Another Reboot

Unedited.

The Screaming Lord

The Strike Cruiser Revile sliced through space escort cruisers flanked her and eight destroyers sat at the corners of an invisible cube. In the observation lounge, a fine room in the design of a French Napoleonic château a family crest, a cat’s eye ringed by thorns, set into a kite shield hung above a large silver chair upon which sat an alluring beauty. Curly chestnut brown hair cascaded down and over her collar bone. Her wonky eyes focused softly on the holographic representations informing her of the ships status and the situation of the current search.

Follow up:

Her legs were crossed; she was wearing half height black boots with white socks just above her knee, a short black skirt and black uniform jacket with the family crest on each shoulder. She had a white ruffle around her neck, and the buttons of the jacket were made from something silver, intricately embroidered shirt sleeves, her nails were painted half blue, half pink, in her right hand she was holding a wine glass half full with red wine.

To her right was a man in a grey military uniform and to her left was a man in a black suit. Behind them stood four maids their heads were bowed and hands on their laps.

“What is the word from the interceptors?” The girl asked, eyes scanning the readouts.

“Not yet fleet admiral sir.” A voice came seemingly from nowhere.

“I know they’re in this system, I can sense them.” She sipped from her glass.

“All data would lead us to that conclusion; however we are yet to pick up any ship or station signatures.” The man in the gray uniform commented whilst looking at a pad of some sort. Her eyes jumped from one object to the next on the large screens absorbing all the statistics. She blinked a moment.

“Send the Lancer and Talisman to thirty six, seventy four, and negative nineteen. Then inform them to head towards thirty six, seventy nine, negative seven. We shall wait on the far side of the planetary body at thirty six, seventy nine, and negative five. Inform Lancer and Talisman to behave as though on standard deep space patrol.” She tapped a few additional instructions into a holopad that appeared at her finger tips.

“Why there?” The man in the suit asked.

“Call back our interceptors and have the heavy bombers ready to fly, we’ll need to be able to muster all of our firepower at once, the Screaming Lord is not to be trifled with but I’ll be sure to have his head on my platter before this day is out.”

“But?”

“The density of the area is incorrect and it would normally be a poor location for a pirate star base, these two things together lead me to believe that there is something there that is interfering with our various methods of detection, and because it is in plain sight it isn’t the kind of place we would send interceptors.” She looked back at the man in grey. He nodded in confirmation.

The ships changed course and moved towards their new destinations, the girl adjusted herself and sat picked her glass up again. Her plan was simple but she expected it would be effective. When they had entered the system she had deployed LIDAR and electromagnetic disrupters rendering most long range scanning equipment useless. This is where her choice of ship made perfect sense; the Typhoon class strike cruiser was the Tanaka families most advanced rapid attack cruiser with a sensor array to match most recon cruisers and the firepower to match a battle cruiser. Built at the mighty ship works orbiting Tau Draconis by the Kobemaru starship corporation and available exclusively to the Tanaka family special forces.

Thanks to her selection of craft she knew full well that the electronic warfare abilities of Typhoon would make up for lack of overt firepower. She had ordered her bait to drop high powered EMP beacons, sadly it would leave them completely blind even to short range interceptors. That of course was all part of her plan, even if the pirates did not attack they would be paying attention to the patrol and the high powered jamming would prevent them from seeing her fleet hidden on the opposite side of the gas giant.

Several hours passed and she spent her time talking about various craft specifications and imperial politics with her military and civil advisors. Politics was not her strong point but she understood that it was vital to enhancing her position in the Empire a strong military could only conquer territory it took a sharp mind and charisma to control those conquered people.

“Fleet Admiral we are picking up the distortions generated by the Lancer and Talisman.” A voice from the intercom stated.

“Very well in ten minutes we will break geosync orbit and locate our prey, launch all heavy bombers and interceptors. Prepare the new skippers for launch. Inform all crews that battle is imminent.”

Ten minutes past, she was eager to get the battle underway but knew that to move too soon could result in disaster. The task group broke orbit and headed for her target co-ordinates.

“We’re passing through an optical distortion field.” A report from the Yoshi came in.

“To be expected.” She responded, placing her wine to one side. “Interceptors you are weapons free, attack all and any opposition fighter craft, standard prioritisation is in place.” Her order led the fighters to break off and hunt for prey. The strike cruiser breached the optical distortion revealing the pirate base less then 100km away.

