VC2 Chapter 18-Black Ops

Sector 2300

Planet 2315

November 12, 2052

“It's been two weeks sir and we have found no solid leads.” McClelland reported from the battle screen aboard Charlie's Nighthawk frigate.

“She's a drifter now bro. Or...what do we call it? Ah yes, a space pirate.” Papagiannis interrupted in the comms.

“You have something to say?” Charlie glared at Papagiannis.

Charlie swivelled around his command chair in annoyance when an officer approached him.

“Admiral, we have ships exiting warp ten seconds port side.” the officer alerted.

“Alright gentlemen, form up.” Charlie switched the battle screen.

Charlie's frigate flew in between Papagiannis' and McClelland's Nighthawk frigates and watched as the space left of them turned bright blue. Six Apocrypha cruisers with grey stripes exited warp and began to fire their hydra missiles.

“Contact! TFD!” Papagiannis shouted as the first wave of missiles splashed against his ship's shields.

“Break formation into kite formation. I want one by one by one strafing angle 30 degrees starboard. Do it now!” Charlie ordered as he began to turn his ship.

As the frigates began to turn away from the enemy cruisers, the mass drivers on the Nighthawk had already begun firing its penetrating rounds.

“Sir this is going to be hard kiting.” McClelland angled his ship and fired as he strafed his frigate away.

Charlie watched as one of his shots get dodged by the cruiser and shook his head in frustration. His weapons didn't have locking feature nor speed.

“Shall we call for reinforcements?” Papagiannis watched as his own round missed the enemy.

“No, we are black ops. We are dark.” Charlie immediately replied.

“I'm losing shields soon!” Papagiannis alerted.

“Warp out on my mark.” Charlie turned his ship away from the enemy cruisers in full speed.

“In three...two..” Charlie grabbed the throttle.

Suddenly a missile slammed into Charlie's engines and knocked the power out.

“I'm drifting!” Charlie jumped out of his seat.

“McClelland, we're ejecting pods. Pick us up now. Papagiannis, divert firepower now.” Charlie waved at his crew and pointed at the escape pods.

“Aye sir. I'll do my best.” Papagiannis watched as Charlie's frigate launched its escape pods.

He turned his ships forward and began to fire at the enemy cruisers while accelerating forward. McClelland quickly brought his frigate to the pods and hooked them into its cargo bay.

“My shields gone Charlie. I need to get out.” Papagiannis flew into the clear.

“Warp now.” Charlie exited his escape pod and rushed towards McClelland's bridge.

Papagiannis acknowledged the order and immediately warped out of the combat zone leaving McClelland's ship left.

“Officer on deck.” McClelland watched as Charlie entered the bridge.

“Let's get out of here.” Charlie commanded.

 “Chair's all yours sir.” McClelland got out of his chair and pointed.