The Second Book of the Alienbutt Saga. The Rise of Mr Fluffy. Part 92.

Killashandra still couldn't understand what had happened, but as one the droid ships had started firing upon the Federation ships, many swinging around and swarming back towards the battle cruisers. It descended into a three way battle, and then the Federation sent messages asking for a temporary alliance so that the droids could be destroyed. All federation ships ceased their attacks upon them and turned their attention to the droids. The problem for the Federation was that many of their ships had droids within them and they began to explode, destroyed from within. Then a second droid fleet arrived, swarming over the battle, their numbers uncountable and Duke Ramboe gave out the order for a full retreat. Killashandra had ordered all her squadron to follow her and just before they had gotten clear of the battle to jump to light speed, she had seen the giant space station being engulfed in explosions. The battle was lost to both sides, and the carnage was terrible beyond belief.

As her pilot flew for their lives, she had a chance to view the battlefield. Other ships were also trying to get clear but the droids were destroying them before they got the chance. One of her squadron flying alongside them had taken a direct hit and, losing control, had swerved towards their ship. Only the reactions of her pilot had saved them. Another ship behind had not been so lucky, and both disappeared in a giant explosion. Finally they were clear and they managed the jump to safety.
The bounty hunter Captain Nobel walked into Killashandra's office. During the war they had become close friends as they had worked together, responsible for protecting the giant resource mines of Ashia Minor. Nobel took a seat across from Killashandra and winced as she sat, the wounds she had taken a few months ago still causing her pain.
“We just managed to get hold of a partial message from the Ick high command,” she said to Kilashandra. Her face was drained of colour and her voice quiet. Killashandra cocked her head, waiting for Noble to continue. “The entire Ick fleet is gone. We couldn't work out the details from the message.”

To be continued.
All images are mine.