KINDLING
STARDATE 08.12.24
OMEGA REGENESIS
The sleek, metallic, crab-like starship which was the Kindling spun around and around like a corkscrew. Beams of fire flew past her like blazing spears thrown through the darkness of space. The Kindling faded in and out of existence, at times looking transparent and at other times looking completely solid.
“Keep the Iso-Chrono Manipulator fluctuating between Level 1 and Level 2 based on our distance to the Ramoreen Battlecruiser,” Captain Hafnyr commanded. “Do not switch to Level 0 under any circumstances!”
“Two Fire Torpedoes homing in on us from aft! Distance sixty thousand kilometers and closing!” Husk announced, staring at his tactical console with his multiple eyes. His station had to be elevated higher due to his large height.
Captain Hafnyr formed a stern expression on his plant like face. He was only half the size of Husk. But size wasn’t everything.
In the opening moments of the battle, the Kindling had to slow down in order to launch a Wild Weasel, saving them from a massive concentration of Fire Torpedoes. However, this shifted the initiative to the Ramoreen, who took advantage of the opportunity by hammering three of the Kindling’s Shields as it circled around. Fortunately, the Kindling’s Hardened Shields absorbed the punishment and its Shield Generator immediately began to slowly rebuild the damaged areas. The Kindling’s Enhanced Movement allowed it to accelerate quickly and get back into the fight. Lucky hits with two Reality Disruption Waves leaked lethal energy through the Ramoreen’s Shields, destroying two of their Fire Torpedoes and one Fire Phaser. Still, the Ramoreen Battlecruiser was a deadly opponent not to be underestimated, even while wounded.
“Oto, continue evasive maneuvers, but prepare to perform a High Energy Turn on my mark,” Captain Hafnyr said to his flittering Helmsman.
Vesper, who was standing right beside Captain Hafnyr, gave him a concerned look but said nothing. The albino, female, bat creature stood nearly as tall as Husk, but was much more frail.
“Zep, analysis on the incoming Fire Torpedoes. Are they Pseudo Fire Torpedoes?”
The floating balloon entity looked through a peculiar binocular-like device attached to his console. He replied to the Captain in a hollow voice. “Laboratories analyzing, Captain. Results inconclusive at the moment. They need more time.”
We don’t have that time, Captain Hafnyr thought. He touched a button allowing him to speak to Engineering.
“Grimm, I’m going to need all the Reserve Power you can muster. Did you prepare the ‘special package’ as I instructed?”
A deep voice replied. In Engineering, Grimm was handling multiple tasks at once, changing his body back and forth from rubber to plastic to concrete to teflon to silk to wool. “Affirmative, Captain. But I cannot guarantee the results. I previously informed you of the possibilities.”
“That you did, Grimm. Just hold the Kindling together. Bridge out.”
Captain Hafnyr stared at the View Screen for a moment before issuing further commands in a confident voice.
“Divert all remaining Reserve Power to the Forward Shield. Pandora, execute High Energy Turn. Bring us about one hundred eighty degrees.”
The Navigator glanced back at the Captain with a confused look on her smooth, young face. Her pink hair flowed down past her shoulders. “But Captain, that will put us on a head on collision course with the two approaching Fire Torpedoes!”
YES, MY LOVELY, INHUMAN NAVIGATOR, CAPTAIN HAFNYR THOUGHT AS A SMILE FORMED ON HIS FACE. IT MOST CERTAINLY WILL…
