The aftermath of the daring attack on Dominion's flagship was still settling in when the Vanguard drifted through the debris field. The silence that had followed the explosion of Dominion's command ship was unsettling. The crew of the Vanguard was still reeling from the intensity of the battle, trying to process the enormity of what had just transpired.
Komandan Jack Ryder stood on the bridge, staring out into the vastness of space, the glow of distant stars reflecting in his eyes. The victory, although significant, felt hollow. The Dominion fleet was still very much intact, and the damage to Vanguard was substantial. The ship groaned under the weight of the assault, its hull scarred by the enemy's relentless counterattacks.
"Komandan," Mira's voice brought him back to reality. She stood at the communications station, her face etched with concern. "We've received a distress signal from the eastern quadrant. It's from the 4th Fleet. They've been ambushed and are requesting immediate assistance."
Jack's heart sank. They had just struck a decisive blow to the Dominion, but now they were about to face the repercussions of their actions. The consequences of their decision to attack the flagship had rippled through the Dominion fleet, but it also meant that other factions within the Dominion would be more determined than ever to crush the resistance.
"We can't afford to ignore them," Jack muttered under his breath. "Prepare a course, full speed ahead."
The crew scrambled to comply with his orders, but Jack's mind was elsewhere. He knew that the victory they had won was a double-edged sword. It had given them a moment of respite, but it had also made them a larger target. They had awakened the full wrath of the Dominion.
As Vanguard turned to head toward the eastern quadrant, Jack's thoughts went back to the mission. The decision to launch that high-risk attack had been his alone. He had pushed the crew beyond their limits, asked them to trust him in a moment of uncertainty, and now they were facing the consequences. It wasn't just the Vanguard at risk anymore—it was the entire rebellion.
"Komandan," Ryker's voice interrupted his thoughts. "We're receiving a transmission from Admiral Kessler of the 4th Fleet. She wants to speak directly with you."
"Put it through," Jack said, his voice steady despite the rising tension.
The holographic image of Admiral Kessler flickered into view. She looked worn, but her expression was fierce, eyes burning with determination.
"Komandan Ryder," she began without preamble, "our fleet is in a critical situation. The Dominion has deployed a new weapon—a pulse cannon capable of disabling entire fleets. We've been caught in its blast range. I need your help, now."
Jack's pulse quickened at the mention of the weapon. They had heard rumors of Dominion developing advanced weapons, but this was the first time they had encountered it in battle. A pulse cannon capable of disabling entire fleets? It was the kind of weapon that could shift the balance of power in an instant.
"What's your status?" Jack asked, focusing on the tactical data coming through. "How many ships are still functional?"
Kessler's hologram flickered, and then she spoke again, her voice tinged with frustration. "Less than half of our fleet is operational. The rest are dead in space. We've been hit hard, Komandan. If you don't come now, we won't be able to hold out much longer."
Jack glanced at Mira, who was already working to plot a course. His thoughts raced. The choice he made earlier, to attack the Dominion flagship, had led to their temporary success, but now it seemed the consequences of that decision were coming back to haunt them. The Dominion was bringing everything they had, and the resistance was becoming the hunted.
"We'll be there as fast as we can," Jack said, determination lacing his words. "Hold on, Admiral. Help is on the way."
"Be quick, Ryder," Kessler replied. "We don't have much time."
As the communication ended, Jack took a deep breath. The pressure of the decision weighed heavily on his shoulders. He had acted impulsively before deciding to launch a strike on the Dominion flagship in a moment of opportunity. Now, the cost of that action was starting to become clear. The Dominion wasn't going to let them go easily.
"We're approaching the 4th Fleet's location," Mira reported, breaking the silence. "But Komandan, the pulse cannon is still operational. It could hit us before we even get close."
Jack clenched his fists. "Then we have no choice but to take it out first. We need to locate that cannon and destroy it. Get the crew ready for a boarding operation."
Ryker looked skeptical. "Are we really going to board the weapon? With the fleet so scattered, that's suicide."
"I don't have time for hesitation, Lieutenant," Jack replied sharply. "We either take that cannon out, or we lose this fight. Prepare the team. I'll lead the charge."
The crew quickly readied themselves for the dangerous mission. Jack, Mira, Ryker, and a small group of elite soldiers would be the ones to infiltrate the Dominion's flagship and disable the pulse cannon. The rest of the crew would remain aboard the Vanguard, fending off enemy fighters and holding the line against any Dominion reinforcements.
As they made their final preparations, Jack's mind lingered on the larger picture. The rebellion had always been on the defensive, but now, they were being forced into a corner. The Dominion would come for them with everything they had, and Jack knew that their survival would depend on bold decisions just like the one he had made earlier.
But this time, the stakes were even higher. A single mistake could mean the end of everything they had fought for.
