NanoTec: Flight to a Distant Star

(2)06: 2115: Flying Fortress

Battle stations. Alarms were blaring and lights changed from florescent white to crimson red within the CICs of the fleet. Orders were being yelled across ships and the communications networks were filled with activity. Sounds of missile racks opening could be heard, alongside the signature hiss and click of NanoTec warheads. Dull whining sounds were heard as turrets, ballistic and energy based alike, swiveled about their axis, bringing guns to bear. 

The NanoTec fleet, now comprising of ten highly advanced warships, three support vessels and two aircraft, began their approach on the FF117 Ferounfro. Elleno, captain of the NNT Rockmage and Sir-Caller, captain of the NNT Petramale, held formation as escort for the single capital ship and coincidentally, the flagship of the fleet. NNT Mirai. Two Omaha class destroyers broke off from the six 'o' clock flank and moved up to the two fronts of the fleet, forming a pincer like shape. The Mirai, proceeded with the operation as planned... With the roar of missile launches.

The crew of the FF117 Ferounfro was not idly twiddling their thumbs as they awaited the first wave of assault. Two bomber wings, escorted by a fighter group ignited their afterburners and dove straight down onto the fleet formation. The wavering over the airship's black hull became more pronounced and vigorous, almost as though the entire craft was phasing out of reality.

"*Warning!*" The computer sounded in the Rockmage's CIC. "*Incoming enemy bombers!*"

"Understood." Elleno muttered to himself as he tapped on a button on his RIG and sent five of his point defense missiles straight into the bomber wing.

The missiles streaked across the few kilometers that separated the corvette and the bombers in seconds. The bombers veered from their course and broke into a wide spread formation, banking and turning to avoid the missiles. The fighters then swooped into the fray and intercepted the missiles partially successfully. The two missiles that escaped the cannons of the fighters tore into the engines of the bombers, sending it spiraling down in a cloud of black smoke and debris.

"Hell! Those are the same bombers used in the NTW's base raids!" Saegen yelled out loud, on board the NNT Mirai. 

"Sir!" One of his sixteen crew members yelled. "Bombers launched their payload and they're heading right for us! Flak system online, targets in gun range..."

The NNT Mirai opened fire with it's 'Iron Curtain' flak systems and so did the airship with their won respective anti-missile ordnance. The missile, as of yet unnamed, closed in onto the airship rapidly, deflecting flak shrapnel and shells on the way. The missile, effectively bypassing all fire, slammed itself into the hull of the FF117 Ferounfro, and with a sizable explosion, the entire starboard section of the airship was engulfed with flames.

The aerial torpedos launched by the bombers did not waste anytime in closing the gap. With their rocket boosters burning brightly, they left white smoke trails in its path and eventually, orange yellow balls of fire as they one by one were intercepted by the combined flak coverage of the NanoTec fleet.

"It seems they've underestimated our flak systems." Elleno said to himself. "But... Perhaps we've underestimated their armor."

In response to Elleno's comment, the fires from the Mirai's missile dissipated and revealed an NTW airship completely unscathed by the blast. If there were any scorching and or any scratches along the armor, the NanoTec fleet was not seeing it.

"What the hell was that?" Saegen said as he stared at the camera footage. "Give me a status repo..." 

His sentence was cut short. The lights within the CIC began flickering. Displays and interfaces began emitting static.