The Proud Aggressor dodged lithely through the burning fragments of human and Dhayut vessels. Suddenly, it shuddered as another volley of Shatterforce laser fire hammered its shields. The destroyer responded in kind, its Titan beams slicing through the hull of the closest Supremacy frigate like a surgeon's laser. One of the beams found the frigate's fuel bunker and the ship detonated in a brilliant fireball.
"Sir, target destroyed. Our shields are at 20%!"
There were still 6 Supremacy ships left. This included the second troopship that had just jumped into the system. The Striker battalions on Zentabia could hold off the ground assault contingent of one Supremacy troopship... but certainly not two.
Captain Sterling's clarion voice cut through the controlled chaos on the bridge. "Give me Fleet status!"
"The New Delhi and the Tianjin are no longer responding to comms. Sensors report all other vessels are either adrift or broken apart. We're the only ones left, sir."
Captain Sterling grimaced. The Fleet had destroyed 6 Dhayut ships- 7, just now- and had lost 8 in return. A bloody price to pay, and it wasn't going to be enough. The Proud Aggressor had been salvaged from an ancient battlefield several years ago. Having once belonged to some unknown alien civilization, it was fantastically advanced. Although it was barely larger than a standard frigate, it had the firepower and shielding of a cruiser, and was nearly as fast and maneuverable as a Blackwasp starfighter. However, not even the Proud Aggressor could take on 6 Dhayut warships by itself.
Sterling knew that his next command would doom both the ship and its crew, but if they didn't stop at least one of the two remaining troopships, then the Spiders would retake Zentabia. All this sacrifice would be for nothing. Even now the two transports were turning toward the planet.
"Helm, set a direct intercept course for that troop carrier to starboard."
"Sir! The remaining enemy warships have formed a line between us and the target. We would pass directly in front of their guns!"
"Thank you, Lieutenant. Put me on internal vox."
A chime not unlike an old-fashioned naval whistle sounded throughout the ship. "This is the Captain speaking. We have destroyed several enemy vessels, but the rest of the Fleet has been taken out of action. We are going to attempt to intercept one of the enemy's planetary assault ships. The remaining enemy warships are blocking our path to the target, so the odds are heavily against us. You have all fought with honor and courage befitting Humanity's greatest naval traditions. If you wish to make your way to an escape pod, I authorize you to do so now. We are beginning our attack run in twenty seconds. That is all."
As Sterling cut the link to the vox, the Sensors officer was frantically tracking a new contact. "Sir, there is another ship coming in!"
"Nothing we can do about that now. It has been an honor serving with all of you. Initiate intercept course!"
"Sir! Contact's IFF is Terran Republic! It's the Retribution!!!"
