All endings are merely beginnings.
Captain Peak Cap stared into space through the window in front of him, lights flickering past the window as the ship he was aboard rocketed through hyperspace towards Equis, the home planet of the Equestrians. Groans rang out as the ship shuddered, a normal occurrence if the crews lack of reaction was to go by.
"Captain, We're approaching our exit path, ETA 3 minutes, beginning Removal Procedures and venting the Heat sinks," An ensign said from a small monitor just below the captains deck, "Engaging mitigation thrusters,"
The Bridge was immediately filled with a dull scream as several forward facing thrusters began to flare up, large gouts of purple energy rocketing towards the ship as its speed slowed down, realspace rushing forward to welcome the ship back from slipspace.
"Removal Procedure successful, Exit location was 2 K's off with a drift of just under 800 Km/h, Mana capacitors are currently at 67% and charging," The ensign looked to the captain, "We should be capable of engaging the FEU in just under an hour."
"Excellent, Wake the crew from cryo before they freeze," Peak ordered before turning around and trotting towards the ladder that descended down to to the Crew Deck of the Bridge.
His hoofs clanged on the metal plating as he headed towards the Elevator, his stomach grumbling as he moved forwards. Several Other ponies got up from their seats, all of them unicorns, and began to file towards the elevator, light conversation starting up as friends discussed family, entertainment and whatever else they talked with friends about. Just as Peak as about to step onto the elevator several klaxons began to ring out. The loud ring painful to the ponies sensitive ears.
"Captain, we have an unidentified contact off the starboard side, they're hailing us on an unknown frequency," A red unicorn from the communications station called out as a his horn sparked up, a red aura engulfing her horn and 2 bars on the panel.
"Patch it through to the main monitor, Corn Syrup, I want you to order all crew to battlestations, threat level bravo," Peak ordered, his voice firm and full of authority, "Ensign Whiplash, I want you to start relaying an encrypted channel to the nearest FLEETCOM Server and to begin broadcasting the communications,"
"Yes sir," Whiplash called out as his blue horn sparked, a similarly coloured aura wrapped around the Control Pad in front of him.
Peak quickly trotted back up to the Command Deck, a large ceremonial sword of gilded gold sat on his thigh, the sheath smacking his thigh with each step.
"Channel is open sir, they can hear us and vice versa," Whiplash called out as a monitor descended from the top of the bridge, the display lit up to reveal the other ships crew.
"This is the REN Harmony to unkown vessel, Identify yourself and state your intentions or we will fire upon you," Peak ordered as soon as the monitor stopped moving.
"This is the HIN Eternal Penitence to the REN Harmony, This is captain Hernandez Ferdid of the Human Imperial Navy, our ship is damaged and in need of assistance, Are you able to assist?" The creature on the monitor replied, its small beady gaze focused on peak.
"We can provide an assist, what exactly do you need?"
"We need several magnetic coils for our Antimatter chamber. Our jump to RealSpace threw ours out of alignment and we have no spares, or technicians required to replace them with,"
"You're in luck, as it seems we happen to have quite a few coils all nice and new, I will send a ship out with some technicians to install the new coils, although, may I ask, what are you creatures?"
"We're Hu-" The monitor cut as yet another klaxon cried out, this one a piercing shriek compared to the previous ringing.
"Sir! 3 new contacts just appeared on the long range scanners, They're flying gryphons Transponders," Whiplash called out from his station.
The Captain groaned, Gryphons were the last thing he needed during a first contact scenario,
"Power up weapons and divert power from the Mana Capacitors and direct it to the Lances, load torpedo tubes 1 - 10 and arm Shard launchers 2 - 4, Helmspony! Hard to port! We need to face these arrivals head on so the shields can soak up any incoming fire."
Various ponies called out their affirmatives as they carried out their tasks. The 12 Heavy lance batteries began to glow as power was provided to them, their enchantments automatically pinpointing weak spots in the Gryphons hulls in preparation for the command to fire. Various point defence Mana disperses began to spin up along the hull as a dull glow encircled the ship, its shields bursting to life with a light hum of energy. The shields reached full power just in time as the lead pirate vessel fired it main gun at the Pony ship, a large shell impacted the ships shields causing them to flare up as several Point Defence disperses overloaded from the impact, weakening the shield.
"Shields at 80% strength and holding, Lances are armed and the Shards loaded. Torpedo tubes 1 - 4 are loaded and ready to go, Tube 5 appears to have jammed while the rest are good to go as well, Power for the weapons are at full,"
"Excellent," Peak grinned, "Fire,"
Several loud screeches filled the void as the Lances discharged a large crimson beam, Torpedoes screaming out of their tubes into the void while shards roared towards the lead vessel. The Crimson beams cut wide swaths of hull, fires and explosions rocked the Pirate ship as it began to vent atmosphere. Just as the fires went out did the Shards connect. The tips of the shards rent large gaping holes in the armor plating before they detonated into a shower of acidic shards, the smaller shards melting even more armoured plating. Finally the Torpedoes impacted, large clouds of smoke and fire blooming out as the entire front of the enemy vessel was vaporised.
