RedAndCosmoteer
The Eontenvians defend their shuttles successfully, picking off Union fighters as the countdown clock ticks...
...But the men standing by the holomap notice something strange...
The damaged Polaris hasn't sent a transmission since the boarding pods began sliding into its bay...
Sensors detect energy building up in the Union fleet's drives...
Cruiser's Bridge
stomp... stomp...
The gentle footsteps of the boarding team echo through the hallway leading to the bridge, catching the attention of a troop standing by the door. He points his PR-26 out the door, its light revealing the Union soldiers. He does not hesitate to shoot at them.
The rifle sends a thin, concentrated beam of particles straight through the leg of a Demolitions Expert, leaving him writhing on the floor in agony. The rest open fire on the troop, who takes cover behind the door.
"GHHHHHH...."
"Shut it, Mr. You'll be alright."
"Least your bones are fine..."
He shakes his head.
"Any one of you wanna stay back and keep this cripple from dying?"
One rifleman nods, backing off and standing by the injured Demolitions Expert. He taps on his transmitter, sending a report to the Admiral.
Abiding Terror
Squadron B-612_DT, Boarding Report
[Successful]
Attachments: Encrypted Message
Decrypting...
"We're outside the bridge right now. Leave immediately."
Drayan nods, looking at the holomap for a second before shouting the words "JUMP NOW!"
Space cracks around the fleet as the last of the UoL fleet vanishes into thin air...
In a dramatic turn of events, the UoL fleet has withdrawn from Erimus...
(I believe this is the point where the weapon should fire?)
Cruiser Bridge
"Now men... we are going to break into that room, and leave no man standing. Alright? Good. See you in hell if we don't make it."
He pokes his gun through the door, immediately dropping to the ground to avoid the bullets aimed for his head. The rest of the team fire back and lob grenades into the room.
One low-explosive sticky frags three of the troops guarding the area, making it easier for the team to get in...
BANG
A stun round strikes the lead rifleman, knocking him over before multiple PR-26 rifles mow him down.
"FOR CONAN, FOR THE UNION!"
The remaining soldiers slide in and duck, deploying a shield bubble as they spray the last of the Republic bridge troops.
After minutes of exchanging fire, the Republic bridge crew surrenders....
One of the transmissions operators suddenly turns around, sprinting to the comms. station in an attempt to warn the Allied fleet about the boarding crew. He is shot through the head right as he reaches the control panel.
"Who's next?"
They keep their hands on the triggers. One of the riflemen approaches the .
"Now, now... you're the big man over here, aren't you?"
He refuses to answer.
"Alright..."
He pauses for a moment.
"Anyway, must we find the Republic shipyard coordinates ourselves? Or will you speak up."
The remaining tech experts grab the body of the transmissions operator, taking it off the comms. station.
They begin to hack into the warp logs, the captain watching in horror.
"Well, I guess they already know what to do. Thank you, my good sir!"
The first tech expert hands a USB of some sort to the second, who plugs it into his datapad. He sends the coordinates to the Drayan before tucking it back into his pocket.
Squadron B-612_DT, Boarding Report
[Successful]
Attachments: Encrypted Message
Decrypting...
REPUBLIC CRUISER SHIPYARD COORDINATES HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE UOL MAP.
The captain can't take it anymore. Without warning, he smacks the weapon out of the rifleman's hand, slapping a blue screen on the control panel with his other arm. It detects the handprint. The Union team doesn't turn around quick enough to deal with the captain, who crouches in the corner with his personal shield up.
A robotic voice speaks.
GREETINGS, CAPTAIN. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO TODAY?
"Enable bridge defenses."
Are you sure? This-
"Yes. 25192."
Automated turrets pop out from the roof, and sentries emerge from small flaps in the walls. The bridge's doors lock, preventing the Union boarding team from escaping.
Targets acquired.
Electro-rounds shut down the soldiers' shields as particle bursts terminate them one by one. Unfortunately for the Republic crew, the last Demolition Expert manages to throw one last heavy explosive before his death, which detonates and destroys the bridge. The cruiser's alarms go off.
Outside the bridge...
The rifleman protecting the injured Demolitions Expert hears the explosion coming from the bridge...
"What the hell was that?"
He stands still in horror.
"I think they're dead. Fuck, I think the bridge's out. We need to get the hell out of here."
"BUT MY LEG'S BROKEN!"
"I'm sure that there's a boarding team downstairs. I could take you down the ramp if you want."
"JUST TAKE ME DAMMIT!"
He lifts him up, helping him keep balance while hopping through the hallway and down the ramp. The two turn off their flashlights now that the corridors are lit by the blinking, red emergency lights. There are two Union scouts waiting for them by the door to the bridge.
"Someone get this man out of here. I can't hold him forever..."
"We gottim, sir."
They carry him to the nearest exit, and the rifleman tags along. He stays back for a moment, staring at the ship's walls and giving a salute to his fallen comrades.
"Okay, let's get out of here."
One by one, they board a shuttle waiting for them at the bay...
"Shuttle 1 Jumping in five minutes," the pilot speaks. This message is sent to the comms. device located in each soldier's helmet.
Five minutes later...
The shuttles have jumped, their current location unknown...
Somewhere far away...
From the bridge of his ship, Drayan reads the team's final report, battle losses, and other pieces of information. He appears to be... satisfied.
"Good work men. I expect to see you at the post-battle ceremony tomorrow."
His next sentence is quite hypocritical.
"We shall never forget the good men that have lost their lives protecting this system. May they rest in peace..."
In the back of the room, the Union guards stand by the wall, watching the Vice Admiral speak in utter disgust. Their expressions are hidden under their eerie gray masks...
At last, the Second Battle of Erimus has ended...
haha yes, underwhelming, ik, but i wanted it to end abruptly. this is the start of something big
Please tell me if you want to retcon this ending.
