Smoke filled the command deck of the Leonidas. Half the controls were dead the same could be said of most of the crew. Is anyone else alive? Maybourne called as he scrambled out from where hed fallen when an explosion somewhere above the bridge in the ship had caved in one side of the compartment. He grimaced as he saw Harjit, a serene expression on her aged face and long shards of metal buried in her unmoving chest.
I am well, Tealc rumbled, pulling himself from underneath another compartment. He looked around and then crossed to Daniels chair, checking for a pulse.
The ship rocked again and Maybourne grimaced as he looked at the monitor. Its just us and the Stelios left, he said. That was the Thermoplyae I guess.
The Leonidas was a mess. Five of her turrets had been pounded to scrap and this was far from the only compartment that had been battered. Most of her command tower (fortunately it was mostly unoccupied during combat operations) had been ablaze before Fumizukis damage control teams had managed to cut off the flow of air to the broken compartments. She was better off than the Stelios however. As far as anyone could tell, the cruiser had lost everthing but a tiny handful of point defense mounts and hadnt been able to do more than move clumsily to block Goauld shots deliberately imposing itself to keep the Leonidas alive long enough to exact more vengeance on those who were killing her.
Shakuntala groaned, blood silling down her forehead as she stood up from her own chair though the seat itself was intact, it had come loose from the floor at some point and spilled her across the deck. I dont believe that there is much more we can do here, she said.
A few things yet, came a pained voice from a fallen ceiling panel. Tealc left the side of the unconcious Daniel to drag it away, revealing the tangled mess that was Ayodhya. Captain Fumizuki lay half across his commander but it was clear that he had breathed his last. No, dont try to move me, he warned. I think my backs broken.
Maybourne looked around. No one else was moving. Were down to just us and one cruiser, he reported. Three of the main turrets are firing under local control. He paused and then shook his head. Sorry, just us. The cruisers breaking up.
Reaching out with one hand, Ayodhya couldnt quite reach the headset he sought. Tealc picked it up and carefully set it on him. Is this thing working? the Goauld asked huskily and the corner of his lips twitched as he heard his voice from the sole loudspeaker still working on the bridge. I hope so. This has been a brave run, but its almost over. And now I must lay a stern burden on you to survive. To carry the word home to our loved ones. This is an order. All officers are to evacuate every non-essential member of the crew. Use the ring transporters, use the escape pods our fighters will guard you as best they can. I repeat, this is an order. Our comrades already have a funeral pyre of enough Goauld and their Jaffa to climb to heaven upon. They wont thank you for adding your bodies to it.
That means you too, he added to Tealc and Shakuntala. I think you can find the Ring Transporters. If that fails, you know how to find the escape pods Princess. Its likely that you can hold out on Angrezi for a while the System Lords are stupid enough that theyll be more interested in squabbling over the spoils than in breaking your resistance.
Surely there must be some way to get you to the tranporters? Shakuntala begged, clutching at his hand.
No, he said with grim certainty. Its not just my spine thats gone. Besides, this ship is my home. I will not be driven from it by the False Gods. Besides, a last stand like this will be sung of for a thousand years. If the cowardly little worms are this afraid of me now, lets see how they feel about me when theyve made me a legend. Maybourne, he added, louder. See if you can put me on widebeam broadcast before you go, Ive got a few things to get off my chest before I go.
If its all the same to you, Maybourne said, Ill stay a little longer. Now, if I was a communications panel, where would I be?
Ayodhya started to laugh and then spat up a gobbet of blood that dribbled down his chin. Try the flag deck, he said, jerking his head towards the stations behind the dais. I think it didnt catch as much of the damage.
Got it, Maybourne said and reached one of the panel. Aha. Okay, its ready when you are.
In a moment, Ayodhya said and looked up at the others. Well? Are you waiting for something? Get out of here!
Tealc lifted Daniel easily in his arms and carried him off the bridge. Shakuntala paused and then knelt by Ayodhyas side, whispering to him. Maybourne had to turn away as he headed for what was left of the helm but he was cagy enough to notice blood on her lips when she rose and followed Tealc.
