Closing the Gate to Heaven

Star System: Malkalen
Location: Vicinity of the Malkalen V Asteroid Belt

Marc Colelie, a young Gallentean sensor operator relaxed idly at his station at the hidden Gallente Starbase recently deployed in Caldari space, overseeing a Star-gate under construction. His brown eyes checked the holo-screens of his console, with a very bored look in his eyes. Turning toward a colleague, an Intaki female he spoke quietly "So Giselle, are we still going to see the holo-film after our shift is over?". The woman chuckled and swatted his shoulder "I promised didn't I?". Smiles were exchanged, but slowly a small signature appeared on Marc's holo display. Turning to the display he double checked, turning toward his supervising officer, Major, I have a warp signature approaching, I've checked the arrival schedule, it's none of ours".

The Supervisor, rushed toward the operator, checking his own data, "... Damn, Caldari signature, i'm getting sensor data on the ship. It's an Ishukone scout, registered as "Flameburst". It just dropped out of warp...".
Shocked faces on the sensor operators turned toward the Major as he muttered "Dyonisus, this is Sensor control, we have a Caldari signature dropped out of warp, bearing 350 by 14, Kestrel Class, it's headed toward the star-gate. Initiate Jam. Defense groups two and three, intercept and blow it up, that bastard is already broadcasting coordinates".

As a cloud of birds of prey the Atron squadrons quickly moved away from the station. Their crews eager to take out a Caldari ship began to load their particle blasters, just as the Celestis class cruiser accompanying them prepared to reach jamming range. A volley of blaster-fire shot from around 7 km barely missed the Kestrel. Meanwhile the Caldari ship's missile launcher doors opened, loading mechanisms pushed the first Piranha Missiles down the tubes.

Meanwhile, aboard the Flameburst.

Surrounded by Bio-Gel, Keirra Lukkanen was again in her element again. Feeling every system of the ship and well aware of the Gallente ships on her tail she activated the Missile Launchers. Four Piranha missiles took flight like the voracious predatory fish they took their name from flying toward the Star-gate. Monitoring their trajectory the young Caldari woman grinned. A large explosion in proximity of the Gate and damage reports indicated the missiles hit home, putting a large dent in the Gate's shielding. However a violent shake indicated the Kestrel itself has been hit. Turning toward her sensor systems she could see no less than ten Atrons firing volley after volley at her rear shields.

She attempted to compensate, but the venerable ship was slightly slow to respond. Turning to the comms she transmitted toward her engineering deck -Compensate aft shields, reroute all other power to the engines, we need to keep them out of range-. A surprised engineer moved in to assist, fine tuning the systems as ordered, despite the nearly full control Keirra had over her ship's systems.  Another volley of missiles left the launchers soon once again hitting home....

Gallente Station - Tactical Room

A furious Gallente commodore thundered and cursed before his group of staff. Observing the Kestrel on his area display he could not believe his eyes. The Caldari pilot was executing maneuvers that avoided most of incoming fire. Reports from his field vessels indicated the ship's shields simply continued to recharge, despite their low percentage left. Four blue triangles indicated another volley of missiles. Turning toward his second in command he spoke quietly however "That Caldari is either foolishly brave or suicidal, he's firing missiles at a star-gate".

Yet his surprise and perhaps hope were soon cast off. An engineer monitoring the Star-gate's status turned with a grim face toward the Federation officers, "Sir the Gate has lost shielding, repair crews are unable to cope with the damage that frigate is inflicting. The Kestrel is using explosive warheads. Gate Foreman reports he lost about half of his repair-crews, their armour is at 10 percent".

The Gallentean could not believe his ears "My god...., what's the status on the Kestrel?". The man reported again, "Sir, she's at 20% shield, she's lost all of her armour but she's holding. I'll give credit to that Caldari engineer....". However the Commodore yelled out "Have the Dyonisus move in to engage. That Frigate can't repel the firepower of the Crui....". A large explosion on the view screen could be seen where once the Star-Gate had been. Debris hit several Atrons putting them out of comission and the shockwave approached the station, rocking it violently. From the Sensor room, Marc Colelie's voice could be heard "Commodore, the Kestrel is warping out, she's in one piece however that's the least of our problems....Caldari signatures are warping in. I am counting Two Raven-class, one Scorpion, several heavy assault ships and frigates....".

...Aboard the Flameburst.

With a crippled Kestrel, Keirra brought the ship to a full stop. Emptying her pod of bio-gel she climbed out quickly, moving to check on her crew. The bridge was a mess but soon her helmsman, Jukka approached with a sad face "Keirra, we lost our Engineer, along with the engineering control room and the mid-engine, Kyra is dead, we have three other wounded. Our capacitor his holding, shields are back online. We've also lost the entire aft section armour plating, we're on nanite reinforcing and emergency shields".

Washing away her emotions at the news of her engineer's death she spoke quietly "Regardless, Kyra died a hero, fighting for the good of the State and it's people. You all behaved exemplary. I've started our distress beacon and soon a ship should be here to help us. The Gallenteans hoped too much, we have closed their gate to heaven".

Hours later a Drake-class Battlecruiser arrived, it's tractor beam towing the damaged Kestrel back to the Ishukone Watch station. With her job done and more credits in her wallet Keirra could rest safe now, knowing Malkalen was safe.