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It was unmistakable. The individual ships of the Ditufgne superweapon were opening up the ring.
Mek Muv Meq stared in horror, her eyes moving back and forth between the images of the unusual ships moving apart from one another to the readings of their power output.
She was no engineer, but as a former gunner, Mek Muv Meq understood power related to weapons fired. The more power a gun had, the stronger the fire. Similarly, shields with more power were stronger, too.
She also understood that there were specifics of energy frequencies and other factors involved. A weapon could defeat an energy shield based on a combination of frequency and power and vice versa. Because Mek Muv Meq had fired guns meant to target smaller craft like starfighters, shuttles, and transports. She knew that they had limitations, in part due to power.
But the readings of the power output from the ring-ships was something else. And it was increasing.
Compared to anything else she had ever seen this was exponentially greater. She understood why, if they were destroyed at this phase, the explosion would be catastrophic.
The power output from the ring-ships, though more concentrated, was greater than that of the nearby sun.
One of the military commanders at the display called out, “Make sure the Torvodach and their allies know not to continue to attack the ring-ships.”
“Yes, sir!” someone from communications called out.
“All starfighters, this is Navarch Dromm. Break contact and return for fast re-arm. Repeat, break contact, and return to base for fast rearm.”
Dromm looked at one of his deputies. “Make sure Murn lets her people know they are on the attack the minute those ring-ships have dispersed their power.”
“Isn’t there anything we can do?” someone called out.
“Not unless you care to destroy this solar system,” another replied. “The power output off those ring-ships is surreal.”
“Sir,” a controller called, “the Ravusq Q’suvar Ai defenders are throwing everything they’ve got at the ring-ships. They refuse to disengage.”
Dromm sighed. “I can’t say as though I blame them, but we need to make it clear they will destroy everything and everyone in this system if they continue their attack and succeed.”
“Not that anyone has been able to do much damage,” someone else said. “They haven’t powerful enough weapons to touch them.”
“They might start suicide runs on the ring-ships,” another officer said.
“Navarch Dromm,” a controller called out. “Sir, the Ditufgne are putting a lot of focus on the Ravusq Q’suvar Ai defenders. They’re throwing almost everything at them to protect the ring-ships.”
“They probably don’t want to get blown-up,” someone said.
“All ships,” Dromm was on the comm again. “This is Navarch Dromm. Nobody wanted to lose another planet, but there’s not much more we can do. The destruction of the ring-ships at this stage will destroy everything in this system. Until they power down again, all ships focus on the rest of the Ditufgne forces. I repeat, all ships focus you attack the individual Ditufgne forces.”
Mek Muv Meq looked at the taller Navarch at her side. His face was grim but looked determined. Nobody wanted to lose Aravusq. But destroying the ring-ships now was no longer possible.
“Sir, are we going offensive?” the officer in actual command of the Unity during battle questioned.
“No,” Dromm said. “We need to maintain command.”
“All ships, this is DDCSA Gargarm,” a voice came across the comms. “Don’t give up hope! Let’s make the Ditufgne forces pay and redouble efforts against the ring-ships when they are powering down. The world of Aravusq will not be sent to the void in vain!”
“He’s good,” remarked Mek Muv Meq.
“That he is,” agreed Dromm.
Numerous energy spikes appeared on the scopes. Mek Muv Meq wondered if they were malfunctioning due to the incredible power from the ring-ships, or if there was something else.
It was only a moment until she learned what it was.
“Navarch!” a controlled cried out. “Wormholes opening behind us!”
“Well, that answers that question,” Dromm said calmly. “Clearly, the Ditufgne didn’t have everything here already.”
<->
Avra and Pira stood side-by-side on the control deck of xerz ship. They were listening to the open channels of the IITA, as well as the Torvodach and their allies.
It was chaos, and the cacophony of various transmissions was almost too much. Still, Avra found xerzself nearly spellbound by the combat and coordinated efforts going on out there.
But now, xerz heart sank in horror. They had failed to destroy them, and the ring-ships were fully powering up and separating to form the ring.
“I have seen the starships of the Gaeitsu-aqin up close,” said Pira softly. “As well as their incredible shields and other energy systems. But that is more power than I thought could possibly be in one space outside something naturally occurring.”
Avra read the sensor readings. The ring-ships were putting out more energy than the local sun. Soon, from the video xez had seen of their attack on Kamatsa, xez knew that energy would be visible between them as they moved in on Aravusq, intent on sending the Ravusq world into the void.
Avra shook xerzself. Xez called out, “I need to signal Omiano ach Qo, Kh pa’shi an-top, Aygee, and Don Dub Nod Bud immediately.”
“Avra, you are online,” xerz communications officer called.
“This is Avra Pii K’tark’ah,” xez said calmly. “Do not attack those ring-ships. Destroying them now will destroy this entire solar system, at least.”
After a moment of nothing but the background chatter, xerz communications officer said, “I am receiving acknowledgements, Avra.”
“A child with basic mathematical skills could tell that destroying those ring-ships now would be a catastrophe,” commented Pira.
“Perhaps,” Avra said, noting the positions of starships identified as Ravusq. “But the local Q’suvar forces are still trying to attack.”
Energy spikes appeared on the readouts now. Avra pondered if this was some odd effect of the expanding and powering-up ring-ships, or something else.
“Avra,” xerz starship’s captain called out. “Wormholes opening! They’re all around us.”
