Chapter 1
It was supposed to be a mission of peace; I never imagined we would be attacked the moment we entered the system. My ship, the Vinger, was a battle-class destroyer on a mission of peace with the newly discovered Kattlins, a cat-like species; little about them was known. My orders from command were not to engage in battle, but now my ship is in ruins, with multiple hull breaches. One officer screamed over the red lights as the alarms blared and violent shaking from another blast that struck our failing armour.
I am Captain Andrew Blacks, and 3 other officers are trying to hold it together as 3 Kattlin battle ships closed in for the killing blow, 6 ships destroyed, 500 lives aboard each murdered by these monsters for no reason. We followed protocol to the letter, and they just opened fire as a response.
I slumped into my chair; most systems were dead or failing, and their home would be Captl City in range. I looked around at the only survivors on the bridge, then I said Take us to their capital city; destroy the command tower! Ramming speed, I ordered my crew; they didn't argue. They were scared, knowing one more hit and we all would be space debris. The ship jolted, straining with everything it had, picking up speed as the AI voice spoke: Collision course set; 5 minutes to impact. We entered the atmosphere of Kattlin prim like an angry red star glowing brightly as the gravity took over, pulling us into a death fall towards their city, aiming for the citadel tower. I said, if they want a war, that's bad; fine, we're not going to play nicely.
I ordered my men to abandon ship. Once the bridge was empty, I made a choice that would change the tides of the system, but I didn't know it yet. I got on the communication, on an open broadcast for every soul in the city to hear that I said your kind killed 2500 men, children, and women in cold blood. Now my ship is on a collision course with your capital city. I hope this teaches you! The Humens are pissed! An alarm blared a warning: "Impact in 15 seconds. My ship collided with the tower, and the explosion was massive, sending a shockwave of fire that tore the capital city apart, sending chunks of debris raining down on the city, which caused multiple explosions. The 3-mile city was a burning tomb of fire and screaming that lasted 10 minutes, then silence.
As I was transported in time, 6 miles away and washed my ship debris fell on the city from the devastating impact of my ship and tower. Myself and my 3 surviving officers and I watched the events unfold. We felt no joy for what we did; we had no choice. That ship was our home, our life, and now it's a debris field. The Kattin capital city was reduced to rubble in moments. I looked at my hands and said Those monsters, why this was supposed to be a peaceful mission, not bloodshed.
A voice behind us spoke; my men raised their rifles and turned around as I followed suit. Right there were the elder and 5 officers, all covered in burn scars, and one had a bandaged-up arm. He said with a disdainful tone in his voice, This war was not my order. Why did you destroy our city?
My temper broke as I pointed my rifle at the elder point-blank and said that the ship has 500 lives on board; your people murdered ours. We were never armed, nor did we return fire, not once you attacked us, you... I was about to pull the trigger when the elder put his hands up and got on his knees, his voice shaken as he spoke and said We Surrender, I barked back Call off your ships and let my remaining ship live! Or I'll blow your brains out!
The elder spoke into his commcatore, and mine buzzed as the last ship in my fleet said Captain blacks, you're alive. We just found your life signs. Your ship and crew? I explained the situation. The captain said the Kattin fleet broke off their attack, returned to the planet, and, for us, were alive, but barely; one more hit, and we'd be done for.
I let out a sigh of relief as my men, Dave, Reason and Adeala, kept their rifles locked. I said to the captain, Contact command; tell them the mission failed, the Kattins' aggression on peaceful ships, The captain said Sir command ordered the capture of the survivors and Sir command is pissed.
I lowered my rifle and said Well, Elder, you wanted war; you got war. Congratulations, you just pissed off the human race. The elder was silent, and the other Kattins, now scared, trembled like children. Reason looked my way and said Sir, what do we do with them? Command will demand answers. The Elder then spoke in his native tone, then one of the Kattin females had stepped forward, her blue eye and long silver hair burnt in places, she had burns on her body and limped with a painful face. The Elder said Marlla; the other 4 stepped beside her, 2 males and 2 females. The Elder said Marlla was just a civilian who was not involved.