Youre a strange man, Colonel, Ayodhya observed, his voice weakening. According to von Pinn, ever since you were brought aboard the Leonidas, youve been trying to escape from her. And now when you can leave with my blessing, I cant get rid of you.
Im contrary like that, Maybourne said and the two men watched one of the last screens display a Hatak drifting away from the fight, engines on fire.
How many does that make? the Admiral asked. I lost count there.
Not counting the ones that are just trying to get out of here, I think they have about thirty left, Maybourne told him. Didnt you have something to say to them?
Ah yes, he muttered. Now how did that go? He activated the microphone. Strike me down and I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine
.oOo.
What the hell is he quoting Obi-Wan for? Jack asked as he raked at the shields of one of the Hatak with his cannon. They were both long since out of torpedos and there wasnt anywhere in orbit to obtain reloads since the Thermoplye had exploded.
Dont you remember what happens next in the film? Sam asked. Judging by the escape pods, the Leonidas isnt going to last much longer.
Christ! exclaimed Jack. Danny and Tealc are still aboard!
All fighters, one of the few remaining squadron leaders signalled. Change of orders. Form up around the escape pods, if any of those damned Goauld want at them, well make them pay the price of threatening our comrades.
Wed better hope that they made it aboard one of those pods, Sam said and broke away from Jack towards the refugees from the Leonidas. After a moment he pulled around and took up position on her wing.
Only one of the Hatak tried to go after the escape pods and it backed off when the rear left turret of the Leonidas one of only two still firing swung around and started battering at its shields. The Leonidas itself was still moving forwards and the Hataks started to scatter out of its path, wary that whoever was at the helm would try to repeat the feat of the Dilios. Not all of them were fast enough however and the battered destroyer didnt even slow down as it sheared away one of the projections of a crippled Hatak, the only evidence of the impact being a few new scars along its already blackened prow.
It isnt going to make it, Sam observed.
Explosions ran down the flank of the destroyer as it fought to bring its nose down. And then one Hatak halted sharply right in front of the Leonidas. Its engines were straining, the power levels spiking sharply, but it was held in place as the Leonidas lumbered down upon it.
Must have got caught in a tractor beam, Jack noted. Or maybe something funky with the deflector dish.
Sir, the Leonidas is a Star Destroyer. It doesnt have a deflector dish.
It isnt going to have much of anything in a minute, pointed out Jack. Whoa, whats that
That was another Hatak closing in on the Leonidas, quite fast. To be more precise, heading for the gap between the Leonidas and its target. Whatever force had been drawing in the intended target was interrupted by the second Hatak and the first ship sprang away suddenly, almost hitting a third Hatak. The second ship didnt quite make it out of the way however and the Leonidas speared into the outer structure immediately behind the central pyramid, smashing through with its forward quarter a shattered wreck. The Hatak tumbled and its blunt nose came down on the Leonidas last turret, silencing it.
In the end it was the third Hatak, the one that had almost been struck by the Leonidas original target, that was the most unfortunate because in evading that collision the helmsman had not registered how the Leonidas course had been altered by its own collision until it was almost too late.
The two ships didnt hit each other. But the Hatak was less than half a mile away when the hyperdrive of the Leonidas exploded.
The only identifiable part of the Leonidas to survive was the command tower, that promptly destroyed itself by slamming into the still tumbling Hatak that the destroyer had hit only seconds before. The third Hatak had taken the direct force of the explosion however and what was left of it smashed into yet another Hatak.
.oOo.
You dont think you were cutting it a little fine do you? von Pinn asked as Tealc half-carried the still groggy Daniel into the Padishahs command centre. Then he paused. Wheres the Admiral?
AdmiralAyodhya remained aboard, Tealc told him, letting Shakuntala move past him towards her father.
