Commodore Wilhuf Larris looked at the viewscreen of his Apocalypse-class' vessel bridge, snorting. Before him the very familiar shape of a Drake-class Battlecruiser came into view and he grinned "Lock on their aft section, scan their shield modulation, adjust lasers to match. Fire-at-will!". The red beams shooting from the Tachyon batteries connected with the Caldari vessel, striking home. The aft shielding of the Trident shimmered from the brunt of the impact and soon sensor reports were relayed to the Amarrian officer. With a wave of his hand he gestured "Continue shooting until you melt the armour plating as well, this is what that insolent Civire woman gets for crossing Lord Sarum".
A violent shake, sparks flying all around the ISS Mara indicated the results of the Amarrian's volley. The Caldari and Minmatar crew rushed to battle stations without orders from the bridge. Sitting high up in her command chair Keirra growled, now annoyed. She had been attacked without warning, by a potentially allied vessel. No feelings could be heard in her soft but cold toned voice "Bring us about, divert all energy to shields and propulsion. Tactical, get me a firing solution on that bastard, Pattern Alpha-Five".
The young tactical officer tried to joke and responded "Calculating firing solution, pattern suicide, we're flying at an Amarrian battleship, you lost your mind Captain".
Keirra's eyes now darted across data arriving from the tactical post and she nodded to herself "Reinforce fore shields, raise Photon Scattering and Heat dissipation fields. Load Havocs, get us within ten kilometers of that Apocalypse. Helm evasive paneuvers!". Moving toward the forward area of the bridge she rested her hand on her helmsman's shoulder "I have faith in you Larki, it is your time to shine. I have no time for the Hydrostatic pod". Clenching her fists, the girl's intense gaze began following overlay data from the main viewscreen, keeping an eye on the tactical data.
Much more agile than the lumbering Amarrian behemoth the Drake began turning into a zig-zag pattern, seven jet engine contrails indicating that the first missiles had been launched. Each missile bore besides it's standard markings ancient Caldari glyphs, each a part of the code of the warriors of old. Besides each Caldari glyphs lay Minmatar tribal writing, put there in honour of the Minmatar crew. With brute force all missiles struck the Apocalypse's armour a torrent of energy released from the blast ripping off armour plating.
Wilhuf Larris flew from his chair dazzled, trying to collect himself moments later. The bridge Engineer spoke from his console "Sir, the Missiles hit our starboard Hydrazine tanks. They're leaking all over that section, medical teams report heavy casualties".
The Amarrian could not believe his ears, he barked an order, fury obvious on his face "All weapon batteries fire! Unleash the drones! Kill her! That Caldari unbeliever will see what it means to cross us!"
Time: First Strike +25 minutes
A bulky Amarrian Marine, a squad leader by the markings on his combat armour jumped at one of the Brutors, one of the last still standing defending the bridge of the Mara, one who till the end remained by his captain, the men locked in an evenly matched wrestle. The rest of the squad were now engaging the remnants of the Drake's crew at point blank range.Two Civire males, wearing Ishukone Watch uniforms drew out their combat blades charging the Amarrians much to the surprise of the Imperial Marines.
With her hair in dissaray, bruised and battered Keirra shot back from behind the engineering console. Her eyes alert tried to get a glimpse of the battle raging around the bridge. To her left the Civire crew members were slashing, punching and kicking at the boarders alas to her right Heiran fell, slain by the Amarrian sergeant. A cold, calculated killer's gaze now stopped on the man who slew her friend, she leaned down picking up the rifle of a fallen Amarrian trooper, aimed and shot.
The energy pulses hit the Amarrian violently, melting armour and flesh and with a shambling move the squad leader fell. Overpowered by the Imperial Marines one by one the last men and women serving aboard the Mara fell or were severely injured, unable to fight back. Now alone Keirra looked down, unwilling to accept defeat. Even as the officer leading the boarding party ordered cease-fire she stepped from behind her cover, throwing down her pistol. The silver combat blade with monomolecular edges darted out.
With a smug grin Lt. Charai looked at Keirra speaking quietly "Surrender and Lord Sarum may decide to spare your life....".
Fueled by anger and hatred Keirra refused to drop her weapon, but the moment she raised her blade to salute the officer and thus challenge him to single combat he simply raised his rifle, shooting her sword arm and left leg. Falling down she tried not to scream but the pain was obvious. Every inch of her body had felt the laser shots and now she was powerless. A couple of grunts grabbed her by the wrists and began pulling her along the floor of the disabled Drake back toward the boarding ships.
A minor struggle to break free was only met with kicks from the soldiers. With tears in her eyes she could see the surviving crew being rounded by the Amarr soldiers. Many who stood defiant were shot yet others would be taken to a life of slavery, regardless of race. Finally she had failed, she failed for trying to stay true to her friends, her new family...."If i ever get out of this they'll all pay...". In a last moment she blacked out.
