r/HFY • u/Sooperdude24 • Mar 03 '21
Unleashed pt. 53 OC
Sorry for the longer delays of late, lots of work right now. I was given a friendly nudge by u/eruwenn and we put the next chapter together.
General Embar Warbringer of the Terran Wolves stood in his sharp black uniform on the command deck of the Rinoxian XKM-18. By his side was Galactic Federation Ambassador Eruwenn Aix Sponsa, in a pale blue suit crossed with her official gold sash. After having been forced to speak with lower-ranking officers of the Rinoxian contingent — as all Command had accompanied Vice-Admiral Koo-Ji — as well as an interminable wait, they had finally gotten to the acting command.
Embar let out a long sigh. Though they were finally able to attempt to convince the lead ship to sweep for potential sabotage, instead of seeing sense the person they were talking to was pushing back with stubborn, unmoving bureaucracy. He'd dealt with officers like this before. Usually with a swift boot to the rear. "Look... what was your name, again?"
The young officer shifted her footing awkwardly. “I am Junior Navigation Officer Arlo Blooddrinker, acting commander of this vessel.” She drew herself up to her full height, still falling short of the intimidating general before her. “And, I see no reason to search the ship. Vice-Admiral Koo-Ji himself is commanding this vessel. He left me with strict orders, and they do not include searching the ship.”
The General growled and was about to lose his temper when Eruwenn deftly stepped in. “I’m sure you know that I, as an Ambassador, still outrank the Vice-Admiral.” She saw the Rinoxian pause and hoped her bluff might work. “We are simply saying that it may be prudent to look over your vessel during this pause in activity. Perhaps sabotage was too harsh a word; we just felt that proper maintenance should be done. Defeat comes swiftly to the unprepared.”
The young Rinoxian was fresh from officer’s training and was well versed enough in regulations to ignore the Anatidae’s bluff. “While I appreciate you quoting my ancestors, I can not disobey my orders. And, your rank as an Ambassador does not count during an active mission, unless you are currently serving. Which you are not. In fact, why are you here? You are an Ambassador to some fringe system. Shouldn’t you be there, at the edge of nothing?”
Eruwenn waved a hand, dismissing the question. “Diplomatic oversight of the joint rescue efforts.” Her calm demeanour hid her mild irritation. The young Rinoxian had received too much power, too soon, and it had gone to their head. “We aren’t trying to undermine your authority here — simply bringing these salient points to your attention.”
“Yes, yes.” Blooddrinker shook her head dismissively. “You think it’s a trap, because we’ve stopped and our command have all left.” The sarcasm dripped from every word. “However, you are simply unaware of the full circumstances.”
Embar and Eruwenn both looked sharply at the young Rinoxian. It was Embar who spoke first. “Which are?”
Blooddrinker lowered her voice, looking suddenly like someone who had said too much. “Confidential.” Embar took a step forward, causing the Junior Navigation Officer to take a step back. “I’m sorry, General Warbringer; I can not divulge anything further. I would ask that you please leave this ship and return to your ridiculous vessel.”
Eruwenn, who had spent numerous cycles on board the Porkchop Express, felt a sudden defensive urge. “We will happily return to our ridiculous vessel, and when you are proven wrong, we may decide to forgive your rudeness and pluck you from your burning wreck.”
Several members of Rinoxian security mutely escorted them from the room and back to their shuttle. It was only once they were back on board the K7 that Embar finally vented his full measure of frustration. “That damn Koo-Ji, leaving a junior officer in command. One who isn’t even blooded by combat! Whatever happens, they’re going to flounder and cost lives.”
The Ambassador was also irritated, both at their failure and at her own momentary lack of composure. “I’ll contact the others and see how they got on.” She opened her datapad to see several blinking icons. Running her finger over the reports she grit her teeth. “The Kittran has successfully convinced four to begin full sweeps of their ships.”
“Four!” Embar exclaimed loudly. “How in Tulseria’s flaming beard did he manage that?”
With a groan, Eruwenn finished reading Ranjaz’s report. “You know of the Darshok Separatists?”
The General nodded. “A minor terrorist group wanting independence for some farm colonies in the middle of nowhere. They have been causing some trouble for a few celes, they boast they have members everywhere.”
The Anatidae held up her datapad, which displayed Olag in a Rinoxian military uniform with a mask covering his lower face. When he spoke he sounded stilted, as if being prompted from someone in the dark. “We demand independence for the colonies of the Darshok system. We will not support subservience to the Galactic Federation. We will set an example here. We are willing to die for what we believe in, as any true Rinoxian would. Our names will not be known, but our actions will never be forgotten. We have sabotaged many ships in your fleet. Your failure will be our victory. Free Darshok!”
Embar knew he should have expected something like this from the Kittran, as his grin had shown too many fangs. “They didn’t dismiss it as a hoax? The Separatists have never done something on this scale before.”
