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First Strike
Skull Leader Krisnat of the cruiser Eliminator was on a skull taking mission - Krisnat was under pressure to scare up some skulls for his men, as he was already two cycles in this command and no skulls taken yet. His communications slave reported an alien blip incoming. "They have detected us, master. They are slowing and turning to face you." Krisnat's hearts beat slower. It was finally time to take some skulls. The Terran vessel went to battle stations. Crew compartments were sealed, all staff were put on duty, and air was pumped from the connecting corridors. "Blip still not identified. Shall we send a message, sir?" Captain Piett looked at his comm officer. "No way. In this sector, you know those guys have got to be Varges. Communications to their vessel would only be construed as a sign of weakness." "We have a scan lock on them, Master." The scanner slave looked up from his shackles. "It is a Terran cruiser, Cheetah class, running with weapons charged and warheads seeking targets." Krisnat leaned over in his chair. "Lock our warheads on the target. Fire a ranging shot with the heavy blaster." The weapons skull bearer worked his controls. "Missiles have not acquired the target, but we can fire the blasters. Firing now, Master." The lights dimmed fractionally as the ships's main weapon fired. "Target out of range. Sensors show that the target will be in range by the time our weapon cycles, Master." "Taking fire!" All hands braced for the impact that did not come. "They are still out of range, sir, but their next shot will be a better one!" Captain Piett replied "It would be nice if we could fire back, mister Durge. How about a scan lock?" Lieutenant Durge looked up from his screen. "Even with their weapons fire, we can't fix on them! Requst permission for a Ping!" Piett did not hesitate. "Do it." "They have gone to active scanners, Master! They have a sensor lock... and weapons lock as well! Swarm of missiles incoming!" Klaxons rang as the anti missile defenses spooled up. The ship shuddered as they fired off hundreds of small missiles, designed to shoot down incoming warheads and fighters. Krisnat inspected his claws. This sort of thing bored him, and besides was inevitable. After fourteen millicycles, the ship lurched under multiple impacts. "Got them, sir!" Captain Piett looked at the report on his screen. "Next time you launch before I give the order, mister, and I'll kill you myself," he growled. His inexperienced gunnery officer had fired too soon, giving the enemy too great a chance to shoot down the swarm of missiles that had been launched. Now they would have to see if the enemy was on the ball. "They have achieved a full lock, sir. They have put missiles and torpedoes in the water, impact in twelve seconds!" "Got them, Master!" The scanner slave turned and smiled at Krisnat. Krisnat smiled, pulled out his blaster, and disintegrated his weapons officer. He strode to the smoking weapons console and punched the LAUNCH ALL button. "Turn the ship around. we have missed our opportunity. Krisnat turned and left the command center just as the Terran ship's second volley thundered home. "I don't believe it." The sensor officer turned to Piett. "They launched two torpedoes only... the damage is minimal." Piett looked pensive. "Maybe their weapons officer is learning too. Let them have it. All barrels, all launchers." Piett held on to his seat. The Varge's second volley would be more dangerous. As the Eliminator turned and accelerated back the way she came, and as the Indomitable forged ahead, a flight of warheads, energy beams and explosive shells crossed in space. Each ship frantically shot down droves of incoming warheads, and each ship madly jammed the airwaves in order to make the enemy's targeting go astray. Each ship was partially successful. Each ship was heavily damaged by the parting shots. Each ship's commander was relieved the enemy had not pressed the advantage. Each commander knew this was not a good day to die. |