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The Captain
The vessel creaked and shuddered as we engaged the engines. They
are refitted Mark IV Titus Engines from the old war, older than the original
engines on this ship. They have more power, but only because the Titus
Engine series was used on dreadnaught class ships, not a lowly battle cruiser
class like our Hagane.
The engines themselves aren't so much too large or bulky so much as
just being too shaky for my taste. Operation Echo required us to be able to
quickly get into the system, hide, and report information to Admiral
Kallensky's battle group. A special operations station, which housed classified
research and projects, suddenly stopped responding two months ago. The
military couldnt move quickly and keep it under wraps, so they moved
slowly. We were to assess the situation and report to the waiting battle
group.
My first officer, Thieman, thinks that this is a suicide mission. I agree.
"Captain! We are ready to engage to full-dive engines." I hate the
feeling of going into full-dive, it's essentially faster than light travel but a
very dizzying form of it.
"Prepare to engage to full-dive engines on my mark, ensign." I key the
all ship comm system to warn the crew.
"Prepare for activation of the full-dive engines. I say again, prepare for
the activation of the full-dive engines."
"Mark, ensign." The ship shuddered even more so, and I began to feel
sick. At least I had a good seat.

Daniel Head

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The Gunner
The Hagane is the newest battle cruiser, with some of the oldest
equipment we have fitted onto it. The weapons are all older styled projectile
weapons that were deemed more effective than the new laser systems. I
dont mind, because I prefer the human manned bolt fed cannons over the
laser systems. The laser systems have too many computer and friend or foe
identification problems.
As soon as my team finished securing gun 17 an announcement
warning across my helmets view screen.
Prepare for activation of the full-dive engines. I say again, prepare for
the activation of the full-dive engines.
I immediately started yelling orders to my crew. Pellman, Lankin get
strapped into the secondary gunnery seats. Lars, get on the range finder. We
need to be ready for combat the second we get out of the dive.
Sir, what are we even doing in the Yellans system? Theres nothing
there. Pellman was the only one brave enough to ask, but it isnt like I knew
what we were doing. Operation Echo was nothing but a name and a cause of
refit to me.
Pellman, what do you think they tell us these days? All I know is that
we have to be ready for combat immediately.
Aye, sir. Pellman gave up his question and strapped into his seat on
the right. I got into the main seat, behind the main cannon. Gun 17 was a
Mark III Kivan Style Gun, with a main cannon and two secondary weapons on
it. It was a beast.
Alright, you all know the drill. Get strapped in. Get ready to feel your
brains smashed around for the next few hours, and be ready to aim and fire
effectively once it stops.

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Arrival
Sir, we have unidentified contacts. The second we arrived, every
screen was already flashing red.
How many, ensign Lein? Ensign Lein was my best operator on the
bridge, and she has served under me for three years now. Shes got
experience and shes got skills, she just doesnt have the self-control
required to be promoted.
Im seeing what looks like three battleship class ships, seven cruisers,
and dozens of smaller gunship sized ships.
Computer, connect me with engineering, now.
Aye, sir. This is engineering officer Ransin.
Officer Ransin, how long do we have until we can re-initialize the fulldive engines?
At least twelve hours, we dont have the cooling capacity that these
engines are designed to have. I cut the call, and began to panic. I had to
keep calm, but this wasnt going to go well.
Ensign Lein, have they seen us? How far away are they?
Theyre already approaching, sir. Theyll be here within forty five
minutes. Ensign Lein had a worried look on her face, and my face must have
mirrored hers by now.
First Officer, sound red alert. Launch every fighter and gunship we
have, including the drones, and get the space borne infantry loading into
assault ships.
Aye, sir. Theiman seemed to be shaking. We thought wed die here,
but this was so soon. Too soon.
The lights on the bridge dimmed to a soft red glow, and klaxons started
to wail. The red light looks eerily bloody. I wonder how much blood is going to
be spilled today.

Daniel Head

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Steel Meets Flame

All pilots, all pilots, launch immediately. This is not a drill.
Wing four, launch out of tubes and get into combat formation
thirteen. Major Miklins voice came over my helmets radio, and a launch
countdown appeared in the lower right. I didnt know what was going on yet,
but if we were launching the second we got out of dive, it couldnt be good.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Launching. Pilots no longer had to launch fighters
themselves, computers take care of that now, and our helmet tells us whats
going on.

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