2669.316 TCS Victory bridge. Col. Blair stepped off the lift, and saw Captain Eison looking out the front portals of the ship. "So you wanted to see me Captain?",
"Ah Col., so how are the cadets handling their first real space patrol?".
"Not to bad Captain, but a lot of them are worried that they may be out of a job even before they graduate.".
"Remember Col., its up to you and the other instructors to remind them that life in space can change in a moment.".
"Yes sir Captain, but they seem to want a real challenge.".
Just then Lt. Rollins called the Captain. "Sir, Flash message coming in for you on command frequency.".
"Patch it up here Rollins.",
"Aye aye sir.".
A few moments later, the monitor in front of Captain Eison was displaying a familiar face. "Admiral Terrell, a pleasure to hear from you sir.",
"You may not think so in a minute William. It seems that the CES base in Rygannon has been attacked by unknown forces. You're the closest ship to a jump route that can get there quickly. You are to proceed through Palan to Xytani. Once there you will need to proceed to Xytani 4. It seems that there was a survivor of the attack, and she managed to make it to the CES emergency station in Xytani."
Chris looked at the monitor, "Admiral, is there any information on the attackers?",
"Col Blair isn't it?",
"Yes sir.",
"Well Col. The message that CES received from the emergency station was that the survivor had managed to get some scans of the attackers and their base-ship. You may want to get that Intel before proceeding into Rygannon. I'm sending you a copy of the message".
Captain Eison looked at the monitor, "Admiral, what rules of engagement do you want us to follow.".
Admiral Terrell looked at him "Captains discretion William.",
"Aye aye sir. Victory out.".
Chris and the Captain looked at each other for a moment, then Eison looked at Lt. Rollins, "I want all section heads in the briefing room in 3 minutes.",
"Yes sir.".
"Helm, I want a speed course for the Xytani system, and I want it 5 minutes ago.",
"Yes sir.".
Chris and the Captain felt the ship begin to speed up as the engines fired up to maximum thrust. As they approached the lift, they could hear the ship wide broadcast of the emergency meeting in the briefing room. Four minutes later the Captain was giving his section heads the briefing. "Listen up people, we have no idea what we're going to be facing. So to be safe, I am going to put the ship at status 2. We are headed for the Xytani system because the CES base in Rygannon has been attacked.".
"Uh Captain.",
"Yes Major Chow.",
"Why Xytani?",
"If you let me finish, you'll know why." this brought a few chuckles from everyone.
"It seems that there was a survivor of the attack, who made it to a CES emergency station in the Xytani system."
Eison then played the message sent by Julie Finch. "We need those scans that she got people. That's what we have for now, get your sections ready. I want the ship at status 2 before we jump into Xytani. That's all, dismissed." the section leaders came to attention, and then proceeded back to their sections.
As they were leaving, the Captain asked Col Blair to stay. "Chris, I know that most of the pilots are cadets. But I want you to treat this mission like you would have 6 months ago.".
"Don't worry Captain, the Flight wing will be ready for anything.". He came to attention and saluted the Captain.
After he left the briefing room, Blair had Rollins broadcast a meeting for all squadron leaders in his office in 10 minutes. He had just reached his office when the broadcast was made. He went to his computer and brought up all the data on the Xytani and Rygannon systems and he called the Marine commander and asked him to attend the meeting as well. Flint was the first to arrive, followed by Major Chow the marine commander and then Vagabond and Maniac. Chris quickly briefed the pilots of the situation and played the message for them.
"Here's what I want to do people. When we arrive in system, Maniac, I want you and Primate to launch with the best 2 cadets in your wing. You'll fly a wide patrol pattern of the Xytani system. Vagabond, I want you and Ripper to be on CAP with your best 2 cadets. Major, I want a 2 squads of your best marines on an assault shuttle ready for a space action. Any questions?".
Flint looked at him, "What about me Col?",
"Flint, your on my wing for this one. We're going to be escorting the Marines. Any other questions?", the group shook their heads no.
Just then there was a broadcast on the over head. "Attention all crew, stand by for jump to the Palan system.". The group held onto the table, and felt a momentary rush through their bodies as the ship made the jump.
"OK people prep your ships and get your people ready, dismissed.".
The people filed out except for Flint. "Chris, which ships are we taking?",
"The Excalibur's Robin.",
Chris then called Captain Eison and showed him the plan, which the Captain agreed with. Chris buzzed the tech section and showed Chief Tech Coriolas the mission specs. "The birds will be ready before we jump sir.".
