Thalax IV - the quiet before the storm
10 Sep 2024Haraldsen
Thalax IV, once a desolate industrial world under the iron grip of an Imperial Governor, had finally tasted the sweet air of freedom. The workers, long oppressed and driven to the brink of despair, had risen in a fierce and determined riot. Their unity and sheer willpower had triumphed, and the planet was now free from the shackles of imperial rule. However, there was still much to be done, as tyrants never part with anything easily.With hopes renewed and new strength driving their hands, people of Thalax IV went back to work. Now, at last, for their own future and prosperity. Men and women, young and old, gathered together to restore their settlement, united as one, repairing roads and power lines, clearing the rubble, restarting the facilities, treating the wounded. Burying their dead, with honor, as their sacrifice helped to bring new sunrise over this austere, unforgiving world. And those who lived to see this day now worked, with first smiles of hope on their tired faces, even more than ever they did for the Imperial tyrants.
In the aftermath of the uprising, the assembly lines that had once churned out weapons of war for the Empire were repurposed. Now, they produced smaller, agile ships designed for quick strikes and evasive maneuvers. These ships were stationed aboard the John Tyburn, the NMLA carrier orbiting Thalax IV. Named after the pillar of resistance, the mighty carrier underwent repairs as well. Yet, entirely different, bitter thoughts were setting their roots in the minds of its crew.
Cassia Verda, the commander of the John Tyburn, stood on the bridge, gazing out at the planet below. She was aware of the truth that many on Thalax IV didn't know or didn't want to admit: the Empire would not let this rebellion go unpunished. The Imperial Fleet would come sooner or later, and when it did, the planet and its people would be easily overwhelmed and brought back under the thumb of imperial rule. The might of the Empire was too great for the weak forces of Thalax IV to counter.
Therefore, Cassia’s goal was clear. In the time available to her, she had to get as many ships and qualified people on board the John Tyburn as possible. The carrier was their best chance of survival. She knew that fighting the Imperial Fleet head-on was a death sentence, the long past battle of Muhdrid and shocking losses still fresh in her memory. Instead, she planned to withdraw and only fight on her terms, using the element of surprise and the agility of her smaller force to deliver a painful blow to the attacker without getting worn down in a defense they couldn't sustain.
As the days passed, the inhabitants of Thalax IV worked tirelessly to load supplies and ships onto the carrier, and the fighter crews practiced their maneuvers according to the strategy Cassia had devised. Cassia herself coordinated the efforts, always aware of the impending danger from the Imperial fleet. She knew she was running out of time, but she remained determined to continue repairing and outfitting the carrier until the last moment.
The atmosphere on the John Tyburn was tense. Lieutenant Arlen, the ship's tactical officer, couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. He had seen the might of the Imperial fleet first hand and knew that their chances to best such a force were slim. “Commander Verda,” he said in a low voice, ”do you really think we can escape them? Even with all the new smaller ships, we are far inferior to their firepower.”
Cassia turned to him, her eyes steely. “The Empire's ships are very powerful indeed, but they are designed to fight a whole enemy fleet or a stationary target, not small, individual targets. We, however, will force them to fight on these terms. It has been drilled into each individual of the Empire that it is a good thing to die for the Emperor, so let them do it in numbers... we will position many small fighters, armed with nothing but torpedoes. As soon as the Imperial fleet jumps out of witch space to attack the John Tyburn and Thalax IV, they'll have to maneuver to avoid the minefields we deployed near the planet and us.... the bigger their fleet, the bigger their problem to avoid both the minefields and collisions between their own ships. And while they are busy sorting themselves and their capital ships, our fighters will shoot every torpedo available at them. Meanwhile, after having served as lure, the John Tyburn will withdraw and jump out of the system. We'll pick up the fighters that are supposed to retreat immediately after firing their torpedoes later, in a different place. The Imperial fleet, with all its might and self-confidence, will not expect this situation at all, they expect a heroic victory over a last stand planet defense."
Lieutenant Arlen beamed. “We’ll make it through this,” he whispered to himself, gripping the console tightly. "This plan is a stroke of genius."
Besides Cassia, Chief Engineer Meyer was another pillar of strength for the crew. Selflessly, not a single regard to his own fatigue, he worked in the engine room, ensuring that the John Tyburn was in the best condition possible. His gruff exterior hid a heart that beat for every soul on board. “This ship will hold and jump,” he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow, and his short, strict words carried more truth than most speeches, encouraging everyone around him. “I’ll make sure of it.”
Aware of what might await them in the future, all hands on the ship did everything possible to them and even more to ensure that the John Tyburn would be ready in time, prepared to meet the Imperial fleet properly, to carry out Cassia's plan as intended: to send a message to the tyrants and shed more blood of their henchmen. To instill fear among the oppressors and demonstrate to more people that, no matter how daunting the odds, the courage and skill of a determined few can overcome the mindless masses.
And when the order would be finally given for the carrier John Tyburn to vanish into the vastness of space, they would all live to fight another day, always as underdogs, but never without hope.
In this sequel to From Ghosts, Thalax IV, and a fateful feast…, and Rebellion! the bold people of Thalax IV and the NMLA prepare for the onslaught of the Imperial Fleet. Everything points to a war, but no one is really prepared for the enormous scale of the bloodshed and terror that will befall everyone and make the battle for a little-known fringe world go down in the annals of imperial history.
This log was created with the kind assistance of Meowers.