CHAPTER XXXXIX: DELIVERENCE

Hours had passed, and now both Scaffaw and Defiance were about to enter SS-4 high above TaBora where possibly one or two Sith destroyers would be waiting along with several dozen Black Ravens. Scaffaw had been disarmed long ago on Grynd and would be vulnerable to the Black Ravens and destroyers; therefore, Defiance HAD to protect the ship at all cost upon re-entry to TaBora. No one knew the tactical military situation, but it was assumed that TaBora had suffered huge casualties and was practically defenseless against the Sith on the topside.

Onboard Defiance, Lord Kalore was planning his best course of action- either go directly for the main destroyer Black Heart with a point-blank attempt to destroy her while the second destroyer tried to move in or plunge straight into the atmosphere guarding Scaffaw and then trying to fight it out with the Ravens and Sith ground forces. The MD-13 gave Defiance a sixty percent chance of defeating one destroyer but only a forty percent chance of beating two destroyers. Attacking the ground forces would be much easier as they lacked any suitable firepower except the Ravens to defend them. Lord Kalore decided that the best defense would be offense and would launch the attack against the ground forces. Neither Sith destroyer could enter the atmosphere, rendering them useless until Defiance entered space again. Then, they would be waiting with all guns armed for combat. But what of the Ravens? If they were in space they would pose a significant threat when combined with the destroyers- too many targets to track and hit. Yet if they were in the atmosphere, then the heavy cruiser held the advantage. We must ascertain where the Ravens were and the force posture of the Sith strike force.

Soon they found out. Upon exiting hyperspace alarms sounded on the bridges of both Black Heart and Dark Fury. Max-Ventor could see it was Defiance returning to TaBora and with the jaw-dropping sight of the terrorship Scaffaw. Ventor immediately ordered that all guns train on those ships and that the Rekurium reactors be brought on line- full power ahead to intercept! Also, Ventor ordered the MD-13 to hyperlink back to Lord Rexor that Diprava was right after all- the traitors WERE going to be on TaBora. Ventor prepared for battle and ordered Dark Fury to move in for a confrontation. All Black Ravens were ordered to immediately cease ground operations and rejoin the destroyers at full speed. Incoming hostiles reported.

Onboard Defiance, Lord Kalore com-linked to Scaffaw and instructed Bassam to stay close and do exactly what his ship did. When the time came, he was to follow her down right into the atmosphere behind her. Until then, Bassam was ordered to let Defiance take the destroyers’ fire. Bassam obeyed as Scaffaw moved in close behind the large wedge-shaped Sith heavy cruiser.

Immediately, Defiance was caught in a fire barrage from Black Heart as Dark Fury closed in. Defiance responded in kind opening up with all forward T and M-Packs in blistering counter-fire that rocked Ventor’s ship. The Black-Void class vessel was more resilient to strikes due to its superior construction at Evaleon. Max-Ventor was increasingly hostile and ordered more power to his guns even as he ordered the reactor to full power in a race to beat Defiance before she entered the atmosphere. Dark Fury was racing forward as well, but was still out of range to hit the enemy.

Unknown to Ventor, the power surge was now forcing Thruster Number Two to bleed into damaged Thruster Number One. A massive pressure build up was accumulating between thrusters and crew chief Wrenx com-linked to the bridge warning that the bleed line was in critical danger at the full power setting. He urged Ventor to drop the power down twenty-five percent, but Ventor refused and Black Heart surged forward. Wrenx and the engine crews heard the loud pressure build-up and straining of Thruster Number One. Wrenx knew this was madness and tried to drop the power manually at the main engine console, but was confronted by a Sith officer who was armed.

By this time, the MD-13 detected the warning indicators that there was a critical malfunction between thrusters one and two. Black Heart was almost upon Defiance and ordered all guns ready to commence firing. “She will be crippled in one massive blow” but then the MD-13 warned: CRITICAL MALFUNCTION IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THRUSTERS ONE AND TWO EXPERIENCING EXTREME PRESSURE BUILD-UP. MUST POWER-DOWN LINES ONE AND TWO. “NO!!!” screamed Ventor in range, “I HAVE HER NOW, OVER-RIDE SAFETY PROTOCOLS, PREPARE TO FIRE ALL BATTERIES ON MY COMMAND!!!”

Below, in the engine compartment, the order was heard over the deck amplifiers and Wrenx frantically jumped the Sith officer as he ordered an immediate power drop. But as the engineers raced for the main engine console, other Sith officers began firing. Several fell short of the console while Wrenx grabbed a massive metal spanner and smashed the skull of the Sith officer wrestling with him. After three strikes the officer’s head was a bloodied pulp. Covered in splattered blood, Wrenx raced to the main engine console, but was shot dead by several Sith back up officers, his bloodied hand almost reaching the engine throttles. His last sight was the pressure overload indicators flashing red and the alert lines going critical.

