First Contact: WarpStar

"There's no honorable way to kill, no gentle way to destroy. There is nothing good in war. Except its ending." ~ Abraham Lincoln

Independence

"Third Destroyer squadron reports targets eliminated," a fleet watch officer reported among the chaos in the fleet control room on board the F.W.S. Independence. The destroyers of the third squadron had just recently completed eliminated assigned targets of a few frigates and destroyers themselves. The fleet had significant successes with the smaller ships, being able to punch through the relatively weaker shields and armor of the smaller Alliance vessels. Cruisers and below cannot withstand the firepower of Federation weaponry. However, the Battleships and Capital ships seemed to be nearly invincible, repelling any and everything thrown at them with ease. With only one Carrier and one Battleship reported as destroyed, their powerhouse ships were tearing through anything that got within range.

The disadvantage of a battle of this size, with a high number of large capital ships employed by both sides, was the relative non-movement that some of the ships appear to have. Federation Carriers, Dreadnaughts, and Juggernauts are not capable of maneuvering or traveling at anything close to the speeds Battleships and below could. This makes their relative speeds in space almost at a stop, which allows for the enemy to target these ships without much effort. To counter, these megalithic starships are packed with layer after layer of meter-thick armor and massive shield generators. Their multiple power core systems allow for a near unlimited feed of power to defensive and offensive systems. Carriers are the exception to this rule; their colossal size is built to enable the housing of multiple support craft, including one- and two-man fighters and bombers, along with frigates and destroyers. Carriers are the only Capital ship that does not have a powerful offensive and defensive system of their own. They are usually protected in a fleet with plenty of escorts, battleships, and a Dreadnaught or two.

"Thirteenth battlecruiser squadron, new targets being assigned. Free move and engage," Admiral Briggs ordered, watching the field closely. "Independence, Constitution," Briggs called out his next orders. "It's time we took out one of those capital ships. Concentrate all fire on the targeted capital ship."

The two remaining mighty Juggernauts complied in their orders. The enemy capital ship was directly in front of the Federation ships, easily within firing range. Immense energy disruptor bolts and plasma lance beams reached out from the Juggernauts, striking the Alliance ship many deemed to be a Dreadnaught. With the exception of three cruisers unintentionally getting caught in the crossfire and melting with ease under the formidable firepower of the Juggernauts, the Alliance Dreadnaught didn't even sway from the force of the hits. "What in the hell is powering those god damn fuckers," a fleet watch officer said under his breath, hoping no one heard him.

"I don't know, son. I really do not know," the Admiral replied under his breath while looking down at his panel, feeling defeated. He had run out of options. Just eliminating the smaller ships would not end the threat when over a third of the enemy forces are giant capital ships that appeared to be immune to everything he was throwing at them.

"Sir," the fleet watch officer said, knowing the admiral heard his last statement. "If I may be so bold, I think we need another miracle."

"That we do, son, that we do. Do us a favor, pray for us. All of you say a silent prayer," the admiral said softly, looking at the fleet map trying to calculate his next move.

WarpStar

"Sir, we just lost contact with the O.P. We estimate ETA of Dreadnaught within orbital strike distance is fifteen minutes." Robert gave his report over the comm unit to the away team.