Resurgence - Escape...?

== Escape...? ==
Emerging from the jump was hell on everyone in Stormhawk Galaxy.  The vast majority of the fleet’s personnel knew a normal jump but, this was something else.  Numerous crew members found themselves booking it to the head or nearest trash receptacle. 
Magnus hunched over, looking up at Imala, standing there with a satisfied grin on his face.  “I am guessing you are used to this?” said Magnus, clenching his teeth, his arms wrapped around his abdomen as he remained slightly hunched over.
“Yes, Galaxy Commander, you will get used to it in time as well.  Even though your crew is having difficulty right now, it looks like we are in the Hoyleton system.” Responded Imala.
“How can you read that screen?” asked Magnus, looking at the terminal Imala was looking at across the bridge.
“Many of us are brought up in the Word of Blake seeking to improve our naturally weak bodies.  I have optical enhancements outside of my mechanical arm for example.” He responded, standing still, facing the ferroglass ahead.  Imala knew to be calm and still to not cause suspicion, given the severity of the risk Magnus just undertook trusting the upgrade.
“Well, for the Stormhawk Galaxy, thank you for that. At best we would have had a pyrrhic victory there, at worst, we would never have seen more of this war.” Magnus stood and offered his hand, shaking with Imala.  “While I cannot allow your people free access to our fleet, we will ensure you have access to food, water, and other supplies as we travel towards New Avalon.”
“That is a most gracious offer, Galaxy Commander Magnus, it is deeply appreciated on behalf of Comstar.”
“Comstar… Are you planning to establish a new order in the Inner Sphere?” Magnus asked.
“Yes, Galaxy Commander, it is no secret that the old pre-Jihad order did not respect the sovereignty of the nations of the Inner Sphere, however, we will not have that issue.  We have been at work for years to reach a level of coding and programming to ensure that while Comstar will be necessary for the HPG network to function, we will not be able to use it as a tool for manipulation.” Imala explained reassuringly.
“Well then, it would be good to see the network functioning again.  You may return to your quarters, I need to check on the fleet.” Said Magnus. However, his relief of the situation seemed to quickly fade by the expression on Imala’s face.  Then the flash of light that radiated across the bridge. Galaxy Commander Magnus turned quickly to see a Sea Fox ship directly in front of the Raven’s Nest.
“What the hell am I looking at Imala?!” Magnus roared in shock.
“Galaxy Commander, I don’t know what I am looking at, they should not be here, they should not have been able to follow us!” Imala stopped as more Sea Fox ships began to emerge from their jumps.
Forcing himself to stand over his nausea, he began barking orders at the bridge crew to engage the enemy ships.  Crewmen forced themselves back to their stations as impacts from the Sea Fox vessel’s weapons began slamming into the Stormhawk fleet. Connecting to the fleet channel Magnus gave the orders for all ships to open fire on the arriving vessels.  “Fire everything we have, concentrate fire!”
Bridge staff began pairing up firing solutions with other ships, the Conqueror Star of warships hammering with everything they had. Taking a second from organizing the fleet, Magnus turned back to Imala, “So, Precentor, any ideas?”
“If they can track us this far, they will know where we are going.  However, that is the fleet’s second jump.  While the Blakist physical machinery upgrades are more efficient, those upgrades do not allow three jumps in a row.  We have to jump again.”
“Only part of our fleet is equipped with lithium batteries, some of the fleet still needs to recharge!” Magnus said in frustration, the hull quaking from a barrage of weapons fire impacts.
“Galaxy Commander, the entire fleet will be lost at this rate, they have just surpassed the Stormhawk fleet numbers.” Stated Imala quietly, to not startle any of the crew.  Magnus looked at Star Colonel McKenna who nodded in agreement.  It was clear that the time was now to decide if they would adhere to clan beliefs about not wanting to waste lives and material.
“Star Colonel, with me to the war room.” Magnus ordered, turning and walking into the room, the doors sealing behind them.  “We will not waste our warriors lives in this losing battle.  Your time has come, Galaxy Commander McKenna.  You will take the fleet to New Avalon.  I will immediately transfer to Kerensky’s Hope.”
Standing there bewildered, “Neg, Galaxy Commander, we can defeat them once we deploy the pocket warships and fighters, we have to try to save the fleet!”
“The numbers are too great, you must get this Comstar group to New Avalon.  These are my orders, Seyla, Galaxy Commander.” Magnus reached out and shook McKenna’s hand.  Dominic stood still as his hand fell back to his side from the handshake and Magnus passed by him to order the Captain to prepare a small craft for departure.  “Captain, as of now, Galaxy Commander Dominic McKenna will be in command.”
“Aff Galaxy Commander.”
“It has been an honor Captain, Seyla.” Magnus shook his hand and departed the bridge.  The Captain watched as the Galaxy Commander departed and then turned to see Dominic McKenna approach him, taking up his position next to the command console. This was his first order to the fleet under his command and it was to retreat.  He hated everything about it.
Huge waves of fire were being exchanged by the fleets, lights of all colors from missiles to lasers were flashing in the empty space between them.  Armor plating was shattering and ejecting from impacts.  Dominic looked to his console and the hologram of the battle raging outside.  Hitting necessary keys he began issuing the orders for all dropships to redock with lithium battery, jump capable vessels.  He would take as many with him as possible.
Both the Kerensky’s Hope and Storm Crow began shifting in the formation to take the brunt of the incoming weapons fire.  Dominic could see the tiny holographic icon showing the small craft with Magnus onboard entering one of the Kerensky’s Hope bays.  Then both warships began disgorging their stars of fighters, like swarms of bees. 
Moments later he began receiving notifications of commands being issued by Magnus, the jumpships and dropships that could not jump again began adding what weapons they had to the battle.  The hologram floating on the bridge showed the fleet separating as those that would be staying behind moved toward the Sea Fox fleet. Soon, weapons fire stopped slamming into the Raven ships that remained at range to focus on the closer ones. 
As Magnus’ fleet approached the Sea Foxes, every last fighter docked on any of the ships poured out to engage the attacking Sea Fox fighters.  Each dropship disengaged from the warships and jumpships, turning the up close battle into a chaotic knife fight.  Dominic forced himself, with gritted teeth to begin issuing the commands through his console to the remaining fleet ships.  “All Captains, fire one more salvo, then jump to the new coordinates.”
Slowly, each Captain pinged affirmation of the command. Each of the Lithium battery ships jumped out of the system, burning their final charge, finally out of reach of the Sea Foxes.
Resurgence Main Page
Chapter 3: Upgrade
Chapter 5: Magnus' Sacrifice
Category:Resurgence
Category:Works by Minis&Dumbbells