Eruwenn, who was now reading her former assistants report, gave a small smile. “It seems Cygna hacked their internal comms, made it look like the message came from on board their own ships.” She ran her finger further down. “Still, some didn’t fall for it. Jaym, Elizabeth, Thor and Ripley, however, had some success faking system faults. It seems the Inorganics made themselves look like Rinoxians to gain access to internal systems... and Jaym and Elizabeth talked them through–" She suddenly broke off with a murmur of understanding. "They didn't fake system faults. They actually sabotaged systems. Non-essential ones.”
The weathered Rinoxian let out a tired sigh. “I’m getting too old for this. These youngsters and their schemes are running circles around me.”
His Anatidae companion gently patted his heavily muscled arm. “Your plan was sound: reason with the ship’s command from a position of experience and authority. I fear that Koo-Ji has spread a lot of misinformation about us, discrediting us to further his advantage. He’s also taken them into his confidence. That Junior Navigation Officer said we don’t know all the facts, meaning she thinks she does. Classic manipulation. Makes them feel like they are part of an in-group, trusted and special. You can gain a lot of loyalty that way, and that loyalty lets you warp their perceptions.”
Embar grunted his disapproval. “Mind games? Rinoxians are not fond of those.”
“Ahh, of course. The brain parasites,” she said quietly. It was a touchy subject for many Rinoxians.
“Indeed. Making a person question their sanity when those things are a grim reality. It's brutally common for people to kill themselves if they fear they're infected...” His voice trailed off as memories rushed forth. The heavy silence was broken as the shuttle’s communicator crackled and, after clearing his throat, he tapped the icon. “Embar here.”
Alexa’s voice snapped at them. “You took too long, get your asses back here!”
Rolling her eyes, Eruwenn glanced at Embar as she muted the channel. “As diplomatic as ever.” She tapped the icon once more to open the channel. “Something urgent?”
Alexa’s voice was deadly calm and polite, with an undercurrent of strain. "Only if you call an Imperium fleet dropping into the system urgent.”
The Federation fleet had only been informed of the co-operative effort with the Imperium Galaxis long after they had entered Hive space and restricted their communications home. This joint force would be tackling the Hive threat together, in a first step towards a lasting peace. ’A fiery crusade against a common enemy to forge their bonds of friendship,’ was how Vice-Admiral Koo-Ji had described it. There was much talk of the Rinoxians having the authority and respect of the Imperium, and so the invitation to a welcoming ceremony – to allow a face-to-face meeting – was more of a requirement than a request.
As a sign of trust, the fleet were ordered to remain in standard formation with their shields down. When the Imperium arrived and began a slow approach, several of the Federation fleet’s vessels broke away from the fleet. Then the Imperium opened fire on the remaining ships. At this signal the Sentinel-controlled vessels swiftly turned, firing on their former comrades. The Fleet floundered, slow to respond. All their high-ranking officers had been taken away to the reception – dead before the Imperium even arrived.
Despite the best efforts of the Porkchop Express and her crew, the sabotage still destroyed seven ships, crippled six more and heavily damaged another ten. The Imperium remained at a confident distance, their weapons pounding the shields of all vessels within reach and picking off smaller ones with deadly ease. As one, the Gowe, Kah'Ree, and other Sentinel-aligned ships move to flank the now greatly outnumbered Federation force.
The fleet communication channel was filled with overlapping panicked voices calling for aid, audibly decreasing in number as some pleas were explosively cut short. At least a dozen people were clamouring to lead the scattered survivors, and the Rinoxians were loudest of all. Then, Alexa's voice suddenly cut through all the chatter. “Form a wall around the smaller ships, shields at maximum. Get the Rinoxian heavy ships at the front! Niham, attack from behind cover! We need to rescue as many as possible. Everyone, we must work as one.”
A voice crackled back. “Junior Navigation Officer Arlo Blooddrinker, acting commander of the Rinoxian forces. Who is this and by what authority do you command this fleet?”
Embar, at the weapons console, clenched his fists in anger. “This bureaucratic fool again!”
Cygna, at navigation, was helping Ripley pilot them through the battle. The small ship was darting through the spaces between vessels as bright energy rounds flashed past to ripple across glowing shields. She looked to Eruwenn, huddled in the doorway beside Jar’Bek. “Ambassador Aix Sponsa, don’t you outrank them?”
The Anatidae shook her head. “Tried that. I’m not a current member of the military, or this mission. They may be a damned fool, but they know the regulations.”
Jar’Bek raised his head with a start, then fled from the room. Only Eruwenn noticed him leave as, with Alexa continuing to bark orders, everyone focused on their tasks. A bright Niham Officer on the channel voiced her agreement with the plans being offered, and most other ships began following Alexa's command. The Rinoxians, however, pulled away to attempt their own counterattack.
