Canada, Unknown System
“We will be exiting FTL in five seconds!” said Arik over the Canada’s comm.
Stagg glanced up at the forward display, watching the alternating blue and red lights that were produced through the use of tachyon based FTL. This was the third consecutive jump, each time the Canada had dropped out of a system the Imperial vessels had appeared several light seconds behind them and continued to give chase.
An advantage they had no doubt due to the fact that the beacon system was an active network. A military would no doubt be able to track almost all ship movements.
At first the Imperial ships had been broadcasting what sounded like canned orders to cease and desist criminal activity but now all they were emitting were the pulses from active scanners as they tried to get a targeting lock on the Canada.
Thankfully with the delay and the random course adjustments the helm was making they were staying outside of a defined lock. Just barely however.
The Canada shuddered and Derrick winced, the ship was strong but still having it shake like that was not a good thing for her. The multiple jumps were pushing the retro engineered tachyon drive past tolerance and the normally smooth transitions from normal space to FTL were now somewhat rough. A fact that was somewhat worrying since the jitteriness meant that the ship was only being partially accelerated, and the rest of the ship was being dragged along with it to FTL speeds.
“When can we jump again?” asked Stagg.
Derrick glanced over at her, he was on the bridge now at the engineering console trying to keep everything together. Arik and his engineering staff were keeping the engineering compartment itself under control as the Canada pushed itself far past recommended specifications.
“Another thirty seconds, after that we won’t be able to jump again without frying the systems. I’m trying to bleed the heat off but even dumping it all into the hull armor the systems weren’t designed to share heat, it’s not nearly as effective as I would like!” growled Derrick.
Stagg nodded and glanced back at Tactical.
“Where are the Imperial ships?” she asked.
“Five light seconds away, they’re burning to catch up though.” Said Derrick.
“I’m open to suggestions.” Said Stagg.
“We fought one of their big ships already, we prime a nuke and the main guns. With the Ace they won’t know what hit them.” Said the man at tactical.
“It might come to that.” Said Stagg.
“Atmosphere, we need a place to bleed off this heat!” said Derrick.
“What?” asked Stagg.
“We use our last jump to hit the atmosphere of a gas giant, and then dive into it! We can bleed off heat a lost more effectively in an atmosphere than in space!”
Stagg and the rest of the bridge crew on the bridge turned to look at the Engineer.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but atmospheric re-entry usually creates a lot of heat.” Said Stagg.
“It does, but on the armor of the ship. We’re built to bleed it off fast there, not from our engines! In an atmosphere we open the engineering compartment to the air cool us off!”
Stagg looked at him for a moment and then at the other members of the bridge.
“Anyone else have a better idea?” she asked, “Anyone?”
The man at tactical looked back at his readouts and shrugged, “Their weapons will be less effective in atmospheric conditions. If we want to fire our own weapons, we would have to actually under power them. We have firing programs for the conditions, although those are for atmospheres comparable to Earth and Mars.”
“I can modify the programs we have to better adjust for firing in a thicker atmosphere.” Said Arik breaking into the conversation.
“Then it is possible?” asked Stagg.
“Possible yes, but I can’t calculate the odds of a successful atmospheric flight. The Canada is designed to handle them but it is not a recommended maneuver.” She hesitated, “However considering the circumstances it is a logical course of action our largest weakness is the inability to properly vent heat.”
Stagg glanced over at a computer console, to glare at the AI inhabiting the ship for a moment.
“You and the Lieutenant think far too much alike.”
Stagg closed her eyes for a moment and thought, “Very well. How much preparation do you need to perform this maneuver?”
Derrick grinned, “Arik clear the engine compartments and prepare to open the coolant systems.”
“We won’t be able to vent and open the atmosphere until we pass max Q and the aerodynamic effects from the compromising of the external aerodynamic frame.”
“I’m aware of that, let’s get the docking thrusters powered up, I also want you to look into overpowering the strange matter reaction systems for balancing. This is going to be like flying a brick.”
“They’re not strong enough to keep us from tumbling if we don’t enter on the correct vector.” Said Arik.
“I know that, so make sure you calculate the correct vector!”
“I hate to cut this short, but they are gaining on us. If there is something that we’re going to do we need to do it quickly.” Said the man at tactical.