"Sir, weapons are reporting multiple Lance overloads while all our torpedoes are jammed and we only had those 4 Shards, all we got left are the Close Range Autocannons,"
"Enter knife fight range, order the gunners to spin up the Autocannons, 60mm Shard Core shells are authorised," Peak ordered, "Engineering, do we have enough juice to make a small flash jump?"
"Negative captain, all our juice is being fed into the Lances,"
"Buck," Peak swore as he slammed his fist on the command panel next to him, "alright then, ahead full, engage after burners, when we reach 60 meters make hard to port and open fire with all portside Autocannons, Aim for the bridge!"
"Aye sir,"
The REN Harmony rocketed forward as its engines roared to life, G-forces almost throwing the Captain off his hooves before Inertial Dampeners kicked in. Just as the Equestrian ship prepared to make a turn, a large thump echoed out. The Bridge crew looked around only for the left Gryphon ship exploding a large wreck, any flames extinguishing from the cold vacuum of space. Another dull thump echoed out and the last ship exploded in a hailstorm of super heated metal. Peak stared in awe, they didn't even see the round that destroyed the Gryphon ships.
"Helmspony, hard to port!" Peak shouted as the ship start to turn, the hull creaking at the manoeuvre.
"Sir, we're being hailed again,"
"Accept the call,"
The monitor once again lit up as the alien appeared on screen, more aliens could be seen shifting around the background.
"Captain," The alien began, "I only just realised that your ship isn't emitting a reactor signature, do you lack anti-matter reactors?"
Multiple ponies gasped at the word Anti-Matter.
"You use Anti-matter? We illegalised that millennium ago," shouted peak as he glared at the monitor.
The alien shifted slightly before muttering to himself.
"We illegalised that millennium ago!"
Captain Hernandez just stared at the screen before stifling a chuckle,
Captain Hernandez frowned as he looked at the data slate in his hand. 4 Magnetic Coils disaligned, Half the Munition stores on the ship jettisoned because a magnetic pulse fried the safeties of the more unstable munitions and several critical injuries from Cryo Failures. 3 of the 5 Siege walkers also needed various replacement parts alongside some of the less essential systems who also needed parts. Deck 3 needed repairs due to a munitions storage not being ejected which meant the unstable munitions detonated inside the ship. Hernandez let out a sigh, the situation wasn't the best. Without those spare parts they wouldn't be able to engage the Shock Drive and were forced to rely on Slower then light speed. Cryo sleep could prolong life span for a long time but not that long. Just as he was about to put the handheld computer down a small notification grabbed his attention, the blinking Chevron denoting a message from the command deck. Quickly tapping the screen with a small stylus displayed the message.
Captain
Issue on the bridge, requesting your presence
-Command Bridge
Hernandez let out another sigh. Problems were appearing out the wood work, He'd just woken from Cryo through an emergency wake up call, he probably wouldn't see his wife or son again, and several crew members could die at any moment. His knees creaked as he moved towards his quarters built in bathroom, his hair was a mess and, even though he wasn't vain, keeping up appearances could do wonders for moral. The door to the Bathroom slid open, the sensors built into it beeping in recognition at the ID chip implanted into his heart. A few more steps took him into the room, stark white lights flickered on as the worn fuses lit up the glass tubes. He stared into the mirror, his face, while not the most handsome of faces, still held an appeal despite him being in his sixties. He took a moment to study his face, Olive skin, red eyes from a drunk dare in his early twenties, ruffled greying hair, and a small multitude of wrinkles greeted him. Smiling, Hernandez took up a small pocket comb sitting on the sink front of him and began to neaten his hair, taking only a few moments to straighten and brush back his hair into a swept back style.
The Captain smiled, satisfied with his quick attempt to look neater, walked back into the main area of his quarters. A Crisp fresh Uniform rested from a coat hanger off the side of a chair. The Uniform was a Deep Vermilion red with gold shoulder tussles, a sunset orange laurel was meant to be wrapped around the torso from shoulder, a simple naval cap was meant to worn on the head but was optional with many officers opting not to wear it. Slick black boots were at the foot of the chair while a Deep Crimson pair of Dress Pants sat on the table. gold lines sewn into the seams. Hernandez quickly donned his uniform, replacing his plain white Singlet for the Dress Shirt while trading off his Pants for the Uniforms Pants, the boots were quickly placed on his feet after socks were acquired from a dresser next to his bed.
"Captain to bridge, I repeat Captain please report to the bridge,"
Hernandez let out a third sigh of the day as he finished donning his shoes. The Officers cap placed upon his head while 3 medals were placed on his top. The colourful ribbons that held the pieces of metal shined lightly in the bright light of his room. Finally finished with his uniform, Hernandez walked over to the door of his room, the door also automatically scanning his ID chip. A fast look both ways of the hallway outside his room proved useful as an Ensign came running down the hall, a stack of metal perched in her arms.
