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Knightfall's Realmsian Dragonstar (Updated: Sept 08/10)
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<blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 350725" data-attributes="member: 2012"><p><strong><em>Part One - Darkness over Toril</em></strong></p><p></p><p>The Commander of the Dragon Brigade was not pleased. The remains of the <em>Centurion</em> floated through the dead of space. Pieces of the destroyed Imperial battleship were falling out of orbit and would soon enter the upper atmosphere of the world in front of him.</p><p></p><p>Worse still was the sight of the two starships that had destroyed it. Thul Gulokas raged inside wanting vengeance against those that defied the Empire. He studies the two vessels as best he could from the bridge of the <em>Warlock</em>. He couldn't believe that these two vessels defeated an Imperial battleship. Then Thul noticed the remains of another ship orbiting the world known as Toril in the distance.</p><p></p><p>It hadn't been as large as the cruiser and carrier that still posed a threat. Then the large half-dragon noticed the remains of a fourth ship intermixed with that of the <em>Centurion</em>. Even a trained eye would have missed it at first. The vessel had obviously rammed the <em>Centurion</em>. Yes, that was what destroyed it.</p><p></p><p>"Crewman 1," Thul's deep, grating voice boomed across the bridge for all to hear and fear. "Status report on the enemy ships."</p><p></p><p>"Sir," Thul's second-in-command responded his voice steady and firm. "Scans indicate that the carrier is heavily damaged. It is dead in the water but still has some weapons. Torpedoes and several of its plasma cannons still function.</p><p></p><p>The cruiser seems intact. Our scans cannot penetrate its shields. Both vessels appear to be old, refurbished Imperial models. The cruiser appears to have been upgraded substantially. It is definitely a threat, Commander."</p><p></p><p>Thul knew crewman 1 wasn't overstating himself. The drow man was very good at his job, which is why Thul chose him to be his Second. The drow man knew his place and accepted it. He had little choice and Thul knew the drow man resented him for it.</p><p></p><p>"Status on the two remaining Imperial ships." Thul didn't move fixing his gaze upon the cruiser through the glassteel windows of the bridge. "What clearance level do they have?"</p><p></p><p>"Both of the Hammerhead dropships have deployed, sir. The Imperial Legions are already on the surface. The landers have not returned to the Hammerhead skeletal frames still in orbit. They have minimal clearance, Commander.</p><p></p><p>The <em>Centurion's</em> weapon platforms have all been destroyed, as well. There are dozens of Imperial crewmen near death in the void of space. They're fading fast. Should we save them Commander?"</p><p></p><p>Thul didn't think it would matter. They would all die anyway but he was honor bound to try to save loyal Imperial sailors. "Very well, but make sure any of the survivors have high enough clearance before letting them out of the infirmary. If they don't, tell them they're prisoners of the Pirate Brigade."</p><p></p><p>"Yes sir. There was definitely more resistance here then reported."</p><p></p><p>Thul couldn't drag his eyes from the cruiser. He knew it from somewhere. He was sure. "Find out everything you can about that ship. It's name and the name of its-."</p><p></p><p>Then Thul remember where he had seen it. Only one of the resistance ships had escaped from the Iuvare system, the <em>Victory</em>. "Crewman 1, that ship out there is the <em>Victory</em>."</p><p></p><p>"Sir," Thul's Second wasn't convinced. "Are you positive, Commander? There hasn't been any sign of the <em>Victory</em> since Breka. Surely pirates or the Cleash destroyed that ship years ago."</p><p></p><p>"I am positive, crewman." Thul raised his voice in anger. It wasn't like his Second to question him in front of the crew. If it had been anyone else, they would be dead. "And where the victory is so is my old mate.</p><p></p><p>Order the <em>Firewurm</em> and the <em>Spider Eater</em> to take the carrier! They are to capture it intact and bring me the captain alive. We will take the <em>Victory</em> and I will have my revenge!"</p><p></p><p>"Aye Sir!" Thul's Second barked out at the bridge crew of the <em>Warlock</em>. The crack crew responded in record time. They knew the Commander would kill anyone who seemed unsure of the task at hand.