5 Dark Shadows

Forge Command Station –

                   “Sir, we have comms coming in from supply escort Badger Three,” said the communications operator.

                  Major Sims stepped up to the navigation display, watching the images of the two Falx SC-41 Escorts blip along, protecting the cargo transport vessel.

                  “Open the channel,” he said.

                  Captain Dugan’s voice (call sign: Badger Three) came over the comms.

                   “…smooth flying. Quiet sector. We anticipate a bit of communication disruption once we skirt the solar flares, so I figured I’d-“

                   Badger Four’s voice (Captain Nadia Wren) interrupted.

                   “Bore them to death? Sorry, sir, but Badger Three gets a bit lonely out here. We’ll check in after we’ve seen the cargo docked.”

                   “Hahaha, very funny, Badger Four,” said Dugan. “If-what the hell is that?”

                   “There are three of them!” said Wren. “Initiating defensive-“

                   “They’ve got weapons locked!” said Badger Three.

                   Major Sims hurried up the short steps, to the holo display.

                   “I want eyes on this sector!” he barked. “Now!”

                   The three-dimensional, holographic display of the cargo vessel and its two Falx escorts appeared in the space before him.

                   “Unidentified opfor, count three,” reported the comms officer.

                   Three more ships, like nothing he’d ever seen, had positioned themselves on the escorts’ six.

                   Dark cockpits jutted from insectoid looking ships; barbed and sleek, with wings like vulpine talons and blackened plating so dark it threatened to swallow the stars.

                   “What are they?” he whispered.

                   “Bank right, Badger Four!” Dugan hollered through the comms.
Bank right! You’ve got-“

                   “I can’t shake them!” screamed Wren. “How the hell did they-“

                   Major Sims watched the holo display as the enemy ships unleashed a fury of gatling gun hellfire on Badger Four. The Falx disappeared in a flare of light; gone.

                   “Nadia!” cried Dugan. “Badger Three to cargo transport Athena, I’m going to try and lure them away. Boost power and make for-“

                   Cockpit alarms shrieked through the comms, drowning out Badger Three.

                   Major Sims’ face paled. Two of the ships moved in quick, flanking Badger Three. He watched as they cut in, wings like jagged crescent moons cutting through the Falx’s wings before banking back out.

                   “…cut through me like it was nothing! Can’t bank….engaging thrust-“

                   Badger Three’s ship lit up on the holographic screen. A bright flare, and then it too was gone.

                   Major Sims watched, helplessly, as the cargo transport, Athena, took enemy fire, its hull exploding in several sections along the length of it, before erupting in one, giant, bright explosion.

                   “Sir?” whispered the young communications officer. “Athena is gone. What…what are they?”

                   Major Sims stood in silence a moment, digesting what he’d just witnessed. The comms officer’s question hung in the air.

                   “Sir?”

                   Simms didn’t reply. He had no answer to give.