Max-Ventor was standing on the C-bridge with a wicked smile on his face. He was seconds away from crippling Defiance and capturing the notorious Dark Lord Kalore and his whore mistress Tirahn. He would be a hero back on Tirahnna. The weapons grid was fully charged and the ship was at maximum speed heading straight for Defiance which made no evasive moves. Strange thought Ventor, my moment of triumph, and no response from my adversary?

Just then, Lord Kalore ordered Scaffaw to go into a full power dive and stay as close as possible. Rising up to meet the threat, Black Leader Garish was at full throttle with his Ravens ready to join in a great victory over the Sith traitors that had eluded them on the surface. But then a dark shape covered the small fleet of obsidian star fighters.

Onboard Black Heart Max-Ventor screamed out, “FIRE ALL BATTERIES, EXECUTE!!!” But Defiance suddenly plunged nose down towards the TaBoran atmosphere even as the MD-13 reported: THRUSTER OVERLOAD AT JUNCTION 1B-2A. CRITICAL POWER OVERLOAD. EXPLOSION IMMINENT. Ventor yelled back to drop the power down, but it was too late. The thruster bleed pipe exploded and rained down fire on the entire engine compartment. Shield generators failed as all four thrusters caused a line explosion that blew the fuel lines and engulfed the core which was shaken off its foundation by the multiple shock waves. Detonations were building up to the command bridge which was built to separate in an emergency. Ventor frantically ordered the C-bridge to detach but the MD-13 reported: CATASTROPHIC POWER FAILURE. ESCAPE SYSTEM INOPERABLE. In a brilliant flash, Black Heart was destroyed. Scaffaw had witnessed the explosion on its rear sensor array and both Bassam and Ligris could not believe their good fortune. Bassam looked at Ligris and was about to speak when Ligris cut him off, “YES, the Orban works in mysterious ways!”

Defiance had also detected the destroyer’s demise and could not understand it. Max-Angor of Dark Fury was at a loss for words, having witnessed the violent flash and could not prevent either enemy ship from entering the atmosphere. He tried in vain to contact Black Leader Garish and the Ravens, but there was an eerie silence from the skies over TaBora.

As Defiance entered the atmosphere, the rising Black Ravens were like tiny bugs that crashed at speed into the heated hull of the heavy cruiser. Black Leader Garish was one of the first to hit the starboard armor and was blown to pieces. Multiple fiery impacts hit Defiance as she slowly descended down to the point where the Sith were assembled. All Ravens were destroyed as wreckage rained down from the sky.

Warlord Barren opened the hatch of his Tartus and saw the massive Defiance leading in the massive craneship Scaffaw. He tried to contact the Ravens and Black Heart, but there was no response. He had over 49,000 troops exposed in the open with a renegade heavy cruiser and terrorship coming upon them. The only thing Warlord Barren could do was open fire with his Tartus guns and order the parked bulk carrier gunners to target the mighty ship. It was a futile gesture as Lord Kalore opened up with his T-Packs and cut the Sith Kyries to pieces along with the bulk carriers which erupted in waves of fireballs.

In just a few moments the battlefield was strewn with dead Sith and burning wreckage that was once a mighty strike force. Warlord Barren scanned the horizon and could find no military assets left. He cursed the traitors Lord Kalore and Tirahn as his Tartus tried to move out of the area. Lord Kalore spotted it and decided to finish off this force himself. He ordered the MD-13 to deploy Defiance’s landing pads and slowly descending, Lord Kalore caught up to the fleeing Tartus and crushed it into the ground with the forward landing gear. Warlord Barren and his crew were crushed to death and buried. But Defiance would have a hard time landing without the ship sinking into the soil under its tremendous weight. Nevertheless, it had to be done and Defiance landed not far from Inner Passageway 107. The ship landed, but did not come to rest easily as the lander legs dug into the soil and met the vessel’s huge underbelly.

Katarsh scouts had witnessed the carnage and return of the Sith cruiser, but along with it, the notorious Scaffaw. This was reported right away to Dasam Umein and the other Katarsh Warriors who were commanded to return back topside to meet the ships. Laral Utan had heard the news and rejoiced in his heart that the Sith Kyrie Tirahn had indeed returned and destroyed the Sith forces. She truly was the “Chosen One” and has saved his people from certain destruction.