Avra understood now what xez was seeing. A huge number of additional Ditufgne craft were arriving from those wormholes.
And they were far closer than any other opposition had previously been.
“Captain, take evasive action,” Avra called calmly. Xez left the viewport and assumed xerz seat, ready for radical maneuvers to avoid the new Ditufgne arrivals.
<->
Alvon was at a loss. He was so certain that they had had an outstanding plan. He had believed they could stop the ring-ships from reaching their full power and sending another world into the void between galaxies.
“Damn,” Ervik said. “That is an incredible amount of power they’re putting out. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“It would be impressive if its purpose were not so nefarious,” stated Ashira.
“Is Aravusq doomed?” asked Lii.
“We know Kamatsa survived the transit,” said Lu. “But not without massive casualties, I’m afraid.”
Alvon noted that Dromm was on the IITA main channel, sending a message. He placed it on the Dawnstrider’s flight deck speakers.
“All ships, this is Navarch Dromm. Nobody wanted to lose another planet, but there’s not much more we can do. The destruction of the ring-ships at this stage will destroy everything in this system. Until they power down again, all ships focus on the rest of the Ditufgne forces. I repeat, all ships focus you attack the individual Ditufgne forces.”
Alvon felt helpless. Though the Dawnstrider had sufficient weapons, and had already destroyed a Ditfugne craft, theirs was not a warship. Even with Jeck’s outstanding piloting skills and Tara on the guns, they would only enter combat under threat.
Alvon was in no way telepathic, but he could sense the defeatism among the IITA forces as the ring-ships continued to expand. Even shifting to attack the Ditufgne, hope was sparse.
“Ervik,” Alvon said, “I’m going to send a message out to all IITA forces.”
“You got it,” Ervik replied.
Though Ervik was the Dawnstrider’s communications person, Alvon was at the versatile multipurpose station. Thus, he had access to all scopes, communications, engineering, and the like.
Alvon didn’t know what good it might do, but it was all he could think of. He activated communications to the broad IITA channel.
“All ships, this is DDCSA Gargarm,” he began. “Don’t give up hope! Let’s make the Ditufgne forces pay and redouble efforts against the ring-ships when they are powering down. The world of Aravusq will not be sent to the void in vain!”
He closed the channel. Glancing about the control deck of the Dawnstrider, Alvon saw the look his crewmates were giving him.
They, at least, had hope. Alvon saw determination on each of their faces, and what he interpreted as a desire to press on.
“We targeting some Ditufgne?” asked Tara.
“Maybe,” Jeck said. “We...”
He paused mid-sentence, and Alvon saw why immediately.
On the sensors, there were energy spikes. But through the viewscreen, the evidence of what they represented was unmistakable.
Wormholes were opening. Lots of them.
Moments later, Ditufgne ships of every size and shape emerged. Alvon was too stunned to even try and get a count.
“Okay,” Ervik breathed. “I guess they had some reserves there.”
The Dawnstrider was caught between the expanding ring-ships - preparing to devour and send Aravusq to the void between galaxies - and a huge number of newly arrived Ditufgne starships.
“Tara,” Jeck called. “I’m going to prioritize targets. We go offensive before we gotta go defensive.”
“Ready,” she replied.
Though none of the newly arrived Ditufgne were relatively close, it wouldn’t be long before they would move into range and engage the Dawnstrider, Unity, and other command ships on the outskirts of the fight.
“What the?” exclaimed Ervik.
“Whoa!” Lii called out now. “Who is that?”
Alvon looked at his sensor readings. Now, he understood what had caught their attention.
Numerous starships were emerging from hyperspace. And they were relatively on the other side of the recent Ditufgne arrivals.
“Who’s left to jump into this fray?” questioned Ashira.
“Those look like... can’t be,” Ervik started. “Yeah. Those are freighters, transports, and other starships like us. But also a whole bunch of races not part of the IITO.”
“What?” questioned Lu. “That’s unbelievable. It defies all logic.”
“Incoming message,” called Ervik. “You are not going to believe this.”
A second later, a voice Alvon had not heard before was on the flight deck speakers.
“Hello, Dawnstrider, this is Ravusqan Raider actual. We brought others just as crazy as us to make those bastards’ lives a lot more difficult.”
“Well damn, Shi’tra,” Ervik signaled back. “I never thought I’d be so glad to see you!”
Another signal came across the broad comm channel, getting Alvon’s attention. “Attention IITA forces. This is Leader Du Vagalt i’ltan of the Qi’ta-ji, alongside Commandant Kaa-pah of the Pame. With respect to your plight, our governments sent us to help stop these extra-galactic invaders.”
“We are most pleased to see you,” replied Navarch Dromm. “I am unfamiliar with your weapons and shields, but I expect that you’ve been made aware that the Ditufgne are powerful.”
“We’ve been warned,” Du Vagalt i’ltan replied. “We shall keep them busy while you and your Xorcerizst allies attack.”
“Sending you coordination signals now,” Dromm called.
“We’re receiving these too,” Ervik stated.
“This battle just got a whole lot more complicated,” remarked Jeck.
Alvon could barely follow the vast number of starships out there. But even he could tell that the newly arrived Ditufgne appeared confused by the arrival of the Ravusqan Raider and their allies.
“I have a good target,” Jeck called out. “Make ready, Tara. Hang on, everyone!”
“Here we go,” Alvon remarked aloud.