The Battle of Efremov plant
08 Dec 2024Skynoadar
Commander's Name: SkynoadarStardate: 08.12.3310
Ship: Laikon Type-10 Puff the magic dragon[/b]
Galactic location: Groombridge 1618 - aboard fleet carrier [HTCP] yggdrassil
Log Number: HTCP-0003
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I had seen that the Sirius system was heavily engaged in repelling the Thargoid invaders, so it was decided we would head there to assist, while in transit word came in that Efremov plant was at risk of attack so with a fresh nav-lock i made my way there. With some supplies in the hold for the sector i would drop these off from the hold of Puff before taking to the fight. On arrival it was clear the plant had been attacked already, fires raging all around the surface structures as I landed along with other commanders coming from who knows where.
The man in charge of our rag tag defense force (i don't reclal his name...hell i think he didn't evne bother telling us, probably thinking we could be dead or gone soon so why bother?) was part way through a briefing to us covering emergency landing priority procedures when the klaxons began to wail all through the plant. The warbling tone echoing off the cavern walls and corddiors as we all ran for our ships, commanders from across space all moving as one to repell the attack; as i ran to get into Puff i saw so many different ships, from cutters to Mandalays, Chieftans and even a retrofitted Type-9 hauler.
The radio chatter was constant, Commanders getting clearance to launch, radar operators from Flight Control reporting contacts on thgeir screens, alerts reporting framehsift anomolies. Getting up into the skies above the plant it wasn't long at all before my turreted multi-cannons were engaging Scouts, hunters and Interceptors alike, there were enough of the damn things to go around us all with seconds if we fancied it. Though i couldn't do much on the Interceptors until the eharts were exposed Scouts and Hunters got swatted from the skies. Commander Gwennec was with me in his combat craft and called out over the comms we had for ourselves, said how bloody intimidating Puff looked, lumbering like any Type-10 is like but spewing death from the cannons adorning her hardpoints.
As one wave ended we got reports of Hydras coming in, only a couple but those things are tough, evne with a dozen ship's weapon systems firing on them it took time to wear them down to a kill. After this I, and many other Commanders, got back to the station to rearm and repair before the next wave arrived; we kept repeating this cycle for so many waves...6, 7, 8? i can't remember now, I just remember the skies above the plant ful of weapon fire, the rushed reloading and repair work to ships, grabbing a moment to throw food down our throats that some kind souls at the plant prepared and handed out to us when we touched down.
Finally we got the word we was hoping for, flight Control reported no more contacts nearby and the long range scopes showed the same; and not long after that evne better news, the sector was secured. Our battle was one of many, but it helped turn the tides and we repulsed the Thargoid invasion and Sirius is ours again. Puff is resting now back at my squadron's fleet carrier, her hull scared and scortched, her weapons needing a full go over and her systems checked but i will head out again soon to the next hot spot.
But first, a full meal and a few drinks in the Pilot's lounge to celebrate our victory is on order.