</p><p></p><p>"Launch all dragon wing fighters and tell them to take out the enemies fighters. And hail the captain of the <em>Basilisk</em>." Thul knew there was a spy onboard the Hammerhead dropship and wouldn't take any chances.</p><p></p><p>The <em>Warlock</em> began firing on the <em>Victory</em> just as the two battle cruisers turned towards the wounded <em>Deva Wing</em>. Thul watched it all unfold before his eyes. He would have his revenge. "There isn't anywhere for you to run to this time, Arassil. I have you."</p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p>Commander Davis Madden knew he was in trouble. The two Imperial battle cruisers would make short work of <em>Deva Wing</em> without help. And the Victory would be hard pressed against the <em>Warlock</em>.</p><p></p><p>"Lieutenant Railer," Madden turned towards the dwarven sailor just as the first barrage of plasma fire slammed into the hull of the ship. The ship lurched tossing several of the crew onto the floor. "Defense status!"</p><p></p><p>"It's not good, Commander. We have minimal weapons left and no shields. And the teleport suppressor is offline."</p><p></p><p>"That's all we need," Madden helped one of his crew up. The man was badly burned when his station exploded. "Divert all auxiliary power to the suppressor and the shields. Prepare the crew to repel boarders. How many arcane spellcasters do we have?"</p><p></p><p>"Barely a handful, Commander." Railer was punching buttons frantically trying to get the shields operational again. "We won't be able to counterspell in all sections. I am ordering them to the engine rooms and the bridge."</p><p></p><p>Just then, two Brigade sorcerers teleported onto the bridge escorted by five Brigade sailors in full body armor.</p><p></p><p>"Oh crap," Madden unholstered his laser blaster firing towards the enemy sailors. "We've got company."</p><p></p><p>The bridge crew of the <em>Deva Wing</em> all ducked for cover bringing their weapons to bare on the Brigade boarders. In an instant, the bridge was aflame with blaster fire. Two Brigade sailors went down in a flash while Madden and his bridge crew hung on for dear life.</p><p></p><p>An instant later, three of the <em>Deva Wing's</em> own arcane spellcasters stood on the bridge in a triangle around the enemy. They all spoke in unison attempting to counterspell the magic of the two sorcerers. Madden knew it wouldn't be in time. The League Commander dove across the bridge rolling onto his feet behind cover near the Brigade spellcasters. He fired once hitting the first sorcerer directly in the chest. His second shot went wide of other sorcerer glancing off some sort of shielding spell.</p><p></p><p>Railer worked at his station regardless of the danger. He was still trying to get the suppressor up and running. Two Brigade sailors were aiming in his direction.</p><p></p><p>"Railer, look out!" Madden's warning came too late but he was pleased to see the blaster fire impact a force field that Railer erected around his station. The two sailors fired again hitting the force field. It was slowly being drained. "Ensign Bavre, cover the Lieutenant!"</p><p></p><p>The half-elf officer, on the other side of the bridge, fired twice in the direction of the Brigade sailors. They stood there unmoving as the blaster bolts flew by. Then another of the enemy sailors turned his weapon towards Bavre. He fired and the console in front of the ensign exploded. The half-elf was knocked back into the wall and laid there unmoving.</p><p></p><p>"Damn it!" Madden jumped out from behind the console he was using for cover running towards the third remaining Brigade sailor. He tackled the sailor and the two of them went down in a heap.</p><p></p><p>A human ensign, named Badier, ran to where Ensign Bavre laid pulling him behind cover. The rest of the bridge crew opened fire just as the sorcerer's spell went off. Several of Madden's men were held in place by the sorcerer's magic, while the two enemy sailors went down in the burst of laser fire.</p><p></p><p>"I've got it!" Madden was glad to hear Railer's voice as he struggled with the enemy sailor. "The suppressor is online!"</p><p></p><p>The Brigade sorcerer was trapped. He went down in a flash from Badier's laser pistol and two magic missiles from the nearest League spellcasters. Madden knocked the armored sailor's head against the floor five times before the man passed out.</p><p></p><p>"Damn, that was close." Madden stood up over the fallen man resisting the desire to shoot him. "Take this bastard into the conference room and hold him there."