The scream of the alarm for General Quarters woke John from sleep as he scrambled to get his armored suite on. Less then 3 minutes after the call for GQ John scrambled onto the bridge of the Chicago. Lieutenant Berkly responded immediately to Johns demand for a SIT rep. "The strike group has arrived, we have 2 squadrons of destroyers, 4 light cruisers, and 1 heavy cruiser. The sensor drones are moving closer to get a positive ID on the 5 heavier units. I am moving to the secondary bridge." with that the Lieutenant ran out the door.

"Comms, what is the status of the rest of the Task Force? Tactical I want Combat Drones launched and kept on station, they are not to take any offensive measures yet. Navigation, what is the ETA on our intercept course?" John called out while he was strapping into the command chair while he looked at the tactical display and ships status.

Ship Status-Chicago

Shields: Active 100%

Hull Armor: Intact 100%

Engines: Active and running at 50% Capacity

Warp Engine: Standby Mode

Fusion Generators: 4/4 Online Operating at 60% Capacity

Missile Tubes: 20/20 Armed/Loaded Kinetic Missiles

Pusle Cannons: 60/60 Armed and Ready

Point Defense Cannons: 75/75 Armed and Ready

ECM: Standby mode

"Orchid, Dragonfly, Raven, and Riptide have reported in and are ready Captain." the Communication officer immediately responded.

"All Combat drones have launched and are keeping station with the Task Force." Tactical added.

Navigation looked up from the plot before responding "We are 15 minutes out from maximum weapons range on our current course. The destroyers have dropped back a little from the cruisers. It appears they don't want a fight for now."

'Jeeves how much longer until Kara and you are done hacking IRN Comm Network? I want to be able to talk to everyone over there.' John asked.

'The fight is ongoing with the IRN vessels, the IntelDiv ships are guarded by some nasty AIs and until we secure communications with the destroyers we are going to leave them alone. Now if you do not mind this is rather difficult, I need to concentrate.' Jeeves immediately responded.

"Communications, Jeeves and Kara are working on opening up the IRN comm-lines, so we can speak to everyone. Once they are open let me know. Maybe we can avoid a fight." John called out. The Communications officer sat and nodded while he continued to work his console trying to help the AIs as much as he could.

"Sir, we have identified the IntelDiv cruisers as well as the IRN units. Sending you the information now Sir." The primary Tactical Officer called from his station.

Thunder Class Destroyer are the backbone of the Imperial Remnent Navy (IRN), able to provide fast support for the heavier and slower line units.

Length: 550 Feet

Width: 50 Feet

Crew Compliment: 130 Sailers, 60 Marines

Reactor: 2 Type IV Fusion Generators

Engines: 4 Type IV Pulse Engines

Defenses: Shielding (Absorbs 1000 Damage), Hull Armor (Absorbs 1000 Damage), Type III ECM Suite, Type IV Stealth Suite, 30 PDCs

Weapons: 30 Single Pulse Cannons, 4 Forward and 4 Aft Missile launchers (60 Kinetic Missiles with up too 10 Ten-Ton Tactical Nuclear Missiles)

Other: 2 Assualt Shuttles, 8 Combat Drones, 6 Sensor Drones

New Haven Class Light Cruisers were designed 60 years ago as C&C units for destroyer squadrons but were slowly pushed out by the more versetile Thunderbird class light cruisers.

Length: 800 Feet

Width: 250 Feet

Crew Compliment: 900 Sailors, 72 Marines

Reactor: 4 Mark III Generators

Engines: 6 Type III Pulse, Class 2 Military Warp Drive (1 hour cooldown after being disengaged)

Defenses: Shielding (Absorbs 2000 Damage), Hull Armor (Absorbs 1500 Damage), Type III ECM Suite, 40 PDCs

Weapons: 40 Single Pulse Cannons, 8 Foreward Launch Tubes, 6 Aft Launch Tubes, (150 Kinetic issiles, 20 Ten-Ton Tactical Nuclear Missiles)

Other: 4 Assualt Shuttles, 10 Combat Drones, 8 Sensor Drones

Bulwark class Heavy cruisers were designed 80 years ago, but proved to slow for Imperial Commands doctrine. Only 6 of these ships were ever commisioned.

