Chapter 5: Flare's Force
AN: not much to say.....................'cos if u read the manual u already know the deal with this chapter, if you really don't get what's going on in this chapter then first of all I'm really sorry for being such a shit writer and second e-mail me and I'll explain it as best I can to you, and if after that you still don't get it then give up on this fic lol its not worth all the hassle!
Oh wait.......this is going straight from where the last 'proper' chapter left off, so that means all the characters are still all scattered through the ship. OK! here we go then..................
''Mars entry pod launch in 2hrs''
Location: Flight Deck-
''Will be nice to live on the ground for a change.'' Hitomi said, looking at the screen in front of her, which currently displayed HAB their ground construction on Mars.
''Yeah, even if we are exchanging one hamster cage for another.'' Dryden grumbled from his spot next to her.
Hitomi ignored his comment, saying, ''If everything's gone to plan hydroponics should have been up and running for six months.'' She stretched in her seat. ''We'll have fresh tomatoes tonight, that's one requirement for my dream house.''
Dryden smiled slightly, but it soon turned into one of the smirks which Dilandau hated him for, ''I'll bet you'll want a white picket fence too right.''
''Yep, I wouldn't mind.''
The next few minutes past in silence between the two pilots, though small parts of Van and Allen's argument over who was the better looking shot through the speakers now and again. Both pilots reacted the same, with a snigger.
''They both know I'm better looking then the both of them put together.'' Dryden mumbled, making Hitomi burst into a very uncharacteristic fit of giggles.
She eventually recovered enough to ask Merle; ''are we close enough to see our new home?''
''Yes commander, locking in on HAB.''
Unfortunately the light atmosphere abroad the Mars 1 didn't last very long.
~~~~~~~~~~
''Shit.''
Was the only thing Dilandau and Allen heard from Flight Deck as they where both forced into opposite sides of the lab's walls. Sounds of sparks coming from the overhead lights and various objects falling from all over the ship and smashing on the floor where heard via the open com. lines all over the ship.
Only two words entered Allen's mind as he stumbled to his feet, grabbed Dilandau off the floor and ran as fast as they both could go towards the centre of the ship. 'Safe Area.'
At the same time both Hitomi and Dryden where punching various commands into the Mars 1 computers as it became clear that they were in trouble. Amiss all the chaos, Dryden was the first to speck.
''It's a Gamma Burst.''
Hitomi ignored him, ''Latch up, latch up, free flow.'' She turned to her side screen, ''Damnit, main powers going, shut the system down Dryden.''
''U wanna shut it down?''
''Yes shut it down, SCP's reporting some kind of massive solar flare.'' She turned back to face the main screen just in time to watch it explode in a mass of sparks, ''Come on Merle don't do this.'' She cursed under her breath.
Seconds later every computer screen on the ship started to flash a dangerous shade of red as two words appeared on Dryden's front screen. At his small gasp, Hitomi looked over and shouted over the com. lines, ''Uh-Oh radiation alert, Safe Area guys, go!''
When Dryden refused to move and continued to punch in the safe commands needed to get the ship back under control again Hitomi shouted over the sounds of explosions on the lower levels of the ship. ''Thank you Lieutenant.''
''I'm not going anywhere, you need me up here on the-''
''I want you back there with the others now! GO!'' Hitomi cut him off.
Dryden slammed his fist down on the nearest control panel before getting up and making a run for it. ''Damnit!''
~~~~~~~~~~
Dryden ran into the safe area and punched a small red button on the lower control panel, three of the side doors closed and locked and the forth followed shortly after, leaving Folken to reach the room in time. All five men stood completely silent as they listen to the remaining areas of the ship being taken over by fire.
~~~~~~~~~~
''The solar flare has past commander.'' Merle's voice rang out in the only place it could be now heard. ''Power levels are below operating minimum's.''
~~~~~~~~~~
The explosive sounds died down and the only working blue A.V. lights became active. Dryden activated the small circular door leading to the research bay and entered. Walking straight towards another control panel, and got there just in time to see it flicker and die.
Hitomi's voice came through from the flight deck, ''Dryden?''
''Yeah we copy Hitomi, we're all OK, what's the damage to the ship?''
Hitomi sighed and Van started to worry. ''Oh, we're dead in the water.'' She finally answered.
''Main power off line.'' Merle unintentionally cut in.
''She's holding in together now but she could fall apart at any moment.'' Hitomi concluded.
''Auxiliary power unit failure, All power systems will shut down in six minutes.'' Merle reported.
Hitomi racked her brains. This was not good. Most of the ship was either still on fire or smashed to pieces, there was no way they could stay for very long. After just seconds of silence she made up her mind. ''OK, guys change of plan, we're launching now. Suit up. I'll try to get more systems on line then I'll join you.''
