Destroy the "Supa Krooza!"

[Skeelzania]

Destroy the “Supa Krooza!�

Planet D, Gantris IV system, Skeelzanian frontier

The SCARR ship glided into high-orbit around the planet, maintaining just enough speed to keep gravity up. On board, prospectors began their scans of the world below, recording any and all information in the ship’s vast databanks. The captain was just preparing to make himself a cut of coffee when every alarm on the ship went nuts. “What the hell is going on?�

Someone aft shouted forward: “Enemy fire from the surface! It’s a missile sir, and heading straight for us!� He whirled towards his command console, focusing the vidscreen onto the incoming projectile. The last thing he saw was what appeared to be a crude drawing on the nosecone: half skull, half smilie-face.

The multi-kiloton warhead exploded just under the ship, throwing it tumbling out of orbit. Emergency protocols kicked in as all energy was directed to the heat shield and thrusters in a desperate attempt to survive reentry. Screaming through the atmosphere like a comet, the SCARR ship slammed into one of the larger continents, leaving a half-mile trench to mark its descent. Several hours later, an emergency hatch exploded outward, followed by a yellow escape-slide. Miraculously, a few engineers had managed to survive as the bridge absorbed much of the blast. Tumbling onto the still-steaming earth below, the men surveyed their new home. “Where do you think the bastards who shot us down live-“ began one of the survivors, moments before a .50 caliber round slammed into his stomach. The others simply gaped as a wave of horrible green monsters surged towards them…

Two years later…

“You still haven’t answered WHY you waited so long before beginning an investigation!� The Admiral slammed his fist down for emphasis, causing the SCARR man to jump slightly. These military types could be so violent. “I told you, we were occupied elsewhere. We often lose scouts, and we simply cant afford to investigate each and every disappearance. Besides, you’re the ones who let this thing get as far as it has-“

“Gentlemen, please.� The entire table fell silent. No one spoke when the Prince did. “We can affix blame for this incident later; but first we must fix it. Admiral, please bring us up todate.�

The aging Grand Admiral thanked Prince Vladimir, then began his presentation. “As we all know, two years ago a SCARR ship was lost in the system of Gantris IV, on the frontier. Four weeks ago a ship of unknown make was encountered by a second SCARR scout, which was subsequently destroyed. The origin of this vessel appears to be from Grantris IV, and was most likely based on the original SCARR ship that was lost there.� The four infamous pictures, beamed by the SCARR ship moments before its destruction, appeared hovering over the center of the table.

“Three days later the same ship appeared in the Yerrick system. Two Draco Kais of the system defense force engaged, but were both destroyed in under an hour. The enemy cruiser then proceeded to sack Dias station, with much loss of life. Latest reports indicate that the ship has not left Yerrick, yet. Dias Station is a big depot, and it will take them some time to fully inventory it. With the Prince’s permission, I can deploy a strike force to destroy this cruiser before it goes any further.�

Two days later, in the Yerrick System…

The battlecruiser and attending escorts burst from hyperspace like gladiators out of the gate. Young Captain Tenneal of the SKZ-BC43 was proud to be given command of such a powerful squadron and fully intended to succeed in his mission. Accompanied by three Draco Kais the force boosted towards the remains of Dias Station.

On board the Supa Krooza, a captain of a very different sort stretched leisurely on his throne. Brunk gur-Cleava was the second most brutal Ork this side of the galactic core, the first being his brother Hurog back home. Brunk had been instrumental in the construction of this new warship, so it was rightfully his to command on this first great voyage. Surrounded by the plunder of Dias Station, he was eagerly looking forward to the continuation of his voyage. The pinkies were not only rich, but incredibly weak and easy prey for his boyz.

As he considered which Skeelzanian Food Tube to try eating next, the bridge crew began yelling excitedly. Brunk’s voice roared over all of theirs as he asked what the hell was going on. “Ships comin’ in fast, Kaptain! Bigunz, covered wit gunz!� was the answer he got. “Then what da bloody hell yooz doin’ standin’ around den!? Bring us around n’ fire!�

A similar scene was being played out on the Nidhogg. Finally coming into sensor range, Captain Tenneal got his first look at his nemesis. “By the Spoot, she’s an ugly one. Perhaps a few torpedoes will improve her looks; fire bow torpedoes!� As the first volley of torpedoes hurtled forward the Ork kroozer pulled away from Dias Station, destroying a good portion of its docks in the process. As she came about Tenneal was surprised to see how many guns they mounted forward: he was even more surprised when they began firing at extreme range. “Escorting ships, get to the flanks and aim for the guns!�

