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Outside - The Reflection
:: 01-01-31 ::
Chapter 10: T-Mat
“Red alert! All defenses activate!” Kaalel shouted. The four rushed into the main tactical room. “Emergency evacuation of non-essential personnel to carriers. All non-evacuation ships, move to intercept. Prepare to attack!”
“Somtaaw ships responding,” Pukna Somtaaw added.
“Taiidan Republican ships online,” Shanal Alo added.
“Soban fleet ready,” Thenar Soban joined in.
“Prepare to stop the T-Mat at all costs,” Kaalel ordered.
*****
The evacuation alarm blared in the background. At once, the mass of people in the station’s informal room used for conversation began running to the exit.
“We must leave to the evacuation carriers,” said an I’ao researcher.
“Are we to leave the Beastslayer drifting in space?” asked a Taiidan. “And we have data on trans-hyperdrive there. The attackers could take it.”
“We could try to command it until the station’s officers decide what to do,” a Sjet offered.
“Were you listening to Tasiin here? We cannot use the trans-hyperdrive unless we know what it is doing-“
“There is a standard hyperdrive on the Beastslayer,” Tasiin interjected. “We can go aboard and charge the hyperspace module.”
The others started to nod slowly.
“We have little time. We must get to the ship,” he added. The group of researchers began to run into the station’s main corridor. “Datlai?”
He looked around and did not see her. “Use your security clearances and charge the hyperspace module. Wait for the shipyard’s officer to come aboard. If the station has take massive damage, launch the Beastslayer. Do not wait for me.” The others stopped for a moment, then rushed to the ship.
Tasiin was surprised at himself. Only a few days ago, he would have gone alone onto a carrier. Now he had led a group to the Beastslayer and was risking himself for another.
He searched the rapidly exiting crowd. “Datlai?”
Tasiin felt a hand lightly brush his neck. He spun around to find Datlai standing in front of him. With her were the others of kiith Limandatt aboard, as well as the Manaan she had introduced as the one who had arranged for them to come to the station.
“The researchers have gone to the Beastslayer for an emergency launch. I must go there,” Tasiin explained. He began to walk, leading them along. “You do realize you should not be on the Beastslayer,” he said.
“It is a curious mind that chooses a regulation over life,” Kanell Limandatt quoted a musing.
“Then we must hurry. I am sure the researchers will let us aboard. We can use a few people in bringing the hyperdrive online.”
*****
The Kushan and Taiidan fleets moved in huge walls towards the approaching T-Mat vessels. Giant orange crystalline structures glistened on the Megaships; the partly angular, partly organic Frigates and Destroyers slowly glided alongside. However, the Bentusi Tradeships moved between the fleets, blocking the T-Mat.
By now, it was too late to stop the battle, though. The T-Mat vessels fired their ion cannons at the defending fleets. In response, the Hiigaran and Republican ships broke into several groups, moving to attack from the sides of the T-Mat fleet. Attack bombers and Interceptors began circling the Frigates, Defenders distracting the T-Mat from them. Ion and energy cannons lashed out from the shipyard’s defense fleet.
“T-Mat, halt your attack. They are under our protection,” the Bentusi broadcast.
In response, two T-Mat Frigates and a Destroyer fired their ion cannons on the lead Bentusi ship. The Bentusi ships attacked with their own weapons; patrolling Super Acolytes swarmed several frigates. The Megaships, with their relatively weak but high coverage ion cannons, began destroying the fighters one at a time.
“Have you gone mad?” the Bentusi asked. “Unbound races do not attack like this. Unbound races do not attack one another.”
The T-Mat replied. Their voice was deep, spiteful. It sounded eerily like some of the first transmissions from the Beast, almost a whisper but one full of power.
“You threaten us. You cooperate on the Bound ones’ ship.”
“We watch over the Bound ones.”
“You have become soft and complacent. We serve all Unbound ones,” the T-Mat replied.
“You say this as you attack another Unbound race.”
“You threaten to release the Devourer again.”
“We have as much to fear as you. We risk all. Yet, we still cooperate.”
“We lost some of ourselves to the Devourer. Their memories are no more.”
Two Kushan destroyers exploded. Much of the Hiigaran fleet had taken serious damage. The Taiidan groups focused their fire on a T-Mat Frigate, which only with painfully slow speed withered away. The Bentusi Super Acolytes had been halved in number by now, although they had managed to hold back the T-Mat fleet while destroying a trio of Frigates and a Destroyer.
“Do you not see what you are doing? Are you blind?” the Bentusi asked. “Already you have erased so many memories, ended so many songs. You are killing us.”
“You will kill us,” the T-Mat said.
A Taiidan Republican Heavy Cruiser, scarred with breaches across the entire hull, rammed a T-Mat Frigate in desperation. The Frigate stopped for a few seconds, as if shuddering in great pain. Then it continued pushing forward. Across the battle, the defending ships began to retreat to the Shipyard, where the T-Mat were maneuvering to.
“You kill the Bound ones with no thought.”
“We have helped the Bound,” the T-Mat replied. “On some occasions.”
