Distant Hope

CHAPTER 31 - THE COLONY

"Raiders you say" John looked to pictures of small freighters outfitted with weapons.

A pilot who photographed them continued "Theres about twenty of them heading for us."

John looked to him "How soon will they get here."

"They are due in the next four hours."

John nodded "Lets great ready the Shannon is in orbit."

The pilot left and John looked to the pictures and knew that this would be colonies first big test it had not come under attack until now.

The lead ship a large grey hulled freighter called the Razor loomed close to the Shannon and was three times her size.

John however was not intimidated for him it just made them easier to hit what worried where the other ships which where smaller and more maneuverable.

John looked and hailed the lead vessel "This is the Alliance ship Shannon please stand or we will be forced to attack."

The lead ship radioed back "This is the Razor part of the Syndicate your planet is now under our control I suggest you stand down and to let us continue."

John looked to his commander "The Syndicate?"

He shrugged his shoulders John reissuing his command for the ship to stand down. Soon the radio's went dead and the enemy fleet start to maneuver with enemy ships beginning to circle around the Shannon.

John barked "Battle stations. Attack the lead vessel try to disable her not destroy her."

Soon the blackness of space was illuminated by Alliance and enemy forces in blue and yellow pulses of plasma with missiles darting here and there hitting or missing their targets.

Other military vessels created a second line above Oset and the freighter Razor rammed through three ships. Soon however the Razor was setup upon by other military vessels and soon its metallic hulk was crashing towards the planet the only problem was that it was heading towards the main town of the colony.

Many fighters tried heroically to fight and break pieces off but it was to late a large piece of the Razor slammed into the edge of the main town leaving hundreds dead with broken buildings and smouldering ruins. There was a large crater where the Razor had crashed into the planet.

Above orbit John looked on in disbelief knowing they had won but at great cost he shook his head.