Sunderbans K: The beginning of the Ky Epic

I

IY 3216

Ky Commonwealth

Bright Stars Duchy

HMS Alecto

Faded light glinted off of the twin bows the Alecto as the cruiser approached the seventh planet of a system far from its home. The Alecto came alive as electronic beams and pulses emanated from her, scanning the planet. As the Alecto slowed, she turned and joined the green gaseous planet in its journey through space.

On the bridge, the crew worked quickly to complete their tasks. Captain Tagus Perida stood in front of his command chair just behind the navigation and weapons console, he was near the center of the room. Keenly watching the view-screen and then the crew, he mused, "One and a half hours ahead of schedule. Well done." He was glad to see the ship and crew doing so well, especially after their last mission.

He walked forward past Lieutenant Commander Krawj and Lieutenant Tazz, pulling out his command pad as he did. Stopping beside their console, he accessed several notes he had made and then closed them. He looked at the tactical display and began to walk forward, tapping the pad as he went. Krawj followed him with his eyes and then he and Tazz looked at each other. "Again?" Tazz whispered. Krawj winced.

Tagus whipped around and was about to issue an order when Commander Mirata, the Executive Officer, stepped directly in front of him. Tagus stepped back. "Commander?"

"Captain?" Mirata started.

Tagus stood silent.

"I see you were about to start another drill."

"Yes," Tagus replied.

"If you don't mind, sir. I think it would be best if we first finished testing the new sensor array first. Lieutenant Commander Chattar finished working on the system early this morning."

"You saw him this morning?"

"Aye, sir," Mirata replied. Tagus looked up at the sensor console, there, Lt. Chiaten was standing in Chattar's place. Tagus nodded, "Alright, that means we will complete the sensor tests." He sighed and went to the sensor console. Chiaten straightened nervously as Tagus approached. "At ease."

"Sir!"

"Let's see if we can get this done without bothering Lieutenant Chattar."

"Sir!" Chiaten replied with nervous enthusiasm.

Mirata came up also, but watched from the side. "As long and hard as he worked to fix it this morning, I would expect he'd be out."

Tagus chuckled, "After that many hours, he's probably sound asleep."

But he wasn't.

The Alecto achieved a low orbit over the planet. The sunlight, reflecting off of the planet's green swirling masses, played on the hull of the cruiser. In Chattar's room, the green light penetrated the viewports and danced upon the walls and ceilings near his bed. Chattar lay, twisting, and mouthing words. He was dreaming, but it was no pleasant dream.

Chattar shielded his eyes from the blinding light pouring in through the forward viewport and he felt a deep rumble roll through the ship as the power from the Ram Shields exhausted. He looked down as the light faded to check the sensors.

"Tractor released, Captain," He said looking up from his station and saw the blackened and damaged hull of the cruiser that had been holding them.

"Maximum speed!" Tagus commanded.

"ECM support to the gunships is dropping. The Heavy is in cannon range! " Chattar reported.