The five didn't need telling twice, within seconds of Hitomi's decision they had all scattered and headed for different ends of the research bay. Each pressed a small green button on the wall to activate their suits and had stripped down and suited up. Meanwhile Hitomi was mumbling to herself on the flight deck. ''I've got to get the launch programme on-line.''
After trying six times to pull the lever that alternated the launch programme six times Merle's one ever present voice stated what was now the obvious. ''Launch systems not responding.''
''That's not good.'' Hitomi decided outloud.
''No it isn't.'' was Merle's reply.
''OK, lets try it another way.'' Hitomi said more to herself then Merle as she started to punch a new set of commands into the computer. But it soon seemed that a different approach wasn't working.
''LRS not responding. Failure to engage.''
''God damnit, come on give me a brake.'' Hitomi tried to reason.
''I'm sorry commander, launch systems still not responding.''
Hitomi sighed again and soon the bad news reached the others who were now safely restrained in the launch pod.
''Listen up guys, the ship is no longer supplying power to the LRS systems which means that I'm gonna have to stay back and arm it manually.''
Dryden cursed. ''With all due respect commander, we're not leaving without you.''
''Hey, It's not up for debate.''
Van racked his brains in desperation, if she stayed she'd die. ''Cut the auto guidance system and reboot the arm.''
''Nope we don't have enough time Van, Dryden, you're in charge. I hope you like the saddle.''
''Lieutenant, launch systems ready.''
Dryden looked at the others, Hitomi's plan did make sense. If they left now, there was still a chance to find out what was going on on Mars and complete the mission. He made his mind up, there was still a chance. ''OK Merle, I'm secure.'' He looked around again, in order to launch all parties had to consent.
''Secure.''
''Secure.''
''Secure.'' Allen, Dilandau then Folken answered in turn.
''..........''
''Van?''
Van sighed. ''Secure.''
The pod started to rock back and forth as Hitomi released the clamps holding it to the ships hull one by one.
''God I hope she makes it.'' Dilandau voiced his fear.
Back on the flight deck Hitomi was just about to release the last clamp. 'Here goes' She thought silently and she pulled the lever. ''Launch!''
All five men braced themselves as Dryden punched in the last few commands and the launch pod was released, hurtling towards Mars, leaving Hitomi to deal with the chaos on the Mars 1 and the others to deal with whatever lay ahead on Mars' surface.
AN: not much to say.....................'cos if u read the manual u already know the deal with this chapter, if you really don't get what's going on in this chapter then first of all I'm really sorry for being such a shit writer and second e-mail me and I'll explain it as best I can to you, and if after that you still don't get it then give up on this fic lol its not worth all the hassle!
Oh wait.......this is going straight from where the last 'proper' chapter left off, so that means all the characters are still all scattered through the ship. OK! here we go then..................
''Mars entry pod launch in 2hrs''
Location: Flight Deck-
''Will be nice to live on the ground for a change.'' Hitomi said, looking at the screen in front of her, which currently displayed HAB their ground construction on Mars.
''Yeah, even if we are exchanging one hamster cage for another.'' Dryden grumbled from his spot next to her.
Hitomi ignored his comment, saying, ''If everything's gone to plan hydroponics should have been up and running for six months.'' She stretched in her seat. ''We'll have fresh tomatoes tonight, that's one requirement for my dream house.''
Dryden smiled slightly, but it soon turned into one of the smirks which Dilandau hated him for, ''I'll bet you'll want a white picket fence too right.''
''Yep, I wouldn't mind.''
The next few minutes past in silence between the two pilots, though small parts of Van and Allen's argument over who was the better looking shot through the speakers now and again. Both pilots reacted the same, with a snigger.
''They both know I'm better looking then the both of them put together.'' Dryden mumbled, making Hitomi burst into a very uncharacteristic fit of giggles.
She eventually recovered enough to ask Merle; ''are we close enough to see our new home?''
''Yes commander, locking in on HAB.''
Unfortunately the light atmosphere abroad the Mars 1 didn't last very long.
~~~~~~~~~~
''Shit.''
Was the only thing Dilandau and Allen heard from Flight Deck as they where both forced into opposite sides of the lab's walls. Sounds of sparks coming from the overhead lights and various objects falling from all over the ship and smashing on the floor where heard via the open com. lines all over the ship.
Only two words entered Allen's mind as he stumbled to his feet, grabbed Dilandau off the floor and ran as fast as they both could go towards the centre of the ship. 'Safe Area.'
At the same time both Hitomi and Dryden where punching various commands into the Mars 1 computers as it became clear that they were in trouble. Amiss all the chaos, Dryden was the first to speck.
''It's a Gamma Burst.''