"Careful there, Ensign, don't want to bump into anyone," The Captain grinned as he spoke, the young Crew Member jumping in place.
"Sorry sir but Engineering really needs this metal to repair the damage in Deck 3, the damage is worse than they first thought,"
"Carry on then,"
The woman snapped a salute before gathering what she dropped and scurrying off to somewhere in the ship.
"Sir, multiple contacts are appearing on screen. The Alien Vessel is changing course and entering an Intercept run." An officer called out to Hernandez as the viewscreen monitor slid back into the roof of the bridge.
"Arm up the MPGAAG, load AC shells, unshielded variety and get a firing vector on the Corvette off the starboard side. Comms, get a line to Power Management and get me report on our energy levels, I don't want us to fire off a shell and find out we used the last of our power for it."
A chorus of affirmatives echoed out as various Officers and Ensigns burst into action, holograms and Grid Maps popping into existence over 3D projectors.
"Sir, we just got word from PoMan, Energy levels are at 79% charge but are under a slight drain from the shield. Energy predictions are to rest us at 45% power after the engagement unless we shut down shields,"
"Do it, cut power to shields."
Around the bridge, various monitors cut off as the shielding systems were shut down.
"Get us a line to the REN Harmony, we need to coordinate so they don't accidentally take a shell meant for the enemy,"
"Sir, Radar is reported the destruction of the leading Corvette although the Aliens ship is going through unknown energy fluctuations. Looks like we're going to be dealing with the last two ships."
"Sir, Main gun is at full power, Corvette shell loaded. Target is locked and firing Vector plotted. Awaiting your order, sir."
Hernandez' hand struck his palm, "Fire,"
*BOOM*
The Eternal Penitence's main gun cracked as the massive shell tore out the muzzle, a thin streak of light rocketing towards one of the small ships. A large flash filled the void for a split second as the round impacted the enemy ship, tearing through armour plating like a knife through cuts through water. Just as the light died down the explosion flared again as the ships reactor detonated, Shrapnel flying everywhere. Several of the small chunks of debris tore into the second ships armour, small craters and rents being torn into its plating.
"Ensign, input new coordinates and a new firing vector. Target the second ship, same round."
"Aye sir,"
"Firing vector plotted, same shell loaded."
"Firing on your order, sir,"
"Fire!,"
Another crack sent another shell speeding towards the final ship. yet again a silver streak of light flashed towards the vessel, armour all but vanishing under the tremendous force of the large metal projectile. Again the vessel flared up as the shell detonated the Reactor, debris spinning everywhere.
"Power down weapons, Comms, get me a line to the Harmony."
"Aye sir"
The Penitences guns hummed as they were shut down, the high pitched drone fading into a gentle thrum as power was redirected to more critical systems.
Technology - Tier 1: Humans
Codex Entry - 241 - Human Technology
-Heading: Weaponry
-Tier: 1
Human weapons are diverse and specialised, late weapons can involve plasma weapons designed for a specific role to an AT mine that only triggers when a certain vehicle passes over top of it. Most early human weapons followed a principle of Chemical Propellents, a tried and true method of projecting metal at lethal speeds.
A35-B - The workhorse of the Imperial Human Army, this weapon consists of an 8 part configuration in a bullpup Magazine placement. The bullets are a fairly new 9.56x45mm round in a sickle magazine. The Magazine can hold 20 rounds. A tactical rail along the top allows for a multitude of sights from Red Dots to AOG's. A bayonet lug sits on the barrel.
A35-MG - The MG variant of the A35 is a light machine modification for the A35-B. The magazine is relocated from a bottom fed insert into a side placed, Belt fed receiver. This allowed for a much large 75 round box magazine to be used. A tripod replaces the Bayonet lug and the sigh rail is removed. The barrel is extended and is slightly thicker with heatsinks built into the base of the barrel.
LRSR-12 - The LRSR 12 is a long range SemiAuto Snipers Rifle capable of ranges reaching 1.2 miles. The round fired is a .70 Cal Tungsten core, Steel jacketed round. The Rifle is essentially a small box with an extra long tube on the front, a stock on the back, a trigger, grip and scope.
A35-S - The S variant of the A35 is a small compact weapon. It fires a small .45 AP round from a 40 round Magazine. The weapon has an integrated Red Dot sight and a Compact grip but the stock if cut off. This weapon is designed mostly for the anti-infantry role and is the main weapon used by the Infantries Shock Troops.
B65 MKII Tempest assault armour - The B65 series of powered armour was designed with defence and mobility in mind, using light but strong alloys, an integrated short range jump jet, in built communications, Personal Defence shield, and a sealed environmental NBC kit. The Armour can easily enhance a soldiers performance, allowed them to reach a speed of 87Km/h, lift a weight of 450 kilograms with extreme ease, and to provide a neural link with squadmates.
