Altiris Knights:The Fall

Chapter 19:Relief

A month passed since the raid on Alegard, during which uriak fleets pushed the allies back, as more and more of their reinforcements were arriving. And still, each of the four allies had to deal with their own domestic infestations, preventing them from bringing their full might to bear against the main uriak force. During the most recent Uriak attack, Kaleor, Ertalas and Eruma had been killed. Kyma, Merela, and Kyma's former trainees were especially devastated by Eruma's death.

However, the Kryva fleet sent by Empress Selta had nearly reached Laakeir, and would soon reinforce the Alliance and Republic detachment.

Telja and Xaltia, having escaped from Vanraael when the uriaks occupied the planet, led their group in counter raids against small uriak battle groups, and thus far, managed to avoid encounters with their larger fleets. Still, they have not went without losses, either. Of the 9 Alliance ships that had escaped with them, one had already been destroyed, and another three damaged. Several dozen fighters and personnel went down as well, forcing them to keep moving, unable to rejoin any major allied force.

...

"A fleet is heading straight for us", said a pilot. "Is it friendly?" asked Telja. "It is not an uriak fleet, that much is clear", the pilot replied.

"There are no other Alliance or Helkaites ships in this sector. All of them are too far from here", said Xaltia. "Kryva, perhaps? We are not that far from their territory", Telja suggested. "Possibly. Wait. Their front is too narrow. And they do not seem to be moving in any distinct formation. Too haphazard", another pilot said. "Pirates. Let's see what they want. Maybe we can get them on our side", Xaltia said.

The fleet hailed them, confirming their suspicions. "This is Captain Daren of the Crimson Vipers. I take it you are the survivors from Vanraael?" came a gruff voice. "Indeed. Telja and Xaltia, Knights of the Altiris order", Telja replied. "Good. I and other pirate captains have been fighting the uriaks ever since they first attacked. Many of us have fallen. With me, are the survivors of uriak raids on our homes. But there are others as well. We agreed to meet at our former headquarters. It shall be an honor, to fight them under one banner, to rid the galaxy of their filth", the pirate captain stated.

"Any help we can get is greatly appreciated, captain. We, too, lost many since we escaped from Vanraael. We are in a dire position", Xaltia responded.

The two fleets united, and set course for Karyos, an old pirate sanctuary.

...

Erean, Qirzan and the surviving soldiers milled about the camp, hoping against hope that the others would come back soon. They have not heard from them since they first went into the tunnel. Above them, the escort fleet remained equally idle, completely out of action. They were restless to do something, to find the others, but the possibility that they would return, and be stranded, kept them in place.

"We are not alone", Erean said suddenly, channeling light into his eyes. "Oh, no", he said, drawing his swords.

An avalanche of uriaks was on approach, consisting of uriaks of all kinds, and monstrous vines. A massive uriak fleet attacked the Alliance ships just out of the orbit. They would have to fend for themselves.

The soldiers loaded their weapons, and lay behind their makeshift barricades, while Qirzan and Erean stood out front. As the uriaks got in range, the defenders opened fire, taking down many of them. And still, the rest closed the distance, and the avalanche crashed into their lines. Only with Qirzan and Erean's help, had most of the soldiers and vehicles remained operational.

A tank destroyed a greater uriak, and a few smaller ones. The other vehicles supported it, and the 7 destroyed several more. One vehicle fired from the anti air cannons on its top, shooting down several winged uriaks. Qirzan electrocuted another group, and cut down a vine with his electrified daggers. Erean decapitated a line of uriaks with a wave of light, and trapped a greater uriak in a cage of light, which he hurled at a few vines, tangling them. At his command, the cage split into an explosion of light, eviscerating the nearest uriaks. The tanks exploited the opening, and more uriaks went down.