“Can you handle the FTL calculation, I need to perform all of the adjustments!” said Arik as the lights in the bridge flickered. She really did like to play with the AI stereotypes, her systems had no direct control over lighting. Even at full processing speed and capacity none of the normal ship systems would be affected.
“Got it.”
Derrick turned back to his console and quickly began to adjust the values of the engine and the power systems of the ship.
The Canada shuddered, and lurched to the side.
The man at tactical swore.
“That was a glancing shot, along the top port side. The armor absorbed it well enough. We’re bleeding the heat off already and the hulls cooling.”
“How much of a temperature differential?” asked Derrick.
“About 400 degrees, why?” asked the man.
“Feed me all of the temperature differentials along the hull, I’ll need them for atmospheric entry.”
“Roger, they’re in front of you now.” Said the man.
“Got em.”
Diana, Jikse
The crowds thickened as Diana approached the heart of the city. It was sad really, almost the entire ruined city was empty. With only a small downtown like sector occupied by the Empire.
It was similar to the rest of the planet, although most of the rest of it was uninhabitable wasteland.
The class C species whom had inhabited it beforehand had lived in the city. A veritable metropolis larger than anything even Earth had to offer. Now it was a husk empty and nearly devoid of life beyond the sectors the Empire regulated.
Now it was a mere shadow of its former self.
Shaking her head Diana continued through the city and the crowds making her way towards the most densely populated section. She had a suspicion, and one that she wanted to confirm.
If another class C was on the planet, and he was operating in a city full of class B citizens and an uncaring Imperial governor he would be able to act with near impunity. He had already in a short time taken control of every crime group within the city and put himself on top from what she could tell.
Not that it would be terribly difficult from what she had seen.
That didn’t preclude him from flaunting the new amount of power though, and it was something that every criminal had to do. Still he couldn’t have dismantled and replaced every aspect of the criminal underground yet, as primitive as it was. Meaning that there had to be a location where meetings between ill-tempered parties could be carried out, as bad as the class B criminals were they were stupid. If people disappeared at meetings they would know why. A neutral location was therefore needed.
For Diana’s mother it had been the old Earth standby of a bar. A tradition that had translated to Mars easily enough. The citizens of the Empire did not however seem to associate bars with clandestine business. Although the general grittiness of such establishments was universal as far as she could tell.
Instead, from what she had figured out the meetings and thus the clandestine business transactions took place in the parks.
All of the cities of the Empire had them from what reading she had done. Sweeping gardens housing both flora and fauna from the Dorvakian home world. It was one of the few locales that wasn’t adapted from the previous class C tenants of the planet. It featured only Dorvakian ideas and constructs.
Not only were their plants and animals, but hundreds of small gazeebo like buildings and other amenities. At night lights flickered on and lit the entire area in a dim red glow. It was monitored and patrolled almost as heavily as the government buildings, not that it really meant anything besides a quick response time to disturbances.
Any criminal activity that took place within it had to be civil, unless you wanted the entire city patrol to come down on you.
Why the trade had not gone down in the park Diana didn’t know, although if she had to guess it was because of scanners or something looking for them. She would have simply shielded the nano-machines against such things and insisted the trade take place in the open.
Hopefully what she was carrying now would not be detected, even by Human standards it was crude and old fashioned. So there was a good chance it wouldn’t be.
Stepping into the garden and ignoring the plethora of scanners around it’s perimeter Diana slowly ambled forward and pretended to be examining the plants.
The Dorvakian fauna was, interesting to say the least. Everything was tinted an alien shade of red and everything seemed to be obsessed with right angles and straight lines, unless every plant had been carefully cultured to be like that. She wasn’t completely sure.
It gave everything an oddly, artificial feel. Diana didn’t like it. She had grown up on the Station, which had not in its near century of construction and additions had any large form of planning.
People glanced up at her as she walked but no one approached her.
Keeping her hands in her faux leather like jacket Diana casually looked around for his agents, or proxies.
“Class C.” said a voice behind her.
Diana stopped. And slowly turned to look back at the man speaking.
He was large, larger than Bruno which was saying something. He was wearing the standard business attire of the Empire, a nice set of robe like garments with a one piece beneath it. His ears were exposed and from what Diana could see that he was not one of the aliens. Or at least not one of the aliens she was looking for. He was class B.
“I’m sorry?” asked Diana feigning ignorance.
“He would like a word with you.” Said the man remaining civil.
“Who?” asked Diana.
The man said nothing, and instead put a hand on Diana’s shoulder.
