Shadian slumped forward over his console, his head falling into his hands, ‘Well, we are alone again...what of any other portals closer to this station, have we picked up any signals?’
An intelligence officer looked across from one of the occupied desks nearby, his face grave, ‘We have run continual scans sir...both near and deep space...nothing.’ A Fahimian officer sat next to the ensign, staring down at her own adapted screen and tapping an earpiece impatiently.
The engineer swallowed, sparks still flashing from overhead cabling across the bridge of Alexion One, dust drifting downwards as the space station jolted once more, the massive upper guns firing out across dark space, ‘Sir...I wish to redeploy my crews to the repairs higher up in the station. We believe the new enemy ships may be launching fighters soon...there are numerous breaches in the hull on several floors. Our upper Alpha facility is producing defensive droids for the laser shield, Bravo to the base of the station is manufacturing the new laser rifles and as a result, we have few workers available...there is also still sporadic fighting above us.’
The officer turned as another figure strode into the bridge, the junior subordinate in an immaculate Trevakian marine uniform, red striped along the seams of his breeches to indicate the combat intelligence arm, an electronic tablet under his arm. Observing the figure approach, Admiral Shadian slowly rose to his feet nodding to beckon the man forward, the other operators studying the new visitor with interest, his own eyes falling on the small Fahimian and smiling with intrigue.
Stopping abruptly before the Admiral and engineering officer, the Trevakian marine stiffened, his boots cracking on the dust laden floor as a fist rose to his chest, ‘Admiral Shadian...updated situation comms from Morasat prior to your later visit today...’
The admiral forced a strained welcome smile, ‘Please go head...provide a summary.’
The junior officer cleared his throat, lifting the small tablet and staring down onto the flickering screen, clearing his throat, ‘From military command, Morasat district. Reconnaissance teams have moved out to previously vacated eastern forward outposts, including those we lost contact as the Morgons advanced. Most have now been re-occupied, and initial reports indicate the structures were deserted with little signs of recent enemy presence. Unfortunately, there are no survivors from any rear guards that remained behind...the bases overrun. Structural damage is being repaired and units being restationed at these locations with sensor equipment. They will also have additional heavy weaponry and limited air cover provided by our Fahimian allies.’ He smiled, ‘We are denying any cover to the enemy as winter approaches daily.’
The officer stiffened further, reading the next section, ‘The appearance of a new enemy has now eliminated any possibility of advancing further eastwards until their strength is ascertained...intelligence believes this new Terraxile threat is not as strong as their Morgon allies and that they will limit their landings to the existing far eastern enemy bases and incursions or any attacks against the eastern villages until they are more heavily deployed. We also believe from Fahimian historical records that this species will not be prepared for such a bleak winter as the ones that we experience on Zaxon B...that this will delay their deployment.’
His eyes glinted as he glanced up, licking his lips with excitement, ‘High Command in Morasat has been encouraged by reports from the Red Leopards in the west, now our strongest formation in that sector and heavily reinforced. Their commander has requested freedom of action and permission to attack with the support of artillery and Fahimian ground attack aircraft...they have also requested supporting fire from your station.’
Admiral Shadian’s exhausted body seemed to suddenly fill with energy, his weariness clearing as he grinned with rising adrenalin, ‘What of the Morgon positions...defences?’
The Marine intelligence officer glanced down again, scrolling the lettering upwards, ‘Red Leopard intelligence report that some Morgon units have been withdrawn...that the northern flank linking enemy forces from east to west is being reinforced at the expense of the forward units as they are heavily dug in...that this is potentially an opportunity to break the enemy once and for all, but that time is short before these new allies are deployed.’
Shadian spun round to the engineer, his voice shaking with excitement, ‘How long before all repairs carried out? Are all the upper and lower guns fully operational and can you provide a temporary laser shield to protect the station?’
The engineer’s eyes widened, his frame stiffening to respond, ‘Most repairs will be partially completed within the next few hours...there will still be three or four floors that are not airtight, but we can seal these decks and allow passage past.’ He hesitated, considering some more, ‘After temporary repairs, nearly all turrets are now operational, though at a reduced rate of fire due to crew losses...your first officer Archiad of the heavy gun turrets deserves a medal for his repair progress and crew training.’ He nodded as the admiral smiled fondly, ‘The flak guns are depleted, but we should be able to offer sufficient defence...my crews can change all the damaged barrels and guns over the next couple of nights.’ He grinned in relish, ‘You will have your laser shield Admiral...and soon.’
Shadian turned back to the military intelligence officer, ‘We will move the station further west and behind Morasat to provide support to the Red Leopards...the two support ships added to our guns should provide enough deterrent and the enemy will have to fly further.’ He glanced round at the seated Fahimian, seeing the emissary rise and nod willingly, his voice rising further, ‘Most of my fighters will join the initial assault and then return to protect us...we will then provide waves as time allows. The ground attack will be supported by
