Tracy

Pilot

Alarms blared over Bravo Fleets intercom system, waking officers and crew alike.

"Incoming unknown fleet, arrival in 15 minutes, report to battle stations."

The sudden alarm would have been cause for panic in any other fleet, but not this one. These soldiers were well accustomed to the noise, the rush and the adrenaline. Especially since their Admiral was known for the fights she had picked, and won.

"Unknown fleet arrival in 10 minutes."

In five minutes the whole fleet was awake and prepared. If whoever this threat was thought they could beat them, they were in for the fight of their lives.

"5 minutes."

They waited.

"4 minutes."

And waited.

"3 minutes."

Silence consumed the fleet as the Admiral stood on the bridge of its lead ship the Outlaw.

"2 minutes."

Still silent.

"1 minute."

The Fleet Commander, second to only the Admiral, finally broke the silence. "Your orders ma'am?" The Admiral looked around the bridge, taking in the faces of the men who where under her command and fixed her gaze on an enlisted sitting at the control panel. "Sergeant, what do you suggest we do?"

In any other fleet an enlist would have never been asked that, but this was Bravo Fleet, and they were know for their abnormalities.

"Well Ma'am, considering that we don't know anything other then that it's not one out our fleets, I would suggest that we hold our fire and attempt communicating. Our fleet has the most advanced weapons and shielding in the system, so even if they are hostile and attempt to attack, we can easily defend against them and take them out."

The Admiral thought for a few seconds. Then she turned to her second and simply said "Give the order, Commander." A few seconds later the entire fleet was on standby, but ready to defend given an attack.

The unknown fleet, now recognized as a Garona war fleet, dropped out of hyper-space and a comm request was sent.

"Comm connection established Ma'am, patching feed in 3, 2,..."

The comm flared to life, showing the commanding officer of the fleet in front of them. The Garona were a race of lizard like humanoids with many different factions. Some supported the Republic, others not so much.

"This is the Admiral of the Republics Bravo Fleet. State your name and affiliation or we will be forced to engage."

The Garonas commanding officer looked around the room as much as he could before answering.

"I am the Commander for the Garonas Birch faction, and as you can see, our fleet is twice the size of yours, Admiral. I suggest you think wisely before you threaten to engage with us in battle again."

The Admiral gave a rather uncaring look to the creature on the screen in front of her. "The Birch faction has long been known as neutral. Tell me Commander, why did your fleet approach us without sending a message about your arrival? Our beckons send our fleet signal up to 8 light years away. You knew we were here, yet approached without notice. Why?"

"Because Admiral," He gave a slight chuckle, "Our faction is no longer neutral, and I'm very sorry for what we're about to do."

The first explosion went off out the starboard window, followed by more.

The Admiral quickly had the comm connection severed, and well rehearsed order flew from her to her men.

"Raise shields to 100%, charge the ion cannon and fire at will. All gunnies take aim and fire, fire, fire."

Her orders were echoed by the comm controllers almost as she was saying them. Her crew knew her and her tactics well. They had faced far greater enemies and come out on top.

The sound of gun and cannon fire filled the air for the next few minutes until the comm with the Garona lead ship flickered back to life.

The Garona Commander stood their, his bridge almost completely destroyed, and just looked at the Admiral.

"Tell me." He finally asked. "Tell me the name of the Admiral who destroyed my fleet. Tell me your real name, so I may know the name of the leader I lost my life to."

The Admiral looked at him for a few seconds as she considered what he asked.

"A name is a dangerous thing these days Commander." She told him. "A name is a life story, and a family who waits for you. A name is your weaknesses, Commander."

"I know, Admiral. But I will die, and your name will die with me. Grant me my request. Tell me your name." He pleaded with her.

She looked around her bridge once more, at the faces of the men who have followed her to hell and back, and they smiled at her. They knew why she hesitated, but they would protect her interests with their lives.

She looked back at the screen and said two simple words before the Garona Fleet was completely annihilated, that Commander with it.

"Avalon Tracey."