Von Pinn grimaced. Then hes dead, he said and pointed to the tactical display. There was a distinct lack of icons to represent Confederate capital ships although a cluster of fighter icons were heading for the safety of Angrezis surface. There were still almost forty Hatak in evidence although at least a quarter had the amber markings around them that signified significant battle damage.
Thats doesnt look good, Daniel observed. Are Jack and Sam okay out there?
As far as I can tell, theyre with the other fighters, von Pinn told them. Lets just hope that the Goauld dont keep their heads though because if they rush us now -
Hyperspace windows opening! called an officer and von Pinn whirled.
In or out? he asked urgently.
Rather than replying, the officer began updating the display. White spots opened above the Goauld fleet and unidentified vessels appeared.
Reinforcements, von Pinn muttered. But for who?
Then the icons flickered and were replaced with Confederate icons and identifiers as their IFF systems contacted the Angrezis computers.
Who are they? Daniel asked. Theyre friendly, right?
Gods of my ancestors! von Pinn said. Its an entire fleet! Six carriers, four cruisers Six Destroyers! Unrepentant, Damned, Olympic Admiral von Lohengramms battle-group and Lieutenant-Admiral Kiercheiss destroyer group. Those look like Mllers carriers as well. Oh, the System Lords are fucked now!
Were receiving a video transmission, one of the console operators reported.
Put it on the main screen, the Padishah ordered and a moment later, the display revealed a young man with golden hair wearing the uniform of a Confederate Admiral.
Padishah, the man said, bowing. I have the honour of being Admiral Reinhard von Lohengramm. My forces were striking at one of the Goauld staging areas when I discovered that their forces had already departed for Angrezi. I regret that my best speed has not brought me here in time to join forces with Admiral Ayodhya. With your permission, I shall now clear these rabble from your skies.
Admiral, you have not only my permission but my wholehearted support, the Padishah replied. I only regret that Admiral Ayodhya and Lord Nekhrun are not alive to receive you.
Look at those Goauld run! someone called and everyones eyes went to the display where the System Lord flotillas were scattering, leaving their crippled behind.
Von Lohengramms grey eyes were very cold as he ordered his ships to close in on the fleeing vessels.
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.
I am well, Tealc rumbled, pulling himself from underneath another compartment. He looked around and then crossed to Daniels chair, checking for a pulse.
The ship rocked again and Maybourne grimaced as he looked at the monitor. Its just us and the Stelios left, he said. That was the Thermoplyae I guess.
The Leonidas was a mess. Five of her turrets had been pounded to scrap and this was far from the only compartment that had been battered. Most of her command tower (fortunately it was mostly unoccupied during combat operations) had been ablaze before Fumizukis damage control teams had managed to cut off the flow of air to the broken compartments. She was better off than the Stelios however. As far as anyone could tell, the cruiser had lost everthing but a tiny handful of point defense mounts and hadnt been able to do more than move clumsily to block Goauld shots deliberately imposing itself to keep the Leonidas alive long enough to exact more vengeance on those who were killing her.
Shakuntala groaned, blood silling down her forehead as she stood up from her own chair though the seat itself was intact, it had come loose from the floor at some point and spilled her across the deck. I dont believe that there is much more we can do here, she said.
A few things yet, came a pained voice from a fallen ceiling panel. Tealc left the side of the unconcious Daniel to drag it away, revealing the tangled mess that was Ayodhya. Captain Fumizuki lay half across his commander but it was clear that he had breathed his last. No, dont try to move me, he warned. I think my backs broken.
Maybourne looked around. No one else was moving. Were down to just us and one cruiser, he reported. Three of the main turrets are firing under local control. He paused and then shook his head. Sorry, just us. The cruisers breaking up.