Length: 1700 Feet

Width: 450 Feet

Crew Compliment: 1500 Sailors, 180 Marines

Reactor: 4 Mark III Generators

Engines: 6 Type II Pulse, Class 1 Military Warp Drive (6 hour cooldown)

Defenses: Shielding (Absorbs 3000 Damage), Hull Armor (Absorbs 2500 Damage), Type III ECM Suite, 60 PDC

Weapons: 80 Single Pulse Cannons, 12 Foreward Launch Tubes, 10 Aft Launch Tubes, (300 Kinetic missiles, 40 Ten-Ton Tactical Nuclear Missiles)

Other: 6 Assualt Shuttles, 12 Combat Drones, 10 Sensor Drones

***Note that the IntelDiv have probably modified and changed the cruisers just like they modified the Raven.***

The heavy cruiser would be a real SOB to crack open, lets hope they crew the ships with Fleet member just like they crewed the Raven.

"We are entering maximum combat range. The cruisers are launching combat drones...but the destroyers have slowed and have broken formation with the cruisers. They are turning but...they are communicating with the cruisers. The cruisers are starting to turn... Sir the cruisers might be targeting the destroyers. They are launching Kinetic Missiles!!!" the Tactical officer called out.

"Comms, let Group Beta know to target the cruisers only. Navigation, close with those cruisers now. Tactical, task half the drones with fire support while keeping the other half close in for defense. Primary target is the Heavy Cruiser with kinetic missiles only for now." John called out as the Chicago pulled ahead and the formation loosened up a little to allow the ships to maneuver.

Group Alpha could throw 40 Kinetic missiles in a salvo and 30 seconds later John felt as the first salvo as it launched. The missiles appeared on the tactical display as they were joined by 24 Combat drones. 2 of the IRN Destroyers were blinking red on the display as heavily damaged, three others were engaged and getting pounded by the cruisers. "2 minutes to Impact, 45 seconds between volleys. Beta group will be launching in 1 minute." the Tactical officer called out.

'Jeeves, let all the IRN destroyer Captains know who we are and if they do not fire on us we will not touch them.' John told his ever helpful AI. A click over the Comm unit was the only response he received.

"Comms, communicate with Group B and see if we can coordinate salvos. Tactical looks like we got drones incoming, they are secondary targets for our drones. Incoming missiles are primary targets for defensive drones." John called out.

The sensor officer cried out "Targets designated as Bravo and Charlie are breaking away from assaulting the IRN destroyers and moving to intercept us. 30 seconds until they can fire missiles. 45 seconds until 20 combat drones reach PDC range. Group B just launched a salvo, 2 minutes to impact"

"Tactical, Target Bravo is our primary target now. Keep the combat drones on Target Alpha." John called out as he watched the first salvo enter the outer edge of the combat envelope of the Bulwark cruiser.

Suddenly the tactical lit up as the first salvo of missiles started dying as the Heavy cruiser and two light cruisers opened fire on the incoming missiles, 35 missiles and 3 drones died but the 5 remained missiles slammed into the aft end of the cruiser. It did not break the shields, but they were bruised, the remaining 21 combat drones continued to fire on the heavier ship. The Chicago shuddered as the second salvo launched targeting the lead light cruiser coming toward them, while the incoming ships launched 16 missiles toward Group A.

"Incoming missiles are targeting Riptide, 2 minutes until impact. Enemy drones are entering our combat envelope." The tactical officer called out as John felt the thrum of the deck change as the PDCs opened fire.

"Navigation put us on point for the formation, Comms tell Riptide to fallback." John snapped out. The Riptide had better sensors for coordinating PDC fire, but she could not take a pounding like the Chicago could.

"Looks like Group B targeted Echo, 30 seconds to impact. The Flight Group is vectoring toward target Alpha, 15 seconds until they get into PDC range." Tactical updated with all the new info. John had not wanted to bring the Warrior but her flight group, even green, would prove invaluable if they succeeded. John zoomed in again toward the heavy cruiser as the flight group launched decoy missiles that simulated Dragons and Corsairs.

