The Proverbial War - Page 124/141

He glanced up at the shifting clouds overhead, they had a grey cast to them. There was going to be a storm today and he was about to start it.

"All batteries commence firing!"

The flagship's forward gun batteries belched flame and gunpowder smoke as they touched off in a perfect synchronization of action and power. In an echoing reverb the rest of the fleet fired, even as they continued to press forward at top speed. The salvo of lead tipped explosive rounds touched down with deafening force onto the city, which still appeared for the most part to be lifeless.

*****

It had taken longer to make repairs than expected for the possessed pirate crew, but now systems were coming back online one after the other in readiness to deal with their attackers.

One pirate screamed in an inhuman wail of anger and Captain Sally lifted her head with a baleful glare, "What is it?" She demanded.

"They've managed to take out our shields with that first salvo, but we do still have full weapon access."

"Do it then! Kill them all!" Captain Sally screeched back in reply.

Screens came alive with firing options imprinted in a language that hadn't been seen since the great flood had transpired on the world above.

*****

"Incoming Sir!"

The flagship shuddered and bucked heavy in the water as effervescent power bolts slammed into the forward gun battery mounts. Smoke filled the bridge, as explosions rocked through the ship.

"Forward guns out of action Sir! Reports of multiple fires!"

"Send fire control units to deal with it, but do not stop the fight! Message the fleet to prepare and initiate evasive maneuvers!"

Captain Hiro turned back and looked through one of the forward windows just in time to see one of his destroyers get blown apart into a terrific fireball of molten steel and human debris. Seconds later another destroyer on the other end of the line went up in flames as the first one had. The companion cruiser of the flagship cruiser was taking heavy damage as well.

Captain Hiro turned to the helmsman and barked out, "Bring us off to the side of the city and bring our rearward gun batteries into range!"

The helmsman attacked the wheel and spun it over so that the cruiser plowed off to the left in an abrupt turn even as the rear battery mounts swiveled over the side of the ship ready to fire. Water spray blasted upward terrifically where an energy salvo shot off from the city plowed into the watery position of where the ship would have been before it diverted from its course at the Captain's bequest.