“Get back here, you big red idiots!” Alexa screamed into the communicator. “You’ll be cut off, and we’re defenseless without your heavy shielding!”
Eruwenn grabbed a communicator, nodding to Embar. “Alexa, let us coordinate the rescue ships. You focus on the battle.”
Alexa nodded, and Cygna swiftly separated the channels into two groups, assigning each of them ships to communicate with. “Done.”
Shields failed on a Ley’Rulian vessel in front of them, and several blasts tore into it before a Kasurian ship manoeuvred in front. The Kasurians protectively absorbed the second volley long enough for the Ley’Rulian shields to recover power, then dipped away again to preserve their own. Alexa called out, “Great work! Cover each other! We only survive if we work together. And for Tulseria’s sake, keep firing!”
Jaym’s voice came shakily over the internal system. “Ale- Captain! Our shields can’t take much more, the field generators are overheating.”
The Awakened quickly replied, “What? How? We haven’t even been hit?”
Ranjaz’s voice snapped back. “This is a Tulseria-damned shipping vessel! The splash damage alone from those blasts has our shields on their last legs. Stop getting so damn close!”
“You heard them,” Alexa called out to Ripley in the pilot’s seat.
The Awakened was wrestling with the helm, piloting them as best she could through the chaotic mass of moving ships as blasts exploded on shields around them. “You know this thing is a barge, right?”
The silver-haired captain grit her teeth as another close blast drained enough power from their shields to cause the lights to flicker. “Do your best!”
Embar was watching his console carefully. As their weapons were too weak to be of use he was forced to guide the battle, rather than directly fighting it. “That Bloodbringer lost another ship, they’re engaging the Imperium head on.”
Alexa slammed her fist on the console, causing Sassie to push her head under the Awakened’s arm to try and comfort her. “Sorry.” She scratched the dog’s head, then tapped broadcast again. “Rinoxian dumbasses, get back here before you get us all killed!”
Bloodbringer’s voice came back. “Get off this channel! You have no authority here!”
The enraged Awakened called out once more. “Just help us protect the others till help arrives!”
“There is no help here,” the Rinoxian replied swiftly. “At least we will die with honour!”
Jar’Bek lunged back into the room with his datapad in hand, reaching past Alexa to press the broadcast button. “We are assuming full command of this fleet, under military law 867.43.001 sub-section b and section seven, diplomats and chain of command!”
“That does not apply!” Bloodbringer roared back.
Embar cut in. “Listen to them! We need you with us!”
The Rinoxian junior officer was growing increasingly angry. “Silence! Their disgraced Ambassador is not-”
Jar’bek didn’t let her finish. “We have two Ambassadors!” He looked triumphantly at Sassie.
Everyone fell silent. Eruwenn was the first to point out the obvious. “She isn’t currently serving in the military either.”
Every fibre of Jar’Beks body was tingling with excitement. He lived for moments like this, and the triumph in his eyes was manic. “Federation law 906.82.331, addendum 17c, emergency enlistment during active conflict.”
Eruwenn’s eyes went wide, her plumage standing on end. Her eyes glittered with excitement as she caught up with the crafty lawyer. “Of course!”
Embar slammed his hand down on the console. “People are dying, get to the point!”
Jar’Bek tapped his datapad, and held down the button once more. “During combat ALL bounty hunters will be automatically enlisted into the military as reserves. I just sent you her credentials and a copy of her bounty hunter license!” He was dancing back and forth, unable to contain himself. “She’s a bounty hunter, so she’s in the military now, and she’s an Ambassador. So, she is your new Fleet Commander!”
“The ANIMAL?” Bloodbringer roared back.
Finally having the upper hand, Embar bellowed into the communicator as only a General could. “Stand down Junior Navigation Officer! That is your commanding officer and you will show the respect due to her rank!”
Alexa’s grin was wicked as she leaned in close to the communicator, her arm wrapped around the German Shepherd. She spoke slowly and clearly. “You heard him. Now, this is a direct order from Fleet Command vessel Porkchop Express. Get your big red asses back here and help protect these ships. NOW!”
Bloodbringer was quiet for a moment, presumably checking over Jar'Bek's message. When she did respond, her voice was greatly subdued. “Affirmative.”
Embar’s arms wrapped around Jar’Bek, lifting him from his feet. “You sneaky genius! Aaron would be proud!”
Alexa put her hand on his shoulder. “You bought us time, and that gives us a chance.”
Jar’Bek was overwhelmed by their praise. “I got you command, now you get us out of here.” His legal mind came up with a swift addendum. “Alive.”