</p><p></p><p>Two of his crew dragged the man off of the bridge, while a third covered the armored foe. Just then several explosions rocked the ship.</p><p></p><p>"Railer," Madden was tossed against the wall of the bridge. "We need those shields! Now!"</p><p></p><p>"Got it," Railer sounded tired. "But they won't hold much longer."</p><p></p><p>"Ship status!"</p><p></p><p>"Reports are coming from all over the ship. Heavy damage in the fore section and decks four and five are gone. There are armored Brigade sailors on every deck but security teams are holding them off. The engine rooms have been sealed off. They won't get in unless we lose the suppressor again.</p><p></p><p>"We have two plasma cannon operational but I'm going to have to work to get anything out of them. Torpedoes are offline."</p><p></p><p>"Great. Just great." Commander Madden walked to the center of the bridge activating the ansible that would allow him to call for reinforcements. Luckily, it was undamaged. "This is League Commander Davis Madden to Command Headquarters. We are under attack by the Pirate Brigade. I repeat we are under attack and outnumbered. Send reinforcements immediately! Command code authorization. Elf - Dwarf - Ogre - Ogre - Chimera. Davis Madden."</p><p></p><p>"Commander, the Brigade carrier is heading for the <em>Victory</em>." Ensign Badier was going over the reports coming in from the League cruiser.</p><p></p><p>"Don't worry about the <em>Victory</em>, ensign. She can take care of herself. Now somebody find out where the hell Arassil is and contact Fathom Wing. We're going to need them."</p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p>Kelemvor's Avatar stood in the center of the city of Waterdeep. He was using his godly might to project a shield over the city protecting it from the bombardment of the Imperial fighters and hover tanks. The battle across Faerûn wasn't going well. The Pantheon was protecting the major cities but dozens of others had been destroyed killing millions. Kelemvor was doing everything he could just to protect Waterdeep and keep track of the dead in his Realm in the Outer Planes. Milil was proving to be a valuable Scribe of Death.</p><p></p><p>"This is insanity," Kelemvor spoke the words through his mind to Shar who protected the city of Calimport thousands of miles to the south.</p><p></p><p>"Agreed, Lord Kelemvor. What should we do? I'm barely holding on and Cyric hasn't been any help. Maybe we should surrender to this Dragon Empire? Better to be absorbed into their culture then be annihilated."</p><p></p><p>"While I agree that is an option, Shar. It is the last option. After all, the Mulhorandi have promised to help us."</p><p></p><p>"Then where are they, Kelemvor?" Milil was writing names down in the Book of the Dead as fast as he could. Soon the dead would overwhelm him even with part of Kelemvor's godly essence in him.</p><p></p><p>"I do not know." Kelemvor doubted for the first time since becoming a god. The Imperial onslaught continued across the continent.</p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p>Breakwater couldn't believe his eyes. The <em>Warlock</em> was heading straight towards the Victory and the other two Brigade ships closed in on the <em>Deva Wing</em>, pounding her with plasma cannon fire. Everything was going wrong.</p><p></p><p>His Comm crackled and the voice of Lieutenant Railer came across the speaker. "<em>Deva Wing</em> to Fathom Leader. "</p><p></p><p>"This is Breakwater, lieutenant. "</p><p></p><p>"Where is Fathom Leader, Fathom 2? "</p><p></p><p>"Lieutenant Rodani took Fathom Right into the planets atmosphere in pursuit of several Imperial interceptors, Sir. I haven't heard from him since. I'm taking Fathom Left to cover the <em>Victory</em>, Sir. "</p><p></p><p>"Negative, Fathom 2. The <em>Victory</em> can take care of itself. We need you here, right now. Commander Madden is deploying our ground forces onto the planet's surface and we need you to cover the dropships. "</p><p></p><p>"Understood, lieutenant. We'll be there in less then ten. "</p><p></p><p>"Make that less than five, Fathom 2."</p><p></p><p>Breakwater could here the urgency in the lieutenant's voice. He ordered his pilots to burn their second afterburners. The small fighters rocked through the depths of space towards the carrier.</p><p></p><p>"Sir, we've got enemy fighters at three o'clock!"