“This won’t take long.”
Diana shrugged, “Alright lead the way.”
The man slowly guided her into a more secluded section of the park, alien trees that looked like oaks but with red leaves and branches along the entirety of their trunks completely cut off the view from the rest of the park.
It was an isolated section, an alcove of privacy in the very middle of the city.
Glancing up Diana saw that their were lights in the trees. Flash those lights brightly enough they would blind any optics above the glade.
“Over here.” Said the man, he pointed at a small gazebo like structure. Inside of it sat a single man. Around the structure however were unmistakably families, children with their parents were running around the field or climbing on the simple structures twenty or so meters away from the gazebo.
Diana raised an eyebrow at that and for a moment briefly reconsidered. Children were not something she had thought to include in her calculations. Even among the criminal syndicates of Earth and Mars involving children in affairs was frowned on.
Stepping into the small structure Diana slowly padded forward to sit at the table across from the man.
These people were not his, unless all of them were very good actors. To him this was simply a meeting place. A fact that further confirmed Diana’s suspicions that despite his power, his actual contingent was small.
Sitting down across from him Diana placed a hand on the table keeping the other in her jacket.
The man looked at her for a moment and his eyes widened.
“Did you frisk her?” he barked.
The man behind her struggled to find his words for a moment. “No, she entered the garden. What weapons could she have?”
He growled and said something in a language Diana didn’t know and gestured, “Leave.”
The man nodded and stepped away weaving his way through the families and children retreated to the edge of the gazebo like structure.
“So you do have a bomb under their right?” asked the class C.
Diana looked at him for a moment, “I do. Seemed like the right amount of insurance.”
The man slowly nodded, “What type? The scanners are fairly robust when it comes to identifying explosives.”
“I packed thermite around a container of pure oxygen. The conflagration will kill everything within 5 meters of me. It’s not particularly effective against structures, but against biological targets? Extremely.”
His eyes widened and chuckling he leaned forwards. His face in light now Diana got her first good look at the species. Were he human she would have described him as Asian in decent, but his hair was a vibrant blond and flowed down to his shoulders, it was cut to let his large cat like ears swivel around.
Diana narrowed her gaze at him.
“This is your planet isn’t it?” she asked.
“It is.”
“How long ago? My planet was attacked nearly a decade ago.”
The man frowned, “That would make you either C1764 or C1689 then. I’m going to guess you’re C1764 though since C1689’s extinction is a matter of public record. Even with my connections though I don’t know much about C1764. Something about the effort being a part of a new weapons test.”
“Biological agent. Wiped out the population in a matter of minutes. The only survivors were in space at the time of the attack.”
The man nodded, “Interesting but a topic for later conversation. I don’t know your name.”
Diana looked at him and turned her hand over showing him the detonator, “You first.”
“Sek, of the nation Ynil.”
“Is Ynil the government, or the species you identify as?” asked Diana.
“I am Vakurian. This was my planet, and this is the city of my ancestors.” He raised a hand and swept it around.
“Now your name.” said Sek.
Diana smiled and nodded, “John Carter of Mars.”
Sek narrowed his eyes, “You are lying.”
“I was wondering how good your sense of smell was, your men operated fine in almost near darkness but he never looked at me when we fought. I was thinking it was the scent or the sound of my heart.”
Sek frowned, “Both. Now, your name.”
“Diana of Mars.”
He was silent for a moment apparently listening to her and harrumphed. “Very well. Diana why are you here?”
“For the same reason you are, to destroy the Empire.”
Sek leaned back against the railing, “Then I see no reason we should fight. The death of my men was a tragedy but I would be willing to overlook it, for the sake of a future mutually beneficial relationship between the two of us and our leaders.”
“You’re right that we don’t need to fight. To be frank I’d rather not. You are perhaps my only competition here.” Said Diana.
Sek smiled and his ears swirled around amused.
“I have to ask though, why are you working with class B’s?”
Diana forced her heart to remain beating at a constant rate, “They’re useful.”
Sek narrowed his eyes, “They are but I wouldn’t trust them to fight for me. They lack a certain element of… Ruthlessness.”
“On that I agree wholeheartedly.”
“Which means you’re alone, you controlled your heartbeat but I can smell you sweating.” Said Sek.
He tapped his nose.