Still awaiting transport in Inner Passageway 107, Laral Utan re-mounted Pakfaw and raced to Defiance along with all the Katarsh Warriors left alive and Buras by the thousands. They met at the emergency hatch high above on Defiance’s hull and a hoister was soon sent to bring Lord Kalore and Tirahn down to the surface.

The first thing Laral Utan did when he saw Tirahn in her Kyrie suit was to run to her and hug her. This was most peculiar thought Lord Kalore. But Tirahn hugged back, glad that the Buras were now safe and that she had fulfilled their prophecy. However, the Katarsh Warriors were not so eager to see Bassam Omenga nor Scaffaw again. Armed Warriors met Bassam at the base of Scaffaw intent on killing him when all of a sudden they saw the formidable Ligris approach from behind him dressed in his combat Mangalore outfit and carrying with him his dreaded Black Wave weapon. They lowered their weapons as Ligris urged them on back to an Inner Passageway not damaged nor destroyed in the Raven strikes. Tirahn rode with Laral on Pakfaw while Lord Kalore was given another hursa. Lord Kalore did not understand any of this, but looking at Tirahn, he knew that she was smiling under her Kyrie helmet. Today had been a brilliant victory and it would take Sith reinforcements another day to arrive here. By that time, the Whill Hand of God should arrive and obliterate any Sith nuisance force that tries another attack.

Laral and the Katarsh Warriors led the Sith, Bassam, and Ligris into an Inner Passageway and, quickly dismounting, escorted them to the Segma pods which would form one large Segma ball train that would take them down to Takrat, well below the surface. The Segma system had been severely damaged in places, but Bura engineers were already at work repairing the tunnels and diverting the pods and ball trains along detours which meant short delays, here and there. For the most part, the visitors enjoyed the ride. This was the first time Lord Kalore or Ligris had seen the intricate subterranean world of TaBora and they were most impressed by its efficient mass transit system and level of comfort and technology. However, Lord Kalore was again puzzled why he was forced to ride with a Katarsh Warrior while Ligris rode with Bassam and Tirahn was riding with that Bura who had hugged her.

Laral Utan was still celebrating and thanked Tirahn repeatedly for coming back. He said that he only wished that he could see her face and she obliged by removing her Kyrie helmet, which took most of the time of the journey. Coming into the city, Laral was amazed at the Sith female’s beauty and admired her as an equal- something forbidden by Bura Law and the sacred Orban.

Ligris, meanwhile, was marveling at the Bura beauty of the city “that never sleeps” and the truth of the fabled Black Sun whose radiance was comforting. All around were the fantastic sights of black and gold splendor. Of violet radiant clothing and lush violet flowered avenues. But the Sith damage was also evident.
Bura emergency crews were digging inside the city from foundation walls that had been shattered by the Gravitons and entire missing sections of the Segma system. Some fires were still burning and some buildings were heavily damaged. But Takrat as a whole had survived and now the Holy Moske was coming into view. It was near there that the Segma ball train stopped and separated into individual pods for exit.

Lord Kalore was astounded by all the fabled rumors about TaBora that proved absolutely true. He especially was fond of the dark obsidian-like structures and the mixing of black and gold. This underworld was not dark and dingy but full of radiant dark light and rich splendor. It was far more splendid than Hael and much like the beauty of Jeranu only with contrasting colors and not being topside. Lord Kalore was looking forward to meeting this Bura leader Dasam Umein and to discover what this sacred Orban business was all about.

Forming up, everyone followed the Katarsh Warriors to the Holy Moske and opened the Great Doors. From there the Moske Guards led the party to Dasam Umein who was amazing right back upon his levitating Karpaat along with other Bura holy men. Dasam ordered everyone to please sit in the Inner Circle and to receive comfort for their troubles. Everyone except Bassam Omenga who was seized by the Moske Guards.
Tirahn and Ligris rose to intervene, but Dasam asked them to please sit back down. “This is an internal Bura matter,” Dasam spoke as he removed the Oporra inhaler tube from his mouth. Oporra was a mild mind-expansion drug that was mixed with holy water and produced a vapor that was inhaled through the mouth through feed tubes running all from a central vessel. All of the holy men were feeding off it.

“Bassam Omenga” you stand accused of high treason to the Bura world and religious misconduct under the sacred Orban. Your actions have caused great pain to our people, our religion, and now our world. You have misused the sacred Orban for unjustifiable revenge and murder. How plead you?”

