CHAPTER FIVE : BATTLE AND A TRAGIC LOSS

  In the silent vacuum of space, eight members of 'The Sons Eiffel' flew their single-manned attack fighters against the most sophisticated technological creation known to man in an effort to piss off the Americans.

  At this point, most of them were beginning to question their leader's methods. One of them flew through the sparkling debris field of a fallen member and launched a Spear missile at the monstrosity known as the Necronomicon.

  George held on to his console as the bridge shook beneath his feet. The panel before him spat out status reports from all over the ship as another one gave a display of the battlefield; lights of differing colors whirled around each other in the cosmic ballet of space warfare. He looked up at the Captain who was wearing a grim smile on his face.

  "They are coming around for another pass sir. Two of their ships are destroyed and all of the others are lightly to moderately damaged."

  "Hot damn, I live for this shit." The Captain scratched the small scar on his cheek that was moist with sweat from the heat of the moment. "Robert, make sure you keep us between the convoy and the bulk of their attack fleet. Set lasers to full and prepare another nova bomb for launch."

  "You got it."

  Psi's plaque lit up next to the viewscreen as the ship turned itself about. His pallid face looked down on the crew as he appeared to bring urgent news.

  "Sir, Brian reports that fusion reactor two is repaired; full power has been restored."

  "Thank you Psi; tell him 'good job.' George concentrate your fire on the ships breaking formation to slip around us and launch the nova smack into the rest of them."

  George waited for a red light to turn green and immediately pushed it when it did so.

  "Fire in the hole!"

  Back out in space a gleaming orb shot out of one of the Necronomicon's torpedo launchers and darted across the void. A few of the French fighters saw it and peeled away from it as it arched towards the center of their group. It detonated in a golden fireball that pulsed with a brilliant light and expanded, consuming three of the fighters and sending out a shockwave that sent two others reeling.

  A single laser fired and hit a lone fighter in it's belly. The impact sent it in a tailspin, leaving a trail of leaking fuel behind it. Another made a strafing run on the Necronomicon and fired it's own lasers into the side; it was quickly retaliated against and another beam shot out, cutting through one of the fighter's thin wings.

  It tumbled out of control; as it spun, it drifted closer to the massive Necronomicon and collided into one of the starboard engines. The whole ship rumbled under the impact as an explosion silently burst into space.

  Somewhere on level five, Sandra clutched the wall of a corridor to help keep her balance. Back on the bridge, the Captain slid down slightly in his chair and shook his head in disgust.

  "Bitch did that on purpose," he sat back up as he turned. "George, status report."

  "The remaining ships are retreating into the atmosphere. They don't seem to be leaving any surprises. Brian says he's working on a damage estimate."

  "That means it can't be good."

  "We're receiving an audio transmission from the medical convoy. They're relaying their thanks for coming to their aid."

  "Tell them it was our pleasure. How much longer till we rendezvous with the U.S. escort?"

  "About twenty-three minutes Captain," George put a hand to his ear to better hear through his earpiece. "What's that Alyssa? I'll patch it through." George looked up, "Brian has finished with his estimate sir. I'm putting him on viewer."

  The viewscreen went blank and then lit up with Brian's smiling face. His freckles were lost in his dimples and his light hair was tousled from running around Engineering. Karen sighed a breath of relief.

  "What's the good word Bri?"

  "Well, that last collision set off a nice little bonfire, but we got it under control. David and Gus got a little singed and Vanessa is sending Kim down here to patch them up."

  "Glad to hear it, how's the ship faring?"

  Brian frowned.

  "I'm afraid two of our starboard engines have been damaged. Of the three on that side, only the bottom is fully operational."

  "What's your repair estimate?"

  "The middle one has only minor damage, a couple of us in suits can have it back up and running in about four hours. The upper one is beyond repair; I'm afraid it'll have to be replaced. That'll mean about two days in dry dock, at least, sir."

  The Captain ran his hand over his thin goatee and closed his eyes.

  "All right, thanks Brian."

  Brian looked at Karen and winked as the screen went blank.

  The Captain turned back to George.

  "Any other problems to report?"

  "Psi reports no other damage, are defensive screens are holding."

  Meredith spun in her seat.

  "Computers check out. Status Ôgreen' sir."

  "Thanks guys, good job everyone. Robert?"

  "Yes sir?"

  "Follow that convoy."

  "Aye sir, we shouldn't have any problems maintaining current speed."

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  The ship drifted lazily next to it's charge after the battle. They floated peacefully above the Earth until the convoy sent it's thanks once again and descended to meet it's next protectors. Activity on the ship went back to normal as it's crew went to putting things back in order.

  The door to the bridge slid open and Brian walked in holding his report. The Captain accepted it and placed it on his armrest after looking at it briefly.

  "When would you like us to begin engine repair Captain?"

  "Not until the Jabberwocky returns. After that's completed, we'll put in for further repair and shore leave. I think we've earned it."

  "Sounds good sir. Permission to take Karen here to a late lunch?"

  The Captain smiled and was about to respond when Meredith chimed in.

  "Captain, we're receiving a transmission from the Jabberwocky."

  "Permission denied."

  Brian turned to Karen and held out his fingers.

  "I was that close."

  "Back to your posts." The Captain turned to the screen and awaited visual contact.

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  Ramirez rubbed her sore eyes as she walked into the cockpit of the Jabberwocky. She watched the moon drift away as the ship began to ascend into space. Her head was beginning to hurt her and she had no idea why. She had taken a pain reliever from the medkit as soon as they got on board, but it didn't seem to be helping. Matthew looked up at her as she came in.

  "How's Gryphon?"

  "Heather and I strapped him into one of the beds; he's still unconscious though. We have to get him back to Vanessa."

  "Well, we're on our way."

  "Heather isn't looking too good either. She's having head pains and has come fairly close to passing out a couple of times."

  "You don't seem up to par yourself."

  "I have a headache; it's nothing."

  Matthew coughed and took in a quick breath before continuing.

  "What happened back there? What was that?"

  "The core detonated I think. Can alpha particles cause much damage?"

  "Sweetheart, that wasn't alpha particles that hit us; that was something else entirely."

  "And we don't know what it was?"

  "No," Matthew shook his head and blinked a few times. "Are the ... uh ... environmental suits secure and the cameras stored?"

  "Yeah," Ramirez put a warm hand on his shoulder, "are you feeling okay?"

  "I'm just feeling my lumps from that match with your boyfriend."

  "You'll get your revenge soon enough."

  Matthew smiled, patting her hand.

  "Don't worry, we'll be all right. Sit down, I'm going to try contacting the Necronomicon in a minute."

  She sat in the seat next to him and strapped on her restraints. The Earth was steadily coming closer in the front view and she wrapped her arms around her to ward away her shivers.

  "I'm scared Matthew."

  "So am I."

  He switched on the communicator and tuned in on the correct frequency.

  "Necronomicon, this is shuttle Jabberwocky; please come in."

  There was a few seconds of silence and then Meredith's voice came in over the speakers.

  "Hey there Jabberwocky, we read you loud and clear. How are you guys doin'?"

  "I'm not sure darlin', you better give me the Captain."

  "Sure thing, I'll put him through now." One of the small viewscreens above the control panel turned itself on and the Captain's tanned face appeared, his high cheekbones accenting his smile.

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