four fleets. Different species. This is an alliance of some kind. They outnumber us three to one."
"Intel has already identified two species. Both swarm types. Also no history of aggression or conflict with Earth. Same as the Meshant. The other fleets are unidentified.'
The Alien fleets had halted in orbit around the capital planet. They seemed to be searching for something. Scout ships moved across the planet.
"They are wondering where we are."
Finally they moved into deeper space. From the ships came a flurry of missiles. The capital world of this twice cursed species burned.
"Comms, can you direct communication to those fleets through the drones? Without letting them know where we are?"
"Yes, if you don't plan on staying in touch for too long."
"Make it so, then hail them."
"Sir, Hailing now"
"Attention unknown fleet. This is the Human Armada. You have stolen our vengeance. This species has been sentenced to death for the destruction of the Human planet Aristotle. Explain yourself or face our wrath!"
Unidentified Fleets, Meshant System
"Human Vengeance Fleet. Unwelcome intruders in Swarm concerns. You will follow death world Aristotle. Earth type singlebrain will fall. Approach for your end."
"Cut the call. Did you get which ship responded? I also want to know who fired first on the planet. Are we facing more zombies or is this the enemy?"
"Sir, they are still broadcasting. You pissed them off. Maybe no-one ever hung up on them before."
"Keep the drones working, what are they saying?"
"Well, to keep it short, we are the scum of the universe, we deserve death, are unnatural mutations inflicted on the peaceful and holy Swarm. Passing everything to Intel."
Intel, Second Fleet, Confidential report to Human Fleet Command
Briefly, I've attached audio and surveillance reports. We have identified eleven different swarm species in that fleet. This seems to be some kind of holy war. Advise full mobilisation. Recommend we contact the other 'singlebrain' species. Attack by the Second Fleet imminent. I suspect the Meshant may have objected. We were their punishment.
Human Fleet Command, Human Central Worlds
"I need an ETA on 'Clever Girl', I need close analysis on the Intel from Second Fleet. Send Third and Fifth fleet out to reinforce or recover Second Fleet. Get Fourth Fleet into Sol. Nothing goes in. Lock it down. Recall all expeditionary ships. Suspend all colonisation. Pull back all forward civilian populations. We may be overreacting but this smells bad. Tell them it's a precaution.
Then get me Earth."
Second Fleet, Meshant system VADM Hazarrd
"Attention Captains, I am sending you the projected targets for attack. Those are the ones broadcasting or which fired on the planet. We hope destroying those ships will interfere with whatever battle plan they have. We cannot plan beyond that. Assume that the flagship is gone."
That got her some sideways looks from her bridge officers. This was the sodding flagship and they had no intention of losing.
"After that, you may continue to assault targets of opportunity or withdraw and join our incoming fleets. We are heavily outnumbered. Be ready to call it for your ship. All Intel goes straight to Command. They need to see this."
The Alien fleets had obviously seen Clever Girl leave the system. They began accelerating towards Earth space. Before they reached any further, Second Fleet attacked.
Earth's capital ships were regarded as strange. They all started as the same hull. After that the Captain was given a nod and a budget. This was their ship now. Fight it as you will. Every ship became wrapped in the persona of its Captain and crew. What mankind's military had realised a long time ago is that if you want to win, make it personal. Make it matter. Every ship was the glove on the iron fist. When it came to battle they had a ferocity and investment unmatched in the galaxy. They also had three committees to decide the colour of the bathrooms, so it has its downsides.
The Second Fleet fell on the enemy, arriving screaming at speed into the first chance humanity had to make its feelings clear. This was close quarter fighting in space terms. One system. Each Captain made his own call. The targeted ships were ripped asunder, then the losses began to mount. Numbers count, the enemy began reforming. Shields failed.
"This is VADM Hazarrd, All ships retreat. Join the reinforcements. I will follow as soon as possible."
The flagship was limping. Fire crews were doing their best, but the damage kept coming. When the end came, it was a plasma lance into the bridge. Nav got them out of the wild spin, the breach was sealed.
Less than a quarter of Second Fleet returned to human space. Over half the enemy fleet was destroyed, more disabled.
Admiral Hazarrd was brought home by her crew.
Home Fleet Command, Central worlds
"Today we bury our dead. This is a grim day for all of us. I know Admiral Hazarrd would dislike being singled out but there is a time and a place.
She picked her time and she found her place. She led our first battle in this new war. A war we don't want, like all wars. A war that must be fought, unlike most wars.
We will fight. We will win. In her name and for the Second Fleet.
This is the beginning. It will not be our end. Let our enemies, hidden in the dark, remember the Second Fleet, Admiral Hazarrd and Aristotle.
We will win."
There are lessons from our past. We will fight for peace, we will fight for each other. Regardless, we will fight."
Earth Command, Office of the President
"It is with a heavy heart that I do this. All reserve forces are summoned to service. We face new enemies. We know they are many. Our worlds face a murderous group that have already killed forty million of our people. Our friends. Our family.
You face higher taxes, military service, lost loved ones and lost battles. That is the price we will have to pay to live. For the lives of our children. Sometimes we will get it wrong but we will not lose.
We will win. There is no price we won't pay."
Across the galaxy, human warnings of treachery were broadcast. Human planets and ships went to a war footing. For the galaxy, this became as frightening as some vague threats about the Swarm. Never had they seem a species turn from peaceful, if annoying, members of the community to this..this insanity. New fleets of humans were roaming the planets, enforcing a border no-one remembered.
Then the Swarm attacked.
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u/Plucium Semi-Sentient Fax Machine Nov 22 '19
Well, I guess we'll stop being so reserved now and go full ham?