20 seconds later the Dragons launched 24 ASM toward the Heavy Cruiser. 15 were destroyed over the next 5 seconds but the last 9 went into sprint mode and slammed into the cruiser. Multiple explosions rocked the cruiser as her shields and armor tried to absorb the damage but failed to contain the nuclear energy. In the end it looked like some monster took a huge bite out of the hull. Group Alphas combat drones swarmed the ship and continued to add damage to he already broken hull.

"Missile salvo entering PDC range, 15 seconds to impact." the sensor officer called out rapid fire. "Target Echo is dead in space. Delta is signaling surrender. Alpha is non-responsive. Salvo is 30 seconds out from Bravo." Over the next 15 seconds 14 of the 16 missiles died, the other two slammed into the Chicago taking 1/3 of her shielding.

"Damage report?" John called out as he zoomed in on target Bravo as the 40 kinetic missiles closed in with the Light Cruiser. She tried to turn but it just gave a bigger target for the missiles to find. 15 of the 40 missiles slammed into the cruiser, the missiles tore the target apart.

"Missile tubes 2 and 4, PDC banks 3 and 5 were knocked slightly out of alignment. All are still operational though. No casualties. Target Charlie is trying to run. Orders?" the Tactical officer asked.

"Target and Fire, comms try to get them to surrender. They have to power down engines, shields and weapons though." John responded but 3 minutes later the last salvo of the Battle of Thorin System slammed into the target destroying her.

Mission Complete: Battle of Thorin

Description: You have led a Task Force to defeat an IntelDiv assualt on the Thorin System. You actions drove a wedge between the IRN Fleet Units and the Coverts units of the IntelDiv

Rewards: IDN Reaver, 1000 Exp, +500 HC Kill, +750 LC Kills, Diplomatic relations with the Xaranx have increased.

John sighed at the loss of life, "Sir...a Commodore Drande is trying to contact whoever is in charge over here." the Communications officer relayed.

"Put him through to my station. Tactical keep an eye on those ships, we won't start the fight, but we will finish it." John responded as his console lit up as a disheveled man who had seen better days appeared. "No offense Commodore, but you look like shit. I am Captain John Port of the Heirs of the Imperium. I assume you received the transmission I sent. I think we need to meet in person. Now, do to your activities, none of your vessels will be allowed near the station. I will not go to your vessel, but so where would you like to talk?"

"I am guessing we cannot simply leave?" Drande asked.

John shook his head in a negative before responding "The Xaranx will not let your leave the system without us escorting you. You came here with the intent of destroying the station and killing as many of the people here possible. If you try to leave without our say so, your task force will be hunted down and destroyed. They have 6 squads of destroyers, 2 cruiser squadrons, and 3 fleet carriers. They have the firepower and I am the only thing keeping them back, so where are we meeting Commodore?"

20 minutes later the Commodore was sitting in front of John in the briefing room aboard the Chicago. "Interesting ship you have here, and among your task force. Athena light cruiser, Badger destroyers, and a Pegasus class light carrier we think. From the way your ships fought, none of them are out of date. So what is the plan now Captain...kill all of us?" Drande asked John.

John smiled before responding "Honestly, the thought has crossed my mind. As far as the Admirals Board this mission never happened, so if we kill all of you nothing will happen...You cannot go back because if you do, either the IntelDiv or the Board will order your deaths. It will happen. So..you can try and run, the Xaranx will kill you. You can go back to Imperial Space and either IntelDiv or the Board will kill you. Your finale option is to come with us, 3 of your ships are heavily damaged, we transfer the crews to other ships and scuttle the three that cannot go anywhere. The IntelDiv ships will be pushed into the Gas Giant by the Xaranx and the Reaver already has a boarding crew on her. All the Intel officers have been imprisoned aboard two of my ships. You and your people will have to earn our trust though Commodore, if your ships try to run once we get back to our base, we can and will destroy you. Decide what you want to do and let me know."

With that, John left the troubled officer. John needed his people but it was a huge risk to bring in so many new people.