The proximity alarm blared immediately.
-We have 59 vessels in front of us and they are all noble ships.
Anne shouted the information.
-Shields to full and power up the weapons, battle stations.
Tommy Started giving commands.
There were only two possibilities: Either someone wasn't informed about the pardon or they were betrayed.
-Captain we are being hailed.
David said in a nervous voice
-On main screen.
The screen showed an officer in his sixties with gray hair and a tough look.
-This is Admiral Alexiej Litvinenko power down or be destroyed.
The man said.
-I'm captain Thomas Zieliński and there must be some misunderstanding. We just received a pardon from the emperor so we are no longer exiles.
-There is no misunderstanding captain.I know about the pardon but we got our orders from the heads of our families to capture or destroy you, the choice is yours.
Tommy was now cursing himself for trusting the nobles.
They all knew that the moment they were captured they were all dead.
-Well admiral, I would like to avoid shedding blood today especially since our pardons are dependent on that.
-You sound like you stand a chance, captain.
-We actually do stand a chance Admiral and I really would like to avoid a battle.
-The only way to do that is for you to surrender.
-That's not an option for us.
-Then so be it.
The call was terminated.
-They have opened fire on us.
Anne reported.
-Evasive maneuvers and fire at will.
Tommy commanded a moment before the shields flared from enemy fire.
-Target the cruisers first and use the kinetic rounds.
The ship shuddered when they fired everything they had into the enemy fleet.
They were up against two cruisers, eight destroyers and the rest were frigates and smaller ships.
-The shields are down to 40%.
Simon reported.
-Both cruisers got direct hits from the kinetic weapons and have suffered heavy damage.
Anne reported.
-Keep firing until they are dead in space then target the smaller ships.
-Shields at 13% ,enemies,fire power is decreasing.
Simon reported after another volley slammed into the cruisers and both of the ships were dead in space.
-Switching shields.
Their first set of shields had to recharge so the second set took their place.
After losing their cruisers the enemy still had hope of defeating the exiles as their shields were almost gone but when their sensors showed that the shields were again at full they panicked.
The Star of Vengeance now targeted the destroyers and quickly took them out, losing only 30% of its shields after that the slaughter began in earnest.
Some of the smaller ships tried to run but none of them made it,some of the ships tried to surrender but their hails remained unanswered.
Tommy was now angry and he didn't take prisoners.
In less than an hour it was all over and the fleet that tried to destroy them was now annihilated.
-Damage report.
Tommy demanded.
-We suffered some minor damage to our armor when we switched the shields but other than that we suffered no damage.
There are no casualties.
Paul gave his report.
-Weapons status?
-All weapons are nominal but we used around 55% of our ordnance.
Simon answered.
Tommy used his communicator.
-Garry, start producing ammunition and send the drones to salvage what they can.
-Already on it.
Then he switched to the ship wide channel.
-Good work everyone but sadly the nobles had betrayed us, I really wanted to send you all home but now all bets are off.
We will continue with our previous plan because as you all just witnessed nobles still want us dead despite the emperor's pardon.
-Monic, plot a course for the nearest communication station. I need to have a chat with someone.
Tommy ordered.
-We are leaving as soon as our ammunition and material supplies are restored.
Garry managed to collect not only scrap and some ammunition but also food,clothes, some small arms and many more things that they needed.
The food was a welcomed sight for people who were eating the nutrition bars for a very long time.
It took them two days to fill up their ammunition reserves and restock on the materials.in the meantime Sonya took a group of damage control people for an EVA and repaired the damage to their armor by replacing the damaged parts.
When they were ready they left for the nearest communication station which was only 4 hours away.
They arrived and the only thing on their sensors was the station.
It was small and fully automated.
-David, open the channel to the Dragon star.
Tommy said.
-Chanel open.
-On screen.
The one who answered the hail was Jenny.
-Tommy, why are you calling?
She knew that there was trouble if he called instead of sending a message.
-Where is Daniel?
-He went to talk with the nobles regarding some details of your pardon.
-Then contact him and tell him not to bother.
She was stunned hearing his words.
-Why are you rejecting it? It's a good deal.
-It would be a great deal but two days ago we were attacked by a combined fleet of noble ships counting 59 ships
And the guy who i talked to ,knew about the pardon but he claimed to still have orders to capture or destroy us.
-We defeated them so either way this proposition went in flames along with that fleet.
-Wait, did you just say that you destroyed 59 vessels with only one ship?
She didn't believe her ears.
-That's right, either way tell Daniel that all bets are off and the nobles just signed their death warrants with this stunt.
-Daniel will be so pissed when he hears about it, not to mention the emperor.
-I will contact you again after I reach the coalition space.
The connection ended.