“Stop this now,” the Bentusi demanded. The T-Mat fleet continued its approach to Galactic Shipyard 0.
“We regret what we must do.”
“Even the Bound see through that lie. You regret nothing!”
*****
“The T-Mat are entering weapons range of the shipyard!” Kaalel exclaimed.
“I know! Their ships are far more powerful and far more durable,” Shanal Alo replied. “Our ships are doing little to them. Even the Bentusi have taken much damage.”
“The Beastslayer is exposed to them,” Pukna Somtaaw said.
Both Kaalel and Shanal cursed out loud. “We must launch it!” Kaalel said.
A voice came over the com channel. “I anticipated this. The research team is preparing for emergency launch.”
“Tasiin!” exclaimed Dolann Kaalel. “Thank the gods for you! But the Beastslayer needs to charge its hyperdrive module.”
“What do you think we have been doing?” Tasiin asked. “The Beastslayer can jump in 90 seconds.”
“Thank you!” Kaalel responded. “All personnel evacuate to the Beastslayer! Thenar, get the prisoners and escort them there. They might have some information we can use. Pukna, go with him. If you find any civilians, help them get to the Beastslayer.”
The command deck cleared immediately. Thenar Soban and Pukna Somtaaw hesitated for a moment. The shipyard began to shake under the T-Mat’s onslaught. “Go!” Kaalel yelled. Both hurried out.
“Tasiin, begin downloading essential things from the shipyards’ data banks. Shanal, command the fleet for a few moments, while I download a few other important things onto my personal computer for the Beastslayer. Then we’ll go.”
“Agreed,” said Shanal Alo.
*****
The Kushan and Taiidan fleets, battered, still attacked the T-Mat vessels in the rear as they fired on the Shipyard. The eight Bentusi Tradeships still pounded away on the Frigates and Destroyers, while their own vessels were scorched by the T-Mat.
But then, orange hyperspace windows opened in the battle. Emerging from them was a small fleet of capital ships of the other Unbound races in the Council. They glided into the fleets, aiming themselves at the T-Mat…
…They spun in space for a few moments, twisting violently, then attacked the Bentusi, leaving the T-Mat free to fire on the station.
“We sense anger, fear from the vessels,” the Bentusi said. “Their minds are trapped in the ships. Have you become completely mad? You have binded them!”
“It is a temporary measure,” the T-Mat said. “They will not be harmed.” Their fleet fired a salvo of ion cannons at Galactic Shipyard 0.
*****
Dolann Kaalel and Shanal Alo stepped onto the bridge of the Beastslayer. “Are we all?”
“The station is evacuated. It is also about to explode,” Thenar Soban stated.
“Emergency launch!” Dolann Kaalel commanded.
On the main viewscreen, the cratered arms of the station, aligned parallel to the Beastslayer, vented flames as the engines started. Then, the shipyard began to fall behind the viewer as the ship lurched forwards. Galactic Shipyard 0 was behind the Beastslayer.
“All ships, prepare for emergency hyperspace!” Kaalel ordered.
*****
The Bentusi Tradeships each launched a frigate-class vessel. The Cargo Barge, rarely seen in combat, was a last resort - to let some of their kind escape their burning ships. The Cargo Barges moved quickly in different directions, some of the remaining Super Acolytes trailing.
“Follow the vessel we indicate through hyperspace. The others are diversions from your fleet,” the Bentusi stated over the Shipyard’s com channel. “Summon the Council, bring them to your ship. We will distract the T-Mat.
Fighters and corvettes rushed to dock with carriers and Support Frigates. Before the fleets, the forward-thrust arms of Galactic Shipyard 0 detached, exploding.
“Go, now,” the Bentusi urged.
Hyperspace windows appeared in front of the fleet, the Beastslayer, and the Cargo Barges. The blue glows enveloped the Hiigaran and Taiidan ships, leading them to safety. The Bentusi Tradeships and remaining Super Acolytes continued firing on the T-Mat, as much of their scarred fleet began to flame.
Galactic Shipyard 0 exploded. The T-Mat vessels turned around to face the Bentusi.
“Do you see your errors?” the T-Mat asked.
“We do not err,” the Bentusi replied, still attacking.
“Your ships must regrettably be controlled to find the Bound ones. Prepare to join us for a few moments.”
The Bentusi response was like a sigh, as if they resigned to their fate.
The T-Mat ships approached.
Suddenly the Bentusi began to speak again. Their voices were full of anger and resentment at what the T-Mat had done and rebellion in them at what the T-Mat were going to do. As the T-Mat began to subvert their vessels, trying to find where the fleet went, the Bentusi replied.
“WE WILL NOT BE BOUND!”
The self-destruct of the Bentusi vessels that destroyed the crippled ships the Bentusi had been firing on. Three Megaships, seven Destroyers, and eleven Frigates exploded with the Bentusi.
Even as the T-Mat recoiled in pain, they acknowledged the Bentusi in their sacrifice. Their method, if not motive, of saving themselves and the fleet was admirable. Many sane Unbound ones would have done the same. Then, once they had paid respect in their minds, the T-Mat fleet jumped to hyperspace, in search of the Beastslayer.
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