“Fire!”
Sarah watched her screens light up as the War Angel’s energy cannons flared to life.
“The energy cannons on the War Angel and her class of ships were really basic,” Jack had told her when they first began seriously planning the mission. “There are four of them, and they have pretty much a 360 degree firing radius. Very difficult, if not impossible, to get below them. Made it tough for Omegan fighter craft. They had to directly engage and hope to not get shot down. One cannon near the front on the top of the hull, one on the port side, one on the starboard, and one near the rear and on the bottom of the ship. It extends on a hydraulic arm when necessary so that it can hit targets behind the ship.”
She whistled. “Have to give the First Perioders credit- they weren’t kidding around.”
“Only eight ships, I imagine they had to go for broke in every aspect of building.”
“Do they fire bursts, or are they straight laser cannons?”
Jack brightened. “Both. Tactical officer sets the mode. Laser for specific targeting, bursts for bombardment.”
Cannon one and cannon four’s beams struck the Omegan ship with full force. The red bolts of energy pounded the enemy’s hull, sending chunks of twisted and damaged metal flying off the craft and spiraling into the distance. The Omegans, caught off-guard by the War Angel’s unexpected resistance, flailed about for a moment as their ship listed on its axis.
As the B-class cruiser suddenly struggled to right itself, though, the Omegans caught their first bit of good fortune as the War Angel caught their first bit of bad.
“Oh no!” Sarah yelled. “Missed shot! Missed shot!”
“What?!” Jack yelled.
“The first two hits moved their ship, making cannon four miss. And cannon three didn’t fire! I’m showing a malfunction in the energy transfer circuits!”
“We’re fucked,” Gina said glumly.
“Belay that!” Jack snarled at her. “Move us with them. Keep our weak side away from them, close in and be prepared for-“
The War Angel lurched and rocked as the Omegans opened fire and scored direct hits on their target. Alarms began wailing throughout the ship.
“Shield status?” Jack screamed above the din.
“Holding!” Sarah replied. “Strength is fine, but at this range, we’re going to feel the pounding. Inertial dampeners can only do so much!”
“Everybody strap yourselves in!” Jack ordered. “Return fire, Sarah! We’ve got to hit our target. Gina- pull in at point blank! If we’re right on top of them, their fighters will have no room to maneuver.” He looked back at Sarah. “Just in case they get some launched.”
She nodded at him. “Ready, Captain.”
“Fire at will,” he replied.
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