Cruise Ship Carnival
Coreilla Space Port
1 Month Later
13:03 Standard UNSC Military Time
Captain Maria Bougart entered the bridge, arms clasped calmly behind her back. She had been with the Solar Sails Cruises for 2 years and knew the routine by heart. "Have the last of the passengers been brought onboard?"
"Yes captain, we are set to close docking bays." First Mate Tim Taylor replied, checking the reports from the greeters.
"Excellent, let's get set to put her out among the stars."
"Ma'am, we got activity on the dock!" Navigator Officer Lauren Sleinhart shouted, pointing out the view screen. Bougart stepped up to the screen and looked out. Masked men were charging towards the ship, weapons drawn. The security officers halted them but they were quickly gunned down.
"Seal the ship now!" Bougart ordered and the docking bay doors began to close. Watching through the security camera she saw one of the greeters get shot in the face, crumpling to the deck. Dozens of the attackers raced onboard the ship before the doors sealed, blocking the rest. "Hit the distress beacon, get the armory open!" Taylor quickly pounded out the commands on his terminal. A small slot in the wall opened, dispensing three M6G pistols and a Remington 6650 Police Shotgun. "Secure the bridge, wipe the navigation records, and get me a link with the security teams!"
Security Booth 12
Cruise Ship Much Ado About Nothing
13:11 Standard UNSC Military Time
Officer Chuck Sanders ducked behind the wall of his booth as more lasers soared over head. Hundreds of guests were dead, their bodies littered on the ground. Others had been beaten unconscious and were who know where. The ship had become a death trap, and the battered remnants of the security team were all that stood between the surviving guests and untimely death. Sanders popped up from behind cover and fired more shots at the intruders. One fell, blood spurting from his chest. The others immediately opened fire and he ducked back down. A beep sounded and the armory slot opened up in the booth, an arm holding out a CA-5 rifle. Thank the Lord! He crawled to it and slotted a magazine into the well. Racking the bolt, he turned to see a masked attacker whip around the corner. Sanders pumped the trigger, the semi-automatic rifle, kicking into his chest. A round caught the top of the attacker's head, blowing it off a spew of gore. The corpse fell, brain matter oozing onto the tile floor. Oh my god! More gunfire sounded from down the hall and the masked men retreated, returning fire with their laser rifles and pistols. Four security officers charged down the hall. One was struck in the chest and fell. As the attackers retreated the other officers raced to the booth. "Christ Chuck, aren't you a sight for sore eyes!" one of the officers, Sergeant Jerry Rowe, helped to his feet.
"Thanks, what's going on?" Sanders asked, glancing at the dead passengers.
"Bastards charged us, most of the security team is dead, we're all that's left." Rowe replied, cradling his shotgun.
"And we will be too if we don't open those doors!" a young officer announced. He was a new guy, and his tag read Yuckers.
"We can't, only the bridge can open them!" Rowe said, pointing towards the area.
"Then we gotta ge-." Yuckers was cut off as his head exploded. Blood splattered the remaining officers and Sanders dove back in his booth. Popping over the edge he saw a dozen masked men charging towards them, weapons spewing deadly red bolts. Rowe ducked behind a pillar, firing a shell at the mob. One staggered and fell, pellets tearing into his leg and groin. The officer who had remained quiet reeled back as he was stabbed in the gut. Sanders emptied his magazine and the knife wielding enemy fell. Rowe ducked around his pillar again and was riddled with lasers. His blackened corpse slid down the pillar, crumpling to the floor. Sanders popped up again, only for his rifle to click empty. He ducked back down and saw a spherical device bounce off the booth's back wall and clatter to the floor. It began beeping rapidly.
"Oh shi-." A flash, and then nothing.
Bridge
Cruise Ship Much Ado About Nothing
13:21 Standard UNSC Military Time
"I can't raise the security teams!" Communications Officer Melinda Hurgert announced, panic seeping into her voice.
"All the security cameras show is blood and bodies!" Taylor reported, horrified. "The terrorists are the only ones alive. Shit, the screen's gone dark, they must be jamming them. Suddenly, a hissing noise sounded from the bridge door.