“Two battleship class ships detected heading towards the patrol ships, range 120km, 47 enemy fighters, eight cruiser class ships, various configurations, seventeen assorted destroyer sized vessels all in scattered formation. Orbital colony appears to have some seven thousand life signs.”

“Launch two fusion missiles at the orbital colony, have the bombers launch immediate assaults on the battleship class vessels, and our warships are to focus fire on the nearest cruiser class vessel.”

With her orders two large anti station missiles launched and the red beams of the capital ships laser cannons flared across the void impacting the surface of an unprepared cruiser. The beams sliced through the unprotected hull like hot knives through butter. Two more cruisers were obliterated in a matter of seconds as the fighters engaged one another creating a beautiful intricate dance of weapons fire, blues, reds and yellows danced as beams crossed. The near invisible shells of rail cannons ripped through delicate metal hulls, whilst green plasma enveloped unlucky pilots.

In the initial shock the two missiles struck the unprotected orbital colony the light was brighter then the sun, and with it the pirates fell into complete disarray. The two battleships slowly began to turn, the heavy bombers dodging the large crafts thick fields of flack.

“The bomber wings are reporting intense anti fighter fire, the battleships seem to have anti fighter beam defence.”

“Tshhh,” the woman leant back in her seat, “What is the situation of the enemy cruisers and fighter support?”

“Heavy losses have been incurred by enemy fighter wings, five cruisers have been sunk. However screens are now up, and the destroyers are rallying to provide screen support.” As he the report was read the battleships opened their first volleys, slamming into the screens of the Tanaka task group.

“Enemy energy beams reduced shield effectiveness by eight percent.”

“Continue to focus on the remaining cruisers, pull the bombers back from the enemy battleships and have them concentrate on finishing off the enemy destroyers, have our fighters attack any enemy escape craft.”

With those orders rockets continued to stream from the strike cruiser whilst the support cruisers and destroyers continued to fire their beam cannons and missiles. The hostile battleships continued to pound the task group with high energy beams as the remaining bombers pilled pressure on the remaining cruisers shields. Within minutes the all the pirate cruisers had been destroyed, however the strike cruiser screens were over fifty percent down, the support cruisers were little better and two destroyers had crumpled under the weight of firepower.

“Fire the skippers.” The fleet admiral sat back in her chair, a grin like the Cheshire cat spread across her face.

“Aye captain.”

The four slow moving objects launched from the strike cruiser then vanished. Another volley of energy cannon fire hit the Typhoon, the Typhoon responded with a volley from her rail cannons as her destroyer wings moved in from the battleships flanks. The slow moving missiles appeared again for a moment adjusted their course then vanished again.

“Enemy battleships shields at sixty percent and holding.” A report came in.

“We don’t have the firepower.” The man in black nervously said.

“Continue firing on the support battleship.” The bombers and fighters now swarmed around the enemy battleships braving the bristling anti fighter screens.

The skippers appeared again this time moments from the enemy battleships. Another barrage smashed into the task force, the Flawless’s screens failed, a beam smashing through its superstructure. She could almost feel the misplaced confidence of her prey; she could imagine the vengeful triumph as the skippers slammed into the battleships hull. The bright white light and the ensuing shock wave left the battleships heavy armour in tatters and its power systems half dead, the lights flickered and slowly it began to spin the explosions having thrown it towards its partner.

A moment later.

“There is a communiqué from the enemy battleship; would you like me to put it through?”

“Not particularly but I suspect I have little choice.” The woman frowned and sat back.

“Who exactly is the butcher to which I speak?” An angry voice rambled over the intercom.

“Grand Admiral Tanaka Reina, Fleet Admiral of this little hunt, and who dares talk to me with such disdain, although it is less butchery and more a cull of diseased cattle.”

“You launched a nuclear attack upon a civilian structure!”

“No, I eliminated a pirate facility, and I shall not flinch from eliminating the rest of you.”

She deactivated the stream, “fire another volley of skippers.”

“I demand a duel!” The panicked voice from the pirate battleship demanded. Reina’s face almost dropped immediately in disappointment.

“And what do you request as the conditions?” She asked dismissively.