Hitomi ignored him, ''Latch up, latch up, free flow.'' She turned to her side screen, ''Damnit, main powers going, shut the system down Dryden.''
''U wanna shut it down?''
''Yes shut it down, SCP's reporting some kind of massive solar flare.'' She turned back to face the main screen just in time to watch it explode in a mass of sparks, ''Come on Merle don't do this.'' She cursed under her breath.
Seconds later every computer screen on the ship started to flash a dangerous shade of red as two words appeared on Dryden's front screen. At his small gasp, Hitomi looked over and shouted over the com. lines, ''Uh-Oh radiation alert, Safe Area guys, go!''
When Dryden refused to move and continued to punch in the safe commands needed to get the ship back under control again Hitomi shouted over the sounds of explosions on the lower levels of the ship. ''Thank you Lieutenant.''
''I'm not going anywhere, you need me up here on the-''
''I want you back there with the others now! GO!'' Hitomi cut him off.
Dryden slammed his fist down on the nearest control panel before getting up and making a run for it. ''Damnit!''
~~~~~~~~~~
Dryden ran into the safe area and punched a small red button on the lower control panel, three of the side doors closed and locked and the forth followed shortly after, leaving Folken to reach the room in time. All five men stood completely silent as they listen to the remaining areas of the ship being taken over by fire.
~~~~~~~~~~
''The solar flare has past commander.'' Merle's voice rang out in the only place it could be now heard. ''Power levels are below operating minimum's.''
~~~~~~~~~~
The explosive sounds died down and the only working blue A.V. lights became active. Dryden activated the small circular door leading to the research bay and entered. Walking straight towards another control panel, and got there just in time to see it flicker and die.
Hitomi's voice came through from the flight deck, ''Dryden?''
''Yeah we copy Hitomi, we're all OK, what's the damage to the ship?''
Hitomi sighed and Van started to worry. ''Oh, we're dead in the water.'' She finally answered.
''Main power off line.'' Merle unintentionally cut in.
''She's holding in together now but she could fall apart at any moment.'' Hitomi concluded.
''Auxiliary power unit failure, All power systems will shut down in six minutes.'' Merle reported.
Hitomi racked her brains. This was not good. Most of the ship was either still on fire or smashed to pieces, there was no way they could stay for very long. After just seconds of silence she made up her mind. ''OK, guys change of plan, we're launching now. Suit up. I'll try to get more systems on line then I'll join you.''
The five didn't need telling twice, within seconds of Hitomi's decision they had all scattered and headed for different ends of the research bay. Each pressed a small green button on the wall to activate their suits and had stripped down and suited up. Meanwhile Hitomi was mumbling to herself on the flight deck. ''I've got to get the launch programme on-line.''
After trying six times to pull the lever that alternated the launch programme six times Merle's one ever present voice stated what was now the obvious. ''Launch systems not responding.''
''That's not good.'' Hitomi decided outloud.
''No it isn't.'' was Merle's reply.
''OK, lets try it another way.'' Hitomi said more to herself then Merle as she started to punch a new set of commands into the computer. But it soon seemed that a different approach wasn't working.
''LRS not responding. Failure to engage.''
''God damnit, come on give me a brake.'' Hitomi tried to reason.
''I'm sorry commander, launch systems still not responding.''
Hitomi sighed again and soon the bad news reached the others who were now safely restrained in the launch pod.
''Listen up guys, the ship is no longer supplying power to the LRS systems which means that I'm gonna have to stay back and arm it manually.''
Dryden cursed. ''With all due respect commander, we're not leaving without you.''
''Hey, It's not up for debate.''
Van racked his brains in desperation, if she stayed she'd die. ''Cut the auto guidance system and reboot the arm.''
''Nope we don't have enough time Van, Dryden, you're in charge. I hope you like the saddle.''
''Lieutenant, launch systems ready.''
Dryden looked at the others, Hitomi's plan did make sense. If they left now, there was still a chance to find out what was going on on Mars and complete the mission. He made his mind up, there was still a chance. ''OK Merle, I'm secure.'' He looked around again, in order to launch all parties had to consent.
''Secure.''
''Secure.''
''Secure.'' Allen, Dilandau then Folken answered in turn.
''..........''
''Van?''
Van sighed. ''Secure.''
The pod started to rock back and forth as Hitomi released the clamps holding it to the ships hull one by one.
''God I hope she makes it.'' Dilandau voiced his fear.
Back on the flight deck Hitomi was just about to release the last clamp. 'Here goes' She thought silently and she pulled the lever. ''Launch!''
All five men braced themselves as Dryden punched in the last few commands and the launch pod was released, hurtling towards Mars, leaving Hitomi to deal with the chaos on the Mars 1 and the others to deal with whatever lay ahead on Mars' surface.