"Let's make this count," Jack muttered to himself.
The boarding operation was underway. Vanguard cut through the chaos of the battlefield, making its way to the heart of the Dominion's forces. They would need to get in close, land on the flagship, and sabotage the pulse cannon before it could do any more damage.
"Commence boarding!" Jack ordered.
The team donned their armor and prepared for the worst. They knew that this mission was a one-way trip if they failed, there would be no coming back. Jack led the charge, his heart pounding in his chest. There was no turning back now.
As they descended into the heart of the Dominion vessel, the sound of battle raged in the distance. The pulse cannon loomed ahead, guarded by Dominion soldiers. Jack's mind was focused on the task at hand, the fate of the fleet resting on their success.
The consequences of their earlier decision weighed heavily on him now. But he couldn't afford to let fear take hold. Not now. Not when everything was on the line.
"Move out!" Jack shouted as they stormed the Dominion ship.
They were prepared for a fight. The consequences of their actions had led them here, but now, Jack would make sure they didn't fail. Victory or death there was no other choice.
Terjemahan Indonesia:
Akibat dari serangan berani terhadap kapal induk Dominion masih terasa saat Vanguard melayang di medan puing-puing. Keheningan yang mengikutinya setelah ledakan kapal komando Dominion sangat tidak nyaman. Kru Vanguard masih terkejut dari intensitas pertempuran, berusaha memproses betapa besar apa yang baru saja terjadi.
Komandan Jack Ryder berdiri di jembatan, menatap ke luasnya ruang angkasa, cahaya bintang-bintang jauh di kejauhan memantul di matanya. Kemenangan yang mereka raih, meskipun signifikan, terasa hampa. Armada Dominion masih sangat utuh, dan kerusakan pada Vanguard cukup besar. Kapal itu mengerang di bawah berat serangan, lambungnya terluka parah oleh serangan balasan yang tak henti-hentinya dari musuh.
"Komandan," suara Mira membawanya kembali ke kenyataan. Dia berdiri di stasiun komunikasi, wajahnya penuh kekhawatiran. "Kami menerima sinyal darurat dari kuadran timur. Itu dari Armada ke-4. Mereka telah diserang dan meminta bantuan segera."
Jantung Jack terasa berat. Mereka baru saja memberikan pukulan telak kepada Dominion, tetapi sekarang mereka harus menghadapi konsekuensi dari tindakan mereka. Senjata Dominion masih ada, dan kini pihak-pihak lain dalam Dominion akan semakin bertekad untuk menghancurkan perlawanan.
"Kita tidak bisa mengabaikannya," gumam Jack dengan suara pelan. "Siapkan jalur, kecepatan penuh."
Kru bergegas memenuhi perintahnya, tetapi pikiran Jack melayang. Dia tahu bahwa kemenangan yang mereka raih adalah pedang bermata dua. Itu memberi mereka sedikit waktu untuk bernapas, tetapi juga menjadikan mereka sasaran yang lebih besar. Mereka telah membangunkan amarah penuh dari Dominion.
Saat Vanguard berbalik menuju kuadran timur, pikiran Jack kembali pada misi ini. Keputusan untuk meluncurkan serangan berisiko tinggi itu adalah keputusan yang dia ambil sendiri. Dia telah memaksa kru untuk melampaui batas mereka, meminta mereka untuk mempercayainya di saat ketidakpastian, dan sekarang mereka menghadapi konsekuensinya. Ini bukan hanya tentang Vanguard lagi ini tentang seluruh perlawanan.
"Komandan," suara Ryker menginterupsi pikirannya. "Kami menerima transmisi dari Laksamana Kessler dari Armada ke-4. Dia ingin berbicara langsung dengan Anda."
"Hubungkan," perintah Jack, suaranya tetap tenang meskipun ketegangan semakin meningkat.
Gambar holografik Laksamana Kessler muncul. Dia terlihat lelah, tetapi ekspresinya penuh tekad, mata penuh dengan semangat juang.
"Komandan Ryder," katanya tanpa basa-basi, "armada kami sedang dalam situasi kritis. Dominion telah mengerahkan senjata baru sebuah meriam pulsa yang mampu melumpuhkan seluruh armada. Kami telah terperangkap dalam jangkauan ledakannya. Saya butuh bantuan Anda, sekarang juga."
Jantung Jack berdegup kencang mendengar sebutan senjata itu. Mereka sudah mendengar desas-desus tentang Dominion yang mengembangkan senjata canggih, tetapi ini adalah kali pertama mereka menghadapinya dalam pertempuran. Sebuah meriam pulsa yang bisa melumpuhkan seluruh armada? Itu adalah jenis senjata yang bisa mengubah keseimbangan kekuatan dalam sekejap.
"Apa status Anda?" tanya Jack, fokus pada data taktis yang masuk. "Berapa banyak kapal yang masih beroperasi?"
