A Bitter Report

Captain Darren finished reading the report and slammed his fist down on the desk, letting the data pad clatter away across its surface. He cursed viciously. "Damn those UFP! They will pay for this."

The report, delivered to him via private comm only minutes after the Frutol's Folley had taken its station-keeping position over northern Ardreas, detailed the ambush and slaughter of the entire Raid & Recycle fleet at Onyx. 2000 corvettes and recyclers had been brutally annihilated in the space of less than an hour. He shook his head, the anger burning in him at the thought of his comrades-in-arms being blown apart by an overwhelming force of enemy fighters. "Over 13000 fighters... they didn't even have a chance."

A chime sounded at the door to his Ready Room. He was silent a moment, trying to clear the emotion from his voice, but it still quavered a little as he said, "Enter."

The door slid open and his XO stepped in. "Captain, we have received our new orders from Ardreas Command." He handed another data pad to him. "Two days of rest and shore leave for the crews, rotating shifts, while the fleet is resupplied for our next launch."

Darren raised an eyebrow as he glanced up from the pad. "That's not much time. Wherever we're going, I hope it's important."

Peterson smiled at him and nodded. "Yes sir. It is." He licked his lips and let his eyes meet the captain's. "We're going after UFP."

Darren stared at him, a dark gleam coming into his eyes. Then just as quickly it passed and he frowned. "As much as I'd love revenge on those bastards, our fleet is in no position to make such an attack. It would be suicide..."

His XO nodded. "A few minutes ago I would have agreed with you sir." A smile crept across his face. "But we're not going in alone. Command is reinforcing us while our crews take a couple days of rest." He pointed to the data pad that the captain had placed on the desk. "The Tripoli and her cruiser escort will be joining us today. And tomorrow," his face cracked into an open grin. "Tomorrow the Olympus arrives."

A chill ran down Darren's spine and he shuddered involuntarily. "The Titan??" Meant as a question, it came out more like a surprised squeak, and Peterson laughed. "Yes sir. Final preparation and supplies were completed yesterday at Cerus. She's on her way..."