The greenskins cheered as the first volley of railgun slugs hurtled towards the enemy cruiser. Most would probably miss, but any that hit would do substantial damage. Brunk watched the two smaller corvettes boost away from the Skeelzanian cruiser, rapidly closing the distance between the combatants. Grabbing a speaking tube he screamed some sorts to the secondary gunz. A minute or so later just about every gun on the ship opened up on the two corvettes, flinging the equivalent of several tons of metal at a significant portion of the speed of light.
Tenneal watched helplessly as his escorts were annihilated. The foremost caught a slug right in the starboard engine: loosing any sort of balance she hurtled out of control into space before a second shot mercifully detonated her reactor. The second ship didn’t fare much better: a lucky shot carried away her bridge, leaving her effectively blind. Subsequent hits pounded her into a hulk. “Helm, hard to starboard. Port broadside, prepare to fire!�

A big toothy grin broke out on Brunk’s face as the Nidhogg turned to flee. Without bothering to alert his crew, he jabbed his finger down onto a big red button, mounted on the right arm of his throne. Suddenly everything not bolted down hurtled to the back of the room as secondary thrusters and “afterburners� kicked in, hurtling the ship forward. As the g-forces pushed him back into his throne and stretched his face back, Brunk watched the enemy ship come closer…closer…closer

To be continued…

[Skeelzania]

The massive broadside from the Nidhogg slammed into the kroozer’s bow, creating an immense radiation cloud and blocking all sensors. Tenneal was sure the clunky ship couldn’t withstand such a bombardment. He was just about to ask for a destroyed-confirmation when the Ork ship, plumes of flaming atmosphere erupting from its hull, burst through the cloud and shot towards them. “My god he’s going to- brace for impact!� The smaller kroozer slammed into the Skeelzanian ship, its myriad guns firing right up to impact. A massive ram slung beneath the bow bit deep into the Nidhogg’s hull, forcing its way past the endor armor by brute force. Narrowly missing a magazine, the ram ensured the two ships wouldn’t be parting ways anytime soon.

Grabbing a massive shotax in one hand and the intercom in the other, Brunk addressed his crew. “All boyz dat aren’t dead or wimpy, board da emeny ship NOW!� Nearly 600 greenskinz heeded his call, grabbing whatever weapon was at hand and rushing forward. Pouring through the hull breach they began hacking into Skeelzanian crewmen whenever they came across them.

The image on the main vidscreen was now replaced with a side-view of the battlecruiser. Flashing-red areas showed where the ram had torn into the ship, while red dots showed the approximate location of enemy boarding parties. These were spreading throughout the ship much to quickly for Captain Tenneal. “Marines, sortie and engage the enemy wherever he is found!� Throughout the ship, marines wearing power-armor, as well as ordinary crewmen fought back against the green tide. An especially pitched battle raged near the railgun magazine, as marine forces under Lt. Shah engaged “da Eleet Marinez boys� under Brunk himself.

Locking another ammobox into place, Shah stepped around the corner, lowered his 5mm minigun down the corridor and let fly. Bestial screams soon followed as hundreds of rounds tore into the greenskinz at the far end. Small-arms fire bounced harmlessly off his power armor, allowing him to fire the full 3000 rounds before withdrawing. As he let the gun cool down before reloading, Shah tried to establish what else was happening on board. “Lieutenant Shah in section G17, requesting situation in surrounding sections. Anyone copy? Over.� A few crackled messages got through: it seemed the boarders had all been pushed back to their points of origin with the exception of this zone. Bad form to look like a sore thumb, thought Shah. His gun suitably cooled, he once again stepped around the corner and fired. This time, however, he didn’t hold his ground. Advancing slowly down the hallway, he expended his magazine before drawing his heavy shotgun. Pumping rounds into the smoke, he stepped around another corner.

Dead and dying greenskinz lay piled in front of him, blocking his advance. Storing his shotgun, he began clearing a path. No sooner had he moved the first corpse than the whole wall tumbled forward, the largest ork by yet surging forward. Shah had barely enough time to get out of the way before he was dodging ax blows, Brunk having expended his ammo long ago. The blade chopped down onto Shah’s right shoulder, burying itself in the armor. His arm servos severed, Shah did the next best thing: a vicious left hook smashed into Brunk’s chin, sending the ork staggering back. Another blow brought the warlord to his knees, and a third layed him on his back. “Prisoner taken in section G17, requesting backup.�

The capture of their leader broke the back of Orkish morale. Back on Gantris IV the troops would of broken and ran: here they could only stand and die. It took a further six hours to completely capture the ork kroozer, with the loss of over 200 Skeelzanians. A further 800 were killed during the battle and subsequent boarding action. A week later two navy tugs arrived in system, as Tenneal didn’t want to risk a hyperjump with a kroozer stuck in his ship’s side. Eventually the two were separated: the Nidhogg jumped back to Solomon under its own power and underwent eight months of repairs; the Supa Krooza was towed to Azuk II for study.