Diana looked at him for a moment and said nothing. He knew the truth but admitting it would be even more dangerous. She would also have to improve her physical control human lie detectors she could pass without a worry, but it seemed the Vakurian were more sensitive.
“Come and work for me, you’ll be able to fight the Empire and I’ll give you a cut to send back to your own people.”
Diana shook her head, “No thanks. As limited as the class B citizens might be they are at least predictable. They’ll not stab me in the back.”
“Heh, I told the escort to search you. He apparently felt that the scanners were enough though. Now here you sit in the middle of a crowd of families and children a bomb strapped to your chest. The Class B are nothing but domesticated livestock I suppose. Can’t even escort a guest correctly.”
“Enrage the livestock and they will trample the caretaker.” Said Diana.
Sek nodded in agreement, “Still that implies you have lost control. I doubt either of us would lose control in such a manner.”
Sek reached not his jacket and drew out a small remote. He flashed it to Diana.
“You killed two of my kin, but they were the least experienced. A pity they won’t learn more but still the youngest of my companions. The most experienced of my little group,” Sek hit the remote.
The table next to Diana’s hand disintegrated, she winced but otherwise remained still. Slowly moving her hand she looked down at the perfect half sphere that had been taken from the material.
“Impressive shot.”
“She’s quite proud of her abilities. I didn’t want you to think I came here completely undefended. I commend your will, coming here with a bomb strapped to your chest? That is something very few of even my own species would do.”
Diana frowned “Unfortunately a common occurrence with my own. If your men were any example, it’s a good thing you did only bring the rookies. I could snap the bones in your neck with one hand.” Diana reached out across the table opening her fist.
Sek considered her for a moment and smiled displaying a mouth filled with several more serrated teeth than would be normal for a human.
“Would you take this deal that you are offering?”
“No.”
“Then what makes you think I will?”
“You’re all alone. I’m betting you were involved with the incident in orbit. The information on what happened to the Imperial has been somewhat limited to say the least. Based on the data that is publically available, the ship limped away after an encounter with what was reportedly a rebel ship. A story that I’m sure is a cover.”
Sek paused, and chuckled.
“Did you know that was the Imperial flagship?”
Diana raised an eyebrow at that.
“Really?”
“You did quite a number on it you’re ship from what I can tell escaped and has been on the run since, I’ve only gotten whispers of it which makes me think it is outfitted for long running. A small crew, and ample supplies.”
“Like you guessed, we need information and technology from the Empire.” Said Diana.
“You have not tried to take your world back? Surely with your technology it would be easy enough. You managed to bloody the Empire despite their technological advantage.”
“Overwhelming odds. The Empire reduced my species to less than 0.1% of our population. Something I would guess happened to you considering the damage to the city.”
Diana paused, “Although I don’t think they were the first ones to bomb this planet.”
Sek stiffened slightly. “Oh?”
“There are nuclear signatures all, from crude nuclear devices. From what I understand the Empire has not used nukes in hundreds of years and the signatures are not that old. You nuked yourselves before the Empire showed up.”
Sek said nothing.
“I don’t know why you did, hell my planet came close to nuclear Armageddon several times. It does make it necessary to ask a question though.”
Sek considered her, “And that question would be what?”
“Are you fighting to reclaim what was lost, or fighting to take revenge for it?”
Sek’s ears moved slowly back and forth at that.
“What do you mean?”
“Are you going to kill everyone on the planet who is not your species?”
Sek smiled, “I’ll kill anyone who aides the Empire. You don’t actually think that any of its citizens deserve to live do you? They are less than sentient, mindless sheep who follow an archaic leader and corrupt Senate. The citizens of the Empire do not deserve any of the worlds they have taken, so yes. I’ll kill them all.”
Diana slowly nodded, “That explains the nukes then.”
“Oh?”
“You don’t know when to stop. A war is not as simple as killing your enemies.”
The Vakurian slowly stood.
“I disagree. If I kill my enemies, then I have won. Would you rather I show them mercy? Would you show the man who destroyed your own world anything but contempt? Be truthful here little girl!”
Several of the Class B families glanced over as he finished speaking wondering what he was shouting about.
“No. I would cut him where he stands, and enjoy it watching as his life drained away.” Whispered Diana.
Getting to her feet she stared at Sek. “I’ll not go into his home and murder his son though, not without reason. If humanity has learned anything from war it is that blood for blood will only breed more contempt. I’ll not hesitate to kill for the advancement of my agenda and I refuse to feel guilty about the lives I have taken.”