Robin stood by his desk and looked at Chris. "What's wrong Chris?",
"Actually Robin, nothing." he said with a smile. He stood up and walked around the desk., he looked in Robin's eyes.
"I haven't felt this good since the night we got our medals.", remembering that night and what had happened made Robin blush a little.
As he pulled her closer, she felt something familiar, and with a surprised look she smiled at Chris. "Well Col. I do declare, you must be happy to see me.", they were still snickering when he shut off the lights.
Eight hours later, the Victory was at status 2 and jumped into the Xytani system. On the flight deck, there where 11 ships ready to launch. Maniac and his group launched in 4 Thunderbolt heavy fighters. Then Blair and Flint launched with the Marine assault shuttle. Vagabond and his group were the last to launch. Chris got on the comm-link,
"Alright people, I want you to do it by the book out here, and good luck.". Blair and Flint and the Marines set a course for Xytani 4. Three hours later they were coming up on the target. "Col. I'm getting a low power reading from the asteroid orbiting the planet.".
"That should be the emergency station. Major Chow, Flint and I will fly close cover while your shuttle lands and your people check out the station.",
"Yes sir, on landing vector now.". The marine shuttle landed less that 10 meters from the station, and in 2 minutes the marines were in the station.
Major Chow was slowly opening the inner airlock door when a laser shot pinged off the door. He crouched down and called out,
"Confed Marines responding to your distress call.".
He then heard a weapon being dropped and saw a young woman in a flight suit walk out of the shadows.
"Your real right? I'm not dreaming this." she said as she walked toward him.
He shouldered his laser rifle and walked over to her. As he reached her, he could tell that she was in shock, and near a point of exhaustion. The Major took her shoulders and lead her to a chair,
"Hey doc, check her out, while I check in.",
"Col., we have found the pilot and I have doc checking her out right now.".
"Miss Finch?",
"Yes Major.",
"We need the scans you took in Rygannon.".
Julie looked at him a little blankly, then as if in a fog, she told him that they were on her ship, and she pointed at the Strahka on the landing pad. He had his Lt. check out the ship,
"I got good and bad news sir.",
"What's the good news Lt..",
"The ship and its computer look OK.".
"And the bad news Lt..",
"The main power system is shot sir.".
"Just great." the major sighed. Major Chow filled in Col. Blair, and asked for orders.
"Major, I want you to secure the ship for now. I'll have the Victory send a shuttle out with a tech team and pilot to try and get the ship running . Send half your marines back to the Victory with the pilot. I'll have Flint fly escort.".
"Yes sir.",
"OK marines you heard the man, Lt. you and your squad will escort the lady home. 1st squad, we secure the bird."
The marines carried out their orders immediately. Col. Blair called the Victory and got things rolling from there.
Rachel Coriolas was on the shuttle with a tech crew 10 minutes later. When they arrived, she checked out the bird and had it ready to fly in 15 minutes.
"Well Col., I wouldn't take her into a fight, but she'll make it back to the Victory.".
"Roger that Rachel. Maverick to Victory we are departing, returning to base.".
The flight back to the Victory was quiet, and Chris contacted Vagabond,
"Vagabond, I want you to start rotating your pilots in a 6 hour rotation. One senior and three cadets per flight. Work out the details with Primate, Vero and Hazard.",
"Roger Col..".
" Rachel, I want you to get your best people on that ship, we need what's in its computer.". "Just as soon as we set down sir.".
The cadets all seemed to turn out when they found out that the wing commander was bringing a Strakha on board. As soon as he landed, Chris saw that Rachel and her techs were moving toward the Strakha. He then called the Captain to find out about the pilot.
"She's in med bay right now Col., Doctor Iverson believes that she should be fine in a few hours. Chris walked over to Rachel,
"Well Rachel, can you save the old girl?".
"That depends Col., do you just want the data, or do you want the ship combat ready?".
Chris thought for a second,
"Give her a full fix up Rachel, you never know, we might need to fly her.",
"You got it sir.".
An hour later, Chris and Captain Eison were in the briefing room with the Intelligence officer, Lt. Col. Melissa Taylor.
"As you can see Captain, Miss Finch was correct. These ship designs don't match with any known ships in either the civilian, military or classified data bases. And the energy signatures are like nothing we have ever seen."