"They're cutting through!" Melinda cried, ducking behind her station.
"Get ready!" Sanders ordered, readying her shotgun. The doors parted and blaster bolts filled the doorway. Tim was shot in the neck, releasing an arc of blood as his neck pivoted back. Lauren was splattered with blood and began screaming. Sanders fired a shell and pumped the slide. Melinda was wrapped in a ball, panicking. Lauren popped up from behind her console and emptied her pistol's magazine. Five terrorists fell when Sanders took a bolt in the gut. She was thrown backwards and landed with a cry. Lauren received a bolt to the face, half her head boiling away. The masked terrorists raced in and tied up Melinda and Sanders while putting a coup de grace into the two other dead crewmen. Both officers were thrown in a chair, hands and legs tied. Sanders could feel her blood seeping from the wound. Her uniform had a growing black stain and blood began to roll down her legs and into her boots. A terrorist with a red mask walked up to her and slapped her across the face.
"What is the access code to the controls?" he demanded, slapping her again.
"555-334-Go Fuck Yourself!" Sanders replied bitterly, spitting in his face. She received another slap and pulled out a vibroblade. The weapon hummed softly, shimmering slightly in the emergency lighting.
"Tell me or I start removing fingers!" the masked man threatened, waving the knife in front of her face.
"Ok, first, you –ugh- red lever, then you shove it up you're as-." She was cut off as her left hand went crashing to the floor. Sanders yelled in pain then gritted her teeth, panting heavily.
"You have five chances left, if I'm merciful."
"For fuck's sake tell him Sanders!" Melinda begged, being forced to watch. The red masked man spun around as if remembering Melinda.
"How about you, what are the codes?!"
"Don't tell them Melinda!"
"Tell me and you will live!"
"I didn't sign up for this Maria!" Melinda cried, finality in her voice.
"No, don't te-!" The masked man plunged the blade into her neck and she began to gurgle, world growing blacker and blacker.
"The access code is 'Trade Winds'." Melinda said, dejected. As Sander's life began to fade, she saw the mask man type the code in, nod in satisfaction, and slit Melinda's throat.
"Set a course for UEG Space, their data may be wiped, but we know where they are. Glory for the Republic awaits!"
UNSC Destroyer Patton (DD-76)
Orbital Refueling Station Banquet
Harvest Orbit
Milky Way Galaxy
Five Days Later
7:43 Standard UNSC Military Time
Captain Arthur Wheeler sipped his mug of coffee calmly as the crew began the refueling process. The coolant that kept the reactor from overheating had to be replaced after every four cruises to prevent possible meltdowns. In addition to coolant, the ship also refueled its fresh water tanks, fuel supply for the fighters, and food for the crew. This process was long, tedious, but safe. Thus, Wheeler had nothing to be concerned about except burning his tongue. Patton materialized on his podium and saluted.
"Coolant and water lines are secured, pumping process has begun," he reported, "Estimated time to completion, 55 minutes."
"Thank you Patton, inform me of any problems." Wheeler replied, taking another sip from his cup. It was a gift from his wife, with the UNSC Eagle emblazoned on it and the words "Love you, come home safe sailor!" written along the edge. Damn do I miss her.
"Yes sir!" Patton confirmed, saluting crisply and fading from view. Wheeler watched as the carrier New Mombasa eased slowly to a refueling port, technicians already in EVA suits ready to attach lines. Suddenly, a slipspace portal opened and a cruise liner came rocketing out. Huh, guess someone is in a hurry. The ship slowed to a stop, turned and began heading in a new direction towards the station. The station's all ships frequency squawked once.
"Cruise ship Carnival, please alter your course, this is a military refueling station and is closed to civilian vessels." The ship did not reply and remained on course. "I say again, change your course. Carnival do you understand? We WILL fire on you, turn about now!" Patton materialized, frantic.
"Captain, that ship is on a direction collision course to the station!"
"Get this ship uncoupled now!" Wheeler ordered, thumbing the key on his chair
"Destroyer Patton, fire a warning shot across their bow." The station's executive officer ordered.
