A massive rumbling shook the entire hemisphere of the planet. The space around the Alcatraz changed to a dark shade of purple as space seemed to compress around the front of the vessel. The entire planet was disturbingly silent as what sounded like a massive device charging slowly increased in volume. All of those that had worked with large vessels knew exactly what was happening. 

A weapon that was clearly not meant to be fired in-atmosphere, was preparing to fire. The few that knew the specs on the Alcatraz realized it was the main hybrid cannon that took up the entire frontal lower deck. None had even seen the gun fire in space, let alone on a planet that was clearly unprepared for the catastrophic weapon. It wasn't a planet destroying weapon, but it would easily obliterate heavily fortified positions and most capital ships.

A few minutes later a blast seemed to vibrate the air itself as the area within a few hundred kilometers of the Alcatraz grew at least twenty degrees hotter. The resulting shockwave flattened weaker trees all over the place as the local fauna fled in every direction. A second after the first shot that was fired, a dark purple beam emitted from the front of the ship leaving a wake of fire spanning much of the area around it. All of those that didn't prepare in the moments leading up to the blast were temporarily deafened by the incredibly loud noise. Some were even blown back by the shockwave. 

It was a mystery really, what could such a weapon be meant for on a prison ship? Why would it have been fired now? What was it meant to hit? All of these questions completely unanswerable to the inmates and crew that were still so far behind the vessel.