I looked at the Elder and demanded,d my voice full of authority, as I spoke Who attacked my fleet! One of the Kattlin males spoke up and said the council ordered the attack, and the Elder opposed it; it was all a setup. I looked at the Elder who hadn't denied or spoken. He looked at me and said I tried to stop it. Our military was already disbanded. There was nothing I could do. I'm just an elder of one accord of my planet's council.
Andrew was already on the comms with the ship in orbit, discussing the situation with the Captain, who was now trying to keep his surviving crew and ship intact. Adeala, a 6-foot-tall man with gray eyes, a muscular build, and a clear stare, sent a chill down even my spine. After remaining silent the entire time, his voice croaked a little. Sir, is my wife she? I looked at him and stared deeply into my communicator, asking the question. The Captain's voice returned and said She's dead, sir; the last volley ripped thow the air. She was in the no survivors. Adeala walked up to the elder, reached out, choked him and lifted him in the air.
His voice was cold as he spoke and said Give me one reason why I shouldn't strangle every one of you, I spoke up and said Officer, stand down; that's an order! Adeala dropped the Elder. He fell, gasping for air, the red marks on his neck raw. Adeala's grip held him.
Marlla cried out, her voice soft like a whisper as she spoke, and said Stop killing each other; itwon't solve anything. We're not the enemy! Dave had his gun pointed at him, and he had been quiet and lowered it, and said, " I've had enough. I knew Dave for years. He was always the leader of the Crew, top of his class at the academy and served the military on Earth for 15 years. I valued his expertise most. Dave held his rifle and said Sir, let's return to Earth. Leave them;m enough damage has been done.
I agreed with Dave, as did Andre; Adeala had his arms folded and a stern, expressionless look on his face once agen. I had the other tend a transport shuttle 15 minutes later; the shuttle arrived, and we boarded. I was the last on board when The Elder spoke as I was about to seal the airlock. He said Take them with you, I looked at my crew, who nodded. Adeala was disappointed that I said no, you did enough damage as I closed the airlock, locking 3 girls' lips through it, slamming into the bulkhead as the door locked shut.
Adeala grabbed his rifle, and I said What the hell?? I said, Get off my ship! Marlla said, standing up, We're already dead; the Council will silence all loose ends. The Elder and 2 male Kattlin suddenly dropped dead from a volley of gunfire that also struck the shuttle hull. Dave said She's not lying, Sir. One more minute, we've been dead too. I'm picking up life signs closing in fast,
I said, taking the co-pilot seat, Get us out of here NOW! The shuttle lifted off and shot up at high speeds. Moments later, it docked with the Ramble. The ship was a wreck from the battle, but functional enough. Adeala took the 3 Kattlins to the brig as Dave and Andrew followed. I went to Bridge One in the Bridge. Captain Ross said You made it. What are the stats? I said Get us the hell out of here before the Kattlins return to finish us off. Ross orders set the course for Earth's maximum speed.
The Ramblers grunted and jerked the shot out of the system like a bullet just as the Kattin Battle ships came into range. The commander of the lead ship stood on his bridge as he watched the Ramblers escape. His officer said They jumped to warp, sir. We can't pressure them. Are ships no match for their faster ship, orders, Sir?
The Commander slammed his fist on the console in frustration, cursing profanely at his crew. He said, " What's the collateral damage done? A 2nd officer said the capital city has been destroyed by the impact of the human ship. Sir, they knew where to hit us. The Commander spat on the floor in a fit of rage and said Not a part of the plan, Humans; we undemastated them.
A 3rd Kattlin female officer spoke up and said Sir, the traders have been eliminated, but 3 three escaped on that human ship, The Commander swore agen and then stood up and said Follow them and destroy that ship! The 2nd officer spoke and said Sir, that's not possible where.. The Commander yelled and said Dmit, I gave an order: follow or die; pick one! A shot was fired, not from the commander, and the 2nd officer fell dead. The commander turned around, and an elder stood in the doorway of the bridge. Hehe, said you morones can do a simple job,
You were paid to capture the humans, not destroy them, and now you imbeciles let 2 of our ambassadors escape with a nearly dead human ship that barely made it far. The Commander said You idiots herded him. Follow that human ship!