Reaching out with one hand, Ayodhya couldnt quite reach the headset he sought. Tealc picked it up and carefully set it on him. Is this thing working? the Goauld asked huskily and the corner of his lips twitched as he heard his voice from the sole loudspeaker still working on the bridge. I hope so. This has been a brave run, but its almost over. And now I must lay a stern burden on you to survive. To carry the word home to our loved ones. This is an order. All officers are to evacuate every non-essential member of the crew. Use the ring transporters, use the escape pods our fighters will guard you as best they can. I repeat, this is an order. Our comrades already have a funeral pyre of enough Goauld and their Jaffa to climb to heaven upon. They wont thank you for adding your bodies to it.
That means you too, he added to Tealc and Shakuntala. I think you can find the Ring Transporters. If that fails, you know how to find the escape pods Princess. Its likely that you can hold out on Angrezi for a while the System Lords are stupid enough that theyll be more interested in squabbling over the spoils than in breaking your resistance.
Surely there must be some way to get you to the tranporters? Shakuntala begged, clutching at his hand.
No, he said with grim certainty. Its not just my spine thats gone. Besides, this ship is my home. I will not be driven from it by the False Gods. Besides, a last stand like this will be sung of for a thousand years. If the cowardly little worms are this afraid of me now, lets see how they feel about me when theyve made me a legend. Maybourne, he added, louder. See if you can put me on widebeam broadcast before you go, Ive got a few things to get off my chest before I go.
If its all the same to you, Maybourne said, Ill stay a little longer. Now, if I was a communications panel, where would I be?
Ayodhya started to laugh and then spat up a gobbet of blood that dribbled down his chin. Try the flag deck, he said, jerking his head towards the stations behind the dais. I think it didnt catch as much of the damage.
Got it, Maybourne said and reached one of the panel. Aha. Okay, its ready when you are.
In a moment, Ayodhya said and looked up at the others. Well? Are you waiting for something? Get out of here!
Tealc lifted Daniel easily in his arms and carried him off the bridge. Shakuntala paused and then knelt by Ayodhyas side, whispering to him. Maybourne had to turn away as he headed for what was left of the helm but he was cagy enough to notice blood on her lips when she rose and followed Tealc.
Youre a strange man, Colonel, Ayodhya observed, his voice weakening. According to von Pinn, ever since you were brought aboard the Leonidas, youve been trying to escape from her. And now when you can leave with my blessing, I cant get rid of you.
Im contrary like that, Maybourne said and the two men watched one of the last screens display a Hatak drifting away from the fight, engines on fire.
How many does that make? the Admiral asked. I lost count there.
Not counting the ones that are just trying to get out of here, I think they have about thirty left, Maybourne told him. Didnt you have something to say to them?
Ah yes, he muttered. Now how did that go? He activated the microphone. Strike me down and I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine
.oOo.
What the hell is he quoting Obi-Wan for? Jack asked as he raked at the shields of one of the Hatak with his cannon. They were both long since out of torpedos and there wasnt anywhere in orbit to obtain reloads since the Thermoplye had exploded.
Dont you remember what happens next in the film? Sam asked. Judging by the escape pods, the Leonidas isnt going to last much longer.
Christ! exclaimed Jack. Danny and Tealc are still aboard!
All fighters, one of the few remaining squadron leaders signalled. Change of orders. Form up around the escape pods, if any of those damned Goauld want at them, well make them pay the price of threatening our comrades.
Wed better hope that they made it aboard one of those pods, Sam said and broke away from Jack towards the refugees from the Leonidas. After a moment he pulled around and took up position on her wing.
Only one of the Hatak tried to go after the escape pods and it backed off when the rear left turret of the Leonidas one of only two still firing swung around and started battering at its shields. The Leonidas itself was still moving forwards and the Hataks started to scatter out of its path, wary that whoever was at the helm would try to repeat the feat of the Dilios. Not all of them were fast enough however and the battered destroyer didnt even slow down as it sheared away one of the projections of a crippled Hatak, the only evidence of the impact being a few new scars along its already blackened prow.
It isnt going to make it, Sam observed.
Explosions ran down the flank of the destroyer as it fought to bring its nose down. And then one Hatak halted sharply right in front of the Leonidas. Its engines were straining, the power levels spiking sharply, but it was held in place as the Leonidas lumbered down upon it.