Diana stepped forwards towards the man and stood directly in front of him. The alien leered down at her, he was almost a full foot taller than her.
“That does not give me the privilege to wantonly take lives.”
Sek chuckled, “You’re soft. You show any amount of compassion and it will be taken advantage of.”
“Did you not just hear me?” asked Diana.
“I heard you making an excuse. You’re afraid to kill.”
Sek turned and began to walk away.
“You’re not even class C. You’re weak and complacent. You might as well be class B.”
Sek raised his hand.
Diana raised the hand with the detonator.
“We both go out if you really want to shoot me.”
Sek frowned.
Slowly he lowered his hand.
“Until next time then?”
The Imperial
[Vann] stumbled backwards and swore as the room around him spun.
“What was that?” asked the young Emperor.
[Reece] smiled slightly and shrugged his eyes still locked on him.
“Do the two of you really have to do this?” asked [Syn]. The smaller woman was perched on one of the gymnasium machines and looked distinctly uncomfortable.
“It’s a military thing.” Said [Charles] from where he sat near the edge of the room his back against the wall, [Yuka] was standing awkwardly next to him looking completely.
[Vann] lunged forwards and feinting to the right struck out at [Reece] with his foot, aiming for the man’s abdomen.
[Reece] gracefully sidestepped the attack and striking out knocked [Vann] off of his feet sending him to the mats.
The bodyguard settled on his feet and bent down offering a hand.
“Have you had enough?” asked [Reece].
[Vann] rolled over as not taking the offered hand got to his feet bending over to pant. Breathing hard for a moment [Vann] slowly straightened back up.
“I have.” Said [Vann].
Stepping away from the mat [Sam] held out a towel to him.
[Vann] took it and carefully wiped the sweat off of his head and tossed it to the ground. [Yuka] stepped forward to take it, but then thinking better of it stood back up against the wall.
[Vann] closed his eyes and walking to the edge of the room and sat down.
“Anything?” asked the Emperor his eyes still closed.
“I’ll tell you when I have something.” Grumbled the analyst.
“How’s the prisoner doing?” asked [Vann].
“He’s have a grand old time.” said [Charles], “You’ve got the poor boy thinking he’s going to lose all of his families titles. Not to mention that he might be exiled or perhaps even executed.”
[Vann] didn’t say anything.
“I’m not sure what else to do, without the spy making a move we won’t be able to identify him. Whoever it is has avoided detection this long and won’t leave a trail. They would have to be caught in the act.”
“I have an idea,” said [Charles].
“That would be?”
“Consult the class C.”
“What?”
[Charles] shrugged and stood up. “The class C’s specifically C1764 are far more adept at falsehoods. From what little I understand of their history betrayal is as common place as friendship. Sometimes they caught the traitors, and other times they fell victim. A new perspective might lead to something.”
[Vann] shook his head.
“I doubt she would be willing to cooperate. What could I offer her?”
“Wrong question, she’ll see this as an opportunity to gain your trust. I must warn you though, she will not be swayed from her people. As much as she might appear to accept what you say do not believe it. At the first opportunity she will kill you.”
[Charles] paused for a moment.
“A human would rather die than betray the species. They would prefer to take as many of their enemies with them though.”
“And you want me to take advice from her?” asked [Vann].
“She’ll have no reason to lie. Well unless she’s particularly vindictive which is possible. Your inaction with the Consul did after all result in the death of a man who I think was her mate, or who was at the very least her friend.”
[Charles] smiled, “On second thought tell her your trying to hurt [Marcus] she’ll be helpful after you tell her that. Still don’t trust her.”
“Your words stray perhaps a little too close to treasonous [Charles]” warned [Sam].
“I’m the resident drunk.” Emphasising his point [Charles] pulled flask from his jacket and popping it open took a swig.
[Yuka] reached out and plucked it away from him. [Charles] frowned and rounded on her.
“You told me too, last time you were drunk.”
The old Captain muttered something under his breath.
“In any case, who would believe anything I say?” he asked.
“I’m thinking that might be better advice then talking to a class C.” said [Vann]
“Just do it, besides what harm could it do?”
[Vann] scoffed and turned away from the man. What damage could it do though?
“Fine.”
Everyone in the room looked up, “What? “Asked [Reece] sounding concerned.
“I’ll talk to the class C.”
