The Second Book of the Alienbutt Saga. The Rise of Mr Fluffy. Part 88.

“General,” he pushed on. “We have lost contact with the reserves, but sensors show they are all moving up in attack formation. They will be here in under ten minutes.” Further rounds of gunfire and explosions began to be heard from within the ship. The security officer cleared his throat and Jee switched his attention to him.
“We have reports of rogue droids on most decks Sir, we are taking losses, but hope to regain full control soon.”
Jee smashed his fist down onto the console and turned to the tactical officer. “Order all fleet to switch targets to the droid units, and try to open communications with the rebels advising them that a million fresh robot units are heading this way. Ask for a temporary alliance, or we are all dead.” Turning finally to the ship’s pilot he continued. “Plot us a course out of here and be ready to move on my order. Once those reserves get here, anyone who is still here will be destroyed. Order all ships that are able, to prepare to retreat. I want us out of here with as many ships as possible. This battle is lost, but I intend to find out who the hell has betrayed me.”

Duke Ramboe stood on the bridge of the space station watching the battle unfold. The men and women on the bridge went about their tasks with a quiet efficiency that was in total opposition to the battle that raged all around them. As the shields were starting to fail, airlocks were sealed ready for when the explosions would begin to tear holes in the structure. The mission he had given them was to keep the station’s weapons firing for as long as possible. All personnel not needed to directly aid the defence of the Hunters Rest had been evacuated. The only people left aboard were those in this room, and volunteers manning the hundreds of gun turrets. All aboard knew that to stay aboard was a death sentence, as the Federation would crash against the station with their full might to destroy it. A large explosion shook the station and Duke Ramboe looked down at the screen before him that showed a layout of the station. The shields in sector twelve had failed and now the area had become the main target for the battle cruisers, ripping holes in the station.
“Orders to Commander Grommit. She is to prepare to take charge of defences. If the Ick have not arrived when the station falls, she starts the withdrawal,” Duke Ramboe ordered.
The message was quickly sent as more explosions shook the station. Then the expected onslaught by the Federation battle cruisers failed to happen. Instead the attack seemed to pause, and Duke Ramboe watched in disbelief as the droid units began to attack their own ships.
“Someone find out what the hell is happening?” Duke Ramboe demanded. “Order all fleet to regroup while we have a chance.”

To be continued.
All images are mine.