</p><p></p><p>"Damn it," Breakwater saw them coming at the last second. Over a dozen sleek dragon wing fighters crossed their trajectory from right to left taking out 2 Fathom fighters before anyone could react. "Those suckers are fast! Fathom Left, split up. Take at least on wingman with you. Everyone rendezvous back at the <em>Deva Wing</em>. Fathom 12 and 4. You're with me.</p><p></p><p>"I'm with you, Fathom 2." Fathom 12 banked with Breakwater's fighter with Fathom 4 on his other side.</p><p></p><p>"Right with you, cuz." Freddy's voice crackled through Breakwater's speakers. "We've got your back."</p><p></p><p>Breakwater lined up one of the Bridge dragon wings and fired. Direct hit. The fighter exploded and the three League fighters passed through the debris field unscathed.</p><p></p><p>"Ye haw, " Fathom 12 launched his last rocket into another incoming dragon wing. "That's gotta hurt!"</p><p></p><p>Breakwater noticed that his scope showed no more dragon wings in the vicinity. The other fighters of Fathom Left had worked together well taking out the lightly armored dragon wings.</p><p></p><p>"That was to easy."</p><p></p><p>The fighters came back into formation at the coordinates Breakwater had given them to rendezvous near the <em>Deva Wing</em>. The carrier's dropships detached from the underside of the <em>Deva Wing</em>.</p><p></p><p>"Alright boys!" Breakwater banked his fighter to take up a lead position at the front of the dropships. "Defense pattern Black Beholder. Let's get them there safe."</p><p></p><p>The fighters of Fathom Left took their places in the caravan of ships.</p><p></p><p>"This is General Bartleby," the voice came over the speaker of Breakwater's Comm. "Glad to have you fighter jocks with us. We can use the extra firepower."</p><p></p><p>"The honor is ours, General."</p><p></p><p>The caravan of fighters and dropships fired their engines all at once rocketing towards Toril.</p><p></p><p>* * *</p><p></p><p>Reports were coming into the <em>Warlock</em> from the <em>Firewurm</em> and the <em>Spider Eater</em>. The initial assault on the carrier had been repelled and the ship now had its teleport suppressor back online. The carrier had launched its small dropships, which were being escorted by interceptors.</p><p></p><p>The dragon wings that Thul had sent to destroy the interceptors hadn't succeeded. He was furious. These resistance fighters were well trained. He wouldn't underestimate them again.</p><p></p><p>"Crewman 1," Thul addressed his Second who stood just behind the large half-dragon. "Send the rest of the dragon wings after those ships. They are not to get through. Understood."</p><p></p><p>"Yes Commander," Thul's Second watched as plasma bolts from the <em>Victory</em> glanced off the shields of the <em>Warlock</em>. "The captain of the <em>Basilisk</em> is now demanding to talk to you. He wishes to discuss terms of our surrender."</p><p></p><p>"Stupid," Thul wondered how someone obviously as dumb as this man was became a captain in the Imperial fleet. "Put him through."</p><p></p><p>"Yes Commander."</p><p></p><p>Thul stepped in front of the bridge's Vid-screen just as the image of the captain of the <em>Basilisk</em> came on. He was a fat, little human who looked more like a merchant then a Imperial captain.</p><p></p><p>"Well that explains it." Thul didn't like the way the man scowled at him. "I understand you want me to surrender, human. You're either very brave or very ignorant."</p><p></p><p>"Don't talk, pirate. Listen." The fat Imperial captain wheezed when he talked. "This system belongs to the Dragon Empire. You are in violation of more Imperial laws than I could list in an hour. If you surrender now, I won't have to call upon the other four Imperial ships orbiting night side of the planet. Your answer, pirate."</p><p></p><p>It was a good bluff. The captain wasn't as stupid as he looked. Of course, he couldn't have known that Gulokas would know the number of ships in the system.</p><p></p><p>"My answer is that your ship either has a traitor to the Empire onboard or you have allowed him to land on the planet with the Legions. You are expendable."</p><p></p><p>The Imperial captain looked confused.</p><p></p><p>"Bridge gunner, destroy the <em>Basilisk</em>."</p><p></p><p>"Yes sir."</p><p></p><p>The <em>Warlock's</em> plasma cannons roared through space slamming into the <em>Basilisk</em>. Its shields were useless against the <em>Warlock's</em> weaponry. The <em>Warlock</em>, of course, had the Imperial ship's shield frequency. The <em>Basilisk's</em> skeleton frame exploded in a ball of fire and light.