Location: Bridge of the Apocalypse Battleship "Fury of Heaven".
Wilhuf Larris gazed down upon the injured Caldari girl with both confusion and disgust. Looking at his chief medical officer he tried to speak but decided not to. One so young would defy the Amarr Empire, it's Navy, a Holder. He reached and moved Keirra's hair away from her face and sighed, as his wrinkled face moved into a grin, turning to the doctor, "Doctor, wake her up. I have explicit orders from Lord Sarum to give her a punishment she'll never forget!".
The wary medic obeyed, using a Stimm injection to awaken the Civire from her uncoscious state. Pulling away he bowed to the Commodore, simply opting to remain in the back row. Taking in a deep breath Keirra looked around and realized where she was. Several officers from the "Fury of Heaven" looked down upon her and a young man appeared carrying a ceremonial sword. An older man, possibly the man in charge looked at her and spoke "Keirra Lukkanen, under the auspices of Amarrian law you are accused of theft from a Holder family. Imperial Penal code normally instructs for death as punishment but his excellency, Lord Sarum suggested a more appropriate punishment. He has instructed us to remove your arms so you will think again before attempting thievery... you will have the time to think upon your deeds."
Sedated Keirra could barely struggle as the Marines holding her removed her tunic. A small stock was prepared but gathering the last vestiges of her will she looked defiantly at the Commodore, uttering in a clear EVE Standard "You'll pay for this, I am Caldari, and your pathetic laws mean nothing to me... There is the State, there is honour and loyalty. You have none. The friends you have taken from me showed me what i suspected all along... you are nothing but an Empire of dying traditions....".
Waiting for the inevitable, Keirra closed her eyes as the sharp pain came. With the efforts of the apalled Amarr doctor her wounds were sealed and she was transported to an escape pod. It had a week of life support. Now alone in the cold dark of space she could only see as she was jetissoned from the Apocalypse, the broken hull of her Drake coming into view. Ignoring the pain she was in, she finally broke down and cried as a final volley from the Apocalypse obliderated the Drake, filling the area with debris and floating corpses.
Location: Malkalen III, Ishukone Watch Station, Three weeks, 2 days, 23 hours, 41 minutes later.
Hiriomi Lukkanen looked down upon his grand-daughter, from his chair besides her hospital reserve bed, looking upon her pale features, the man's eyes trying to stay open from all the time he had missed on sleep. He was old, in his mid 60s but the strength of his earlier years was still visible. Used to hardship he had raised his family in the disciplined Caldari society but now he faced something few Caldari had been through. His youngest grand-daughter dishonoured by the wishes of a merciless Amarrian Holder, for showing what a noble of his calibre lacked, compassion, mercy and honour.
With a sigh he looked upon the Cybernetic arms that replaced her original arms. Out of instinct his hand gripped Keirra's own and for the first time he felt a squeeze. The girl's eyes moved and finally opened. She looked at him and within a few seconds later her mouth sketched a smile upon the sight of her grand-father.
Trying to find his words, Hiriomi smiled back, or at least tried to, finally speaking "What has he done to you my child...? On my son's cold grave I swear he will pay!... How are you feeling regardless?".
Weakened Keirra gripped her grandfather's hand, her cybernetic arms greatly enhancing her strength. She tried to sit up before answering, "The Commander of the Fury of Heaven....". It was all she could say before laying on her back again, still holding onto her grandfather's hand. Now slowly awakening to reality her words continued "The Amarrians, they took everyone grandfather..., Caldari, Minmatar, women, children. I thought the Gallenteans were those i should hate but I realize they are not. The Amarrians are against ALL we stand for...."
The old man sighed reaching to move a few strands of hair away from her face, speaking "Keirra you suffered enough for your beliefs and you behaved as any Caldari should. Come home with me and your grandmother, you need your peace. Find ... something peaceful to do. Your Diner is still there, go run it. Or why not buy an Industrial? That is honest work as well and you know our family has never stepped away from work. If my years hold me I want to see you happy and finally finding your place....".
His words went through Keirra's mind like a revelation. She smiled big now and nodded "I think you're right grandfather. Our old Badger Mark II, the Humpback, it's still in dry dock?....".
A bit surprised Hiriomi nodded and smiled "Yes, it is Keirra, well I'm glad you see things my way.". The man's face showed his relief as the girl had finally seen reason.
With their sparkle of youth returned Keirra's eyes looked at Hiriomi and she smiled to herself. Perhaps her hasty approach had been her downfall. Now she will show wisdom, patience and above all even more determination. It was finally time to do things the Caldari way, plan ahead, build rigorously and when the enemy expects least, strike. And she had the tools to do it!
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