StarCraft: Brain Damage
Chapter 54: Retreat from Mar Sara
As the docking clamps began to move into place around the dropship, the ramp dropped and Jim jumped out, causing the small craft to rock in place. Flyboy cursed as the motion made a clamp scrape against the tail fin unsatisfactorily. Jim pulled the helmet portion of his suit off and headed out of the hanger toward the bridge intending to talk to Katsuragi.
To his surprise, she met him half way: waiting for him on the elevator.
"What the hell happened?" Jim asked.
Katsuragi opened her mouth but was cut off by a deep rumble from behind Jim.
"Major, what would you have the squads do?" Nanius inquired.
Jim turned and waved him back, "Just, get them ready in case the Zerg board us."
"They don't normally use that as a tactic," Nanius pointed out.
"Then have them open up airlocks and shoot the bastards with their Impalers! Jesus Christ can't you see I'm a bit busy figuring out what the hell is going on?" Jim shouted.
"I am on it Major," Nanius said and darted off to work.
"Good," Jim turned back to Katsuragi and got on the elevator.
As the door closed, she started to explain. "We were in orbit when that ship warped in and opened fire. It wasn't registered, but my guess is it was one of Green's ships. How'd your side of the op go?" she asked.
"Labonte's dead," Jim said, keeping his stare aimed straight ahead.
"I'm sorry," Katsuragi replied.
"Don't be. Focus on getting us the hell out of here before the Zerg gets its shit together," he ordered.
"Hyuga's breaking for orbit as we speak. Once we're outside the atmosphere and the Wraiths have been recalled, we'll be warping to the rendezvous point. That good?" she explained.
"That's fine. Just get it done," Jim said as the elevator stopped and opened up to reveal the ship's bridge.
--
"What about the Battlecruiser?" Mengsk asked from behind his desk.
Colonel Roth, still unfamiliar with his newfound lack of depth perception from the wound inflicted upon his now-removed right eye, stepped forward and stumbled a bit.
"Emperor, we lost contact with it one hour ago. I believe that the Dogs of War flagship, Shogoki, took it down," he reported.
"If what you've said to me is to be believed," Mengsk said calmly, but with a hint of agitation in his voice, "Then their so called flagship was less than half the size of that Battlecruiser. Correct?"
Roth resisted the urge to gulp as he continued, "Yes Emperor, you are correct. But the commander is skilled. In my encounter with him I felt strongly that he was capable of such an act."
"Who is this commander?" Mengsk asked.
"Major Jim Goss. When I cross-checked him I learned that he was a Sergeant in the Confederate Alpha Squadron. He was busted down to Private during Mar Sara for going AWOL. He joined Raynor's Raiders after New Gettysburg and I assume that he was with them until recently," Roth said.
"If he was with Raynor then he's good. What about the mole?" Mengsk asked.
"I received word from them a little bit ago. The ship ran into Zerg on Mar Sara. They're currently headed for the pick-up coordinates where they'll receive payment for the delivery."
Mengsk was silent for a bit. Roth could tell he was thinking and was wondering what about until the Emperor answered the question.
"I think it would be a positive use of resources to get this Goss person taken care of. I'm entrusting the operation to you, Roth, but be careful not to let your lust for revenge cloud your vision," he said in his usual suave tone.
"Yes my Emperor," Roth said, saluted, spun on his heel and left the office.
As the door closed, a third voice sounded from the shadowy corners of the chamber. "Orders, sir?" it asked.
"Follow him. Don't make it obvious, but if Roth starts to slip up, take matters into your own hands," he replied.
"Understood."
--
"This whole poker room thing is getting a little bit crowded, don't you think?" Nick asked Jax as they sat down at a table of himself, the redneck, Nanius, Ayanami, Mana, Gabriel Kahn, Fluffy the Ursadon and Jeffy the Probe.
"Nah, I've been in more crowded rooms than this. Like the time where we had an orgy at the family reunion when I was in sixth grade. My cousin wa-"
"Stop," Nick said bluntly, shutting the stinking man up.
"Let's play cards!" Ayanami said and started dealing from where she sat in Kahn's lap with Fluffy in her's.
"Aw, you three look like a family," Mana cooed to the trio.
Kahn laughed a bit and Ayanami blushed.
"Can we please begin so I may acquire all of your money?" Nanius asked.
No one said anything until Jim entered the medical bay. "Hey, glad to see you waited a full ten seconds to begin your little game after we escaped certain death," he deadpanned.
"You want a seat, Major?" Mana asked.
"No, no I've got shit to do," Jim said, "Just wanted to see how you guys were doing."
Jim left and they returned to their game.