</p><p></p><p>"Now destroy that other Hammerhead. After all, we must keep up appearances."</p><p></p><p>"Yes sir."</p><p></p><p>The <em>Warlock</em> destroyed the <em>Scorpion</em> in a barrage of torpedo fire.</p><p></p><p>Thul's Second shook his head in resignation. "Such a waist, Commander. Those were good Imperial vessels."</p><p></p><p>"Agreed." Thul refocused his attention to the <em>Victory</em> out the glassteel window of the bridge. "Now, I want that ship!"</p><p></p><p>"Yes Commander." Thul's Second saluted his commander and captain. The man barked out more orders to the bridge crew.</p><p></p><p>The destroyed dropships fell out of orbit burning up in the atmosphere. The skies of Toril burned in Thul Gulokas' reptilian eyes.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Knightfall, post: 350725, member: 2012"] [b][i]Part One - Darkness over Toril[/i][/b] The Commander of the Dragon Brigade was not pleased. The remains of the [i]Centurion[/i] floated through the dead of space. Pieces of the destroyed Imperial battleship were falling out of orbit and would soon enter the upper atmosphere of the world in front of him. Worse still was the sight of the two starships that had destroyed it. Thul Gulokas raged inside wanting vengeance against those that defied the Empire. He studies the two vessels as best he could from the bridge of the [i]Warlock[/i]. He couldn't believe that these two vessels defeated an Imperial battleship. Then Thul noticed the remains of another ship orbiting the world known as Toril in the distance. It hadn't been as large as the cruiser and carrier that still posed a threat. Then the large half-dragon noticed the remains of a fourth ship intermixed with that of the [i]Centurion[/i]. Even a trained eye would have missed it at first. The vessel had obviously rammed the [i]Centurion[/i]. Yes, that was what destroyed it. "Crewman 1," Thul's deep, grating voice boomed across the bridge for all to hear and fear. "Status report on the enemy ships." "Sir," Thul's second-in-command responded his voice steady and firm. "Scans indicate that the carrier is heavily damaged. It is dead in the water but still has some weapons. Torpedoes and several of its plasma cannons still function. The cruiser seems intact. Our scans cannot penetrate its shields. Both vessels appear to be old, refurbished Imperial models. The cruiser appears to have been upgraded substantially. It is definitely a threat, Commander." Thul knew crewman 1 wasn't overstating himself. The drow man was very good at his job, which is why Thul chose him to be his Second. The drow man knew his place and accepted it. He had little choice and Thul knew the drow man resented him for it. "Status on the two remaining Imperial ships." Thul didn't move fixing his gaze upon the cruiser through the glassteel windows of the bridge. "What clearance level do they have?" "Both of the Hammerhead dropships have deployed, sir. The Imperial Legions are already on the surface. The landers have not returned to the Hammerhead skeletal frames still in orbit. They have minimal clearance, Commander. The [i]Centurion's[/i] weapon platforms have all been destroyed, as well. There are dozens of Imperial crewmen near death in the void of space. They're fading fast. Should we save them Commander?" Thul didn't think it would matter. They would all die anyway but he was honor bound to try to save loyal Imperial sailors. "Very well, but make sure any of the survivors have high enough clearance before letting them out of the infirmary. If they don't, tell them they're prisoners of the Pirate Brigade." "Yes sir. There was definitely more resistance here then reported." Thul couldn't drag his eyes from the cruiser. He knew it from somewhere. He was sure. "Find out everything you can about that ship. It's name and the name of its-." Then Thul remember where he had seen it. Only one of the resistance ships had escaped from the Iuvare system, the [i]Victory[/i]. "Crewman 1, that ship out there is the [i]Victory[/i]." "Sir," Thul's Second wasn't convinced. "Are you positive, Commander? There hasn't been any sign of the [i]Victory[/i] since Breka. Surely pirates or the Cleash destroyed that ship years ago." "I am positive, crewman." Thul raised his voice in anger. It wasn't like his Second to question him in front of the crew. If it had been anyone else, they would be dead. "And where the victory is so is my old mate. Order the [i]Firewurm[/i] and