Hey guys! Lucky for you shabuirs, I've found some free time, and finished the fifth chapter. Yeah! So, enjoy!
CHAPTER 5
Planet: none. System: none. Sector: Lothal Sector. Location: Rebel Quasar-Class Carrier, officer's hanger; empty space.
Calrand sat in the pilot chair of Daune A'den, keying in the launch sequence. The console beeped and Calrand leaned back in his chair, waiting for thrusters to warm up. Finally, with a beep from the console, the ship was ready for take-off. He leant forward and griped the steering yoke, then keyed the bay door open. A transparent blue field popped up right in front of the door. The door started to slowly sink into the deck. When it disappeared, Calrand powered up the thrusters and maneuvered the ship out of the bay, through the shield, into the cold vacuum of space. He was met by chaos. Chunks of metal cluttered the exit, making it impossible to fly further than just outside the hanger. Calrand fired the forward cannons, scattering the debris. He maneuvered through to meet with more chaos; three of the fleet's five Nebulon-B cruisers where destroyed. One was split in half, and the other two were riddled with holes. The two remaining crusiers were standing off Calrand's starboard bow. The Fleet's three support frigates were nowhere to be found. Calrand thought he saw a chunk of one drifting off to port. The battleground was still hot with fighter fire of Calrand's port bow. A pirate anti-fighter frigate was nearby, providing the rebels with a tough time killing the remaining pirate fighters. Calrand maneuvered his ship to face the skirmish and contemplated intervening. He thought against it, since he was un-crewed, and therefore his turrets would be nonfunctional, and his firepower would be severely limited. He would have to wait for the Ghost team. Instead he maneuvered toward the Nebulons and fired his thrusters. He was going to dock and pick up a crew.
"Attention Nebulon Cruiser Jarco, this is Commander Calrand Daun of the Daun'e A'den requesting docking clearance," Calrand said into the mic.
"Commander, this is Jarco, good to hear your alive, we've already got the Ghost docked. Docking request granted. Head to the starboard docking port positioned amidships."
"Copy that, Daun out."
Calrand maneuvered the freighter until the port docking-ring was aligned, and began making small movements with his mini thrusters until he heard a thump and a panel on the overhead flashed yellow. He hit the docking ring toggle button on the overhead and the panel turned green. Calrand let out a sigh of relief and leaned into the mic.
"Jarco, this is Daun'e A'den, I'm docked. Requesting a com patch to your commander."
"Daun'e A'den, this is Jarco, request granted, hold on just a moment while I patch you through."
Calrand leaned back in his chair and waited.
"Commander Daun," the com crackled, "this is commander Jun Sato, glad to know you're alive."
"Likewise Commander."
"Now Daun, what do you need?"
"Nothing much sir, just a few men to crew my ship. I'd like to assist in the removal of these pirates, but I can't do that all by myself."
"Let me see what I can scrape up. Hold on just a moment."
A few minutes passed.
"Alright Calrand you're in luck. I found ten men willing to join your crew."
"Wow. I need at least two gunners and one co-pilot. Tell them that and let them volunteer."
"Will do. Stand by."
Another few minutes passed.
"Daun, you've got your request, I have two gunners, and a pilot."
"Great, that's all I need."
"I also have some orders for you."
"Oh?"
"I have seven men here without jobs, so I'm sending you on a breach and clear mission. Disable that frigate and board it. I want to know who we're fighting. You will also have the Ghost with you."
"Copy that."
"Alright Calrand. I'm sending them down now. Good luck, Sato out."
Calrand got up from the pilots chair and sauntered towards the cargo hold. He paused at the CQAS crate and grabbed a Verpine shatter rifle, which he strapped on his back. He still didn't know where his beskar saber went.
The Ghost crew probably has it. He thought. I'll get it from them later
He then lifted the Cip-Quad out of the crate and peeled away a layer of foam, revealing ten DC-17 interchangeable rifles with rifle, sniper, and anti-armor attachments. He lifted the tray up and out of the crate and placed it on the floor. He then slide the lid back on the crate and placed the tray atop it. Then he went across the cargo bay to the port side and dragged a crate starboard. He placed it next to CQAS and pulled of the lid. Inside were helmets and chest plates. A beep sounded as what could only be his men entered the airlock. The airlock pinged as someone hit the access button. They didn't know that entering required either an access code, or someone to open it from the inside. He crossed the bay and tapped the appropriate code into the panel next to the door. The door hissed and slid open. Men began pouring through the airlock. Calrand stepped back and let them through. Once all ten were in, he stepped forward and closed the airlock.
"Welcome," he said to the men," to the Daun'e A'den! Now, which of you is my copilot."
A man raised his hand.
"What's your name?"
"Taylen, Commander," the man said with a sharp salute.
"You can call me Commander if you want, but ditch the salute osik."
"Yes sir," replied Taylen.
"Now, who are my gunners, step forward and reveal your names.
"I'm Halton," said one.
"I'm Ulto," said another.
"Alright, so do you guys have our orders?"
"Sir, yes, sir!" the men shouted.
"Bu'nas'a, you guys have energy! Now, I'll explain the plan on the way. In the meantime, you guys suit up with the armor in that crate, and take a rifle from the other. Gunners, copilot, come with me."
Calrand strode to the cockpit, men in tow.
"Gunners, the gunnery station is over there. Make yourself acquainted with the controls. Copilot's chair is there. Got it? Good."
Calrand sat down and leaned into the com mic.
"Jarco, this is Daun'e A'den, requesting permission to undock."
"Daun'e A'den, this is Jarco, request granted."
"Copy that Jarco, Daun'e A'den out."
Calrand tapped the docking ring toggle; releasing them from the Jarco. William pulled the yoke hard to port and rolled the throttle forward, pushing away from the Jarco.
"Gunners, as a bit of target practice, I'm gonna fly through the debris field, and I want you to clear a path. Careful, the guns have quit a kick, and they overheat with prolonged automatic fire."
"Yes, sir," they replied
Calrand leaned into the com mic and pressed the intercom button.
"Be advised, we will be firing the overcharged mass driver turrets to clear debris, so make sure you have sure footing." He leaned away from the mic and took his hand off the intercom button. He turned his head towards the gunnery station. "Fire away."
"Yes sir!"
The ship suddenly shook. A cry of frustration came from the cargo bay.
"What the kriff was that!" a man shouted.
Calrand leant back into the mic.
"Alright, here's the plan. First we'll disable the frigates weapons and drives from the outside, and dock with the frigate. You seven in the cargo bay will be my boarding team, we'll split off into two squads, Taylen will monitor the enemies activity with the ship's scanners, he'll be our lookout, making sure we don't run straight into a pirate pocket and get slaughtered. We'll make our way through the ship, killing pirates that look unimportant. The brass wants the pirate commander. Anyone who looks important is to be stunned and marked, so we can pick them up later." The ship shook with the cannon again. "We're coming up on the combat zone, strap into your chairs, boys, we're going in."
Thanks for reading! Also, here's a great mando'a translator if you want it: coruscant_ ?language=mandoa Taabir bat ner vode!