The TriStars: The Storm Breaks

War falls on the galaxy and Memphis is at bay. The warlike, half alien Tani defeat a squadron of 5 Memphis battleships at the 2nd Battle of Fortresses and launches a blitzkrieg across the galaxy. Many old and famous worlds fall into enemy hands, including Aiken and Troy, and Littoria becomes a lackey to the Tani. Memphis is on the defensive, her fleet down to 6 old battleships, 3 thin-skinned battlecruisers, and the super-battleship Titan temporarily disabled. With all their disadvantages the humans possess a wild card which they are hesitant to use: Captain Steven Olar.

There are those in the Memphis Royal Navy who consider Steven Olar a coward and a traitor for leaving the fleet to die at the Fortresses. King Samuel II is not one of these. He sees Olar’s extraction of his vessel, under orders and intact, from the enemy ambush as nothing short of a miracle. In the young captain, Samuel sees the leader needed for the coming Battle of Memphis, and pulls every string possible to preserve Olar’s career.

The chance comes from an unexpected quarter. The planet Littoria has a fleet of 6 modern battleships which can be used to reinforce the Tani. The Admiralty wants to send a task force to blockade the Littorians, and all thats available are 3 old battleships, built in the last war. With Titan in dry dock, and the battlecruisers with Admiral Falcone at the Colony of Alexandra, its all there is.

Olar thinks he is out of the war for good. Instead, he is ordered by the King to Littoria and promoted to Commodore. His command is Eagle, Sentinel, and Phoenix. Though elderly, they are extensively modernized, with well trained crews. Olar is delighted and sets out with his tiny fleet to blockade Littoria.

Even outnumbered 2 to 1, the commodore boldly enforces the blockade. Littoria is an old foe, and long past its prime, having lost the great colony of Alexandra 2 centuries ago to Memphis. Olar uses his frigates to extend the quarantine. His old command Palomino is sent to guard a pass through an asteroid belt. After weeks of dreary duty and silent monitoring, the frigate captain is startled by the entire enemy fleet bearing down on his tiny command. The Littorians are attempting a break out!

Calling desperately to Commodore Olar, the tiny warship can do little else against the massive space dreadnaughts. The ship does fire its missiles at long range and manages a lucky hit that disables a straggling battleship. She falls out of line while the rest of the enemy heads for deep space and rendezvous with the Tani.

The Eagle and her sisters, responding to the distress call, near the pass and are too late to prevent the enemy escape. Then, a miracle occurs. The Littorian fleet Admiral foolishly orders back 2 of his battleships to rescue their damaged sister, to take her in tow. They are unaware of the doom bearing down on them, until the disruptors of the Memphis fleet opens up. Though the Littorians are better armed and armored, they are no match for the expertly drilled sailors of the Memphis Navy. Three of the enemy battleship escape to join the Tani, yet 3 more will not and are utterly destroyed.

After months of disasters, Memphis can finally claim a victory. Olar’s retreat from Tanis is quickly forgotten and he his hailed the hero. King Samuel knows now he has found a leader for the battles ahead.

Next: Victory or Death

Thanks for the graphic from The Space Junction

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