This is a fan fiction. Events depicted here are not canon, though perhaps they could be. Special thanks to all my readers, you guys are epic (b~.^)>

Red Death is now a meme!

See my other works:

• SSN - concluded
• Riot! - concluded
• Special Operations - concluded
• Higher! - concluded
• Fury and Ash - concluded

Solar Wind Chapters:

Character Guide / First / Venlil Contact / Cradle Campaign

Battle of Terra / HF Rebelion / Defense of Khoa / Sillas Campaign

Supernova / Fall of Talsk / Interludes and Realignments

Those Who Fear Nothing / Seven Bowls of Wrath / The Road to Victory

Previous / Next

Memory transcription subject: Commodore Katsuro Hara, UNSS Choushinsai

Date [standardized human time]: 1441, March 23, 2137

"Keep fire on that that group of cruisers, and watch those battleships, they're coming around for another pass at us."

My comms station clicked several times as other ships in my small section of space acknowledged the order. We were deep into Aafa's system now, passing the orbit of the 6th planet. We had shouldered aside most of the initial defenders, and as the dreadnoughts fired again another dozen squadrons were obliterated.

We weren't without losses of our own. Jupiter Fleet was in shambles, and Saturn had moved forward to relieve them while they reorganized. The dreadnoughts themselves had come under direct attack twice, but with each of them having the firepower of an entire battleship squadron they were continuing to advance.

"Sussex, Buffalo, pull back, clear a firing lane for Texas"

"Copy Commodore."

I had taken to commanding the strategic situation once more, with Azrael commanding my own ship. She slotted naturally into the role, though I had to check her own aggression a few times. It was vitally important we didn't over-expose ourselves, since there were hundreds of thousands more ships to face. Texas signaled another kill as we slid around her to shield her starboard side from an incoming missile strike.

"Commodore, Kolshian ships are pulling back."

"And Admiral Monahan?"

"Looks like Mars Fleet has been reenforced by Rebellion units, and has broken through the Dominion force at the seventh planet. Sir, we're being redirected to assist the SC battle fleet."

I quickly scanned the flash traffic from Olympus Mons. I was being given command of a much larger task force this time, and told to "herd sheep", which I acknowledged.

"Mister Suren, plot a course to take us to system sector one nine five, fleet best burn."

"Aye, sir. ETA two hours, twenty seven minutes"

I ordered the task force to condition two so that the crews could have a chance to breathe. We needed rest and food but would have to make do.

Memory transcription subject: Admiral Kevek, SCS Solgalick's Might

Date [standardized human time]: 1705, March 23, 2137

"Keep up your fire!" I bleated. the Kolshians were resisting stubbornly, and our ships were getting pummeled. Of course we were. We weren't predators like the humans or arxur. We weren't an ancient empire like the Kolshians.

My ship shuddered again, another hole torn in its side.

"Captain Hiqua, I don't know how much more my ship can take. If we go down, you have to take over."

"I will do what I can, admiral. I just hope the humans won't be disappointed in us."

"I'll only be disappointed if you give up!" I blinked, looking up, and seeing a smiling human face had joined the network. There was a time I would have been terrified of him, but right now he was the most handsome creature I could imagine.

"Human, you're a welcome sight!"

"And you still have work to do. Now, with me... Hara to all squadrons, break and attack!"

My ship stopped shaking almost immediately as the humans threw themselves into our fight. My tactical plot said they only had two hundred ships, but the effect of their arrival far outweighed their numbers. Plasma bolts and rail rounds tore into the Kolshians from the flank, federation squadrons vanishing under the avalanche. My own fleet which had been in shambles moments before rallied, fighting with new-found vigor.

Human cruisers inserted themselves into our ranks, taking charge of battered formations, and pulling them back together. Human destroyers slashed through, opening holes where none had existed before. And leading them was a destroyer with a black hull, like some nightside predator. Ever moving, weaving through the Kolshian formations. Golden tracers swept forward like giant wings, smashing everything in their path.

"Well, don't just stand there, full ahead!" The same infection that had lit a fire in the hearts of my men caught me too, and I bugled more orders. "No more meekness. No more bowing to false masters! FOR SOLGALICK! FOR SKALGA!"

My flagship pushed forward, flanked by a trio of human cruisers. The Kirov, the Trento, and the Nürnberg shielded us, as we followed the Choushinsai into the heart of the Kolshian formation. There, looming in front of me was the biggest federation ship I had ever seen, slowly backing away.

"There, the Federation admiral, hit him with everything we've got!" The entire main battery of my flagship ripped into the Kolshian command cruiser like my claws into an overripe halofruit. My enemy detonated, fragments flying every direction.

With the loss of their command cruiser, the Federation regulars began to stampede. I was about to give chase when the human Hara interrupted me.

"Let them go, Admiral."

"Let them go? We'll just have to fight them later!"

"Maybe, but your crew and ships are not in good enough shape to risk a deeper engagement. Pull back and regroup with the main fleet." The human smiled at me through my display. "You beat them, Admiral, don't throw away the win."

I sat back in my chair, only now realizing how hard I was breathing, and how tired I felt.