The Battle of Babylon-6
The system was quiet, late into 3rd shift. Only the various agent provocateurs knew what was coming, and all of those had made arrangements to be elsewhere. Station security had only just locked up the last of the late night drunks, when alarms exploded across the status boards. Massive amounts of shunt footprints were suddenly translating into real-space. And not just one attacker, but two battle lines forming almost simultaneously!
Near to the Kurak station, beyond its host planet, a solid wedge of ugly, blunt Dindrenzi ships was powering in. Their lead was a typical hammer shaped Dindrenzi battleship, bristling with assault armaments and breaching pods.
Adjacent to the Dindrenzi, space was merely black, with barely rippling sensor echoes and some small flitting shapes as elements of the Relthozan vanguard moved into position.
Close to the Zenian station on that side was arrayed the proud and dauntless prows of the Rense System Navy, their emblems vividly illuminated in the endless night; while their Protocol Division transmitted inspiring battle hymns and classic human opera on all enemy channels.
And coming from behind the shielded bulk of the Zenian station, sleek and glimmering Directorate ships took up position, their Managers each jockeying for the best face-time displays before the Grand Admiral and Vice President of Local Acquisitions.
Opposing the Dindrenzi was a massive Oannes Battle Carrier, and it