Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
--------------<br />
Emily's smile was savage as Phase Two swung into action.<br />
"It's working, Angwar. By the Maker, it's working."<br />
Her Provost shuddered at the battle lust in the First Guardian's voice, and mutely nodded in<br />
response. It was indeed working. As one, the Home Fleet opened fire with everything that they<br />
had. Missiles streaked out and detonated among ships that never even saw them coming. Plasma<br />
cannons fired at unprotected bellies.<br />
What did the most damage though was the new gravitic weapons system each of the human<br />
Guardian ships carried.<br />
"All hands brace for emergency deceleration!"<br />
-------------<br />
<strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Cross</strong> bucked and heaved as missiles struck around her. Her personal escorts, the two<br />
heavy cruisers and single destroyer did their best, but more and more energy weapons were<br />
hitting her shields. Still, that was nothing compared to what they'd just done.<br />
A hundred and ten Guardian ships had opened fire as one. Their missiles and plasma cannons<br />
were only a sideshow though, compared to what the new gravitic weapons systems did. Each of<br />
the Guardians mounted one in their hammerhead-shaped bow, which was completely different<br />
than the smooth sleek bow of the Tiri Guardian ships.<br />
The beams tore at the Bak'ra ships. Punching through the gravitic shielding on their flanks and<br />
into the ships themselves, then through the other side.<br />
Julie tried not to think about what she was doing, not to focus on the lives she was ending.<br />
"Full acceleration!"<br />
The Home Fleet leapt forward, actually passing through the Bak'ra formation. In the years to<br />
come afterwards no one would be able to put together exactly what happened. Never before in<br />
Tiri history had two fleets actually physically passed through one another. The Home Fleet<br />
accelerated directly at the Bak'ra fleet, cutting a swath of dead and dying ships through it. Like a<br />
scalpel slicing through a large predator, they forced their way through the very center of the<br />
Bak'ra force. Right behind them were the ships of the Expeditionary Fleet, having reversed<br />
course.<br />
They didn't escape unharmed, a dozen Guardian's died in the fight, but the combined fleet<br />
managed to break through the other side. Leaving a hole in the middle of the Bak'ra formation<br />
behind them. The two battered and nearly broken fleets raced away from each other. The
Change language