[ WP ] `` All is lost ! The enemy is through the gate ! ''

The majority of the Terran fleet waited. Their ships floated side-by-side, as side-by-side as one could get in space, with the Koranil and the remnants of the Civilic ’ Tar fleet. “ Message coming in, ” said the helmsman. “ Quantum entanglement. ” 
 
 Admiral Chavan nodded. The *Intangible Assets still survived. “ I ’ ll take it on my private feed. ” 
 
 Chaven ’ s HUD minimized and Captain Torres popped into view. “ Good to see you still kicking, Captain. ” 
 
 Torres nodded. She had no time for formalities. “ Not much longer, Admiral. We ’ ve thrown everything at them. Losses on both sides were significant. ” 
 
 “ Have you stopped the Ar-Komon? ” 
 
 Torres shook her head. “ No. We stopped the first wave. Scout probes have picked up a second wave coming through the Horse Head Gate. They will be here soon. We are down to two dreadnoughts, a few battleships and maybe fourteen corvettes. ” 
 
 “ How long do you think you can hold out? ” 
 
 Torres shrugged. “ We ’ ve already fired off our remaining long range weapons. Casualties are light on the Ar-Komon side. Enemy long-range weapon fire has been returned. It will be here momentarily. ” 
 
 The view of Torres rocked back and forth. Klaxons rang. Men and women screamed. The video feed cut out. 
 
 Chavan saluted then took in a deep breath. “ Relay to all other ships that first line of defense has been breached. The Ar-Komon will be coming through the gate soon. ” 
 
 The helmsman nodded. Chavan looked at the view screens. The Travel Gate looked silent right now. In short order the Ar-Komon fleet would be coming through. 
 
 “ Message income from the Koranil flagship. Admiral Stad wishes to speak with you, ” said the helmsman. 
 
 Chavan saluted to Admiral Stad. He always thought the Koranil looked like smaller versions of ostriches. “ Admiral Stad, what have you to report? ” 
 
 Stad clacked his beak before speaking. “ What is your plan if the Ar-Komon break through? ” 
 
 “ We will destroy the Keplar Gate. It might only delay the Ar-Komon fleet, but it will buy others time. ” 
 
 Stad shook his head back and forth. “ And what of survivors? ” 
 
 Chavan cocked his head to the side. “ The gate will only be destroyed if there are no survivors. There is a dead man ’ s switch. We have a series of probes waiting at the gate. When they detect the last ship destroyed they will blow the gate. ” 
 
 “ What if all the ships aren ’ t destroyed but the Ar-Komon fleet breaks through? ” 
 
 “ We ’ ll destroy the gate before they get there. ” 
 
 Stad glowered. “ That brings me back to my question of what of the survivors? ” 
 
 “ There will be no survivors. The Ar-Komon do not take prisoners. They do not leave survivors. We all knew this was a suicide mission when we started. ” 
 
 “ Activity at the gate, ” relayed the helmsman. 
 
 Chavan knew of Ar-Komon dreadnoughts. He knew the largest were ten kilometers long. He knew one had the firepower to destroy moons. He knew that Ar-Komon dreadnoughts had never been defeated in battle. Knowing if different than seeing. 
 
 “ Focus all fire on the dreadnought, ” screamed Chavan. 
 
 The dreadnought didn ’ t slow. It lumbered through the gate. When it was complete it uncorked a torrent of smaller Ar-Komon ships. 
 
 This battle would be lost in minutes. “ Destroy the Keplar Gate. Destroy the Keplar Gate, ” said Chavan. 
 
 The helmsman radioed, “ All is lost. The enemy is through the gate. Destroy the Keplar Gate. Destroy the Keplar Gate. ” 
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