“I have to advise against that.” Said the bodyguard.
[Vann] shook his head, “I’ll be fine.”
Canada, Unknown System
“We’re ready” said Derrick.
“Jump!” said Stagg.
“Jumping!” said Arik.
The Canada shuddered again as she slipped into Tachyon FTL. They were already in system, so they had a fairly good chance of making it to the targeted gas giant planet without much deviation. Across short distances a beacon wasn’t needed, but it did overly tax the drive systems.
The ship began to shake, and everyone strapped to her frame felt it. Metal groaned and Derrick apprehensively looked around himself and prayed.
The ship listed slightly, he felt the inertial change.
“Arik!”
“I’m adjusting! Give me a moment!” she shouted through the PA.
A violent explosion sounded through the ship and Derrick swore as the sound quickly died.
“The breech was in aft storage, nothing large. The frame of the ship is being torqued, we’re not accelerating evenly!” said Derrick.
“Understood, will we make it?” asked Stagg.
The Canada lurched and was expelled into normal space. Filling all of the forward monitors was a large gas giant, red in color and swirling with white clouds it was reminiscent of Jupiter.
“Yeah.” Said Derrick somewhat lamely “We’ll make it.”
Alarms started to sound as the vessel quickly began to fall towards the planet.
“We’re on an improper vector, I am burning to adjust.” Said the helmsman as calmly as he could.
“How far off?” asked Stagg.
The man was silent for a moment as he finished inputting the course adjustments. Everyone winced as the ship violently rotated around and suddenly accelerated pushing many people who were just starting to relax back into their seats.
“Several Km/s we didn’t exit at the proper velocity, we’re going to slam belly first into the atmosphere.”
“She can handle that.” Said Derrick as he continued to go through his own readouts
The pilot glanced over at him, “She can but not without us heating up to almost armor tolerance levels! I thought we were trying to cool down!”
“Then pull us up once we’ve slowed down, keep us in the upper atmosphere so we can bleed it off correctly.”
“Aye.”
“The Imperial ships have dropped out of FTL, they are directly in front of us.”
Arik zoomed the forward monitors in on the two ships.
“Derrick?” asked the Captain as she slowly stood putting her feet into the braces.
“Ma’m?”
“The new protocol will still work right?” she asked.
“Yeah, not going to bleed the heat from the FTL drives though.”
“I’m aware of that. It will drain it from the weapons and armor though?”
“It will.”
The Engineer hesitated and looked back down, “Arik, the differences in the heat buildup between the experimental shields and the Ace?” he asked.
“The shields produce less heat.”
“Captain, the shields. We use them instead of the weapons.”
Stagg frowned, but nodded.
“We’re not going to be able to stop and attack them, we’re going to shoot right past them.” Said the pilot.
Stagg grumbled something under her breath.
“Very well. Shields up, once we’re past them though?” she asked.
“The shields won’t do much with an atmosphere! We can fire at the from within the gas giant though, we’ll have the entire planet to act as a heat sink!” said Derrick.
Stagg sat back down in her chair.
Arik’s voice beeped in Derrick’s ear and he winced.
A small chat window popped up in front of him, hidden from the rest of the bridge crew.
“You think the shields can handle the attacks of two ships at once? They’re modified fighter shields, not designed for out class of vessel!” typed out Arik.
“Not like flashing past them will let us fire many shots within the Ace’s effective range. Besides with the heat from the engines I hardly want to activate the Ace in the same compartment! Not to mention you’re in their as well!”
“I’m rated to handle as much heat as the engines. My case won’t be casually breached!” said Arik annoyed. _ _
The message window disappeared.
“The lead ship is hailing again, telling us to stand down.” Said the communications officer.
“Ignore them.” Said Stagg.
“Aye. We’re ready to vent,”
Stagg smiled, “start dumping the heat throughout the ship then. Power up the shields.”
Derrick nodded and looking at the program he and Arik had put together switched it on. The temperature regulation systems changed, and started pushing the heat from every system into the atmosphere of the ship instead of her hull.
Their was a faint hum as the commandeered alien shields powered up.
“The Empire ships are responding and preparing to fire!” said the weapons office, “We pass them in twenty seconds!”
“Derrick, a little drama when we vent if you would.”
“I’ve got that covered Captain!” said Arik.
“Very well then.”
The Canada fell forwards towards the two ships, ready to put on a show.