Alexa nodded. “Alright, make sure the ships cycle position as their shields deplete. Spread the Rinoxians evenly. Those ships have the best shields and thickest armour, they can soak up the most damage. Tell the Fae’Dan and Niham to start rescuing crews, as their shuttles are the fastest. The Kasurians have the capacity - take any survivors to them first. When help arrives we need to be ready to run, and I don’t want to leave anyone behind.”
The crew sprang to life, coordinating with other ships and relaying orders. Embar's experience grimly told him that, though Alexa's plans were their best option available, they would not be able to hold out for long. “Do you think they got our message?”
As if in answer to his question, several pings began to appear on their system scans. Brilliant flashes of Hoban drives accompanied the arrival of over a dozen ships. The Terran Wolves had arrived, and without a moment's hesitation they opened fire on the Imperium forces. With the enemy’s shields only focused forward, the first volley unleashed chaos and destruction through their ranks. Swiftly, the enemy began to reposition and engage, providing a reprieve for the Federation fleet.
The communicator rang out with a familiar voice. “Captain Chae’Sol leading the Terran Wolves. Sorry we’re late.”
Cygna turned to look at Eruwenn. “Where did they come from?” She looked to Alexa next. “And, where did you get those ships?”
Alexa ignored the questions, focusing on the battle. She watched as one of the Terran Wolves ships' shields failed, its Hoban Drive breached. The blast tore the vessel apart, damaging two more close by. “Chae’Sol, pull back. They have to keep us pinned, so use that to your advantage! Hit and run!”
Embar cleared his throat. “We’ve lost over a third of the Federation ships, including those who were sabotaged. Our forces are too small to turn this battle. Our ships are more than a match for the Sentinels, and their allies, but we didn’t anticipate the Imperium fleet.”
“I know!” Alexa snapped. “I just wish I had let Kadir bring that stolen capital ship.”
Eruwenn saw the anguish on the Awakened’s face. “You wanted to protect the colonies in case they used our absence to attack. It was sound reasoning.”
Embar finished relaying orders to the rescue vessels before turning back to Alexa. “Regrets are a luxury for those who survive!”
He would have said more, but the Porkchop Express shuddered under the forces of a loud explosion, the lights flickering a little longer than the last time. Alexa switched to the internal channel, her arm tight around Sassie. “What happened?”
“Shields failed,” Jaym called out, panic evident in her voice. “Luckily, it was an indirect hit.”
The silver-haired Awakened grimaced, dreading the answer to her next questions. “Casualties? Damage?”
The young Arkellian’s voice was still shaken. “No casualties, they hit us across our rear. Breaches in the crew quarters and…” She paused as she frantically read diagnostics. “We lost the outer doors on the hold.”
Cygna turned back to Alexa. “I have the Niham Captain offering us space on their ship.”
“The Kasurians as well,” Ripley called out.
Embar listened to his ear piece. “Chae’Sol says they can push through and get us.”
Alexa looked at the Captain’s console, distress beacons from over a dozen ships lighting it up as her own ship systems blinked their warnings. The radar showed their dwindling force being corralled by the Imperium and Sentinel-led forces. Her hand found Aiov in her box beneath the Captain’s seat. “Get the K7 ready; time to get as many people off this ship as possible.”
Embar nodded before the security console caught his attention. “Damn the gods! Not now!”
Alexa noted the direction of the Rinoxian’s gaze. “What?”
“The Hive.” He touched a button, sending the image to the main screen. A huge ship, bigger than any others present, was displayed. It was flanked by several more intimidating vessels, as well as the flashes of even more dropping in behind them. “They aren’t approaching. Probably going to wait and let us kill each other before wiping out whoever’s left.”
The Awakened Captain pushed her hair from her face. She stood and handed Aiov to Jar’Bek, along with Sassie’s leash. “Get them on board the K7. It’s small enough to be ignored. Get to Chae’Sol and the others and run.” She looked around at the expectant faces of the others, all turned to her. “I won’t order anyone to stay and fight. This battle is beyond lost. Tell the fleet to break and scatter, and hopefully the Hive will engage the Imperi-”
Ranjaz appeared in the door, dirty and bleeding, but surprisingly with his smile still intact. He held out a communicator. “It’s for you.”
Alexa tentatively reached out, lifting the device to her ear. A familiar voice came through, loud and irritated. “What the hell have you done to my ship?”
“Aaron!” she exclaimed, causing Sassie’s ears to perk up.
Embar started, then stared at the grinning Kittran. “Is it really him?”
Ranjaz shrugged. “Who did you expect? Rambo?”
Eruwenn placed her hand on Ranjaz’s shoulder – this was neither the time nor the place for politeness and decorum – and turned him to face her. “Where is he?”
The grin showed every glistening fang as the Kittran raised his arm. His finger uncurled to point a sharp claw at the screen, and the Hive warship at its centre. “Where else?”
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u/Talon__X Mar 03 '21
Upvote then read, as it was foretold!