Season Three Finale: Sacrifice (Part Two) - Volume Two

When Major Oxford produced three ninja stars from his vest and moved into position to attack, Kent held up his flask and examined it for a moment. Just WHAT did I put in this!?

His team leader ducked around the back of some nearby columns, and in one swift movement send the small bladed disk flying across the room and into the neck of Zeus, who fell to the ground. The Olympians standing near him seemed just as surprised as Kent had by the attack. They regrouped quickly though, spotting the team behind the columns and calling for their guards to open fire. Travis called for his team to take out the four remaining Olympians. "The guards can be dealt with later."

Without hesitation Kent raised his sidearm and open fire toward the twelve golden thrones their enemy was moving to take over behind. Sergeant Calmara swung a large automatic weapon into place, spraying the raised throne platform and hitting Ares. Major Oxford brought his rifle to bear, and quickly dropped Demeter. Artemis was next, brought down by a hail of bullets from Calmara's heavy weapon.

Thick smoke began to fill the room as the guard's energy weapons opened fire. The stink of gunpowder and flying debris make it hard to see what was going on. By Kent's count there was one 'god' left - Hephaestus.

Behind him there was a grunt and the sound of a body hitting the floor. Oxford had been hit. Sergeant Calmara moved to his side to check on their team leader.

By the time Kent spotted Hephaestus it was too late. In the confusion of the battle he'd managed to get back behind the ornate thrones and circle around, using the columns that dotted the rooms perimeter to flank the team and approach unnoticed. The archaeologist tried to bring his weapon, but the Olympian had the element of surprised and slapped the sidearm from his hand. He grabbed Kent but his combat vest and threw him backwards.

Landing hard, McKillop tried to pull himself to his feet. His injured foot protested, and Kent slumped back down onto the marble floor. Hephaestus approached with intent, the look of revenge clearly seen in his eyes.

Koren couldn't tell what was going on. The intense flashes of light, the turbulence rocking his yoke and shaking his body and the intense flood of cries and battle reports coming across his still amped comm threatened to completely disorient him. Koren focussed on one thing: Not letting anything get in the way of the black of space he was streaming towards at full throttle. Multiple impacts caused Koren to counter with not-so-subtle inputs in the yoke, and Koren all the while kept his hand pushed hard into the throttle.

As the initial shock of the sudden engagement wore off, Koren's mind cleared up enough that he could take in the situation; Shields were holding but at most %50. All the targeting sensors were still going crazy, and Koren took his hand off the throttle for a moment to switch off the overcrowded HUD. He was just trying to get out of the cross-fire, and he didn't need firing solutions and weak-points for that, and furthermore Koren's overactive brain was doing that for him, but it didn't take him long to figure out his next course of action; get out of the Titan's jamming signal and radio back to the Illiad.

Koren couldn't help but think that he was doing in real life what Han Solo did in Star Wars V; the debris from exploding ships, the insanity of fighters and the flurry of projectiles he was dodging was quite reminiscent of the asteroid field in said film. It was by sheer luck (or the force) that Koren was maneuvering this moving minefield. All Koren could do was aim for open space and fly his heart out.

Finally, Koren broke free, took his F-302 about a click out, and spun his fighter around to analyze the battle. Koren's heart jumped into his throat. Two or three F-302's had escaped as well, but the bulk of his and Cromin's flights were stuck in the fray, and Koren could make out a few signature pieces of debris from some already eliminated fighters. They were losing pilots fast in this mess.

Koren opened his comm, which was still boosted. "Illiad, Aeneid, this is Eagle 1 reporting in." Koren said with urgency, "Both enemy forces have engaged each other. Eagle and Ghost are caught in the crossfire. Please respond!"

OOC: Needed Koren to be able to have a good view

0912USS Aeneid
Bridge

Hearing the Amberson’s words, Kim paled as the shock ran through her system before anger took over. Hal had been right, but it didn’t make the loss any easier. When a second round of anger arrived Kim lunged for Hal, “I warned you I’ll make you suffer,” her eyes flashed at him dangerously, as two SF’s struggled to control their long-time member of Delta base and Garcia’s former second in command of his team.

And it hurt like h3ll when one of them fell in battle, but it made it worse with it was a retired General who was respected by all. Disgusted at the turn of events, Kim threw her head phones on the floor of the ship and stalked out of the bridge, leaving the room in awkwardness. He just had to go and play a hero, didn’t he? Just had to sacrifice himself…for what? Lousy greater good? Kim was certain she would strangle him when she saw him in heavens years down the line.

Far from the people and interaction, Kim’s felt the red hot tears stung her eyes and it was a battle to keep them at bay. Looking at the ship, “Who asked you to give your life? Damn it.” She asked the man who wasn’t here to answer back, and kicked the wall, before leaning her head against it, losing her battle with her emotions. “And don’t tell me its boys being boys,” she added.

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"...Eagle and Ghost are caught in the crossfire. Please respond! I repeat, please re-..."