the [i]Spider Eater[/i] to take the carrier! They are to capture it intact and bring me the captain alive. We will take the [i]Victory[/i] and I will have my revenge!" "Aye Sir!" Thul's Second barked out at the bridge crew of the [i]Warlock[/i]. The crack crew responded in record time. They knew the Commander would kill anyone who seemed unsure of the task at hand. "Launch all dragon wing fighters and tell them to take out the enemies fighters. And hail the captain of the [i]Basilisk[/i]." Thul knew there was a spy onboard the Hammerhead dropship and wouldn't take any chances. The [i]Warlock[/i] began firing on the [i]Victory[/i] just as the two battle cruisers turned towards the wounded [i]Deva Wing[/i]. Thul watched it all unfold before his eyes. He would have his revenge. "There isn't anywhere for you to run to this time, Arassil. I have you." * * * Commander Davis Madden knew he was in trouble. The two Imperial battle cruisers would make short work of [i]Deva Wing[/i] without help. And the Victory would be hard pressed against the [i]Warlock[/i]. "Lieutenant Railer," Madden turned towards the dwarven sailor just as the first barrage of plasma fire slammed into the hull of the ship. The ship lurched tossing several of the crew onto the floor. "Defense status!" "It's not good, Commander. We have minimal weapons left and no shields. And the teleport suppressor is offline." "That's all we need," Madden helped one of his crew up. The man was badly burned when his station exploded. "Divert all auxiliary power to the suppressor and the shields. Prepare the crew to repel boarders. How many arcane spellcasters do we have?" "Barely a handful, Commander." Railer was punching buttons frantically trying to get the shields operational again. "We won't be able to counterspell in all sections. I am ordering them to the engine rooms and the bridge." Just then, two Brigade sorcerers teleported onto the bridge escorted by five Brigade sailors in full body armor. "Oh crap," Madden unholstered his laser blaster firing towards the enemy sailors. "We've got company." The bridge crew of the [i]Deva Wing[/i] all ducked for cover bringing their weapons to bare on the Brigade boarders. In an instant, the bridge was aflame with blaster fire. Two Brigade sailors went down in a flash while Madden and his bridge crew hung on for dear life. An instant later, three of the [i]Deva Wing's[/i] own arcane spellcasters stood on the bridge in a triangle around the enemy. They all spoke in unison attempting to counterspell the magic of the two sorcerers. Madden knew it wouldn't be in time. The League Commander dove across the bridge rolling onto his feet behind cover near the Brigade spellcasters. He fired once hitting the first sorcerer directly in the chest. His second shot went wide of other sorcerer glancing off some sort of shielding spell. Railer worked at his station regardless of the danger. He was still trying to get the suppressor up and running. Two Brigade sailors were aiming in his direction. "Railer, look out!" Madden's warning came too late but he was pleased to see the blaster fire impact a force field that Railer erected around his station. The two sailors fired again hitting the force field. It was slowly being drained. "Ensign Bavre, cover the Lieutenant!" The half-elf officer, on the other side of the bridge, fired twice in the direction of the Brigade sailors. They stood there unmoving as the blaster bolts flew by. Then another of the enemy sailors turned his weapon towards Bavre. He fired and the console in front of the ensign exploded. The half-elf was knocked back into the wall and laid there unmoving. "Damn it!" Madden jumped out from behind the console he was using for cover running towards the third remaining Brigade sailor. He tackled the sailor and the two of them went down in a heap. A human ensign, named Badier, ran to where Ensign Bavre laid pulling him behind cover. The rest of the bridge crew opened fire just as the sorcerer's spell went off. Several of Madden's men were held in place by the sorcerer's magic, while the two enemy sailors went down in the burst of laser fire. "I've got it!" Madden was glad to hear Railer's voice as he struggled with the enemy sailor. "The suppressor is online!" The Brigade sorcerer was trapped. He went down in a flash from Badier's laser pistol and two magic missiles from the nearest League spellcasters. Madden knocked the armored sailor's head against the floor five times before the man passed out. "Damn, that was