Must have got caught in a tractor beam, Jack noted. Or maybe something funky with the deflector dish.
Sir, the Leonidas is a Star Destroyer. It doesnt have a deflector dish.
It isnt going to have much of anything in a minute, pointed out Jack. Whoa, whats that
That was another Hatak closing in on the Leonidas, quite fast. To be more precise, heading for the gap between the Leonidas and its target. Whatever force had been drawing in the intended target was interrupted by the second Hatak and the first ship sprang away suddenly, almost hitting a third Hatak. The second ship didnt quite make it out of the way however and the Leonidas speared into the outer structure immediately behind the central pyramid, smashing through with its forward quarter a shattered wreck. The Hatak tumbled and its blunt nose came down on the Leonidas last turret, silencing it.
In the end it was the third Hatak, the one that had almost been struck by the Leonidas original target, that was the most unfortunate because in evading that collision the helmsman had not registered how the Leonidas course had been altered by its own collision until it was almost too late.
The two ships didnt hit each other. But the Hatak was less than half a mile away when the hyperdrive of the Leonidas exploded.
The only identifiable part of the Leonidas to survive was the command tower, that promptly destroyed itself by slamming into the still tumbling Hatak that the destroyer had hit only seconds before. The third Hatak had taken the direct force of the explosion however and what was left of it smashed into yet another Hatak.
.oOo.
You dont think you were cutting it a little fine do you? von Pinn asked as Tealc half-carried the still groggy Daniel into the Padishahs command centre. Then he paused. Wheres the Admiral?
AdmiralAyodhya remained aboard, Tealc told him, letting Shakuntala move past him towards her father.
Von Pinn grimaced. Then hes dead, he said and pointed to the tactical display. There was a distinct lack of icons to represent Confederate capital ships although a cluster of fighter icons were heading for the safety of Angrezis surface. There were still almost forty Hatak in evidence although at least a quarter had the amber markings around them that signified significant battle damage.
Thats doesnt look good, Daniel observed. Are Jack and Sam okay out there?
As far as I can tell, theyre with the other fighters, von Pinn told them. Lets just hope that the Goauld dont keep their heads though because if they rush us now -
Hyperspace windows opening! called an officer and von Pinn whirled.
In or out? he asked urgently.
Rather than replying, the officer began updating the display. White spots opened above the Goauld fleet and unidentified vessels appeared.
Reinforcements, von Pinn muttered. But for who?
Then the icons flickered and were replaced with Confederate icons and identifiers as their IFF systems contacted the Angrezis computers.
Who are they? Daniel asked. Theyre friendly, right?
Gods of my ancestors! von Pinn said. Its an entire fleet! Six carriers, four cruisers Six Destroyers! Unrepentant, Damned, Olympic Admiral von Lohengramms battle-group and Lieutenant-Admiral Kiercheiss destroyer group. Those look like Mllers carriers as well. Oh, the System Lords are fucked now!
Were receiving a video transmission, one of the console operators reported.
Put it on the main screen, the Padishah ordered and a moment later, the display revealed a young man with golden hair wearing the uniform of a Confederate Admiral.
Padishah, the man said, bowing. I have the honour of being Admiral Reinhard von Lohengramm. My forces were striking at one of the Goauld staging areas when I discovered that their forces had already departed for Angrezi. I regret that my best speed has not brought me here in time to join forces with Admiral Ayodhya. With your permission, I shall now clear these rabble from your skies.
Admiral, you have not only my permission but my wholehearted support, the Padishah replied. I only regret that Admiral Ayodhya and Lord Nekhrun are not alive to receive you.
Look at those Goauld run! someone called and everyones eyes went to the display where the System Lord flotillas were scattering, leaving their crippled behind.
Von Lohengramms grey eyes were very cold as he ordered his ships to close in on the fleeing vessels.
D for Drakensis
You're only young once, but immaturity is forever.