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The system phased back into sensor acuity - in an instant, Yaka's companion was searching, scanning.
"I've located the source of the signal, Yaka. It's a refinery near the south polar regions of Phobos. I have coordinates. There is a transmission."
Yaka's response was in the clipped tone of a professional.
"Audio and visual. Vi-blockers and signal screens at full strength."
Her companion chuckled. "Of course."
"-facility has been compromised. Repeat. Anyone out there, this is Viscount Mining Facility Nine. Our mining facility has been overtaken by rogue AIs. They've killed everyone. The entire facility has been compromised. Repeat. Anyone out there-"
Yaka ended the transmission with a blink.
"BF check please," she asked her companion in the same tone.
"Carrier frequency is correct. ID signals in place and active. Repeater located near emerg-pod location. Longwave scan shows facility at at least 96% capacity. Whatever they're doing, they using almost all the facility's power to do it. This doesn't look faked," came the response in the rare serious tone her companion reserved for combat.
Yaka was silent.
She had closed her eyes, imagining an ocean she had been in long ago.
She spoke again, slowly.
"Then it's time. Targeting data for primary reactor - load all weapons - and I want the heavy AM rounds for the fore-cannon."
Her companion replied. "Already loaded, targeting data fed in. We're going to be in range in four minutes and nineteen seconds."
Yaka responded, "On approach. Weapons on hard lock. Proceeding to fire and flyover. Twist back to confirm."
A few minutes later, the thud-thud-thud sound of the main cannons firing was felt through the hull.
"Volley away, main and secondary coolant systems targeted."
The ship pulled upwards and twisted, spinning briefly to return to its original vector.
Yaka's companion spoke.
"Impact in five. Four. Three. Sensors to shielded. Two. One."
A bright flash followed, and the wave of the destruction unleashed made the ship shimmy.
Yaka's skill pulled them up and away from the explosion.
It seemed to turn its back on the blaze of orange light that had erupted from the surface of Phobos.
"Direct sensors aft. If there's anything moving down there after the buzz clears, it's not going to be there long," came Yaka's voice, sounding noticeably more guttural than usual.
After a moment's silence, her companion responded.
"Confirmed - the mining base has been completely destroyed to its foundation. No further sign of AI activity or traffic aside from residual EM."
Yaka's voice sounded considerably more relaxed.
"One more."
Her companion responded in the same tone.
"One more."
"I've located the source of the signal, Yaka. It's a refinery near the south polar regions of Phobos. I have coordinates. There is a transmission."
Yaka's response was in the clipped tone of a professional.
"Audio and visual. Vi-blockers and signal screens at full strength."
Her companion chuckled. "Of course."
"-facility has been compromised. Repeat. Anyone out there, this is Viscount Mining Facility Nine. Our mining facility has been overtaken by rogue AIs. They've killed everyone. The entire facility has been compromised. Repeat. Anyone out there-"
Yaka ended the transmission with a blink.
"BF check please," she asked her companion in the same tone.
"Carrier frequency is correct. ID signals in place and active. Repeater located near emerg-pod location. Longwave scan shows facility at at least 96% capacity. Whatever they're doing, they using almost all the facility's power to do it. This doesn't look faked," came the response in the rare serious tone her companion reserved for combat.
Yaka was silent.
She had closed her eyes, imagining an ocean she had been in long ago.
She spoke again, slowly.
"Then it's time. Targeting data for primary reactor - load all weapons - and I want the heavy AM rounds for the fore-cannon."
Her companion replied. "Already loaded, targeting data fed in. We're going to be in range in four minutes and nineteen seconds."
Yaka responded, "On approach. Weapons on hard lock. Proceeding to fire and flyover. Twist back to confirm."
A few minutes later, the thud-thud-thud sound of the main cannons firing was felt through the hull.
"Volley away, main and secondary coolant systems targeted."
The ship pulled upwards and twisted, spinning briefly to return to its original vector.
Yaka's companion spoke.
"Impact in five. Four. Three. Sensors to shielded. Two. One."
A bright flash followed, and the wave of the destruction unleashed made the ship shimmy.
Yaka's skill pulled them up and away from the explosion.
It seemed to turn its back on the blaze of orange light that had erupted from the surface of Phobos.
"Direct sensors aft. If there's anything moving down there after the buzz clears, it's not going to be there long," came Yaka's voice, sounding noticeably more guttural than usual.
After a moment's silence, her companion responded.
"Confirmed - the mining base has been completely destroyed to its foundation. No further sign of AI activity or traffic aside from residual EM."
Yaka's voice sounded considerably more relaxed.
"One more."
Her companion responded in the same tone.
"One more."