close." Madden stood up over the fallen man resisting the desire to shoot him. "Take this bastard into the conference room and hold him there." Two of his crew dragged the man off of the bridge, while a third covered the armored foe. Just then several explosions rocked the ship. "Railer," Madden was tossed against the wall of the bridge. "We need those shields! Now!" "Got it," Railer sounded tired. "But they won't hold much longer." "Ship status!" "Reports are coming from all over the ship. Heavy damage in the fore section and decks four and five are gone. There are armored Brigade sailors on every deck but security teams are holding them off. The engine rooms have been sealed off. They won't get in unless we lose the suppressor again. "We have two plasma cannon operational but I'm going to have to work to get anything out of them. Torpedoes are offline." "Great. Just great." Commander Madden walked to the center of the bridge activating the ansible that would allow him to call for reinforcements. Luckily, it was undamaged. "This is League Commander Davis Madden to Command Headquarters. We are under attack by the Pirate Brigade. I repeat we are under attack and outnumbered. Send reinforcements immediately! Command code authorization. Elf - Dwarf - Ogre - Ogre - Chimera. Davis Madden." "Commander, the Brigade carrier is heading for the [i]Victory[/i]." Ensign Badier was going over the reports coming in from the League cruiser. "Don't worry about the [i]Victory[/i], ensign. She can take care of herself. Now somebody find out where the hell Arassil is and contact Fathom Wing. We're going to need them." * * * Kelemvor's Avatar stood in the center of the city of Waterdeep. He was using his godly might to project a shield over the city protecting it from the bombardment of the Imperial fighters and hover tanks. The battle across Faerûn wasn't going well. The Pantheon was protecting the major cities but dozens of others had been destroyed killing millions. Kelemvor was doing everything he could just to protect Waterdeep and keep track of the dead in his Realm in the Outer Planes. Milil was proving to be a valuable Scribe of Death. "This is insanity," Kelemvor spoke the words through his mind to Shar who protected the city of Calimport thousands of miles to the south. "Agreed, Lord Kelemvor. What should we do? I'm barely holding on and Cyric hasn't been any help. Maybe we should surrender to this Dragon Empire? Better to be absorbed into their culture then be annihilated." "While I agree that is an option, Shar. It is the last option. After all, the Mulhorandi have promised to help us." "Then where are they, Kelemvor?" Milil was writing names down in the Book of the Dead as fast as he could. Soon the dead would overwhelm him even with part of Kelemvor's godly essence in him. "I do not know." Kelemvor doubted for the first time since becoming a god. The Imperial onslaught continued across the continent. * * * Breakwater couldn't believe his eyes. The [i]Warlock[/i] was heading straight towards the Victory and the other two Brigade ships closed in on the [i]Deva Wing[/i], pounding her with plasma cannon fire. Everything was going wrong. His Comm crackled and the voice of Lieutenant Railer came across the speaker. "[i]Deva Wing[/i] to Fathom Leader. " "This is Breakwater, lieutenant. " "Where is Fathom Leader, Fathom 2? " "Lieutenant Rodani took Fathom Right into the planets atmosphere in pursuit of several Imperial interceptors, Sir. I haven't heard from him since. I'm taking Fathom Left to cover the [i]Victory[/i], Sir. " "Negative, Fathom 2. The [i]Victory[/i] can take care of itself. We need you here, right now. Commander Madden is deploying our ground forces onto the planet's surface and we need you to cover the dropships. " "Understood, lieutenant. We'll be there in less then ten. " "Make that less than five, Fathom 2." Breakwater could here the urgency in the lieutenant's voice. He ordered his pilots to burn their second afterburners. The small fighters rocked through the depths of space towards the carrier. "Sir, we've got enemy fighters at three o'clock!" "Damn it," Breakwater saw them coming at the last second. Over a dozen sleek dragon wing fighters crossed their trajectory from right to left taking out 2 Fathom fighters before anyone could react. "Those suckers are fast! Fathom Left, split up. Take at least on wingman with you. Everyone rendezvous back at the [i]Deva Wing[/i]. Fathom 12 and 4. You're with me. "I'm with you, Fathom 2." Fathom 