In a massive shipyard, high above Guerre's surface, the Reich's newest weapon was being finished. The workers began to back from the metal behemoth of their own construction, known to the higher ups as the Vigilance-class Cruiser. Its many high-powered weapons would make short work of any ship that dared threaten the Reich's rightful growth to power. But before this mighty steed of the Reich's creation, it had to be examined by both its commissioner and its maker.  

Alden Wells walked onto the bridge connecting ship to shipyard. He nodded to  the head of construction, a bulkily-built, stocky man. "Hey mister Wells," he grunted, "We got the cruiser all ready and juiced up for flight." Alden clapped, his usual entourage of sterile-white humanoid machines, following silently. "Excellent!" Director Alden declared, "I shall tell Mordeci himself that his glorious request has been finished!" He waved a hand to the machines, and one began to make a churning motor noise, before an affirming beep emanated from it, confirming the message was sent to Mordeci.   

Alden turned back to the Construction chief, "Now, while we wait for him to arrive, let us examine the exterior before we enter." A small transport ship flew into a nearby supply hangar, and the two men entered, beginning to fly around, looking at the marvelous hull of the Vigilance Cruiser. Alden bit his lip, hoping this would please the Grand Inquisitor's power-thirst. The weapons the Director saw made him shiver in amazement and fright at their awe-inspiring power and size. "Mordeci will definitely be delighted..." Alden chuckled as the tour of the outside continued on.

Mordeci had commissioned the Vigilance weeks ago, when the brilliant Dr. Alden Wells had shown Mordeci and Krieg what he had created, which happened to be a variety of weapons and mechs, all of which worked out beautifully. he had charged Wells with the creation of a strike cruiser that could challenge the mightiest of battleships while they prepared to take more territory.

And so here they were- In orbit over Guerre, watching the finishing touches be applied to the mighty Vigilance. He opened the base's intercom, speaking into it. "Dr. Wells, this is the Grand Inquisitor. Report to the Vigilance immediately." he said before standing with his hands behins him.

Alden's transport rocketed back into the hangar, lowering to the cold metal floors, placing out its landing gears and halting all engine power. Its rear door slowly lowered into a ramp, which the Director used, along with the construction chief and Alden's machine posse. He quickly waved off the construction head, who moved along, slightly annoyed by the inconvenience, before yelling at his construction workers to get back to work. 

The Director hurried down several corridors, his three identical machines following close in tandem, their metal feet clanking against the floors. By this time, ship crewmen had begun to arrive, hearing the need of a ship being filled with a crew. Alden worked his way through the crowd of pilots, engineers, etc., before finally reaching the Grand Inquisitor, quickly bowing at his regal feet, before rising.

"Milord," Alden greeted Mordeci, "You were quick in arrival. And this haste will not go without a prize. I present to you the greatness of the cruiser you commissioned me to create back down in that bunker when I showed you the Tyrant. Meet the Vigilance class Cruiser, the ship of your demands!" He gestured gratefully towards the massive ship outside the pressurized safeness of the shipyard's interior. "Would you like to take a look inside your mighty vessel?" Director Alden asked the Grand Inquisitor, as the crew of the ship began to pile in, "I would love to show you a test run of its weapons and other capabilities!"

Mordeci saw the transport, and judging from the speed, it was Alden. He chuckled as Alden snapped at the workers to return to their jobs. "Who can blame them for staring, Doctor? One of the leaders of the might Inquisition is right in front of them, examining their work."

As the Director bowed, Mordeci shook his head. "There is no need to bow to me. I do not demand subservience, only loyalty and efficiency."

As Wells introduced the cruiser, Mordeci felt himself grow excited. Such a ship would serve well as the brawler of their navy, the navy he himself would lead. He could only wait in his excitement as the good Director began to show him around.

"I cannot wait for you to show me what such a powerful ship can do, Doctor." he said, smiling.

[size=34]Mordeci nodded, trusting Alden to know what he was talking about as the open dropship lifted, carrying them along the Vigilance as it floated towards the bridge. He only caught glimpses of the mighty cannons, but from what he did see, Mordeci was confident that it would live up to his expectations, or maybe even surpass them. He entered the bridge with the Director, taking a look around. From the looks of it, the crew was already familiar with the controls, probably having spent the time on station learning about the mighty ship, even if this was their first time hands-on. [/size]

[size=34]As the Vigilance began to move, the first thing Mordeci noticed is that it was slower than he expected. However, this was acceptable, since the speed was probably due to the heavy armor and weapons on board the ship. Then, as the Grand Inquisitor took a seat, the Vigilance entered light speed, headed for the asteroid field.[/size]

Alden sat in his seat, staring through the void passing the ship by, before it all halted, the ship jolting forwards with immense force trying to halt itself. In front of it was a vast chain of interstellar rocks. "We've arrived, sir," the captain said, "Asteroid field off the bow!"

Alarms began to blare, as workers scrambled to their positions handling the massive guns of the cruiser as they grew closer to the field of lifeless rocks. One of the dual barrel 508 mm guns aimed at a large rock that drew near, and unleashed its fire upon it, turning it to a fine dust with only two bullets. The Director smiled, as he saw a much larger asteroid, around the size of a moon. "Ready the anti-capital ship cannons," he ordered, "And fire on that asteroid!"

As alarms began to blare, he watched as the crew moved into action, scrambling to their positions. He could see from the bridge as the smaller set of guns aboard the Vigilance came to bear against a small asteroid. With a soundless action, the gun demolished the asteroid in one volley, shattering it.  As the Director gave to order to retarget the giant asteroid in the area, Mordeci watched as the massive main batteries of the Vigilance turned to face the asteroid.

What was about to happen would decide what Mordeci thought of the ship and its armaments. He would either deem it a failure, or a success.

It was a straight shot on an unmoving target, the best shot a ship could wish for in space. No gravity, no wing, no obstacles. As the shells seemed to leap gracefully from the cannons in slow motion in a perfectly spaced pattern, Mordeci could feel a smile creeping onto his face. The impact was marvelous, the dust and shrapnel sent flying into space in all directions,

The small moon sized asteroid had been devastated beyond recovery, massive craters and cracks spreading all throughout the face of the rock. As the Director spoke, Mordeci felt himself nodding. "Yes, I believe that this is what I would consider a success." he muttered, turning to face the Doctor. "Mr. Wells, you have exceeded my expectations! This ship will truly be a force to be reckoned with!" he said, turning out towards space one final time.

"Take us home, Captain."

{End}