Humanity: Exodus

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.