Wheeler pressed the talk key. "Understood, we are getting unhooked now." The cruise ship suddenly accelerated. A frigate moved to cut off the large ship, deck guns aimed threateningly. The large civilian vessel slammed into the smaller warship, sending the frigate spiraling and venting atmosphere. The fuck?! The Emergency Notification Channel blared it's siren, catching the attention of all onboard.
"ALL SHIPS, BE ON ALERT FOR THE CRUISE SHIP CARNIVAL. SAID VESSEL HAS BEEN CAPTURED BY UNKNOWN ASSALIANTS ON COREILLA AS OF FIVE DAYS AGO. IF LOCATED, DESTROY IMMEDIATELY. REPEAT, DESTROY THE CRUISE SHIP CARNIVAL!"
"Belay that order Patton, all ships scatter! This is the station Banquet, rogue cruise ship is on collision course, need assistance!"
"We're clear sir." Paton reported.
"Flank speed, get us clear and get the MAC ready to fire!"
"Aye sir, flank speed." Pruit echoed and the destroyer began to rumble forward. The station's point defense guns opened fire, the small cannons tearing into the unarmored hull of the Carnival. An Orbital Defense Platform began to rotate, trying to bring its Super MAC to bear on the Carnival.
"Sir, firing solution achieved." Patton said, binoculars in his hand.
"Fire!" The destroyer shuddered and the round slammed into the ship. A large chunk of the upper decks was torn away. "Shit, it's not stopping." The New Mombasa was still docked to the ship, one of the lines tangled up with a RADAR dish.
"Impact in four!" Patton announced and began counting down. The New Mombasa sheared off its dish and surged away, its own guns firing over the station. "Three, two, one!" The flaming, damaged ship plowed into the station, slamming through its decks. The cruise ship bent and splintered amid ship before detonating, it's reactor critical. Debris slammed into the Patton, buckling plates. The fireball engulfed the station and the carrier, the energy wave slamming into the destroyer. The Patton lurched and Wheeler was thrown to the deck.
"Hull breach in sectors 5A, 7B, and all of E deck, sealing now!" Patton declared. The ship stabilized and Wheeler looked back at the station. A mass of twisted metal was all that remained, the cruise ship and station fusing in the heat. The forward half of the carrier was gone, and the remaining half was engulfed in flames. The frigate that had raced to assist had a gaping hole in its port side, bodies and atmosphere venting rapidly.
"Holy shit." Wheeler muttered as he stared at the destruction. Rescue ships raced to the scene, recovery vehicles hurrying to save those that were left. A fire fighting ship began spraying the now shortened New Mombasa before the carrier's reactor too went critical, obliterating itself and the fire ship.
"Sir, hull breach is contained, wounded is in the medical bay, orders?" Hafflax asked, ending the stunned silence on the bridge.
"Get us into position to assist the frigate and get Fernson on the horn, I want to let him know what happened so we can get the bastards who did this."
A/N: Here I am again with one of these. This chapter was edited in response to the massive outcry about the details of this chapter. It was a failure in my part for not thoroughly explaining that the cruise ship was a civilian vessel, no more under the UNSC's control than Delta Airlines is under the U.S. Air Force's. The inclusion of the warning message was to help solidify the UNSC's ability to monitor its vessels and give due reason for the ships and platform to open fire. The cruise ship now travels slowly towards the refueling station to make it appear that it is a confused civilian vessel. On regards to how the ship was captured, it was charged and while some terrorists did make it in, most got locked out. As to why the UNSC would mourn the loss of a station and collection of ships less than the wartime losses of the Human-Covenant War, terrorism is a very real threat and the UEG will react like any nation that is attacked, wipe out the terrorists to prevent such an event from ever happening again. Innocent blood has been spilled, and for a people living in the wake of genocide who have cherished the lack of bloodshed, there can be no greater offense. In the end, this is my story, and despite it seeming to be a weak chapter, it is merely the first step in the long road ahead. I hope this didn't dissuade any readers, if you had wanted a different way for the UNSC to be brought to a war footing feel free to write your own story. As always, thank you to those who have put up with me so far and I hope the following chapters won't be as big a disappointment as this one seemed to be. –Arm Chair General