A computer generated view of a fighter appeared on the screen of a monitor.
The Captain looked at her, "If necessary Col. Taylor, can we damage them?".
"Oh yes sir, the fighters are a little more maneuverable, but they have no shields at all.".
Chris looked at her, "What about the big ship?". Col. Taylor changed the image to the one of the larger base-ship.
"That one may be a bit harder sir, because of the alloy of the ships hull, we only have surface scans. But we believe that the ship has at least 100 laser like turrets, and 2 large energy weapons."
As she was saying this the image had dots displaying the turrets and energy weapons begin flashing.
"There also appears to be at least 4 landing bays on the ship, and we think that these points might be Cap-ship missile ports. And to top it off, the ship is also shielded with a form of E.M. shields like our own, but much stronger.".
"Thank you Col., I want you to have your analysis of this Intel ready to transmit in an hour. Col. Blair, I hope that we won't run into this monster, but I want you to formulate an attack plan in case we do. That's all people, dismissed.".
Captain Eison just looked at the monitor and prayed that his people wouldn't run into this monster. When Col. Taylor's analysis was ready, Captain Eison transmitted the Intel back to Confed, along with a request for more support.
Twelve hours later, Captain Eison received a transmission he didn't want from Admiral Terrell.
"William, we've been going over the data you sent. I think that you are right, and I am getting a task force together to help you out. The destroyers Armstrong and Excelsior should rendezvous with you in a few hours. But William, we need more Intel on the larger ship. I want you to send a flight to Rygannon to find and scan that ship. Tell your pilots that we want Intel, not kills. Terrell out.".
Captain Eison called Col. Blair to his office. When he arrived, Chris found the Captain sitting at his desk.
"Come in Chris, and close the door.".
Captain Eison handed Chris a glass of whiskey and sat down. Chris just looked at him for a minute,
"What's up Captain.?".
"Chris, Confed wants more Intel on the big ship. So we have to send a flight through the jump point to gather that Intel.".
Chris took a swallow of the whiskey, "What are the chances of survival Captain?".
"At the most Chris, slim.".
Chris looked at the Captain and took another swallow. "I want your pilot recommendations in an hour Chris. Oh and Chris, not you this time.",
"Yes sir Captain."
Chris returned to his quarters and looked over the pilot's records. But he only did it as a waste of time. He already knew who he had to send. Chris called the Captain and told him which pilots he had chosen, and the Captain just nodded.
Chris called Lt. Rollins and had Flint and Vagabond ordered to report to his office. They arrived in 5 minutes.
"Winston, Robin have a seat.",
They could tell by the look on his face that this was serious. He turned his monitor around and showed them the Intel that they had on the unknown attackers.
"Confed wants more Intel on the base-ship. We have to send a flight through the jump point and scout out the system, since the Excalibur's have the newest sensors on them and can cloak, the Captain and I agree that we should use them.".
Vagabond looked at Chris, "What are our chances boss?",
"Slim Vagabond, very slim.".
The three of them just sat there for a minute. Vagabond looked at Chris, "So when do we leave?",
"In 3 hours, when the Armstrong and Excelsior arrive. The Captain is moving the Victory up to the jump point even now.".
Vagabond looked at Chris and then Robin, "Well I have some things to take care of, see you in the briefing room in say two and a half hours.".
Vagabond got up and left Chris's office. Robin looked at Chris for a minute, and then walked over to him and they just held each other. After the briefing, Vagabond met Chris on the flight deck,
"Don't worry Chris, I'll keep her safe.",
"Thanks Vagabond.".
Chris watched as the two of them climbed into their ship's and launched, then he went to the bridge.
"Victory this is Cloak and Dagger, we are ready to jump.".
Captain Eison smiled as he heard Vagabond. "Listen you two, just get the Intel and get back here safely. No heroics, understand.".
"Yes sir, we understand, Flint out.".
Chris arrived on the bridge just as they where going through the jump point. Captain Eison looked at him and walked over and put a hand on his shoulder,
"Don't worry Chris they'll be alright. Their both excellent pilots and they've got the best ships we can give them".
"I know that sir, but I still worry. We have no idea who or what these attackers are. Or how they'll react to us snooping around.".
"I know Chris, but I have a good feeling about this. You'll see, you'll see." Eison hoped he had sounded more confident than he felt right now.