“That if I win my fleet and people shall withdraw, otherwise we shall surrender.”

She felt her heart sink; a duel against a commoner was the last thing she wanted. Sadly she was still bound by doctrine even if her opponents were a group of pirates.

“I’ll accept your challenge; I’ll expect you here within the next fifteen minutes.” She deactivated the channel and lay back in her chair. Her disappointment was clear.

“Are you sure you can defeat the screaming lord?” The man in black asked.

“Ready all of the capital missile tubes.” She ignored the question and rested her eyes whilst rubbing her temples with slender fingers. After a few minutes she stood up and went to her private room, she changed from her short military skirt and uniform for a tight fitting black uniform with dress skirt. She picked up the scabbard with her ornate court sword and fastened the belt around her waist.

“The pirate captain has arrived Fleet Admiral.” A voice over the intercom informed her.

“Lead him and his entrage to the arena.” She turned and left the room, two battle armour clad guards waited outside the door for her, heavy automatic cannons in hand and power swords sheathed

The room was narrow and long, military personnel lined the walls at the end opposite Reina stood four men in ragtag clothes and one girl in shorts and a t-shirt looked around nervously. Reina found that curious, she stared at her a moment, slender, although slighter taller than herself, pale blue eyes and near translucent skin, a very pretty looking girl.

“And who is to be my opponent?” Reina asked looking at the four men with a deep sense of disappointment.

“I am.” A middle age man stepped forward, he seemed in good shape, with a blue uniform, she recognised it as the uniform of the Ragabash Combine, a small collection of planets that had recently been brought into the control of the Empire and placed under the stewardship of house Tanaka. He had short brown hair and a full beard, a rapier at his side, suddenly Reina realised that although he was obviously of lesser breading he had most likely received classical training. She felt excited again.

“And you are?”

“Laurence Ragabash, third son of the former king of the combine.”

“I am Tanaka Reina, Grand Admiral of the Tanaka house navy, first daughter of the house. The terms of combat?”

“If we are victorious we shall be allowed to withdraw, if you are victorious we shall scuttle our vessels and allow you to take us into custody. The rules?”

“To the death or until one side yields. Historical style.”

The two walked towards each other she noted his choice of weapon, a rapier it looked heavy and unwieldy but it would be more difficult to parry, he would be launching at her with powerful attacks. She’d decided that she’d end the fight quickly.

His stance was open, hers was guarded, he darted at her but he was far too slow and the heaviness of his attack was easily countered. He attacked again but again she used the minimum energy to glance it away. She’d barely had to move whilst he exerted vast amounts of energy, she focused on forcing him to attack time and time again, the perspiration collected on his brow. He was obviously angry beyond reason, probably due to the orbital installation.

Several minutes passed and his attacks began to slow, he attacked, she parried then counter attacked, his reactions far too slow as the point of her blade pierced his rib cage then darted back, he let out a cry, she ruthlessly attacked again, this time he barely reacted has her blade pierced his rib cage again, her blows perfectly aimed to go through soft parts and major organs. Blood splattered from his mouth as he staggered back,

“My lord!” One of the pirates yelled out but his cries were of no concern to Reina as she again stabbed through the rib cage. The man dropped to his knees, murmered something before his eyes went dead. Her blade had gone through his heart. She’d given him plenty of chances as far as she was concerned.

“Destroy the pirate battleships immediately; we don’t have the room for prisoners.”

“But, the duel?” A shocked officer blurted out.

“Deals with pirates are meaningless. However we’re going to take that girl back to Fuko.”

“Wait you can’t do this!” The who had yelled during the duel cried out.

“This is the punishment for those that cross the Empire; you should have considered this before you killed our citizens.” She turned and left with her personal guard.

“How long until we’re back within the imperial communication blanket again?” She asked her guards.

“Three days Ma’am”

“I wonder what’s going on back there, more of the same old boring bureaucracy no doubt – I hope I don’t need to stay long.” She looked up at the ceiling of the corridor, the duel had been a disappointment. However there was something about the girl that perplexed her. Reina would be sure to spend the next three days getting to the bottom of her story.

As the battle group left the star system slowly smouldering wreckage of the pirates tumbled silently through the void Reina had a sense that things were going to get more interesting from here on out, the girl turned out to be most interesting.