"Commander our ship isn't going to be able to handle another hit sir!" the tech screamed in panic next to the Commander. He turned and glowered at the tech. His expression stone. He took out a small dagger and walked right up tot he man. With quick actions the Commander buried the knife straight into the tech's chest. The Tech's eyes shot open his mouth worked and he fell dead onto the floor at the Commanders feel every eye turned to him.<br/><br/>"Anyone else thinking of running?" The Commander asked and everyone looked away returning to their controls. "Someone take over the shield controls," The Commander said. Casting a glance at the bright red displays announcing that the man who was dead at his feet had been right. The ship couldn't take many more hits. "and someone dispose of him."<br/><br/>Without another word the Commander returned to standing in the middle of the bridge, "I want those Ion Canon's pointed at the planet begin bombardments."<br/><br/>And without another word the Coalition four ion cannons shot towards the surface. Buildings along Osmaria shattered and exploded. A general sounding alarm announced to those who had sought refuge bellow in the tunnels that a mass evacuation was now necessary. Osmaria was going to be destroyed the Commander hoped. Even with his Ion Canons it would take a long time.<br/><br/>The commander noticed that the other Coalition ship had now arrived next to him and was deploying it's six fighter squadrons and the shields along it's massive Canon were drawing away charging the weapon.<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>Zir skimmed through the damage reports flooding his controls flicking switches and dials to transfer energy from compromised systems into their backups. His body slammed back into his chair and he ground his teeth in anger and frustration.  He flicked his screens to the weapon and scanned the states. It was more stable then he would have believed possible.<br/><br/>"I can give you another solid three shots, maybe even six more. I'm not entirely sure Dar. The stats are holding steady at 75% full power. If they drop below 25% your weapon won't get the force necessary to be more then an annoyance." Zir said as answer. He flicked his hands over the controls as an alarm on his other screen sounded. Using his tentacles he flicked the switches on the other console to stabilize whatever was now causing the alarm. Stupid systems, great so this wasn't just a little minor thing that could drop into the backups that were stronger. This was a direct glance on the wings. Shit. Yet even then he managed to get the leaking system locked down and transferred to backup. So the damage wasn't actually serious or anything he needed to worry about. He grumbled and finally finished the charge sequence for the weapon.<br/><br/>"ready in 5" he said and released the weapon to Darin again.<br/><br/>--<br/><br/>Skar surveyed the scene before him and he spotted one ship he recognized. He hailed that ship. Knowing it was Darin Drake. A member, well once member, of is family, yet to Skar even 'disowned' Darin was still family. Skar flirted the edge of 'propriety' without stepping one step beyond what was expected of the Crowned Prince of Aridia.<br/><br/>"launch the fighters and target only the Coalition ship. If attacked defend, but do not engage the unknown fighters or ship unless they attack first." Skar said to those of his crew and those in the carrier that were on the large screens before him. He received a bunch of 'yes sirs' and then the screens went black and the fighters began launching against the Coalition fighters.<br/><br/>Skar called up<span style="font-style: italic">The Silver Dragon</span>on his screen and said softly in greeting "Key'rah Darin armina ashiar tash dir Aridia," It was such a typical Aridian greeting between family that his decorum demanded he say it. A greeting that Darin would be more then used to. Though Skar had no idea if Darin would return the greeting or not. It didn't really matter. He waited to see if Darin would take his call.<br/><br/>*brief translation: greetings Darin, may the greater gods of Aridia shine glory upon you.