Altiris Knights:Civil War

Book 2:Chapter 3:Skirmish over Vinreal

A small Alliance fleet exited lightspeed over Vinreal. "Deploy all fighters and activate shields" ordered Captain Kollves. Itreal reached out to the space, searching for any threats with his mind. He immediately sensed a familiar presence. "Captain, they are here" he said.

The Legion fleet exited lightspeed, and spotted the Alliance ships, that were already firing on them, taking down several of their smaller ships. "Do not let them escape!" ordered Exeroz. He boarded his shuttle and flew to the flagship. He swept the Alliance soldiers aside, and entered the bridge.

Itreal was waiting for him. The Altiris Knight unsheathed his sword and sent out a hail of metal disks and earth balls. Exeroz swept it all aside with an air wave. He let loose and air wave at his foe, crashing through Itreal's earth wall, but failed to notice several metal disks coming for him, cutting his shoulders, neck and face. Exeroz conjured and air wave, but Itreal attacked his mental defenses, forcing the air wave back on him, throwing him against the ship's hull. He attacked, slashing with his sword.

Exeroz tried to attack him with air, but found himself unable to do so. Itreal's mind wielding made it nearly impossible, while his earth and metal wielding kept Exeroz from pressing his own attack. Itreal slashed again, but Exeroz blocked his sword and struck him on the temple with his elbow. Itreal evaded his next strike and simultaneously landed a shallow cut on his leg.

He sent volleys of earth and metal at him, keeping him on his back foot. Exeroz defended with his energy staff, the green blades cutting through the projectiles. Itreal conjured and pulled it up behind him. Exeroz, occupied as he was by the front attacks, did not register it until it was too late. He slammed into it, and the Altiris Knight pinned him to it with earth and metal, and his sword to his neck. "Surrender, Exeroz" he ordered, poking him lightly. Exeroz tried to break out, but the metal held him in place. Itreal waved his hand, and Exeroz felt a sudden urge to sleep. He tried to resist, but the strain was too much.

The Alliance fleet was sustaining heavy losses, outnumbered as it was by the Legion ships. Only a few cruisers and a few support ships remained, along with around 300 star fighters.

"Captain, destroy their interdictor cruiser and let's get outta here" said Itreal.

The remaining Alliance ships attacked the interdictor, and destroyed it, though another cruiser and a few star fighters were lost. The fleet retreated back to Vanraael.