The Road to War Upon the Horse

[Cptn Corizon 0]

“They were going to look at war, the red animal--war, the blood-swollen god.” ~ Stephen Crane

 

Thirty six hours down, thirty six more to go. Beneath Corizon’s feet, the deck plates of the Excalibur hummed lightly under warp power. In thirty-six hours, he would lead the men and women of the First Gamma Fleet into battle. More importantly he would lead the Excalibur into battle.

 

The Federation fleet trailed minutes behind, the Klingons cloaked, and the Dominion in tow. The battle planning was over, the preparations made. Now all there was to do was wait. Wait for the coming tide.

 

The balance of an entire Quadrant hung in the balance, the future of billions of lives rested on the fate of the coming battle. If they failed, it could lead to the endgame.

 

He rounded the corner of the corridor, nodding to several crew men who were working on a panel as he went. Some of them had barely seen combat, but he knew they were ready. In thirty-six hours, they would be thrust into the heart of battle and ready or not they would be tested by fire.

 

At least for their sake, the battle would not come to them. Nay, they would bring the battle to themselves. In thirty-six hours, they would intercept the Al-Ucard fleet at Sector 42-GX. And like a thousand other battle fields, trumpets would sound; drums would beat; and dead would lay fallen amongst the living.

 

A deep sigh escaped the Dameon. His grand warhorse was ready to carry him into battle and Excalibur, her name. And to victory or to ruin, it would carry him. They rode together for Avalon, the voice calling across the winds of chaos; the last light to fade into the rising dark.