Hologram Kessler berkedip, lalu dia berbicara lagi, suaranya penuh frustrasi. "Kurang dari setengah armada kami yang masih berfungsi. Sisanya mati di ruang angkasa. Kami telah dihantam keras, Komandan. Jika Anda tidak datang sekarang, kami tidak akan bisa bertahan lebih lama lagi."
Jack menatap Mira, yang sudah bekerja untuk memplot jalur. Pikiran Jack berpacu. Pilihan yang dia buat sebelumnya, untuk menyerang kapal induk Dominion, telah memberi mereka kemenangan sementara, tetapi sekarang harga dari tindakan itu mulai tampak. Dominion tidak akan membiarkan mereka pergi begitu saja.
"Kita akan segera ke sana," Jack berkata, penuh tekad. "Tahan, Laksamana. Bantuan sedang dalam perjalanan."
"Cepatlah, Ryder," jawab Kessler. "Kami tidak punya banyak waktu."
Setelah komunikasi berakhir, Jack menarik napas panjang. Beban keputusan itu terasa berat di pundaknya. Dia bertindak impulsif sebelumnya memutuskan untuk meluncurkan serangan terhadap kapal induk Dominion saat ada peluang. Sekarang, biaya dari tindakan itu mulai terasa. Dominion tidak akan membiarkan mereka pergi dengan mudah.
"Kita akan mendekati lokasi Armada ke-4," laporan Mira, memecah keheningan. "Tapi Komandan, meriam pulsa itu masih aktif. Itu bisa menyerang kita sebelum kita mendekat."
Jack menggenggam tangan. "Maka kita tidak punya pilihan selain menyerangnya dulu. Kita perlu menemukan meriam itu dan menghancurkannya. Siapkan tim untuk operasi pendaratan."
Ryker tampak ragu. "Apakah kita benar-benar akan mendaratkan pasukan ke senjata itu? Dengan armada yang terpecah, itu seperti bunuh diri."
"Aku tidak punya waktu untuk ragu, Letnan," jawab Jack dengan tajam. "Kita hancurkan meriam itu atau kita kehilangan pertempuran ini. Siapkan tim. Aku yang akan memimpin serangan."
Kru dengan cepat mempersiapkan diri untuk misi berbahaya itu. Jack, Mira, Ryker, dan sekelompok tentara elit akan menyusup ke kapal induk Dominion dan menonaktifkan meriam pulsa itu. Kru lainnya akan tetap berada di kapal Vanguard, melawan para pejuang musuh dan mempertahankan garis depan dari kemungkinan reinforcements Dominion.
Saat mereka bersiap-siap, pikiran Jack kembali pada gambaran yang lebih besar. Perlawanan selalu berada dalam posisi bertahan, tetapi sekarang, mereka dipaksa untuk terpojok. Dominion akan datang dengan segala kekuatan mereka, dan Jack tahu bahwa kelangsungan hidup mereka akan bergantung pada keputusan berani seperti keputusan yang telah dia buat sebelumnya.
Namun kali ini, taruhannya lebih tinggi. Sebuah kesalahan bisa berarti akhir dari semua yang telah mereka perjuangkan.
"Ayo buat ini berarti," gumam Jack pada dirinya sendiri.
Operasi pendaratan dimulai. Vanguard melaju melalui kekacauan pertempuran, menuju ke jantung kekuatan Dominion. Mereka perlu mendekat, mendarat di kapal induk itu, dan merusak meriam pulsa sebelum itu bisa menimbulkan lebih banyak kerusakan.
"Mulai pendaratan!" perintah Jack.
Tim bersiap dengan perlengkapan mereka dan siap menghadapi yang terburuk. Mereka tahu bahwa misi ini adalah perjalanan satu arah jika mereka gagal, tidak ada jalan kembali. Jack memimpin serangan, jantungnya berdetak kencang di dada. Tidak ada jalan kembali sekarang.
Saat mereka turun ke jantung kapal Dominion, suara pertempuran menggema di kejauhan. Meriam pulsa ada di depan mata mereka, dijaga oleh pasukan Dominion. Pikiran Jack fokus pada tugas yang ada di hadapannya, nasib armada bergantung pada kesuksesan mereka.
Konsekuensi dari keputusan mereka yang lalu terasa begitu berat sekarang. Tapi dia tidak bisa membiarkan rasa takut mengambil alih. Tidak sekarang. Tidak ketika semuanya dipertaruhkan.
"Bergerak!" teriak Jack saat mereka menyerbu kapal Dominion.
Mereka siap untuk bertempur. Konsekuensi dari tindakan mereka telah membawa mereka ke sini, tetapi sekarang, Jack akan memastikan bahwa mereka tidak gagal. Kemenangan atau kematian, tidak ada pilihan lain.