A Little Detour

"General, we're still two months out from the Amon'Krie homeworld, but the fleet is already itching for some action. We've got some slack in our time table - why don't we take out one of their smaller colonies on the way?"

"I don't see why not. Do you have a target in mind?"

"How about Dornot V? Sensors detect only two enemy frigates in orbit. Population is only 100 million, so it shouldn't be much of a drain on our supplies."

"Excellent. I'll order navigation to plot a course."

----

"General, we're an estimated two minutes from optimum firing range. The Amon'Krie defenders have broken from orbit and are moving to intercept," reported the tactical officer. "We have visual confirmation of two Amon'Krie frigates."

"Shields up, weapons online," ordered the General. "Order the rest of the fleet to engage the frigates."

"Yes, sir."

The distance closed rapidly, and the Amon'Krie frigates hardly got a shot off before being dispatched by the ten warships of Alpha Fleet. The Alpha Fleet's high-tech Meson Blasters had been a worthy investment indeed.

"Both defending ships have been neutralized," reported tactical, "Only superficial damage to the fleet. General?"

"Good work. Proceed on a direct course for the planet, and prepare for prolonged orbital bombardment. Formation F-1."

The fleet paused only a moment to regroup before continuing on towards Dornot V. Gunners, eager with anticipation, wiped sweat from their foreheads as the fully powered weapons made them uncomfortably warm.

"General, Skirmisher 1 will reach optimum firing range in 10... 9... 8..."

At that moment, an enormous volley of weapons fire erupted from the planet. Crew members on the bridge were forced to squint from the brightness of the blast as Skirmisher I's warp core went critical.

The general jumped to his feet, "What the...?!" The rest of the fleet were still gaping in shock when Skirmisher 2 evaportaed in the planet's second volley.

"Pull back! Now!" commanded the general, "Where did that blast come from? Give me a readout, quick!"

The tactical officer's fingers danced over his keypad as he hurried to scan the planet below. Meanwhile, three more ships from Alpha fleet were obliterated as they tried to turn away. Ten seconds seemed like an eternity, but the answer finally came.

"Sir, sensors are reading twenty heavily armed weapons platforms on the planet below. More than enough firepower to destroy any of our fleet in a single volley."

"Comm, send a distress signal back to homeworld before-"

The general's last words were cut shot as his command ship erupted into a fireball.

----

So, uh... oops I didn't even bother to look for weapons platforms before I launched the attack. I knew they had a few on their homeworld, but only about 5. Never thought they'd have more than three times as many on a dinky little border colony.

Lesson learned: always check for weapons platfosm. Ugh.