12 banked with Breakwater's fighter with Fathom 4 on his other side. "Right with you, cuz." Freddy's voice crackled through Breakwater's speakers. "We've got your back." Breakwater lined up one of the Bridge dragon wings and fired. Direct hit. The fighter exploded and the three League fighters passed through the debris field unscathed. "Ye haw, " Fathom 12 launched his last rocket into another incoming dragon wing. "That's gotta hurt!" Breakwater noticed that his scope showed no more dragon wings in the vicinity. The other fighters of Fathom Left had worked together well taking out the lightly armored dragon wings. "That was to easy." The fighters came back into formation at the coordinates Breakwater had given them to rendezvous near the [i]Deva Wing[/i]. The carrier's dropships detached from the underside of the [i]Deva Wing[/i]. "Alright boys!" Breakwater banked his fighter to take up a lead position at the front of the dropships. "Defense pattern Black Beholder. Let's get them there safe." The fighters of Fathom Left took their places in the caravan of ships. "This is General Bartleby," the voice came over the speaker of Breakwater's Comm. "Glad to have you fighter jocks with us. We can use the extra firepower." "The honor is ours, General." The caravan of fighters and dropships fired their engines all at once rocketing towards Toril. * * * Reports were coming into the [i]Warlock[/i] from the [i]Firewurm[/i] and the [i]Spider Eater[/i]. The initial assault on the carrier had been repelled and the ship now had its teleport suppressor back online. The carrier had launched its small dropships, which were being escorted by interceptors. The dragon wings that Thul had sent to destroy the interceptors hadn't succeeded. He was furious. These resistance fighters were well trained. He wouldn't underestimate them again. "Crewman 1," Thul addressed his Second who stood just behind the large half-dragon. "Send the rest of the dragon wings after those ships. They are not to get through. Understood." "Yes Commander," Thul's Second watched as plasma bolts from the [i]Victory[/i] glanced off the shields of the [i]Warlock[/i]. "The captain of the [i]Basilisk[/i] is now demanding to talk to you. He wishes to discuss terms of our surrender." "Stupid," Thul wondered how someone obviously as dumb as this man was became a captain in the Imperial fleet. "Put him through." "Yes Commander." Thul stepped in front of the bridge's Vid-screen just as the image of the captain of the [i]Basilisk[/i] came on. He was a fat, little human who looked more like a merchant then a Imperial captain. "Well that explains it." Thul didn't like the way the man scowled at him. "I understand you want me to surrender, human. You're either very brave or very ignorant." "Don't talk, pirate. Listen." The fat Imperial captain wheezed when he talked. "This system belongs to the Dragon Empire. You are in violation of more Imperial laws than I could list in an hour. If you surrender now, I won't have to call upon the other four Imperial ships orbiting night side of the planet. Your answer, pirate." It was a good bluff. The captain wasn't as stupid as he looked. Of course, he couldn't have known that Gulokas would know the number of ships in the system. "My answer is that your ship either has a traitor to the Empire onboard or you have allowed him to land on the planet with the Legions. You are expendable." The Imperial captain looked confused. "Bridge gunner, destroy the [i]Basilisk[/i]." "Yes sir." The [i]Warlock's[/i] plasma cannons roared through space slamming into the [i]Basilisk[/i]. Its shields were useless against the [i]Warlock's[/i] weaponry. The [i]Warlock[/i], of course, had the Imperial ship's shield frequency. The [i]Basilisk's[/i] skeleton frame exploded in a ball of fire and light. "Now destroy that other Hammerhead. After all, we must keep up appearances." "Yes sir." The [i]Warlock[/i] destroyed the [i]Scorpion[/i] in a barrage of torpedo fire. Thul's Second shook his head in resignation. "Such a waist, Commander. Those were good Imperial vessels." "Agreed." Thul refocused his attention to the [i]Victory[/i] out the glassteel window of the bridge. "Now, I want that ship!" "Yes Commander." Thul's Second saluted his commander and captain. The man barked out more orders to the bridge crew. The destroyed dropships fell out of orbit burning up in the atmosphere. The skies of Toril burned in Thul Gulokas' reptilian eyes. [/QUOTE]
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