Rescue - or so we hope (Part 1)

UEN Infinite Stratus - Esitio System - Weapons Deck

The Gunnery Captain looked over the assembly of gunners mates "alright team, I know we Where promised an easy trip, a vacation of a sort"

"As if" gunners mate Jones mumbled in the crowd "you've been working us like a bunch of pack animals"

"Well it's time that vacation of yours came to an end, it's time for some real work"

Groans came from the crew of gunners mates assembled

"I won't have any of that" the Gunnery Capitan snapped "now the bridge has in their ultimate wisdom call off all training exercises, damage crews are on high alert and the CIC (Combat and Information Centre) has entered battle mode, that means something massive is going on"

The gunners mates froze into place listening to every word afraid at what's to come

"Now our orders are simple, keep the weapons systems of the Infinite Stratus loaded and operational, there can be no mistakes am I understood"

"SIR YES SIR" the gunners mates shouted

"I better be, now get to your guns and follow the loading orders issued, I want to have these guns held up by the firing computer, not your sloppy loading skills..." The Gunnery Captain looked them over one last time "Dismissed"

The gunners mates went to their guns

"High explosive rounds" Jones commented looking at his loading orders "must be a really serious something"

Jones finished the inspection of his gun, well by gun it was really 1 of 18 high output plasma cannons, 9 on each side of the ship it was the medium range cannon used in both offensive and defensive fighting

"Ready for some real action you are" Jones put his hand on the gun then closed the airtight safety door, and set the controls to 'CIC'

Jones looked along the deck just as the flashing warning lights sounded, the blast doors between the gun decks closed leaving only a small hatch for access, as Jones turned back to the loading panel the outer gun doors opened reviling the blackness of space leaving only the clear 'bulletproof glass' between him and hard vacuum.

The Gun released from its locking mount and slid forward and rotated around testing it's movements, a robotic arm popped out of the floor and rammed the first round into the gun before disappearing beneath the floor to get ready for the second round.

UEN Infinite Stratus - Esitio System - Upper Cannon Deck

Second Gunnery Captain Crystal Shanks crawled out of the main guns inspection hatch covered in gun grease

"How's it look ma'am" gunners mate Stannard asked

"Good to go" Shanks replied "now to get to the control room before we breath hard vacuum"

Shanks and Stannard went to the control room looking at the camera feed showing the tri cannon barrels resting in the housing

"How big is this thing" Stannard said in wonder

"Not the biggest thing we have but I think the most impressive" Shanks said confidently pumping her chest "200 inch barrel capable of firing both guided and unguided projectiles, independently controlled on it's turret, 3 barrels per turret and this ship boasts 2 turrets, held internally for easy maintenance and to maintain the stealth profile"

"You sound like a informational pamphlet ma'am"

Shanks turned to face Stannard a massive grin on her face "aww well I can't help it, it's an impressive feat of engineering- no more chitchat orders are in, vent atmosphere, load high explosive rounds, deploy the cannons"

A loud hissing sound could be heard as the air around the cannons was sucked into holding tanks, doors in the roof opened and the cannon moved to the outside of the ship, the doors closed sealing the maintenance bay, only the lower turret and loading mechanisms where visible from inside the cannon deck.

UEN Infinite Stratus - Esitio System - Combat Information Centre

"Attention Fire control officers and RADAR teams" the Primary Warfare Officer (PWO) announced "new orders everyone, drills are off, we are entering battle mode our mission is to protect the lifeboats being launched from the planet, our target is that thing"

The PWO pointed at the hostile vessel on the screen

"Not much is known about it, except that it has caused this mass evacuation and destroyed the UEN ship stationed here"

As if to emphasise the PWO's point a piece of debris came into view on the camera, as it rotated the burned words could be seen emblazoned on the metal UEN Dying Twilight

"It's our job to take the Bridges and the Captains orders and fight this ship to the best-"

"Sir I have something" the radar crew interrupted "spacial distortion, looks like an inbound jump field"

A civilian cruise ship jumped into the system, followed closely by 3 cargo ships, the lead ship started broadcasting system wide.

"Attention Esitio Dock master AI, This is the Heavenly Travels, I am responding to your earlier distress call, we will be in planetary range shortly"

Upon receiving this transmission the alien object turned to face the new ships that are now proceeding to the planet at full burn.