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All the Stars are Against You

Jolttra
7
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The average realized release rate over the past 30 days is 7 chs / week.
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Synopsis
Captain Tom finds himself at the forefront of Humanities quest to establish themselves in the wider galaxy. He must prove mankind's wroth to powers that have existed millennia before before we had discovered fire.
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Chapter 1 - Why am I here?

Every child dreams of space. 

That's the tagline they hooked me with. And they were right. I dreamed of going into space as a kid, we all did. It seemed like the greatest place to be. What they don't tell you is that once you are in space, all you dream about is being back on land. 

The cramped metal walls, the cold sterile beds, the bland mushy food sealed in silver plastic baggies that you need a laser pistol just to open because despite having a little tear it's like trying to rip open leather with a dull spoon otherwise. I'd kill a man with my bare hands for a breath of fresh air. I'd kill two if I could have a cigarette without the fire suppression system coating me in flame retardant. There aren't many reasons to want to go to space.

And yet, here I am. Two and a half years and regretting every minute of it. Somehow I even got promoted to Captain. Still have no idea how that happened. While I was starting the biggest mistake in my life, humanity was moving up in the universe. We went from a Union Dependent to a Union Member. We're still at the bottom, but it's a start. There was a big goodie bag that came with it. Medical tech, self planting crops, service androids, enough to turn our little blue tinted hole into a civilized society. 

One of the stipulations was that we needed to start putting major staff through a sort of test. Mostly for the government, doubly so for the military. I didn't really get it myself. Was all picking colors and shapes then a guy dressed up as a Kyltaniun Acid Monster burst into the room and beat me half to death. Somehow this determined I was perfect for the Admiral Program.

Obviously humanity didn't just trust something so esoteric on pomp and promises alone. Instead they put me in charge of a corvette and had me patrol nowhere space for a while. My service was unspectacular, but confident. I personally think I did a shit job but whatever. I guess flying one of those relics without crashing into space debris is above average. At least enough to get me moved up to this frigate. Admiral Teknove wasn't exactly happy about it. He's real old school. Thinks all this alien personality program stuff is making us weak. He was determined to get me out of his sight at every opportunity. Looks like that saved my butt this time. 

While sent out on an errand to see if some nearby space rock were actually the remains of a hither too unknown advanced civilization (for the record they were not, it was just space rocks,) the fleet was attacked. A hundred thousand kilometers away the entire 27th Long Range Boarder Fleet was engaged with a hostile force. And they were losing. 

"Jenkins," I turn to speak to my Bridge Sensor specialist. "who the hell are those guys?"

A few taps and Jenkins has them on screen. Their vessels are blurry and hard to see while our own come in crystal clear. Their scramblers doing the job. Jenkins brings up a data base of symbols and ship silhouette and does his best to find one that matches. After filing through several hundred in 5 seconds, a match is found. 

"Looks like they are Granger vessels."

"The Granger are on near the other side of the galaxy. What would they be doing here?"

"Nothing. But their vessels, a lot apparently. According to the data these models have been out of commissions for over 300 Human years."

I nod as a picture start to form. 

"Pirates."

"It can't be." My First Officer Carol speaks up. "What would pirates have to gain attacking a United Humanities fleet?"

"What have they got to lose?" I stare into he screen as another human vessel is torn in half. "This is the only fleet int he sector. If it's gone, it would take around 8 hours for another to show up. And that's assuming a distress call got out. A bunch of pirates could do a lot in 8 hours."

There's a murmur through the deck. They don't trust me. I don't blame them. Most have three times the experience I do. Yet I'm supposed to be the one in charge. I don't even really trust myself, just the facts. So I have to stick with those. 

"There is a Asteroid mining and refining facility in this sector. Defenses should be light and the materials easy to launder. Not far is a primary trade route used by several corporate groups. You all know how much good Human Whiskey can go for in the right markets. Further out is a colony station. If they have enough firepower to decimate a fleet that station's defenses stand no chance. Humans are still seen as a rather exotic species. I'm sure they'd sell well on the slave market."

The murmuring stops. They start to hang on my every word. I turn on the intercom so every section of the ship will hear what I have to say next.

"We are currently the only vessel that is not engaged with a superior fleet. Every second we wait here, one of our ships, each holding hundreds of our fellow patriots, is dying. We have only two options. We can run, save ourselves and this vessel, and hop help comes in time. Nobody would blame us for this action. But, we would be leaving the lives of the 27th Fleet, our comrades in arms, and the tens of thousands in the other vulnerable people in this sector, to the mercy of these violent killers."

I can hear them whispering. Debating if it's worth it. Though hard to distinguish, those voices asking to flee seem to be drowned out.

"Or, we can fight. One ship against many. And do everything in our power to save them." 

There is an eruption in small voices. Words like crazy and suicide and madman start being thrown around. 

"I am not going to lie to any of you. The chances are good we don't survive this. That's why I am not going to make this decision alone. I want every single person on board to make the choice yourself. If you want to stay and fight, stay quiet. If you want to leave, let me know now. Even if there are more stays then leaves, we have escape pods. They are going to be too small for the Pirates to care. Go now and save yourself. Just make sure to do so now. Because once we get in range, no one is getting out of this ship until we are ash, or they are."

There is deathly silence. As I knew there would be. Human nature. Nobody wants to be a coward. Not while others are staring you in the face. As long as more people wanted to fight then run, nobody would run. It's only when we have more runners than fighters that things start to break apart. I look around my bridge crew. I can see the fear behind their determination. Nobody actually wants to do this. They would rather be at home watching something pointless on the Holo screen with a stiff drink in one hand and a cutie in the other. I know, because that's how I feel. Still, duty is more important. We signed up for this, no matter how much we might regret it. 

"Alright then. Everyone to your stations. Do as I say when I say it with no delay. I will do everything I can to get us out of here alive. All hands, prepare for war."

My bridge salutes and return to their seats. Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst.

"I want to jettison all excess weight. Rations, excess ammo, spare parts, the works. We need to be as lean as possible."

"On it Sir. Should be done in 10 minutes."

"You have 5. Transfer all power out of the unnecessary sectors and into the engines. That includes the shields."

Sherlie stops in her tracks when she realizes what I just said.

"But Sir, without the shields we won't survive a single hit."

"Cruisers and bulwarks with shields ten time as strong aren't surviving a single hit. It's dead weight and wasted power. I want nothing but engines, basic life support and the torpedoes. Don't bother with the rails either."

"Y-yes sir."

"Koalshie, I want you to turn in the direction I say when I say it. I'm trusting you to keep us out of danger but when I say right we go right, got it?"

Koalshie nods and returns to the pilot chair. I see him turn the sensitivity to max. 

"Koalshie, if you have to choose between ripping this ship in half with a maneuver or taking a hit, rip away."

"Yes sir."

I take a deep breath. All preparation are finished. All power is where it needs to be. Every excess piece of equipment, including the lifeboats, is drifting in space. Everyone is ready for me to order us into battle. Order us into death. I take a moment to regret every single decision that lead to this. 

"Engage."