Koren suddenly stopped as a blinding flash cut through the black of space and illuminated the cockpit of the F-302 with a harsh white light. Koren's heart jumped to his throat; it came from the direction of the Daedalus- Cruisers...
Koren spun around in his seat and tried to see though the expanding explosion. A wicked smile crossed his face as the two distinct silhouettes of the Illiad and Aeneid slowly came into view upon the explosions bright background. Koren screamed for joy and pounded the canopy: The Titan's were gone. Those that hadn't been taken by the explosion were being systematically annihilated by the Olympian defense fleet. Koren heard the yells and grunts of victory coming over his comms from the remainder of his squad, and Koren's smile grew bigger:

They were going to make it.

"Eagle, form on me." Koren radioed as he spun his fighter towards the explosion and jammed the accelerator forward once again. "Full speed to the Cruisers. Double time it!" Koren knew what the Olympian's would do once they'd cleaned up the Titan's; they'd come for the last remaining adversaries: Delta. With engines at full burn, Koren took stock "Eagle, callsigns." Koren counted each transmission. His heart burst; only three of his flight remained. Getting caught in the middle of the Titan's and Olympians engagement had cost him all but a handful of his fighters...

Koren's face went blank as his thoughts left Olympia, left the system, and came to rest on one solitary UFO. One solitary fighter that had killed every member of his flight on his last deployment. He had done it again; Koren had killed his flight in combat. He wouldn't be surprised if the SG program discharged him after this battle...

Some jolts in the yoke awoke Koren from his nightmare; the debris from the exploding Titans was pinging off his shields. They were almost to the cruisers. Koren checked his sensors, and sure enough the Olympians were in hot pursuit. Koren opened a channel to the Aeneid: "Aeneid, this is Eagle One. We've taken heavy losses but are here to assist and we've brought the party. Where do you want us?"

(Aeneid)

"Roger that." Koren switched back to the squads frequency. "Eagle, this is lead. Ok, you two, the moment of truth. Form up with Angel and Ghost. Let's carve a path to Olympia."

It seemed that all Troy's questioning of Pooja during the last few months must have sunk in - the sociologist seemed none too keen to join him in their escape. She stated that Troy should go along without her, and refused to move. For a split second he considered raising the P90 in his hands and ordering her to follow, but knew in his heart she'd call the bluff immediately.

"My biggest headache just saved my life," he explained, "And I'm not about to let her go down with this ship." He turned toward the exit. In order to be beamed out he had to put some distance between himself and the interference field that stopped objects being beamed onto and off the bridge.

"Besides, there's no way I'm way I'm facing Commander Garcia alone if you choose to stay behind..."

In a blinding flash of light, Troy and Pooja appeared on the bridge of the battle cruiser. Immediately they were thrown into a scene of chaos. Personnel from the away team were spread around the room in varying states on injury. A giant fireball from the exploding Titan fleet was engulfing the forward view screen. Yet despite all this, Troy heard one statement from the other side of the bridge clear as anything.

"He gave his life to get the mission finished."

The colonel didn't even note who made the comment. He quickly scanned the room, taking inventory of all who were present. The missing team members was apparent instantly.

Frank Kepler, former expedition commander and retired Major General.

Troy wanted to retreat to his quarters, or move forward and stare out into the void of space. He needed time to adjust, time to process what had just happened. Time to get his head straight. Time was however not a luxury that he had. He closed his eyes, took one large exhale and did his best to centre himself. Frank’s sacrifice would not be in vain.

"Status report!" he called, turning back to the bridge. The Titans might be gone, but the expedition still had the Olympians to deal with.

0912
Olympia
Cells

They had to deal with their own mini fire fight before they could have moved along from the mazes of the dungons that kept them apart with the other teams. Martin sighed as he stepped over dead bodies. A sight still years after being out of service of RAN, gave the dread that these people had families they left behind for the gods that were false. His alone made him think of his daughter he left on earth when he came here. The ache in his heart for her folded many times over. The only thing he wanted to do was to go home and hug his child enough to last many lifetimes over.

Inhaling he looked at the females in his care and sighed, “Get ready for a blazing gun fight that waits us?” he asked then before anyone could reply, James’s voice brought his radio to life, hearing him Ajay looked a little disappointed, “We received the message,” he replied, “We also missed out on the fun? Peachy.”

Then nodded to the girls to follow him, “Be there two minutes.”

0914
Olympia
Throne Room

Ajay shook his head at Travis, “You come out of Asphodel alive and nearly get yourself killed here.” He walked towards the trio members of SD-2, “That’s such a feat.” He still didn’t get just how the man worked. Looking at McKillop, “Need help?”

Then looked at Travis, “What’s the plan now?”

Looking at Martin, Travis threw a chuckle at what the doc said, “I have my moments, Martin,” he told the man, “Back to the ship I suppose.” Clinking his radio and connecting to the ship, “Colonel this is Wizard. We reached and secured Oz,” and no more yellow bricked roads for a while. He could take the year off and enjoy his time with his kids and family. He could head down to Cali and catch up with his elder brother.

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