Bassam held his head down low and spoke respectfully to the Holy One. “It is as you say, Holy One. I have committed great offense against our people and the peoples of other worlds. I deserve the death sentence.”
With that said, Dasam summoned the Moske executioner who was draped in ceremonial white with face mask and Bura Katara sword raised. Bassam laid down his head on a ceremonial pillow ready for the strike but Tirahn ignited her Black Fire weapon. All eyes were on her and the glow of the weapon.

“Holy One Dasam Umein, you had told me that I was the “Chosen One” and that your sacred Orban promised that a deliverer will be brought by a mighty wind during your “Time of Our Trouble”. Is this not so?” Tirahn challenged. Dasam waived the executioner away as Bassam raised his head slightly. Dasam responded, “Yes, that is our prophecy and Laral Utan fulfilled it when he first brought you here on the hursa Tarnaw which means “Chosen One”. Laral was riding Pakfaw which means  “Mighty Wind. It was then I suspected you would come back and deliver us and you have. All is fulfilled.”

But Tirahn corrected Dasam. “No Holy One, this is only a half truth. I left TaBora and was intent on not returning, but engaging Lord Rexor to kill him. But I soon discovered a way to help both the Whills of Elysia and your people with my light jumper, which resembles the sacred Orban. Only THEN did I decide to return here with Bassam. Is not his ship called Scaffaw? What does that mean in Bura?” The Bura elders and Dasam himself looked shocked. Dasam knew what Tirahn was trying to say.

“In our language Scaffaw means “White Wind”. There were gasps all around the Inner Circle. “So you are correct to infer that the mighty wind of the prophecy may be Scaffaw instead and that you arrived here with him to save us. We cannot go against the sacred Orban. Bassam’s life will be spared, but he is still not welcomed in Takrat. If he is to live on TaBora, then his sentence will be reduced to living topside for the rest of his life and to never leave our world again.

Ligris then rose and spoke with great concern. “Holy One, Bassam Omenga is here to repent of his misdeeds and to rescue the Whill people from certain destruction at the hands of the Sith. He is their only hope and if he cannot leave this place and help the Whills, the Sith will rule the galaxy and surely come back to TaBora to finish the job they started today. The Grynds of all people have already forgiven Bassam and yet you call topsiders infidels. Infidels like my Sith friends here have risked their lives to save Buras. Will you not also forgive Bassam of his crimes and allow him to prove his redemption by trying to save the Whills and the entire galaxy? Is there no greater calling and does the sacred Orban not teach forgiveness and mercy on the truly repentant?”

Dasam Umein spoke not for the space of five minutes and then inquired, “Why have you returned here, what is it that you require of us to accomplish this impossible task of yours?” Bassam rose slowly and spoke clearly with resolve, “I need to locate my hidden pulse thumper. I will need my ship rearmed and weapons to fight inside the Sith monster. And I humbly request of you a few of your best Katarsh Warriors to help me run my ship and attack the Sith vessel. That is all.” Bassam quickly resumed sitting and did not look up into the face of the Holy One.

Dasam Umein declared, “The sacred Orban is our life and truly mercy and forgiveness lies at its heart for those that deserve it. Bassam Omenga you have proven yourself worthy of redemption. Rest here for a few hours and we will fuel and arm your ship. You may take with you five of my best Katarsh Warriors, but leading them will be Laral Utan. You may go topside in the morning with a Bura engineering crew and recover your thumper if it is still around. Then go in peace and return renewed in strength and spirit. As it is written, so let it be.”

Bassam and everyone bowed before being led out of the Holy Moske and to TakRat’s finest dining facilities and pleasure spots before a rest until morning. Lord Kalore was supremely impressed with the Buras and their way of life. Peace and tranquility seemed to reign in the light of the Black Sun. If only such radiance shone over Hael or Tirahnna.

But back at home, Lord Rexor had received the news from Max-Angor of Dark Fury that Black Heart, the Ravens, and all Sith ground forces had been destroyed by Defiance. The Abadon-Class destroyer was holding a position above TaBora to attack Defiance once she launched back into space while awaiting reinforcements from Tirahnna. Lord Rexor was again grieved, but knew that the final confrontation was coming. He ordered the Abadon-Class destroyer Firestorm to reinforce Dark Fury without waiting for the Black Ravens. Slayer was presently 20 hours away from destroying the Whills and Defiance would try to attack EVO-ONE tomorrow once the announcement was made of Slayer’s existence and bombing run. Lord Rexor would be prepared. The fight was never over. He would keep the Black Ravens in reserve, ready to attack Defiance during the heat of battle. That would effectively keep Tirahn from attempting to enter his ship.

Death would come to the Sith traitors and the Whills by mid-day tomorrow. The galaxy would then become my domain forever.